Regional News Archives for 2015-10

Cab Crashes Into Aloha Store

(Aloha, OR)  --  Washington County authorities are investigating, after a taxicab crashed into a convenience store in Aloha.  Deputies say the driver of the cab was involved in a confrontation with a rider when the vehicle smashed through the front door of a Chevron Extra Mile store around two o'clock yesterday morning.  Authorities say the driver told them he accidentally stepped on the gas during the heat of the confrontation and crashed into the store.  No one was injured, but the rider fled the scene and is still at large.

Police Shooting Leads To Traffic Snarl In Salem

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon State Police say an officer-involved shooting led to a huge traffic tie-up on Interstate 5 in Salem.  Authorities say a high-speed southbound chase began near Woodburn around 5:45 yesterday evening and ended near Kuebler Boulevard in Salem, where a trooper opened fire at the suspect.  Authorities say the suspect died.  Traffic was detoured to Kuebler to Commercial, and then back onto I-5.

Walmart Plans To Hire 500 Holiday Employees In Oregon

(Undated)  --  Retail giant Walmart says it plans to hire 500 seasonal employees to work at its Oregon stores.  The company says the holiday hiring will take place in the coming months to add personnel to all 44 of its stores throughout the state.  Those interested can fill out an application online at jobs.walmart.com.

Police Looking For Accused Child-abuser

(Salem, OR)  --  Marion County authorities are looking for a man suspected of sexually abusing a child.  Deputies say Adolfo Hernandez-Najera is facing charges of rape, sex abuse, and endangering the welfare of a minor.  Hernandez-Najera is described as Hispanic, standing five-feet-four, weighing 200-pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office dispatch line at 503-588-5032.

Area Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are still dropping in the Portland area.  The latest survey by Triple-A shows a gallon of regular is averaging two-28, a penny lower than yesterday.  It's also four-and-a-half cents below the average of a week ago.

Babysitter Sentenced For Molesting Children In His Care

(Portland, OR)  --  A babysitter is headed to prison after pleading guilty to molesting three children in his care.  Twenty-seven-year-old Benjamin Nelson entered the plea to multiple charges yesterday in a Multnomah County courtroom.  Nelson was sentenced to 35 years behind bars with no chance of early release.

Couple Found Dead In Eugene

(Eugene, OR)  --  Eugene police are investigating what they believe to be a murder-suicide.  Authorities say it appears 44-year-old Jeffrey Brian March killed his girlfriend, 43-year-old Athena Slavin, at a home on Compton Street before taking his own life.  Autopsies will be conducted by the Lane County Medical Examiner.

Boeing Loses To Northrop Grumman On Bomber Contract

(Everett, WA)  --  It's being called a major blow for Boeing.  The Pentagon says Northrop Grumman was chosen over Boeing to build the Air Force's next-generation bomber.  The contract is announced to be worth about 80-billion-dollars to design and build the highly classified fleet of bombers.  Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the decision to choose Northrop over Boeing for the project "provides the best value for our nation."

Body Found In Cowlitz River Believed To Be WA Woman

(Cowlitz County, WA)  --  A body that was found in the Cowlitz River is believed by authorities to be that of a missing Centralia, Washington woman.  Lewis County sheriff's deputies say fishermen found the body yesterday, just southwest of a creek which flows into the Cowlitz River near Vader, Washington.  Officials say the clothing on the body matches the clothing last seen worn by 33-year-old Elizabeth Pham, who disappeared on October 10th.  Authorities say people who spotted Pham after her disappearance reported that she displayed "unusual and confused" behavior.

Man Accused Of Pistol-Whipping Woman In NE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A 20-year-old man is in custody after he was accused of repeatedly pistol-whipping a woman in Northeast Portland.  Authorities say Keoni Young is reported to have told police he would attack the woman again after he's released from jail.  Police say the incident took place on October 18th at a home on Northeast Fremont Court.  Young pleaded guilty yesterday, and is set to appear in court again on December 8th.

Estacada Schools Delayed Start Of School After Bomb Threat

(Estacada, OR)  --  Estacada school district officials say the start of school this morning was delayed following a bomb threat.  Authorities say the threat was called in around 5:45 yesterday afternoon, claiming a bomb had been placed at Estacada High.  A bomb squad searched the school grounds and buildings and found nothing suspicious. The school was given the 'all-clear' just before 9:00 a.m.

WA Lawmakers Call For Supreme Court To Reconsider Charter-School Decision

(Olympia, WA)  --  Five Democratic and five Republican Washington state legislators are asking the state Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling that charter schools are unconstitutional.  The group of lawmakers filed an amicus brief yesterday with the high court to request that the justices reconsider the decision, which declared that privately-operated, publicly-funded charter schools violate the state constitution.  The brief contends the ruling infringes on the Legislature's authority to write budgets.  State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the Washington State Charter Schools Association have already filed motions for reconsideration.

Area Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump continue to fall in the Portland area.  Triple-A's latest survey shows the average for regular is two-29 a gallon, down a penny from yesterday.  It's also a nickel below the average of a week ago.

Salary For Gresham Mayor Raised

(Gresham, OR)  --  The salary for the mayor of Gresham is being increased to 50-thousand-dollars annually.  The city's Finance Committee voted to raise the salary for Gresham's chief executive from 30-thousand to 50-thousand-dollars.  "The Oregonian" reports City Council members will earn 14-thousand-dollars a year, with an additional 12-hundred for the Council president.  All current Council members will be retroactively paid starting July 1st.

Hales Won't Seek Re-election

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Mayor Charlie Hales says he won't seek a second term in office.  Hales had earlier said he would run again, but now says he feels his responsibilities as mayor would be compromised if he focuses on a re-election campaign.  He says he and his wife have discussed his political future over the past few weeks, and says his decision wasn't easy.  State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, who's declared his candidacy for Portland mayor, says he respects the decision by Hales.

Inslee "Disappointed" By Feds' Denial Of Individual Wildfire Assistance

(Olympia, WA)  --  Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he's disappointed that the federal government has denied his request for assistance for families impacted by the summer wildfire season.  The request was for FEMA to give impacted communities access to home repairs, rental assistance, and replacement of household items.  Officials say this summer's wildfires destroyed 146 homes across Washington and damaged another 476, with nearly two-thirds uninsured or underinsured.  Inslee says he's committed to helping the affected communities on the road to recovery.

More Than 400 Gallons Of Diesel Spilled Into Willamette River

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say more than 400 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from a barge into the Willamette River at Northwest Portland.  Coast Guard officials say the diesel spilled when a bunker tank docked at a terminal was overfilled.  "The Oregonian" reports the spill was near a facility belonging to international energy company Kinder Morgan.  Clean-Rivers Cooperative of Portland is handling cleanup.

Oregon Ranks As 21st-Best State For Singles

(Undated)  --  A new survey shows Oregon is among the nation's "Best States for Singles."  FindTheHome.com says the data, gathered from the American Household Survey, places Oregon at 21st in the country for best places to find dates.  The report says Portland "offers the best of hipster culture," and a trip to the Columbia River Gorge makes for a great date.  Rhode Island is rated the Best State for Singles, followed by New York, New Mexico, Louisiana, and California.

REI To Close On "Black Friday"

(Kent, WA)  --  Instead of Christmas shopping the day after Thanksgiving, customers are being urged to enjoy the great outdoors by sporting-goods retailer REI.  All of REI's more than 140 locations will be closed on the day after Thanksgiving, bucking a long-time trend by retailers of officially kicking off the Christmas shopping season on that day.  The company, based in Kent, Washington, says it will run no promotions or process any online orders until the Saturday following Thanksgiving.  Customers will be encouraged to forgo Black Friday shopping and spend their time outside instead.

Fuel Prices Continue To Fall

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are still seeing gas prices fall.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-30 a gallon, about a half-cent below yesterday's average and more than four-cents cheaper than a week ago.  The national average for regular is about two-20 a gallon.
 

Two People Stabbed, Suspect At Large

(Portland, OR)  --  A suspect remains on the loose after a man and a woman were stabbed in Northwest Portland.  Police say the stabbing happened around eight o'clock yesterday morning under a bridge near Union Station on Northwest 6th.  Authorities say the woman was seriously injured, but both victims are expected to survive.  There's no word on a description of the suspect.

Officials: 2015 Fire Season Over

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Department of Forestry says the 2015 fire season is officially over.  The declaration comes after another contentious wildfire season, which ran up 211-million-dollars in total costs across Oregon.  The forestry department says rain and the arrival of cool, moist weather patterns in the region prompted the declaration as of 12:01 Saturday morning.

Five Dead After Tour Vessel Sinks Off B.C. Coast

(Tofino, British Columbia)  --  Authorities say five people are dead after a tour vessel sank near Tofino, British Columbia.  Global BC reports the tour boat was owned by a local company and was carrying 27 passengers when it started taking on water around four o'clock yesterday afternoon.  The Transportation Safety Board of Canada will try to find out what caused the vessel to capsize.  Officials say the vessel may not have had a requirement for passengers to wear life jackets.

Gas Prices Still Falling In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are still on the way down in the Portland area.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-31 a gallon, a half-cent lower than yesterday's average.  It's also nearly four-and-a-half-cents a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

Six Arrested As Result Of Rowdy Party

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say six people have been arrested following a party that got out of hand after it was publicized through a Facebook post.  Authorities say they began fielding 911 calls around 1:30 yesterday morning about a rowdy party in the 300 block of Northwest 88th Avenue.  Police say the host of the party, 19-year-old Payton Smith, was arrested on a charge of furnishing alcohol to minors.  Officials say there were reports of shots fired at the party, and two juveniles who were arrested were found to be carrying brass knuckles and a gun.

Wayward Oryx Back With Owner After Being Tranquilized

(Portland, OR)  --  An antelope-type animal known as an oryx is back with its owner, after it had been wandering around Forest Park in Portland.  Officials say the oryx, named Yellow Nose, was tranquilized around noon yesterday by a veterinarian.  The oryx is a horned animal that's native to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.  Fish & Wildlife officials say it's not illegal to own a non-native animal, such as an oryx, in Oregon.

Green River Killer Transferred Back To Washington

(Walla Walla, WA)  --  The man known as the "Green River Killer" is back in the Walla Walla penitentiary after a controversial transfer to a prison in Colorado.  Gary Ridgway was moved in May to the federal penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, but the move set off criticism from the families of Ridgway's victims and the investigators who worked on the case.  Ridgway is serving life without parole for the murders of 49 women over 20 years.  The Washington Department of Corrections said moving Ridgway to Colorado would have saved money and would have given him an opportunity to live in the general prison population, rather than in solitary confinement.

Oregon's Favorite Halloween Candy: Candy Corn

(Undated)  --  Halloween is just around the corner, and many people are stocking up on candy for trick-or-treaters.  The website Influenster.com, which provides reviews and news on a wide variety of consumer products, has surveyed 40-thousand people to come up with a state-by-state breakdown of the most popular Halloween candies.  Oregon's favorite candy is candy corn, but Reese's Peanut Butter Cups received the highest number of votes across the country.  Influenster says Washington's most popular Halloween candy is AirHeads.

Two Injured In Northeast Portland Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man and a woman are being treated for injuries from broken glass, following a car-to-car shooting in Northeast Portland.  Police say the shooting happened yesterday afternoon in the area of Northeast Killingsworth Street and Sandy Boulevard.  Authorities say the victims were in a car when they were shot at from a dark-colored sedan that had pulled up next to them.  Police say the sedan, which could be a Lincoln, was seen driving north on Interstate 205.

Marijuana Breathalyzer Being Developed At WSU

(Pullman, WA)  --  Researchers at Washington State University say they're developing a breathalyzer that detects marijuana use.  They say they hope to have the device ready for field use sometime next year.  WSU chemistry professor Herbert Hill says the breathalyzer is designed to work like the portable breath monitors that are currently used to test for alcohol consumption.  Hill says the first round of testing has been completed, and a second round of testing is about to start.

Suspect In Cold-case Murder To Stay In Jail Until Trial

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who's linked to a 1988 murder in Portland will remain behind bars pending trial.  Authorities believe Walter Wayne Howard killed Renee Harvey in January of that year.  Multnomah County Judge Kelly Skye says she denied bail for Harvey because of DNA evidence linking him to the crime.  The victim was found shot to death in her apartment.

Bail Lowered For Man Accused In Fatal Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who police say smoked marijuana before crashing into a pedestrian in Northeast Portland is expected to be out of jail soon.  A Multnomah County judge lowered bail for Jacob M. Walters, who's facing multiple charges in the October 5th death of 46-year-old Elizabeth Kemble.  Bail for Walters, which was initially set at 275-thousand-dollars, has been lowered to 55-thousand.  Investigators say Walters told police he was smoking marijuana from a pipe in his car just before the crash.

Gasoline Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Drivers in the Portland area are still seeing prices drop at the gas pump.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-32 a gallon, a penny lower than yesterday.  It's also four-cents below the average at this time last week.

Loan For Nonprofit To Buy Strip Club Approved

(Portland, OR)  --  A plan to convert a former strip club into a homeless shelter will move forward.  Multnomah County commissioners have okayed a proposal for Human Solutions Incorporated to receive a 300-thousand-dollar loan from taxpayers to buy the old Black Cauldron club in Portland.  The plan is to renovate the building and have the shelter house up to 130 people starting in February.  The county will foot the bill for the estimated 397-thousand-dollars in renovations.

Deputies Conduct Domestic-Violence Suspect Sweep

(Clackamas County, OR)  --  Authorities say dozens of people were arrested as law-enforcement officers conducted a sweep of domestic-violence suspects across Clackamas County.  The sweep, which was spearheaded by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, included participation from police departments in Canby, Gladstone, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, West Linn, Wilsonville, Happy Valley, and Damascus.  Preliminary figures show warrants were executed against 24 domestic-violence suspects.

Former Strip Club Could Become Homeless Shelter

(Portland, OR)  --  A former strip club could be converted into a round-the-clock shelter for homeless people in Southeast Portland.  The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners is considering whether to approve a deal that would loan 300-thousand dollars in taxpayer money to Human Solutions Incorporated to buy the now-closed Black Cauldron on Southeast Stark Street.  The plan is for the shelter to be ready in February to house up to 130 people.  The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the proposal today.

Police: Vancouver Runaway Found Safe

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The search for a 12-year-old boy who ran away from home is over.  Vancouver police say Justin Chan was found safe around 3:30 yesterday afternoon.  Chan had not been seen since Tuesday morning.  No details on where he was found have been released.

Six Arrested During Raid At SE Portland Home

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say six people were arrested during a raid at a home in Southeast Portland.  Officials say drugs, ammunition, and a homemade bomb were seized during yesterday's raid at the home on Southeast 99th Avenue.  Police say the raid was a result of a month-long investigation of reported drug-dealing at the home.  Authorities say the six who were arrested were among 20 people who were inside the house at the time of the raid and initially detained.

Council Approves Portland Building Renovation

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland's primary building for city agencies is in store for renovation.  The Portland City Council has approved a plan to have the Portland Building renovated for no more than 195-million dollars.  The "Portland Tribune" reports the 15-story building, which houses 13-hundred city employees, is not up to current earthquake standards and has experienced a number of construction-related problems over the years.  The structure is on the National Register of Historic Places, even though many consider it to be an eyesore.

Salem Police Investigate Stabbing

(Salem, OR)  --  Salem police are investigating, after a woman was found stabbed.  Authorities say the victim was found "covered in blood" around 5:30 yesterday evening in the area of Silverton and Fisher Road Northeast.  The woman is currently listed in stable condition at Salem Hospital.

Washington Ranked Among Forbes's Top States For Business

(Undated)  --  A new Forbes survey ranks Washington among the top ten states for business.  The Evergreen state is in the tenth spot, down from eighth last year, scoring well in criteria including strength of workforce, low business costs, and pro-business regulatory environments.  Forbes says Washington's economic outlook is bright, with household incomes projected to increase at the second fastest rate through 2019.  Utah ranks first in the Best States for Business survey, followed by North Carolina, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Colorado.

Gas Prices Down

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline continues to decline in Portland.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the average for regular is two-33 a gallon, more than a penny below yesterday's average.  It's also more than four cents a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

McMinnville Man Reported Missing

(McMinnville, OR)  --  McMinnville police are looking for a local man who's been missing since Friday.  Seventy-four-year-old David "Hoss" Hostetler was last seen leaving the McMinnville American Legion hall in his silver, 1992 Honda Accord, which has "BAPM" written on the license plate.  Police say Hostetler is six feet tall, weighs 220 pounds, and was last known to be wearing a purple polo-type shirt and black pants.  Anyone with helpful information is asked to call McMinnville Police at 503-434-6500.

Newberg Paper Mill To Close "Indefinitely"

(Newberg, OR)  --  The WestRock paper mill in Newberg is set to close in mid-November, putting more than 200 people out of work.  WestRock officials say a declining demand for newsprint and other paper products make it necessary to discontinue the mill's operation.  WestRock purchased the mill only about two weeks ago.  The company says it's also closing mills in Ohio and Connecticut and partially closing a facility in Florida.

Woman Accused Of Killing Husband At Veterans' Home

(Portland, OR)  --  A Happy Valley woman is accused of stabbing her husband to death at an Oregon Veterans' Home in The Dalles.  Authorities say 70-year-old Esther Wilkinson is facing a murder charge in the death of 67-year-old Vietnam veteran James Wilkinson, who had lived at the home for about two years.  Police say a motive for the killing hasn't been established, but it's being described as an act of domestic violence.

Body Found In Willamette River That Of CA Man

(Portland, OR)  --  Multnomah County authorities say a body that was recovered Friday from the Willamette River was that of a California man.  The Medical Examiner's office says 48-year-old Manuel Gonzales Pena, Jr. died of drowning.  Investigators are trying to determine how Pena drowned.  Officials say there were no signs of trauma.

Man Accused Of 1980s Murders Pleads Not Guilty

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being linked to the deaths of four Portland women in the 1980s, and police say there may have been other victims.  Fifty-five-year-old Homer Lee Jackson has entered not-guilty pleas on 12 counts of aggravated murder.  The victims included Essie Jackson, Tonja Harry, and Angela Anderson, who were killed in 1983, and Latanga Watts, who died in 1987.  Portland police told KGW-TV that Jackson has been connected to all four murders through forensic evidence and other information, and DNA is being used in an attempt to solve other murder cases.

Eugene Contractor Among Those Fined For Deadly Accident In WA

(Tumwater, WA)  --  Four construction contractors are being fined more than 86-thousand dollars by the state of Washington, citing workplace safety hazards.  A concrete slab fell from the State Route 410 overpass in Bonney Lake, killing three members of a family in a vehicle that was traveling under the overpass in April.  The largest fine was levied against Staton Companies of Eugene, Oregon, who state officials say was fined more than 58-thousand dollars for one "willful" and two "serious" violations.  The accident killed Josh and Vanessa Ellis and their eight-month-old son, Hudson.

Gasoline Prices Steady

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline in the Portland area remains steady from yesterday.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-35 a gallon, which is still three cents a gallon lower than at this time last week.  The national average for a gallon of regular is two-25.

Portland Ranked Among Best Cities for Winter Holiday Travel

(Undated)  --  A new WalletHub.com analysis shows the Portland area is among the top cold-weather destinations in the U.S.  The most recent State of the American Traveler survey ranks Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro at Number Twelve for the area's appeal as a fun-filled and wallet-friendly winter destination.  Data used for the rankings include the cost of staying at local resorts and availability of attractions with conditions that are ideal for skiers.  WalletHub ranks the Atlanta area as the nation's top cold-weather destination, and the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area is ranked eleventh.

Woman Dies Following Washougal Crash

(Washougal, WA)  --  Police are trying to determine the cause of a crash that killed a woman near Washougal.  The Washington State Patrol says 38-year-old Rebekah Maggart was westbound Saturday on S-R 14 when she left the roadway and crashed into a guard rail.  Maggart was ejected from her car.  She died later at PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center in Vancouver.

Police: Man Tried To Bite Officer During Arrest

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  Forest Grove police have a robbery suspect behind bars.  Authorities say 23-year-old James Daniel O'Neill broke into a home on 23rd Avenue and stole a purse before fleeing.  Officials say O'Neill was found later after being connected to a car break-in, and tried to bite a police officer as he was being arrested.  The suspect is expected to be charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and attempted assault on a police officer.

Five Displaced By SE Portland Fire

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say five people were displaced by a fire at a multi-family residence in Southeast Portland.  Firefighters arrived yesterday to see smoke coming from the garage at the house on Southeast 134th Avenue.  Three adults and two children, along with six pets, made it out safely, and no one was hurt.  Firefighters were able to keep the blaze from spreading to a nearby trailer.

Suspect Accused Of Choking K-9, Loses Finger

(Salem, OR)  --  Salem police say they've arrested a man who choked a K-9 into unconsciousness.  Authorities say Justin Lazo was encountered Saturday by officers who responded to a report of a man displaying unusual behavior in the area of 15th and Wilbur in Salem.  Officials say Lazo grabbed the dog, named Duke, by the collar and choked him, and officers used a Taser and pepper spray to subdue the suspect.  Police say Lazo's finger got caught in the dog's collar and later had to be amputated.  Duke was back on patrol yesterday.

Portland Coach Accused Of "Sexting" With Wisconsin Teen

(Shawano, WI)  --  A traveling basketball coach from Portland is facing charges in Wisconsin after being accused of sending suggestive text messages to a teenager.  Authorities say 23-year-old Nicholas Ray Alexander Bennett began texting the 13-year-old boy last week following a basketball camp in Shawano, Wisconsin.  Officials say after the boy's mother reported the texts, sheriff's deputies took over communication with Bennett, posing as the teen.  Deputies say Bennett was arrested at a pre-arranged meeting point Friday night and is facing charges of child enticement.

Suspect Accused Of Crashing Into Patrol Car Arrested

(Camas, WA)  --  A man who's accused of hitting a patrol car in Camas is behind bars.  Authorities say a pickup truck, driven by 50-year-old Daniel Jones of Vancouver, slammed into the Camas police officer's car Friday night.  Officials say Jones was the same man who's believed to have committed an earlier hit-and-run.  Jones, who suffered minor injuries, is facing a DUI charge.

Fuel Prices Fall

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices continue to fall in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-35 a gallon, nearly four-cents below the average at this time last week.  The nationwide average for regular is two-26 a gallon.

Higher Parking Meter Rates Being Considered In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland City Council is expected to vote soon on whether to raise downtown parking meter rates.  The current rate is a dollar-60 per hour, and an increase to two dollars has been recommended by a council subcommittee.  Portland Bureau of Transportation officials told KOIN-TV that the goal is to create more parking-space turnover in the downtown meter district.  Public hearings on the issue are scheduled for December.

Officials Say Remains Belonged To Fugitive

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials say remains that were found in Marion County last December were those of a fugitive who was wanted on kidnapping and other charges.  DNA testing revealed the remains were those of Paul Winklebeck, who was also wanted for child sex abuse and failing to register as a sex offender.  Winklebeck was accused in 2010 of posing as a police officer and abducting two women who were leaving the Roseland Theatre in downtown Portland.  The University of Texas conducted the DNA testing to confirm the remains belonged to Winklebeck.
 

Demolition Protester Leaves Roof Of Historic Home

(Portland, OR)  --  Charges won't be filed against a man who protested the demolition of a historic home on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard by climbing onto its roof.  Portland police say the 26-year-old protester climbed down from the roof last night after being there throughout the day.  The early 20th-century home, located at 3423 Southeast Hawthorne, is set to be razed to make way for an apartment building.  Demolition was already underway when the protester climbed to the roof.
 

Report: Frasher Made Racially-insensitive Remarks To Employees

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Oregon City Manager David Frasher is accused of making racially-insensitive remarks to employees, prior to his recent firing.  KGW-TV reports a complaint was filed against Frasher after he made the comments to two members of the Oregon City Police Department.  The report cites documents as saying Frasher told the police captain and sergeant that people in Romania work hard because they're all white, and that black people are lazy and there are no black people in Romania.  Mayor Dan Holladay told KGW that Frasher wasn't fired because of the complaint, but because city leaders had lost confidence in him.
 

Man Sentenced After Pleading Guilty To Killing Aunt

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who pleaded guilty to killing his aunt is headed to prison for at least 30 years.  Thirty-seven-year-old Teddy Stivahtis Jr. was given a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for the aggravated murder of Deanna Stivahtis in October 2014.  Authorities say the victim's death happened while her nephew was robbing her home in Gresham.

Fuel Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices continue to fall in the Portland metro area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-36 a gallon, a penny below yesterday's average.  It's also three-and-a-half cents cheaper than a week ago.

Man Held Without Bail In Deadly Stabbing

(Oregon City, OR)  --  An Albany man who's accused of stabbing another man to death at an Interstate 5 rest area is being held without bail.  Oregon State Police say 37-year-old Michael-Daniel Timothy Stepina is accused of killing 55-year-old Timothy Scott Way of Beavercreek at the French Prairie Rest Area on Monday.  Police say the suspect admitted to the stabbing, saying the victim had sexually molested him.  Authorities say Stepina has a criminal history.

1 Dead In Motorcycle Crash In Hillsboro

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Investigators are trying to determine what caused a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Hillsboro.  Washington County sheriff's deputies say 42-year-old Kevin Prince of Hillsboro died Tuesday night after he lost control of his motorcycle in the 25-thousand-900 block of Southwest Vanderschuere Road.  Authorities say Prince left the roadway and made impact with a guy-wire for a power pole.

Portland Council Rejects "Green Light District" Proposal

(Portland, OR)  --  A proposal to establish a district for pot-smoking tourists in Portland is dead, at least for the time being.  The Portland City Council voted yesterday to reject a proposal by Commissioner Dan Saltzman to set up a "Green Light District."  It would allow marijuana retail shops downtown and in the Lloyd District to be exempt from having to put at least a thousand feet between themselves and other pot shops.  Mayor Charlie Hales says he would be open to discussions about a similar proposal in the future.

Wheeler Launches Campaign For Portland Mayor

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler's campaign for Portland mayor is officially underway.  Wheeler, who hasn't yet filed paperwork to run for the office, hosted a party for supporters last night in Southeast Portland.  He's touting endorsements from three former Portland mayors, as well as his experience in his previous position as Multnomah County Commission chair.  Incumbent Charlie Hales responded to the endorsements by saying feathers of predecessors are likely to be ruffled when big changes are made, and that he stands by his accomplishments as mayor.

California Woman Arrested In Portland On Drug Charges

(Portland, OR)  --  A Los Angeles woman is facing drug charges in Portland.  Police say after 44-year-old Maribel Padilla was stopped in Southwest Portland for a traffic violation Tuesday, a K-9 was brought to the scene.  Authorities say a search of Padilla's vehicle turned up a kilo of cocaine and more than 200-thousand dollars in cash.  Padilla's next court appearance is scheduled for October 22nd.

Fuel Prices Slightly Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  GasBuddy.com is reporting a slight drop in Portland-area fuel prices.  The average for a gallon of regular is two-37, a fraction of a cent lower than yesterday.  It's also three cents a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

Inslee: Climate Change "Winning Issue" For Dem Candidate

(Walla Walla, WA)  --  Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he believes climate change will be a major issue in the 2016 presidential election.  The governor says the issue has the potential of being a winner for the Democratic nominee.  SeattlePI.com reports Inslee is predicting "Republicans will be voting for Democrats" because of climate change and the people's interest in having a clean-energy economy.    
 

Police: Woman Found Dead Near Hubbard Was Homicide Victim

(Hubbard, OR)  --  Authorities say a Woodburn woman whose body was found along a rural road near the community of Hubbard was the victim of a homicide.  The body of 36-year-old Brenda Bautista [[ bow-TEES-tuh ]] was found Monday morning on Pirelli Road Northeast.  Officials say she died of multiple gunshot wounds.  No arrests have been made.
 

Police: Teen Had Heroin, $33K In Cash

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police have an 18-year-old in custody after he was accused of distributing narcotics.  Authorities say Jose Dejesus Mejia [[ de-HAY-soos muh-HEE-uh ]] was arrested yesterday in a Portland hotel room, where he had possession of one kilogram of heroin and 33-thousand dollars in cash.  Mejia was booked on charges of manufacturing, delivery, and possession of heroin.
 

Portland-area Fuel Prices Flat

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices in the Portland area are flat from yesterday.  The latest Triple-A survey shows the current average for regular is two-38 a gallon, which is three-and-a-half cents lower than the average at this time last week.  The national average for regular is two-30 a gallon.
 

Man Critically Wounded In NE Portland Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is being hospitalized after being shot outside an apartment complex in Northeast Portland.  Police were dispatched around 8:30 last night to the Parkway Gardens Apartments on Northeast Sandy Boulevard after receiving a report of multiple shots fired.  The victim is being treated for life-threatening injuries, but officials say he may survive.  Authorities haven't identified a suspect.
 

Lake Oswego High To Forfeit Friday Night Game

(Lake Oswego, OR)  --  The Lake Oswego High School game against Sherwood, which was scheduled for this Friday night, won't be played.  School district officials say members of the Lake Oswego squad were in violation of team rules, and the extent of the disciplinary actions will mean the game will have to be forfeited.  KOIN-TV quotes sources as saying more than a dozen students are involved.  There's no word on the nature of the violations.
 

AMBER Alert Cancelled, Missing Child And Mom Found Safe

(Yakima, WA)  --  A suspect is in custody, after a missing child from Yakima and her missing mother were found safe in Spokane.  Police say three-year-old Lupita Tellez and 20-year-old Vivianna Cruz, who were subjects of an AMBER Alert, were seen yesterday being forced into a car.  Authorities say they've arrested the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Kyle Arellano.  Arellano is facing charges of burglary and kidnapping.
 

Portland Ranked Top "Foodie" City For Budget-minded

(Undated)  --  Portland is ranked first in the nation for those who like to eat well on a budget.  An analysis by WalletHub shows Portland is tops for those seeking more affordable dining, whether it's at a restaurant or at home.  Vancouver ranks 13th in the WalletHub study.  Data that included dining affordability, diversity, accessibility, and quality were used in compiling the rankings.  
 

Oregon City Manager Fired

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Oregon City Manager Davis Frasher is being fired.  The Oregon City Commission has voted to release Frasher from his duties on Friday.  Frasher has been on paid administrative leave since August after a non-criminal complaint was filed against him.  Oregon City Mayor Dan Holladay told KGW-TV that the complaint wasn't the reason for Frasher's dismissal.
 

Rebate Provision Added To Demo Fee Proposal

(Portland, OR)  --  A proposal to charge developers 25-thousand dollars every time a home is demolished in Portland has a new wrinkle.  Under new guidelines, a demolished home that's replaced by either affordable housing or multiple new homes could mean a rebate for the developer.  There would also be no fee if the demolished home was in blighted condition or was heavily damaged by a fire or a natural disaster.  The Portland City Council is slated to take up the issue tomorrow.

Woman's Body Found In Marion County

(Hubbard, OR)  --  Officials are investigating the death of a woman, whose body was found alongside a rural road near the Marion County community of Hubbard.  Sheriff's deputies say the body of 36-year-old Brenda Bautista of Woodburn was found along Pirelli Road Northeast around seven o'clock yesterday morning.  An autopsy will be conducted.

Police: Social Media Threat Against School Not Credible

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Beaverton police say a social media post containing a threat against Southridge High School has been deemed not to be credible.  Authorities say the anonymous threat on the After School app said "I'm shooting up the school," but it was removed from the app by the time police were contacted around 9:25 yesterday morning.  Authorities and school district officials say there was no evidence of any danger to students or staff.

Man Found Dead At I-5 Rest Area

(Wilsonville, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are investigating after a man was found dead at the Baldock Rest Area along southbound Interstate 5.  Authorities say the victim had suffered from traumatic injuries.  The man died at the scene after troopers arrived at the rest area around 8:30 last night.  No other details have been released.

WA Police Cracking Down On Pot Use In Cars

(Olympia, WA)  --  It's now illegal in Washington to have an open container of marijuana in a car, and police across the state are cracking down.  According to the law, the term "open container" means the original package in which you bought the product has been opened, even if you've re-sealed it.  The Washington State Patrol says open containers of pot must be carried in the trunk of the vehicle.  Violators are subject to 136-dollar fines.

Gresham Wrestling Coach Facing Sex-abuse Charges

(Portland, OR)  --  A former wrestling coach from Gresham is facing multiple sex-abuse charges after a Clackamas County jury issued an indictment.  Wyatt DeRemer has been charged with a total of ten counts, stemming from an investigation that began on September 10th.  DeRemer worked for various organizations as a wrestling coach, including Dexter McCarty Middle School, Clear Creek Middle School and Gresham High School.  Investigators say DeRemer confessed to abusing six children between the ages of ten and 13 between 2009 and 2012.

Brown Denies Request By Oldest Death-row Inmate

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon's oldest death-row inmate will remain in prison.  Governor Kate Brown has denied a request by Mark Allen Pinnell to be released to hospice care during his final days.  "The Oregonian" reports Pinnell is suffering from severe chronic pulmonary disease and has been moved off death row to the Oregon State Penitentiary's infirmary.  Brown says the governor should only use clemency power in only the most extraordinary of circumstances.  Pinnell, who's 67, has been on death row since 1988 for the murder of a Tualatin man.

Gas Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas rices are lower in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for a gallon of regular is two-38, down a penny from yesterday's average.  It's also more than a nickel a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

Classes Resume Today At UCC

(Roseburg, OR)  --  Classes are set to resume today at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg for the first time since the October 1st mass shooting.  The campus reopened last week, but classes were cancelled.  A number of memorial events have been held to honor victims of the shooting, and President Obama was in Roseburg Friday to meet with victims' families.  School officials say Snyder Hall, where the shooting took place, will remain closed.

Heat Gun Blamed For Condo Fire

(Portland, OR)  --  Investigators say a crafting heat gun was the cause of a fire that damaged a condominium in Portland's Pearl District.  The blaze was reported around 8:40 yesterday morning at the Marshall Wells lofts on Northwest Lovejoy Street.  Authorities say a crafting heat gun left on a hardwood floor caused the fire to start.  Fire officials say the building's sprinkler system slowed the progress of the blaze, which started in a second-floor unit. 

Broadway Bridge Closed Until October 27th

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland's Broadway Bridge is closed to motor vehicles, and will be until October 27th.  Multnomah County officials say an ongoing painting project is making it necessary to close the structure.  The sidewalks will remain open, and the Northwest Lovejoy and Broadway ramps at the west end of the bridge will remain open to traffic.
 

Portland-area Gas Prices Down

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline in the Portland area continues to fall.  Triple-A reports the average for a gallon of regular is two-39, down about five cents from a week ago.  The national average for regular is two-31 a gallon.

Traffic Stop Becomes Drug Bust

(West Linn, OR)  --  West Linn police say a DUII traffic stop turned into a drug bust after the suspect was found with heroin and thousands of dollars in cash.  Authorities say Edgar Francisco Madrigal was pulled over yesterday morning on Interstate 205 near 10th Street, and was about to be arrested for DUII when he was found to be in possession of four-point-four ounces of heroin and four-thousand in cash.  Madrigal is facing multiple charges.

Man Accused Of Shooting Outside Southeast Portland Bar

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police have a man in custody after accusing him of firing shots outside a bar.  Authorities say Tyi Anthony Steffens was inside the bed of a pickup truck that was pulling out of the parking lot of the Powellhurst Tavern on Southeast Powell Boulevard early Saturday morning.  Police say Steffens fired a gun from the bed of the truck, but no one was reported injured.  Officials say Steffens was "non-compliant" as he was ordered by police to get out of the truck and was apprehended after rounds were fired from a "less lethal shotgun."

Fred Meyer Employee's Arm Stuck In Drain

(Newberg, OR)  --  An employee at a Newberg Fred Meyer is said to be doing fine after her arm was stuck in a floor drain at the store for two hours.  Authorities say the 24-year-old employee tried to grab a broom handle out of the drain yesterday when her arm got stuck.  After she called 911, rescue crews used special equipment to cut through the concrete floor after failing to get the employee's arm out with soap and oil.  After the employee was freed, she was taken to a hospital as a precaution.
 

Student Sent Home For T-Shirt Sporting Picture Of Gun

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham-Barlow School District officials say the subject matter of a student's T-shirt wasn't wrong, but the fact that there was a picture of a military rifle included with it was.  Alan Holmes, an eighth-grader at Dexter McCarthy Middle School in Gresham, says he wore the shirt because it symbolizes support for U.S. troops.  He says the principal of the school told him earlier this week the shirt didn't meet the school dress code, and he was told to change the shirt or go home.  The school district says "weapons on a shirt are not appropriate in a school setting."

6 Injured In Dam Explosion In Grant County, WA

(Mattawa, WA)  --  Six people are injured, two critically, following an explosion at the Priest Rapids Dam in Grant County, Washington.  Grant Public Utility District officials say the blast happened around 4:15 yesterday afternoon at the dam, located along the Columbia River.  Authorities say it may be several days before the cause of the explosion is determined.  Utility spokesman Thomas Stredwick told "The Oregonian" that there's no evidence of foul play or an act of terrorism.

Gasoline Prices Slightly Lower

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas prices are slightly lower in the Portland area heading into the weekend.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is just under two-40 a gallon, down a half-cent from yesterday.  It's also seven-cents a gallon below the average of a week ago.

Police: Driver Hits Pedestrian, Leaves Scene To Drop Off Girlfriend

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've arrested a man who struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk, then drove away to drop off his girlfriend, who was riding with him.  Authorities say the crash happened Monday at the intersection of Northwest 15th Avenue and West Burnside Street, leaving the pedestrian with a broken neck and a bruised lung.  Police say Nam N. Vu told investigators he heard a thud, and planned to return to the scene after dropping off his girlfriend.  Vu is facing charges that include second-degree assault and reckless driving.

Suspect Arrested Wearing "I Do Dumb Things" T-shirt

(Gladstone, OR)  --  Clackamas County sheriff's deputies have a man in custody, following pursuit of a stolen car in Gladstone.  Authorities say the chase ended when the suspect was caught by a K-9 hiding in bushes.  Deputies say 23-year-old Roshawn Garrett is charged with attempt to elude, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen vehicle.  Officials say when Garrett was arrested, he wore a t-shirt that said "Warning, I Do Dumb Things."

Football Helmet Designed To Better Protect Against Head Injuries

(Seattle, WA)  --  A Seattle startup technology company hopes to soon outfit NFL players with a revolutionary helmet that puts more emphasis on safety.  The company, called Vicis, says the new helmet is designed to protect against skull fractures, as well as mitigate the forces involved in causing traumatic brain injuries.  The company, which currently operates out of a lab on the University of Washington campus, plans to begin marketing the helmet in spring 2016.  Vicis officials say the goal is to begin outfitting NFL players first, and later make the helmets available for all age groups.

California Murder Suspects Arrested In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Three suspects in the murder of a therapist in California are in custody, after being apprehended in Portland.  The body of Steve Carter was found Monday on a hiking trail in the Loma Alta Open Space Preserve.  Authorities say the suspects, Sean Michael Angold, Morrison Haze Lampley, and Lila Scott Allgood, were found in Carter's car when they were arrested yesterday outside a community dining hall in Southeast Portland.  Officials say Lampley has a criminal record in Multnomah County.

Woman Accused Of Killing Son Deemed Unfit For Trial

(Portland, OR)  --  A Gresham woman who's accused of killing her 17-year-old son is considered unfit to assist in her own defense at trial.  A judge made that determination yesterday regarding 42-year-old Dianne Davidoff, who's facing a murder charge in the shooting death of Jacob Davidoff late last month.  Dianne Davidoff has been sent to the Oregon State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.  A status check is scheduled for December 9th.

Bullet Reported To Have Been Found At School

(Troutdale, OR)  --  Police say a school in Troutdale was placed on lockdown after a student reported finding a bullet in a classroom.  Officers were dispatched to conduct a search yesterday at Reynolds Learning Academy.  The building was later determined to be safe.  Police reported finding the bullet during the search.

Oregon Recreational Pot Sales Top $11 Million

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Retail Cannabis Association is estimating the first week of legal recreational pot sales statewide has seen dispensaries collect eleven-million-dollars.   The organization says three-point-five-million in sales was tallied on October 1st alone.  The eleven-million is compared to the five-million in sales Colorado took in during its initial week of legal recreational marijuana sales.  Washington sold only two-million-dollars' worth of legal pot in its first month of state-licensed recreational sales.

Haggen Looking To Close More Stores

(Bellingham, WA)  --  The troubled Haggen supermarket chain is looking to shrink its roster of stores even further.  "The Oregonian" reports three additional stores in Oregon and three in Washington are on the block, in addition to the 127 Haggen locations that are already up for sale or marked for closure.  The stores in Oregon are located in Eugene, Happy Valley and West Linn, and the Washington stores are in Burien, Federal Way and Puyallup.  The chain aims to reduce its inventory of stores to 31.

Troutdale Asks Portland To Pay For Post Office Relocation

(Portland, OR)  --  If the downtown U.S. Post Office in Portland moves to Troutdale, Troutdale officials hope Portland will compensate for lost property taxes.  Discussions are underway between the city of Portland, the city of Troutdale, and the Port of Portland to move the downtown Portland Post Office to the Troutdale Reynolds Industrial Park.  Troutdale wants Portland to pay a replacement property-tax fee because the Postal Service, being a federal agency, wouldn't pay property taxes, unlike a private business.  Troutdale Mayor Doug Daoust told the "Portland Tribune" the issue is only in the discussion stage at this point.

Fuel Prices Still In Decline

(Portland, OR)  --  Triple-A's latest survey shows a further decline in gasoline prices in Portland.  The current average for regular is two-40 a gallon, more than a penny below yesterday's average.  It's also seven-and-a-half-cents a gallon lower than a week ago.

Police ID Man Found Dying In North Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a man who was found lying in a North Portland street and later died was the victim of a homicide.  Authorities say Gerardo Granados-Marin was found Monday evening on North Columbia Court, bleeding.  He died after paramedics arrived at the scene.  Officials say Granados-Marin's death was caused by sharp-force injuries.  No arrests have been made.

Teen Convicted Of Killing Great-grandmother Gets Ten-year Sentence

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  A 19-year-old who was convicted by a Washington County jury of killing his great-grandmother is headed to prison.  Joda Cain was sentenced yesterday to ten years behind bars for first-degree manslaughter in the bludgeoning death of Jacqueline Bell.  Authorities say Cain helped his cousin carry out the beating of the victim in October 2013.  Nineteen-year-old Micus Ward is awaiting trial for aggravated murder in the case.

Suspect Sought In Theft Of $80K In Medical Supplies

(Happy Valley, OR)  --  Happy Valley police are looking for a suspect who was caught on video, stealing 80-thousand dollars' worth of medical supplies from a front porch.  Authorities say the surveillance video, recorded at a home in the ten-thousand block of Southeast Champagne Lane, captured clear images of the thief stealing the package Friday afternoon and tossing it into the back of a dark-colored hatchback.  Anyone with information helpful to the investigation is asked to call 503-723-4949.

Washington Fire Season Sets Record

(Olympia, WA)  --  The State Fire Marshal says Washington set a record this year by responding to 30 wildfires, well above the previous record of 17.  Officials say wildfires across the state scorched more than one-million acres.  The largest of those fires was the North Star fire in Okanogan [[ OH-kuh-NOG-un ]] County, which burned more than 218-thousand acres.  The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center says the fires destroyed a total of 307 primary residences and 21 commercial buildings.

Worker Killed By Train In Gaston

(Gaston, OR)  --  Washington County sheriff's deputies are investigating, after a worker was killed by a train at Stinson Lumber near Gaston.  Authorities say 46-year-old Antonio Avalos was working in the railyard yesterday afternoon when he reportedly fell off a moving train.  Avalos died at the scene.  Officials say the train was moving at a low speed when the accident took place.

Fund For UCC Shooting Victims Raises $300K

(Roseburg, OR)  --  Members of the community are pitching in to assist families of the victims of the mass shooting at Umpqua Community College.  A fund, set up by the Greater Douglas United Way, has raised more than 300-thousand dollars for the victims' families so far.  A number of individual GoFundMe accounts have also been established for the families.

Man Accused Of Killing Pedestrian Facing Multiple Charges

(Gresham, OR)  --  A man who's accused of crashing his car into a pedestrian in Gresham and killing her is facing multiple charges.  Twenty-seven-year-old Jacob Walters appeared in court yesterday after being charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, DUII, and reckless driving.  The Monday crash killed 46-year-old Elizabeth Irma Kemble, who police say was in a marked crosswalk when the crash happened at the intersection of Northeast 181st Avenue and East Burnside Street in Gresham.  Authorities believe Walters was smoking marijuana moments before the crash.

Gas Prices Slide

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-area gas prices continue to fall.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-41 a gallon, down two cents from yesterday.  It's also seven cents a gallon cheaper than the average of a week ago.

Novick Wants Gas Tax On May 2016 Ballot

Portland, OR)  --  Portland Commissioner Steve Novick says he'd like to see a proposal for a ten-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax go before voters in May of next year.  Novick says the tax would generate 58-million-dollars in revenue for street and traffic safety projects before it sunsets in four years.  He says poll numbers show more than half the registered voters in Portland would support such a tax.  The City Council would have to decide no later than January on whether to place the item on the May ballot.

Man Dies After Being Found In North Portland Street

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are investigating the death of a man who was found lying in a street in a North Portland neighborhood.  Authorities say the man was found bleeding on North Columbia Court near Columbia Boulevard, around seven o'clock last night.  The man died shortly after paramedics arrived.  Police say the man's injuries were traumatic, but he didn't appear to have been shot.

Three Teens Arrested On Weapons Charges

(Portland, OR)  --  Three 18-year-olds are facing weapons charges after firearms were heard falling out of the teens' vehicle.  Portland police say officers patrolling the area heard the guns fall from the car and hit the sidewalk near Woodlawn Park Saturday.  Officers arrested Marshall C. Richmond Jr., Timothy W. Wilson, and Leontrell R. Mitchell on multiple charges.  Police say a total of three weapons fell out of the vehicle.

Cougar Killed By Canby Homeowner

(Canby, OR)  --  Federal authorities say a homeowner shot and killed a cougar that was believed to be responsible for killing more than a dozen animals in the Canby area.  The USDA says the cougar probably lived in the area for awhile and became acclimated to being around livestock and humans.  Officials say the male cougar was three to four years old.  It's believed the big cat killed several sheep, llamas, and goats in the area.

Gas Prices Down

(Portland, OR)  --  Prices at the gas pump are lower in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-43 a gallon, down more than a penny from yesterday.  It's also six-and-a-half cents a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

Flags Flying At Half-staff In WA For Roseburg Shooting Victims

(Olympia, WA)  --  Flags at state government buildings throughout Washington are flying at half-staff to honor the victims of last week's shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg.  Governor Jay Inslee issued the order late Friday afternoon.  All flags at state buildings will fly at half-staff until the close of business tomorrow

Oregon Out Of Coaches' Top 25

(Undated)  --  Despite their 41-24 road win over Colorado, the Oregon Ducks are out of the Top 25 in the Amway Coaches' Poll.  PAC-12 rival Utah moved up five spots to reach seventh place in the weekly poll.  USC fell one spot to 17th, while Stanford moved up two to 18th.  UCLA dropped ten spots to 20th place, and Cal is up two notches to 22nd.

One Remains In Critical Condition Following Umpqua Shooting

(Roseburg, OR)  --  One person who was wounded during the Umpqua Community College shooting last Thursday is still in critical condition.  The woman is being treated at a hospital in Springfield.  Officials say another woman is in serious condition at the same hospital, and a third is listed in fair condition.  "The Oregonian" reports a woman who was admitted to Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg has been upgraded from serious to fair condition.

Court: Sentence For Woman Who Stole Lottery Tickets "Unreasonable"

(Chehalis, WA)  --  A Lewis County, Washington woman who admitted to stealing thousands of lottery tickets from the Toledo convenience store where she worked won't serve a four-year sentence.  A Washington appellate court reversed the sentence imposed on Katrina Bowen, saying it was "unreasonable."  The Lewis County Prosecutor asked for a sentence of 24 months after Bowen pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, but Superior Court Judge Richard Brosey sentenced Bowen to 48 months.  A re-sentencing hearing will be held, but the date hasn't been set.
 

Beaverton Man Killed In Crash

(Clackamas, OR)  --  A Beaverton man is dead, following a crash on Highway 213 in Clackamas.  Oregon State Police say Thomas McIntyre was thrown off his motorcycle around 7:35 yesterday morning and died at the scene.  Police say he apparently lost control at a curve near South Krope Road.  Troopers believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

No Suspects In Deadly SE Portland Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police haven't identified any suspects in connection with a deadly shooting outside a Southeast Portland strip club.  Authorities say 45-year-old Maurice Anthony Gatson was pronounced dead at the Pallas Club on Southeast Powell Boulevard, following the shooting around 12:45 Saturday morning.  The medical examiner says Gatson was shot multiple times.  Investigators say they have few leads and haven't established a motive for the shooting.
 

Fuel Prices Lower

(Portland, OR)  --   The price of gasoline is still heading down in the Portland metro area.  Triple-A reports a gallon of regular averages just under two-45, a half-cent lower than yesterday's average.  It's also more than six cents cheaper than a week ago.

The Latest: Father tells of daughter's ordeal in Oregon

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) — The latest on the deadly shooting at a community college in Oregon:

Chilling details are emerging about the horrific scene inside an Oregon community college classroom as gunman Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer shot and killed his victims.

The father of 18-year-old Lacey Scroggins — who survived physically unhurt — says his daughter heard the gunman tell one victim he would spare that person's life if the student begged then shot the begging victim anyway.

Lacey Scroggins' father, Pastor Randy Scroggins, told The Associated Press his daughter also told him about students being ordered to crawl to the middle of the room and the gunman shooting them.

Pastor Scroggins said his daughter survived because she was lying on the floor and partially covered by the body of a fellow student. Scroggins said the gunman thought his daughter was dead as well.

Lacey Scroggins told her father the gunman stepped over her and shot someone else.
 

Jury convicts man of poisoning 9 cats in West Salem

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A jury in Polk County has convicted a man of poisoning cats with antifreeze in West Salem.

The Salem Statesman Journal reports (http://stjr.nl/1M77VAn ) that Antonio Ramos-Perez was arrested in January after nine cats died.

Ramos-Perez was convicted of nine counts of animal abuse and was acquitted of nine counts of aggravated animal abuse.

He's scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
 

Trump defends 2nd Amendment following Oregon shootings

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is channeling 1970s action star Charles Bronson in defending Second Amendment rights in the aftermath of the shooting at an Oregon community college that left nine dead.

Trump said in a rally in suburban Nashville on Saturday that he has a handgun carry permit in New York. He adds that any attacker will be "shocked" if he tries to assault the real estate mogul and that he will emulate Bronson in the vigilante film "Death Wish."

Trump says that the Oregon shootings could have been averted if instructors or students had been armed.

Trump's positions on gun control have evolved significantly over the years. He once backed an assault weapons ban and longer waiting periods for purchases.
 

2 killed, 1 injured in shooting outside bar in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police say two people were killed and another was injured in a shooting outside a bar on the city's east side late Friday.

East Precinct and Gang Enforcement Team officers from the Portland Police Department say the shooting happened at 11:09 p.m. outside the Hour Glass Pub on Northeast Glisan Street.

Police say in a statement that three victims of the shooting were taken to nearby hospitals, where two of them died. All of the victims are adult men.

Police say a suspect is in custody.
 

More police refusing to name shooters for fear of copycats

A sheriff's decision not to identify a man who killed nine people at a rural Oregon community college reflects a growing trend among law enforcement not to say the names of mass shooters.

Some police officials say immediately revealing the names glorifies those responsible for horrific crimes and encourages copycats. Some criminologists worry that withholding names will make it harder to access a mass killer's motivations.

Pete Blair of Texas State University's Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center says shooters inspire each other and police are right not to put them in the spotlight. He pointed to a recent study suggesting mass shootings that get widespread media attention are contagious.

But Kelly McBride, an expert in media ethics, said knowing the name is key to understanding the crime.
 

Mom accused in hotel death to have mental health evaluation

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A mother accused of killing her 2-year-old daughter in a Cannon Beach hotel room will have a mental health evaluation as part of her ongoing court case.

The Daily Astorian reports (http://goo.gl/WlWouB ) a Clatsop County judge approved a request by the district attorney to have a mental health evaluation done on Jessica Smith. District Attorney Josh Marquis says the state needs more information about Smith's mental health to prepare for trial.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to murder in the July 31, 2014 drowning death of her younger daughter, and attempted murder in the slashing of her 13-year-old daughter. The surviving girl now lives with her father in Washington.

Smith's lawyers said in court earlier this year that she suffered a mental breakdown.

A trial is scheduled next June.
 

Colorado-Oregon pay tribute to shooting victims before game

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — There was a moment of silence before the Oregon and Colorado game Saturday night at Folsom Field to pay tribute to those who died in the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.

The Oregon Ducks will wear a special emblem on their helmets this season to honor those who were slain. So will the Oregon State Beavers.

Nine people were killed by a gunman on the college campus in Southern Oregon, about 70 miles from Eugene. The worst mass shooting in Oregon history also injured several others at the community college. The gunman died following a shootout with police.

Two Still Critical Following Umpqua Shooting

(Roseburg, OR)  --  Officials say two of the victims who were wounded in the shooting at Umpqua Community College are still critically injured.  Four people were taken to Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg, and one is in critical condition.  Three others were taken to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center in Springfield, and one is still listed as critical.

10 Dead Following Shooting On Oregon College Campus

(Roseburg, OR)  --  Ten people are confirmed dead and at least seven others are wounded, following a shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.  Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin says those who died in yesterday morning's shooting include the gunman, who's been identified as 26-year-old Christopher Harper Mercer.  Hanlin says the shooter died in an exchange of gunfire with officers.  Oregon Governor Kate Brown has ordered all flags at public institutions in the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor the victims.

Vigil Held In Portland For Umpqua CC Victims

(Portland, OR)  --  Mayor Charlie Hales says the city of Portland stands in support of Roseburg and the victims of the shooting at Umpqua Community College.  A vigil was held last night in front of Portland City Hall, following yesterday's shooting that resulted in ten deaths at the college.  About 100 people gathered during last night's vigil to remember the victims, and members of the Oregon Symphony Orchestra were on hand to perform.

3 Injured In Gresham Crash

(Gresham, OR)  --  Three people are being treated for injuries following a high-speed crash in Gresham.  Police say the wreck happened around 4:07 yesterday morning at the intersection of 181st and Sandy.  Authorities say a white sedan crashed into a Pontiac at excessive speed.  There's no word on the conditions of the injured.

Portland Teen Reported Missing

(Portland, OR)  --  A 13-year-old from Portland is being sought after being reported missing.  Police say William Richard-Ricke is a male who identifies as a female, and goes by the name "Jazz."  The teen was last seen around eight o'clock Wednesday night at Harry's Mother in Northeast Portland, and was to take a bus into Old Town.  Police say Richard-Ricke is five-feet-four, weighs 110 pounds, and was last seen wearing a black Beatles T-shirt, a black skirt over tan tights, and a white scarf with black dots.

Suspect Arrested In Connection With SE Portland Robbery

(Portland, OR)  --  Federal authorities say they've arrested a man accused of using a baseball bat and a knife in a robbery in Southeast Portland.  Sixty-seven-year-old Henry Ross Pryor is charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, and second-degree assault.  Authorities say a woman was attacked at her home on Southeast 139th Avenue on June 19th.  Pryor is accused of hitting the woman several times with the bat and trying to stab her.

Man Gets Five Years For Deadly Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man who accidentally shot his friend to death is headed to prison.  Isaiah Horatio Hayes has been sentenced to five years behind bars for the shooting that killed Beketel Sleeper-Kincaid on March 8th.  Authorities say the nine-millimeter handgun went off when Sleeper-Kincaid passed the gun to Hayes as they were in a car traveling through North Portland.  Hayes pleaded guilty to charges of criminally-negligent homicide and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Gas Prices Still Falling

(Portland, OR)  --  Gasoline prices in the Portland metro area are still dropping.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is just under two-47 a gallon, down a penny from yesterday's average.  It's also a nickel a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

Portland Man Missing In Gresham

(Gresham, OR)  --  Authorities are searching for a 33-year-old Portland man who's been reported missing in Gresham.  Officials say Trace Tipton was last seen on September 13th in his White Chevrolet minivan near the McDonald's on Northeast 82nd Avenue in Gresham.  Police say Tipton is reported to be a drug user who suffers from depression.  He's described as a white male, approximately six-feet-two, 220 pounds, with black hair, hazel eyes, and a large black beard.

Vancouver Teacher Sentenced For Sex Crimes

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A former teacher at a Vancouver high school is headed to prison.  Stephanie McCrea, who taught at Evergreen High, has been sentenced to 60 months behind bars for raping a 15-year-old student.  Prosecutors say the relationship began in December of last year and continued even after the school removed McCrea from her teaching duties.  McCrea pleaded guilty during the summer to multiple charges.

Man With Medical Issues Reported Missing

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police are looking for a missing 62-year-old man who has medical problems.  Authorities say Reginald Dean Lewis hasn't been seen since three o'clock yesterday afternoon after he went to the VA Hospital in Portland for an appointment.  Officials say Lewis's medical problems could be life-threatening if they aren't addressed.  Lewis is described as African-American, five-feet-seven, weighing 180 pounds, and was last seen wearing a dark-gray matching sweatsuit and may be wearing glasses.

State Files Complaint Against Tour Firm In Deadly Crash

(Olympia, WA)  --  A formal complaint is being lodged by the state of Washington against the Ride the Ducks tour firm in Seattle, after one of the company's amphibious vehicles was involved in a crash that killed five people and injured dozens of others.  The complaint has been filed by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which says the vehicle was operated in an "unsafe manner."  Earlier this week, the commission suspended operation of all Ride the Ducks amphibious vehicles.   The "Seattle Times" reports the commission may allow some of the company's smaller Duck vehicles to return to service within a month, pending state inspections.

Gas Prices Drop

(Portland, OR)  --  The price of gasoline continues to fall in the Portland area.  Triple-A reports the average for regular is two-48 a gallon, down nearly a penny from yesterday.  It's also more than a nickel a gallon cheaper than a week ago.

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