Regional News Archives for 2015-11

One Killed, Two Injured In Highway 26 Crash

(Seaside, OR)  --  One person is dead and two are injured, following a crash on Highway 26 in Clatsop County.  Oregon State Police say the three-vehicle crash happened around five o'clock yesterday evening at the intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 103, about 25 miles east of Seaside.  A woman was pronounced dead at the scene.  Two other people were taken to Portland hospitals, but there's no word on their conditions. 

Police ID Pedestrian Killed In Damascus Crash

(Damascus, OR)  --  Oregon state troopers say a pedestrian who was killed in a crash in Clackamas County was a transient.  Authorities say 39-year-old Curtis Allen Thomas died at the scene of the Wednesday crash on Oregon 224 south of Damascus.  The driver called 911 and cooperated with police.  Troopers told "The Oregonian" that Thomas was wearing dark clothing while walking in an area that doesn't have street lights. 

Homeless Man Dead After Being Hit By Car

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are investigating, after a homeless man was found dead after being hit by a car in Gresham.  Authorities were told the 58-year-old man had been lying in the roadway in the 15-hundred block of Northeast Burnside when he was run over by a Volvo sedan around 3:20 yesterday morning.  There's no word yet on whether the man was alive when he was hit.  Police say the driver of the sedan stopped and cooperated with the investigation. 

Woman Killed By MAX Train In Southeast Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating, after a woman was killed by a MAX train in Southeast Portland.  Fire officials say the woman ran onto the tracks in the 23-hundred block of Southeast Bybee Boulevard around two o'clock yesterday afternoon.  The operator of the train tried to stop, but was unable to do so in time.  The woman's name hasn't been released.  

McMinnville Man Facing Charges Following Deadly Crash

(McMinnville, OR)  --  A McMinnville man is facing charges, following a crash that killed his passenger in Yamhill County.  Police believe Jose Manuel Acevedo was intoxicated at the time of the Saturday crash in the community of Whiteson.  The car went out of control and overturned in a ditch, killing 48-year-old Maria Edith Naranjo Chavez of McMinnville.  Acevedo is charged with DUII and criminal negligent homicide. 

Gas Prices Falling Slowly

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are paying slightly less for gasoline.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-36 a gallon, which is about a penny below the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-oh-four a gallon. 

Portland Police Officer Assigned To Desk Duty Following Tweet

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland police officer is on reassignment to desk duty, after he issued a tweet about the Black Lives Matter and Don't Shoot Portland protests planned for Friday.  The Police Bureau says Officer John Hurlman posted the tweet, which said "Black Lives Matter is planning to protest at Lloyd Center on black Friday. Oh joy, stuck late again at work to babysit these fools."  Acting Police Chief Donna Henderson says Hurlman's tweet is not a reflection on how members of the Police Bureau view community groups or their peaceful expression of free speech.  Hurlman's wife told KATU-TV that her husband has a good heart and wasn't trying to belittle the protesters' cause.

Fire Damages Beaverton Restaurant

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Investigators are trying to find the cause of a two-alarm fire at the Bazaar Market and Restaurant in Beaverton.  The fire broke out last night at the building on Southwest Canyon Road.  No injuries were reported.  Firefighters remained at the scene after the fire was knocked down to monitor hot spots. 

Police ID Man Pulled From Willamette

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say there were no signs of foul play in the death of a man whose body was pulled from the Willamette River.  Police say 33-year-old Eugene Vibar had not been seen since November first as he left a Halloween party to go for a walk.  Vibar's body was pulled from the river Monday near the Fremont Bridge.  The cause of death has been ruled as drowning. 

Car Crashing Into Utility Pole Blamed For Power Outages

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in Southeast Portland, causing power outages for thousands of Portland General Electric customers.  The crash happened around 5:09 yesterday morning in the area of 124th and Powell.  Power was out for about seven-thousand customers for several hours before crews brought it back on line. 

Guitar Instructor Accused Of Sexual Abuse

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A man who's accused of sexually abusing students of his guitar-instruction classes is behind bars.  Prosecutors say 33-year-old Shaun Toman of Cornelius abused three students while giving lessons in Hillsboro between 2001 and 2006.  Toman, who's facing multiple charges, is a member of a local rockabilly band called The Twangshifters.  His bail is set at one-point-78-million dollars. 

Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Fuel prices are still falling as the Thanksgiving holiday arrives.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the Portland-area average for regular is two-36 a gallon, a half-cent lower than yesterday.  It's also about four cents below the average of a week ago.  

Man Convicted Of Murder For Second Time

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  An Aloha man is headed to prison, after being convicted for a second time of murdering his mother.  Fifty-nine-year-old Michael Lee Reineke got a new trial after a successful appeal, but was again found guilty last Thursday of strangling 78-year-old Norma Louise Gordon with a phone cord.  The murder occurred in June 2010 at the Aloha home the two shared.  Reineke received the same sentence as before, life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. 

Nearly 50 Cars Towed During Leaf Day

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say nearly 50 cars were towed in Northwest Portland as city workers came through to sweep leaves from the streets.  The Bureau of Transportation says 49 cars had been towed away by 1:30 yesterday afternoon.  PBOT says rules are clearly laid out for Leaf Pickup Day, but apparently not everyone got the message.  Officials told KGW-TV that where towing takes place, "no parking" barricades are set out at least a day in advance. 

Portland-area Gas Prices Fall

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline continues to fall in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-36 a gallon, about a half-cent lower than yesterday.  It's also four cents below the average at this time last week. 

Police: Driver In Deadly Hit-and-run Located

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Police say they've located the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run near Corvallis.  Authorities say the crash occurred around ten o'clock Sunday morning, when a pedestrian was hit on Highway 34 east of Corvallis.  The victim is identified as 34-year-old Shiloh Sundstrom of Deadwood.  The name of the driver hasn't been released. 

WA Fugitive Arrested In Oregon

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A woman who's wanted for murder in Washington is in custody in Oregon.  Authorities say Raven Cutler, who has 16 convictions on her record, was apprehended last night in Washington County.  Cutler is accused of murdering a 54-year-old Yakima woman.  Police say the victim was shot multiple times and left on the side of a rural road. 

Man Accused Of Exposing Self At Pharmacy

(Woodburn, OR)  --  A man is facing charges, after being accused of exposing himself at a Walgreen's in Woodburn.  Fifty-three-year-old William Gallagher is accused of exposing himself to two different store clerks at the pharmacy on November 3rd and November 20th.  He's been cited on two counts of public indecency. 

WA E. Coli Case Linked To Costco Chicken Salad

(Olympia, WA)  --  Health officials are investigating E. coli-related illnesses believed to be linked to chicken salad purchased last month at Costco stores in Washington.  At least one case has been confirmed in King County, related to the consumption of chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken.  E. coli illnesses have also been linked to Costco chicken salad sold in Colorado, Montana, and Utah.  Washington's health department says it's working with the Centers for Disease Control to determine the exact source. 

Convicted Rapist-kidnapper Being Sought

(Portland, OR)  --  A convicted rapist and kidnapper who failed to report to his parole officer is being sought.  Portland police say Dennis John Davis has a lengthy criminal history that includes rape, kidnapping, and property crimes.  He was released from prison in June, but is now considered a fugitive.  Davis is 56 years old, white, five-feet-nine, weighing 197 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes, and last known to be in the Forest Park-Washington Park area during the weekend. 

Police ID Cyclist Killed In Crash

(Eugene, OR)  --  Authorities say a bicyclist who was killed in Eugene was wearing dark clothing and had no reflective material on her bike at the time.  Sheriff's deputies say 54-year-old Kimberly Wyatt was hit from the back by a car traveling in the same traffic lane on Oregon 99W around nine o'clock Thursday night.  Ed Lagrone was driving the pickup truck that hit Wyatt, who died at the scene.  The crash remains under investigation. 

Corvallis Man Killed In Crash

(Salem, OR)  --  A 24-year-old Corvallis man is dead, following a single-car crash near Salem.  Police say the crash took place around 2:30 yesterday morning on Highway 22.  Troopers say witnesses reported the vehicle was traveling at about 100 miles per hour when it went out of control and slammed into a light pole, killing the passenger, Christopher Duane Liddell.  The driver, 28-year-old James Allen Young of Independence, is being treated for serious injuries. 

Poll Shows Support For Proposed Business-tax Increase

(Portland, OR)  --  A new poll shows about 60 percent of voters statewide support a proposed ballot measure to increase business taxes.  The DHM Research survey also says support for the measure drops slightly when voters are presented with arguments against it.  The firm told the "Portland Tribune" campaigns both for and against Initiative Petition 28 will likely be expensive if the measure qualifies for the November 2016 ballot. 

Man Drowns At Meldrum Bar Park In Gladstone

(Gladstone, OR)  --  Clackamas County sheriff's deputies say they've recovered the body of a man who drowned in the Willamette River at Meldrum Bar Park in Gladstone.  Officials say three people were in an SUV that submerged yesterday afternoon as it was returning from a small island near the boat ramp.  Two of the people were able to get out safely, but the victim was not.  Deputies say a someone in a passing boat tried to get the victim out of the water, but was unsuccessful. 

Gas Prices Decrease

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices are heading down as the Thanksgiving holiday grows closer.   The latest Triple-A survey shows the average in the Portland area for regular is two-37 a gallon, four cents below the average of a week ago.  At this time last year, regular gas in Portland averaged about three-oh-two a gallon. 

Police Seek Suspect In Attempted Kidnapping

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are looking for a man who attempted to abduct a teenage girl in Northeast Portland.  Officials say the 13-year-old girl was walking to a bus stop in the 52-hundred block of Northeast 92nd Avenue on Friday when she was pushed to the ground by the suspect, who then grabbed her.  She told police she was dragged for several blocks, but was able to run away after a man in a green truck saw what was happening and confronted the suspect.  Authorities say the suspect is described as black, in his 30s, about six feet tall, wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants, and a red Chicago Bulls cap.

WA Woman Arrested In Meth Bust In Oregon

(Eugene, OR)  --  A Washington woman is in custody, following a meth bust in Eugene.  Oregon State Police say 55-year-old Teri Baker of Kent, Washington was pulled over Friday night for speeding on Interstate 5, after which troopers found 24 pounds of crystal meth in her car.  "The Oregonian" reports Baker was booked on suspicion of unlawful possession and delivery of methamphetamine. 

Flagger Hit By Car Near Amity

(Amity, OR)  --  A man who worked as a traffic flagger on Highway 99W near Amity is being hospitalized after being hit by a car.  The stretch of road was shut down for several hours last night while Oregon State Police investigated.  The man is listed in serious condition at a Portland hospital.  There's no word on what caused the crash. 

Seven Displaced By Beaverton Fire

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that displaced six adults and a child from a condominium in Beaverton.  The blaze was reported at the Farmington Road condo around 3:30 yesterday afternoon.  Firefighters had it under control in about 30 minutes.  No one was injured in the fire.

Car Crashes Into Vancouver Arby's

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police have a wanted man in custody after he crashed into a vehicle and then into an Arby's restaurant in Vancouver.  Authorities say the suspect sped through a construction zone on Interstate 205 and was chased by a state trooper onto the Mill Plain exit before crashing into the restaurant.  Police say the trooper used a Taser on the suspect, who tried to flee the scene on foot.  Officials say 25-year-old Jonathan Carroll had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. 

Oregon Unemployment Rate Down

(Salem, OR)  --  State officials say Oregon's unemployment rate fell to six-point-two-percent in October, compared to six-point-eight-percent the month before.  The state had a net gain of 21-hundred jobs last month.  The largest gains were in the professional and business services sector, followed by manufacturing. 

Deputies: Expelled Student Brought Gun To Campus

(Rainier, OR)  --  Columbia County authorities say a student who was expelled Monday from Rainier High School brought a gun to the campus the following day.  Deputies say an investigation revealed the 15-year-old boy took his father's gun from the family's home and brought it to the school Tuesday.  The sheriff's office says there's no indication that threats were made toward people at the school.  The teen was taken to a juvenile detention center in Cowlitz County, Washington.  

Report: Newspaper Planning More Staff Buyouts

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland's daily newspaper is reportedly planning more staff cutbacks.  "Willamette Week" reports "The Oregonian" is asking more than two-dozen employees to volunteer for buyouts.  Layoffs could occur if not enough people volunteer.  The "Oregonian" reduced home delivery of its print edition to three days a week in 2013 and has placed more of an emphasis on its online edition.  About 100 of the newspaper's employees were also laid off. 

Portland-area Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are still declining in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-38 a gallon, nearly a penny cheaper than yesterday.  It's also four-cents a gallon below the average of a week ago. 

House Approves More Security Checks On Syrian Refugees

(Washington, DC)  --  A bill that passed handily in the House would require three federal agencies to step up security checks on Syrian and Iraqi refugees before they're allowed into the U.S.  The vote was 289-to-137, with all six Democrats in the Washington state delegation voting against the bill and all four GOP members voting in favor.  Representative Kurt Schrader was the only Democrat in the Oregon House delegation to vote for the bill.  The measure is under threat of a veto by President Obama, who says he plans to allow ten-thousand Syrian refugees to settle in the U.S. in the next year. 

Vancouver Teen Reported Missing

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A 17-year-old girl from Vancouver is being sought after she was reported missing.  Police say Amanda Keeling was last seen yesterday at Evergreen High School.  She's described as white, five-foot-six, 128 pounds, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans, and brown Romeo half boots.  Anyone knowing Amanda Keeling's whereabouts is asked to call Vancouver police at 360-487-7400. 

Chronic Portland Bike Thief Back In Jail

(Portland, OR)  --  Prolific bicycle thief Leroy Parsons, Jr. of Portland is back behind bars.  Prosecutors are seeking bail of a quarter-million dollars for Parsons, who the "Oregonian" reports has been arrested and booked 98 times since 1998.  He was recently arrested following a bike-theft sting that was orchestrated in partnership with the TV show "Inside Edition."  Police say a radio transmitter was attached to a stolen high-end mountain bike, leading to the apprehension of Parsons. 

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Marion County Crash

(Silverton, OR)  --  A motorcyclist is in critical condition, following a two-vehicle crash in Marion County.  Sheriff's deputies say the wreck took place around 5:30 yesterday evening on Silverton Road Northeast.  Authorities say a pickup truck apparently turned into the path of the motorcycle, which witnesses said was traveling without its lights on.  The driver of the pickup suffered minor injuries. 

Great American Smokeout Is Today

(Portland, OR)  --  Today is the 39th annual Great American Smokeout.  Smokers in Oregon and Washington can use this nationwide event to make a plan to quit, or mark the date as their official quitting day.  The American Cancer Society uses this date to challenge tobacco users to stop using it, and to support those who want to kick the habit.  Research shows smokers are more successful at quitting when they have support. 

Landslide Closes S-R 411 North Of Kelso

(Kelso, WA)  --  Washington state troopers say a stretch of State Route 411 is closed indefinitely because of a mudslide.  Authorities say the slide brought trees and power lines into the roadway near Milepost 6, several miles north of Kelso.  State transportation officials say additional rain forecast for today could cause additional slides.  

Inslee Declares State Of Emergency

(Olympia, WA)  --  A state of emergency is in effect in Washington in response to a series of storms that moved across the Northwest during the past few days.  Governor Jay Inslee issued the declaration yesterday, activating the National Guard and authorizing state agencies to provide resources to cities and counties requesting help.  The storms caused widespread damage, knocked out electricity for hundreds of thousands of people, and resulted in three deaths.  

Uber To Deliver Flu Shots Today In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Portlanders have the opportunity today to get flu vaccine delivered to them.  Using the Uber app will allow people to receive a wellness pack for ten-dollars from UberHEALTH between eleven o'clock this morning and three this afternoon.  UberHEALTH is offering the service in 35 communities across the U.S.

Portland Man Accused Of Luring Gresham Child

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is suspected of illegally contacting a 13-year-old girl in Gresham.  Authorities say 22-year-old Christopher Michael Scott first met the girl on an online-dating website.  The "Portland Tribune" reports Scott is accused of sending sexually-explicit photos of himself to the girl and trying to arrange to meet the teen in person.  Police say Scott may have also tried to lure other children. 

Fallen Trees Prompt Closure Of Eastbound I-84

(Portland, OR)  --  A 34-mile stretch of eastbound Interstate 84 is closed because of fallen trees caused by high winds.  Transportation officials say the eastbound lanes were closed around nine o'clock last night from Exit 17 at Troutdale to Exit 64 at Hood River.  ODOT says the closure is expected to last until noon tomorrow.  Officials say crews will be clearing 20 trees that fell across I-84, along with other storm-related debris.  

Three Storm-Related Deaths Across Washington

(Monroe, WA)  --  Three people are dead in storm-related incidents across Washington.  A man was killed near Monroe yesterday when a tree fell on his car.  A woman died when a tree fell on top of her in Spokane's South Hill neighborhood, and another woman died when a tree landed on her vehicle five miles east of Cheney.  Hundreds of thousands of customers remain without electricity statewide.  

Brown Says Oregon Will Welcome Syrian Refugees

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown says Oregon will continue to welcome Syrian refugees.  The governor sent out the message via Twitter yesterday, saying the words on the Statue of Liberty apply to Oregon as they do to any other state.  Brown had declined Monday to comment on her position on accepting refugees following last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.  More than two-dozen governors say they'll do what they can to deny Syrian refugees entry into their states. 

Inmate Missing From North Bend Correctional Facility

(North Bend, OR)  --  Authorities are looking for an inmate who escaped from the Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend.  Officials say an employee noticed 38-year-old Shawn James Friese was missing around four o'clock yesterday afternoon.  He had been booked into the facility in early September on burglary and car-theft charges.  Friese is described as white, five-foot-eleven, 195 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, and likely wearing blue jeans and a blue T-shirt containing the word "inmate" and the DOC logo. 

One Killed, One Injured In SE Portland Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is dead and another is seriously injured, following a single-vehicle crash in Southeast Portland.  Police say the driver lost control yesterday morning while traveling northbound on McLoughln Boulevard near the Tacoma Street Bridge and slammed into a tree.  The wreck shut down the northbound lanes and backed up traffic for hours.  No names have been released. 

Fuel Prices Falling

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are paying less for gasoline.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-39 a gallon, a penny lower than yesterday.  It's also two-cents cheaper than the average at this time last week.

Thousands Remain Without Power In Portland Area

(Portland, OR)  --  Thousands remain without electricity in the Portland area after yesterday's storms.  Portland General Electric says about five-thousand customers are without power in Clackamas County, as are about 15-hundred in Multnomah County.  High winds and heavy rains are believed to have been the primary cause of the outages, along with trees falling on power lines.  Power is expected to be restored to all customers by about ten o'clock this morning. 

Linn County Woman Accused Of Killing Husband

(Albany, OR)  --  A woman is facing criminal charges following the death of her husband near Albany.  Sheriff's deputies say 62-year-old Roberta Samard is charged with manslaughter in the death of 57-year-old Kenneth Arlen Samard, who was found dead in their home around 6:10 yesterday morning.  Investigators say the victim was shot with a handgun while his wife apparently tried to shoot herself.  An autopsy is scheduled for today. 

Oregon Population Exceeds Four-Million

(Portland, OR)  --  A new estimate from Portland State University shows Oregon's population now exceeds the four-million milestone.  University researchers say Oregon reached the four-million mark at some point during 2015.  The state reached a population of three-million in 1993.  Portland State researchers say the population growth shows Oregon has a healthy economy. 

Two Boys Injured In Crash

(Gresham, OR)  --  Two 12-year-old boys are being hospitalized after they were hit by a car in Gresham.  Police say the boys were trying to cross around 4:30 yesterday afternoon near the intersection of West Powell Boulevard and Northwest Eastman Parkway when they were hit.  Both were reported to be conscious and talking after arriving at the hospital.  The driver remained at the scene and is reportedly not facing any citations. 

Fuel Prices Slip

(Seattle, WA)  --  The price of gasoline is little changed over the past week in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for a gallon of regular is two-41, a half-cent lower than yesterday's average.  The nationwide average for regular is two-15 a gallon. 

Woman Hit By MAX Train Remains In Critical Condition

(Gresham, OR)  --  A woman who was hit by a MAX train in Gresham remains in critical condition.  Police say 45-year-old Maricela Stewart was hit by the train over the weekend when she stepped onto a track on East Burnside and Southeast 162nd Avenue.  Stewart suffered traumatic injuries.  Witnesses told police she was wearing a hoodie that may have impeded her peripheral vision. 

Deputies: Two Kilos Of Heroin Found In Taxi

(Portland, OR)  --  Multnomah County sheriff's deputies say two kilos of heroin were found on a passenger in a taxicab that was pulled over for a violation.  The stop was made around 1:30 yesterday afternoon in Portland, at the intersection of Southeast 126th Avenue and Southeast Stark Street.  Authorities say the heroin was found in the passenger's baggage.  Jose Ramirez Garcia is being charged with possession and distribution of a controlled substance.  The cab driver received a verbal warning. 

Man Linked To Multiple Arsons Arrested

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police have a man in custody after he was accused of deliberately setting a string of fires in the downtown area.  Authorities say Brandon J. Miller recently moved to Portland from California.  He's charged with first-degree arson and ten counts of reckless burning in connection with ten fires that were set on November 12th.  One of those fires was in the lobby of the Hotel Monaco.

Cargo Ship Towed To Portland After Running Aground

(Portland, OR)  --  A cargo ship that ran aground along the Columbia River is now in Portland.  Officials say the Viking Emerald was towed by tug boats to Portland's Terminal 6 after it ran up on the bank of the river Saturday afternoon near Columbia City.  The ship was on its way to Portland from Tacoma when the incident happened. 

Gas Prices Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gasoline prices are steady from yesterday.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-41 a gallon, which is a penny higher than a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-16 a gallon. 

Lincoln City Man Killed In Logging Accident

(Gleneden Beach, OR)  --  Officials say a Lincoln City man was killed in a logging accident while working in Hancock-Nestucca Forest near Gleneden Beach.  Thirty-eight-year-old Samuel Cates was found trapped Friday in a piece of logging equipment and pronounced dead.  Cates was an employee with the Elkhorn Logging Company.  The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating. 

Woman Hit By MAX Train Remains In Hospital

(Gresham, OR)  --  Authorities continue to investigate, after a woman was hit by a MAX train in Gresham.  Authorities say the woman was hit around 7:24 Friday night in the area of 62nd Avenue and Burnside Street.  Police say it appears the 45-year-old woman stepped into the path of the train.  She was taken to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries. 

Crash Kills One Near Woodburn

(Woodburn, OR)  --  Oregon State Police believe alcohol was a factor in a crash that killed one person near Woodburn.  Authorities say a taxi was southbound on Oregon 99E yesterday morning when it was hit from behind by an SUV.  One of the three passengers in the SUV, Martha Cruz Aldama of Woodburn, was pronounced dead at the scene.  The driver of the SUV, Leovigildo Arzola, is facing multiple charges. 

Suspect Arrested In October Homicide

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've arrested a suspect in connection with an October homicide.  Authorities say 41-year-old Leo Lee Burns is accused of stabbing Gerardo Granados-Marin, who was found with multiple stab wounds outside a home on North Columbia Court.  Burns was indicted by a Multnomah County grand jury on a murder charge.  He's scheduled to be arraigned today. 

Christmas Tree Delivered To Pioneer Courthouse Square

(Portland, OR)  --  A 75-foot Douglas Fir is waiting to be decorated, after being delivered to Pioneer Courthouse Square.  A crane lifted the tree into place yesterday after it arrived in downtown Portland on a semi.  Crews will reattach the tree's branches over the next couple of weeks before decorations are added.  The annual lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 on the evening of Friday, November 27th. 

Reward Offered For Info On Suspects In Deadly Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A reward is being offered for information on the deadly shooting of a 26-year-old man in North Portland.  Police have identified the victim as Laray Seamster, who was gunned down Wednesday afternoon in the area of North Vancouver Avenue and Fargo Street.  Witnesses reported seeing two younger black males fleeing the scene of the murder, possibly in a silver vehicle.  Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to 25-hundred dollars for information leading to an arrest in the case. 

Distracted Driver Who Hit Pedestrians Gets Five-Month Sentence

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman who struck and injured three pedestrians in Portland while taking a video of her son is headed to jail.  Twenty-four-year-old Elizabeth Dove has been ordered to serve one month in December and the remaining four months after she finishes community college next summer.  Police say Dove was texting and taking the video prior to the crash last January at a crosswalk near Centennial High School.  Dove will also be on probation for three years and have to perform 200 hours of community service.

82-year-old Man Sentenced For Child Sex Abuse

(Salem, OR)  --  An 82-year-old Beaverton man is scheduled to spend more than seven years behind bars for sexually abusing a girl under age 12.  Evan Lichty [[ LICK-tee ]] has pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree sexual abuse that prosecutors say took place in Marion County summer 2013.  Lichty was also sentenced to nearly four years of post-prison supervision.  

Gas Prices Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  There's little change in the price of gasoline in the Portland area from yesterday.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-40 a gallon, which is about four-cents above the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-19 a gallon. 

Portland Housing Market Still Strong

(Portland, OR)  --  New figures show the Portland-area housing market is still strong.  The Regional Multiple Listing Service says there were nearly three-thousand pending sales in October, the highest number since October 2005.  The report says each of the past three months has shown decade-high sales numbers, and the period follows a July that set an all-time record for closed sales.  

One Killed In Marion County Crash

(Silverton, OR)  --  Marion County sheriff's deputies are trying to find out what caused a head-on collision that left a person dead.  Authorities say the driver of a car crashed into an oncoming truck pulling a trailer yesterday on Howell Prairie Road Northeast near Conifer Street Northeast. The driver of the car was killed, and the truck driver was injured.  No names have been released.  

TriMet: Didn't Do A Good Job Handling Flood Situation

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet officials say the transit agency didn't do a good job handling the situation in which some of its trains traveled through standing water during flooding on October 31st.  TriMet Deputy General Manager Bob Nelson is pledging the agency to do a better job this weekend, when more heavy rains are forecast.  In apologizing for the Halloween event, Nelson said agency rules and the order for trains to travel that day were in conflict.  He says TriMet is in the process of revising its rules and procedures. 

GPS Leads Police To Stolen "Bait" Bike

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a GPS device led officers and an "Inside Edition" film crew to a stolen bike worth 19-hundred dollars.  A producer with the TV show bought the two-wheeler as a "bait bike" for a series it was preparing on stolen bikes, and chained it to a sign post at Northwest Sixth Avenue and Glisan Street.  After the bike was stolen, the GPS device led police and the crew to a man who said he traded two tablets for the bike.  Police say the man, 48-year-old Leroy Parsons, Jr., won't reveal the person with whom he traded for the Trek Fuel EX 5 bike. 

Man Shot To Death In North Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are looking for two suspects following the shooting death of a man near Legacy Emanuel hospital in North Portland.  Authorities say two younger black males were seen fleeing the area of North Vancouver Avenue and Fargo Street after the victim was shot around 3:15 yesterday afternoon.  The man, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, died later at a hospital.  Police say the suspects may have left the area in a silver vehicle.

Oregon City Residents Report Finding KKK Fliers

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Some residents of Oregon City are telling police they've found fliers to recruit people to join the Ku Klux Klan.  Authorities say small plastic bags containing a piece of candy also carry a flier, which contains the message saying "Join the Klan, Save Our Land."  Police are investigating to determine who's responsible for delivering the bags early yesterday morning to about a dozen homes in Oregon City. 

Thirty Chipotle Restaurants Reopen

(Portland, OR)  --  Thirty of the 43 Chipotle restaurants that closed in Oregon and Washington following an E. coli outbreak are now open again.  The remaining 13 outlets are expected to reopen today.  The outbreak, which sickened about 45 people in both states, was linked to eleven Chipotle locations, but health officials have been unable to find the specific source.  The restaurants were given the green light to reopen after Oregon and Washington health departments concluded there was no further risk of contracting the illness.  

Three Teens Charged In WA Kidnapping

(Kennewick, WA)  --  Three teenagers who are accused of kidnapping an elderly Kennewick, Washington, woman and driving her to Oregon are facing charges.  Authorities say the teens stuffed 86-year-old Hazel Abel in the trunk of a car earlier this month and drove her to the Portland area.  One of the teens, 16-year-old Dyllan Martin, who's the victim's great-grandson, is being charged as an adult.  The "Tri-City Herald" reports the other two suspects, 15-year-old Billy Underwood and 14-year-old Katlyn Kenfield, have been charged in juvenile court.  

Gas Prices Slightly Higher

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are slightly higher in Portland.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-42 a gallon, a half-cent above yesterday's average.  It's also about seven-cents a gallon higher than a week ago.

Multnomah County Judge To Retire

(Portland, OR)  --  Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Alicia Fuchs is about to retire.  The governor's office says after that 12 years, the judge's retirement will take effect on December 31st.  Fuchs grew up in Portland and graduated from Gonzaga University and from the university's law school.  Governor Kate Brown will appoint a successor to Fuchs.

Rosenblum: Investigator Targeted Black Lives Matter Supporters

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum says an investigator with the state Department of Justice targeted supporters of Black Lives Matter while searching social media for potential police threats.  Rosenblum made the remarks after a letter from the Urban League of Portland, which went public yesterday, accused the department of conducting "digital surveillance" of Oregonians who used the hashtag "Black Lives Matter" on social media.  Rosenblum says the investigator used software to conduct profiling, and she put a stop to it after learning about it.  She says a complete human resources investigation is being conducted.

Forecast: Closure Of Coal-fired Plants Would Shrink Carbon Footprint

(Portland, OR)  --  A new forecast by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council predicts the closures of three coal-fired power plants would considerably shrink the Northwest's carbon footprint over the next 20 years.  The report says closing those plants in Boardman, Oregon; Centralia, Washington; and Valmy, Nevada, would reduce the region's carbon footprint from about 55-million metric tons annually to 34-million metric tons by 2035.  The "Spokesman Review" reports the forecast, which is part of the draft Northwest Power Plan, also assumes that the region will continue pursuing aggressive energy-efficiency to decrease new demand.

Novick Announces Re-election Bid

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick will run for a second term.  In yesterday's announcement, Novick said he wants to run again because it's possible to be progressive and fiscally responsible at the same time.  He says he wants to make a push for the Memorial Coliseum to be sold to a developer for affordable housing.  Three other candidates have announced challenges to Novick, including two realtors and a restaurant cook.

K-9 Holds Knife-wielding Suspect At Bay

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Milwaukie police say a K-9 named Kilo was instrumental in nabbing a burglary suspect who was armed with a knife at a Milwaukie insurance office.  Authorities say officers arrived at a State Farm office on Southeast Rusk Road early yesterday morning, and found that the suspect had broken in and was trying to hide in the building.  Police sent in Kilo, who bit the suspect on the arm even though the burglar began violently swinging a samurai-style knife.  Police say 37-year-old Timothy Allen Nelson was already on parole for burglary.

Man Wanted For Exposing Self At Businesses

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are looking for a man who reportedly exposed himself to women at businesses in Southeast Portland.  Investigators say the latest such incident happened Friday at a store on Southeast 17th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard.  Police say the suspect is described as an African-American man in his late teens or early 20s, standing five-feet-ten and weighing 130 pounds.  Authorities say similar incidents have been reported at businesses on Southeast 47th Avenue and Southeast 13th Avenue.

Woodburn Appoints New Police Chief

(Woodburn, OR)  --  A former Portland assistant police chief will become the new top cop in Woodburn.  Jim Ferraris, who also served as a deputy chief for Salem police, is set to be sworn in next month.  Ferraris was with the Portland Police Bureau for 28 years before serving as a deputy chief with the Salem Police Department for four years.  He says he looks forward to working as the chief of police in Woodburn, which he describes as a great community that's supportive of the police department.

Fuel Prices Higher

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices are still rising in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-42 a gallon, a penny higher than yesterday.  It's also nine cents above the average at this time last week.

No E. Coli Source Found, Chipotle Locations Prepare To Reopen

(Salem, OR)  --  Health officials say they haven't found the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 40 people in Oregon and Washington.  Forty-three Chipotle restaurants in both states were closed pending the investigation of the outbreak, and are preparing to reopen.  Officials initially suspected a raw vegetable was the likely source, but numerous lab tests have failed to turn up the bug.  The company has been given the go-ahead to reopen the locations, provided they remove all of the food, deep-clean the closed restaurants, and allow county food inspectors to check the locations.

Gray Wolf Removed From Oregon Endangered Species List

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission says the gray wolf has been removed from the state's endangered species list.  "The Oregonian" reports that while the announcement doesn't change much about current wolf management, it could pave the way for the possibility of a controlled wolf hunt in the future.  The Fish & Wildlife staff has been directed to work with the Legislature to consider a bill to change the statute that includes the gray wolf on the endangered species list.  Activists say they may sue over the decision, contending the science behind it didn't undergo an adequate peer review.

Man Accused Of Sexually Abusing Teen

(Beaverton, OR)  --  A man accused of picking up a 13-year-old girl and sexually abusing her is facing criminal charges.  Police say 27-year-old Nathan Khingratsaphone of Beaverton picked up the teen in downtown Portland and committed the abuse at his apartment.  The teen reportedly told investigators the suspect offered her marijuana and took her to the apartment.  Khingratsaphone is facing multiple charges.

Officials: Portland Ranks Nationally For Syphilis Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  A new report from Multnomah County health officials says Portland ranks fifth in the nation for the rate of syphilis cases.  The county health department says Portland averages about 250 cases of syphilis per year, and has seen an increase of about 15-hundred percent since 2007.  That year, Oregon registered about 30 syphilis cases, compared to about 450 so far in 2015.  KOIN-TV reports the Oregon Health Authority is launching an awareness campaign that will include ads on TriMet buses and an informational website.

Albany Woman With Alzheimer's Missing

(Albany, OR)  --  Authorities are looking for a 69-year-old Albany woman who's been reported missing.  Linn County sheriff's deputies say Rozanne Elaine Spann, who suffers from Alzheimer's, was reported missing around 7:50 last night after she left her Spicer Drive home.  Rozanne Elaine Spann is described as white, standing about five feet eight inches, weighing 148 pounds, with shoulder length brown hair, and last seen wearing blue jeans, a brown jacket, and a vest.  Anyone with information is asked to call 541-967-3950.

Accused Grocery Thief Sprays Customers With Bug Spray

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've arrested a man who sprayed a security guard with insect spray as he tried to leave a Safeway with 700 dollars worth of groceries.  Authorities say Lawrence H. Dorris tried to leave the Northeast Portland supermarket in August without paying for the groceries when he was confronted by the guard.  Officials say after the guard was sprayed, another employee intervened and sprayed Dorris.  Dorris is charged with robbery and unlawful use of a weapon.

Portland-area Gas Prices Higher

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are still paying more for gasoline.  The latest survey by Triple-A shows the average for a gallon of regular is two-41, up a half-cent from yesterday.  It's also about a dime a gallon above the average of a week ago.

Study: Washington, Oregon Score Low In Government Openness

(Undated)  --  Results of a new study give Washington a low grade for government transparency and accountability.  The Center for Public Integrity gives the Evergreen state a "D-plus" in government openness, even though it ranks 12th in the nation in that category.  The study grades states based on the laws and systems they have in place to deter corruption.  Oregon has a grade of "F" and ranks 44th in the study, while Alaska, California, and Connecticut rank first, second, and third, respectively.

Deadly Crash Investigated In Douglas County

(Douglas County, OR)  --  Police are investigating a crash that killed one person and injured three others in Douglas County.  Oregon State Police say the wreck happened around two o'clock Saturday afternoon on Highway 101, four miles south of Reedsport.  A vehicle traveling north crossed the centerline and slammed into an oncoming car, killing 40-year-old Heather Walseth.  Three other people are being treated at hospitals.

About 1,000 Gallons Of Sewage Leak Into Willamette

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say about one-thousand gallons of sewage leaked into the Willamette River over the weekend.  The sewage reportedly flowed into the river from a stormwater outfall pipe, less than a mile south of the Sellwood Bridge.  People are being urged to avoid the river at least until this afternoon.  The cause of the leak hasn't yet been determined.

Man Found Shot To Death In Northeast Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police continue to investigate a deadly shooting in Northeast Portland.  Officials say the body 27-year-old Arthur Simon Aihebhoria was found around 7:30 Saturday night in the area of Northeast Rodney Avenue and Shaver Street.  Police believe the body wasn't discovered until about an hour after the shooting.  No arrests have been made.

Health Officials Try To ID Klamath Falls School Illness

(Klamath Falls, OR)  --  Health officials are trying to identify what caused at least 75 students and nine teachers to get sick at a Klamath Falls elementary school.  Officials suspect a norovirus may be at play.  People in the area are being urged to wash their hands frequently in order to prevent the spread of the suspected norovirus.

Weyerhaeuser To Merge With Plum Creek

(Federal Way, WA)  --  Weyerhaeuser Corporation is acquiring Plum Creek of Seattle for nearly eight-and-a-half-billion-dollars.  The companies have announced they'll combine to form the largest private owner of timberland in the U.S.  Weyerhaeuser CEO Doyle Simons will be the president and chief executive for the combined companies.  Simons told the "Seattle Times" there will be some overlap in terms of personnel, but it's too early to tell how many positions would be eliminated.

Gasoline Prices Rise

(Portland, OR)  --  Fuel prices are continuing a steady climb in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular at two-40 a gallon, which is up ten-and-a-half cents from a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-22 a gallon.

Roker Stops In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  TV weatherman Al Roker is on his Rokerthon 2 tour, and made Portland one of his stops.  Roker's goal is to set a record for the number of states from which he reports the weather.  That goal, of course, is 50.  He made it into Portland around 1:30 yesterday afternoon and read the area forecast.  The Rokerthon is taking place to raise money for Feeding America.

Portland Aluminum Plant Falsified Test Results

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland aluminum manufacturing plant is under suspension as a federal contractor.  KGW-TV reports Sapa Profiles has sent a letter to its customers, saying certain employees altered test results for aluminum extrusions manufactured by the plant.  The company says after it discovered the misconduct, the employees in question were fired and the false test results were reported to government officials, who then conducted their own investigation.

Multnomah County Gets Grant To Launch Sex-ed Curriculum

(Portland, OR)  --  Multnomah County will launch a new sex-education program, with the help of a six-and-a-half-million-dollar grant.  The Adolescents and Communities Together project is intended to reduce the number of teen pregnancies and curb sexually-transmitted diseases across the Portland metro area.  The goal is to develop sex education for middle- and high-school students to help them finish school, develop positive relationships, and stay healthy.  They'll be advised by a youth advisory committee composed of teens.

Three Arrested In Big Clark County Drug Bust

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Authorities say they've arrested three people as a result of a sizable drug bust in Vancouver.  Detectives say two of the suspects left for Seattle Wednesday, and all three arrived later back in Clark County, where deputies pulled them over and found two pounds of heroin inside their vehicles.  Officials say a raid at the Evergreen Park Apartments yielded more than 14 pounds of meth and six pounds of heroin, and more than 200-thousand dollars in cash and a stolen AR-15 rifle were seized from a safe in Portland.  Each of the three suspects is charged with possession, delivery, and other charges.

Oregon, Washington Among States With Lowest Premature-birth Rates

(Undated)  --  The March of Dimes ranks Oregon and Washington among the states with the lowest premature-birth rates in the nation.  Both states earned a grade of "A" according to the March of Dimes Premature Birth Rate Report Card.  Oregon's preterm-birth rate is seven-point-seven percent and Washington's is eight-point-one percent, compared to the national rate of nine-point-six percent.  The organization says about 380-thousand babies nationwide are born too soon each year.

Authorities: Suicidal Woman Shoots At Deputies, Kills Self

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Authorities say a suicidal woman shot and killed herself after firing at Washington County sheriff's deputies who arrived to help.  Deputies were dispatched around 12:30 yesterday afternoon to the area of River Road and Minter Bridge in Hillsboro after a report of a suicidal woman.  Investigators say the 57-year-old Hillsboro woman eventually shot herself to death.  Officials say a deputy caught either a bullet or a piece of shrapnel, but is expected to be fine.

Portland-area Gas Prices Jump

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline continues to rise in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular jumped more than three cents from yesterday, now standing at two-38 a gallon.  That's about a dime above the average of a week ago.

Union Says TriMet Gave Order To Drive Through Water

(Portland, OR)  --  The union representing drivers on MAX lines blames TriMet for ordering a train to drive through standing water.  President of Amalgamated Transit Unit 7-5-7 Shirley Block said yesterday the driver of the car under the Morrison Bridge was told to slow down but drive through several feet of standing water during Halloween's storm.  TriMet says no manager ever gave that order to the driver.  TriMet is investigating the incident along with the O-D-O-T.

School Looking For Statue Vandals

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A Catholic school in Hillsboro wants your help finding whoever vandalized a statue.  Saint Matthew Catholic School says security footage caught at least two people, one dressed up as Snow White, vandalizing a statue of Saint Francis on Halloween.  KATU-TV says the school has filed a police report after finding the statue broken Sunday morning.  You can see pictures of the suspects on the school's Facebook page.

Man Charged With Attempting To Lure Teen For Sex

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say a 29-year-old man tried to bribe a 14-year-old girl for sex using marijuana.  Investigators say Joshua Poehler asked the teen, who didn't know him, over a dozen times to have sex with him, reportedly offering her pot in exchange for sex.  Poehler also reportedly offered sex to an arresting officer in exchange for his freedom.  He is facing numerous charges, including luring a minor, coercion and attempted third degree rape.

Teen Kidnapped Grandmother To Kill Her Charged As Adults

(Wood Village, OR)  --  Investigators say a 16-year-old kidnapped his great-grandmother with two other teens so he could kill her.  Investigators didn't disclose why Dylan Martin wanted to take the life of the 86-year-old woman.  Martin and 15-year-old Billy Underwood along with another 14-year-old girl kidnapped Hazel Abel in Kennewick, Washington on Monday and threw her in the trunk of a car.  Abel escaped when the three stopped at a Wal Mart in Wood Village.  Underwood and Martin are facing numerous charges, including kidnapping and robbery and investigators say they're being charged as adults. The other teen involved was not identified.

Clackamas Cove Advisory Lifted

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Health officials have lifted an advisory for the Clackamas River near Clackamette Park.  They issued an advisory on Monday about high levels of algae in the cove at the park in Oregon City.  Officials lifted that advisory yesterday after monitoring the algae for about 48 hours.  KGW-TV reports people who got drinking water from that portion of the river were also told to stop using tap water for a couple of days.

Resolution Against More Oil Trains Adopted

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland City Council is saying no to more oil trains coming through the Rose City.  They adopted a resolution against an increase in those trains at their meeting last night but no laws were passed.  The council is also expected to vote on another resolution to voice their opposition to any infrastructure used to support the oil industry in the city.

Man Accused Of Chasing People With Axe

(Corvallis, OR)  --  A man remains behind bars for allegedly chasing people around a park near Oregon State University with an axe.  The Oregonian reports Zachary Williams is facing 13 charges for allegedly following people through Central Park and verbally threatening them earlier this week.  Authorities say no one in the park was injured.  Williams is facing menacing and unlawful use of a weapon charges in the incident.

Man Pleads Guilty In Vehicular Homicide Case

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A man pleads guilty to hitting and killing a seven-year-old girl on Halloween last year.  A judge set Duane Abbott's sentencing for November 20th after he entered his guilty plea in a Vancouver court room yesterday, according to The Columbian.  He faces over 17 years behind bars for hitting and killing Cadence Boyer on Northeast 112th Avenue last Halloween.  Investigators say Abbott was high on marijuana when he crashed into Cadence, her mother and her friend.

E. Coli Cases Now Total 40 In Oregon, Washington

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials say the number of E. coli cases in Oregon is up to 12, and up to 28 in Washington.  Most of the patients reportedly ate at Chipotle restaurants, 43 locations of which have been temporarily closed in Oregon and Washington.  The ages of the patients range from one to 61.  No deaths from the outbreak have been reported.  Health officials say contaminated produce may have been the cause of the E. coli cases.

TriMet Denies Ordering Drivers To Go Through Floodwaters

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet is strongly denying an allegation that it ordered its drivers to travel through floodwaters.  The union representing the transit agency, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, says a manager ordered drivers to go through high water during the weekend, despite drivers' objections.  Union president Shirley Block says it's dangerous for trains to travel through floods because of the high voltage carried by the trains.  TriMet categorically denies that management ordered an operator to proceed through the flooded area.

Troutdale Gas-tax, Riverdale School Levy Lead

(Troutdale, OR)  --  A proposal for a penny-a-gallon gasoline tax in Troutdale is leading in initial returns.  The tax, which would be phased in over three years, is ahead by a 53-47-percent margin.  So far, about two-thirds of those voting in the Riverdale School District are favoring a five-year local-option levy to fund operations.  It would mean a dollar-37 for each one-thousand dollars in assessed value.

Teens Accused Of Kidnapping Elderly Washington Woman

(Wood Village, OR)  --  Three teenagers are accused of abducting an 86-year-old woman from her home in Kennewick, Washington, locking her in the trunk of a car, and driving her to the Portland area.  Multnomah County authorities say Hazel Abel told sheriff's deputies she was able to engage an emergency release inside the trunk and escape, after the car had stopped early yesterday morning at a Walmart in Wood Village.  Deputies got descriptions of the suspects from Abel, and tracked them to a gas station across the street from the Walmart.  The suspects are being held in juvenile detention and will be transported back to Kennewick.

Arrest Made In SE Portland Murder

(Portland, OR)  --  A suspect is in custody in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old in Southeast Portland.  Police say Deandrea Sanders is accused of killing Anthony Jackson, Jr. in July.  Sanders was already being held on unrelated charges, and is now facing a murder charge.  Jackson was found with gunshot wounds on July 12th in the 13-thousand block of Southeast Powell Boulevard, and died later at a hospital.

Portland-area Gas Prices Rise

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline is on the rise in Portland.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-32 a gallon, which is a penny-and-a-half higher than yesterday's average.  It's also three cents a gallon above the average of a week ago.

Seattle's Gum Wall To Be Scrubbed Clean

odditycentral.com

(Seattle, WA)  --  For the first time in two decades, Seattle's famed Gum Wall is getting a scrub.  Officials at the city's Pike Place Market say all gum stuck to the wall will be removed starting next week.  Word is the gum is damaging the bricks at the unsanitary landmark, and KING-TV reports the wall will be steam cleaned.  People started sticking their chewed gum to the wall in the early 1990s, and there's now an estimated one-million pieces hanging from it.

 

Officials Say Contaminated Produce Likely Cause Of E. Coli

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon Public Health officials say it's likely that contaminated produce was the cause of E. coli cases in Oregon.  Many of the cases have been linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon and have led to the company temporarily closing 43 locations.  Three E. coli cases have been confirmed in Oregon and 19 have been diagnosed in Washington.  There have been no deaths.

Bank Robbery Suspect Apprehended

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who's accused of robbing a US Bank branch is in police custody.  Police say the holdup happened around one o'clock yesterday afternoon at the branch in the 16-thousand block of Southeast Division.  Authorities say the robber demanded money but didn't display a weapon.  He was arrested in the 33-hundred block of Southeast 158th following the robbery.

Police: Man Sold Friend's "Star Wars" Collection To Pay Debt

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Authorities say a Vancouver-area man is accused of stealing his friend's massive collection of "Star Wars" memorabilia to pay off a debt.  The collection was stolen from a Vancouver home on October 23rd and was sold to Showroom Collectibles.  Police have arrested 24-year-old Benjamin Milam, who was arraigned yesterday on charges of residential burglary, theft, and trafficking in stolen property.  Investigators say Milam told them he made several trips to the store to sell off the collection until he had the money he needed to pay the debt.

Some TriMet Trains Out Of Service Following Flood

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet officials say about a dozen of the agency's trains are out of service following Saturday's flooding.  The flood resulted in standing water being left on the Southwest 1st Avenue line under the Morrison Bridge.  Transportation legal consultant Carl Berkowitz told KATU-TV that it was a mistake to send trains through because it posed a hazard to passengers who stood in ankle-deep floodwater.  TriMet officials say safety procedures regarding operating in flood conditions will be reviewed and revised.

Washington County Considering Public-Safety Levy

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Among the issues being decided by Washington County voters is a five-year public-safety levy.  It would total 42-cents for each one-thousand-dollars of assessed property value, and would generate revenue for prosecutions; jail, parole and probation services; a mental-health response team; and other services.  A five-year replacement levy of 22-cents per one-thousand-dollars is being requested by Washington County Library Services.  The revenue would be used to maintain and add library hours, buy books, and fund children's programs.

Troutdale Gas Tax, Riverdale School Levy On Ballot

(Troutdale, OR)  --  Voters in Troutdale have until eight o'clock tonight to return their ballots for the proposed three-cents-a-gallon gas tax to pay for street maintenance.  The tax would be phased in over three years.  The Riverdale School District is asking its voters to approve a five-year local-option levy to fund operations.  The proposed levy is a-dollar-37 for each one-thousand-dollars of assessed property value.

Fuel Prices Higher

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline is higher in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-31 a gallon, a penny-and-a-half higher than yesterday.  The national average for regular is two-19 a gallon.

Pedestrian Killed In Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say impaired driving contributed to the death of a pedestrian during a crash in North Portland.  Investigators believe the 27-year-old pedestrian was hit around one o'clock yesterday morning by a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Matthew Tyler Freeman.  Authorities say Freeman crashed his car into a pole about a block away, in the area of North Lombard Street and Peninsular Avenue.  Freeman will appear in court later today.  The name of the pedestrian hasn't been released.

Officials Expect More E. Coli Cases Linked To Chipotle

(Salem, OR)  --  Health officials say they expect an increase in the number of E. coli cases linked to Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon.  As of Friday, 19 cases of E. coli infection had been confirmed in western Washington and three in northwest Oregon, with some of those patients having eaten at Chipotle locations.  About one-third of those have been hospitalized, but there have been no deaths from the infections.  All 43 Chipotle locations in Oregon and Washington will remain closed until health officials say it's safe for them to reopen.

Firefighters Remove Floodwater From Washington County Building

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Cleanup will continue today at the Washington County Justice Services Building, which was a casualty of the flooding that took place in the Portland metro area over the weekend.  "The Oregonian" reports water from clogged drain pipes began flooding the building around 4:30 Saturday afternoon.  Firefighters were at a Halloween event in downtown Hillsboro when they were dispatched to the county building.  About three-thousand gallons of water, reaching a level of four feet in an emergency stairwell, were removed from the building.

Motor-Home Fire Damages Tire Business

(Portland, OR)  --  Investigators are trying to find out what caused a motor-home fire that spread to a nearby tire business in Southeast Portland.  Firefighters responded yesterday morning to the blaze on Southeast 82nd Avenue at Lambert Street.  Authorities say one person in the trailer was injured, but there's no word on that person's condition.  Police reported several small explosions coming from inside the trailer.

Gas Prices Decrease

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area fuel prices continue to decline.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for a gallon of regular is two-29, down more than four-cents from a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-19 a gallon.

Albany Teen Arrested Following Crash

(Corvallis, OR)  --  An Albany teenager is facing a DUII charge following a crash that critically injured a pedestrian in the Corvallis area.  Oregon State Police say 18-year-old Adrean Antonio Magana struck the pedestrian around 1:30 yesterday morning on Highway 34.  The pedestrian is being treated for life-threatening injuries.  Magana and a passenger in his vehicle were also injured.

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