Regional News Archives for 2014-03

Train Kills 16-year-old Girl In Albany

(Albany, OR)  --  An investigation continues after a 16-year-old girl was killed by a train in Albany.  Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley says Sara-Tessa Lytle was struck and killed around 11:00 Saturday night on tracks near the intersection of Highway 99 and Beta Drive.  Riley says the teen was walking on the tracks when she was hit by the Union Pacific train.  Lytle was a student at West Albany High School.

Officials Say 21 Mudslide Fatalities Confirmed

(Arlington, WA)  --  The official death toll from the March 23rd mudslide in Snohomish County, Washington is now 21.  Authorities say search crews found four more bodies yesterday as they continued sorting through the debris, but the bodies haven't yet been recovered.  County emergency management program manager Jason Biermann says memorabilia and personal items are also being recovered and are being decontaminated before they're given to family members.  Governor Jay Inslee says he's not giving up on the possibility of a miracle in the form of survivors among the debris.

Woman Dies After Being Shocked By Power Lines

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Beaverton police say a woman who died after climbing a high-voltage electrical tower may have committed suicide.  Officers arrived at the intersection of Southwest 160th Avenue and Village Lane around nine a.m. yesterday and found the woman lying on the ground but still alive.  Officials say the woman, who was shocked by the power lines, died after being taken to a hospital.  Police say the woman was taking medication for schizophrenia and had been on an alcohol and meth binge Saturday night.     
 

Two Rescued From Burning Van

(Gaston, OR)  --  Two men are thanking an off-duty sheriff's deputy for pulling them out of a burning van in Washington County.  An SUV crashed and caught fire Saturday night near Gaston as Deputy Cheryl Crecelius was driving nearby.  The men were trapped inside the vehicle, and Crecelius was able to pull the passenger out.  A Good Samaritan arrived and helped the deputy pull the driver out of the burning vehicle.  Both men have been released from the hospital, but a third man who was able to get out of the SUV is listed in serious condition.

Body Of Missing Molalla Woman Found

(Scott Mills, OR)  --  Authorities say a Molalla woman who had been reported missing has been found dead.  Officials say the body of 62-year-old Janice Ernest was found around three p.m. yesterday off Butte Creek Road near Scott Mills.  Ernest was reported missing on March 16th and her car was found abandoned on the 24th in a wooded area near Molalla.  Investigators say no foul play is suspected in her death.

Ninth-grader Arrested For Making Threats

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A ninth-grade student at Skyview High School in Vancouver is accused of threatening to bring a gun to campus and shoot fellow students.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says the student allegedly made statements to his peers and showed them a website where he would get a weapon.  The boy was taken to juvenile detention after school administrators learned of the threats.

Search Continues In Mudslide Zone

(Arlington, WA)  --  Searchers are in the seventh day of sifting through the debris that resulted from last Saturday's mudslide in the Snohomish County community of Oso.  Twenty-five people are known to be dead and another 90 are still missing.  The Everett "Daily Herald" reports that so far, more than one-point-one-million dollars has been contributed to various disaster-relief efforts.  The donations include about 600-thousand dollars raised by the United Way of Snohomish County and more than 300-thousand received by  the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation.

Three-year-old Vancouver Boy Missing

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Vancouver police are conducting a search for a three-year-old boy who's gone missing.  Authorities say the toddler, Ajay Sardis [[ sar-DEECE ]], was reported missing earlier this morning by a relative who was caring for the boy at a residence in the 54-hundred block of Northeast 34th Street in Vancouver.  Police say Ajay is described as a Pacific Islander with a thin build, last seen wearing a black, long-sleeve shirt and brown pants.  The Vancouver Fire Department is involved in the search.

Police: Man Found In Burned-out Home Committed Suicide

(North Plains, OR)  --  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says a man whose body was found inside a burning home following a standoff with police shot himself to death.  Deputies say 30-year-old Brian Olson is believed to have shot and critically wounded 24-year-old James Crandall during a dispute Wednesday at the home in North Plains.  Olson was later engaged in an hours-long standoff with police until the house erupted in flames after tear-gas canisters were thrown inside.  The cause of the fire hasn't been determined.

Man Stabbed During Argument At Supermarket

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being treated for traumatic injuries after being stabbed during an argument at a Southeast Portland supermarket.  Police say the dispute took place last night at a bottle-return area at the Fred Meyer on Southeast 82nd Avenue.  The victim sustained multiple chest wounds, but is expected to survive.  Police say they arrested the alleged assailant at a nearby apartment.

Mudslide Death Toll Rises To 25, 90 Confirmed Missing

(Arlington, WA)  --  Snohomish County, Washington officials say the death toll from last weekend's mudslide near Oso has risen to 25.  Emergency Management Director John Pennington says 90 people are missing, while 35 others are listed as "possibly missing."  Eight of the bodies haven't yet been recovered, and it wasn't made clear whether the body of the latest known victim has been removed from the debris.  Crews continue to search the massive slide area in what's now being classified as a recovery effort.

Portion Of Highway 6 Closed Following Mudslide

(Glenwood, OR)  --  Highway 6 is closed in both directions, about eight miles west of Glenwood, following a mudslide.  State transportation officials say the slide happened yesterday in the Tillamook State Forest near the Browns Camp turnoff.  ODOT estimates that 300 to 400 yards of debris spilled onto the highway.  Cleanup started yesterday evening and is expected to continue into this morning.

Suspects In Wilsonville Robberies Identified

(Wilsonville, OR)  --  Police are looking for two suspects in separate robberies that happened outside an apartment complex in Wilsonville.  Authorities say 20-year-old Andrew Gossett and 19-year-old Travis Wyatt have been identified as the men who allegedly held up two victims outside the Canyon Creek Apartments early Monday morning.  Both Gossett and Wyatt are described as white, six feet tall and weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair.  Wilsonville police say they're both considered armed and dangerous.

Shooting Suspect Dies In House Fire

(North Plains, OR)  --  A man suspected in a fatal shooting is dead following a house fire in North Plains.  Washington County sheriff's deputies say the body of 31-year-old Brian Olson was found inside the burning home following a standoff at the residence on Northwest Mountaindale Road yesterday morning.  Authorities believe Olson shot and critically wounded 24-year-old James Crandall during a dispute at the home.  The fire started around three p.m. while Olson was involved in the standoff with deputies.  He was found dead when firefighters entered the home.

Hanford Workers Sickened By Unknown Vapors

(Richland, WA)  --  Two Hanford workers are cleared to go back to work after being hospitalized for breathing in chemical vapors at the Eastern Washington nuclear facility.  KING-5 reports a total of six people were sickened yesterday from ingesting the vapors.  A total of 17 Hanford employees have needed medical care in the past week for inhalation of toxic vapors.  Three of those who became ill yesterday were helping conduct an inspection of an underground nuclear storage tank.

Cover Oregon Enrollment Deadline Pushed Back

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor John Kitzhaber says the deadline to apply for private health insurance through Cover Oregon has been delayed until April 30th.  The governor says the federal government has granted the state the extension.  Oregonians must now have their applications faxed or postmarked by the 30th of April.  The delay was granted because of persistent problems with the Cover Oregon website.

Report: Crime On TriMet Buses, Trains Down 25 Percent

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet officials say there's been a drop in reported crime aboard the transit agency's buses and trains.  Officials say the crime rate fell more than 25 percent from 2012 to 2013.  The figures are included in a preliminary report that won't be finalized until April.  Harry Saporta, who's in charge of TriMet safety and security, says the drop in reported crime is happening as the agency makes strides in increasing security for both riders and employees.

Man Seriously Wounded In Stabbing

(Portland, OR)  --  Police have a suspect in custody following a stabbing that seriously wounded a man in Southwest Portland.  Investigators say a man in his 60s was found in a parked car at Southwest 9th and Alder around 10 o'clock last night with a stab wound to the head.  His injuries are described as traumatic but not life-threatening.  The suspect, a man in his 20s, has been arrested.

Man Formally Charged In Murder Of Uncle

(Portland, OR)  --  Trial is set to begin in May for a Portland man who's accused of killing his uncle.  Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Bigboy is charged with murder in the death of 61-year-old Eugene Bigboy.  The victim was found dead in his home on March 10th.

At Least 24 Believed Dead In Mudslide

(Arlington, WA)  --  The death toll is expected to rise to at least 24 following the massive mudslide along the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County, Washington.  Officials say two more bodies were recovered from the debris yesterday, and another eight were located but not yet recovered.  Snohomish County Fire District 21 Chief Travis Hots says the other eight fatalities won't be officially counted until the bodies are recovered and taken to the medical examiner.  Crews have been using dog teams in their search, and are expected to bring in additional dog teams today to assist in going over the square-mile debris area.

Arrest Made After Suspected Shoplifter Dropped Gun

(Portland, OR)  --  One suspect is in custody and another is at large after a man suspected of shoplifting at the Lloyd Center Macy's dropped a gun while struggling with loss-prevention officers.  Portland police say the suspect and a companion ran out of the store last night after picking up the weapon and fled in a vehicle, which was tracked down by responding officers.  Authorities say both suspects got out of the car and fled on foot in the area of Northeast 7th Avenue and Prescott Street.  Police were able to apprehend one suspect, but the other one remains on the loose.  The gun hasn't been recovered.  

Woman Arrested Following Longview Standoff

(Longview, WA)  --  A woman is in police custody following a four-and-a-half-hour standoff in Longview.  Authorities say officers were dispatched to Carl's Towing Service on Vandercook Way around 4:30 yesterday afternoon after a woman entered the business and claimed to be armed.  After the building was evacuated, a crisis negotiator worked to persuade the woman to come out after she had barricaded herself inside.  The woman surrendered shortly after nine p.m.  Police say they don't know why the woman holed herself up in the building.

Power Restored In Most Of Portland Area

(Portland, OR)  --  Power is back on for most residents of the Portland area after a series of outages last night.  Portland General Electric says as of early this morning, 191 customers in Washington County were the only ones left without electricity.  More than 25 outages were reported last night, 18 of them in Clackamas County.  More than two-thousand customers were affected by the outages, most of which were likely weather-related.

Gresham Man Still Missing After More Than Two Months

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are seeking the public's help in their search for a Gresham man who's been missing since January 18th.  Family members say it's out of character for 24-year-old Cameron Lowell Combs to remain out of touch for so long.  Combs is described as white, five-feet-six, weighing 135 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a tattoo that reads "420" on one arm and a cross tattoo on the other.

Eight Deaths Confirmed Following Mudslide

(Oso, WA)  --  Eight people are now confirmed dead and more than a dozen are still missing following a devastating mudslide in Snohomish County, Washington.  Search crews found more bodies yesterday as they sifted through the debris that resulted from Saturday's massive slide along State Route 530 in Oso.  Dozens of homes were destroyed or damaged.  Seven people are being treated for injuries, including a six-month-old child and an 81-year-old man who are in critical condition.

Multnomah County Inmate Found Dead

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say an inmate who was found dead in his cell at the Multnomah County Jail may have killed himself.  The inmate was found unresponsive late Saturday night, and officials say it appears he died of a self-inflicted injury.  The inmate had been in custody for about a year.  His name hasn't been released.

Woman Killed In Linn County Crash

(Albany, OR)  --  Linn County sheriff's deputies are investigating a crash that killed a 33-year-old woman near Albany.  Authorities say the woman was heading south on Oakville Road when she lost control and slid into a ditch near Walnut Drive.  The vehicle crashed through a fence and rolled, ejecting the driver.  She's been identified as Shayna Johnson of Philomath.

Man With Mace, Screwdriver Shot During Attempted Holdup

(Eugene, OR)  --  Police say a man who tried to hold up an armored car while armed with a screwdriver and a can of mace was shot by a security guard.  Police say the armored transport vehicle was parked outside an Albertson's on Division Avenue when the man tried to rob it Saturday afternoon.  The security guard fired three shots and wounded the suspect, who's listed in stable condition.  Police say one of the bullets went through a window at the Albertson's and lodged in a wall, but no one else was injured during the incident.

Six-year-old Donates $1300 To Help Mounted Patrol

(Portland, OR)  --  A six-year-old Portland boy wants to see the Portland Police Bureau's Mounted Patrol continue.  The boy, named William, has donated 13-hundred dollars to a group whose goal is to save the mounted patrol.  A group spokesperson tells KOIN-TV that the boy's family sold off a number of items before moving and gave each of their children a choice on where to donate the proceeds.  William elected to give his 13-hundred-dollar share to the mounted patrol.
 

Kitzhaber 'Disappointed' With Cover Oregon Rollout

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor John Kitzhaber says he's "angry and disappointed" with the rollout of Cover Oregon.  The governor announced the resignation of Cover Oregon director Bruce Goldberg and says the state is looking at all legal options in its dealings with the website's software developer, Oracle.  Kitzhaber made the remarks while outlining the results of an investigation of the website, which missed the October 1st, 2013 deadline to begin operating and hasn't functioned properly since.  He says the state is considering connecting to the federal health-care exchange.

NAACP Involved In Trader Joe's Discussion

(Portland, OR)  --  The NAACP says it's now participating in a discussion involving a possible new location for Trader Joe's in Northeast Portland.  NAACP Portland chapter head Doctor Audrey Terrell says the organization is interested in affordable housing in the area and projected economic impact on the neighborhood.  Trader Joe's recently scrapped plans to build on a vacant lot in Northeast Portland after negative feedback from many members of the community.  Mayor Charlie Hales has come out in support of building a Trader Joe's on the site and has called for adding 20-million dollars for low-income housing along Northeast MLK Boulevard.

Man Who Killed Daughter's Ex-boyfriend Gets Life Sentence

(Aloha, OR)  --  A man who was convicted of killing his daughter's ex-boyfriend will serve a life sentence with the possibility of parole.  Fifty-four-year-old Jeffrey Johnson gunned down 22-year-old Ryan Johnson in front of a store in Aloha in January 2012.  Ryan Johnson was the father of Jeffrey Johnson's grandson, and there was a dispute over custody of the child.  Jeffrey Johnson will be eligible for parole in 25 years.

Oregon Jobless Rate Falls Below Seven-Percent

(Salem, OR)  --  It's the lowest unemployment rate Oregon has had in more than five years.  The state Employment Department says the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate fell to six-point-nine-percent in February, compared to seven-percent the month before.  Officials say the state added 29-hundred jobs last month, with construction and manufacturing having among the largest gains.  Government employment increased by one-thousand.

Oprah's New Tea Blend Announced By Starbucks

(Seattle, WA)  --  Starbucks will soon be selling a new tea blend that features the name of an iconic celebrity.  Oprah Winfrey was in Seattle yesterday with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to announce the new blend of chai [[ chy ]] tea that's due to hit the shelves on April 29th.  Winfrey says she personally developed the tea with Teavana's leading "teaologist," Naoko Tsunoda [[ nah-OH-ko soo-NO-da ]].  Proceeds from sales of Oprah Chai Tea will be used to support youth education programs. 

Portland Man Dies In Grand Canyon National Park

(Grand Canyon National Park, AZ)  --  Authorities are investigating the death of a Portland man at Grand Canyon National Park.  Park rangers say 31-year-old Curtis Joyce died late Tuesday in a kayaking accident on the Colorado River.  Joyce, who was reportedly part of a nine-person, 12-day private trip on the river, was found capsized and unresponsive.  An autopsy is being conducted.

Ex-Microsoft Employee Facing Federal Charges

(Seattle, WA)  --  A former Microsoft employee accused of leaking trade secrets to a tech blogger is facing federal criminal charges.  Investigators allege that Alex Kibkalo stole Windows 8 code and leaked it to the blogger in mid-2012 while he was working for Microsoft.  SeattlePI.com reports the FBI is also accusing Kibkalo of bragging about leaking Windows 7 program files, as well as an internal system designed to protect against software piracy.  Kibkalo, who's a Russian national, is charged with theft of trade secrets.

Portland Man Sentenced For Severely Injuring Baby

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is headed to prison for shaking his seven-week-old son and causing brain injuries.  Prosecutors charged 23-year-old Norman Brown, Jr. with assault and criminal mistreatment, and he was found guilty last month.  Brown, who was accused of shaking the child on at least two occasions, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years behind bars.  The boy is now 13-months-old and is in state custody.

Lincoln City Woman Killed In SUV Crash

(Newport, OR)  --  A Lincoln City woman is dead after an SUV went over a cliff off Highway 101 near Depoe Bay along the Oregon coast.  Oregon State Police say the vehicle was seen driving off the highway after passing another vehicle while speeding.  The SUV then plunged about 250 feet before landing on rocks near the surf line.  The woman has been identified as 23-year-old Adriana Ruiz.

Fugitive Remains At Large After Eluding Police

(Estacada, OR)  --  A man wanted by police remains at large after he slipped away from Clackamas County SWAT team.  Authorities say a search was conducted yesterday afternoon at a home on Southeast Tumala Mountain Road in Estacada [[ ESS-tah-KAY-dah ]], where 41-year-old Brandon Stavenjord [[ STAVV-en-yord ]] was thought to be hiding.  By around 8:15 last night, deputies concluded that Stavenjord left the vicinity before they had a chance to take their positions.  The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office doesn't believe Stavenjord poses an immediate threat to the public.

One Killed In Crash Near North Plains

(North Plains, OR)  --  Washington County sheriff's deputies say it appears speed was a factor in a crash that killed one person near North Plains.  The collision happened around 11 a.m. yesterday on Northwest Zion Church Road near Gordon Road.  Deputies say Paul David Suryan of Forest Grove lost control as he rounded a curve and slammed into an oncoming semi-truck.  Suryan died at the scene.  The truck driver was uninjured.

Armored Truck Employee Robbed In Keizer

(Keizer, OR)  --  Police are investigating the robbery of a Brink's armored-truck employee in Keizer.  Authorities say the employee was robbed at gunpoint while servicing an ATM at a former Roth's grocery store in the Schoolhouse Square shopping center.  A SWAT team responded to the scene and surrounded the premises, but the suspect wasn't found.  There's no word on what was stolen in the robbery.
 

School Principal Facing Allegations Of Abuse

(Woodland, WA)  --  Woodland police ay the principal at Woodland Primary School is facing accusations of possible child abuse.  Mark Houk [[ howk ]] is being investigated for alleged physical abuse of a third-grade special-needs student.  Houk has not been arrested and is currently facing no charges.  He has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Pacific University VP Found Not Guilty Of Molestation

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Trial is over for a Pacific University vice president who was accused of molesting two child relatives.  The jury returned with "not guilty" verdicts for Michael Mallery after a trial that lasted about two weeks.  The defense said the accusations against Mallery stemmed from a family dispute that grew into a character assault on the defendant.

Man Found Guilty In Starbucks Peeper Case

(Sherwood, OR)  --  Sentencing is scheduled for April 2nd for real-estate broker Richard Ipsen, who was found guilty of installing hidden cameras in a bathroom at a Sherwood Starbucks.  The 60-year-old Ipsen was found guilty on all counts of invasion of personal privacy and attempted invasion of personal privacy.  The investigation began last May after an employee found a camera that was hidden in the unisex bathroom.

Teen Who Killed Grandmother Receives Life Sentence

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  A Milwaukie man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his grandmother is scheduled to spend the rest of his life behind bars.  Eighteen-year-old Andrew Johnson was charged with murder in the death of 63-year-old Donna Tennant in December 2012.  Police say Johnson repeatedly stabbed Tennant in her sleep and then took pictures of her body and bragged about it to his friends.  Johnson will be eligible for parole in 25 years.

Investigation Of Factory Fire Continues

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Investigators say it will likely be a few days before they determine what caused a fire that destroyed an old pine cone factory in Vancouver.  Police are searching for three "persons of interest" in the case, believed to be around 16- or 17-years-old.  Witnesses say they saw at least one of the youths carrying what appeared to be a gasoline canister.  The fire broke out Friday at the Northeast 28th Street property, which had been sold to a California buyer who planned to develop it into apartments.

Prosecutors: Man Admitted To Killing Uncle

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say a Portland man who's accused of killing his uncle has confessed to the crime.  Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Bigboy is facing a murder charge in the death of 61-year-old Eugene Bigboy, who was found dead at his apartment in Northeast Portland on March 10th.  Prosecutors say Matthew Bigboy admitted to killing his uncle during a drunken argument.  The victim was stabbed several times.

Pacific University Considers Banning Smoking

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  A proposal to ban smoking on all Pacific University campuses beginning next year is being considered.  Media Relations Director Joe Lang says the ban would apply to all students, staff, and faculty beginning in May 2015.  The proposal was approved by the University Council and will now be reviewed by the President's Cabinet.

Costco Recalls Freeze-dried Fruit Snacks

(Issaquah, WA)  --  Thousands of cases of dried fruit slices are being recalled by Costco after the product's manufacturer warned they could be contaminated with salmonella.  The manufacturer, Oregon Freeze Dry, issued a voluntary recall of 60-thousand cases of Kirkland Signature Real Sliced Fruit, which are marked with a February 14th, 2015 to March 11th, 2015 "best by" date.  The FDA says no confirmed cases of salmonella have been reported in association with the product.  Costco says Kirkland Signature Real Slice Fruit currently on its shelves is safe to eat.

Six Injured In Mollala Crash

(Mollala, OR)  --  Six people are being treated for injuries following a rollover crash in Mollala.  The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office says an SUV rolled over Saturday night on South Family Camp Road, about seven miles south of Elk Prairie Road.  The crash happened as a family was on its way to a camping trip.  None of the injuries is being described as life-threatening.

Dozens Displaced By Hazel Dell Apartment Building Fire

(Hazel Dell, WA)  --  About 70 people are looking for other places to live after a fire ripped through an apartment building in Hazel Dell.  The three-alarm blaze started shortly after five a.m. yesterday at the Bridge Creek apartments on Northeast 15th Avenue.  Officials say 18 units were damaged, despite the fact that the building was equipped with sprinklers.  Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Suspect Still At Large Following Nightclub Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a suspect is still at large following a shooting that injured a man at a Southeast Portland nightclub.  Thirty-four-year-old Kyron Antonio Trevino is expected to survive after being wounded in the shooting.  Police say a gunman fired into a crowd standing outside the New Copper Penny at the intersection of Southeast 92nd Avenue and Foster Road.  The Police Bureau's Gang Enforcement Team is investigating.

Portland Man Accused In Uncle's Murder

(Portland, OR)  --  A 22-year-old Portland man is in custody after he was accused of killing his uncle.  Matthew Galen Bigboy is slated to be arraigned today on a charge of murder in the death of 61-year-old Eugene Bigboy.  The victim's body was found last Monday at his home, and an autopsy later revealed his death was violent.

Kidnapping & Robbery Suspect Killed By Police Near School

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Authorities say a man who was shot and killed by police near Wilson High School in Portland was wanted on charges of kidnapping and robbery.  Investigators say 49-year-old Kelly Swoboda was suspected in the violent kidnapping of a Milwaukie woman at a tanning salon in January.  Swoboda was also believed to have committed bank robberies in Eugene, Milwaukie, and Portland.  Police killed Swoboda Wednesday afternoon while responding to a report of a suspicious man seen in the area of Wilson High School.

North Portland Sexual Assault Investigated

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating a report of a sexual assault in North Portland.  Authorities say an 18-year-old woman told officers she was attacked late Wednesday night or early yesterday morning in the area of North Knott Street and Mississippi Avenue.  Police say two suspects are being sought, one black male and one white, both about six feet tall.  Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to call 503-823-1097.

Man Pleads Guilty To Crash That Killed 11-year-old

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A man who struck and killed an eleven-year-old girl in her front yard last year is facing a four-year sentence minus time already served.  David Herman has pleaded guilty to criminally-negligent homicide in the April 2013 death of Kylie Hornych [[ HOR-nitch ]] of Aloha.  Prosecutors initially declined to charge Herman after he blamed a diabetic episode for causing the crash, but a later investigation revealed Herman had lied to police when he told them he'd never had an issue with diabetic symptoms while driving.  Herman crashed into a tree in 2007 because of diabetes-related illness.
 

Man Indicted For Murder Of Two-year-old Boy

(Portland, OR)  --  A 28-year-old man is under indictment in connection with the death of his girlfriend's two-year-old son.  Police say the toddler was found unconscious in a room at a Northeast Portland motel on March 4th.  The boy reportedly had injuries considered suspicious and died in a hospital on March 6th.  Joshua Howard is charged with murder by abuse and first-degree criminal mistreatment.

Oregon To Avoid Food-stamp Cuts

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor John Kitzhaber says Oregon will not experience cuts in food-stamp benefits included in the federal farm bill.  The governor's office says that means some 100-thousand households throughout the state won't see the previously-expected 58-dollar monthly reduction in food-stamp benefits.  To avoid the cuts, Oregon is changing the way the state allocates federal energy-assistance dollars.  The state will spend two-million dollars to avoid 56-million dollars in food-stamp benefit cuts.
 

Suspect Killed In Officer-involved Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A suspect is dead and a police officer is wounded following a shooting near Wilson High School.  Portland police say the shooting happened around four p.m. yesterday in the area of Southwest Capitol Highway and Cheltenham [[ CHELL-ten-ham ]] Street in the Hillsdale neighborhood.  Police say the suspect was shot and killed.  The police officer is being treated for a wound to the hand.  No names have been released.

Car Stopped After Driver Spotted With Child In Lap

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  A car was pulled over in Forest Grove after a seven-year-old child was spotted driving it while in his mother's lap.  Police say it was initially thought the mother and a passenger were under the influence, but it was later determined that a medical situation might be involved.  An ambulance was dispatched after the car was safely pulled over yesterday at an apartment complex on Main Street in Forest Grove.  Police continue to investigate.

Beaverton School Placed On Lockdown During Search For Suspect

(Beaverton, OR)  --  A man who prompted a lockdown at a school in Beaverton is now in police custody.  Beaverton High School was placed on lockdown around two p.m. yesterday after a report of an armed man seen near campus.  Police were able to track the suspect to a nearby apartment complex, where he was detained.  The lockdown ended after about 15 minutes.
 

Man Accused Of Exposing Self At High School

(Eugene, OR)  --  A 33-year-old man is in custody after being accused of exposing himself to a classroom full of high-school students in Eugene.  Authorities say Christopher Vanorden entered the Willamette High classroom around eight a.m. yesterday and allegedly exposed himself.  School authorities escorted the suspect to the office, where police officers arrested him.  Vanorden, who faces multiple charges, has reportedly been booked into the Lane County jail more than 25 times since 2004.

Grigsby Pleads Guilty In Killing Spree

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman accused in a crime spree that resulted in the deaths of four people in three states is heading to prison after pleading guilty.  Holly Grigsby and Joey Pedersen were charged with murdering Pedersen's father and stepmother in Washington; Cody Myers of Lafayette, Oregon; and Reginald Clark in California before they were apprehended in 2011.  Grigsby has been sentenced to life without parole after pleading guilty to federal charges and will no longer be pursued on state charges in Oregon, Washington, and California.  Pedersen was sentenced to life in prison for killing his father and stepmother and faces federal charges for the murders of Myers and Clark. 

Family Calls 9-1-1 To Report Violent Pet Cat

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland family is deciding what to do with a pet cat that became hostile and attacked a baby.  The father called 9-1-1 Sunday night and told the dispatcher that the cat "went over the edge" and scratched the child, and hissed and charged at them every time they opened the door of the bedroom in which they were hiding.  Portland police say the 9-1-1 dispatcher stayed on the phone with the caller to ensure the family remained safe as the cat screeched in the background.  Police officers who responded had to use a dog snare to subdue and capture the 22-pound feline.

Killers Of Innocent Bystander Sentenced Following Plea Deal

(Portland, OR)  --  Two men who shot and killed a 14-year-old innocent bystander during an apparent gang attack outside the Lloyd Center Mall in 2011 are heading to prison after a plea deal with prosecutors.  Shiloh Hampton was shot 17 times and police say he was caught in the middle of violence among rival gangs.  Twenty-year-old Jimmie Ray Sanders-Garcia pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and robbery and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.  Twenty-one-year-old Eddie Mohr pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon, and was sentenced to 20 years.

Salem Students Suspended Over Re-tweet

(Salem, OR)  --  The Salem school district says it has suspended about 20 students for re-tweeting a Twitter post about a McKay High School teacher who is accused of being a flirt.  Assistant Principal Erik Jesperson says the re-tweet is a violation of the district's zero-tolerance policy regarding "acts of hazing, harassment, sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyber-bullying, and menacing."  Jesperson told KOIN-TV that families who disagree with the decision can contact McKay High directly.

Hales Reiterates Support For New Trader Joe's

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Mayor Charlie Hales is renewing his push for construction of a new Trader Joe's on a vacant city-owned parcel.  The mayor held a meeting yesterday of community leaders from North and Northeast Portland, during which he also announced plans to spend another 20-million dollars during the next five years on the Interstate Corridor Urban Renewal Area.  Hales says the historically African-American sector of Portland needs the economic opportunity that would be provided with the bolstering of the urban-renewal area and the opening of the new Trader Joe's.  Trader Joe's announced in early February it would not open a planned store in Northeast Portland because of negative community reaction.

Suspicious Device Deemed Harmless

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say a suspicious device found in a North Portland field has been deemed harmless.  Portland police say the device was brought to their attention yesterday afternoon after it was seen in the area of North Trenton Street and North Haven Avenue.  Investigators say the device turned out to be a discarded school project.

Compromised Railroad Bridge Removed

(Gladstone, OR)  --  A railroad bridge over the Clackamas River between Gladstone and Oregon City is now gone.  Officials say the old trolley bridge became unstable after recent storms caused furious waves in the river to crash into bridge pilings.  Workers pulled the bridge down and the structure crashed into the river around 12:35 yesterday afternoon.  The century-old bridge was located about a mile upstream from the Willamette River.

One Dead, One Injured Following Highway 34 Crash

(Sheridan, OR)  --  A man is dead and a woman is in a Portland hospital, following a single-vehicle crash near Sheridan.  Oregon State Police say the woman was driving east on Highway 18 around 1:45 p.m. yesterday when she lost control at a curve.  The vehicle traveled off the roadway and became airborne, then crashed into a power pole and landed off Highway 34.  The male passenger died at the scene and the woman was seriously injured.

Feds To Investigate Cover Oregon

(Portland, OR)  --  The federal government is about to launch an audit of the troubled Cover Oregon website.  A spokesperson for Congressman Greg Walden tells KATU-TV that the Government Accountability Office will undertake a review of the website.  Walden calls the website "the biggest investment failure the state's ever seen" and he's hoping the review finds the true circumstances surrounding the problems plaguing the website.  Cover Oregon spokesman Michael Cox says they'll "participate fully with the GAO as they conduct their work."

Meningococcal Disease Suspected In Student Death

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say meningococcal disease is suspected in the death of a 17-year-old Central Catholic High School student.  Jacob Parkhurst, who had been reported to be in good health Friday, was hospitalized Monday and died Tuesday night of what's being called a "severe, invasive bacterial infection."  Health officials are awaiting test results that they hope will identify a specific cause of death.  The rate of meningococcal disease in Oregon has declined steadily since 1994, when 140 cases were reported in the state.

Man Charged In Emergency Landing At PDX

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing federal charges after being accused of displaying bizarre behavior that prompted the emergency landing of a jet at Portland International Airport.  Authorities say Lemar Sheron Rogers boarded the Sacramento-bound Southwest Airlines flight in Seattle Tuesday morning and immediately became combative, telling attendants he had a first-class ticket on a jet that had no first-class seating.  Officials say Rogers demanded a drink before takeoff, refused to stow his carry-on luggage in an overhead compartment, and made repeated references to Jesus as he continued to act with belligerence.  After the plane landed at PDX, Rogers was arrested and charged with interfering with flight crew members.

Eight Charged In String Of Burglaries

(Keizer, OR)  --  Authorities say eight people are facing charges in connection with a string of burglaries in Keizer.  Police say a warrant was served on a home on Brooks Avenue Northeast on February 28th, where a number of items were recovered, including laptop computers, TVs, handguns, jewelry, clothing, shoes, swords, and car parts that included an entire engine.  Officers also recovered a stolen puppy at the residence.  Investigators say the items were stolen during 12 burglaries in the area.

Plea Deal Will Send Ex-cop To prison For Ten Years

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  A former Hillsboro police officer will spend ten years behind bars for shooting at officers and threatening his wife.  In a deal with prosecutors, Timothy Cannon pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated animal abuse and three counts of attempted murder in connection with a January 2013 domestic-abuse incident at the couple's Hillsboro home.  Authorities say Cannon pinned his wife twice and fired shots at police officers who responded to the 9-1-1 call she made after she was able to break free.

Gresham Police Looking For Missing Elderly Man

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham police are looking for a 76-year-old man who's been reported missing.  Police say Gary Gochnour [[ GOCK-nower ]], who may suffer from dementia, rented a U-Haul truck in late February and planned to drive to Seattle to live with his sister, but never arrived at his sister's home.  The U-Haul, a ten-foot box truck with Arizona license AE80457, has not been returned.  Gochnour is described as white, five-feet-nine, 165 pounds, with thinning gray hair.

Oregon Unemployment Rate At Seven Percent

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Employment Department says the state's jobless rate in January was seven percent, down from seven-point-one percent in December.  The department says Oregon employers added about one-thousand jobs in January, with the construction and leisure & hospitality industries leading the way in job growth.  The number of public-sector jobs fell by 15-hundred more than predicted.  The January unemployment rate of seven percent compares to Oregon's eight-point-three-percent jobless rate in January 2013. 

Portland Woman Missing Along Klamath River

(Yreka, CA)  --  A 27-year-old Portland woman is reported missing along the Klamath River in northern California.  Authorities in Siskiyu [[ SIS-kew ]] County say a car belonging to Grace Sabots was found Saturday along Highway 96, about eight miles from I-5.  Deputies say there were indications that Sabots had been injured or was in danger. 

Safety Scare Prompts School Evacuation

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Classes will resume today at a Vancouver middle school that was evacuated because of a safety scare.  Officials say trusses supporting a heating and air-conditioning unit on the roof of Pleasant Valley Middle School are being shored up after they were found yesterday to be failing.  Crews began investigating after a staff member reported the ceiling in the school library appeared ready to cave in.  The ceiling is undergoing repair, and other HVAC units on the school buildings were inspected with no problems found.

OSU Meets Fundraising Goal Ahead Of Schedule

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State University officials say the school is eleven months ahead of schedule in meeting its goal of raising one-billion dollars.  President Ed Ray says OSU has raised more than one-point-one-billion and is one of only 35 universities in the country to have exceeded the billion-dollar mark in a fundraising campaign.  The money will be used for scholarships and fellowships, attracting and retaining top-tier faculty, and renovation of campus buildings.

School Board Approves New Teacher Contract

(Portland, OR)  --  After about ten months of intense negotiations, a new contract for Portland public school teachers is official.  The School Board was unanimous in its approval of the pact, which was ratified last week by a majority of members of the Portland Association of Teachers.  The three-year contract contains a two-point-three-percent yearly pay raise, reduced class sizes, and reduced workload for teachers.

Hales Wants To End Education Urban Renewal Area

(Portland, OR)  --  Mayor Charlie Hales says he wants to pull the plug on the urban renewal district designed to boost Portland State University.  According to the "Portland Tribune," Hales says PSU would be better served by the city expanding the nearby North McAdam Urban Renewal Area, which he says would raise money sooner to support the university.  The Education Urban Renewal Area was championed by Hales's predecessor, Sam Adams.  The plan called for spending 169-million dollars to renovate PSU buildings, spur redevelopment of surrounding blocks, and construct affordable housing.

Man Killed In Crash On I-5 In Woodland

(Woodland, WA)  --  The Washington State Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a man on Interstate 5 in Woodland.  The wreck, which happened around two a.m. yesterday, forced closure of the northbound lanes of I-5 for several hours.  Troopers say the man, whose car was disabled and parked on the side of the highway, was standing in the middle of the roadway when he was hit and killed.  The lanes were finally cleared by around seven a.m. 

Teen Injured By Pickup Truck

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  A teenager is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being hit by a pickup truck in Milwaukie.  Police say the teen male was attempting to cross Highway 224 on foot Saturday night when he was struck by the pickup, which was traveling about 50 miles per hour.  The crash happened at the intersection with Southeast 37th Avenue, and police say the teen was crossing against the light.  The driver wasn't injured.

Forest Grove Man Drowns In Clear Lake

(Clear Lake, OR)  --  Linn County authorities say a Forest Grove man drowned while scuba diving in Clear Lake.  Investigators say 49-year-old James Paul Ward drowned yesterday morning while diving with two other people.  Authorities say Ward's scuba tank still contained about two-thousand pounds of air when his body was recovered.  Officials say there's no sign of a malfunction in Ward's dive equipment.

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