Regional News Archives for 2017-10

Possible Gang-Related Shooting Injures Two

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a possible gang-related shooting that injured two people in southeast Portland.  Witnesses called 9-1-1 yesterday afternoon after hearing gunfire in the 2800 block of Southeast 125th Avenue.  Police believe two men who checked into hospitals with gunshot wounds were injured in the shooting.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Stolen French Bulldog Puppy Recovered, Returned Home

(Portland, OR)  --  A kidnapped French Bulldog puppy is safely back home after being found in southeast Portland.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says investigators recovered the puppy from the home of 25-year-old Jamie Homsley near Southeast 155th Avenue and Division Street.  Homsley allegedly stole the puppy earlier this month in a robbery in Clark County.  Police say charges will be filed.

Winds Leave Thousands Without Power

(Portland, OR)  --  Forecasters say the weather should be calmer today after heavy winds downed trees and power lines yesterday, leaving thousands without power.  Portland General Electric says more than four-thousand customers lost power across the county yesterday morning.  Pacific Power says more than two-thousand of its customers lost power in the northeastern part of the city.

Thieves Use Stolen Credit Cards To Buy $10,000 In Gift Cards

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Police are searching for two suspects accused of stealing credit cards and using them to rack up ten-thousand dollars worth of gift cards.  The two suspects allegedly stole the credit cards while breaking into several cars at the VillaSport Athletic Club near the Nike World Headquarters in the Beaverton area yesterday.  The pair then allegedly used the stolen cards to purchase gift cards at a Target store nearby.

Police ID Teen Killed In Deputy-Involved Shooting

(Salem, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a 17-year-old carjacking suspect killed in a deputy-involved shooting.  Police say Baltazar Escaloma-Baez died in the shooting in Polk County over the weekend.  Escaloma-Baez allegedly stole a car, leading to a police pursuit that ended on Highway 18 near milepost 23, where deputies tried to arrest the teen and then opened fire.  Investigators say they found a weapon at the scene.

Business Damaged In Fire

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A Vancouver business is damaged following an early morning fire.  Fire officials say crews responded to Dreamline Cabinets on Northeast Andersen Road just after midnight.  No injuries have been reported.  Fire officials say the building's sprinkler system helped extinguish the fire before crews arrived.

Police Search For Missing Man

(Estacada, OR)  --  Police are searching for a missing man near Hideaway Lake in Estacada.  Police say Nicholas Benim was last seen on Sunday night.  He's described as five-feet five-inches tall and was last seen wearing a bright orange coat, tan pants and a backpack.

Oregon Hospitals Get Good Grades For Safety

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is getting top grades for its hospitals.  A new report from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade evaluated 26-hundred hospitals across the nation, including 32 in Oregon.  The group gave 16 Oregon hospitals a grade of A.  None of the state's hospitals received a grade lower than C.  The report says Oregon made some of the biggest strides to improve overall safety in hospitals over the past five years.

Man Straps Skeleton Into Passenger Seat For October Drives

(Portland, OR)  --  A St. Helens man is raising eyebrows with his spooky car companion.  Leroy Creel has been driving around downtown Portland for the last few weeks with a prop skeleton in his front passenger seat.  Creel tells KATU he wanted to do something fun for his favorite holiday, so he strapped the skeleton into his passenger seat to accompany him on rides.  Creel says it's been fun seeing people's reactions to the prop.

Father, Daughter Die From Injuries Following Duplex Fire

(Keizer, OR)  --  Authorities say a man and his small daughter caught in a Keizer duplex fire late last week have died from their injuries.  Miguel Ruvalcaba and his six-year-old daughter both died in different hospitals over the weekend.  The two were inside a duplex on Rozilla Court Northeast last Thursday when it caught fire.  Four other children present at the home were not injured in the fire.

Teen Injured After Allegedly Crashing Stolen Pickup Truck

(Gresham, OR)  --  A 15-year-old is injured after allegedly crashing a stolen pickup truck into two other vehicles and an electric pole.  The teen allegedly crashed on Burnside Street near Eastman Parkway Saturday night after a brief police pursuit.  Police say the teen collided with a Portland General Electric pole and two other vehicles.  The drivers of those vehicles were hospitalized for evaluation.

Portland Receives 18 RVs In Free Disposal Event

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Bureau of Transportation says it took in more than a dozen RVs over the weekend for its first free RV disposal event.  The agency says it received 18 RVs in yesterday's event at Portland International Raceway.  Proper disposal of the vehicles generally costs owners between one- and two-thousand dollars.
 

Suspect Killed In Deputy-Involved Shooting

(Salem, OR)  --  An armed carjacking suspect is dead following a deputy-involved shooting in Polk County.  Police say authorities were called to a Salem Safeway store early Saturday on reports of an armed carjacking.  Deputies tried to pull the suspect over, leading to a pursuit that ended on Highway 18 near milepost 23, where deputies tried to arrest the 17-year-old and then opened fire.  Investigators say they found a weapon at the scene.
 

Starbucks Offers New Zombie Frappuccino

(Seattle, WA)  --  Starbucks is getting into the Halloween spirit with a new drink offering.  The Seattle-based coffee chain unveiled its new Zombie Frappuccino late last week.  The drink features a green body with frappuccino crème infused with flavors of tart apple and caramel and topped with pink whipped cream "brains" and red mocha drizzle.  However, those craving brains will need to act fast -- the spooky drink is only available through Halloween tomorrow.

State Lawmaker Pulled Over For Distracted Driving

(Portland, OR)  --  A state lawmaker is facing a fine after getting caught violating a law she supported in the legislature.  KATU reports police pulled over Representative Julie Parrish for distracted driving.  Parrish says she picked up her phone to look for directions, leading police to pull her over and issue a ticket.  Parrish says the incident is a good reminder for drivers, adding that it shows police are enforcing the distracted driving law.
 

Car Sideswipes Patrol Car During Traffic Stop

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Police say no one was injured when an intoxicated driver sideswiped a deputy's patrol car during a traffic stop.  Police say the deputy had a driver pulled over near the Highway 217 exit of Highway 26 early yesterday when another car crashed into him.  The driver was cited for DUII and careless driving.  Police say the driver was impaired by both alcohol and marijuana.
 

Pregnant Woman Run Over By Own Car

(Cedar Hills, OR)  --  A pregnant woman is hospitalized after being run over by her own car.  Police say the woman was pushing her disabled vehicle off the roadway with a friend in the 23-hundred block of Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard last night when the car started to roll forward down a slope.  The woman ran to the front of the car to stop it and was knocked to the ground, where the car reportedly ran over her chest.  She was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries and is expected to recover.

Pedestrian Injured In Crash With MAX Train

(Gresham, OR)  --  A man is recovering from injuries after being struck by a MAX train in Gresham.  Police say the man was walking near the MAX stop at Main and Division Saturday night when the train crashed into him.  Authorities say he was not using a crosswalk when he was struck.  The man is expected to be OK.

Three Cars Damaged In Shooting Near Convention Center

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a shooting that damaged three cars near the Oregon Convention Center.  Police say the shooting occurred just after midnight yesterday near the Tao Event Center on Northeast Oregon Street.  No one was injured.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Neighbors Protest Church's Decision To Let Homeless Sleep In Lot

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Some Vancouver residents are protesting a church's decision to let homeless people park overnight in their lot.  Residents gathered yesterday at Laurelwood Baptist Church to voice their opposition to the idea.  The church says it's planning to allow half a dozen homeless people to sleep in their lot each night.  The church's pastor tells KATU they're not yet sure when they'll be starting the program.

Police Arrest 20 In Clackamas County For Domestic Violence

(Clackamas County, OR)  --  Nearly two-dozen people are behind bars in Clackamas County following a nationwide crackdown on outstanding warrants for domestic violence.  Clackamas County Sheriff's Deputies say they arrested 20 people yesterday.  Deputy Ryan Castro tells KATU he considers it an important part of his job to bring some sense of security back to the victims of domestic violence by getting their abusers off the street.

MCSO Deputies To Participate In Red Robin's Tip-A-Cop

(Portland, OR)  --  Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputies will be serving up burgers and fries Saturday for a cause.  The deputies are participating in Red Robin's 12th Annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser to support Special Olympics programs.  The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at all Oregon Red Robin locations.
 

Police Seek Runaway Teens

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police in Vancouver are searching for two runaway teens.  Police say 15-year-old Eliana Duff and 15-year-old Jesse Goodman ran away from their homes in Vancouver Wednesday.  Police believe they could be headed to Long Beach.  Anyone who knows the teens' whereabouts is urged to contact police.

Vancouver Teen Being Charged As Juvenile For Eagle Creek Fire

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A Vancouver teenager accused of starting the Eagle Creek Fire with fireworks is being charged as a juvenile.  Oregon State Police announced that news yesterday.  The 15-year-old is accused of tossing fireworks into a wooded area from the Eagle Creek Trail in Cascade Locks, Oregon in early September.
 

Police Warn Of Break-Ins In Bethany

(Bethany, OR)  --  Police in Washington County are warning residents about a string of break-ins in the Bethany neighborhood.  Authorities say the suspect or suspects are breaking into cars in the area and stealing garage door remotes.  From there, they enter the home and steal items.  Police are urging residents not to leave their remotes or any valuables in their cars.

Rain Causes 23,000-Gallon Storm Water, Sewage Spill

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials are working to clean up a major storm water and sewage spill caused by yesterday's downpour.  Authorities say 23-thousand gallons spilled into the Willamette River at the Southeast Alder Pump Station at Alder Street and Water Avenue yesterday.  City officials say the pump station was already scheduled to be shut down for an upgrade later in the month.

Man Arrested For Rape, Kidnapping

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman.  Police arrested 23-year-old Dominique Gonzales yesterday in north Portland.  Police say the woman was walking home in the rain near Northeast 82nd Avenue and Broadway early yesterday when Gonzales offered her a ride in his car.  Police say the woman accepted his offer and that Gonzales sexually assaulted her and threatened her shortly after she got in.  He's facing charges of first-degree rape and kidnapping.

Coast Guard Reminds Boaters To Properly Dispose Of Beacons

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities are reminding boaters to properly dispose of their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.  The Coast Guard sent out a press release yesterday saying improper disposal of the beacons costs taxpayers thousands of dollars.  The Coast Guard says it also costs them valuable time, because they treat every distress signal they receive as a genuine cry for help.  The Coast Guard recommends removing the beacon's battery or rendering the unit inoperable by demolishing it before throwing it away.

Police Chase Locks Down Two Salem Schools

(Salem, OR)  --  Police in Salem are searching for a suspect following a car theft and chase that put two schools on lockdown.  Police say Stephens Middle School and Yoshi Kai Elementary School were both briefly locked down yesterday afternoon as officers pursued the suspect through the area.  Police are still trying to locate the suspect.

Student Arrested For Allegedly Threatening School Shooting

(Grants Pass, OR)  --  Police in Grants Pass say they've arrested a student for allegedly threatening to shoot his classmates.  Police say the student was talking to several other students yesterday on the bus ride home from Grant High School when he threatened to bring a gun to school and shoot people.  Authorities say the bus driver overheard the conversation and called police.  Authorities cited the teen for disorderly conduct and released him to his parents.

Hollywood Theatre Close To Fundraising Goal To Buy Movie Madness

(Portland, OR)  --  It looks like an iconic Portland video store may be able to keep its doors open after all.  KATU reports the Hollywood Theatre has raised more than 237-thousand dollars in a Kickstarter campaign to buy the store Movie Madness and keep it in business.  Hollywood Theatre has about 20 days left to raise the remaining 13-thousand dollars needed to buy the store.  The owner of Movie Madness is retiring but says he doesn't want the store to close.  The business has been open on Southeast Belmont Street for 26 years.

Explosion Shakes Umatilla

(Umatilla, OR)  --  Officials say an explosion caused a small earthquake in Umatilla yesterday.  The U.S. Geological Survey says the one-point-nine-magnitude quake happened around 1:20.  No damage has been reported.  An investigation is under way into what caused the explosion.  Emergency management officials are looking into whether it was caused by work at a nearby quarry.
 

Open Casting Call For Transgender Actors Sunday

(Portland, OR)  --  An open casting call for transgender actors is scheduled this weekend in Portland.  The Casting Society of America is holding open calls all over the world on Sunday for actors who are non-binary, genderqueer or gender non-conforming.  The organization says the open call is aimed at increasing representation for transgender actors.  Portland's event will happen at the Cast Iron Studios office on Southeast 3rd Avenue.

Oregon Gets Extension On Real ID Program

(Portland, OR)  --  The state of Oregon is getting an extension on complying with the federal Real ID program.  The federal government has granted the extension to Oregon, Washington and 15 other states, giving them until next October to comply.  That means Oregon residents will be able to use their driver's licenses to board airline flights for a little while longer.  The Real ID program passed after nine-eleven requires people to have federally approved IDs showing U.S. citizenship in order to board flights or enter government buildings.

Fire Destroys Food Carts, Cars Downtown

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities are saying no one was seriously injured in a fire that destroyed two food carts and ten nearby cars downtown.  Firefighters responded to the area of Southwest 1st Avenue and Columbia Boulevard yesterday afternoon.  Authorities say a worker at one of the carts was pouring diesel fuel into a generator when the wind picked up and blew some fuel onto a heat source nearby.  Lai Thai Food Cart and The Greek Gods Gyros were destroyed in the fire, along with ten cars and one tree.
 

Man Accused Of Stealing Cop Car, Breaking Masonic Lodge Window

(Tigard, OR)  --  A man is behind bars for allegedly stealing a cop car and trying to break into a Masonic Lodge in Tigard.  Police arrested 24-year-old Djordge Djuric yesterday afternoon at the Masonic Lodge at 13680 Southwest Pacific Highway.  Police say officers were responding to a fight at a nearby apartment when Djuric stole an officer's car and drove to the lodge, where officers allegedly found him smashing a window to try to get in.  He's facing charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree assault, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Woman Arrested For Allegedly Setting Fire To Own Home

(Yacolt, WA)  --  A Clark County woman is facing arson charges for allegedly setting fire to her own home.  Police arrested 46-year-old Angie Ingram yesterday at her house in Yacolt.  Authorities say firefighters responded to the home around 5 p.m. to put out a fire in a detached shop on the property.  Ingram then allegedly came out of her home and asked if the firefighters were going to put out the fire inside her home as well.  A deputy peered through a window and saw a fire and smoke inside.  Authorities say Ingram admitted to starting the fires, but they're still trying to figure out why.

270 Laid Off After Fire Destroys Fruit Plant

(Bingen, WA)  --  Nearly 300 people are looking for new jobs after a fire destroyed a fruit plant in the Columbia Gorge community of Bingen.  Authorities say the fire broke out around 5:45 yesterday morning at the Underwood Fruit and Warehouse Company.  The flames demolished three pear warehouses at the plant.  No injuries have been reported, but officials at the plant say they've been forced to lay off all 270 of their workers for the foreseeable future.

No One Injured In NE Portland House Fire

(Gresham, OR)  --  Fire officials say no one was injured when a house caught fire in northeast Portland.  Firefighters responded to the home near Northeast 156th Avenue and Couch Street yesterday afternoon after witnesses called 9-1-1 to report a column of black smoke rising from the area.  Fire officials say everyone was able to make it out of the home safely.

Toddler Recovering After Being Hit By Dad's Car

(Longview, WA)  --  A toddler boy is expected to be OK after being struck by his father's car in Longview, Washington.  Police say the boy was playing in his family's driveway with his mom when his dad pulled into the driveway and accidentally hit him.  The boy was airlifted to a hospital, where doctors say he's recovering.
 

Convicted Murderer Darnell Harris Sentenced To Life

(Salem, OR)  --  A man convicted of murdering another man following an argument at a bar is facing life in prison.  A Marion County judge sentenced 27-year-old Darnell Harris yesterday to life without the possibility of parole for 34 years.  Harris pleaded guilty last month to stabbing 32-year-old Andrew Ramos to death in November of last year.  Harris also pleaded guilty to tampering and soliciting murder for attempting to order a hit on a witness to the stabbing while behind bars.

Rain Forecast In Portland For Rest Of Week

(Portland, OR)  --  Rain is in the forecast today for Northwestern Oregon as a so-called atmospheric river rolls into the area.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says a relatively long, narrow region in the atmosphere is carrying water vapor into the region, leading to precipitation that's expected to grow heavier as the week progresses.  KATU reports the rain will likely last through the end of the week.

Oregon Soldier Injured In Afghanistan Back In U.S.

(Salem, OR)  --  An Oregon soldier injured in Afghanistan is back in the U.S. to receive treatment.  A GoFundMe page set up for 20-year-old Army soldier Christian Garcia says he's come out of preliminary surgery at Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland.  Garcia received shrapnel wounds last week in a rocket propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan.  His mother Tamarra Huerta of Salem tells KATU he's healing quickly and is expected to return to Afghanistan once he's recovered.

Rain Raises Concern For Landslides Near Eagle Creek Fire Site

(Cascade Locks, OR)  --  Recent rainfall is raising concerns over landslides in areas burned by the Eagle Creek Fire.  The U.S. Forest Service says flooding and landslides are possible, especially in the areas of Eagle Creek, Tanner Creek, Moffett Creek, McCord Creek, Horsetail Creek and Oneonta Creek.  Residents in Cascade Locks held a community meeting yesterday to discuss the danger of landslides.  Another meeting is scheduled tonight at 6 o'clock at Hood River Middle School.

ACCESS Academy Students Protest Proposed Closure

(Portland, OR)  --  Students at ACCESS Academy in northeast Portland are protesting the proposed closure of their school.  Students staged a walkout yesterday morning, asking officials to keep their school open.  The Portland Public Schools District is planning to shut down the academy to make room for new schools.  If that happens, students from ACCESS will be split up and assigned to eight different Portland schools.  District officials are expected to vote on the issue next week.

Police Looking For Missing Paraplegic Man

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are seeking the public's help in their search for a missing paraplegic man.  Authorities say 38-year-old Brian Duncan was last seen Monday afternoon near the Steel Bridge at Duckworth Dock.  Duncan requires the use of a wheelchair to get around.  He's described as six-feet tall and 190 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes and facial hair.
 

Portland Pot Shop Donating Money For Breast Cancer Awareness

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland pot shop is donating to the fight against breast cancer after finally finding an organization willing to accept their money.  Shango Premium Cannabis tells KATU they're donating to the Tigard-based charity Breast Friends.  The shop's owner says Susan G Komen refused to accept their donation and they were having trouble finding a charity to partner with until Breast Friends agreed to team up with them.  Breast Friends co-founder Sharon Henefin tells KATU that the pot shop's money is green, and they could use the money, adding that breast cancer doesn't discriminate.

12-Year-Old Posts Threat To School On Snapchat

(Sherwood, OR)  --  Police in Sherwood say there's no cause for concern after investigating a social media threat hinting at a possible school shooting.  Police say a 12-year-old boy with special needs posted the threatening message to Snapchat yesterday.  Authorities say they received several calls from concerned residents who saw the post.  Law enforcement officials say they spoke to the boy and his parents yesterday and determined that there's no threat to the public.

Two Dead After Crash In Clackamas County

(Clackamas County, OR)  --  Two people are dead following a one-car crash in Clackamas County.  Police say the two were traveling in a car in the 8800 block of Monte Cristo Road yesterday when the driver crashed into a power pole.  Police say no one else was in the car at the time of the crash.  The crash temporarily knocked out power to the area.
 

Girl Hit By Car After Running Into Street After Dog

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland girl is recovering from injuries after being hit by a car while trying to save a dog from being hit.  Police say the juvenile girl ran into the street at Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 138th Avenue yesterday morning to save a dog that had run into the road.  That's when a car crashed into her.  Police say she's expected to be OK, and the driver who hit her is cooperating with investigators.

Spanish Woman Jailed By Customs For Having Wrong Visa

(Portland, OR)  --  The ACLU says a 22-year-old college student from Spain who flew to Portland for a cultural experience was immediately sent to jail upon her arrival.  The organization says Christina Alonso was set to spend six weeks with a friend in Oregon this summer to work on her English and teach Spanish for an allowance of one-hundred dollars a week.  However, customs agents at Portland International Airport told her she had the wrong visa and sent her to Northern Oregon Regional Correction Facility.  Alonso spent 48 hours in the jail with general population inmates, where she says she was denied medical treatment and access to her belongings.  The ACLU says she was flown back to Spain after the 48 hours.

Police ID Skydiver Killed In White City

(White City, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a sky diver who was killed in a parachuting accident in White City.  The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says 74-year-old Jackson Kern of Central Point died Sunday afternoon after a malfunctioning toggle on his parachute prevented him from controlling his descent.  The pilot of the plane that Kern and other skydivers jumped from says the plane was at about 12-thousand feet when they took their dives.
 

Investigation Continues Into Deadly Home Shooting In Turner

(Turner, OR)  --  The investigation continues into a shooting that left a woman dead and her husband hospitalized in Turner.  Police say officers found 52-year-old Judy Stanfill dead from a gunshot wound in the couple's home near 3rd and Ash streets Sunday.  Judy's husband, 53-year-old Clayton Stanfill, was taken to a hospital after showing up at a nearby fire station with a gunshot wound.  Investigators say they're still trying to figure out what happened, but they don't believe any other suspects were involved in the shooting.

Animal Control Searching For Owners Of Missing Pony

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Animal control officials in Clark County are looking for the owner of a missing pony.  Animal control manager Paul Scarpelli tells KATU some shoppers found the pony wandering around at the Ross store next to the Vancouver Mall yesterday.  Scarpelli says the grey pony is well cared for and friendly.  Anyone with information on who owns the pony is urged to contact animal control.

Police Arrest Teen For School Break-In

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a teenage boy after he broke into an elementary school.  The incident happened early yesterday morning at Kelly Elementary School.  Police say officers were called to the school around 4 a.m. on reports of a burglary.  Police say the teen tried to flee from officers, but they caught up with him and arrested him.

No One Injured In Shooting At Convenience Store

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say no one was injured when a gunman opened fire at a convenience store in Roseway.  Authorities say officers responded to the Plaid Pantry at 8110 Northeast Fremont Street last night on reports of gunfire.  Responding officers found bullet holes in the store building and in a nearby car.  Police say they suspect the shooting was gang-related.  An investigation is ongoing.
 

Police Arrest Domestic-Violence Suspect After SWAT Standoff

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A domestic-violence suspect is behind bars following an hours-long SWAT standoff in Vancouver.  Clark County Sheriff's officials say deputies responded to the 13-thousand block of Northeast 82nd Street on Sunday with an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Walter King.  Police say King refused to come out of the home but was eventually arrested after a SWAT team was called in.  King is accused of punching his girlfriend in the face and hitting her with a dowel rod in July.

Woman Killed, Man Injured In Shooting At Home

(Turner, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a shooting that killed a woman and injured a man inside their home in Turner.  Officers were called to the home at 3rd and Ash Streets yesterday evening after the man walked to a fire station for help.  The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.  Further details were not immediately available, but police say there's no immediate danger to the public.

Fire Damages Historic Building Downtown

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is recovering from minor injuries following a two-alarm fire at a historic building downtown.  Firefighters were called to the commercial building near Southwest 11th Avenue and Alder Street yesterday morning on reports of a fire on the roof.  Fire officials say some workers were installing roofing material and using a propane torch to dry out the roof deck when the flame ignited some solvent-based primer on the roof.  One worker suffered burns to his hands.  Officials have not yet released an estimate of the damage to the building.

13-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots, Kills Friend

(Kelso, WA)  --  An investigation is ongoing into the accidental shooting death of a 13-year-old southwestern Washington boy by his friend.  Police say 13-year-old Edgar Vazquez was killed Saturday afternoon when his 13-year-old friend picked up a shotgun, causing it to go off and hit Vazquez.  Vazquez was staying the night at the friend's house in Kelso when the incident happened.  Vazquez's friend told police he thought the gun was unloaded.  Police say they're still looking into whether any laws were broken but that they have no doubt that the incident was an accident.

PSU Study Finds Drivers Less Likely To Stop For Black Pedestrians

(Portland, OR)  --  A new study from Portland State University shows motorists at that campus are less likely to stop for black pedestrians.  The study also shows motorists give black people less room to cross the street than white people.  Researchers involved in the study also found that black women get the same poor treatment that black men do.  The university's Transportation Research and Education Center spokeswoman says the behavior could mean more traffic-related deaths for minority pedestrians.
 

Oregon AG Joins Others In Suing Trump Administration Over ACA

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is among nearly 20 states suing the Trump administration over the President's plans to cut subsidies that allow low-income people to pay for healthcare.  President Trump said he would dismantle Obamacare "step by step" after the Republican-controlled Congress failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined attorneys general from 17 other states and the District of Columbia in filing suit in federal court in California late last week.  The states are asking the court to force Trump to make the next payment to health insurance companies.

Police Warn Residents Of New Phone Scam

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are warning the public about a new phone scam in which the suspect identifies himself as law enforcement.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says it's received multiple calls about a man calling people up and identifying himself as Lieutenant Brown.  The suspect then tells his victim that he has a warrant for their arrest and that they should wire him money immediately.  Anyone with any information about the calls is asked to contact police.
 

Man Killed In Parachuting Accident

(White City, OR)  --  A sky diver is dead following a parachute failure in White City.  Police found the man's body in the 6800 block of Antioch Road yesterday afternoon.  Police say witnesses told them the man appeared to have lost control of his parachute as he approached the landing zone and was seen spiraling towards the ground.  Police say they'll release his identity sometime later today.

Oregon Man Found Dead In Unalaska

(Unalaska, AK)  --  An investigation is ongoing into the discovery of an Oregon man's body in Alaska.  Police say officers found Mitchell Bovard of Albany lying face-down in the road across from a NAPA Auto Parts store in Unalaska yesterday morning.  He was pronounced dead at a local clinic.  Police are looking into how he died.

MCSO Holding New Hire Ceremony Today

(Portland, OR))  --  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is holding a new hire and promotional ceremony this morning.  Sheriff Michael Reese will introduce the office's newest hires.  He's also scheduled to give recognition to a member of the agency who is returning to the force after a long-term military deployment.  The ceremony will get under way at 10 a.m.
 

House Burns In Early Morning Fire

(Portland, OR)  --  Firefighters are mopping up after an early morning house fire.  Authorities say fire crews responded to the 5000 block of Northeast Alberta Court just before 2:30 this morning to find a fully involved house fire.  The blaze caused a nearby power line to fall and a gas meter to rupture.  Fire crews called Northwest Natural to come cut the flow of gas to the house.  Authorities say the two people inside the home made it out safely.
 

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A motorcyclist is dead after crashing on I-405 overnight.  Police say the biker was riding northbound on I-405 late last night when he took the Highway 30 exit and lost control of his bike.  He crashed into the concrete barriers and light pole on the right side of the road.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Suspects Use Sledgehammers To Break Into Pot-Growing Facility

(Boring, OR)  --  Police are searching for three suspects accused of breaking into a marijuana growing facility.  Police say the trio used sledgehammers and power tools to cut through a barbed wire fence and smash through the walls of the facility near Boring.  The facility's landlord tells KATU the suspects caused about 50-thousand-dollars worth of damage to the facility buildings.  That's not including the money lost from the pot products that the suspects stole.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Tornado Flips Two Planes In Aurora

(Aurora, OR)  --  The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning yesterday after a small twister touched down near the Aurora State Airport.  Authorities say the tornado flipped over two small planes when it hit land around 3:45 p.m.  The agency says the twister was an EFO, which is the weakest category of tornadoes.  No injuries were reported.

Man Killed In Auto-Pedestrian Crash

(Corvallis, OR)  --  A Corvallis man is dead after being hit by a car while walking.  Police say the 60-year-old man was walking along the fog line on Northeast Circle Boulevard at Belvue Street last night when a driver crashed into him.  Police say the man was wearing dark clothing and that the street was poorly lit.  No charges have been filed.

Coast Guard Rescues Two Women Stranded By Rising Tide

(Cannon Beach, OR)  --  Two women are safely back home after becoming stranded by the rising tide near Cannon Beach.  Coast Guard officials say an aircrew rescued the women last night from a rock at the Hug Point State Recreation Site.  The women called 9-1-1 after the rising tide left them stuck on the rock.  The Coast Guard is reminding people to be mindful of tidal conditions.

Amazon Hiring 120,000 Seasonal Workers For Holidays

(Seattle, WA)  --  Amazon is gearing up to hire thousands of workers for the holiday season.  The online retail giant says it plans to hire more than 120-thousand people in more than 30 states, including Oregon.  The positions will be in fulfillment centers, sorting facilities and customer service sites.  Most of the jobs will be temporary, but Amazon says some seasonal workers could be offered permanent positions after the holidays.
 

OSU To Pay Former Head Football Coach Through Year's End

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Former Oregon State University head football coach Gary Anderson will continue receiving a salary from the school through the end of the year.  The "Statesman Journal" reports that Anderson's termination package shows that he'll be paid a pro-rated portion of his two-point-65-million dollar salary.  Anderson was under contract through the year 2021 before he and the college mutually agreed to part ways this week.

Investigation Continues Into SW Washington Poaching Case

(Seattle, WA)  --  The investigation continues into a network of alleged poachers in Southwest Washington.  Investigators with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife tell the Seattle Times they've never seen a poaching case as big, or as disturbing, as the one they're currently investigating.  Investigators believe a group of at least eight people illegally hunted and killed dozens of animals including bobcats, black bears and elk over a period of two years in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  Investigators say GPS tags attached to photos and videos on the suspects' cellphones led them to several of their hunting spots, where they found animal carcasses that had been left to rot.  The investigation started last November after a motion-triggered police camera in Oregon caught two of the suspects spotlighting from a truck near The Dalles before getting out with rifles and head lamps.

Sumner Man Grows Nation's Largest Pumpkin

(New York, NY)  --  A Pacific Northwest man is the winner of the nation's largest pumpkin competition.  Washington resident Joel Holland of Sumner has won the 44th World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in San Francisco.  Weighing in at over two-thousand pounds, the gigantic pumpkin will be displayed at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.  Holland says warm daytime temperatures combined with lots of sunshine led to his pumpkin's epic growth.
 

Deadly Crash Sparks Safety Reminder From Police

(Troutdale, OR)  --  Police are reminding drivers to use caution during wet weather conditions following a deadly crash in Troutdale.  Police say a sedan was travelling northbound on 257th Street near Cherry Park Road when a southbound truck lost control and hit the sedan.  The driver of the sedan was killed in the crash.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is reminding drivers to travel at safe speeds and leave extra space between vehicles during rainy conditions.

Man Arrested For Allegedly Setting Off Small Bomb In Car

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  One man is facing charges for allegedly setting off a small bomb during a traffic stop, injuring himself and a police officer.  Police say detectives were serving a search warrant at the home of 26-year-old Jason Schaefer on Rock Creek Circle in Hillsboro yesterday when Schaefer came home, saw the detectives and fled, leading to a police pursuit.  Police say Schaefer eventually stopped on Rock Creek Boulevard and set off a small explosive device in his car.  One detective was treated and released from a hospital, while Schaefer suffered more serious injuries.  Police say he'll be booked into jail after he's released from the hospital.

MCSO Invites Public To New Hire, Promotions Ceremony

(Portland, OR)  --  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is inviting the public to meet two of its newest leaders.  The office is holding a New Hire and Promotional Ceremony Monday morning to welcome new employees and celebrate some recent promotions.  The sheriff's office recently promoted Chief Deputy Nicole Morrisey-O'Donnell and Chief Deputy Derrick Peterson to lead up a reorganized Corrections Division.

Police Search For Missing Vancouver Man

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police in Vancouver are searching for a missing elderly man who suffers from memory loss.  Police say 71-year-old Samuel Adams was last seen yesterday afternoon going for a walk in the area around his home near Southeast 177th Avenue and 12th Street.  He's described as a black man standing six feet tall at 170 pounds and was last seen wearing a gray Oakland Raiders sweater and a burgundy baseball cap.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police.

Police Looking For Car Connected To Deadly Crash

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police in Gresham are searching for a vehicle involved in a deadly crash with a cyclist.  Police arrested 23-year-old Kurtis Linn on DUII charges for the crash that killed a cyclist near Southeast Stark Street and 212th Avenue Sunday night.  Investigators say they're looking for a silver two-door sedan that was seen driving near the scene of the crash.  There's no word yet on how the sedan is connected to the crash.

Thousands Of Gallons Of Sewage Spill Along Marine Drive

(Portland, OR)  --  Environmental crews are mopping up after thousands of gallons of sewage spilled along Northeast Marine Drive.  The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services says a valve malfunction caused more than 18-thousand gallons of sewage to leak from an underground pipe located at 112th Avenue near the I-205 yesterday.  The agency says they were able to prevent the sewage from running into the Columbia River.  Officials say most of the sewage spilled into a ditch and that the Marine Drive bike path was not affected by the spill.

OSU Considering Several Head Coach Candidates

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State is looking at several candidates to replace head football coach Gary Anderson.  The college is reportedly considering Memphis's Mike Norvell along with several other candidates, including Colorado State's Mike Bobo, Wyoming's Craig Bohl and Navy's Ken Niumatalolo.  Meanwhile, the college says assistant coach Cory Hall will serve as interim head coach for the last six games of the year.
 

Police Search For Missing Elderly Man In Milwaukie

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police in Milwaukie are searching for a missing elderly man who suffers from short-term memory loss.  Police say 89-year-old James Arthur Windler failed to return home after dropping a friend off at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital on Wednesday.  He was last seen driving a tan 2002 Buick Century with Oregon license plate YUP 208.
 

Clackamas County AMR Sending Crew To California

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  An American Medical Response crew from Clackamas County is arriving in California today to help those affected by wildfires.  KATU reports the crew hit the road last night and is expected to arrive this afternoon.  The crew includes 35 people, who will be arriving with 20 ambulances.  Fire officials in California say at least 23 people have died and thousands of people have been evacuated as wildfires rage through the state's wine country and other areas.

Police Seek Women Accused Of Using Stolen Credit Cards

(Happy Valley, OR)  --  Police in Happy Valley are searching for two women who allegedly used stolen credit cards to make purchases.  Police say the women were caught on a surveillance camera trying to use the stolen cards.  Investigators say the cards were stolen over the summer in a series of thefts from cars parked at a Happy Valley park.  It's not yet clear whether the women were involved in those thefts.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Ugandan Choir To Perform In Aurora

(Aurora, OR)  --  A Ugandan children's choir is performing at an Aurora golf club tonight to raise money for a new school in their country.  KATU reports the Imani Milele choir will perform Ugandan folk songs along with some well-known American classics at the Langdon Farms Golf Club.  The choir will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.

Three Arrested For Violent Robbery In Vancouver

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Three people are behind bars in connection to a violent robbery in Vancouver.  Police arrested 19-year-old Ashley Griffin, 24-year-old Daniel Rodriguez and 35-year-old Matthew Smith Monday night.  Police say the three intentionally crashed their SUV into a woman's car as she was driving on Memorial Highway near Vancouver Lake Park Monday night and then tried to break her windows while yelling that they had a gun.  The woman says the suspects eventually were able to pull down her window and then pepper-spray her in the face before punching her several times and stealing her phone and wallet.  Police arrested them as they were leaving the scene.

Police Investigate Reported Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is under way into a reported shooting on Willbridge Avenue.  Police say officers responded to the 5600 block of Northwest Willbridge Avenue last night on reports that a man had fired a gun at a car and at a flagpole.  Witnesses describe the man as being in his 20s or 30s with short dark hair.

Man In Deadly DUI Crash Had High Blood Alcohol Content

(Salem, OR)  --  Police are releasing details on the blood alcohol content of a man arrested for a crash that killed a Molalla mother and her four children.  Police say 27-year-old Favian Garcia had a blood alcohol content of nearly four times the legal limit when he crashed into Lisette Medrano-Perez's car at Highway 99E and Nevada Street Northeast Sunday.  Medrano-Perez and her four children were killed in the crash.  Garcia was hospitalized for minor injuries and was later arrested on five counts of manslaughter along with DUI and reckless driving.
 

Motorcyclist Crashes Into Deer, Suffers Only Minor Injuries

(Beaverton, OR)  --  A motorcyclist is lucky to be alive after crashing into a deer.  Police say the biker struck a deer while travelling on Highway 26 at Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard last night.  The biker suffered minor injuries.

Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty To Sex With Inmate

(Wilsonville, OR)  --  Sentencing is scheduled for next month for a corrections officer who had sex with an inmate at the state's women's prison.  Edgar Mickles pleaded guilty late last week to four counts of custodial sexual misconduct.  The 51-year-old admitted to having sex with an inmate at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville two years ago.  Mickles could face up to five years behind bars.

Man Hit By Car Saturday Dies In Hospital

(Portland, OR)  --  Authorities say a 58-year-old man who was hit by a car over the weekend has died.  Police say Charles Bergeron died Monday at a hospital.  Bergeron was crossing 82nd Avenue near Northeast 82nd Avenue and Jonesmore Street Saturday when a car struck him.  Police say the crash is still being investigated but that it doesn't appear that the driver was intoxicated.

Pedestrian Shoots Car That Crashes Into Him

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are looking for a pedestrian accused of shooting at a car that crashed into him.  Police say the man was walking across Southwest 10th Avenue yesterday when a car struck him.  The man allegedly pulled out a gun and shot at the car before getting into a red four-door sedan and fleeing the area.  Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact police.

Vancouver Police Crack Down On Out-Of-State License Plates

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police in Vancouver are cracking down on residents with out-of-state license plates.  The Vancouver Police Department has launched a new program they're calling "Live in State, Get Our Plates."  The program is especially aimed at residents who travel the short distance into Oregon to register their car without having to pay sales tax.  City officials say one in ten Vancouver residents have cars that are registered in another state.

Protesters To Demonstrate Against DeVos At McMinnville High School

(Portland, OR)  --  Protesters will be at McMinnville High School today in response to a visit from U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.  The group Action Together Oregon says they'll gather at the school around 1 p.m. to protest.  The group says they're demonstrating in support of full funding for public education, which they say is undermined by DeVos's support for charter schools and voucher programs.  DeVos says she's touring the school and sitting in on classes to find out how the school's low-income students scored so well on recent tests.
 

Search Continues For MAX Station Slashing Suspect

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police in Gresham say they're still looking for a suspect accused of attacking someone with a knife on a MAX platform last week.  Police say the suspect slashed someone at the East 162nd Avenue MAX station Friday evening.  Authorities say the man was fighting with a group of people on a westbound train stopped at the station.  When the fight spilled out onto the platform, the man allegedly slashed one person in the group in the shoulder before returning to the train.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Two Masked Men Rob Deli In Milwaukie

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police in Milwaukie are searching for two men accused of robbing a deli at gunpoint.  Authorities say the men entered Maddy's deli Sunday with masks on and ordered everyone to the floor.  The men then allegedly grabbed some cash and fled on foot.

Suspect Flees Crash Site In Bare Feet

(Cornelius, OR)  --  Police in Cornelius are searching for a man accused of fleeing the scene of a car crash in his bare feet.  Police say the man crashed into the back of a 17-year-old girl's car at Northwest Susbauer and Long roads last night.  Police say the girl wasn't injured, but her dog got loose because of the crash.  Authorities say the suspect was driving with a suspended license.
 

Gas Leak Forces Evacuations In Cornelius

(Cornelius, OR)  --  Sheriff's deputies say a gas leak forced them to evacuate more than 100 people from their homes in Cornelius.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says they evacuated between 100 and 150 residents in the area between North 4th and Davis streets and the Walmart parking lot last night.  The residents were allowed back into their homes later in the night after Northwest Natural fixed the leak.
 

PSU Scientists Discover Carcinogen In Dabbing Vapor

(Portland, OR)  --  Recreational marijuana users who engage in dabbing might want to rethink their intake method.  Researchers at Portland State University say they've discovered a known carcinogen in dabbing vapor.  The scientists say they've discovered that the cancer-causing compound benzene is formed when butane hash oil is heated to very high temperatures to form the vapor that dabbers inhale.  The researchers found that heating the oil above 900 degrees Fahrenheit produced six times as much of the carcinogen as is normally present in the air we breathe.

Oregon Sending Fire Fighting Resources To CA

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Department of Forestry is sending resources to northern California as that state battles a fast-moving wildfire that's killed at least ten people.  The department says it's sending over a fire supervisor along with four fire engines staffed with two people each.  Hundreds of homes and businesses have been destroyed in the 100-square-mile blaze burning through wine country in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Education Secretary DeVos Visiting McMinnville High School

(McMinnville, OR)  --  U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos will be at McMinnville High School tomorrow.  School officials say DeVos requested a visit to the school to learn about its instructional practices.  The school says DeVos will drop in on several classes during her one-hour tour of the campus.
 

Man Accused Of Setting Fire To Center For Deaf

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A man is facing burglary and arson charges after allegedly setting fire to a resource center for the deaf in Vancouver.  Police arrested Justin Smith-Riggs Saturday at the Southwest Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Police say he broke into the building and lit a fire with gasoline.  Smith-Riggs allegedly told officers he did it for the adrenaline rush and that he thought the building was abandoned.

Suspect Steals Man's Motorcycle At Gunpoint

(Jefferson, OR)  --  Police are searching for a man accused of stealing another man's motorcycle at gunpoint after arranging to buy it from him.  Police say the victim met the suspect at the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge off of I-5 yesterday to sell him his Yamaha R6.  The victim tells police the suspect acted like a legitimate buyer at first but then tried to punch him before pulling out a gun and taking the bike along with the victim's wallet, cell phone, jacket and helmet.  The motorcycle is described as a grey 2014 model with Oregon plates reading M722871.
 

One Killed, One Injured In I-5 Wrong-Way Crash

(Salmon Creek, WA)  --  One person is dead and another is injured following a wrong-way crash near Vancouver.  Police say a driver used an off-ramp to enter the northbound I-5 in Salmon Creek last night and was going the wrong way when they crashed into another car head-on.  The wrong-way driver was killed, while the other driver suffered serious injuries.

Man Arrested For Crash That Killed Mom And Four Kids

(Salem, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a man in connection to a two-car crash that killed a mother and four children in Salem.  Police arrested 27-year-old Favian Garcia on five counts of manslaughter along with DUI and reckless driving.  Police say Garcia was driving under the influence when he crashed into Lisette Medrano-Perez's car at Highway 99E and Nevada Street Northeast Sunday, killing her and her four children.  Garcia was hospitalized for minor injuries.

Oregon Zoo's Thelma The Sea Otter Dies

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Zoo is saying goodbye to Thelma the sea otter.  Zoo officials say Thelma died over the weekend at the age of about 19-years-old.  Officials say Thelma had been declining in health in her old age and had to be humanely put down on Saturday.  Thelma came to the zoo in 2000 with her companion Eddie.

Runner Suffers Cardiac Arrest During Portland Marathon

(Portland, OR)  --  One man is lucky to be alive after going into cardiac arrest while running the Portland Marathon.  Authorities say the man collapsed at around mile 15 yesterday near North Wayland Avenue and Willamette Boulevard.  A bystander quickly jumped in and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived.  The runner was taken to a hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Five Killed In Crash Near Salem

(Salem, OR)  --  Five people are dead following a crash near Salem.  Police say the five were in a car travelling on Highway 99E yesterday afternoon when they crashed into another car.  All five people in the car were killed, while the driver of the other car was hospitalized for injuries.

Missing Salem Man Found Safe

(Salem, OR)  --  Police say a missing Salem man is doing well after being located near Simpson Park in North Bend.  Police say an officer found Robert Tudorache yesterday afternoon in fair condition.  He was taken to a hospital for evaluation.  He'd been reported missing Saturday morning after he disappeared while making a freight delivery at the Pony Village Ross department store.

Police Search For Missing Endangered Woman

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Police in Oregon City are seeking the public's help in their search for a missing and endangered 22-year-old woman.  Police say Zhaechel Strong has been missing since Thursday night.  She was last seen in Oregon City, and police say she often uses the TriMet transportation system to travel to Northeast Portland.  Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact police.
 

Bicyclist Killed In Car Crash

(Gresham, OR)  --  A bicyclist is dead after being struck by a car in Gresham.  It happened yesterday afternoon near the intersection of Stark Street and 210th Avenue.  Police say witnesses saw a white SUV swerve out of control and hit another vehicle before crashing into the bicyclist, sending him crashing into a nearby fence.  The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver was taken to a hospital for injuries.

Body Found Near Road In Clackamas

(Clackamas, OR)  --  An investigation is under way into the discovery of a body near a road in Clackamas.  Police say the body was found near Southeast Sunnyside Road and 140th Avenue yesterday.  Investigators say there doesn't appear to be any evidence of foul play.
 

Fire And Rescue Responds To Gas Leak In SE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Fire officials say a gas leak forced them to evacuate a building in southeast Portland.  Fire and Rescue crews responded to the area of Southeast 55th Avenue and Foster Road on reports of a gas leak last night.  Officials took to Twitter asking people to avoid the area while they worked on shutting off the line and fixing the leak.

One Arrested In Patriot Prayer Rally, Counter-Protest

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they arrested one person at a Patriot Prayer group rally and counter-protest near the route of the Portland Marathon yesterday.  Federal agents arrested Jay Bishop during the demonstrations at Terry Schrunk Free Speech Plaza after he allegedly brought a gun into the park.  Firearms are banned from the federally controlled park.  The Patriot Prayer group announced the last-minute rally Saturday night on Facebook, spurring the Rose City Antifa to organize a counter-protest.

Humpback Whale Entangled In Net Spotted In Puget Sound

(Seattle, WA)  --  Marine life officials are seeking the public's help in tracking down a young humpback whale who's gotten tangled up in some nets.  Officials with the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network say the whale has been spotted around the San Juan Islands with what appears to be a gill net tangled around it.  Anyone who sees the whale is urged to call the Entangled Whale Hotline at 877-SOS-WHALE.
 

Police Looking For Missing, Endangered Woman

(Clackamas, OR)  --  Police in Clackamas County are searching for a missing woman who suffers from dementia.  Authorities say 64-year-old Shirley Darlow was last seen yesterday around 4 p.m. near Jannsen Road and Southeast 90th.  Police say Darlow is about five feet tall and 100 pounds and was seen wearing a blue Adidas sweatshirt and jeans when she disappeared.  Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact police.

Retired Military Man Allegedly Threatens Vegas-Style Shooting

(Kalama, WA)  --  Police say they arrested a retired military man in southern Washington after he allegedly threatened to commit a Las Vegas-style shooting at Joint Base Lewis McChord.  Police arrested 35-year-old Christopher Bleavins Wednesday following a high-speed pursuit from the base to Kalama in Cowlitz County, where he crashed into another car and was forced to stop.  No serious injuries were reported.  Police say Bleavins was not armed when they arrested him and that he suffers from PTSD.  He's being held without bail on charges of assault, hit-and-run, reckless endangerment and eluding police.

Gun Scare At Gresham School A Hoax

(Gresham, OR)  --  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says a gun scare that shut down a Gresham high school yesterday was the result of a hoax.  Sam Barlow High School was placed on lockdown for an hour and a half yesterday after someone called 911 saying a student had a weapon.  Sheriff's deputies searched the school and lifted the lockdown at 1 p.m.  Deputies say they're questioning one person in connection to the hoax.
 

Small Plane Crash Landing Injures Two

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Two people are injured after their small plane crash-landed near Hillsboro.  Authorities say 39-year-old John Gorman was receiving training from 68-year-old flight instructor Ronald Magnus yesterday afternoon when their single-engine plane crashed while Gorman was trying to land it.  Both men were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.
 

Man Arrested For Allegedly Stabbing Mother

(Battle Ground, WA)  --  A southern Washington man is behind bars for allegedly stabbing his mother in the hand.  Police arrested 19-year-old Austin Puckett in Battle Ground Wednesday after his mother called 9-1-1.  Police say Puckett was trying to stab his mom in the chest, but she blocked the blade with her hand and was able to stop him.  Puckett is charged with assault.

Man Gets 6 Years In Prison For Sexually Abusing Child

(Oregon City, OR)  --  An Oregon City man is facing six years behind bars for sexually abusing a four-year-old child.  A judge has sentenced Ryan Phillip Fridlund to 75 months in prison.  Fridlund pleaded guilty earlier this week to abusing the child in 2014.

Beaverton School Cancels Halloween Parties

(Beaverton, OR)  --  A Beaverton elementary school is putting an end to Halloween costume parties.  Scholls Heights Elementary School Principal Monique Singleton sent out a letter to parents on Wednesday saying they're cancelling their annual Halloween party this year and that students and staff won't be allowed to dress up in costume.  Singleton says they'll be having a harvest party instead.  She says some parents told her the Halloween parties conflicted with their beliefs and that she wants the school to be more inclusive.

Health Officials Urge Residents To Get Flu Vaccines

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are encouraging resident to go get their flu vaccines.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says everyone over six months of age should get the vaccine.  Officials say the vaccine can take up to two weeks to take effect, so folks should get them sooner rather than later.  Oregon experienced its worst flu season in state history last season, with more than one-thousand people requiring hospitalization in the Portland area alone.

Suspect Stealing Parking Meters In Oregon City

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Police in Oregon City are searching for a suspect in connection to several parking meter thefts.  Police say the suspect has been cutting the meters from their poles and stealing them for the past few months.  The most recent theft occurred on Tuesday.  Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

Threatening Message To Muslims Found In County Building

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing at the Multnomah County building in Portland after someone scrawled a threatening message to Muslims.  Officials say the message was written in a cubbyhole in a break room at the building, and it's unclear how long the message had been there.  The break room is locked and can only be accessed with a security badge.  County officials are encouraging people to speak up if they saw anything.

New Bike Lane Designs Feature Artwork From Students

(Portland, OR)  --  Several Portland bike lanes are sporting a fun new look, courtesy of some creative kids.  The Portland Bureau of Transportation has painted some of the city's bike lanes with designs from Multnomah County students.  The county chose four winning designs from nearly 200 entries.  A bicyclist wearing a jet-pack and a girl riding a singing bicycle are among the winners.

Idaho Woman Arrested For Gresham Murder

(Gresham, OR)  --  An Idaho woman is facing murder charges after allegedly stabbing her husband's ex-wife in Gresham.  Police arrested Angela Rose McCraw-Hester in Idaho yesterday.  She's accused of stabbing Gresham resident Annastasia Diane Hester to death in her home last year.  McCraw-Hester is behind bars in Idaho awaiting extradition to Oregon.

OR GOP Lawmakers Aim To Throw Out Gun Law

(Portland, OR)  --  Three Oregon Republicans are trying to overturn the state's anti-suicide gun law.  House members Bill Post and Mike Nearman and former House candidate Teri Grier are gathering signatures for their "Say No To 719" initiative.  Senate Bill 719 prohibits Oregonians from owning guns or ammo if they are considered at risk of taking their own lives.  It is set to take effect on January 1st.  The politicians reportedly have until tomorrow to fill up the petition and force a repeal vote next year.

Amazon Signs Lease For NW's 2nd Tallest Skyscraper

(Seattle, WA)  --  Amazon is scooping up what's expected to be the Northwest's second-tallest skyscraper.  The online retail giant says it's signed a lease to take over the entire office portion of the upcoming Rainier Square.  The tower is going up in downtown Seattle and is expected to hold more than three-thousand-500 workers.  It's expected to open in about three years.

Red Light Cameras Will Soon Double As Speed Cameras

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Drivers caught speeding on red light cameras will soon be issued tickets for the offense.  A new law going into effect today means red light cameras in Portland, Beaverton, Bend and Salem will be able to double as speed cameras.  Beaverton police tell KATU they hope to have the cameras ready to catch speeders sometime next year.  Portland's cameras won't be ready until 2019, but officials say they could start a pilot program as early as next year.

Fire Damages Beaverton Apartment Building

(Beaverton, OR)  --  Fire officials say no one was injured when a Beaverton apartment went up in flames.  Firefighters were called to the apartment building at Southwest 17th Street near Allen Boulevard last night on reports of a fire.  Fire officials say crews were able to contain the fire to one unit, and everyone made it out of the home safely.  There's no word yet on what caused the fire.

Man Robs Vancouver Bank

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police in Vancouver are searching for a man accused of robbing a bank.  Authorities say the suspect entered the Umpqua Bank on Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard yesterday afternoon and handed the teller a note demanding money.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
 

One Hospitalized Following Beaverton Shooting

(Beaverton, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a shooting that left one person hospitalized in Beaverton.  Police say officers responded to the Sir Charles Court Apartments last night on reports of shots fired.  Police found a victim there with a possible gunshot wound and rushed them to the hospital.  Further information was not immediately available.

North Bend Woman Injured In Vegas Shooting

(North Bend, WA)  --  A Pacific Northwest woman remains hospitalized in Las Vegas after being shot in Sunday's deadly mass shooting at a concert.  KATU reports 29-year-old North Bend, Washington resident Alicia Johnston was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with her husband and high school sweetheart 28-year-old Nick Johnston for their first vacation together.  Alicia was shot when the gunman opened fire on concert-goers, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500.  Nick says Alicia is still in the hospital but is expected to survive, and they hope to return to Washington soon.
 

Date Announced For Major Amtrak Change Through Tacoma

(Portland, OR)  --  After months of speculation, Washington's Department of Transportation has named the date for adding two new Amtrak round trips between Seattle and Portland.  On December 18th, It will add early morning and late evening Cascades trains.  It will also move all Amtrak trains on that route to the faster Sound Transit Point Defiance Bypass between Tacoma and Nisqually.  The trains will also move to a new Tacoma Amtrak station at Freighhouse Square Shopping Center.

Driver Hits Water Line, Flooding Streets

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police in Gresham are searching for a hit and run suspect who crashed into a water line.  Police say the driver crashed near Northeast 162nd Avenue and Siskiyou Street last night, causing streets in the neighborhood to flood.  The driver then allegedly crashed into another car at East Burnside and fled the scene on foot.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Salem Woman Mourns Loss Of Friend In Vegas Shooting

(Salem, OR)  --  A Salem woman is mourning the loss of a friend killed in Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas.  Chrissy Alleman tells KATU 28-year-old former Salem resident Cameron Robinson was shot and killed while attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with his boyfriend.  Alleman says Robinson and his sister lived with her grandmother in Salem when they were kids and that he was always full of life and sunshine.

Man Gets 2 Weeks In Jail For Giving Pot To Children

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is facing a couple weeks behind bars after giving his kids marijuana.  David Edmunds was sentenced late last week to 14 days in jail.  Prosecutors say Edmunds forced his 6- and 8-year-old sons to smoke marijuana from a bong and then became angry with them when they didn't know how.  The kids are now living with their grandmother.

Portland Aid Group Helping Out In Puerto Rico

(Portland, OR)  --  A group of Portland-based aid workers are in Puerto Rico helping hurricane victims.  Workers with Mercy Corps arrived in Puerto Rico early this week as part of a two-month relief effort.  The group says they're focusing on short-term recovery first by handing out money to victims so they can buy food and water.  After that, the workers say they'll get to work on long-term recovery efforts to help stabilize the economy however they can.

Missing Family Found Safe

(Clackamas County, OR)  --  The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is calling off the search for a missing family after finding them safe and sound.  Police had asked for the public's help earlier this week in tracking down 51-year-old Veronica Weathers, her 26-year-old daughter Kasey Kent and Kent's three children.  The family was reported missing after they failed to return from a camping trip in the Mount Hood National Forest in mid-September.
 

Seattle Woman Killed In Las Vegas Shooting

(Seattle, WA)  --  A Pacific Northwest woman is among those killed in Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas.  KATU reports 31-year-old Seattle resident Carrie Parsons was attending the Route 91 Harvest festival with friends when she was hit by a bullet.  Parsons was a recruiter who had recently gotten engaged.  She graduated from Bainbridge Island High School.  Police say 59 people were killed and more than 500 were wounded when a gunman opened fire on concert-goers from the window of a hotel room.

Trump Picks Lawyer With OR Ties For Labor Gig

(Washington, D.C.)  --  President Trump is tapping a lawyer with Portland ties for a position with the Labor Department.  Kate O'Scannlain was raised in Portland, and if she's confirmed by the Senate, she'll be the third-ranking member of Labor.  The 40-year-old would then oversee the department's attorneys.  O'Scannlain is a graduate of Jesuit High School and the University of Notre Dame.  Her father, Diarmuid O'Scannlain, was a Reagan-appointed judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals.

Woman Finds Dead Rabbit Left In Mailbox

(Oregon City, OR)  --  An investigation is underway after a Clackamas County family found a dead rabbit inside their mailbox.  Police say Olsen Bergman filed a police report Monday after a neighbor noticed the animal at her home just outside of Oregon City.  Bergman says the mailbox was a replacement that she installed Sunday after someone stole her entire mailbox on Saturday.  Several other neighbors have reported having their mail stolen.  Police are looking for a suspect.

Indiana Supreme Court Rules On Sexual Consent Law

(Indianapolis, IN)  --  An Indiana man could be sentenced to three years for sending a sexually explicit photo of himself to an Oregon 16-year-old girl in 2014.  Sameer Girish Thakar's case had previously been dismissed, but a recent ruling on the sexual consent law in Indiana means he could now be facing time.  The Indiana Supreme Court ruling maintains it is still legal for those over the age of 18 to have sex with someone 16 years of age or older, but it's a crime for an adult to send a sexually explicit photo of themselves to a 16-year-old.

OR Lawmaker Calls For Gun Control After Vegas Violence

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer is calling for stricter gun legislation.  The Democrat's plea came just hours after the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, this time on the Las Vegas Strip.  The Portland Representative says GOP contentions that nothing could have stopped the shootings are "just wrong."  Blumenauer wants to revive his 2015 plan for reducing gun violence, which is rooted in background checks for prospective buyers.  He laments that his easy solutions to gun violence have never been considered by the Republican-led Congress.  He says "thoughts and prayers" will not stop future tragedy, and he calls on Congress to have the "courage to act."

Vegas Shooter's Dad Arrested In Oregon In Late 70s

(Anthony, TX)  --  The father of the Las Vegas shooter responsible for dozens of deaths Sunday has ties to Oregon.  Stephen Paddock's father, Benjamin, was arrested in Oregon in 1978 where he ran a bingo parlor.  Benjamin Paddock escaped from a Texas prison in 1968, where he was serving a sentence for a bank robbery in Arizona.  The FBI placed Benjamin Paddock on its Most Wanted List saying he was diagnosed as psychopathic, suicidal and dangerous.  The "El Paso Times" reports Benjamin Paddock was removed from the FBI list in 1977, one year before he was arrested.

More Horizon Flights Cancelled For October

(Seattle, WA)  --  A pilot shortage is forcing Horizon Air to cancel more flights.  The Alaska Air regional carrier reports that it's cutting its schedule through at least January, with 700 flights jettisoned during this month alone.  The "Seattle Times" reports that newly hired pilots are still being trained on the airline's new Q400 turboprops.  When they graduate by the end of the year, the company expects to return to its regular schedule.  Horizon serves 45 cities in the west.

Investor Group Wants To Make I-5 A Self-Driving Highway

(Seattle, WA)  --  A large portion of the I-5 could someday be open only to self-driving cars.  A group of Seattle-based venture capitalists has released a timeline for their proposal to limit the highway to autonomous, driverless cars in part of Washington.  The firm Madrona Venture Group says they'd like to ban human drivers on the highway between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. during peak travel hours as soon as the year 2040.  The group wants to get the ball rolling by immediately opening the carpool lanes to self-driving cars and later creating two lanes exclusively for self-driving cars by the year 2025.

Man Gets 2.5 Years For Masturbating In Public

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is facing two and a half years behind bars for multiple incidents of masturbating in public.  Police arrested 24-year-old William Wimberly in February for following a woman around a baby store while masturbating.  Wimberly had previously been arrested in 2015 for exposing himself to several women on the Southeast side.
 

Oregon Woman Witnessed Vegas Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  An Oregon woman is safely back home after witnessing Sunday night's deadly mass shooting in Las Vegas.  Marchelle Carl tells KATU she was standing just outside the Route 91 Harvest country music festival when the gunfire erupted.  Carl says she heard hundreds of gunshots, and the attack sent her running through vendor areas and climbing over things to get to safety.  She adds she was praying for safety.  Authorities say at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 were wounded when a gunman opened fire on concert-goers from a hotel room.

SCOTUS Rejects OR Jury Case

(Washington, DC)  --  Oregon's unusual jury system won't be tested this year by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Justices declined yesterday to hear a case involving non-unanimous jury verdicts.  Oregon and Louisiana are the only states that allow convictions on a 10-2 vote, which critics claim is unconstitutional.  The high court had previously upheld the unconventional laws in 1972 and refused to hear cases challenging Oregon's law eight years ago.

Man Arrested For Sexual Offenses Against Minors

(McMinnville, OR)  --  A man is under investigation in McMinnville after being arrested for sexual offenses against underage victims.  Police say they arrested Vick Niemann Hope AKA "Victor Cervantes" late last month on reports that he engaged in sexual relationships with several minors.  Police believe he may have had more victims.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Police Seek Missing Man With Dementia, Diabetes

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are searching for a missing and vulnerable man in Milwaukie.  Authorities say 61-year-old Bradley Dressler disappeared from the Milwaukie Providence Hospital waiting room yesterday afternoon.  Dressler reportedly suffers from dementia and diabetes and doesn't have his necessary medications with him.  Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact police.

California Man Dead After Allegedly Shooting, Killing Oregon Chef

(Ashland, OR)  --  A California man is dead after allegedly shooting and killing a chef at an Ashland lodge.  Investigators say 50-year-old Neil Brian Norman entered Callahan's Lodge over the weekend and walked into the kitchen, where he killed 40-year-old Ryan Bagley.  Norman then allegedly stole a car, positioned it in the middle of a roadway, got out of the car with a rifle, and was hit and killed by the first car to encounter him.  Members of Norman's family told detectives they were surprised by the incident but said he had undiagnosed mental health issues.

Two Killed In Southern OR Plane Crash

(Ashland, OR) -- Two people were killed in a small plane crash in Southern Oregon Sunday morning, but the wreckage wasn’t found until Monday. 

 

A State Police Fish and Wildlife trooper heard a low-flying plane with engine trouble, but the clouds were too low to see it. He heard it crash about a mile away. the wreckage was found by a helicopter. 
 
Juan and Chantal Canopii, from Glendale, Oregon, were flying from Klamath Falls to Medford when their plane went down.
 
The plane has been identified as a Cirrus SR-22 and the investigation is still continuing to determine the cause and who was the pilot.

Crash Injures Three In Hillsboro

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Three people are injured following a crash on Tualatin Valley Highway in Hillsboro.  Police say the crash happened Saturday at the intersection of TV Highway and 45th Avenue.  Three people were hospitalized following the crash.  An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Woman Stabbed Under I-5 Overpass

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a stabbing underneath an I-5 overpass.  Police say one woman was hospitalized after being stabbed Saturday morning near Northeast Lloyd Boulevard and 1st Avenue.  Police arrested one person but later determined he wasn't a suspect in the case.  Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities.

Thousands Lose Power In East Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland General Electric says an equipment issue knocked out power for at least four-thousand east Portland homes and businesses Saturday.  PGE officials tell KATU that they had to replace a conduit wire, but they didn't give any further details on what caused the outage.  The outage was first reported around 1:30 p.m. from 24th through 28th Avenue to Lloyd Boulevard.  PGE officials say power was restored to all customers by 10 p.m.

New Distracted Driving Law In Effect

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon's new distracted driving law is now in effect.  House Bill 2597 went into effect yesterday.  The new law says drivers can't hold their phones in their hands while driving.  The law is aimed at cutting down on distracted driving crashes, which ODOT says happen every two and a half hours in Oregon.

One Killed, One Injured After Car Crashes Into Bus Shelter

(Seaside, OR)  --  One person is dead and another is critically injured after a driver crashed through a bus shelter.  Police say a woman was driving a Dodge Durango along Highway 101 in Seaside Saturday night when she lost control and crashed through a bus shelter.  One pedestrian at the bus shelter was killed, and another was hospitalized with critical injuries.  Police say the driver could face criminal charges.

Louisville Names Padgett Interim Men's Basketball Coach

(Louisville, KY)  --  The University of Louisville is naming assistant David Padgett as its interim men's basketball coach amid a corruption scandal involving Adidas.  He takes over while head coach Rick Pitino is on unpaid administrative leave amid an FBI investigation into corruption in the program.  Padgett says he's here to try and pick up the pieces.  A criminal complaint released earlier this week by the Justice Department alleges that money was funneled from Adidas to the family of a Louisville recruit.  U-of-L has a 160-million-dollar shoe and apparel contract with Adidas.

Coast Guard Rescues Burn Victim From Ship

(Warrenton, OR)  --  Coast Guard officials say they rescued a man suffering from burns aboard a cargo vessel.  Officials say crewmembers aboard the Tawa Arrow called for help Saturday after one crewman suffered burns to his legs and arms from a boiler steam incident.  The vessel was about 174 miles off the Columbia River entrance when the incident occurred.  A Coast Guard aircrew airlifted the man to a hospital.

Missing Teen Girl Found In Mount Jefferson Wilderness

(Marion Lake, OR)  --  A Portland teen is back with her family after spending a night lost in the woods in near-freezing temperatures.  Police say crews rescued the 16-year-old girl yesterday about seven miles into the Eight Lakes Basin area in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.  Authorities say the girl called for help after taking a wrong turn on the trail.  She was suffering from mild hypothermia when rescue crews found her, but she's said to be doing well now.

Two Suspects Rob Tavern At Gunpoint

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into the armed robbery of a tavern in Northeast Portland.  Police say two suspects entered the Ace Tavern near Sandy Boulevard and Northeast Prescott Street yesterday afternoon with a gun and demanded money.  Police say no one was injured.  Anyone with information on the suspects' whereabouts is urged to contact police.

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