Regional News Archives for 2016-12

Officials: S.C. Murder Suspect May Be In Oregon

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say an Army deserter who's accused of murdering his estranged wife in South Carolina may have traveled to Oregon.  Officials say 28-year-old John Tufton Blauvelt [[ BLO-velt ]] is accused of killing the victim, Catherine Blauvelt, on October 24th.  Investigators say Blauvelt left South Carolina with a 17-year-old girl, who was safely found in Eugene on December 12th.  Authorities say Blauvelt is five-foot, 185 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and tattoos on his chest, left wrist, left arm and right arm.

PPS Adds Two Days To School Year

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Public Schools will be adding two school days to the current academic year.  That's to make up for the snow days that led to cancellation of classes on December 8th and 9th.  The PPS board of directors voted last night to end the school year on June 13th, 2017.  Fox 12 reports the board will also review the impact of the December 15th and 16th snow days in January.

Portland Ranked 33rd For Job Seekers

(Undated)  --  On a list of the Best Cities For Job Seekers in 2017, Portland comes in at number 33.  NerdWallet looked at federal data on the country's 100 biggest cities.  It included the jobless rate, workforce growth, annual salary and housing costs.  Seattle is ranked the fourth-best city in the U.S. for job seekers, while Austin, Denver and Nashville occupy the top three spots, respectively.  
 

Deadly Whidbey Island Fire Deemed "Tragic Accident"

(Oak Harbor, WA)  --  Investigators say a fire that killed a woman and her two small children near Oak Harbor, Washington, last weekend was likely accidental.  Island County authorities say it appears the fire that resulted in the deaths of 25-year-old Laura White, and her five-year-old daughter Ivylynn and three-year-old son Imriel [[ IM-ree-ul ]] was caused by an electrical malfunction.  Officials say a GoFundMe account has been started for Laura's husband and the children's father, Alex White, who's an aviation ordnanceman at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
 

Elderly Pedestrian Killed In Beaverton

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Police are investigating, after a 75-year-old woman was struck and killed by a vehicle in Beaverton.  Authorities tell KOIN-TV the woman was not in a crosswalk last night when she was hit by an eastbound car on Allen Boulevard between 141st and Wilson avenues.  The woman died later at a hospital.  No names have been released.

Four Washington Electors To Be Fined $1,000 Each

(Olympia, WA)  --  State elections officials say four Washington state electors who didn't cast their ballots for Hillary Clinton are facing fines of one-thousand-dollars each.  State law requires electors to cast their Electoral College ballots for the person who wins the state's popular vote.  Of the four electors in question, three voted for former Secretary of State Colin Powell and one voted for a Native American activist.  The Washington Secretary of State's Office will soon send each "faithless" elector a notice of the fine, which they'll be required to pay within 60 days.

Inslee Asks McMorris Rodgers Not To Repeal Obamacare

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington Governor Jay Inslee is among top Democrats asking Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to vote against the repeal of Obamacare.  In a letter to the Spokane Republican, Inslee and state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler said that ending the Affordable Care Act would cause hundreds of thousands Washington residents to lose health coverage.  The "Spokesman-Review" reports McMorris Rodgers, who's Washington state's most powerful Republican in Congress, voted against Obamacare when Congress passed it in 2010 and has voted in favor of repeated efforts by Republicans to repeal it since.  McMorris Rodgers says she and other Republicans support keeping some elements of Obamacare.

Salem Teen Is 10-millionth Pro Football HOF Visitor

(Canton, OH)  --  A teenager from Salem has the distinction of being the ten-millionth visitor to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Fifteen-year-old Tyler Susee and his family were on their way to Pittsburgh to see the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens play on Christmas day, when they stopped Wednesday at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  Museum officials say Tyler received a special grand prize package valued at nearly 78-hundred dollars, including tickets to the 2017 Enshrinement Ceremony.  Tyler called the experience "awesome."

Gas Leak In NW Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland city officials say Northwest Raleigh Street was shut down yesterday west of Northwest 22nd Avenue because of a gas leak.  Portland Water Bureau workers broke a gas line and caused the leak around 1:30 yesterday afternoon.  Portland Fire and Rescue tells "The Oregonian" gas got into at least two apartment buildings, prompting evacuation there and at businesses within a one-block radius.  The area was reopened by around 3:30 p.m.

Bail Set For Man Accused Of Road-rage Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Bail is set at more than a half-million dollars for a man who's accused of shooting a young girl during a road-rage incident.  Joshua Eric Constantine pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges including attempted first-degree assault.  An eight-year-old girl who was sitting in the back seat of a nearby vehicle on Interstate 84 in Portland suffered a graze wound to her ankle when the gun was fired Tuesday.  Constantine is being held in the Multnomah County Detention Center.

Portland Council Approves Licensing Cannabis Delivery

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland will soon begin licensing delivery-only cannabis retailers.  The City Council voted in favor of the ordinance yesterday, during Mayor Charlie Hales's final council meeting.  According to the ordinance, businesses operating as "marijuana retail couriers" would only be able to receive and deliver orders between certain hours of the day, and could only deliver products within city limits.  City officials tell KATU-TV the regulated marijuana industry has not been accessible to many because of the costs involved in becoming licensed and purchasing products.

Arrest Made In Year-old Missing-person Case

(Spokane Valley, WA)  --  Authorities say they've made an arrest in connection with a year-old missing-person case in Spokane County.  The suspect, 26-year-old Colby Vodder, was arrested yesterday in Post Falls, Idaho.  Investigators say Vodder is accused in the disappearance of Bret Snow, whose family reported him missing from Spokane Valley in December 2015.  Officials say Vodder currently being held in Kootenai [[ KOOT-nee ]] County, pending extradition back to Spokane County for a charge of second-degree murder.

Man Arrested After Being Accused Of "Flashing" At PDX

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a man who's accused of exposing himself at Portland International Airport.  Authorities say 25-year-old Dale L. Riley the Second exposed himself to a woman and her two daughters at the airport Tuesday.  Riley was booked on public-indecency charges.  Authorities say there could be additional charges after airport surveillance video is reviewed.

Missing Aloha Man Found Following Deadly Crash

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Washington County sheriff's deputies say the body of an Aloha man who had been missing was found following a deadly crash.  Authorities say 42-year-old Michael Babcock was found Tuesday morning in a vehicle at the bottom of a ravine off Northwest Storey Burn Road off Oregon 6.  Officials say Babcock was reported missing on November 29th, and several searches for him had been unsuccessful.  The crash remains under investigation.
 

Accused Serial Burglar Arrested

(Battle Ground, WA)  --  Authorities say a man accused of committing a number of crimes in the Battle Ground and Portland areas is now in custody.  The suspect, identified as Dennis Lee Porter the Second of Woodland, was arrested in Multnomah County December 7th after being charged with theft and driving a stolen vehicle.  Investigators say Porter was also caught on video stealing items from trailers outside a home in Battle Ground in early December.  Police say their investigation of Porter started in late November after a woman's purse was stolen from a Battle Ground restaurant.

Cheesecake Factory Apologizes For Turning Away Officers

(Tacoma, WA)  --  The Cheesecake Factory is issuing an apology after Washington State Corrections officers were turned away from its restaurant in Tacoma, Washington.  An officer says the group of four was about to be seated in the restaurant Tuesday when managers approached them and told them they needed to leave the premises because they were armed.  Cheesecake Factory Corporate Headquarters responded to an inquiry from KOMO-TV and issued a statement, saying the request for the officers to leave was a "miscommunication."  Restaurant officials issued an apology and said its policy is to allow uniformed and identified law-enforcement officials to possess their service weapons on Cheesecake Factory premises.

Portland Rental Market Ranked Among Highest

(Undated)  --  Portland is ranked has having among the highest rental prices in the nation.  Online real estate investment management firm HomeUnion says Portland had the eleventh-highest rental market in the U.S., seeing an increase of three-point-eight percent over the past year.  The average single-family rental in Portland goes for more than 28-hundred dollars per month.  HomeUnion ranks Seattle the nation's most expensive rental market, with the average unit going for nearly 23-hundred dollars, a rise in the last year of nearly seven percent.

Portland Man Pleads Not Guilty To Attempted Murder

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man who's accused of shooting employees of the apartment complex from which he was evicted is facing charges of attempted murder.  Sixty-five-year-old Reynaldo Cabrera has pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Police say both victims are expected survive after they were shot Monday at the Cascade Terrace Apartments.  Cabrera is expected to make his next court appearance on December 29th.

Ex-Lake Oswego HS Student Accused Of Tossing Molotov Cocktail

(Lake Oswego, OR)  --  A former student at Lake Oswego High School is accused by authorities of throwing a Molotov cocktail at a house more than two years ago.  Investigators say multiple counts of arson and manufacture of a destructive device have been filed against 20-year-old Travis Toal [[ tole ]], who had better than a three-point-eight grade-point average at Lake Oswego High and is now a junior at the University of Southern California.  KOIN-TV reports Toal's attorney is asking the court to release his client on personal recognizance or conditional release.  Toal is being held in the Clackamas County Jail.

OR, WA Among States With Fastest Rate Of Growth

(Washington, DC)  --  New figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show Washington and Oregon have among the fastest rates of growth in the nation.  The Bureau says Washington's 2016 population is close to seven-point-three-million, up one-point-78 percent in 2016 from the 2010 figure, good for fifth place in the national rate of growth.  Oregon's population this year is nearly four-point-one-million, higher by one-point-seven-one percent over 2010.  That's good for sixth in the nation.

Three Charged In Shooting Of WA Police Officer

(Seattle, WA)  --  Three people are in custody in connection with the shooting of a Mount Vernon, Washington police officer.  Authorities say 44-year-old Ernesto Rivas and two teenagers are facing charges in the shooting of 61-year-old Mick McClaughry [[ muh-CLOW-ree ]], who was shot in the head last week prior to a standoff.  McClaughry is still in critical but stable condition.  Investigators say the teenagers charged with Rivas are 15 and 16-years-old.

Coyote Sighting Near Park In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  State officials say coyotes are more common in the Portland area than many may think.  KATU-TV reports a Portland man who was on his way to work sighted a coyote yesterday morning on 28th Avenue near Piccolo Park In Southeast Portland.  Oregon Fish and Wildlife spokesman Rick Swart tells KATU-TV residents should not to make coyotes feel comfortable around humans by feeding them.  Swart says to call 911 if you feel threatened by a coyote.
 

Eight-year-old Girl Shot On I-84

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say a possible road-rage incident led to the shooting of an eight-year-old girl on Interstate 84.  Authorities say a man who recklessly drove a van along the highway yesterday fired a shot at a nearby vehicle which he had nearly caused to crash.  Police say the girl, who was sitting in the back seat, was grazed on the ankle.  Authorities say the suspect, identified as Joshua Constantine, was later arrested near 162nd and Stark.

Mumps Cases In Washington Rises To 107

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington state health officials say the outbreak of mumps in the state has grown to 107 cases.  The Department of Health says most of the cases this year have materialized in King, Pierce, Spokane, and Yakima counties.  According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46 states are seeing an increase in mumps cases.
 

Amber Alert Ended, Girl Taken From Daycare Safe

(Auburn, WA)  --  The Auburn, Washington Police Department says a 15-month-old girl who was the subject of an AMBER Alert is now safe.  Authorities say 27-year-old Aleiondro  Wilson took his baby daughter, Aleionna, from a daycare center in Kent on December 16th.  Police day the father was believed to be armed and suicidal.  He and the child were located yesterday in New Mexico near the Texas border.

Man Accused Of Shooting Two Apt. Complex Workers

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a man is scheduled to appear in court today, after being accused of shooting two employees at an apartment complex from which he was evicted.  Authorities believe 65-year-old Reynaldo Diaz Cabrera shot the 45-year-old man and 64-year-old woman around 12:30 yesterday afternoon at the Cascadian Terrace Apartments on North Kerby Avenue in Portland.  Cabrera will face two counts of attempted murder.

Clinton Loses Four Electoral Votes In Washington

(Olympia, WA)  --  Not all of Washington state's electoral votes are going to Democrat Hillary Clinton, even though the former secretary of state easily carried Washington in last month's presidential election.  The state's 12 Democratic electors met in Olympia yesterday, and eight of them cast their ballots for Clinton, while three other votes were cast for former Secretary of State Colin Powell.  Another elector voted for Faith Spotted Eagle, who leads the Lakota Sioux and has led the protest against the Dakota Access pipeline.  The "Spokesman-Review" reports the votes for Powell were part of a failed effort by so-called "Hamilton Electors" to keep Republican Donald Trump from being declared president.

Musician Wilson Hopes To Open Cheesecake Bakery In Lake Oswego

(Lake Oswego, OR)  --  Former Wilson Phillips member and TV talk-show host Carnie Wilson is hoping to open a cheesecake bakery in Lake Oswego.  The "Portland Tribune" reports Wilson and business partner Tiffany Miller of Lake Oswego are seeking to open "Love Bites by Carnie" at the corner of Pilkington and Boones Ferry roads.  Wilson, whose father is Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, says every single bite of her cheesecakes are "made with love."  Code changes necessary for the bakery to begin operation will need approval from Lake Oswego city officials.
 

Mukilteo Shooter Pleads Guilty To Murder Charges

(Everett, WA)  --  Allen Ivanov, who was charged with killing three former classmates and wounding another at a house party in Mukilteo, Washington, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to all counts.  Ivanov, who's 20-years-old, admitted to killing 19-year-olds Anna Bui, Jacob Long, and Jordan Ebner, and to attempting to kill 18-year-old Will Kramer at the July 30th party.  Snohomish County prosecutors were scheduled today to announce whether they would seek the death penalty against Ivanov.  Ivanov now faces life in prison without parole when he's sentenced on January 12th.
 

Marchers Protest Electoral College Vote

(Portland, OR)  --  Organizers say a march that took place through the streets of Portland was in protest of Republican Donald Trump being formally elected president during state-by-state meetings of the Electoral College.  Even though Democrat Hillary Clinton easily carried Oregon in November's general election, about 200 demonstrators, led by the activist group Portland's Resistance, rallied and marched to protest the upcoming Trump administration.  Earlier yesterday, all seven Oregon Democratic Party electors cast their votes for Hillary Clinton for president and Tim Kaine for vice president.

Portland-area Gas Prices Up

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices are heading up as the Christmas holiday gets closer.  Triple-A reports the Portland-area average for regular is two-44 a gallon, a half-cent above the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-25 a gallon.

Portland Indoor Pools Open During Winter Break

(Portland, OR)  --  Those wishing to take to the water during the holiday break will be able to do so in Portland.  The city's indoor swimming pools have added family swim hours during the winter break.  Those interested in more information can contact the East Portland Pool, the Matt Dishman Pool, the Mount Scott Pool, and the Southwest Pool.  Hours will vary.

Jerseys Belonging To Girls' Soccer Team Stolen

(Fairview, OR)  --  A bag full of jerseys belonging to a Portland-area soccer team comprised of ten-year-old girls is missing.  KATU-TV reports the jerseys, worth about 12-hundred dollars, were contained in a bag that was stolen yesterday off the front porch of the team manager in Fairview.  The jerseys were about to have new logos applied for the Eastside Timbers.  A GoFundMe page has been established in an effort to raise money to purchase new jerseys for the team.

Portland 41st Among "Most Caring Cities"

(Undated)  --  A new WalletHub.com analysis shows Portland is ranked near average when it comes to compassionate cities.  The financial-assistance website says the analysis compared the 100 most populated U.S. cities across 32 key indicators of a compassionate spirit.  They range from the percentage of sheltered homeless persons, to number of volunteering hours per capita, to percentage of income donated to charity.  WalletHub ranks Portland the 41st-most caring city, while Seattle places 23rd and Madison, Wisconsin is in first place.

Icy Roads Responsible For Deadly Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities are calling icy roads as the cause for a deadly crash on Interstate 5 over the weekend.  Two people were killed when a semi-truck and SUV crashed on an on-ramp in Woodburn.  Three others involved in the crash are OK.

Salmonella Scare Causes Bakery Recall At Safeway, Albertsons

(Portland, OR)  --  Safeway and Albertsons stores in Oregon are among those recalling certain bakery products because of a possible Salmonella contamination.  The voluntarily recall is for items made with Valley Milk Products LLC's High Heat Nonfat Dry Milk Powder.  That includes some cream cakes, eclairs, parfaits and other baked goods with vanilla cream custard.  The company says the products in question were sold on or before last Thursday.

Oregon Electors Meeting Today

(Salem, OR)  --  Hillary Clinton is officially expected to receive Oregon's seven electoral votes when the state's members of the Electoral College meet today.  Electors across the country are turning in their votes for last month's election.  Clinton won Oregon by more than ten percent of the vote, but lost the national election in the Electoral College.  Unite For America is organizing protests in Salem and the other 49 state capitals over the election results.

Holiday Postal Deadline Is Tomorrow Across Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland residents will want to get that last-minute Christmas card in the mail by tomorrow.  The deadline for first-class mail with the U.S. Postal Service is here tomorrow with the Priority Mail deadline on Wednesday.  The last week of Christmas shopping will begin across Portland with more rain and showers and highs in the mid-40s.

Fifth Arrested Made In 2014 Murder Of Pregnant Woman

(Portland, OR)  --  Another arrest is confirmed in the 2014 murder of a pregnant woman in Southeast Portland.  Jeffery L. Sims Jr. is the fifth suspect arrested for the murder of 21-year-old Ervaeua Herring.  Sims was detained yesterday morning near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard after a two-year investigation.

Weather Forcing Some School Delays, Cancellations

(Portland, OR)  --  The messy weather is causing some school delays today.  The Silver Falls School District is pushing back classes two hours.  The morning class at the Silverton site of OCDC Headstart is canceled.  And the Mount Angel Abbey and Seminary will open up at ten this morning.  The area can expect anything from frozen rain to snow during parts of this morning.

Corvallis Residents Can Expect Longest Life In State

(Portland, OR)  --  Residents in the Portland area aren't expecting the longest life in the state because that honor goes to Corvallis.  24/7 Wall Street has compiled each state's areas with the longest and shortest life expectancies.  Corvallis topped Oregon's list at 82-point-one years.  Grants Pass was on the other end in the state right at 77 years.

Tec-9 Seized In Traffic Stop, Arrest Made

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are crediting a traffic stop with the discovery of a Tec-9 semi-automatic gun inside the vehicle that was stopped.  Andre Montgomery was arrested and charged with possessing an unlawful firearm.  It happened late Friday night near Southeast 38th Avenue and Hawthorne Street.  Montgomery has a previous firearm conviction in 2012.

Abandoned Cars Towed

(Portland, OR)  --  The snow storm that happened earlier this week is continuing to cause problems for some drivers in Portland.  Many people decided to abandon their cars on the roads during the storm.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says that these people should not have done this.  Yesterday morning, crews started towing the abandoned vehicles.

ODOT May Consider Using Salt In The Future

(Salem, OR)  --  Many people in Portland are wondering why the Oregon Department of Transportation doesn't use salt on the roads when it snows.  ODOT says the reason it doesn't do this is because salt is expensive and could have a negative impact on the environment.  A spokesperson for ODOT says after this week's snow storm it may consider using salt in the future.
 

Mayor Defends Snow Response

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Mayor Charlie Hales says the city did the best job it could responding to Wednesday's winter storm.  Hales blamed some of the traffic problems yesterday on the city's inexperience with driving in the snow.  Hales said he spent much of Wednesday making sure police, firefighters and transportation workers could get to work.

School District Admits Mistake After Children Stuck On Bus

(Portland, OR)  --  The Beaverton School District is admitting that it wasn't prepared for the snow storm that hit the Portland metro area earlier this week.  Parents criticized the district for not closing early on Wednesday.  Many students were stuck on buses for hours when school let out.  A spokesperson for the district says the district did not realize how bad traffic was going to be affected because of the storm.  Beaverton Superintendent Don Grotting says "I guess in hindsight I didn't make the right call."
 

Streets Still Icy

(Portland, OR)  --  Streets around Portland remain icy and treacherous following Wednesday's winter storm.  Weather forecasters are calling for temperatures in the upper 20s today.  That means local roadways likely won't  thaw for a few days.  But temperatures should rise above freezing by later this weekend.
 

Charges Filed In Methadone Death

(Portland, OR)  --  Murder charges are being filed against the Portland man accused of causing his 15-month-old daughter's death nearly three-years ago.  Darien Lee McWoods was arrested this week on charges including murder and criminally-negligent homicide.  Authorities say Kamaya Flores died in 2013 from methadone toxicity.  The girl's aunt is also facing charges including perjury and tampering.

Crash Leaves Man In Critical Condition

(Gresham, OR)  --  A Gresham man is in critical condition following a snowstorm-related crash.  Police officials say the man lost control of his car on a slippery road before crashing into a power pole.  The accident happened near Northeast 169th Avenue and Halsey Street.  Halsey will be closed between 169th and 172nd as the investigation continues.

Some Districts Cancel School

(Portland, OR)  --  Some students in Portland will be starting their winter break early.  The Beaverton School District and Portland Public Schools have both decided to cancel classes today due to the snow storm that hit the metro area earlier this week.  The students may have to make up the snow day at the end of the school year.

Dozens Of Cars Abandoned

(Portland, OR)  --  The snow is causing problems for drivers in Portland.  KATU reports that dozens of cars have been abandoned on the roads in the Portland metro area.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says these drivers should not have left their vehicles.  The abandoned cars may get towed.

Parking Meter Tickets Resume At Noon

(Portland, OR)  --  You won't get a ticket if you're legally parked in a metered spot in Portland.  The Portland Bureau of Transportation decided due to yesterday's snow that it will not to give out tickets to people who leave their cars as long as they are legally parked in these spots.  The bureau will start handing out these tickets once again at noon today.

School Bus Slides Down Hill, Crashes

(Portland, OR)  --  No one was seriously hurt after a bus slid down a hill and crashed.  A school bus started sliding down a hill around five o'clock last night in Southwest Portland.  It crashed into a couple of cars.  A few children were on the bus at the time.

Two Hurt In Northeast Portland Stabbing

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are hurt following a stabbing in Northeast Portland.  The stabbing happened last night at an apartment building near Northeast 82nd and Sandy Boulevard.  The victims both suffered serious injures, but their injuries aren't believed to be life-threatening.  Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call the police.

Report: Jim Leavitt To Become Oregon Defensive Coordinator

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Oregon Ducks are taking steps to improve on defense.  FOX Sports reports that Oregon plans to hire Jim Leavitt as defensive coordinator.  Leavitt was the defensive coordinator at the University of Colorado.  Prior to working at Colorado, Leavitt was an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers.  Leavitt will likely be the highest paid defensive coordinator in the Pac-12.

Snow Doesn't Stop Bar Owners

(Portland, OR)  --  Many of Portland's restaurants and bars are staying open despite the snow storm.  "OregonLive" says nearly 50 eating spots around the city were open for business last night.  Portland transportation officials say they would give parking meter scofflaws amnesty until noon today because of the snowfall.

Schools Closed Due To Snowfall

(Portland, OR)  --  The winter storm continues to cause havoc for Portland residents.  Officials announced last night that all public schools in Portland will be closed today due to the storm.  As of last night, between one and three-inches of snow fell across the Portland region.  Downtown had at least an inch of snow while places like Oregon City and Canby had as much as three inches.

Marijuana Rules Tweaked

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon health officials are tweaking the rules for growing and processing medical marijuana.  Yesterday, the state announced changes including those for batch sizes and strain testing.  Officials say the changes should make it easier and cheaper for growers and consumers.  The changes go into effect tomorrow.

Avalanches Force Highway Closure

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon State Police say Highway 20 over the Santiam Pass is closed due to multiple avalanches.  Two avalanches fell early yesterday afternoon which prompted the closure.  A third avalanche happened later last night.  Officials haven't said when the highway will re-open.

Schools Awaiting Decision On Snow

(Portland, OR)  --  The area's biggest school districts are delaying a decision on today's schedule in case of snow.  Because of the storm moving in today, districts weren't able to make that call last night.  Log on to the district or school near you to find out today's schedule.  Most districts were expected to have had a decision made by six this morning.
 

Officials Ready To Battle Snow

(Portland, OR)  --  City officials are on high alert as the snow is expected to hit the area today.  Crews in Portland and surrounding cities have trucks ready to go as up to five inches are expected in some areas.  Salem officials have converted a former auto dealership into a temporary warming shelter for about 40 people

Interior Security Pick Is Ex-Oregon Football Player

(Washington, DC)  --  President-elect Donald Trump is picking a University of Oregon graduate and former football player to lead the Department of the Interior.  Republican Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana served the state's at-large congressional seat for only one term but he appears headed for Washington, DC.  Zinke played football for the Ducks from 1980 to 1983 before serving as a Navy SEAL from 1986 to 2008.

Snow In Forecast

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland could get up to two-inches of snow today as a winter storm passes over the region.  Forecasters say a winter weather advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. until midnight.  Travel could be sketchy especially on local highways.  Salem and Corvallis could get up to four-inches by tonight.

Star Wars Story Opens In Portland Tomorrow Night

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Star Wars fans are bracing for another installment of the hit sci-fi series tomorrow.  "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" opens in select theaters across Portland and nationwide tomorrow night.  The Regal Loyd Center 10 and IMAX is just one of the locations where fans can catch the latest in the Star Wars cannon.  While not considered a main film in the Star Wars story, it adds more to the backstory of the original trilogy.

Tonkin Car Dealership Sold

(Portland, OR)  --  A longtime Portland car dealership is selling to a Spokane-based company.  The Ron Tonkin dealership has been sold to Gee Automotive Companies for an undisclosed price.  In 2014, Tonkin recorded sales of 725-million-dollars and employed one-thousand employees.  Tonkin passed away in early 2014.

Three Arrested For Car Break-Ins

(Sherwood, OR)  --  Sherwood police say they've arrested three people involved in a wave of car break-ins in Washington County.  Zachary Butler, Jacob Huggins and Adam Craig were taken into custody over the weekend after they were seen casing parts of the city.  All three faces charges in connection with more than 100 car break-ins.  Police say more suspects could be in the area.

Man Pleads Insanity

(Vancouver, WA)  --  It's a plea of insanity by the Vancouver man accused of throwing his two-year-old daughter from a motel room window.  Kyle Holder entered his plead yesterday in Clark County, Washington, Superior Court.  Holder faces an attempted murder charge for throwing the girl from a first-floor window and onto a concrete walkway.

New Storm To Bring More Snow This Week

(Portland, OR)  --  Portlanders are bracing for more snow this week.  The National Weather Service says it's possible we could see more of the white stuff tomorrow night and into Thursday morning.  Right now, only about an inch is predicted for parts of Portland.  Forecasters add the winter storm system could also worsen as it moves in.

Dozens Of Stolen Purses Found In Traffic Stop

(Portland, OR)  --  The discovery of five-dozen stolen purses during a traffic stop is leading to theft charges against a Portland man.  Bradley G. Gallagher was stopped early yesterday morning in the 92-hundred block of Southeast Stark Street.  The purses from Appetite still had prices tags on them.  The store's owner had previously reported the purses stolen from a craft fair.

Clouds, Supermoon To Mar Geminids Peak In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Skies are expected to be cloudy for tonight's peak of the Geminids meteor shower.  Even so, a supermoon would've made it hard to see in Portland anyway.  While tonight's the peak, the shower will be viewable through Saturday morning.

Drunk Man Accused Of Crashing Into Cop Car, Leading Chase

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is facing a host of charges after he allegedly crashed into a police car before driving to his mobile home and refusing to surrender after a Taser hit.  Police allege Mathu D. Karcher was driving drunk before he was arrested over the weekend.  Records show Karcher has two prior DUII convictions.  The situation started Saturday night around North Portland's Delta Park.

Police ID Pedestrian Killed

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities are identifying the man who was killed by a car in Southeast Portland last week.  Police say 51-year-old Myit Oo was near a crosswalk when he was hit last Wednesday night in the 15-thousand-600 block of Southeast Division Street.  Authorities are still investigating the incident, and say the driver is cooperating.

Man Arrested For Punching Officer In Face

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing assault and trespassing charges after allegedly punching a Portland police officer in the face.  Authorities say Matt Rosado assaulted an officer when cops responded to a loud hotel party at the DoubleTree Lloyd Center early Sunday morning.  Officers then used a Taser on Rosado and took him into custody.  Police said the officer wasn't injured.

Man Found Dead At Park Identified

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police say the 20-year-old that was found at a Gresham park was stabbed to death.  An autopsy confirmed that James Arrington died of multiple stab wounds and investigators say it doesn't look like a random act of violence.  Arrington was found face down near a baseball field at Main City Park Saturday morning.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

West Coast Mayors Meet In SFO

(San Francisco, CA)  --  Portland Mayor Charlie Hales is in San Francisco for day-two of the West Coast Mayors Summit.  The city officials are set to focus on the fight against homelessness.  Also taking part in the summit are Mayors Kirk Caldwell of Honolulu, Ed Lee of San Francisco, Libby Schaaf of Oakland, Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and Ed Murray of Seattle.

Wallethub: Most Sinful Cities In America

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland is making the list as one of the most sinful cities in America.  A new Wallethub report lists the City of Roses as the 35th most sinful place out of 150 cities.  The website found the vice capitals in the country by comparing jealousy, anger, lust, greed and more.  The report also found that Portland has the second most adult entertainment establishments.  Las Vegas topped the overall list as number one.  
 

Power Returns After Weekend Storms

(Portland, OR)  --  Power is restored to most areas after thousands of Pacific Power customers lost it from this weekend's ice storm.  Pacific Power officials say it had more than 100 workers trying to fix the problem Saturday and yesterday.  More than 15-thousand customers lost power at one point Saturday.  Parkrose and the neighborhoods around Rocky Butte were most affected.

Road Remains Closed From Storm Landslide

(Portland, OR)  --  A landslide is keeping a portion of Northwest Cornell Road closed.  The Portland Bureau of Transportation says debris was spread on the road from below the Audubon Society to past the first tunnel during last week's storm.  Crews aren't yet sure when it will reopen.

Women Accused Of Stealing Mail From Homes

(Aloha, OR)  --  Mail theft is leading to the arrest of two women in Aloha.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says the two women are accused of stealing mail from several homes.  Christina Espinoza and Heather Lamoreaux are also facing weapons charges.

Japanese American Groups Protest Trump In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A trio of Japanese American cultural organizations are joining together to protest President-elect Donald Trump.  About 200 people gathered last night at the Japanese American Historical Plaza in downtown Portland for a candlelight vigil.  The demonstration was to protest Trump's historical view on Japanese internment camps from World War Two.  Trump has used those camps as a basis for his hardline stance on a possible registry for Muslim Americans.

Portland Recognized For Effort To End To Vet Homelessness

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland is being recognized by the White House for its work to put an end to veteran homelessness.  Mayor Charlie Hales announced Saturday that the City of Roses became the first West Coast City to accomplish the federal initiative led by First Lady.  Under Hales' leadership, nearly 13-hundred homeless veterans have been placed into permanent housing.   Portland and Multnomah County have committed millions of dollars to the issue and have created a by-name list of homeless vets in the community.

Scattered Showers Expected Monday

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland is expecting near-freezing temperatures throughout the week.  Western Oregon is forecasted to see scattered showers and sun breaks Monday.  A KATU meteorologist says there's a chance of some more snow Thursday night into Friday morning.  The city is still recovering from days of snow and ice.  The arctic blast knocked out electricity to more than 75-thousand Portland customers last weekend, after the storm damaged power lines.

Off-Duty Portland Officer Arrested For DUI

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland police officer is being moved to desk duty after getting caught allegedly drinking and driving in a city-owned car.  Authorities say Beaverton Police caught Sergeant Timothy Robinson under the influence while off-duty Saturday morning.  The 18-year veteran was arrested and book at the Washington County Jail.  The city-owned car he was driving was assigned to Robinson for his work with the Drugs and Vice Division.  Portland police say the incident will be reviewed once the investigation is complete.

Missing Woman Found

(Springfield, OR)  --  A Springfield woman reported missing by her family has been found.  Ashley Zoll was reported missing earlier this month after her family did not hear from her.  The 28-year-old's mother received a tip that Zoll was in Walterville.  The family learned that Zoll was safe and staying with friends in the city.  She says she didn't know she was a missing person.  Zoll claims her phone broke and had no access to the Internet.    
 

Man Found Dead At Park Ruled Homicide

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are investigating the death of a 20-year-old found at a Gresham park as a homicide.  Authorities say James Arrington was face down near a baseball field at Main City Park Saturday morning.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bail-Reduction Denied For Suspect In Deadly Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Bail will remain at a quarter-million dollars for a man who's facing charges following a crash that killed a cyclist on Portland's St. Johns Bridge.  A judge has denied a request by 42-year-old Joel Aaron Schrantz to lower his bail to 20-thousand dollars.  Schrantz has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree manslaughter in the October 29th death of cyclist Mitchell York.  Police said Schrantz was knowingly driving with bald tires when his vehicle hit York.
 

Report: Washington Charter School Law Best In Nation

(Undated)  --  A new report ranks Washington state's charter school system as being among the best in the nation.  The National Association of Charter School Authorizers says Washington "is a national model for how to get charter school policies right."  The report takes a number of factors into account, including standards for authorizing new schools, evaluations, sanctions, and performance reports.  The report ranks Washington's charter school system in a tie for first place with Indiana and Nevada.  Oregon was ranked 39th on the list.

Woman Dies In Crash On Icy Road Near Corvallis

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Police are investigating a deadly, weather-related crash near Corvallis.  Authorities say a 40-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle on icy pavement on Highway 99W and hit an oncoming pickup truck yesterday morning.  Police say Laura Leong died after hitting the truck and driving into a ditch.  The driver of the pickup wasn't injured.  The highway was shut down for about two hours following the wreck.

Portland Passes CEO Tax

(Portland, OR)  --  The city of Portland will be taxing publicly-traded companies that pay their CEOs considerably more than they pay the average worker.  The Portland City Council approved the first-of-its-kind plan on a 3-1 vote.  The tax applies to companies whose chief executive officers make at least 100 times more than the average salary of a worker.  Outgoing Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick, who proposed the plan, says he wanted to make a statement on salary disparity between chief executives and rank-and-file workers.

Hutchison Says She Might Work For Trump

(Olympia, WA)  --  The chair of the Washington State Republican Party says she's being considered for a position in the Trump administration.  Susan Hutchison tells the "News Tribune" that it's too early in discussions at this time to reveal the nature of the role.  Hutchinson has been head of the Washington State Republican Party since 2013.  She previously had a long career in television news, including a 20-year stint at KIRO-TV in Seattle.

Washington State Suing Monsanto Over PCBs

(Olympia, WA)  --  The state of Washington is suing Monsanto Corporation, claiming the company sold PCBs even though it knew the chemicals were toxic.  Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the lawsuit yesterday, saying PCBs are responsible for massive contamination across the state.  PCBs, produced only by Monsanto, were used for years to insulate and cool electrical equipment.  KING-5 reports Washington is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from the agrochemical giant in order to pay for past and future cleanups and to prevent further contamination.

Gas Prices See Slight Rise

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas prices are seeing a slight rise in the Portland area, according to the latest Triple-A survey.  The average for a gallon of regular is two-44, a penny higher than a week ago.  But it's still far below the average at this time last month, which was two-52 a gallon.

Meter Reader Gored By Bull Near Moses Lake

(Moses Lake, WA)  --  A Grant County, Washington meter reader is being hospitalized, after being gored by a bull while on the job near Moses Lake.  Officials say the 54-year-old woman was reading a meter for the county Public Utility District on Road 1.6 Northeast Wednesday when she was attacked by two bulls.  Sheriff's deputies say a witness arrived at the scene and shot and wounded the bulls, which have since been euthanized.  The woman was treated at a hospital for a severe leg injury.

8 Injured In Crash Near Tillamook

(Tillamook, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are investigating a crash that injured eight people, four of them critically, near Tillamook.  Troopers say yesterday's wreck involved two vans on Highway 6 just east of Tillamook.  Police believe icy conditions led to the crash.

Latinos Request "Sanctuary City" Status For Hillsboro

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Latino residents are asking that Hillsboro declare sanctuary-city status.  Hispanics crowded into Hillsboro City Hall last night to ask city leaders not to cooperate with President-elect Donald Trump's stated plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.  Mayor Jerry Willey says all residents have sanctuary in Hillsboro, no matter their country of origin.  KATU-TV reports nearly 20 percent of the city's population is Hispanic.

Bill Would Split Washington In Two

(Spokane, WA)  --  Two state lawmakers are looking to split Washington into two states.  Representatives Matt Shea and Bob McCaslin, who are Spokane-area Republicans, will propose a measure that would begin the process of creating the new state of Liberty, east of the Cascade Mountains.  They say the differences in culture and lifestyles between East and West make the split practical.  Gonzaga Political Science Professor Michael Treleaven tells KXLY-TV such an arrangement would be unrealistic because it would take years to make it happen and would create problems that would be difficult to solve.

Warrant Issued For "Revenge Porn" Convict

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  An arrest warrant is out for a Hillsboro man who's the first to be convicted under Oregon's "revenge porn" law.  Authorities say Benjamin Barber was found guilty last week of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image.  Prosecutors say Barber illegally distributed sexually explicit videos of an ex-girlfriend without her consent, but didn't show up at the county jail when scheduled to begin his six-month sentence.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information on Barber's location to call 911.  
 

Man Killed In Officer-involved Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a man dead in Portland.  Investigators say the 52-year-old man died yesterday morning outside a duplex at Southeast 148th Avenue and East Burnside Street in the Portland's Glenfair neighborhood.  Officials say one of the police officers responding to a disturbance call shot the man after he stepped out of an apartment and fired at the officers, but missed.  The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave.

Flags At Half-staff Friday To Honor Slain Tacoma Police Officer

(Olympia, WA)  --  All U.S. and Washington state flags are being ordered by Governor Jay Inslee to be lowered to half-staff Friday in honor of a fallen Tacoma police officer.  Seventeen-year veteran Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez was killed in the line of duty on November 30th while responding to a domestic-disturbance call.  A memorial to honor Guiterrez will be held Friday at one p.m. at the Tacoma Dome, and will be open to the public.

Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Woman Arrested

(Gresham, OR)  --  A man who's accused of sexually assaulting a young woman as she was walking to work in Gresham is in police custody.  Authorities say 25-year-old Orion Storm Mears is suspected of approaching the 19-year-old woman on Southeast Powell Valley Road last week, forcing her off the sidewalk, and assaulting her.  Mears was arrested yesterday in Portland and has been booked on multiple charges.  Police say tips from the public led them to the suspect.

Men Who Started Wildfire To Pay State $2.3 Million

(Kelso, WA)  --  Three Vancouver men are being ordered to pay the state of Washington more than two-million dollars in firefighting costs after they admitted responsibility for a 110-acre wildfire near Woodland.  Monday, a Cowlitz County Superior Court judge ordered Nathan Taylor, his brother Adrian Taylor, and Michael Estrada Cardenas to pay two-point-three million dollars to the state Department of Natural Resources.  The trio told authorities they started a small fire during target practice in the Lewis River Valley forest in June 2015, and that there may have been an "ember or two" remaining after they thought the fire had been put out.  Two of the men have also been sentenced to community service and the third will be sentenced later this month.

Most Benson Bubblers Shut Off During Cold Spell

(Portland, OR)  --  Most of the public drinking fountains, known as Benson Bubblers, are being shut down by the Portland Water Bureau during the current cold spell.  Officials tell KOIN-TV that the city experiences about 200 water-main breaks each year, and frozen bubblers can make sidewalks dangerous for pedestrians.  A few of the fountains will remain in operation, including one at 5th Avenue and West Burnside, one on the waterfront near the west end of the Steel Bridge, and another under the Burnside Bridge.  The Water Bureau will turn the bubblers back on after the cold spell passes.

Student Accused Of Having Guns, Ammo On School Roof During Dance

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police say they've arrested a student at Sam Barlow High School after the youth was accused of being on the school's roof with guns and ammunition.  Authorities say the arrest took place Saturday, after multiple students reported seeing a suspicious person on the roof of the school during its annual winter formal dance.  Police say the student told officers he was on the roof in a "security capacity" to ensure the safety of students at Sam Barlow's  "Snowball Dance."  KOIN-TV reports the student is facing multiple weapons-possession charges.

Gas Explosion On NW 23rd Avenue Ruled Accidental

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Fire investigators say a gas explosion that damaged a building on Northwest 23rd Avenue and injured eight people has been ruled an accident.  The blast happened on October 19th at a bagel shop, and officials say it was caused by an excavator that struck a steel gas line.  Firefighters and police officers were among those hurt in the explosion, but none of the injuries was life-threatening.

Terri Horman Facing Gun-theft Charge In CA

(Yuba Co., CA)  --  The stepmother of missing Portland boy Kyron Horman is facing a gun-theft charge in California.  Authorities say Terri Horman, who is reported to be the last person to see Kyron before he vanished in June 2010, is accused of stealing the gun from a home safe belonging to her roommate in Marysville, California.  Terri Horman is scheduled to appear in court in Yuba County on December 16th on a misdemeanor charge of grand theft-firearm.

Missing WA Girl Found Safe, Suspect Arrested

(Ephrata, WA)  --  Authorities say a Grant County, Washington girl who disappeared in May has been found safe, and the woman accused of kidnapping her is in custody.  Sheriff's deputies say the woman, 57-year-old Shirley Jackson, has been arrested in California on a charge of first-degree kidnapping.  Officials say the girl, six-year-old Angel Jackson, who's not related to the suspect, is safe and in good health.  Sheriff's deputies say the girl had been under Shirley Jackson's care for a period of time after the child's mother gave her up for adoption, but custody was given to someone else in May.

Mohamud Conviction Upheld On Appeal

(Portland, OR)  --  The conviction of a man who was found guilty of trying to set off a bomb at a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Portland will remain in place.  A panel of three federal appellate court judges has upheld the conviction of Mohamed Mohamud, who tried to detonate what turned out to be a fake bomb at Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square in November 2010.  One of the judges wrote that while the government's conduct in the case was aggressive at times, it fell short of a due-process violation.  Mohamud was convicted of trying to use a weapon of mass destruction and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
 

Browning Not Among Players Invited To Heisman Ceremony

(New York, NY)  --  Washington Huskies standout quarterback Jake Browning isn't one of the five players invited to attend the upcoming Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York.  The finalists are Lamar Jackson of Louisville, Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, Michigan's Jabrill Peppers, Deshaun Watson of Clemson, and Oklahoma's Dede [[ dee dee ]] Westbrook.  Browning, who's led the Huskies to a spot in the College Football Playoff final four, set a school record this season for touchdown passes with 42, but completed only nine of 24 passes for 118 yards against Colorado in the PAC-12 Championship game.  Steve Emtman [[ EM-mit-mun ]], who finished fourth in the balloting in 1991, is still the only player in Washington history to be invited to the Heisman ceremony.

Constitutional Amendment Would Have Legislature Set School Funding

(Olympia, WA)  --  A Republican state lawmaker wants the Legislature to have sole authority when it comes to setting funding for public schools in Washington.  Spokane Senator Mike Baumgartner has pre-filed a joint resolution, proposing an amendment to the state Constitution that would remove the Washington State Supreme Court from the process.  Baumgartner says while he expects difficulty in getting both the House and Senate to provide a two-thirds majority to get the amendment before voters, he tells the "Spokesman-Review" the amendment could start the negotiations over policy and spending on K-through-12 schools.

3 Arrested In Beaverton Road-rage Incident

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Beaverton police say they arrested three people, following a report that someone inside their vehicle flashed a pellet gun at another driver.  Authorities say the two passengers were cooperative, but the driver was reluctant to get out of the suspect vehicle after it was pulled over last night along Southwest Farmington Road.  KATU-TV reports police conducted a search of the vehicle.

Rossi Picked To Fill WA State Senate Vacancy

(Olympia, WA)  --  Former state senator and candidate for governor Dino Rossi is filling a vacancy in the Senate, which resulted from the October death of 45th District Senator Andy Hill.  The King County Council voted yesterday to choose Rossi, who served in the state Senate from 1997 through 2003.  Rossi, who's a Republican, ran twice for governor of Washington, losing both times to Christine Gregoire, and made an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in 2010.  Rossi will serve in the state Senate until the end of 2017.

Two Cornelius Women Killed In Seaside Crash

(Seaside, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are investigating a crash that killed two Cornelius women near Seaside.  Troopers say 21-year-old Anali Aguilar Goana and 24-year-old Marilyn Manriquez Gutierrez died Saturday night in the crash.  Police say the SUV in which the women were riding crossed the center line along U.S. Highway 26 and crashed into an oncoming pickup truck.  The two people in the pickup were injured and are expected to survive.

Weasel-like Fishers Return To Mount Rainier

(Mt. Rainier Nat'l Park, WA)  --  Fishers are making a return to the Washington wilderness by being re-introduced to the Cascade Mountains.  The "Seattle Times" reports ten fishers were released Friday into Mount Rainier National Park.  The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says fishers were driven to extinction in the Evergreen state by the mid-1900s by hunters who sought the animals for their pelts.  The department says the ten fishers were held in captivity for several weeks before being vaccinated and treated for health issues, then underwent inspections before being released into the wild.

Bicycle Stolen From Man With Special Needs

(Portland, OR)  --  A man with special needs, needs his bicycle, and Washington County sheriff's deputies are trying to find the person who stole it.  Authorities are reviewing surveillance video to try to identify the culprit, who stole Jason Eland's red Trek bicycle from outside the Raleigh Hills Fred Meyer store Friday afternoon.  Authorities say the suspect is described as a white male with short hair, who was wearing a dark coat and a blue backpack at the time of the theft.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Washington County Sheriff's Office at 503-629-0111.

Portland-area Gas Prices Still Slipping

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices in Portland are still seeing a steady drop.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the average for regular is two-43 a gallon, down two cents from the average of a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-18 a gallon.

Man Accused Of Impersonating Cop, Attempted Kidnapping Arrested

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police say they've arrested a man who's accused of impersonating an officer and trying to kidnap a woman.  Authorities say 46-year-old Shannon Stover is facing multiple charges, including kidnapping and rape.  Detectives say Shannon, who was dressed as an officer, reportedly handcuffed the victim on November 27th and put her into his car, but she was later able to escape.  Investigators tell KATU-TV they're working to determine whether there are additional victims.

Police: Outage Caused By Drunk Driver

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a crash involving a drunk driver was partially responsible for causing a power outage that affected nearly two-thousand customers in Clackamas and Multnomah counties.  Authorities say the impaired driver sheared off a power pole at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Madison Street early yesterday morning.  Another driver reportedly crashed into a power pole at Northeast 102nd Avenue and Northeast Tillamook Street, but left the scene before officers arrived.  Portland General Electric crews worked throughout the day to get power restored.

Police Arrest Suspects "Acting Erratically" On Meth

(Woodburn, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested two people wanted on various charges, following a short standoff at a house in Woodburn.  Authorities say 32-year-old Michael Pearce and 30-year-old Katrica Graham were high on meth and acting erratically as officers were dispatched to the property on Willow Avenue in Woodburn yesterday afternoon.  Police say after a short negotiation with the pair, Graham was arrested on a warrant for arson out of Douglas County, and Pearce was booked for second-degree assault out of Marion County.

Boy Hit, Killed In Yakima Co. Parking Lot

(Granger, WA)  --  The Washington State Patrol is investigating, after a five-year-old boy was struck and killed while in the parking lot of a convenience store in Yakima County.  Troopers say it happened around 4:50 p.m. Saturday in the 13-hundred block of Bailey Avenue in the town of Granger.  Police say the boy ran from behind a parked vehicle and was struck by a pickup truck.  The child's name hasn't been released.

Portland Man Hit By Car In Gresham Dies

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police say a Portland man who was hit while walking in Gresham has died.  Twenty-four-year-old Landon Sanchez was on East Powell Boulevard around 2:50 Monday morning when he was struck by a car driven by Brandon Manley of Portland.  Police believe Sanchez was illegally positioned in the roadway.  Manley continues to cooperate with investigators.

Hundreds On Hand To Meet Sanders At Powell's

(Portland, OR)  --  Bernie Sanders lost in his bid for the presidency, but can still draw big crowds.  The Vermont senator drew about 600 people yesterday to Powell's City of Books in Portland, as he continues a tour to promote his new book, "Our Revolution."  The event sold out in October.  Sanders won the Oregon presidential primary in May, but lost the Democratic nomination to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
 

Ex-Oregon Prison Guard Sentenced For Having Sex With Inmate

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A former prison guard at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville is headed to jail.  Brian Balzer has been sentenced to 60 days behind bars for having sex with an inmate at the women's prison in 2012.  "The Oregonian" reports Balzer has also been ordered to complete sex-offender and mental-health treatment and have no contact with the now-former inmate.  Balzer was found guilty in early October of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct.
 

First Conviction, Sentencing Under Oregon Revenge-porn Law

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A 31-year-old man is the first person to be tried, convicted, and sentenced under Oregon's new "revenge-porn" law.  Benjamin J. Barber was sentenced yesterday to six months in jail and five years of probation, after being convicted on multiple counts of illegal dissemination of an unlawful image.  Authorities say after Barber's relationship ended, he posted pornographic videos of himself and his ex-girlfriend without permission.

Police: Stabbing At Bar Stemmed From Argument About Trump

(Pasco, WA)  --  Police say an argument about President-elect Donald Trump led to a stabbing that left a man wounded at a Pasco, Washington bar.  Authorities say the argument included a racial slur made by 29-year-old Raymond Williams to 40-year-old Alvaro Campos-Hernandez.  Police tell the "Tri-City Herald" both men were armed with knives, but Campos-Hernandez stabbed Williams, who suffered a one-inch wound to his windpipe.  Campos-Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault.

Starbucks CEO Schultz To Step Aside

(Seattle, WA)  --  The chief executive officer of the world's largest coffee business will soon step aside.  Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says he'll hand the reins over in April to current chief operating officer Kevin Johnson.  Schultz says he'll become the company's executive chairman, focusing on innovation, Starbucks' premium offerings and social impact.  Schultz, who's 63-years-old, says he's been planning the move for the past year.

Oregon Republican To Chair House Committee

(Washington, DC)  --  Republican Congressman Greg Walden of Oregon will serve as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee when the new Congress convenes in January.  "The Oregonian" reports the appointment will give Walden oversight over federal departments in charge of consumer protections, food and drug safety, public health, environmental quality, energy policy and others.  Walden will also play a major role in the debate over the Affordable Care Act, which President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans say they want to repeal and replace.

3-year-old Girl Dies After Being Hit By Tree Limb

(Longview, WA)  --  Officials say a three-year-old girl who was injured by a falling tree limb in Longview, Washington had died.  The Longview "Daily News" reports Emily Scarborough died in a Portland hospital of injuries she suffered while visiting her grandparents' home on November 22nd.  The toddler was hit by the falling limb as it was being pruned.  She died the following day.

Support For Tacoma PD After Loss Of Officer

(Tacoma, WA)  --  Support continues to flow for the Tacoma Police Department after one of its officers was killed in the line of duty.  Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez died at a hospital Wednesday night after he was shot several times while responding to a domestic-disturbance call at a home on East 52nd Street.  An ensuing standoff that lasted for hours ended around 3:30 yesterday morning when the suspect, 38-year-old Bruce Randall Johnson, was shot to death by a SWAT officer.  Two children who were in the house, ages six and eight, were not injured, but police say Johnson had used them as human shields during the standoff.  
 

Standoff With Suspected Cop Killer In Tacoma Is Over

(Tacoma, WA)  --  Police say a standoff with a man who's believed to have shot a Tacoma police officer to death is over.  Authorities say the suspect was shot and killed by police during the standoff around 3:30 this morning.  Investigators day the officer died around nine o'clock last night at a hospital.  The 17-year veteran of the Tacoma Police Department was shot several times while responding to a domestic-disturbance call in the 400 block of East 52nd Street.  The name of the officer and the name of the suspect haven't yet been released.
 

Two Indicted In Death Of Hoven

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are under indictment in connection with a murder in Portland.  Michael Hoven was shot to death in late September at a residence in the 17-hundred block of Southeast 162nd Avenue.  The indictment names Felauai Satele and Jessica Lynne Hutchinson, who are facing charges that include felony murder and robbery.  Police say Hoven's death remains under investigation.

Two Shot Outside Vancouver Bar

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police say a suspect is on the loose, following a shooting that left two people wounded outside a Vancouver bar.  The shooting happened around four o'clock this morning outside the QuarterDeck Bar on East Fourth Plain Boulevard.  One victim is expected to survive, but detectives say the other victim has "significant" injuries.  There's no word on a description of the suspect.

One Killed In Swan Island Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is dead, following a two-vehicle crash on Swan Island.  Police say two cars were traveling side-by-side along North Basin Avenue early yesterday morning when one of them swerved to avoid an oncoming semi, but the other vehicle collided with the rig.  The 47-year-old driver of the car was killed, but the truck driver wasn't injured.  Police say wet roads and excessive speed led to the crash.

Tow Trucks Crashes Into MAX Platform

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police say one person was hospitalized after a tow truck crashed into a MAX platform.  Authorities say the driver of the tow truck ran a red light and was hit from the side by a car on Southeast 197th at Burnside yesterday afternoon.  The truck then crashed into the platform and came to rest on its side.  The driver was taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Hales Wants Use-of-force Investigation

(Portland, OR)  --  Mayor Charlie Hales is calling for a use-of-force investigation of an incident involving a Portland police officer at an anti-Trump demonstration.  KATU-TV reports a video taken during the march shows the officer using a pressure point to subdue an already-handcuffed protester, 24-year-old Kathryn Stevens, during the protest.  Stevens was detained after she attempted to stop police from arresting Portland's Resistance leader, Gregory McKelvey.  Hales says he's asked the Independent Police Review to investigate the use of force.

WA Democratic Electors Trying To Stop Trump

(Olympia, WA)  --  Another Democratic elector in Washington state is joining a small group of electors nationwide who are seeking to prevent Donald Trump from becoming president.  Nineteen-year-old Levi Guerra, a Democratic elector from the town of Warden, Washington, says she and two other Democratic electors in the state will try to convince Republican electors in Washington to not vote for Trump but to cast ballots instead for a moderate Republican.  Electors in each state will cast their ballots on December 19th, in the final official phase of the 2016 presidential election.

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