Regional News Archives for 2014-01

Bail Set At $1 Million For Suspect In Fatal Hit-and-run

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Bail is set at one-million dollars for Brandon C. Smith, who's suspected of driving the vehicle that killed two women in a Vancouver hit-and-run.  Smith is facing charges of felony hit-and-run and vehicular homicide in the deaths of Irina Gardinant and Raisa Mosh, who were hit while crossing on foot at the intersection of Northeast Vancouver Mall Drive and 72nd Avenue on the night of January 19th.  Smith will be arraigned on February 7th, along with his girlfriend, Kalista Andino, and his mother, Linda Smith, who are accused of witness tampering.

Water, Revenue Bureaus Hit With Computer Virus

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say they should receive more information today on a computer virus that led to a shutdown in operations at the Portland Water and Revenue bureaus.  Water Bureau administrator David Shaff tells "The Oregonian" the virus is believed to have impacted the city's Cayenta billing system, targeting computers in the Water Bureau and the Revenue Bureau.  Shaff says tech personnel are checking, but he says it's not likely that customers' personal information was compromised.

Kitzhaber: Get Ready To Deal With Legal Marijuana

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor John Kitzhaber says legalizing marijuana in Oregon may be an idea whose time has come.  The governor told newspaper editors at the state capitol yesterday that he "hears the drumbeats from Washington and Colorado" and that if Oregon voters follow suit, lawmakers should be prepared to institute a sound regulatory system.  Kitzhaber says a proposal to allow liquor to be sold in large grocery stores in Oregon may not be such a good idea.  He says he doesn't know of anyone having problems with finding where to buy liquor in the state.

Search For Kidnapping Suspect Continues

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are stepping up their search for a man accused of assaulting and kidnapping a woman in Milwaukie.  Authorities say 49-year-old Kelly Swoboda was last seen driving a purple, 1990s-model Dodge Caravan.  Swoboda allegedly attacked and dragged the victim out of the salon where she worked earlier this week, but the woman escaped by jumping out of the moving vehicle.  She's in the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.  

Portland Teachers Union Calls Strike Vote

(Portland, OR)  --  Educators represented by the Portland Association of Teachers are scheduled to vote next week on whether to authorize strike.  Union leaders informed members of the vote yesterday evening as they remain at odds with the school district in contract negotiations.  Should the teachers vote to authorize a strike, state law requires that the union give ten days' notice to Portland Public Schools before a walkout.  The school district and the union are slated to meet with a mediator tomorrow. 

Kidnapping Suspect Remains At Large

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  A man who police say assaulted and kidnapped a woman in Milwaukie is still being sought.  Court documents show 49-year-old Kelly Vern Swoboda has three federal convictions on his record, two for bank robbery and one for a weapons violation.  Police say Swoboda abducted the woman Monday night from a tanning salon on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard and assaulted her before driving off with her in a purple minivan, but the woman later jumped out of the moving vehicle and escaped.  Authorities say Swoboda is considered armed and dangerous.

Roseburg Man Struck, Killed On I-5

(Roseburg, OR)  --  Oregon State Police say a Roseburg man is dead after he was hit by a semi-truck while trying to cross Interstate 5 on foot.  Troopers say 55-year-old Ronald Page darted in front of the southbound tractor-trailer rig just south of Roseburg around 11:45 yesterday morning.  Police say the truck driver was unable to avoid hitting Page, who died at the scene.

Former WSP Trooper Accused Of Sex Abuse

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A former Washington State Patrol lieutenant is facing charges after being accused of sexual abuse.  Police arrested 51-year-old Kenneth Scott Garrison at the Rodeway Inn on Northeast 181st Avenue in Portland.  Garrison resigned from WSP in December and retired Monday from the Washington Army National Guard, where he had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.  Investigators say the victim in the sexual abuse case is a relative of Garrison's. 

Hiker Found After Getting Lost On Angel's Rest

(Columbia Gorge, OR)  --  A hiker who had gotten lost on Angel's Rest in the Columbia River Gorge is now home safe.  Multnomah County sheriff's deputies began searching for 56-year-old Pamela Benjamin-Monheimer after she got separated from her hiking partner yesterday afternoon.  The partner met deputies as they arrived and gave them information on where Benjamin-Monheimer was last seen.  Rescuers found her and escorted her to a command post.

Police Arrest Driver Suspected In Fatal Hit-and-run

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A man suspected of driving the pickup truck that struck and killed two women in Vancouver is in police custody.  Twenty-seven-year-old Brandon Smith is accused of leaving the scene after the women, 28-year-old Irina Gardinant [[ GAR-din-ahnt ]] and 45-year-old Raisha Mosh [[ RYE-sha moash ]] were hit while crossing a Vancouver street on January 19th.  Police say Smith will face two counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of hit-and-run, one count of vehicular assault, and one count of tampering with evidence.  Smith's mother and his live-in girlfriend were arrested last weekend for alleged witness tampering.

Man Survives After Going Through Wood Chipper

(Longview, WA)  --  A Longview man is happy to be alive after being seriously injured while inside a woodchipper.  Frank Arce, who works for Swanson Bark & Wood Products in Longview, was inside the machine to clean it when the motor suddenly started.  While in the running woodchipper for about ten seconds, Arce suffered multiple broken ribs, a number of cuts, and a collapsed lung.  Arce, who is facing several surgeries, tells KATU-TV that the worst part wasn't going through the machine, but not knowing what was going to happen.

Suspect In Kidnapping Being Sought

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Milwaukie police are looking for a man accused of kidnapping a woman who was later able to escape.  Authorities say 49-year-old Kelly Vern Swoboda is considered armed and dangerous.  Swoboda is accused of assaulting and abducting the victim Monday night from a tanning salon, and is reported to be driving a purple minivan.  The woman escaped by jumping from the suspect's moving vehicle and is currently in a hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Driver Rescued After Car Falls Into Creek

(Keizer, OR)  --  One person is in the hospital after being rescued from a car that plummeted down an embankment and into a creek near Keizer.  Police say the driver was trapped inside of the vehicle, which landed, nose first, in the creek.  Rescue crews pulled the driver through the rear window of the car.  There's no word on the extent of the driver's injuries.

TriMet Criticized In State Audit

(Portland, OR)  --  State auditors say TriMet has seen a dropoff over the past few years in getting preventive-maintenance projects completed in a timely fashion.  In a new report released by the Secretary of State's Office, auditors say the percentage of track maintenance completed on time by the transit agency has fallen from about 92 percent to about 53 percent, and the on-time rate for signal maintenance declined from 100 percent to about 72 percent.  The audit also shows that many TriMet and MAX operators aren't being checked by their supervisors because their shifts start in the field.  In response to the audit, TriMet says it has made progress in improving safety but has areas it needs to improve.

Obama Plaque Removed After Vandalism

(Eugene, OR)  --  A plaque of President Barack Obama is being moved from a Eugene park to a "more secure location" after being vandalized a number of times.  The Eugene Register-Guard reports the plaque has been a target of vandals since the Nobel Peace Park opened last year to honor winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.  Obama received the prize in 2009.  Officials say most of the vandalism was written on the plaque with a marker and was easy to remove, but the latest vandalism was a profanity that was carved into the plaque. 

Two Hurt In Crash That Pinned Man To Fence

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are being hospitalized after a three-vehicle crash.  Police say a pickup truck was sent rolling onto a sidewalk near the intersection of Southeast Flavel and Southeast 80th Avenue, and the vehicle pinned a man against a fence in his front yard.  The man wasn't injured, but two people in the truck were trapped and had to be cut out.  The crash remains under investigation. 

Pedestrian In Critical Condition After Being Hit By Two Vehicles

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is listed in critical condition after being hit by two vehicles in Southeast Portland.  Police say the man was crossing at the intersection of Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Raymond Street around 7:10 yesterday evening when he was struck by one car and again by another.  The drivers of both vehicles remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis Scoop Up Grammys

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Rapper Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis are the first Seattle act to win four Grammy Awards.  The duo grabbed trophies for Best New Artist, Best Rap Album for "The Heist," Best Rap Song for "Thrift Shop," and Best Rap Performance, also for "Thrift Shop."  Macklemore, sporting a green velvet tux, gave "first and foremost" thanks to his fans.  Macklemore and Lewis performed their hit, "Same Love."

Man Accused Of Firing At Police Being Sought

(Gladstone, OR)  --  Gladstone police are looking for a man who allegedly fired a gun at a Clackamas County sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop.  Authorities say 26-year-old Michael Patrick Newell was stopped by Gladstone police for a traffic violation last night, but he fled the scene and was later stopped again by a sheriff's deputy.  Officials say Newell allegedly fired at the deputy while fleeing from that stop.  Police saw Newell was last seen on foot.

Police: Owner Of Truck Not Cooperating In Hit-and-run Investigation

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police say the owner of a pickup truck that's been seized as evidence in the case of a fatal hit-and-run isn't cooperating with investigators.  The truck was located Tuesday night at an apartment complex a few blocks from the crash scene.  Police believe it's the vehicle that struck two women as they were in a crosswalk at the intersection of Northeast 72nd Avenue and Northeast Vancouver Mall Drive Sunday night.  Forty-five-year-old Raisa Mosh died at the scene and 28-year-old Irina Gardinant died Monday at a hospital.

Portland School District, Teachers To Meet Today

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers are set to meet today for the first time since January 16th.  The two sides scheduled today's talks after meeting with Mayor Charlie Hales yesterday.  Portland Public Schools spokesman Robb Cowie tells the "Oregonian" the meeting will not involve mediators and will not include contract negotiations, but will "be reflective on where have we been, where are we at now, and then where will we go?"  The school district and the union have been negotiating in an effort to avoid a teacher strike, with salaries and class sizes being the main points of contention. 

Judge Consolidates Cases Challenging Oregon Gay-marriage Law

(Eugene, OR)  --  A ruling on Oregon's ban on gay marriage could be made in the next several months after a federal judge in Eugene consolidated two lawsuits challenging the ban.  U.S. District Judge Michael McShane consolidated suits filed by two different sets of same-sex couples, who are seeking the right to marry based on the last year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down provisions of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.  McShane has scheduled a hearing for April 23rd on whether he should issue a summary judgment in the case.  It involves whether the voter-approved 2004 ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage in Oregon is constitutional.

Teen Accused Of Bringing Loaded Gun To School

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a 14-year-old Franklin High School student who allegedly brought a loaded gun to campus.  Authorities say witnesses reported seeing the teen show off the gun to a group of other students near the school.  Officers took the boy into custody yesterday and recovered a handgun.  Police say the teen brought the weapon to school following a dispute with another 14-year-old over a drug deal.   
 

Portland Boy Injured During Hike In Good Condition

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say a ten-year-old Portland boy who was seriously injured in a fall while hiking at Silver Falls State Park is now listed in good condition.  Wilson Pelot leaned against a loose railing and fell about 50 feet down an embankment and into a shallow creek while hiking with his family Sunday.  The Llewellyn Elementary School fourth-grader is recovering at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.  A spokesman for Oregon State Parks says more prominent signage will be installed at the park to warn hikers of dangerous spots that need to be repaired.

Hillsboro Approves Temporary Ban On Medical Pot Facilities

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A 120-day ban is in effect on medical marijuana facilities in Hillsboro.  The Hillsboro City Council approved the ban last night, more than a month before the state of Oregon is to begin licensing medical-marijuana dispensaries.  A city spokesman says Hillsboro wants to give members of the community a voice in deciding which direction to take with regard to medical marijuana.  Nearly 200 medical-pot facilities are currently operating across Oregon.

Police: Vehicle Involved In Fatal Hit-and-run Found

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police say they've located the white pickup truck that's believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run that killed two women.  Authorities say a search warrant was executed last night about four blocks from where the crash happened and the pickup was impounded.  No arrests have been made.  Forty-five-year-old Raisha Mosh [[ moash ]] and 28-year-old Irina Gardinant were struck while crossing Sunday night at the intersection of Northeast 72nd Avenue and Northeast Vancouver Mall Drive.

Portland Ranked Among 'Fittest' U.S. Cities

(Undated)  --  Portland ranks among the nation's ten fittest cities.  That's according to the American College of Sports Medicine's most recent American Fitness Index, which bases its rankings on factors such as the number of parks and recreational facilities accessible to residents, bicycle-friendliness, and healthy eating.  The index gives Portland a score of 67-point-nine out of a possible 100, good for a ranking of seventh.  Minneapolis-St. Paul is in first place, with Seattle ranked eighth.

Elderly Man Attacked In Home Invasion

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are looking for two suspects who attacked and robbed a 71-year-old man in his home.  The attack happened yesterday morning at a house on Northeast 125th Place.  Authorities say the suspects are described as white males in their 20s, one with an average build and the other with a short, heavy build, wearing glasses.  The victim was bruised but didn't require treatment at a hospital.

Rail Problem Blamed For 10-year-old Boy's Fall

(Silverton, OR)  --  A ten-year-old Portland boy remains in intensive care after taking a steep fall at Silver Falls State Park.  Officials say Wilson Pelot [[ PEE-low ]] was hiking with his family Sunday toward Lower South Falls when he leaned against a loose railing and fell about 40 feet into a shallow creek.  The railing had warning tape attached to it by Oregon State Parks personnel.  The department says the railing was damaged by storms earlier this month.

Got a spare $3 Grand?

(Seattle, WA)  --  Seahawks fans are euphoric over their team's NFC Championship game victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but may not be that excited about what it will cost to see the Super Bowl in person.  Fans who wish to travel to New Jersey to witness the contest at MetLife Stadium will need to dig deep, as tickets start at about 28-hundred dollars through NFL Ticket Exchange.  The early line has the Broncos favored by three points in the Big Game.
 

Number Of Flu Deaths In Washington Rises To 19

(Olympia, WA)  --  The Washington State Department of Health says there are now 19 confirmed flu deaths in the state.  Department spokesman Tim Church says these are only lab-confirmed deaths, and the actual number of influenza-related deaths may be considerably higher.  Church says Washington is in the peak of flu season and there's still time to get a flu shot.

Suspect Arrested In Fatal DUII Crash

(Sandy, OR)  --  A man accused in a crash that killed a pedestrian in Sandy is scheduled to make a court appearance tomorrow.  Police allege that Philip Krogstad was legally drunk when he struck 41-year-old Michael Topliff around 11:30 Friday night at the intersection of Beers Avenue and Hood Street.  Authorities say Krogstad left the scene but later returned, and was taken into custody.  Topliff died at a hospital Saturday morning.

Memorial Service Set For Ron Tonkin

(Portland, OR)  --  A memorial service is slated for tomorrow for Portland auto magnate Ron Tonkin, who died Friday at age 82.  Tonkin started his career at his father's used-car lot and built one of Oregon's largest auto-dealership chains, which included one of the first Toyota franchises in North America.  He and his sons starred in many commercials for his dealerships.  The memorial service will begin at two p.m. tomorrow at the Congregation Beth Israel on Northwest 19th Avenue and Flanders Street.

Air Quality Warning Issued

(Portland, OR)  --  Residents of Oregon and Washington are being warned about stagnant air in the Pacific Northwest.  The National Weather Service says pollution is being trapped near ground level by light winds and a high-pressure area, resulting in degraded air quality.  Forecasters say the conditions could continue through Friday in areas both east and west of the Cascades.

Bill Would Allow Vote On Expansion Of Liquor Sales

(Salem, OR)  --  A bill submitted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission would allow voters to decide whether liquor can be sold in grocery stores across the state.  Under the measure, grocery stores larger than ten-thousand square feet would be allowed to sell spirits beginning in March 2015.  House and Senate committees hearing testimony on the bill this week are raising concerns about the measure making it easier for teens to have access to liquor.  The next legislative session is set to convene February 3rd.

Suspect In Strip-club Shooting Dies

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say the man who was shot after allegedly shooting three people at a Portland strip club has died.  Forty-three-year-old Thomas Hjelmeland [[ YELM-lund ]] died yesterday afternoon at a Portland hospital, where he was taken following the shooting Saturday evening.  Police say Hjelmeland shot a bouncer and two other people at the Mystic Gentleman's Club before he was shot by another employee.  Bouncer Brian Rizzo remains in critical condition, but the two other people who were shot were treated and released.
 

Talks Between Portland Schools, Teachers Stall

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith says the gap has widened in contract talks between the school district and the union representing Portland teachers.  Smith made the remarks to "The Oregonian" after a mediation session ended last night, saying the main points of contention remain salary increases, a longer school year, and early retirement incentives.  Further talks haven't yet been scheduled.
 

Driver Accused Of Intentionally Hitting Pedestrian

(Albany, OR)  --  Albany police say they've arrested a woman who's accused of intentionally hitting a pedestrian with her car.  Officials say 19-year-old Kayla Simonson used her vehicle to hit 35-year-old Selina Martinez as the victim was crossing 6th Avenue Tuesday afternoon.  Police say Simonson thought Martinez was someone else.  Simonson is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder.
 

Teen Tasered After Firing AK-47 Into Air

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A 19-year-old from Vancouver is facing charges after allegedly firing an AK-47 into the air.  Police say officers used a Taser to subdue say Devin Potts Tolles after he refused to lie on the ground after dropping the weapon in the Crater Park area.  Authorities say Tolles reportedly had been chasing a dog through the neighborhood and shooting rounds into the sky before officers arrived.  He was booked on suspicion of reckless endangerment, and unlawfully discharging and displaying a weapon.

Woman Accused Of Robbing Elderly Woman Pleads Not Guilty

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman accused of assaulting and robbing an 89-year-old Southeast Portland woman will stand trial after pleading not guilty.  Thirty-three-year-old Tiffany Denise Smith entered the plea yesterday during her arraignment.  She's accused of knocking the victim to the ground and stealing her purse in front of the victim's home on Southeast 148th Place.  Police allege that Smith had stalked the victim prior to the assault and robbery on January 7th.

Woman Found Guilty In Hit-and-run That Killed Stepsisters

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  A 19-year-old woman is awaiting her sentence after being found guilty in the hit-and-run deaths of two young girls in Forest Grove.  A jury returned the verdict against Cinthya Garcia-Cisneros, who was on trial in connection with the deaths of six-year-old Anna Deiter-Eckerdt and her eleven-year-old stepsister, Abigail Robinson.  Garcia-Cisneros was found guilty on felony charges of failing to perform the duties of a driver.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 31st. 

Regional News

>>Police ID Suspect In Strip-club Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say the man accused of opening fire at a Portland strip club and wounding three people is identified as 43-year-old Thomas Elliott Hjelmeland [[ YELM-land ]].  Investigators allege that Hjelmeland walked into the club about a half-hour after being denied entry and shot a bouncer and two customers before another bouncer shot him.  Hjelmeland is still in critical condition.  The bouncer who was shot, Brian Rizzo, is also critical and is in a medically-induced coma.  

>>Woman Accused Of Assaulting, Robbing 89-year-old

(Portland, WA)  --  A woman who's accused of assaulting and robbing an 89-year-old in Southeast Portland is in custody.  Police say 33-year-old Tiffany Smith is alleged to have attacked the woman on January 7th in front of the victim's home.  The victim, who was pushed to the ground in the attack, suffered a black eye and had her purse stolen and her glasses broken.  Police say Smith is also suspected in the robbery of a 90-year-old woman at a home on Southeast Henderson Street last month.

>>WA Governor Seeking Additional $200 Million For Schools

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington lawmakers are being urged by Governor Jay Inslee to pass legislation that would add 200-million dollars to public-school funding.  Part of that would go for a cost-of-living raise for teachers.  The governor made the call in light of last week's assertion by the State Supreme Court that the Legislature isn't moving fast enough to fully fund K-through-12 education.  Inslee says he'll propose ending tax breaks in order to generate more revenue, but he isn't saying yet which tax breaks he has in mind.

>>TriMet Ridership Sees Decrease

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet officials say ridership saw a decrease last fall.  The transit agency's buses and trains had three-point-two percent fewer riders between September 1st and November 30th than during the same period in 2012.  The "Oregonian" quotes officials as saying bus ridership fell by three-point-six percent and train ridership decreased by two-point-six percent during the fall.  The numbers were recorded about a year after TriMet made sizable cuts in services and raised fares.

>>WA Bill Would Ban Smoking In Vehicles With Kids Inside

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington could become the next state to ban smoking in motor vehicles that are carrying kids.  A bill has been submitted for consideration in the House, aiming to make it illegal to smoke a cigar, cigarette, or pipe if someone under age 18 is inside the vehicle.  Representative Steve Bergquist of Renton says his measure is designed to protect kids from the toxic chemicals present when smoking takes place inside a car.  The bill is awaiting action in the House Transportation Committee.

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Regional News

>>Trial Begins For Suspect In Aloha Murder

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Testimony is under way in the trial of Jeffrey Brian Johnson, who's accused of shooting his daughter's ex-boyfriend to death in front of an Aloha grocery store two years ago.  Twenty-two-year-old Ryan Lee Johnson, who wasn't related to the defendant, was gunned down in January 2012.  Washington County prosecutors are alleging that Jeffrey Johnson shot the victim as the relationship between the two became hostile.  The defendant is grandfather to the victim's son, who's now five years old.  

>>Suspect In Fatal Hit-and-run Takes Stand

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  The woman accused of killing two young girls in a hit-and-run in Forest Grove says she thought she hit a rock or a branch as she drove through a pile of leaves in which the girls were hidden.  Eighteen-year-old Cinthya Garcia Cisneros is on trial on a charge of failing to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons in the crash that killed eleven-year-old Abigail Robinson and her six-year-old stepsister, Anna Dieter-Eckerdt, in late October.  The defendant and her boyfriend, 18-year-old Mario Echeverria, were arrested.  Echeverria was later sentenced to 13 months for obstructing the investigation.

>>Woman Pleads Guilty To Raping 12-year-old Boy

(Salem, OR)  --  A Salem woman is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old boy.  Thirty-five-year-old Sarah Beth Hopkins entered the plea to charges including first- and second-degree rape.  Hopkins admitted to having sex with the boy a number of times last summer.  Police began investigating after the boy's mother grew suspicious of her son's relationship with Hopkins.

>>One Injured When Car Plows Into Portland Store

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say no criminal charges are pending after a car plowed into a Plaid Pantry store in Portland.  One person inside suffered minor injuries when the car went completely into the store, located in the 64-hundred block of Southeast 82nd Avenue.  Police say the crash was accidental and no charges will be filed.

>>Inslee Calls For WA Minimum-wage Hike

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington Governor Jay Inslee is calling for lawmakers to increase Washington's minimum wage.  The governor says raising the minimum by a dollar-50 to two-50 an hour "is a step toward closing the widening income gap."  Washington's minimum wage currently stands at nine-32 per hour, the highest in the nation.  Inslee made the remarks during his State of the State Address.

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>>Parents, Students Pack Portland School Board Meeting

(Portland, OR)  --  Students who rallied at a Portland School Board meeting say they plan to stand with teachers if they choose to go on strike.  Hundreds of students and parents showed up at last night's School Board meeting in support of the Portland Association of Teachers, who continue to hold contract talks with Portland Public Schools.  Negotiations are set to resume Thursday and may include a state mediator.  Superintendent Carole Smith, who spoke at last night's School Board meeting, says both sides are working hard to forge an agreement.
   
>>Remains Of Unidentified Woman Killed 23 Years Ago Exhumed

(Longview, WA)  --  The remains of a woman who was killed 23 years ago in a crash in Cowlitz County will be examined in an effort to identify her.  Police say the woman was a passenger in a semi-truck that burst into flames on Interstate 5 near Calama in May 1991.  No identification was found.  The remains, which were exhumed from an unmarked grave at the Longview Memorial Park and Cemetery, will be examined for facial reconstruction in King County, then taken to the University of Northern Texas for DNA extraction and entry into DNA databases in hopes of finding a direct or familial match.

>>Police Say Eight-year-old Accidentally Shot By Father

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police say an eight-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen was accidentally shot by his father.  The boy was shot at a residence on Southeast Marine Street around 2:10 Saturday afternoon.  The boy is listed in stable condition after undergoing surgery.  Investigators say the boy's father was putting his shotgun into a safe when he accidentally fired it and wounded the child.

>>Multnomah County GOP Raffling AR-15

(Portland, OR)  --  The Multnomah County GOP is raffling off an AR-15 rifle, calling it a "statement" to those who seek to limit the Second Amendment right of Oregonians to bear arms.  Tickets are being sold for the February 15th drawing, which will be held at the Lincoln Day Dinner at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  Organizers say the winner of the raffle will have the option to take a handgun instead of the rifle.       

>>WA Legislature Convenes, House Approves 'Dream Act'

(Olympia, WA)  --  The 2014 session of the Washington State Legislature is under way in Olympia, and the Democrat-dominated House came out of the gate quickly in sending a bill to the Senate.  The measure, known as Washington state's version of the Dream Act, would make illegal immigrants eligible to receive state financial aid for college.  The bill was approved by a margin of 71-23.  The same bill was passed by the House last year, but was not brought up for a vote in the Senate because of GOP opposition.

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>>Police: Man Points Gun In Road-rage Incident

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Police are accusing a Beaverton man of pointing a handgun at three people in an act of road rage.  Beaverton police say 32-year-old Anderson Harguth allegedly pointed the weapon after he reportedly tried to ram the victims' vehicle yesterday afternoon in the area of Southwest Scholls Ferry Road and Southwest Cascade Avenue.  The victims gave police the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle, leading to Harguth's arrest.  He was booked on charges of menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, and reckless endangerment.   

>>Security Guard, Gunman Still Critical After Strip Club Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say a security guard who was shot at the Mystic Gentlemen's Club in Portland remains in critical condition, as does the alleged gunman.  Three people were wounded after the gunman opened fire Saturday night, and a customer at the bar shot the gunman.  Officials say the gunman had been previously denied entry to the club and returned later, wearing a Halloween mask and carrying a gun.  The other two shooting victims were treated at a hospital and released.     

>>Huge Boulder Falls Onto I-84

(Hood River, OR)  --  Police say a boulder the size of a Volkswagen Beetle blocked traffic after falling and landing on Interstate 84 near Hood River.  No vehicles were damaged and no one was hurt.  A motorist was traveling along the highway Sunday when the boulder rolled down a hill, bounced over the median, and came to rest in front of her car.  Crews needed about two hours to remove the boulder from the roadway.

>>New Rules Proposed To Stop Liquor Thefts In WA

(Olympia, WA)  --  There's an effort in the Washington Legislature aimed at reducing the number of liquor thefts at retailers.  The measure would give the state Liquor Control Board the authority to seek audits from stores that are targets of liquor thefts.  If store owners don't crack down on the thefts, the Board could require extra staffing, security systems, and other changes at those stores.  Lawmakers who are spearheading the proposal say the idea is to prevent liquor thefts and keep alcoholic beverages from falling into the hands of minors.

>>Seahawks-49ers Tickets Sold Out

(Seattle, WA)  --  The NFC Championship game between the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field is sold out.  Tickets for the contest went on sale at ten a.m. yesterday and were quickly snapped up.  The Seahawks made tickets available to fans with billing addresses in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta.  No tickets were put up for sale in California, but online brokers may be able to accommodate fans there with ticket prices starting at 400 dollars.

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>>Four Wounded, One Critically, In Strip-club Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a security guard who's in critical condition is one of four people wounded in a shooting at a Southeast Portland strip club.  Investigators say the gunman walked into the Mystic Gentleman's Club on Southeast Stark Street around 8:40 p.m. Saturday and began firing.  Three people were wounded before someone at the bar shot the gunman.  Police say the assailant is listed in critical but stable condition.

>>Spokane Shooting Suspect Booked Into Multnomah County Jail

(Portland, OR)  --  A homicide suspect who accidentally shot himself in the leg before he was captured by police in Pasco, Washington is now being held in the Multnomah County Jail.  Brandon Michael Mellon was taken to a Portland hospital after shooting himself on January 4th.  He's accused of shooting a man to death in Spokane the day before.

>>Man Pinned Between Car And Tree Following Crash    

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being treated at a Portland hospital after being pinned between his vehicle and a tree in a rollover crash.  Portland Fire & Rescue officials say the car careened into a chain-link fence in the area of Southeast 144th and Powell Boulevard around two o'clock yesterday morning.  The car overturned and slammed into a tree, pinning the driver.  Firefighters had to use various tools to remove the man from the wreckage.

>>Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Family, Self

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man who's accused of threatening to kill his family and himself is scheduled to appear in court today.  Police say 34-year-old Harley Schramm was detained around ten a.m. yesterday after allegedly making the threats at a home on Southeast 148th Avenue.  Officials say two guns were recovered at the time of Schramm's arrest.  He's facing charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

>>Seahawks To Host 49ers For NFC Championship

(Seattle, WA)  --  The Seattle Seahawks will play San Francisco for the right to face the AFC champion in the Super Bowl.  The 49ers defeated Carolina yesterday, 23-10, to advance to the NFC title game at CenturyLink Field next Sunday.  The Seahawks are coming off Saturday's 23-15 win over the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round.  Seattle and San Francisco split their two regular-season matchups, with each team winning at home.

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>>Students, Parents Plan Rally To Support Teachers

(Portland, OR)  --  A rally is planned for this evening to support Portland teachers as negotiations continue with the Portland school district on a new contract.  Students and parents are planning to rally outside the Blanchard Education Service Center on North Dixon Street at 5:30 this evening.  The demonstrators are scheduled to march into the School Board meeting at six p.m.  The main point of contention in the negotiations is reportedly salary.   

>>Police Say Eight-year-old Shot Accidentally

(Gresham, OR)  --  Officials say an eight-year-old boy who was shot at a home in Gresham has undergone successful surgery.  Authorities say the boy was shot in the abdomen Saturday afternoon at the residence on Southeast Marie Street.  Police say the shooting appears to have been accidental.  No other details have been released.

>>WA Legislative Session Convenes Today

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington state lawmakers will convene today in Olympia for a 60-day session.  The main issue is expected to be transportation, and a renewed push for adding up to eleven-and-a-half cents per gallon to the state's fuel tax is likely.  The revenue would help pay for road maintenance and highway projects across Washington.  Other issues expected to be debated include whether to regulate medical marijuana and whether to eliminate pensions for state employees in favor of 401-k plans.

>>Portland-area Gas Prices Cheaper

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline in the Portland area is on a downward trend.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the average for regular is just below three-33 a gallon, down about a penny-and-a-half over the past week.  Regular gas sold in Portland a month ago for an average of about three-28 a gallon.

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Todd Dunne/dmz
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>>Kitzhaber Takes Responsibility For Cover Oregon Problems

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor John Kitzhaber says he's hired a tech management company to review the state's health-care exchange website and decide whether the state should sue Oracle, the site's technical designers.  The governor says he's ultimately accountable for the problems with CoverOregon.com but didn't become aware of the scale of the difficulties until late October.  Kitzhaber says despite the problems, he's pleased with the fact that 150-thousand people have been enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan for low-income residents and another 20-thousand have signed up for private insurance policies.

>>Pedestrian Injured In Southeast Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being treated for serious injuries after being hit by a car at a Southeast Portland intersection.  Police say the vehicle left the scene after the crash, which happened shortly after nine o'clock last night at the intersection of Southeast Powell Boulevard and Southeast 31st Avenue.  Officials say the pedestrian was in a crosswalk when he was hit.  The vehicle is described as either white or silver and was seen traveling west on Powell.

>>One Injured Following Lumber Spill

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is seriously injured after a truck spilled a load of lumber across Northwest Cornelius Pass Road.  Police say the lumber smashed into a pickup truck that was behind the lumber truck around 2:45 yesterday afternoon.  Authorities say the driver of the pickup is being treated for injuries that are potentially life-threatening.  Traffic on the road was shut down but the scene was cleared by about 5:30 yesterday afternoon.

>>WA Supreme Court Wants Legislature To Speed School Funding

(Olympia, WA)  --  The Washington State Supreme Court says legislators must move more quickly to ensure full funding for K-through-12 education.  Yesterday's decision is a followup on the high court ruling that the state Legislature hasn't met its constitutional obligation to sufficiently fund schools.  The Supreme Court says while lawmakers took positive steps during last year's session, they're still short of making sufficient yearly progress toward full funding in 2018.  The Legislature budgeted a billion dollars for K-through-12 education last year.

>>Portland Upsets Gonzaga, 82-73

(Portland, OR)  --  Gonzaga fans are stunned and Portland fans are elated following the Pilots' 82-73 upset victory.  The defeat ended Portland's 20-game losing streak against the Bulldogs.  Five Pilots scored in double figures, led by Bryce Pressly's 16 points.  Portland will be back in action on January 16th when it visits Loyola Marymount.

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>>Bicyclist In Critical Condition After Being Hit By Car

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are investigating after a bicyclist was struck and critically injured by a car in Milwaukie.  Officials say the cyclist was trying to cross Oregon 224 at Southeast Oak Street around 6:10 last night when he was struck by the driver, who had the right of way.  The cyclist went airborne and into the car's windshield, then over the top of the car.  He's being treated at Oregon Health and Sciences University.

>>Rock Damages Multnomah Falls Bridge

(Multnomah Falls, OR)  --  The historic Benson Bridge over Multnomah Falls is closed indefinitely after being damaged by a large rock that fell through it.  Authorities say the rock left a three-foot-wide hole in the bridge sometime late Wednesday night or early yesterday morning.  A portion of the concrete railing was also damaged.  Engineers will assess the damage later today.

>>Man Accused In Fatal Crash Pleads Not Guilty

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Trial will move forward for a man who's pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide in a crash that killed a pedestrian in Vancouver.  The December 2012 crash happened near East Mill Plain Boulevard and Andersen Road.  Police allege that Scotty Rowles admitted to smoking "a bowl of marijuana" before the crash that killed Donald Collins.  Rowles was arrested after the release of a toxicology report on the case.    

>>Bae's Family Accepts Rodman's Apology

(Lynnwood, WA)  --  Members of Kenneth Bae's family are accepting Dennis Rodman's apology.  The former NBA star has issued the apology for remarks he made to CNN, which implied that Bae [[ bay ]], a Lynnwood, Washington businessman, did something to deserve incarceration in a North Korean jail even though authorities there have never specified any charges.  Rodman said afterward he had been drinking prior to the interview and he should know better than to make political statements.  Bae's sister, Terri Chung, has issued a statement, saying her family acknowledges that Rodman is human and that "we all do make mistakes."

>>Harvin To Play Against Saints

(Renton, WA)  --  Seahawks fans have another reason to get jazzed up about tomorrow's divisional playoff game with the New Orleans Saints.  Seattle head coach Pete Carroll says wide receiver Percy Harvin will play and will be at full speed.  Harvin returned to practice last week after being sidelined with residual soreness he experienced from hip surgery in August.  He has seen action in only one game this season, catching a pass for 17 yards and running back a kickoff for 58 yards against the Minnesota Vikings in mid-November.

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>>Woman Dies In Salem of Swine Flu

(Salem, OR)  --  Health officials say a woman diagnosed with H1N1, also known as swine flu, has died at Salem Hospital.  The "Statesman Journal" reports 53-year-old Suzie Mahaffey was admitted for treatment of bronchitis on December 23rd, and her condition worsened afterward.  She died Tuesday morning.  H1N1 is considered the most common strain of flu this season, and physicians recommend vaccination for those who haven't received flu shots.

>>Air Force Captain From Vancouver Killed In Chopper Crash

(Washington, DC)  --  The Defense Department says an Air Force captain from Vancouver was among four people killed Tuesday evening in a helicopter crash in England.  Officials say 28-year-old Captain Christopher Stover was piloting an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter that was on a low-level training mission when the crash happened.  Stover grew up in Vancouver and graduated from Evergreen High School in 2004.  The crash is under investigation.

>>Bail Reduced For Man Accused Of Severely Injuring Four-year-old

(McMinnville, OR)  --  Bail is now set at a half-million dollars for a Sheridan man accused of beating and severely injuring his girlfriend's four-year-old son.  A judge lowered the bail from a million dollars for 34-year-old Michael Abo, saying the accused is not a flight risk.  Abo was arrested January fourth for allegedly beating the child on New Year's Eve.  Prosecutors say the boy has a brain injury, seven broken ribs, and multiple bruises.

>>Rodman Apologizes For Remarks About Bae

(Pyongyang, North Korea)  --  Former NBA star Dennis Rodman says he's taking "full responsibility" for recent remarks he made about Kenneth Bae [[ bay ]], the Lynnwood, Washington man who's been jailed in North Korea for more than a year.  Rodman says when he suggested to a CNN interviewer that Bae had done something to warrant his arrest and incarceration, he had been drinking and was under stress.  Rodman issued an apology to Bae's family, and apologized to CNN's Chris Cuomo and the other ex-NBA players who joined Rodman in North Korea to play a basketball game.  Rodman says he "should know better than to make political statements."

>>Blazers Roll Past Orlando, 110-94

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are back on the winning track after defeating the Orlando Magic, 110-94.  Nicolas Batum [[ bah-TOOM ]] achieved a triple-double, scoring 14 points, dishing out 14 assists, and pulling down ten rebounds.  LaMarcus Aldridge scored 36 points and Wesley Matthews added 17.  Portland will be back in action Saturday night when they host the Boston Celtics.

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Todd Dunne/lmc
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>>I-205 Sections To Close Over Next Two Weekends

(Oregon City, OR)  --  A stretch of Interstate 205 in Clackamas County will be shut down in one direction for each of the next two weekends.  Crews will work on installing a new overpass, which is part of a project involving the construction of a two-lane highway from I-205 to Southeast 122nd Avenue.  The northbound lanes will close this weekend at exit 13, and traffic will be detoured at 82nd Avenue and return to I-205 at the Sunnyside Interchange.  The following weekend, the southbound lanes will be closed at exit 14, and traffic will be rerouted at Sunnybrook Boulevard and return to I-205 via 82nd Avenue.

>>Teen Says Stranger Grabbed Her As She Walked Home From School

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are looking for a man who they say grabbed a 15-year-old Gresham girl as she was walking home from school.  Authorities say the man grabbed the girl from behind in the area of Southeast Palmblad Road and Southeast Palmquist Road around 9:30 Tuesday morning as she walked from Springwater Trail High School.  Police say the victim was able to kick the man and run for help.  The assailant is described as a man in his 40s, five-feet-ten, with thin blond or brown facial hair, wearing a brown baseball cap, gray sweatshirt, and jeans.

>>Ex-congresswoman To Run For Washington County Commissioner

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A former congresswoman says she'll make a bid for a seat on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.  Former U.S. Representative Elizabeth Furse represented Oregon's First Congressional District from 1993 to 1999.  The Democrat tells KATU-TV she's running for the seat currently held by Commissioner Bob Terry.     

>>Fuel Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area fuel prices are lower.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular dropped about a half-cent overnight, to just under three-34 a gallon.  That's still about a half-cent above the average of a week ago.

>>NFL Puts Lynch Fine On Hold

(Renton, WA)  --  Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch won't have to pay the 50-thousand-dollar fine imposed on him by the NFL, at least for now.  The league put a hold on the fine after Lynch agreed to comply with league policy and speak with the media.  If Lynch fails to comply, the NFL will collect the 50-thousand-dollar fine and be fined an additional 50-thousand.  A Go Fund Me drive is being held to cover Lynch's fine, and Lynch says even if all the contributions are returned he'll still match the amount raised with a charitable donation.

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Todd Dunne/dmz
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>>Body Of Missing Man Found In Willamette River

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Officials say the body of an Oregon City man who went missing in early December has been found in the Willamette River.  A fisherman found the body of Adrien Chase Sunday near the I-205 bridge.  Chase disappeared on the night of his 35th birthday.  Investigators say there are no indications of foul play.

>>Hempstalk Permit Denied

(Portland, OR)  --  There apparently won't be a Hempstalk festival in Portland in 2014.  Portland Parks & Recreation has denied a permit for the marijuana festival this year, saying attendees and staff used and sold marijuana at past events.  PPR spokesman Mark Ross says a police report on the 2013 Hempstalk festival included concerns that organizers didn't adhere to conditions outlined in their permit.  Ross says the event has grown steadily since it began, and organizers' management of the event hasn't kept up with that growth.

>>Gladstone Council Approved Extension For Man's Pet Lynx

(Gladstone, OR)  --  A Gladstone man who has a pet lynx will be able to keep the animal for the time being.  The Gladstone City Council granted an extension for Patrick Clark to keep the 16-year-old lynx, named Sosha, until the Oregon Legislature can address the issue of ownership of exotic animals during the session that begins next month.  The Council granted the extension at the urging of state Senator Alan Olsen, whose district includes Gladstone.  A neighbor of Clark filed a complaint about the lynx under Gladstone's ordinance that bans exotic pets.

>>Confession To Be Allowed As Evidence In Hit-and-run Trial

(Forest grove, OR)  --  A judge says a confession from a woman accused of killing two young girls in a hit-and-run crash in Forest Grove will be allowed to be presented as evidence during trial.  The defense had filed a motion to quash the confession police say was made by 18-year-old Cinthyia Garcia-Cisneros [[ gar-SEE-ah sis-NAIR-ohs ]], but the motion was denied.  Garcia-Cisneros has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver.  The October 2013 crash resulted in the deaths of eleven-year-old Abby Robinson and her six-year-old sister, Anna Eckerdt, who were playing in a pile of leaves at the time.    

>>Boeing Starts Search For Site For Composite Wing Plant

(Everett, WA)  --  Boeing is beginning its search for a site in Washington for building the composite wing for its new 777X jet.  The Tacoma "News Tribune" says while the state and Boeing aren't disclosing which sites are under consideration, there are reports that Everett, Frederickson, Moses Lake, and Spokane are among those in the running.  The Machinists union voted last week to ratify Boeing's latest contract offer, for which the aerospace company has pledged it will build the 777X and fabricate its composite wing in Washington.

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>>Man Rescued From Path Of Train

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say a man is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being rescued from the path of a train after his vehicle plunged off an embankment and onto the tracks.  Police say the incident happened in the area of Northeast 27th Street and Lombard in Northeast Portland around 8:13 last night.  Portland Fire & Rescue crews who arrived at the scene got the man, who was pinned inside the car, out of the vehicle as an oncoming train approached.  The car was removed from the tracks before the train got there.   

>>Oregon Couple Tips Waitress With Crystal Meth

(Seaside, OR)  --  An Oregon couple is behind bars after they allegedly tipped their waitress with an envelope of crystal meth.  Authorities say Ryan Benson and Erica Manley had dinner and drinks last week at the Twisted Fish Steakhouse in Seaside.  After paying their bill with a gift card, the couple offered the waitress an envelope with a question mark written on it.  The server called police once she realized what was in the package, and officers arrested the couple after allegedly finding more than 17 ounces of meth in Manley's purse.

>>Number Of WA Pot Business Applications Surpasses 6,600

(Olympia, WA)  --  The Washington State Liquor Control Board says it has processed more than 66-hundred marijuana business applications.  They include nearly 27-hundred producer applications, more than 19-hundred applications for processing, and more than two-thousand for retail sales.  The deadline to submit applications was December 20th.  Only 334 retail licenses will be issued, but there's no set limit on the number of marijuana growers and processors.

>>Portland-area Gasoline Prices Higher

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A is reporting a rise in gasoline prices.  The average in the Portland area for a gallon of regular is just above three-34, a half-cent higher than yesterday.  It's also about a penny a gallon above the average of a week ago.

>>Sacramento Tops Blazers, 123-119

(Sacramento, CA)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers are on a two-game losing skid after falling to the Sacramento Kings, 123-119.  After falling behind in the third quarter, the Blazers staged a furious rally in the fourth, only to come up short.  Damian Lillard led all scorers with 41 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 24 in a losing effort.  Portland will be back home tonight to host the Orlando Magic.   

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>>Missing Hiker Found Safer On Mount Hood

(Government Camp, OR)  --  Sheriff's deputies say a 71-year-old hiker is "medically fine" after being found on Mount Hood.  Gary Marshall Tuor of Sandy got separated from a friend while hiking Sunday near the Devil's Meadow Campground Sunday outside of Zigzag.  Search teams covered the area looking for Tuor, and found him and his dog by a campfire around 9:30 last night.

>>Portland Cop Accused Of Vandalizing Car

(Tualatin, OR)  --  A Portland police officer is being accused of vandalizing a neighbor's car while off duty.  Homero Reynaga [[ oh-MAIR-oh ray-NAH-ga ]], who's been with the Police Bureau for 15 years, is alleged to have vandalized the vehicle late last month in the 64-hundred block of Southwest Nyberg Lane.  Reynaga is facing a charge of second-degree criminal mischief.

>>Man Accused Of Groping Teen At Ice Cream Parlor

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is in police custody after being accused of groping a teenage employee at a Portland Baskin-Robbins.  Authorities say 44-year-old Themba Kelley was apprehended after the 16-year-old girl reported she had been grabbed by the suspect.  The incident happened inside the ice cream parlor in the 63-hundred block of Southwest Capitol Highway Sunday night.  Kelley has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree sex abuse and luring a minor.

>>Portland-area Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A is reporting lower gas prices in the Portland area.  A gallon of regular averages just below three-34, down a half-cent from yesterday.  It's still about a penny a gallon higher than a week ago.

>>Seahawks Fans Raising Money To Cover Lynch's Fine

(Seattle, WA)  --  A group of Seattle Seahawks fans has started an effort to raise enough money to cover the 50-thousand-dollar fine the NFL has imposed on star running back Marshawn Lynch.  The fine was levied after Lynch violated league policy by refusing to make himself available to the media during the season.  The 'Go Fund Me' fundraising effort has pulled in about 93-hundred dollars so far, and Lynch says he'll match the amount raised and donate it to charity.

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>>Man Shot In Hillsboro, Gunman At Large

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Police are looking for at least one suspect following a shooting in Hillsboro.  Investigators say the shooting happened around eight o'clock last night in the area of Northwest Adams Avenue and Lincoln Street.  The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during an argument with two other men.  Police say both men fled the scene on foot after the shooting.

>>Volunteer Cop Accused Of Severely Beating Four-year-old

(Sheridan, OR)  --  A volunteer police officer from Sheridan is facing charges after being accused of beating and severely injuring a four-year-old boy.  Thirty-four-year-old Michael Abo was arrested at his home Saturday and is charged with four counts of assault and criminal mistreatment.  The boy is being treated at Oregon Health & Science University.  Abo has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

>>Woman Hit By Two Vehicles Identified

(Salem, OR)  --  A woman who was taken to a hospital after being hit by two vehicles on a busy road in Salem is identified as 19-year-old Monica Cebreros [[ suh-BRARE-ohs ]].  Witnesses reported seeing the woman walking in the middle of the traffic lane with her back toward oncoming vehicles on Northeast Hawthorne Avenue near Livingston Street Sunday evening.  Police say after Cebreros was hit by the two vehicles, she was trapped under the second vehicle and was wedged beneath the axle for about 15 minutes before she was freed.  


>>Batum To Play With Splint On Finger

(Tualatin, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers say forward Nicolas Batum [[ bah-TOOM ]] has an avulsion fracture on his left middle finger that will require him to wear a splint for the next six weeks.  Batum suffered the injury during Saturday's game with Philadelphia.  Blazers coach Terry Stotts says CJ McCollum will be activated for tonight's game at Sacramento.  McCollum, who fractured his left foot during practice in early October, played Friday and Saturday with the Blazers' NBA Development League affiliate Idaho.  

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>>Career Criminal Arrested Following Chase

(Aloha, OR)  --  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says a career criminal is in custody following a chase that ended with a crash.  Deputies say they acted on a tip from a friend of the suspect, Zachery Mayes, who reportedly was planning to commit a crime and was carrying a stolen rifle.  Authorities say Mayes took off after being spotted in his vehicle last night by deputies and crashed the vehicle into a concrete planter in front of a home on Southwest Farmington Road.  Officials say Mayes has an arrest record in Washington County dating back to 2001.

>>Man Accused Of Stabbing Woman In Southeast Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is facing an attempted-murder charge after being accused of stabbing a woman.  Police allege that 48-year-old Acension [[ ah-SEN-see-OWN ]] Rosales stabbed the 41-year-old woman at a mobile home park on Southeast 142nd at Division Street Tuesday morning.  Officials say the woman is being treated for life-threatening injuries.  Rosales also faces charges of assault and domestic violence.

>>Portland Family Welcomes First Baby Born In 2014

(Portland, OR)  --  Mother and child are doing fine after the birth of Portland's first baby of 2014.  Naythyn Lee Villegas [[ vee-AY-gus ]] was born at Providence Portland Medical Center at nine minutes past midnight on New Year's Day, weighing in at seven pounds, six ounces.  Naythyn's mom, Emilie Stochosky, had to suddenly cancel her pedicure appointment after going into labor Tuesday afternoon.   

>>WA Audit Recommends Smoother Permitting Process

(Olympia, WA)  --  A new report released by the Washington State Auditor's Office says state agencies can do a better job of smoothing out the process of issuing business permits.  The audit contends that agencies should provide more information and assistance to businesses as they apply to obtain various permits.  The auditor's report also says agencies need to let business owners know up front how long it will take to obtain a particular permit and to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that slows the processing of paperwork.  At least one state lawmaker plans to draft legislation to carry out the findings of the audit.

>>Gasoline Prices Up

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A is reporting higher fuel prices in the Portland area.  The average for a gallon of regular is just above three-33, more than four cents higher than a week ago.  It's also seven cents above the average at this time last month.

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