Regional News Archives for 2015-05

Beaverton Man Dies In Crash

(Washington County, OR)  --  A man is dead after his vehicle fell down a 150-foot embankment in Washington County.  Oregon State Police say 42-year-old Ryan Middleton of Beaverton was traveling along Highway six yesterday morning, when he lost control at a curve and began rolling down the embankment.  Middleton was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Oregon, Washington Ranked Among "Least Obese" States

(Undated)  --  A new survey shows Oregon is among the least obese states in the nation.  The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index reports that the rate of obesity in the U.S. was at nearly 28-percent last year, up from 27-percent in 2013.  Oregon is ranked as the 12th least obese state, with Washington ranked 13th.  Mississippi ranks as the "fattest" state, and Hawaii is ranked as the leanest. 

Former PDX City Official Sentenced

(Portland, OR)  --  A former Portland city official is headed to prison.  Ellis McCoy, who pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for steering a parking meter contract to a Florida company, was sentenced yesterday to two years in federal prison.  The former city transportation official is required to turn himself in on July 9th.  Ellis apologized in court during yesterday's sentencing hearing, and blamed "character flaws" for his actions.  

Bicyclist Dies In Collision

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating a crash that left a bicyclist dead in Southeast Portland.  Authorities say the cyclist collided with a tow truck shortly after noon yesterday, near the intersection of Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Gladstone Street.  The man on the bike was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the tow truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. 

Fuel Prices Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas prices are unchanged from yesterday in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the current average for regular is three-oh-four a gallon, which is a half-cent above the average at this time last week.  The national average for regular is two-74 a gallon. 

Suspect Arrested In Connection With Stabbing

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A man accused of robbing a Vancouver credit union and stabbing a customer is now in custody.  Authorities arrested 24-year-old Timar Degraffe yesterday.  Police say Degraffe stabbed a customer who tried to intervene in the robbery Tuesday afternoon, and the victim remains hospitalized.  Degraffe is facing charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree attempted murder. 

Autopsy: Death Of Fired Portland Cop Was Suicide

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The Clark County Medical Examiner's Office says the death of fired Portland Police officer Dane Reister was a suicide.  Reister was found dead Monday beside BNSF railroad tracks in Washougal [[ wash-OO-gull ]].  Police say Reister's car was parked about 100 yards away, and it's believed he walked into the path of a train.  Reister was fired after a shooting in 2011, in which he wounded a suspect by firing a lethal round that was "inadvertently" loaded into a less-lethal beanbag gun.

House Clears Cable-barrier Bill

(Salem, OR)  --  A measure that will require cable barriers to be installed along some stretches of Oregon Interstate highways is headed to the governor.  The House has given final legislative approval to the measure, which would require that the barriers be placed in the median if the space between opposing lanes of traffic is 100 feet or less.  Supporters of the bill say it's intended to prevent crossover crashes on Interstate highways.

Three Charged In School Burglary

(Portland, OR)  --  Three people are facing charges after being accused of burglarizing Portland's Roosevelt High School.  Police say an iPad and various supplies were stolen from the school around 4:40 yesterday morning.  Nineteen-year-old Dalton Parnell was arrested, along with a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.  Investigators say it appears the three entered the school through an unlocked door.

Two Arrested In Connection With Kidnapping

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people accused of kidnapping a Gresham woman and her young child are facing multiple charges.  Police say 33-year-old David Vasquez and his girlfriend, 28-year-old Ruth Orozco-Rivera, had been staying with the victim until recently, when she kicked them out of her home.  Authorities say the accused kept the victim handcuffed last weekend and threatened and assaulted her.  Police say the victim was able to escape and contact authorities after the accused kidnappers fell asleep.

Gas Prices Slightly Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump in the Portland area are slightly lower.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for a gallon of regular is three-dollars four-cents, down about a half-cent from yesterday.  At this point last month, regular sold for an average of about two-dollars 80-cents a gallon in the Portland area.
 

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Crash

(Lake Oswego, OR)  --  A motorcyclist is being treated at a hospital, following a crash in Lake Oswego.  Police say a car hit the motorcycle while pulling onto Country Club near Knaus Road around three o'clock yesterday afternoon.  The rider was seriously injured and taken to Oregon Health & Science University.  No names have been released.

Fired Portland Cop Found Dead

(Washougal, WA)  --  Portland police say an officer who was fired from the Bureau was found dead along railroad tracks in Washougal. Authorities say it appears Dale Reister was hit by a train, but other factors may have been involved.  Reister was terminated in October 2013 after he fired a less-lethal beanbag shotgun at a suspect.  The gun "inadvertently" contained lethal rounds and killed the suspect, William Monroe.  An autopsy on Reister's body is being conducted.

Teen Remains In Coma Following Crash

(Salem, OR)  --  A student at McNary High School in Salem, who was involved in a crash Friday, is still in a coma.  Austin Verboort suffered a brain injury and a broken leg in the two-vehicle collision near the school.  Two other teens who were injured were treated and released.  The crash remains under investigation.
 

Police Investigate Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating a report of a drive-by shooting in East Portland.  Authorities say shell casings were found yesterday afternoon in the area of Southeast 122nd Avenue and East Burnside, and a TV inside a nearby home was reportedly hit with a bullet.  There have been no reports of injuries.  Police say the shots were reported to have come from a silver car traveling south on 122nd.

Two Injured In Three-vehicle Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are being hospitalized, following a three-vehicle crash in Northeast Portland.  The wreck happened around 3:10 yesterday afternoon on Northeast Marine Drive near Northeast 122nd Avenue.  One of the drivers, who was trapped in his vehicle, is being treated for serious injuries but is expected to survive.  A second person was less seriously injured.

SE Portland Armed Robberies Investigated

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are trying to determine whether two armed robberies that happened over the weekend are connected.  A person reported being robbed at gunpoint a few minutes after three a.m. Sunday while walking from his car to his house on Southeast 71st Avenue.  Minutes later, two suspects armed with guns broke into the Kilt Irish Pub on Southeast Woodstock Boulevard and robbed the bartender as she was closing.  Police say the descriptions of the suspects in both holdups were similar.

Seven Vehicles Stolen From Auto Dealership

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating the theft of seven vehicles from a Southeast Portland car dealership.  The thefts took place last night at Carco Auto Wholesale, and police are reviewing surveillance video that reportedly captured at least one of the thieves at work.  Officials say six of the vehicles were recovered within blocks of the dealership.  KATU-TV reports only a 2005 Hyundai Sonata is still missing.
 

Gas Prices Flat

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gasoline prices are mostly flat from yesterday.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the average for regular is three-oh-four a gallon, which is about a penny-and-a-half above the average of a week ago.  Regular is selling nationwide for an average of two-74 a gallon.

Teen Charged With Attempted Murder Following Fight

(Portland, OR)  --  A 15-year-old boy is facing three counts of attempted murder, following a fight in Portland's Fairview area.  Three people were stabbed during the altercation at Fairview Woods apartments on May 15th.  The teen is also charged with three counts of second-degree assault.  The boy's next court appearance is slated for May 28th.

Rent In Portland Rises Faster Than Home Values

(Portland, OR)  --  A new report by Zillow shows the cost to rent an apartment is skyrocketing in Portland.  The real-estate website reports rents have risen over the past year, nearly two times faster than home values.  Zillow says the average home price in Portland rose four-point-seven percent during the past 12 months, while rent increased an average of eight-point-six percent.  Rent averages more than 16-hundred dollars a month in Portland, and the average home price is nearly 283-thousand dollars.

Klamath County Woman Dies In Crash

(Lane County, OR)  --  A Klamath County woman is dead, following a two-vehicle crash in Lane County.  Oregon State Police say a Ford Ranger went out of control yesterday along Highway 58 near Lowell, and slammed into an oncoming Chevrolet pickup.  A passenger in the pickup, 50-year-old Katherine Gonzales of Bonanza, died at the scene.  The driver of the pickup is listed in serious condition.  There's no word on the condition of the driver of the Ranger.

Missing Sheridan Man Sought

(Tillamook, OR)  --  Police say they're looking for a missing Sheridan man who has a history of mental illness.  Authorities say an abandoned vehicle belonging to 49-year-old James Shook was found on May 19th at Cape Lookout State Park.  Shook hasn't been seen since May 13th in Lincoln City.  Anyone knowing his location is asked to call the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 503-375-3555.

Man Seriously Injured In Five-story Fall

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being treated for serious injuries after he fell five stories at a North Broadway apartment building.  Authorities say the man apparently fell from a window around 10 p.m. Wednesday and landed in a courtyard at the Paramount Apartments.  The man, whose name hasn't been released, was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

Slight Drop In Gas Prices

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A is reporting a slight drop in gasoline prices ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.  The Portland-area average for regular is three-03 a gallon, down a fraction of a cent from yesterday.  The average was about two-72 a gallon at this point in April.

One Killed, One Injured In NE Portland Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are investigating a two-vehicle crash that killed one person and injured another.  A semi-truck and a van both burst into flames following last night's wreck in the area of Northeast Columbia Boulevard and 17th Avenue.  Police say the driver of the van died, and the driver of the semi was seriously injured.  The semi was carrying mail for the U.S. Postal Service.
 

Water, Sewer Rates Likely To Rise In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Water and sewer bills will likely rise for Portland residents next year.  An increase of four-point-66 percent is being proposed, which would mean an increase of approximately four-dollars-42-cents per month for the typical customer.  Commissioner Nick Fish told KOIN-TV that a break on water and sewer service for developers will be eliminated, meaning the increase won't be as high as it could be.

New Members Elected To Portland School Board

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland School Board has four new members after yesterday's election.  In Zone One, Julie Esparza Brown won by a 77-to-22 margin over Andrew Davidson.  Paul Anthony received 52 percent of the vote in Zone Two, with Jose Gonzales in second place with 27 percent.  Amy Carlsen Kohnstamm received 45 percent of the vote to 38 percent for incumbent Bobbie Regan in Zone Three, while Mike Rosen won the Zone Seven seat with 98 percent of the vote.

Man Gets Six-month Sentence For Fatal Crash

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A Milwaukie man who killed another man in a DUII crash in Vancouver is headed to jail for six months.  Scott Rowles received the sentence yesterday in the death of Donald Collins, who was hit by a truck driven by Rowles.  Police say Rowles admitted to have smoked marijuana about an hour prior to the December 2012 crash.  Rowles, who will be on probation for five years after his release, was initially charged with vehicular homicide, but he pleaded guilty on May 1st to the lesser charge of driving under the influence.

Clackamas County Bond Leading By 2-1 Margin

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A general obligation bond to provide funding for Clackamas County Fire District One appears on its way to passage.  The vote in initial returns is 67 percent in favor, 33 percent against.  The estimated tax rate for the 15-year-bond is ten cents per one-thousand dollars of assessed property value.  Officials say it will generate 29-million dollars to enhance safety and service delivery.

Happy Valley Votes To Keep Police Force Funded

(Happy Valley, OR)  --  Most Happy Valley voters want to keep their police force funded.  Initial returns in yesterday's election show 82 percent of voters favor keeping the police force intact.  The Happy Valley P.D. currently employs eleven full-time officers and one part-time officer.

Portland's Park System Scores High

(Undated)  --  Portland's park system is ranked among the nation's best.  The Trust for Public Land gives Portland a score of four-point-five out of a possible five, good enough to be tied with New York City for fifth place.  Factors considered in compiling the rankings include park access, park facilities, distance to parks, and median park size.  Minneapolis and St. Paul are tied for first place in the park-system survey, followed by Washington, D.C. and San Francisco.
 

Milwaukie Has New Mayor

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Mark Gamba will be Milwaukie's new mayor.  Gamba, who's a member of the City Council, ran unopposed for the position that's currently held on an interim basis by Wilda Parks.  Gamba will succeed Jeremy Ferguson, who resigned in January to take a private-sector job.  Gamba was elected to the Milwaukie City Council in 2012.

Portland-area Gas Prices Up

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gasoline prices are moving up.  The latest survey by Triple-A shows the average for a gallon of regular is about three-03, a half-cent higher than yesterday.  At this point in April, the Portland-area average for regular was two-68 a gallon.

Pedestrian Seriously Injured In Clackamas

(Clackamas, OR)  --  A pedestrian is being treated for serious injuries after being hit by an SUV while crossing at a Clackamas intersection.  Oregon State Police say the Portland woman was in a crosswalk at the intersection of Southeast 82nd Avenue at Southeast Overland Street when she was struck yesterday.  The woman, identified as Christine Harbacheck, is listed in serious condition.  Police say the driver of the SUV was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
 

Police Still Investigating Deadly Crash In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say alcohol and excessive speed are believed to have been factors in a crash the killed one person and injured two others.  The car tumbled down a 150-foot embankment and burst into flames during the wreck earlier this week on Northwest Royal Boulevard and Meridian Ridge Drive.  Police say 29-year-old Jack Davis was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.  The driver, 39-year-old Jacob Farrar, is listed in critical condition, and a passenger, Kathryn McEachern [[ muh-KAK-ern ]] was treated at a hospital and released.

PCC Board Votmes Remove President

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Community College and its president are parting ways.  The college board voted yesterday to approve a separation-in-service agreement that removes Jeremy Brown from his position as president.  A PCC board spokesperson says the decision for Brown to depart was mutual.  The "Portland Tribune" reports the board voted to approve ending Brown's tenure after it was learned in late April that he was a candidate for the chancellor's job at Arkansas State University.

Panel Approves Rules Regarding Medical Marijuana

(Salem, OR)  --  A plan to implement tighter restrictions regarding medical marijuana has the approval of an Oregon Senate special committee.  Under the measure, new regulations on the medical marijuana industry would include limiting the number of plants growers can have.  The committee, which is charged with implementing Oregon's new marijuana legalization law, has also agreed on a provision to allow local governments to ban medical marijuana dispensaries within their jurisdictions.  Measure 91, which legalizes recreational use of pot in Oregon, is set to go into effect on July 1st.

Fuel Prices Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline is fairly steady from yesterday in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for a gallon of regular is about three-03, which is still about two cents a gallon above the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is about two-71 a gallon.

Residents Mark Mount St. Helens Anniversary

(Skamania County, WA)  --  Residents in Oregon and Washington are observing the anniversary of the devastating eruption of Mount St. Helens.  Thirty-five years ago today, on May 18th, 1980, the blast blew a nearly two-mile crater in the picturesque mountain and sent ash and debris miles into the air.  Fifty-seven deaths resulted from the massive eruption.  Three-and-a-half decades later, scientists are maintaining a close watch on the volcano.

Armed Suspect Shot By Portland Police

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being hospitalized after being shot by a Portland police officer.  Authorities say the man, who was reported to be seen yesterday cutting himself with a knife in Southeast Portland, had broken into a house on Southeast Boise Street while two kids and their mother were inside.  Officials say as police helped the residents get out of the house, the suspect abruptly left the home and began charging at officers.  Police say the man was shot after attempts to use non-lethal bean bag rounds were unsuccessful.

Rollover Crash Kills One, Injures Two

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed one person and injured two.  Authorities say a car traveled off the roadway on Skyline Boulevard shortly before eight o'clock last night, and rolled down a 150-foot embankment toward Meridian Ridge Drive.  Police say the car hit a house on the way down and caught fire.  A man was found dead at the scene, and another man and a woman are being treated for traumatic injuries.

Police Search For Missing Portland Woman

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are asking for help in locating a Portland woman who's been reported missing.  Seventy-four-year-old Dora Ann McIntyre, who's considered medically fragile, was last seen yesterday afternoon near the eleven-thousand-500 block of Northeast Glisan Street.  Police told KOIN-TV that McIntyre is described as a white woman, five-feet-eight, 180 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with white flowers, blue jeans, and open-heeled sandals.  Anyone who sees Dora Ann McIntyre is asked to call 911.

Police: Missing Teen Found Safe

(Corbett, OR)  --  Sheriff's deputies say a developmentally-delayed teen who had been reported missing is safe at home.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's office says 17-year-old Serenity Leann Hooker vanished around 3:30 Friday afternoon at Corbett High School while waiting for a friend to pick her up.  Authorities say the teen was found safe yesterday afternoon.
 

Man Accused Of Injuring Girlfriend Following Bar Fight

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing multiple charges, after his girlfriend was injured following a bar fight.  Police say Avery Camacho left the White Eagle Bar on North Russell Street with his girlfriend following the fight, and drove up onto a nearby sidewalk and crashed into a sign early yesterday morning.  Authorities say Camacho's girlfriend got out of the car, was hit by the still-open car door and suffered a serious head injury.  Police say Camacho then ran over the foot of a man who was trying to intervene, but the man is expected to be fine.

Fuel Prices Higher In Portland Area

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices are still trending upward in the Portland area.  Triple-A is reporting the average for regular stands at about three-03 a gallon, which is two-and-a-half cents above the average of a week ago.  The nationwide average for regular is about two-71 a gallon.

Man Accused Of Kidnapping Teen Arrested On Oregon Coast

(Astoria, OR)  --  A man who's accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl is in police custody.  Officials say 48-year-old Russell Wayne Deviney reportedly lured the teen into his truck Saturday and drove her into Oregon.  Deviney was apprehended yesterday in a wooded area south of Cannon Beach after he was spotted by a passerby.  The teenager had reportedly escaped from Deviney Monday night and called police from a McDonald's in Astoria, telling officers she was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Deviney.

Silverton Health CEO Accused Of Public Indecency

(Woodburn, OR)  --  The CEO and president of Silverton Health is facing a charge of public indecency.  Woodburn police say 64-year-old Richard Cagen of Portland is accused of exposing and fondling himself in his car in a Bi-Mart parking lot on Mount Hood Avenue in Woodburn.  Authorities say a witness confronted Cagen, who left the scene immediately afterward.  Cagen was arrested yesterday at the Woodburn Health Center and taken to the Marion County Jail.

Accused Carjacker Being Sought

(Castle Rock, WA)  --  Castle Rock police are searching for a man who's accused of carjacking a vehicle and holding the owner and her two infant children at gunpoint.  Authorities say 27-year-old Andrew Wojtowicz got into the car while it was waiting at a stop sign yesterday at the intersection of Southwest Dike Drive and Southwest Front Street in Castle Rock.  The twin infants were in the back seat of the car.  Police say Wojtowicz held a gun to the woman and forced her to drive him to the area of 38th and Pennsylvania Street in Longview, where he left the car and fled.

Woman Accused Of Spitting On Police Officer

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman is facing charges after being accused of grabbing food from a salad bar with her hands and spitting on a Portland police officer.  Authorities say an employee at the Tecos Fresh Mexican Food Restaurant was hit with a pair of tongs thrown by 49-year-old Lori Denette Waltman, after she told Waltman to stop pulling food from the salad bar with her bare hands.  Police say Waltman then spit in the face of an officer who arrested her shortly afterward at the Powell Boulevard restaurant.  Waltman faces charges that include assault, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct.    
 

Portland-Area Gas Prices Up Slightly

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices are slightly higher in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is up a fraction of a cent from yesterday, at about three-02 a gallon.  That's two cents higher than the average of a week ago.

Three Sentenced For Shooting At High School

(Portland, OR)  --  A 16-year-old boy is scheduled to spend ten years in prison for firing the gun that wounded four people outside Rosemary Anderson High School in Portland.  Marquise Murphy received the sentence after he pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the December 2014 shooting.  Murphy's brother, 22-year-old Lonzo Murphy, pleaded no contest and was sentenced to more than seven years behind bars.  Also pleading no contest was 18-year-old Marquel Dugas, who received a sentence of more than eight years.
 

Woman Sentenced For Crash That Caused Bicyclist To Lose Leg

(Battle Ground, WA)  --  A woman who struck a bicyclist and caused him to lose his leg will be behind bars for three years.  Shaun Johnson was convicted in April on charges of vehicular assault and driving under the influence of meth in the hit-and-run crash that injured 16-year-old Justin Carey in June 2013.  Johnson apologized in court yesterday prior to sentencing.  Carey will graduate from high school in June.

Council Gives Tentative Approval To Demolish Reservoirs

(Portland, OR)  --  A proposal by the Portland Water Bureau to demolish the two open reservoirs in Washington Park appears to be moving forward.  The Portland City Council gave tentative approval to the plan yesterday.  The vote came after demonstrators protested against the plan, many of whom saying it's too expensive.  The plan calls for the demolition of the reservoirs and construction of underground storage for water, at an estimated cost of 67-million dollars.
 

WA Teachers Rally For Full Education Funding

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver-area teachers, like thousands of other teachers across Washington, are calling on the Legislature to fully fund public education.  Teachers from the Evergreen, Camas, Washougal, and Hockinson school districts held a rally yesterday morning at Esther Short Park, to urge lawmakers to follow through on a state Supreme Court mandate that public schools be fully funded.  The Washington Legislature is currently in a special session, one of the goals of which is to pass an education-funding package.

Runaway 12-year-old Found Safe

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The search for a 12-year-old runaway from Vancouver is over.  Police say Faith Johnson had run away from home about noon yesterday, and it was feared she was on her way to Georgia to meet a friend.  The girl was found safe later in the day at a church in Camas.

Two Still being Sought In Connection With Murder

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police continue to look for two people of interest in connection with a shooting death in Gresham earlier this week.  An autopsy shows Erick Carnegie died of gunshot wounds to the head and neck.  Carnegie's body was found lying in a street late Monday night.  Gresham police say they're looking for two African-American males, one six-feet-one and the other five-feet-eight, who may have been seen in the area of the shooting.
 

Gas Prices Change Little

(Portland, OR)  --  There's not much change in gas prices from yesterday in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the current average for regular is about three-oh-two a gallon, a fraction of a penny above yesterday's average.  It's also about two-and-a-half cents higher than a week ago.

Man Shot To Death In Gresham

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are seeking two persons of interest in connection with a deadly shooting in Gresham.  Authorities say 25-year-old Erick Austin Carnegie was found dead Monday night, lying in the street near his home on Northwest 7th Place.  Gresham police are looking for a man who's described as skinny, six-feet-one, in his mid-20s, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black Converse shoes.  Also being sought is a goateed man, five-feet-eight, wearing a burgundy sweatshirt, and weighing 160 to 170 pounds.

Police: Vancouver Woman Died Of Blunt-force Trauma

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Officials say a disabled Vancouver woman, whose body was found in her apartment, died of blunt-force trauma to the head.  The body of 66-year-old Sharon Allison was found around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, during a welfare check at the apartment on West 24th Street.  Police haven't identified any suspects.  Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to call 360-487-7420.

Outages Occur After Car Hits Power Pole

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police say two people sustained minor injuries after a car slammed into a utility pole.  Yesterday's crash happened around four p.m. and caused power outages in the vicinity of Southeast 162nd Avenue and Stark Street.  The crash injured the driver of the car and a woman who was walking nearby.  The pole snapped on impact and fell along the side of the road.

Marion County Jail Inmate Found Dead

(Salem, OR)  --  Authorities say an inmate at the Marion County Jail was found dead in his cell.  The "Oregonian" reports jail deputies found the inmate unresponsive around 4:20 yesterday afternoon and unsuccessfully tried to revive him.  The Linn County Sheriff's Office is investigating.  The inmate's name hasn't been made public.

Clark County Teachers Staging Walkout Today

(Vancouver, WA)  --  About 25-hundred teachers in Clark County will be staging a day-long walkout today to support more funding for public education.  Nearly 38-thousand students will be home from school today as a result of the strike.  Teachers from the Evergreen, Camas, Washougal and Hockinson school districts will have a rally beginning at eleven o'clock this morning.  Students are scheduled to make up the missed day of school on June 17th.

Gasoline Prices Move Up

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gas prices are still on the rise.  Triple-A reports the average for a gallon of regular is three-oh-one a gallon, up a half-cent from yesterday.  It's also four cents higher than the average of a week ago.

Brown Signs Background-check Bill

(Salem, OR)  --  A bill requiring background checks for private gun sales in Oregon is now law.  Governor Kate Brown signed the measure yesterday, saying it must be made harder for dangerous people to get guns in order to keep Oregon's communities safe.  The law is intended to prevent firearms sales to people who are legally prohibited from owning guns, including felons and those committed for mental health treatment.
 

Police Seeking Endangered 14-year-old

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police are looking for a missing 14-year-old boy who requires medication.  Authorities say Tyler Utton, who lives in Yacolt, Washington, was last seen yesterday evening in a residential neighborhood west of Evergreen High School.  The teen is described as white, about five-feet-six, 125 pounds, with blondish-brown hair and blue eyes.  Police say Utton suffers from a medical condition that requires treatment, and anyone who sees him is asked to call 911.

"Handyman Scammer" Gets Four-year Sentence

(Portland, OR)  --  A man convicted of scamming victims out of tens of thousands of dollars for handyman projects he never completed is headed to prison.  A four-year sentence has been handed down to Clinton Timothy Reany, who pleaded no contest to charges that include first-degree theft, identity theft, and operating without a contractor's license.  Reany was also ordered to pay full restitution to the 12 victims, and he'll be on post-prison supervision for a year.

Washington, Oregon Still Rank High For "Bike-friendliness"

(Undated)  --  Washington and Oregon are still ranked among the states that are considered the most "bike-friendly" in the country.  The new rankings, released by the League of American Bicyclists, show Washington at the top of the list, while Oregon is ranked sixth.  Both states score highly in the categories of legislation and enforcement, policies in programs, infrastructure and funding, and evaluation and planning.  Oregon tops Washington in the category of education and encouragement.

Senate Approves Tighter Restrictions On E-cigarettes

(Salem, OR)  --  A bill that would tighten restrictions on e-cigarettes in Oregon is advancing through the Legislature.  The Senate has approved the measure, which will head back to the House for approval of Senate amendments.  The bill would make it illegal to engage in indoor "vaping" in public places, and would outlaw sales of e-cigarettes and nicotine liquid to minors.

Fuel Prices Change Little

(Portland, OR)  --  There's little change in Portland-area gas prices from yesterday.  Triple-A reports the current average for regular moved up a fraction of a penny from yesterday, to just under three-oh-one per gallon.  That's still about a nickel above the average of a week ago.

Police: Child Found Alone In Tent, Mother Arrested

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a 22-year-old woman after she left her two-year-old child alone in a tent.  Authorities say 22-year-old Taylor Marie Kuhn was found Friday, sleeping in a car in the back yard of her home on North James Street with a meth pipe in her shirt.  Police say after the toddler was found, wearing only thin pajamas and a wet diaper, Kuhn admitted the child may have been in the tent for about five hours.  The toddler was taken to Randall Children's Hospital.

Bicyclist's Leg Severed In Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating a crash in Southeast Portland that left a bicyclist with a life-threatening injury.  Authorities say a pickup truck hit the bike rider yesterday morning at the intersection of Southeast 26th Avenue and Powell Boulevard.  Officials say the bicyclist's leg was severed, but he's expected to survive.  The driver of the pickup remained at the scene and cooperated with police.

More WA Teacher Strikes Slated This Week

(Vancouver, WA)  --  More one-day strikes are scheduled this week by teachers in several Washington school districts, to urge lawmakers to provide adequate funding for public education.  Wednesday, teachers in the Camas, Washougal, and Evergreen districts in Clark County will strike.  Today, teachers from the Shoreline school district will stage a day-long walkout.  Educators in the Sultan and Chimacum school districts are slated to strike on Friday.

Vancouver PD Investigates Suspicious Death

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The death of a woman whose body was found at a home in Vancouver is being investigated as suspicious.  Police say the body was found inside a residence in the 100 block of West 24th Street yesterday evening.  The Clark County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy.

Deputy Injured In Crash Again In Critical Condition

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A Clackamas County motorcycle deputy who was injured last week is now listed in critical condition.  Deputy Robert Nashif was injured Tuesday when he was hit by an SUV that rounded a sharp curve on South Holly Lane in Oregon City and crossed the center line.  KGW-TV reports Nashif's condition was downgraded to critical yesterday, and he underwent surgery for a severe leg injury.  No one in the SUV was injured.

Pedestrian Hit By Amtrak Train In Portland

(Portand, OR)  --  A pedestrian is listed in critical condition after being hit by an Amtrak train in Portland.  KOIN-TV reports the person was struck by an Amtrak Cascades train yesterday afternoon on Northwest 17th and Northwest Upshur.  Witnesses reported seeing the person walk around the gates and ignore the flashing lights at the crossing prior to being hit.

Fuel Prices Higher In Portland Area

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices continue to trend higher in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is up more than six cents over the past week, to just above three dollars a gallon.  The national average for regular is two-66 a gallon.

Motorcyclist Injured In Fall Down Embankment

(Estacada, OR)  --  A motorcyclist is being treated for serious injuries after he crashed and fell down a 75-foot embankment in Estacada [[ ESS-tuh-KAY-duh ]].  Police say the 59-year-old man was traveling along the Clackamas Highway when he crashed into a guard rail, which sent him down the embankment.  A rescue crew pulled the man up with a rope after he was placed on a stretcher.  He's expected to survive.

Obama Visit To Cause Traffic Delays

(Portland, OR)  --  Commuters can expect traffic delays this afternoon, as President Barack Obama visits Portland.  A 20-vehicle motorcade will move through downtown on a route that hasn't been revealed yet by the Secret Service.  MAX trains and streetcars will be stopped as the motorcade moves through.  The president will attend a fundraiser at the Sentinel Hotel on Southwest 11th Avenue, spend the night in Portland, and visit Nike headquarters in Beaverton tomorrow.

Car Crashes Into Insurance Agency

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are being treated for injuries after a car crashed into a Southeast Portland insurance agency.  Police say the car traveled through the front window of Northwest Family Insurance on Southeast 136th Avenue yesterday afternoon.  The driver and one person inside the building were taken to a hospital.  Authorities say the injuries aren't life-threatening.

Scappoose Teen Dies In Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A 17-year-old girl is dead, following a single-vehicle crash along Northwest Cornelius Pass Road.  Multnomah County sheriff's deputies say Kerrigan Clark of Scappoose was heading north yesterday when her car left the roadway and plunged down a 75-foot embankment.  Investigators are trying to determine what caused the crash.

Missing Portland Woman Found Safe

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say a local woman who had been reported missing is now accounted for.  Seventy-three-year-old Judith Parman walked away from her care facility on Southwest 48th Avenue Tuesday.  Parman reportedly suffers from dementia and other medical issues.  Police reported yesterday that she was found safe.

Sitter Charged With Murder In Baby's Death

(Oregon City, WA)  --  An Oregon City woman is now facing a murder charge in the death of an infant she was watching.  Sarah Elizabeth Martin was arrested last month on a manslaughter charge in the death of seven-month-old Izaak Gillen.  Martin has since been indicted by a Clackamas County jury on a charge of murder.  Izaak died on April 7th, and physicians say he suffered a skull fracture apparently associated with violent shaking.

Clackamas Deputy Hurt In Crash

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A Clackamas County motorcycle deputy who was critically injured in a crash in Oregon City is now listed in serious condition.  Officials say an SUV crossed the center line of South Holly Lane at a sharp curve Wednesday and hit Deputy Robert Nashif. Nashif's condition was upgraded yesterday from critical to serious.  No one in the SUV was injured.

Gasoline Prices Up

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are still heading upward in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the current average for a gallon of regular is two-99, a penny-and-a-half higher than yesterday.  It's also about 14 cents a gallon above the average of a week ago.

Hales Proposes $3.5(B) Budget

(Portland, OR)  --  The three-point-five-billion-dollar budget proposed by Portland Mayor Charlie Hales includes about 49-million-dollars more than was available last year.  The mayor says he wants to spend about 20-million-dollars of that surplus on street projects, including maintenance and the addition of safety improvements.  Hales says he wants to create new positions in the Police Bureau to implement the federal settlement agreement to end the use of excessive force against mentally ill suspects.  He also wants to use city money to restore Portland firefighter positions that were cut during the recession but retained with federal dollars.
 

Arrest Following Cinco De Mayo Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is in police custody after a shooting near the Portland Cinco de Mayo festival.  Authorities say a 19-year-old was shot around 5:30 p.m. yesterday along the seawall north of the Morrison Bridge, just outside the festival at Waterfront Park.  The 20-year-old suspect fled the scene but was later apprehended at the Rose Quarter Transit Station.  The victim is being treated for a wound that's not considered life-threatening.

Motorcycle Deputy Critically Injured In Crash

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A Clackamas County motorcycle deputy is in critical condition, following a crash in Oregon City.  Authorities say an SUV crossed the center line of South Holly Lane yesterday afternoon and hit the motorcycle.  Deputy Robert Nashif [[ nah-SHEEF ]] was airlifted to Oregon Health and Science University.  No one in the SUV was injured.

Portland Woman With Dementia Missing

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a 73-year-old woman with dementia has been reported missing in Portland.  Authorities say Judith Parman vanished around two p.m. yesterday from her residential care facility in the 800 block of Southeast 48th Avenue.  Police say Parman is white, five-feet-three to five-feet-five, 213 pounds, with shoulder-length gray hair and hazel eyes, and wears glasses and uses a walker.  Officials say Parman has dementia and other medical issues that need to be treated in a timely fashion.
 

Outrageous Rape-kit Backlog

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office are applying for federal money to be used to make a dent in a backlog of rape kits.  Officials say about half the rape kits that have been collected by Portland police over 29 years have yet to be submitted to a lab.  The grant would also be used to help fund more detectives, a prosecutor, and crime lab workers.  The money would come from 41-million dollars in grants to be dedicated to helping clear rape-kit backlogs across the country.

Fuel Prices Up In Portland Area

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland-area average for a gallon of regular gas is getting closer to the three-dollar mark.  Triple-A reports the current average is about two-97 a gallon, nearly two cents higher than yesterday.  It's also 14 cents higher than the average of a week ago.
 

Background-check Bill Clears Legislature

(Salem, OR)  --  A bill that would require criminal background checks on private gun sales in Oregon is on its way to Governor Kate Brown's desk.  The House approved the measure yesterday on a 32-28 vote.  Supporters say the law would close a loophole that allows many gun buyers to avoid background checks.  Opponents say it would place a burden on gun enthusiasts and do little to stop gun violence.

Oregon City Woman Dies In Fall Off Bluff

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Police are investigating after an Oregon City woman fell to her death off a bluff.  Authorities say the body of 33-year-old Sarah Kay Crunelle was found on Highway 99-E just after midnight Saturday.  Police say Crunelle had fallen about 100 feet from the bluff onto the roadway below.  The "Portland Tribune" reports Crunelle's husband was with her at the time and has cooperated with investigators.

No Charges In Connection With Fatal Crash In Lane County

(Eugene, OR)  --  Lane County prosecutors say no charges will be filed against a Springfield man who killed three children as they walked with their mother in a crosswalk.  Sixty-eight-year-old Larry LaThorpe told police he thought he had a green light and didn't see the family until his pickup truck hit them on February 22nd.  The crash killed eight-year-old John Alysander Day, five-year-old Mc­Kenzie Mae Hudson and four-year-old Tyler James Hudson and seriously injured their mother, Cortney Hudson-Crawford.  District Attorney Alex Gardner told the "Eugene Register-Guard" that though the investigation showed that LaThorpe ran a red light at the intersection, the evidence doesn't support criminal charges.

Portland Man Dies After Plunge From Waterfall

(Stevenson, WA)  --  Skamania County sheriff's deputies say they've recovered the body of a Portland man who died after plunging over a waterfall.  Authorities say 39-year-old Shawn Kenline fell about 20 feet from the waterfall as he was hiking with a friend near Prospector Falls.  Deputies say Kenline fell Sunday afternoon, and his body was recovered around 11:00 a.m. yesterday.  An autopsy will be conducted.

Gas Prices Still Rising In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A is reporting a further rise in Portland-area gas prices.  The average for regular is about two-dollars 96-cents a gallon, up nearly two-cents from yesterday.  It's also nearly 15-cents a gallon above the average of a week ago.

Woman Killed, Three Injured In Crash

(Rainier, OR)  --  Authorities are investigating a three-vehicle crash that killed a woman and injured her two children in Columbia County.  Sheriff's deputies say Heather Robison of St. Helens died around 10:30 a.m. yesterday morning on Highway 30 near Rainier.  Her sons, ages six and one, are listed in stable condition at a hospital.  The driver of one of the other cars, 20-year-old Kierstin Merila of Warrenton, is also being hospitalized.

Portland Woman Killed In Motorcycle Crash

(Bandon, OR)  --  A Portland woman is dead, following a motorcycle crash in Coos County.  Oregon State Police say 34-year-old Carrie Murray was riding yesterday afternoon with William Love of Coquille along Highway 42 near Bandon, when a pickup truck turned into the motorcycle's path.  The motorcycle slammed into the truck, fatally injuring Murray.  Love was injured, but is expected to survive.  The driver of the pickup truck, who wasn't hurt, was cited for driving with a suspended license.

Man Seriously Wounded In East Portland Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is listed in serious condition after being shot in an East Portland neighborhood.  Police say the shooting happened around seven o'clock last night at an apartment complex on East Burnside.  The 25-year-old victim, whose name hasn't been released, is being treated for wounds that aren't considered life-threatening.  Investigators haven't identified any suspects.

More WA Teacher Walkouts Set This Week

(Seattle, WA)  --  Washington teachers will stage one-day walkouts again this week, to protest what they say is insufficient funding for public schools by the Legislature.  This Wednesday, teachers from the Northshore, Lake Washington, and South Whidbey school districts will stage a day-long strike.  Thousands of members of the Washington Education Association have already held one-day walkouts in various school districts across Western Washington.

Missing Man Found Safe

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say an 85-year-old man who had been reported missing has been found safe.  Richard Gehr walked away around 9:30 yesterday morning from his care facility, and family members reported him missing and suffering from memory problems.  Police say Gehr was found around five p.m. yesterday, riding a TriMet bus.

Man Rescued From Willamette River

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is reported to be uninjured after being pulled from the Willamette River.  Portland police say the man, reported to be in his 20s, was spotted clinging to the Morrison Bridge around two o'clock yesterday morning.  KGW-TV reports rescue crews brought the man out of the water and transported him by boat to a dock, and medics then took him to a hospital as a precaution.  It's not clear how long the man had been in the river or how he got there.
 

Westbound I-84 In Troutdale Closed

(Troutdale, OR)  --  A lane of westbound Interstate 84 in Troutdale is closed so crews can conduct emergency repairs.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the right westbound lane was shut down yesterday after a large hole was found in the pavement.  The repair requires 24 hours for the concrete to set.  The lane isn't expected to open until sometime tomorrow, and drivers are being urged to expect delays.

WA State Cancels Use Of Pesticide On Oyster Beds

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington State Department of Ecology officials say the agency and a growers association have cancelled plans to use a controversial pesticide on oyster beds.  Outcry from environmentalists, restaurateurs, and the public has prompted officials to abort plans to use the neurotoxic pesticide in Willapa [[ WILL-uh-puh ]] Bay and Grays Harbor, two areas that account for a quarter of the commercial oysters produced in the U.S.  The "Seattle Times" reports Taylor Shellfish, Washington's largest shellfish producer, won't move forward with its plan to use the toxin to combat the burrowing shrimp, which destabilize tideflats and cause oysters to sink and suffocate.
 

K-9 Helps Nab Burglary Suspect

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Clark County sheriff's deputies are crediting one of their K-9 officers with helping to nab a burglary suspect.  Authorities say Saver the K-9 helped track and apprehend the suspect after he was caught trying to pry open a back door of Glenwood Grocery on Northeast 72nd Avenue in Vancouver yesterday morning.  Officials say Zachary Michaelis [[ muh-KAY-liss ]] was found in a wooded area nearby and arrested.  Deputies say Michaelis has an outstanding warrant for failing to register as a sex offender.

Gas-price Rise Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  The rise in Portland-area gasoline prices continues.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the average for regular is two-94 a gallon, which is nearly 15 cents above the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-62 a gallon.

Former Jail Worker Pleads Guilty To Sex With Inmate

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A former employee at the Washington County Jail is to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to having sex with an inmate.  Thirty-three-year-old Brett Robinson entered the plea yesterday to charges of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct and first-degree official misconduct.  Prosecutors say Robinson and a fellow civilian jail employee, Jill Curry, had sex with the same inmate last spring and summer.  Curry pleaded guilty earlier this year and received a four year sentence.

Woman Accused Of Killing Infant Free On Bail

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A woman who's accused of causing the death of a seven-month-old child she was babysitting is free on bail.  Sarah Elizabeth Martin is set to be arraigned on May 28th on a charge of first-degree manslaughter in the death of Izaak Gillen.  Prosecutors say Izaak died by being violently shaken.  After Martin was booked, she paid the 25-thousand-dollar security deposit required for her release.
 

City Of Portland To Have More To Spend Next Year

(Portland, OR)  --  The latest fiscal estimates show the city of Portland will have about 49-million dollars more to spend in next year's budget.  The "Portland Tribune" reports the increase includes an additional 13-million dollars in ongoing resources and an extra 36-million in one-time resources.  Mayor Charlie Hales says residents can expect his proposed budget to include emphasis on paving, parks, and housing.  Officials say the upgrade in the city's revenue forecast is related to a considerable increase in business-license tax collections.

Mariota Drafted Second, Goes To Titans

(New York, NY)  --  Marcus Mariota is the second overall pick in the NFL Draft and will head to the Tennessee Titans.  The former Oregon standout and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner was chosen after Tampa Bay made Florida State's Jameis Winston the top pick in the draft.  Mariota was one of nine PAC-12 players selected in the first round, which is a conference record.

Self-serve Gas Bill Advances

(Salem, OR)  --  A bill that would allow drivers traveling rural roads in Oregon to pump their own gas is advancing through the state Legislature.  A law against self-service gas stations has been on the books in Oregon for more than 60 years.  The House has passed a measure that would allow gas stations in rural sections of Oregon to remain open without having to employ someone to pump gas for customers.  The bill now moves to the Senate.

Church Pastor Sentenced For Child Sexual Abuse

(Portland, OR)  --  A pastor at a Portland-area church is headed to prison, after being convicted of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12.  Mike Sperou [[ SPARE-oo ]] has been sentenced to 20 years after a Multnomah County jury found him guilty of multiple counts.  "The Oregonian" reports Sperou was also ordered to register as a sex offender and to pay the victim restitution.  Sperou was pastor of the church now known as North Clackamas Bible Community.

Portland-area Gas Prices Jump

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are higher in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the current average for regular is about two-88 a gallon, three cents above yesterday's average.  It's also nearly 14 cents a gallon higher than a week ago.

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