Military Member Arrested For Child Rape In Vancouver

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Vancouver, WA) -- An active-duty U.S. military member is facing child rape and trafficking charges following an incident in a Vancouver hotel room. Vancouver police arrested 20-year-old Andrew Guerrero late last month after he allegedly had sex with juvenile girls in his hotel room. Police say Guerrero was working in Portland and staying at a hotel in Vancouver. A month before arriving, Police say he met the 13- and 16-year-old girls on social media a month before arriving. He then allegedly gave them alcohol and exploited them for sex, all while recording the incidents on social media. Guerrero is charged with six counts of Rape of a Child and Trafficking.

Fatal Shooting Investigation

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Salem Police say a man with a court order to stay away from a woman shot himself outside of her apartment on Tuesday. The woman called police to report the man was in a car outside of her apartment. He was known to carry a gun. As police approached the car they heard a gunshot. The man was transported to Salem Hospital where he died.

Fatal NE Portland Crash

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- One person was killed and another person was hospitalized in a violent crash Tuesday morning in Northeast Portland. It happened on Northeast Lombard near 72nd Avenue. Investigators say an Infinity G35 was traveling westbound on Lombard at a high rate of speed and missed a turn, rolling and hitting a metal light pole. A passenger was killed. The driver was hospitalized with several injuries. Criminal charges are pending. Excessive speed and alcohol are factors in the crash.

I-5 Interstate Bridge Federal Approval

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Vancouver, WA) -- The federal government is allowing the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project to move forward. The Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration issued an Amended Record of Decision. It follows completion of the federal environmental review. The approval clears the way for Washington and Oregon to start identifying a contractor and securing permits to build the new I-5 Interstate bridge.

Life Insurance Fraud Ring

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Authorities are warning residents about a fraud ring that's targeting people with offers of real-life insurance policies. The victim receives a telemarketing call to get basic personal information. That's forwarded to a real insurance agent who's working with the ring. They call to complete the application, which is made without the victim's consent or knowledge. They often submit applications for multiple policies. The agent gets a commission before the policy is issued. The fraud is discovered when a bill for the first premium arrives. The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation recommends not giving information to anyone you don't know.

Convenience Store Drug Dealer Sentenced

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- The former owner of a North Portland convenience store has been sentenced for selling illegal drugs. The Stop N Go Mini Mart is located near Dawson Park. Donald Sharma owned the store and when police searched the business they found cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl pills. They also found digital scales that had drug residue on them, baggies, razor blades and other items used to sell drugs. Sharma pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 13-months in prison.

Former Cop Sentenced For Killing Wife

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Oregon City, OR) -- A former Gladstone police officer has been sentenced a second time for the 2011 murder of his wife. Lynn Benton was originally sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Debbie Higbee in her Gladstone beauty salon. The Oregon Supreme Court overturned the murder conviction. In May, Benton pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of First-Degree Manslaughter. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He's served 15 years since the original conviction.

Last Minute Campsites Available

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- While Oregon's most popular campgrounds are full for the Fourth of July weekend, there are plenty of quieter campgrounds still available for tent campers. The Oregon Department of Forestry has several developed recreation sites. Morrison Eddy Campground is located along the Nehalem River. While's a horse camp, there are tent sites available. Other horse camps include Northrup Creek, Santiam, and Reehers Camp in the Tillamook State Forest.

Police ID Man Killed In Blue Pool

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Linn County, OR) -- Police are releasing the identity of a man who died while swimming at the base of Tamolitch Falls, also know as the Blue Pool. Authorities say 21-year-old Kenny Truong of Kansas was killed in the accident Friday. Witnesses say the Wichita State University student jumped into the water and struggled to swim. People tried to help him reach shore, but they were unsuccessful. The Linn County Sheriff's Office says while Blue Pool is beautiful, the water temperature is 37 degrees and can cause immediate shock. Cell coverage is weak in the area and it can take hours to reach a hospital.

50 Year Rape Sentence

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A man is facing five decades behind bars for raping a child over the course of several years. A Multnomah County judge sentenced Elder Gutierrez-Zuniga to 50 years in prison yesterday. Last year, a young teenager told an adult she had been sexually abused since she was around six years old and that it had continued until she was a young teenager. Text messages backed up her story to police. Three of the rape charges and six sodomy charges against Gutierrez-Zuniga qualified for Jessica's Law sentencing standards.

States Win Federal Housing Lawsuit

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon and 18 states have won a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over cuts to federal housing funds worth three-billion-dollars. U.S. Housing and Urban Development issued illegal conditions on Continuum of Care grants. A federal judge issued a partial summary judgement, ruling that the funding restrictions are unlawful and can't be implemented. The federal government can appeal.

Rabid Bat Found In Benton County

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Benton County, OR) -- Authorities say a bat found in Benton County that may have been in contact with domestic animals has tested positive for rabies. It's the first time this year that a rabid bat has been found in the county. It's common for bats to carry rabies, which is why it's important to avoid contact with them. If a bat is on the ground, or acting strange, don't touch it.

Portland Airport Remodeling Finished

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- The 11-year remodeling project at Portland International Airport is complete. The more than two-billion-dollar project included seismic resilience, better passenger flow and a reduced carbon footprint. The nine-acre roof is made from mass timber that came from forests within 300 miles of the airport. There are more than 70 live trees and 75-hundred plants inside of the building. A total of 27 local retailers are available for travelers.

Birthright Citizenship Ruling

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Local leaders are reacting to yesterday's U.S. Supreme Court decision denying President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued a statement saying birthright citizenship is a constitutional promise and it's a win for every child born on American soil. Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement saying the high court upheld the 14th Amendment. Republican gubernatorial candidate State Senator Christine Drazan did not comment on the citizenship ruling, but applauded the Supreme Court's decision allowing states to impose bans on transgender athletes competing in girls and women's sports, calling it a victory for fairness.

DMV Reminds About Planned Online Outage

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Anyone with online business to do with the Oregon DMV is being urged to get it done before tomorrow afternoon. The DMV2U website and self-serve Express Kiosks will be offline over the holiday weekend for a system upgrade. DMV2U goes offline at 4 p.m. Thursday and the kiosks will stop working at 8 p.m. DMV offices will be closed on Friday for the holiday. All services are expected to return to normal Monday morning, July 6th.

Bait Bike Results In Arrests

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Hillsboro, OR) -- A bait bike is leading to several arrests in Washington County. The Sheriff's Office put a GPS tracker in the bike. They place it in neighborhoods around Aloha, allowing it to get stolen. The GPS leads them to the suspects and they make arrests. The operation has led to nearly three-dozen arrests since April, including suspects wanted for outstanding warrants and drug possession.

Gas Prices Higher Than Last Year

Posted Wednesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Gas prices in Oregon are falling, but they're still higher than this time last year. Triple-A reports the national average is down eight cents to $3.85 a gallon and Oregon's average is down 15 cents at $4.68. That's still 65 cents more a gallon that it was during last year's Fourth of July week. The fragile agreement between the U.S. and Iran while negotiations continue on an agreement to end the war is allowing oil prices to decline.

Search Continues For Missing Man

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Hillsboro, OR) -- The Washington County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a man who's been missing for nearly two weeks. Ben Anderson was training for the Bigfoot 200, which is an ultramarathon race. His GPS signal was last detected near National Forest Service Road 25, near Mt. St. Helens. His car, a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox with a Washington state license plate of CST3509 hasn't been found. Anyone with information should contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Wyden Sponsors Living Wage Bill

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Washington, D.C.) -- Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is joining other Democratic colleagues in sponsoring a bill that would increase the national minimum wage to 25 dollars an hour. It's currently seven-dollars-25-cents an hour, which hasn't changed since 2009. Under the bill, corporations would have to reach the new minimum wage by 2032 and smaller employers would have until 2039. In 2009, the minimum wage increase drew heavy opposition from Republicans who say it hurts small businesses and costs jobs.

Oregon Joins Lawsuit Over Medicaid Work Requirement

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon is joining 24 states in a lawsuit against the federal government that claims the Medicaid work requirement is unconstitutional. While the change was part of the President's Big Beautiful Bill passed last year, the government this month issued rules for its implementation. The suit argues the work requirement unduly affects frail Medicaid recipients, violates the Administrative Procedure Act, and fails to adequately consider the significant harms that will be imposed on states and healthcare providers.

Attempted Kidnapping Suspect Arrested

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- A Salem man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly trying to kidnap a three-year-old child. The boy and his 10-year-old sister were with their father at a park. The father told officers Lino Lopez Palafox initially tried to take the daughter's bike. The two men argued, and Palafox allegedly picked up the three-year-old and tried to leave with him. The father was able to get his son back and call police. The suspect was found nearby and was booked into the Marion County Jail.

Missing Two-Year-Old Boy Located

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A two-year-old boy who was reported missing in Portland has been found safe. The Oregon Department of Human Services reported Armani Andrews was missing on June 17th and he was possibly in danger. They reported Monday that Armani was found safe. No details were released about how or where he was found.

Husband Charged With Manslaughter In Wife's Death

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Clackamas County, OR) -- A 35-year-old Clackamas County man is charged with manslaughter in his wife's death. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says Markus Bowen called 9-1-1 Friday night to report a shooting. When deputies arrived at the location on South Kamrath Road, they found 36-year-old Tara Jo Deveny dead. Bowen was detained at the scene without incident and later booked into the jail. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may follow.

Residents Rescued From Hillsboro House Fire Die

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Hillsboro, OR) -- Two people rescued from a Hillsboro house fire last week have died. They were both on the second floor. Firefighters rescued one person from a window and had to cut a larger hole around a window to get the second person out. They both suffered critical injuries and died at a hospital. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Multnomah County Mobile Syringe Limit

Posted Tuesday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has approved a new ordinance that limits how close mobile syringe distributors can be to schools. They must stay a thousand feet away from public and private schools. The Board recognized that while syringe distribution programs reduce transmission of diseases, they can also lead to syringes left on the ground, even though the mobile programs offer safe disposal.