Regional News Archives for 2019-02

School Bus Crashes, Sending Nine Kids To Hospital

(Portland, OR)  --  Nearly a dozen children are recovering from injuries after their school bus crashed into a ditch in Hood River.  Oregon State Police say the Hood River County school bus was on a snow route yesterday morning when it went off the roadway and into a ditch on Highway 281.  The bus then struck an embankment before making its way back to the roadway.  Nine children were hospitalized.  Police are investigating the crash.

Portland Police To Stop Carrying Knives On Outer Vests

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police officers are changing the way they carry their service knives.  The Oregonian reports officers are being ordered to stop carrying their knives on their outer vests.  The move comes after a suspect got a hold of an officer's knife during a struggle in early January.  The officer ended up opening fire on the suspect, killing him.  Moving forward, officers will be required to keep their knives in a more concealed location.

Lawsuit: Girl Mauled By "Emotional Support" Pit Bull

(Portland, OR)  --  A lawsuit filed in Oregon Monday seeks more than a million dollars after a five-year-old girl was mauled by a supposed emotional support pit bull inside Portland International Airport.  The attack happened in December 2017 when the girl asked to pet the dog in the gate waiting area.  The dog attacked the girl's face, puncturing her eyelid, severing her tear duct and tearing her lip and face.  She required surgery and still has scars.  The suit blames the airport for allowing the dog inside without being properly confined.  It argues the dog wasn't a properly trained service animal and blames lax airport rules about what constitutes a service animal.  A spokeswoman for the Port of Portland said that officials are only allowed to ask if the animal is a trained service animal and are required to accept the answer.

Man Allegedly Steals, Crashes Juice Delivery Truck

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing charges after allegedly stealing a juice delivery truck and crashing it into a tree in Beaverton.  Police responded to the Winco Foods on Southwest Cedar Hills Boulevard yesterday morning on reports of a stolen Odwalla truck.  Responding officers found the vehicle nearby and tried to pull it over, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and even drove into oncoming traffic to evade police.  The truck crashed into a tree and parking sign five minutes later, where the suspect allegedly fled on foot.  Police tracked him down nearby and arrested him.

Teens Arrested For Allegedly Bringing Guns To School

(Portland, OR)  --  Two teenagers are facing charges after allegedly bringing guns to school in Seaside.  Police arrested a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old on gun possession charges yesterday after a student alerted school staff members.  Both teens were booked into the Clatsop County Juvenile Department.

Governor Brown To Appoint New Secretary Of State

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown is set to appoint an interim Secretary of State following the passing of Dennis Richardson.  The Oregon Constitution requires Brown appoint a new secretary which she plans to do in the coming weeks.  She said she will consider appointees from the Republican party who do not have plans to run for the seat in the 2020 election.

Wildlife Officials Anticipate Poor Salmon Runs

(Portland, OR)  --  Wildlife officials say they're expecting poor salmon runs this year.  The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says spring chinook returns to the Columbia River are expected to be down 14-percent from last year.  Officials say salmon return forecasts for this year are at just fractions of their ten-year averages.  In Washington state, fewer than 30-thousand wild chinook are expected to make their way back to the Puget Sound, where the endangered southern resident orca population relies on them as their primary food source.

Police ID Man Killed In SE Portland Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man who was shot to death in Southeast Portland.  Police say 38-year-old Oscar Rodriguez Torres was shot and killed Friday night in the Hazelwood neighborhood.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  An investigation is ongoing.

Winter Weather Advisory In Effect For Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Portland area through noon today.  KATU reports Portland is expected to receive up to half an inch of snow through this morning.  More snow is possible throughout the region later tonight into tomorrow.

Woman Gets 18 Months For Deadly 2017 DUII Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman is facing a year and a half behind bars for a deadly DUII crash in 2017.  A judge sentenced Amanda Erickson yesterday to 18 months in prison.  She pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of criminally negligent homicide and one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants.  Erickson was driving along North Columbia Boulevard at Swift Court with two passengers when she crashed into another car.  Both her passengers died.

More Than 4,500 Without Power In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Thousand of Portlanders are in the dark this morning due to a Pacific Power outage.  Pacific Power says more than 45-hundred customers are without electricity as of 4:45 this morning.  An investigation into the outage is underway.

Car Stolen From Gresham Hospital Parking Lot

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a car thief who stole a vehicle from a hospital parking lot in Gresham.  Stuart Herrin tells KATU he was at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for less than half an hour Monday when his car was stolen.  Police say it's the eighth car to be stolen from the hospital's parking lot in the last 13 months.

Flight Cancellations Continue Until Later this Morning

(Redmond, OR)  --  Flights are canceled at Redmond Municipal Airport until at least 9:00 this morning.  Flights were originally canceled for Monday and expected to resume yesterday, but airport officials say the damage from Sunday night's snow storm is more than expected.  The Instrument Landing System at Redmond is "currently inoperable" because of all the snow and ice.  Passengers are urged to continue checking the status of their scheduled flights.

Freezing Temperatures Could Cause Icy Roads

(Portland, OR)  --  Freezing temperatures are expected to create a slippery commute this morning.  KATU reports overnight temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s will likely create icy spots on roads and highways.  A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Cascades through tomorrow.

Paramedic Stabbed By Man Trying To Get Into Ambulance

(Portland, OR)  --  A paramedic is recovering from injuries after being stabbed by a man trying to get into his ambulance while it was stopped at a red light.  Police say the ambulance was stopped at Southwest 5th and Sherman downtown yesterday when 38-year-old Jeremiah James Ray opened the vehicle's door and tried to get inside.  A struggle ensued, and police say Ray stabbed the paramedic multiple times before fleeing the scene on foot.  Police caught up to him a short while later and arrested him.  The paramedic was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

Two Women Arrested For Allegedly Hitting Deputy With Car

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Two women are facing charges after allegedly hitting a deputy with their car in Vancouver, Washington.  Police arrested 27-year-old Maryelena Clark and 34-year-old Angelia Mason early this morning for the incident early yesterday.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says a deputy was investigating a suspicious-looking car stopped at an intersection when the two women jumped into the car and sped off, running over the deputy's foot.  Police later ran the car's plates and determined the plates had been stolen.

Eugene Airport Comes Close To Breaking Record For Snowiest Day In February

(Eugene, OR)  --  Eugene Airport is reporting one of snowiest February days in history.  As of late yesterday, Eugene received eleven inches of snow since Sunday night, but only eight-and-a-half of it fell since midnight Monday making February 25th the second snowiest day ever.  The snowiest day happened on February 24th, 1917 when ten-point-one inches fell.  The record storm has knocked power to tens of thousands, kept children home from school and has transportation officials urging people to stay off the roads.

2-Alarm Fire Destroys Abandoned Mill In Lebanon

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a two-alarm fire that destroyed an abandoned mill in Lebanon.  Firefighters responded to the old mill site near Cheadle Lake recreation center yesterday.  The structure is a total loss.  No injuries were reported.

Amtrak Train Trapped By Weather Freed In Southwest Oregon

(Oakridge, OR)  --  The Amtrak train trapped by fallen trees in Oregon has been freed and should be headed back to Seattle shortly.  Crews sent by Union Pacific Railroad, which the train uses in Oregon, cut away fallen trees and plowed heavy snow from its tracks so the train could move.  The train left Seattle Sunday morning for California, but passengers had been stuck on the train since Sunday evening.  It should be back in Seattle by this evening.

Teen Girl Missing From Toledo Could Be In Salem

(Toledo, OR)  --  Police are searching for a missing 16-year-old girl who could be in the Salem area.  Naveah Agee was reported missing from Toledo on Monday and could be in the Salem, Independence, or Springfield areas.  She's described as about five-foot-five-inches tall, weighing about 100-pounds with medium length brown hair.  She was last seen wearing blue ripped jeans, black knee-high boots, and a black jacket.  Call police if you know where she could be.

Police Arrest Man For Home Invasion Assault On Corbett Woman

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is behind bars in connection to an early-morning home invasion assault against a woman in Corbett.  Police arrested 40-year-old Sean Allen Tester yesterday on charges of first- and second-degree assault as well as coercion-aggravated assault and a felony count of strangulation.  Police responded to the woman's home on East Bell Road just before 3:00 yesterday morning on a report of assault with a weapon.  The woman was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.  Doctors say she is expected to survive.

Pinterest Blocks Vaccination Searches Because Of Anti-Vaxx Posts

(Seattle, WA)  --  Pinterest is blocking searches on vaccinations to stop the spread of misinformation.  The social media site said in a statement to CNBC that it was placing a ban on all vaccination searches until it can find a solution to misinformation being spread by anti-vaxx posts.  Last week, Facebook said it was also taking steps to reduce the amount of fake health news.  The responses follow a letter from Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff of California, blaming sites like Facebook and Instagram for helping spread false information about vaccines.  A measles outbreak in Washington state is currently affecting more than 60 people, and the World Health Organization says people choosing not to vaccinate has become a global health threat in 2019.

Man Charged For Fire Bombings In Coos Bay, North Bend

(Coos Bay, OR)  --  A man is behind bars and charged with arson for two fire bombings in Coos Bay and North Bend.  In a joint statement, the police departments in each city said an investigation led to the arrest of Chad Bunnell of Coos Bay.  It started Wednesday morning with a report of an explosion at home on Brussells Street in North Bend.  Later that morning a similar incident was reported at a Coos Bay home where one person was hurt.  Bunnell is being held at the Coos County Jail.

Portland Police Union Prez Calls Commissioner Eudaly Biased Against Police

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Police union president is accusing City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly of being biased against law enforcement.  This, after Eudaly published a tweet questioning whether Portland Police are biased in favor of right-wing activists.  The Tuesday tweet questions whether basic police work includes "ignoring racist and right wing extremist thugs" who intimidate, harass and menace people while arresting left-wing activists for no reason.  The tweet came about a week after Mayor Ted Wheeler called for an investigation into hundreds of friendly text messages between a police lieutenant and the leader of the alt-right group Patriot Prayer.

Police ID Cop Who Shot Teen Boy To Death

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are releasing the identity of the officer who shot a teenage boy to death in Vancouver, Washington.  The Vancouver Police Department says 48-year-old Corporal Roger Evans shot and killed 16-year-old Clayton Joseph Tuesday night while responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex at 10th and Southeast Ellsworth Road.  Police say Joseph and another person were fighting in the parking lot and that Joseph was holding a knife.  Corporal Evans says Joseph refused to drop the knife and did not comply with his orders, so he shot him.  Family members say Joseph was trying to stop the fight when police intervened and that he was not the agitator.
 

Health Officials Confirm New Measles Case

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Health officials in Clark County are confirming another case of the measles.  The new case brings the total to 64 cases in Clark County.  Another confirmed case in King County brings the statewide total to 65 cases.  Clark County officials say they're also looking into two new suspected cases of the disease.

Someone Posting Official-Looking 'No Loitering' Flyers Near PSU

(Portland, OR)  --  The City of Portland is notifying residents about some phony fliers spotted near Portland State University.  The flyers say "No camping or loitering" and feature the Portland city seal as well as some city codes.  The fliers add that offenders will be arrested.  The Portland Office of Management and Finance released a tweet Wednesday saying the city did not post the flyers.

ODF Releases Report Into Impact Of Sudden Oak Death

(Salem, OR)  --  The new report by the Oregon Department of Forestry is looking at the impact of sudden oak death.  The report shows funding 30-million-dollars in treatments to slow the spread of sudden oak death the next 20 years could offset the loss of 12-hundred jobs by 2028.  The report was released yesterday to the state's Sudden Oak Death Task Force ahead of its March 8 meeting in Salem. 

Health Officials Confirm New Measles Case

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Health officials in Clark County are confirming another case of the measles.  The new case brings the total to 63 cases in Clark County.  Another confirmed case in King County brings the statewide total to 64 cases.  The Oregon Health Authority says there are 68 confirmed cases across the region.
 

Stepson Of Accused Murderer Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Her

(Portland, OR)  --  The stepson of a Portland woman accused of murdering her husband is filing a lawsuit against her.  Nathaniel Stillwater has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Nancy Crampton Brophy for the death of his father, Dan Brophy, a well-known Portland chef.  Crampton Brophy allegedly shot him to death at the Oregon Culinary Institute last June.  Crampton Brophy worked as a romance novelist and once wrote an essay she called "How to Murder Your Husband."  Stillwater is seeking up to one-point-seven-million dollars in damages.

Friends, Family Remember Teen Shot To Death By Police

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Friends and family are remembering a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed by police in Vancouver.  Clayton Joseph died in a hospital after police shot him Tuesday night.  Friends and family tell KATU Joseph moved to the U.S. from Micronesia six months ago.  They describe the Evergreen High School student as a good kid who was happy and always eager to help others.  The Vancouver Police Department says officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex at 10th and Southeast Ellsworth Road Tuesday night when Joseph and another man started fighting in the parking lot.  Police say Joseph pulled out a knife and did not comply with their orders, so they shot him.  Family members say Joseph was trying to stop the fight when police intervened and that he was not the agitator.

PPB Holding Listening Session On Texts To Joey Gibson

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Police Bureau is holding a public listening session tonight on hundreds of text messages exchanged between a police lieutenant and the leader of the alt-right group Patriot Prayer.  Police Chief Danielle Outlaw called for the listening session, saying that 2019 is Portland's year for resolve against division and fear.  The Willamette Week submitted a public records request to obtain the texts between Lieutenant Jeff Niiya and Joey Gibson.  The texts show a friendly rapport between the two as Niiya advises Gibson of the positions of counter-protesters at Patriot Prayer rallies.  One text exchange appears to show Niiya advising Gibson on how a fellow Patriot Prayer member can evade arrest despite having an active arrest warrant out against him.  Tonight's listening session is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Maranatha Church in Northeast Portland.

Woman Assaulted In Corbett Home Invasion

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into an early-morning home invasion assault against a woman in Corbett.  Police responded to the woman's home on East Bell Road just before 3:00 this morning on a report of assault with a weapon.  The woman was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.  It's not yet clear whether police have identified or apprehended a suspect.

F-15 Lands In Portland Due To Landing Gear Problems

(Undated)  --  An F-15 fighter plane had to land in Portland after facing landing gear issues.  Yesterday morning, the pilot took off for a training mission, but sent out an aircraft emergency alert.  The plane landed safely without interrupting any flights.

Police Seek Man Missing Nearly Two Weeks

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a Corbett man who's been missing for nearly two weeks.  Family members of 32-year-old Joshua Applestill tell KATU he was last seen February 8th after catching a ride up East Larch Mountain Road to go to a bonfire.  Applestill reportedly left his wallet and ID at home, along with his son.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says it is actively investigating the disappearance.

Man Stabbed At Downtown Bus Depot

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a stabbing at the downtown bus depot.  Police say a man was stabbed yesterday afternoon and rushed to a hospital, where doctors say he's expected to survive.  Police briefly detained one person for questioning but have since released him.

Students In OR Not Allowed To Attend School Without Vaccinations

(Portland, OR)  --  Today is Exclusion Day.  Starting today, students in Oregon will not be allowed to go to school if they are not up to date on vaccinations.  Oregon has the highest rate of kids who are legally exempt from school vaccination requirements in the U.S.  Some clinics were offering free vaccinations ahead of Exclusion Day.

Pedestrian Struck In Hazel Dell Crash

(Vancouver, WA)  --  One man is injured after being hit by a truck in Clark County.  Police say the man was crossing the street at Hazel Dell Avenue and 82nd Street in Hazel Dell last night when the truck struck him.  It's not yet clear if the driver will be facing charges.

Students Push To Lower Oregon Voting Age To 16

(Salem, OR)  --  A new bill making its way through the state legislature would lower the voting age in Oregon to 16.  Lawmakers and youth activists say if 16-year-olds can be tried as adults in criminal trials, they should be allowed to vote.  If the bill is approved, it will show up on 2020 ballots.  If voters choose to lower the voting age, Oregon will be the first state to have 16-year-old voters.

Police Investigate Shooting At NE Portland Motel

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into an early morning shooting in northeast Portland.  Police say the shooting happened around 3:00 this morning at the Madison Suites motel on Northeast 82nd Avenue.  Police are not yet revealing whether anyone was injured.

Police ID Woman Found Dead Off OR Coast

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a woman found dead off the Oregon coast.  Oregon State Troopers say 63-year-old Satin Fever Star, also known as Kahrin Jean McDonald, was found dead Sunday in a cove near God's Thumb.  Police say the death does not appear to be suspicious.

Police Shoot Man In Vancouver

(Vancouver, WA)  --  One man is hospitalized after being shot by police in Vancouver.  The Vancouver Police Department says officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex at 10th and Southeast Ellsworth Road last night when two men started fighting in the parking lot.  Officers approached the men, prompting one of them to allegedly pull out a knife.  Police say the man did not comply with their orders, so they shot him.  The department adds no officers were injured.

Firefighter Hear Explosions At Lebanon Fire

(Lebanon, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into an explosive fire at a building in Lebanon.  Firefighters had to deal with exploding tanks of acetylene, propane and gas as they fought the blaze at Aerostar Towing yesterday morning.  It took more than twenty-five firefighters to put the fire out.  There were no reports of any injuries.

Police Arrest WA Homicide Suspect In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A man wanted for homicide in Washington state is behind bars after being arrested at a gym in southeast Portland.  Police arrested 31-year-old Thomas Earl Cooper Junior at 24 Hour Fitness on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard yesterday morning.  Arresting officers say they found a gun inside his locker at the gym.  Cooper was wanted in connection to a shooting at a nightclub in Lakewood, Washington in October.  One man was killed in the shooting and several others were injured.

Crews Rescue Missing Mother, Child From Silver Falls State Park

(Silverton, OR)  --  A woman and her three-year-old child are safe after going missing at Silver Falls State Park.  The Marion County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State troopers were called to the area at about 3 yesterday morning after the woman's boyfriend called and said the two got lost during a hike.  The family went into the park Sunday for a hike but then got disoriented and lost.  Rescue crews found them wet but unharmed. 

Two Injured In Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are injured following a crash on Southwest Beaverton Hillsdale Highway at Oleson Road.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says one person had to be extricated from their vehicle following the crash yesterday afternoon.  Police say one driver was experiencing a medical issue when he crashed into another car, which in turn struck a third car.  Two people were hospitalized.

Train Crashes Into Truck On Tracks

(Portland, OR)  --  A truck driver is injured after being struck by a train in Eugene.  Police say the crash happened yesterday morning on McDougal Lane near Highway 99.  Police say the truck's tractor-trailer was on the railroad tracks when the train struck it.  The truck driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Woman Injured In NE Portland Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  One woman is seriously injured following an accident in northeast Portland.  Police say the crash happened yesterday morning on Airport Way near Northeast 143rd Avenue.  Investigators say the woman was driving east when her vehicle veered off the roadway and hit a tree.  She was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries.

Police Seek Armed Robbery Suspect

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a suspect in connection to an armed robbery at a convenience store in Lake Oswego.  Police say the suspect entered the Jacksons Food Stores on Bangy Road just before 4:00 this morning and pointed a gun at the cashier before demanding cash.  He then fled the scene on foot.  No injuries were reported.

Man Robs Vancouver Convenience Store At Gunpoint

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are searching for a man accused of robbing a convenience store at gunpoint in Vancouver.  Police say the man entered the Plaid Pantry on Fourth Plain Boulevard Sunday night with a small handgun and demanded cash and cigarettes.  He then allegedly fled on foot.

Hundreds Of Education Supporters Rally At State Capitol

(Salem, OR)  --  Hundreds of supporters including teachers marched at the State Capitol in support of education yesterday.  Twenty-five school buses from around the state made their way to Salem for the "March for our Students."  The group planned to meet with their elected officials to demand more school funding and resources for early childhood to high education students.

Police ID Man Who Died After Crashing Into Tree

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man who died after crashing into a tree in the Bethany area.  Police say 27-year-old Zachary Benjamin of Hillsboro died in a hospital yesterday following Friday night's crash at Northwest Bronson Road and Roseburg Terrace.  Family members tell KATU he was driving home from work when he crashed.  He leaves behind a 14-month-old son.  Police say he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Police Trying To ID Woman Found Dead In Ocean

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are working to identify a woman found dead in the ocean near Lincoln City.  Police worked with the Coast Guard to recover the woman's body yesterday from a cove near God's Thumb.  The woman is described as five-foot-seven-inches and roughly 200 pounds with long, dark brown hair.  An investigation is ongoing into how the woman died.

Pop-Up Vaccination Clinic Held In Oregon To Combat Measles

(Portland, OR)  --  Recent outbreaks of the measles in the Pacific Northwest led to a pop-up vaccination clinic over the weekend in Multnomah County.  Wednesday is the last day kids missing vaccinations can get them done in order to stay in class for the remainder of the school year.  If parents have a medical or personal reason for not getting them, they have to have signed paperwork on file by then.  Another pop-up clinic in Multnomah County is set for Wednesday. 

Officials Confirm Two New Cases Of Measles In WA

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Health officials are confirming two new cases of the measles in Clark County, Washington.  Officials confirmed the new cases yesterday, raising the total number of confirmed cases in Washington to 62.  Officials are also identifying two new locations that were visited by contagious patients.  They include Image Elementary School and Pacific Middle School, both in Vancouver.

Ski Patrol Member Killed In Skiing Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A ski patrol member is dead after crashing into a tree on Mount Ashland.  The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says 23-year-old Johnathan "Johnny" Patrick Likeke Walker died Saturday on the south side of the mountain.  Police say he was skiing outside the ski area's boundaries with a group of other Mt. Ashland Ski Patrol members when he crashed.

One Injured In Vancouver House Fire

(Vancouver, WA)  --  One person is injured following a house fire in Vancouver.  Firefighters responded to the home on East 8th Street Saturday night for a fire that started in the kitchen and quickly spread.  One person living at the home was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.  Three people were displaced in the fire.

Lost Hiker Rescued Near Multnomah Falls

(Portland, OR)  --  A hiker is back home and doing OK after getting lost near Multnomah Falls.  Multnomah County Search and Rescue says they set out looking for the lost hiker around 4:30 p.m. yesterday.  Crews reportedly found him around 7 p.m. and say he was cold and tired but uninjured.  Crews warmed him up and got him to safety before 10 p.m.

Man Convicted Of Murder For Shooting Death In 2015

(Portland, OR)  --  Sentencing is scheduled next Thursday for a man found guilty of murdering another man in Washington County.  A jury convicted Andrew Guy Moret late last week of murder and unlawful use of a weapon for the shooting death of 34-year-old Alonzo Gregg more than three years ago.  Prosecutors say Moret shot Gregg nine times and left him in the middle of the street near Dandy's Deli in Hillsboro in September of 2015.  Police arrested him three days later. 
 

Man Shot, Killed In Gresham Apartment

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a deadly shooting at a home in Gresham.  Police responded to an apartment complex on Southeast 187th Avenue yesterday on reports of shots fired.  Responding officers found one man dead from gunshot wounds.  Police say there's no immediate danger to the public.

Mayor Calls For Investigation Into Texts Between Police, Patriot Prayer Leader

(Portland, OR)  --  Mayor Ted Wheeler is calling for an investigation into hundreds of text messages between a Portland police lieutenant and the leader of the alt-right group Patriot Prayer.  Willamette Week reports it filed a public records request to obtain the texts between Lieutenant Jeff Niiya and Joey Gibson.  The texts reportedly indicate a friendly rapport between the two while showing that police officers have been coordinating with Patriot Prayer members during protests that draw counter-protesters like AntiFa.  One string of texts shows the lieutenant advising Gibson on how Patriot Prayer and Proud Boys member Tusitala "Tiny" Toese could evade arrest, despite having an active arrest warrant out at the time.  The texts show Niiya telling Gibson to make sure Toese doesn't do anything that could draw police attention.  Toese has been accused of assaulting multiple people at Patriot Prayer rallies and counter-protests.

Police Seek Knife-Armed Bank Robber

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are searching for a man accused of robbing a bank at knifepoint.  It happened yesterday at the U.S. Bank branch on Northeast Highway 99 in Vancouver.  Police say the man showed the teller a knife and demanded money before fleeing on foot.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Fire Burns Vacant Home In Lebanon

(Portland, OR)  --  No injuries are reported following a fire at a vacant home in Lebanon.  Firefighters responded to the home on East Oak Street early yesterday morning and were able to extinguish the flames within an hour.  Fire officials say the home was likely being used by transients when the fire sparked.

OR Woman Believed Dead In PA

(Gresham, OR)  --  A Gresham woman is believed to be dead in Pennsylvania.  Police say she died at the hands of a man with whom she had struck up an online romance.  The Oregonian reports that 24-year-old Haley Lorenzen moved east in November and was reported missing a month later by her new friend Phillip Walters.  Authorities say a second woman who was also dating Walters told them she saw Lorenzen's body in his apartment and helped him dump it in a river. 

2 Golfers Get Jail Time In Links Attack

(Portland, OR)  --  Two Portland golfers are finding themselves in the rough for an attack on another twosome.  The Oregonian reports that Matthew Leo and Jacob Self were drunk while playing the Rose City Golf Course last year in the wrong direction.  After a complaint about interference, the pair took out some clubs and started swinging them at the other two guys.  The victims had welts and lacerations from the beatings and broken fingers from holding their assailants down until the police got there.  One of the attackers was sentenced Wednesday to a month in jail, the other to 45 days.

Log Truck Driver Arrested For Crashing Into Motel While Allegedly High

(Coos Bay, OR)  --  Police say a log truck driver who crashed into a motel in Coos Bay was high on marijuana when it happened.  Police arrested 60-year-old Benjamin Long Jr. yesterday after he allegedly crashed into a Motel 6 on Highway 101 near Koosbay Boulevard.  Police say Long was trying to abruptly stop at the intersection when he lost control of his truck and went off the road.  No injuries were reported. 

Police Seeking Hit-And-Run Driver Who Damaged Railway Fence

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who damaged a railway fence in southwestern Washington.  The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office says the driver crashed into a fence at the TEMCO property on Hendrickson Drive in Kalama last Monday and then drove off.  The suspect was said to be driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Portland To Withdraw From Joint Terrorism Task Force

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland is withdrawing from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.  City Councilmembers voted three-to-two yesterday in favor of a resolution withdrawing the city from the task force.  Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty submitted the resolution and says it doesn't make sense to cooperate with the task force given Portland's status as a sanctuary and its focus on protecting civil rights.  Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Nick Fish cast the dissenting votes.  The resolution goes into effect in 90 days.

Police Arrest Suspect In Salem Hit-And-Run Of Blind Man, Dog

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested a hit-and-run driver who crashed into blind man and his guide dog in Salem.  Police arrested 49-year-old Salem resident Donald Crume yesterday after receiving a tip from the public.  Police say Steve Murphy and his dog Amelia were walking near Liberty Road and Hrubetz Road Monday night when Crume struck them both and then took off.  Murphy reportedly suffered several broken vertebrae in his neck as well as fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis and a torn ligament.  The dog suffered some minor scrapes and is expected to be fine.

Coast Guard Saves Man, Woman From Ocean Near Netarts Bay

(Portland, OR)  --  Two boaters are lucky to be alive after falling into the ocean near Netarts Bay.  The Coast Guard says a man and a woman were fishing off of a jet-propulsion type personal watercraft near Netarts Bay yesterday morning when a wave flipped them over and threw them into the water.  The man reportedly used a marine radio to call for help, and a Coast Guard crew from Tillamook Bay rescued them.  The Coast Guard they might not have found the couple in time if not for the fact that they were wearing both life jackets and wetsuits.

Police ID Woman Found Dead In Car In SE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a woman found dead under suspicious circumstances in southeast Portland.  Police say 43-year-old Jaquona Lakaya Goggans was found dead just after midnight last Thursday inside a parked vehicle on Southeast Division Street.  It's not yet clear how she died, but police are calling the death suspicious.  An investigation is ongoing.

OR Governor Supports Winegrower Effort

(Salem, OR)  --  Four Oregon wineries are getting support from Governor Kate Brown.  The wineries in Eugene, Turner and McMinnville are banding together as Oregon Solidarity to make wine from Rogue Valley grapes that were incorrectly deemed smoke-tainted by wildfires.  A California vintner backed out of a deal to buy two-thousand tons of grapes, and the wineries came to the growers' aid to help keep them in business.  Brown told the Register-Guard that the action highlights the state's best values by helping others during a time of need.

One Injured In Crash Involving Three Semi Trucks

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is injured following a fiery crash involving three semi trucks in La Grande.  Police say the crash happened last night on westbound I-84 near Exit 265.  One driver was hospitalized for injuries.

ODOT Apologizes To Stranded Motorists On I-84

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Department of Transportation is apologizing to drivers who became stranded for more than 17 hours amid icy conditions on I-84 near Hood River.  Drivers ended up sleeping in their cars overnight Tuesday and remained trapped on the road for most of the day yesterday.  Oregon State Police troopers delivered water and fuel to the drivers.  ODOT says they applied both de-icer and salt to the highway twice ahead of Tuesday night's storm, but the storm washed them away.  ODOT says they're reviewing the incident.

OR Cop Cuffed In Kid Porn Case

(Roseburg, OR)  --  A Myrtle Creek police officer is facing child sex charges.  The Oregonian reports that 33-year-old Alexander Salterio was arrested Friday at his Roseburg home.  He's accused of going online to solicit nude pictures from teenage girls, and of sexually assaulting a ten-year-old.  He reportedly pretended to be a child on Facebook to get the photos sent to him. 

City Council Votes Today On Joint Terrorism Task Force Partnership

(Portland, OR)  --  City Council is set to vote today on whether to withdraw Portland from the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.  Today's meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m.  Portland Police Bureau Chief Danielle Outlaw released a video to Twitter last night expressing support for a continued partnership with the task force.  Outlaw says Portland needs to remain vigilant about what she calls real threats from people intent on harming the community.

Hit-And-Run Driver Strikes Blind Man, Guide Dog

(Salem, OR)  --  Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who crashed into blind man and his guide dog in Salem.  Police say Steve Murphy and his dog Amelia were walking near Liberty Road and Hrubetz Road Monday night when a car struck them both and then took off.  Murphy reportedly suffered several broken vertebrae in his neck as well as fractured ribs, a fractured pelvis and a torn ligament.  The dog suffered some minor scrapes and is expected to be fine.  Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.
 

Measles Count Stands At 54; Russians Blamed For Anti-Vaxxer Posts

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Washington state's measles outbreak stands at 54 cases.  One new case was confirmed yesterday in Clark County, but another was struck from the list, leaving the tally unchanged.  Clark County residents account for 53 of the cases, while the last one is in King County.  Another four cases have been confirmed in Portland, Oregon.  The outbreak is being blamed in part on low vaccination rates in Washington state.  Meanwhile, a study published by the American Journal of Public Health yesterday claims that the Russians are behind the anti-vaxxer movement.  The report says that Russia's Internet Research Agency made social media posts on both sides of the argument in an effort to erode public trust in vaccination.

Teen Accused Of Threatening Murder-For-Hire Against Middle School Student, Staff

(Portland, OR)  --  A Clackamas County teenager is facing charges after allegedly threatening to hire someone to murder a middle school student and two school staff members.  The Milwaukie Police Department says officers took the juvenile into custody for the threat Monday night.  Police say the former Rowe Middle School student texted a friend saying he was contemplating hiring a hitman to kill two employees and a student at the school.  The juvenile allegedly told police he wasn't serious when he sent the text.  He was taken into custody on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Man Gets Probation For Secretly Recording Roommate

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is facing three years probation for secretly videotaping his roommate.  A judge yesterday sentenced 30-year-old Arjuna Busek to probation and sex offender treatment.  Busek was convicted of hiding his cell phone inside his female roommate's bedroom to secretly record her. 

OR Senate Approves Rent Control, Tenant Protections

(Salem, OR)  --  Statewide rent control could be on its way to Oregon.  The state Senate approved the policy yesterday, along with new restrictions on evictions without cause.  The Oregonian reports that the bill sailed through the Senate, mostly along party lines.  The House gets it next, and representatives are expected to treat it kindly.

Corrections Deputy Gets Over Three Years For Sexual Misconduct

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A Clark County corrections deputy is facing more than three years behind bars for sexual misconduct.  KATU reports Christopher North was sentenced to nearly three and a half years after he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct with an inmate.  Police say North was on the job when he sexually assaulted a Clark County jail inmate in 2017.  North will be required to register as a sex offender following the completion of his sentence.

Voodoo Doughnuts Returns With Valentine's Day Doughnuts

(Portland, OR)  --  Voodoo Doughnuts is bringing back its special Valentine's Day treats this week.  The chain will be selling its limited-time Conversation Heart doughnuts, Rocky-Road of Love doughnuts and Valentine's Sprinkle Cake doughnuts all weekend.  The iconic doughnut shop is also reminding customers that they perform both legal and non-legal wedding ceremonies at all of their locations. 
 

Portland Remains Under Winter Storm Watch, Flood Watch

(Portland, OR)  --  More snow is on the way for Portland, along with some rain.  The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for parts of northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.  That includes the Portland and Vancouver metropolitan areas.  The storm watch will remain in effect until 2:00 this afternoon.  The National Weather Service has also issued a Flood Watch for Portland through 4:00 tomorrow morning as low-elevation rain and snowmelt is expected to cause some flooding for local creeks and rivers.
 

3 Days With No New WA Measles Cases

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Health authorities are cautiously watching the measles outbreak in southwestern Washington.  The Oregonian reports that yesterday was the third consecutive day with no new cases reported, but they say it's too early to say the outbreak is over.  More than 50 people have contracted the disease during the current outbreak.
 

Beaverton Man Killed In Auto-Pedestrian Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A 52-year-old Beaverton man is dead after getting hit by a car in Aloha.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says the unidentified man was walking at TV Highway and 178th Avenue last night when a vehicle struck him.  He was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.  Police say the driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.

Candlelight Vigil Held For 2-Year-Old Killed In House Fire

(Portland, OR)  --  Family members are mourning the passing of a two-year-old boy who died in a house fire earlier this month.  KATU reports family and friends held a candlelight vigil Sunday outside the home that caught fire February 2nd in Stayton.  Two-year-old Christopher Pearce was found dead inside the burned home.  An investigation is still ongoing into what sparked the blaze.  Oregon State Police initially said they suspected arson but later walked that back, saying it was too early in the investigation to determine a cause.

Police Take Juvenile Into Custody For Alleged Threats

(Portland, OR)  --  A juvenile is in police custody after allegedly threatening to harm himself and others.  Portland police responded to an area on Northeast 160th Avenue yesterday afternoon on reports of an armed man.  Responding officers learned the man was actually a minor and took him into custody.  The incident briefly closed down roads in the area.  No injuries were reported.

Portland Mathematician Ends 'Jeopardy!' Run With Monday Night Loss

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland mathematician is ending his "Jeopardy!" run.  Bif Reiser lost last night to a Texas attorney, who won 48-thousand dollars to become the new "Jeopardy!" champion.  Reiser entered last night's Final Jeopardy in second place, and while he entered the correct answer, he didn't bet enough money to make it into first place.
 

OR Man Denies Attempted Murder Charge In Portland Road Rage

(Portland, OR)  --  A 28-year-old man is pleading not guilty to charges that he tried to kill another motorist in southeast Portland.  The Oregonian reports that Anthony Lunetta of Gresham pleaded not guilty yesterday to nine counts of attempted murder and assault.  He is accused of shooting a gun into a car in December after a traffic disagreement.  Authorities say the bullet barely missed a one-year-old child inside the vehicle.

Portland Fourth Healthiest City In America

(Seattle, WA)  --  Portland is being called one of the top five healthiest cities in the nation.  A new study  from WalletHub judged more than 170 big cities in America on more than 40 factors, including medical costs, fitness clubs per capita and vegetable consumption.  Portland ranked fourth in the nation.  San Francisco came in first place, followed by Seattle in second.  San Diego ranked third best and Washington, DC rounds out the five..
 

Woman, Dog Killed In Icy Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  A woman and her dog are dead following a crash in icy conditions near Honeyman State Park.  Oregon State Police says 52-year-old Jamie Jones was driving north on Highway 101 Saturday when she lost control of her vehicle and slid into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into a delivery truck.  She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.  Police found her dog dead at the scene.   The driver of the delivery truck and his passenger were seriously injured in the crash. 

Police Seek Person Of Interest In Hillsboro Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a person of interest in connection to the shooting of a woman in Hillsboro.  Police say they're looking to question 61-year-old Fidencio Diaz-Eguiza.  Officers responded to a home on Southeast Tumblestone Drive behind the Sunset Esplanade last night to find a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.  She was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.

Six Injured In Crash On Icy Roadway

(Portland, OR)  --  Half a dozen people are injured following a three-car crash on an icy roadway near Sheridan.  Fire officials say the crash injured six people Saturday night on Highway 18.  One person was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.  Police say it's possible that one of the drivers was impaired.  An investigation into the crash is ongoing. 

Measles Outbreak On The Rise In U.S., Around The World

(Undated)  --  The World Health Organization is blaming complacency by parents for the increasing cases of measles worldwide.  More than 50 cases have been reported recently in Washington state and Oregon.  The W-H-O reports that the immunization rate in Washington is 90 percent and says that is insufficient to stop an outbreak.  The W-H-O argues parents who may be doubting the science and are not getting their children vaccinated are part of the reason for the increase in cases.  The W-H-O claims that more than 21 million lives have been saved since 2000 because of vaccinations. 

Kelso Clerk Shooting Suspect Jailed After Being Treated In Hospital

(Portland, OR)  --  One of the suspects connected to the shooting death of Kelso convenience store clerk Kayla Chapman is now behind bars.  KATU reports 23-year-old Erkinson Bossy was booked into Multnomah County Jail yesterday.  Police took him into custody last Tuesday following a car chase that ended with gunfire on I-84 near 33rd Avenue in Portland.  Bossy suffered a gunshot wound in the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Lebanon Murder Suspect Arrested At U.S.-Mexico Border

(Portland, OR)  --  A suspect in the murder of two people in Lebanon is behind bars after getting caught near the U.S.-Mexico border.  The Linn County Sheriff's Office says police arrested 48-year-old Brenton Wade Richmond yesterday in southern California.  Police found the bodies of 42-year-old Tammy Lee Hopper and 48-year-old Eric Cody Jacobs inside Hopper's Lebanon home Saturday.  Police identified Richmond as a suspect later that night.

Woman Warns Of Mega Millions Lottery Scam

(Cottage Grove, OR)  --  A Cottage Grove woman is warning folks about a scam involving the Mega Millions lottery.  Kristy Lycett tells KVAL she received a letter late last month claiming she'd won four-point-five-million dollars.  Lycett says she didn't even buy a lottery ticket.  She says she called the phone number listed on the letter and was informed she needed to send them money in order to receive her winnings.  Police say they've seen similar scams in the past.

Shooting Puts Four Schools On Lockdown In North Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into a shooting that put four schools on lockdown for nearly an hour.  Police responded to the shooting yesterday afternoon at North Commercial Avenue and North Killingsworth Street in north Portland.  Responding officers found evidence of gunfire but no victims or suspects.  Witnesses tell police they saw a group of teenagers running from the scene just after the shooting.  The incident put four nearby schools on lockdown for 45 minutes.

Health Officials Confirm New Measles Case In Clark County

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Health officials are confirming another case of the measles in southwestern Washington's Clark County.  The new confirmed case brings the total to 52 cases in Washington state.  Clark County Public Health is also identifying two new Vancouver locations where people may have been exposed to the measles.  Those locations are the Vancouver Clinic Salmon Creek on Northeast 139th Street and Sea Mar Medical Clinic East Vancouver on Southeast 34th Street. 

OR Cop Cuffed In Meth Case

(Salem, OR)  --  A Salem cop is one of two people arrested in Portland on drug and theft charges.  The Oregonian reports that Seth Thayres was handcuffed Wednesday along with his alleged accomplice, James Cardenas.  Thayres was reportedly released from jail yesterday morning, but Salem police say he was on administrative leave when he was arrested.  He's been awaiting the outcome of a fitness for duty evaluation since October and was off-duty at the time he was taken into custody. 

City Council Passes Ordinance Condemning Hate Groups

(Portland, OR)  --  The City of Portland is officially condemning hate groups.  City Council members voted unanimously yesterday to pass a resolution condemning both white supremacists and alt-right hate groups.  The resolution also calls on the city to develop a training program for city staff on the history and impact of white supremacy.  Staff members will also be trained on how to identify white supremacy.
 

Man Drowns At Park In Salem

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into the drowning death of a man at Salem's Wallace Marine Park.  Police responded to the park yesterday afternoon on reports of a man floating in a pond near the park's softball field.  Investigators don't suspect foul play, saying it appears the man drowned by accident.  Police are still working to identify the man.

Police ID Man Found Naked, In Medical Distress On River Bank

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man found naked and in medical distress along the Washougal River in Clark County.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says 43-year-old John Mullenmeister of Minnesota died Saturday after being rushed to a hospital.  Someone called 9-1-1 after finding him along the river bank near milepost 7.  An investigation is ongoing.

Solar Panels Now Made In OR

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Advanced solar panels are now rolling off the assembly line in Hillsboro.  SunPower announced yesterday that production is underway in the factory that once housed competitor, SolarWorld.  That company went belly-up in 2017 and blamed it on cheap Chinese solar panels.  Sun Power management says their new panels are more efficient and have trade protections which make the Chinese panels cost more.
 

TriMet Worker Charged With Child Sexual Abuse

(Portland, OR)  --  A TriMet employee is facing charges of child sexual abuse.  Police arrested Brian Mitchell Tuesday on ten counts of child sex abuse.  He's set to appear in court in two weeks.

Man Stabbed In SE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a suspect in connection to a stabbing in southeast Portland.  Police say a man showed up at the Bud Clark Commons Day Center Tuesday evening suffering from a knife wound.  The man is expected to survive.  It's not yet clear what led to the stabbing.

Police Search For Missing Woman Who May Be In Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a missing and endangered woman who might be in downtown Portland.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says 60-year-old Anna Short of Cedar Hills was last seen yesterday afternoon.  Police say a TriMet driver reported possibly seeing her getting off a bus at West Burnside Street and Southwest 2nd Avenue downtown last night.  Police say Short is endangered because she's new to the area and because of the freezing temperatures hitting Portland.  She's described as five-foot-three with a medium build and graying brown hair.
 

Photographer Faces Nearly 60 Charges Of Drugging, Raping Young Models

(Portland, OR)  --  A Yamhill County professional photographer is facing dozens of charges after allegedly sexually abusing young, aspiring models.  KATU reports 52-year-old Robert Arnold Koester facing nearly 60 charges in Oregon and California.  Police say Koester drugged and sexually assaulted four victims, including one juvenile, in Oregon.  He's accused of assaulting at least four more teenage girls in California.  Police arrested him near San Diego, California in November.  Federal investigators say he likely has more victims and that his crimes likely started as early as 1994.

Police Seek Suspect In Deadly Hit And Run Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a hit and run suspect who struck and killed a pedestrian in southeast Portland.  Police say 58-year-old James McCree was in a crosswalk at Southeast 130th Avenue and Division Street Saturday when an SUV crashed into him.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.  The suspect SUV is described as dark in color.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

OR Measles Cases At 4; Linked To Vancouver Outbreak

(Portland, OR)  --  Four people in Oregon now have measles, three of them in Multnomah County.  Health authorities say none of the four had ever been vaccinated.  The Oregon cases are linked to the current outbreak in Washington's Clark County.  Measles can be a deadly infection, and the virus is highly contagious, sometimes lingering in the air for up to two hours.

Oregon Man Changes Plea To Guilty In Buried Baby Case

(Missoula, MT)  --  An Oregon man who was high on meth and bath salts when he partially buried a baby in Montana's Lolo National Forest last year, is changing his plea to guilty. Francis Carlton Crowley told officers he wrecked his car near Lolo Hot Springs on July 8th, and decided the baby was too heavy to carry back.  Officers rescued the boy, who was found face-down in a pile of sticks.  Crowley's next court date is in March. 
 

Police Arrest Two More Suspects In Kayla Chapman Killing

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested two more suspects in connection to the robbery-related shooting death of Kelso store clerk Kayla Chapman.  Police arrested 23-year-old Erkinson Bossy last night following a car chase that ended in gunfire on I-84 near the Lloyd Center.  Police also arrested a second unidentified man in the vehicle.  One of the suspects suffered life-threatening injuries, but police aren't revealing which one.  Earlier yesterday, police arrested 21-year-old Nenemeny Ekiek in connection to Chapman's killing.  Police previously arrested 19-year-old D'Anthony Williams last month.  The three suspects are accused of shooting and killing Chapman while robbing the Holt's Quik Check on Cowlitz Way on January 22nd.

Senator Wyden Blasts Pompeo On Saudi Students' Disappearances

(Washington, DC)  --  State Senator Ron Wyden is blasting U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.  Wyden opened up on Pompeo yesterday over the State Department's silence about Saudi Arabian students who vanished while charged with crimes.  The Oregonian reports that Wyden again demanded action over the suspected involvement of the Saudi government.  Wyden requested six weeks ago that the State Department look into the disappearances from Oregon and other places in the country.

Man Sentenced To 18 Years For Child Porn, Attempted Enticement

(Portland, OR)  --  A Sandy man is facing nearly two decades behind bars for child pornography.  A judge sentenced 46-year-old Larry Lewis Hudson to 18 years in federal prison on Monday.  Federal agents arrested him in March of 2017 after he used the internet to contact children in multiple states.  Hudson is registered as a sex offender for a prior conviction on sexual abuse.  He pleaded guilty in July to one count each of child pornography possession, child pornography distribution and attempted online enticement of a minor.

College Professor Accuses Original Mary Poppins Film Of Promoting Blackface

(McMinnville, OR)  --  An Oregon college professor is sparking backlash after accusing the original Mary Poppins film of being racist and promoting blackface.  Professor Daniel Pollack-Pelzner of Linfield College published a New York Times op-ed called Mary Poppins and a Nanny's Shameful Flirting with Blackface last month, in which he references the iconic rooftop dance scene featuring Poppins, Dick Van Dyke's character, Bert, and the Banks children.  He accuses Poppins of "blackening up" her face with chimney soot, and says the scene associates chimney sweeps' blackened faces with racial caricatures.  People on Twitter have hit back, saying the scene and the movie are not racist.

Body Found Under Morrison Bridge; Death Called 'Suspicious'

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is underway into the discovery of a man's body at the bottom of the Morrison Bridge.  Police are calling the man's death suspicious.  Someone called 9-1-1 yesterday afternoon after finding the man's body on the concrete base of one of the bridge's pillars.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Measles Patient Zero Identified

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Officials say they've found the source of a measles outbreak in Washington State.  The so-called Patient Zero came from outside the country and came into contact with a large group of unvaccinated children, according to State Epidemiologist Scott Lindquist.  Those kids then spread out into public places like a Costco and a Portland Trailblazers game.  There are 50 confirmed cases in Washington State, mostly children and most of them in the Vancouver area.  Health officials are closely monitoring another 100 possible cases.

Man Jailed For Raping Horse

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  An Oregon man will serve 20 months in prison for sexually abusing a horse.  Court documents show 21-year-old Kenneth Duyck broke into the Forest Grove Storage Lot and raped a mare in April of last year.  The barn owner discovered the crime when she noticed the horse's strange ties and an unknown fluid.  She recalled a man had asked to sleep on her property the day before, which led to Duyck.  Duyck, who suffers from mental illness, must also register as a sex offender and is banned from owning any domestic animals for 15 years.

OR Woman Gets 5 Days For DUI After Daughter's Death

(McMinnville, OR)  --  An Oregon woman is getting five days in jail for drunk driving following the death of her adult daughter.  A Yamhill County judge handed down the sentence Monday to Jennifer Weathers.  It's considered a common sentence for a first-time DUII conviction.  Investigators say she was behind the wheel in August when her daughter fell from the moving car and tumbled to her death.  Prosecutors say they didn't have enough evidence to build a case for homicide.  The state medical examiner ruled the younger woman's death accidental. 

Plumber Accused Of Elder Financial Abuse To Tune Of $17K

(Portland, OR)  --  A plumber is facing charges of financial elder abuse after allegedly stealing more than 17-thousand-dollars from a woman's bank account.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Cris Brackens persuaded an 88-year-old customer into handing over her debit card so he could buy supplies for a job.  Brackens allegedly took the card to several stores and made small purchases while withdrawing the maximum amount of cash possible under the cash back option.  He also allegedly withdrew cash directly from ATMs.  Police believe he may have additional victims.

Missing Hiker Found Safe

(Portland, OR)  --  A hiker reported missing in the Columbia River Gorge is safe.  The Hood River County Sheriff's Office says crews found Leslie Drapiza around 7:00 last night in an area off-trail near Lancaster Falls.  The sheriff's office says crews were working late last night to keep her warm while working out a plan to get her to safety.  Crews said they were hoping to get her out of the woods by 12:30 tomorrow morning.  Hood River County deputies began searching for Drapiza early yesterday after she texted her family to say she'd been injured while hiking.

Man Arrested For Wife's Murder

(Portland, OR)  --  A 52-year-old man is facing charges for the death of his wife.  Police arrested Michael Winchester on a charge of murder for the death of 50-year-old Heidi Anne Winchester last Wednesday.  Police say the couple's 18-year-old son called 9-1-1 after arriving home to find his father injured in the home's garage.  Responding officers found Heidi Anne dead inside the home.  An investigation is ongoing.

Police Seek Man Accused Of 'Upskirting' Woman

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a man accused of "upskirting" a woman at a grocery store in Stayton.  Leigha Bundy tells KATU she was at the Safeway store on North 1st Street Sunday morning when she turned around to find a man awkwardly holding his phone out.  Bundy asked the store manager to review the surveillance footage and discovered that the man had used his cell phone to take a photo up her skirt.  State lawmakers made the practice of "upskirting" a crime in 2015.
 

Washington, Oregon Measles Cases Now At 51

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The number of confirmed measles cases in the Pacific Northwest now stands at 51.  Forty-nine of those cases are in Washington state's Clark County on the Oregon border, one is in King County, and one is in Portland, Oregon.  Most of the infected are unvaccinated.  Health officials say people may have been exposed to the illness at more than three-dozen locations in Washington and Oregon.  Last month, Clark County declared the outbreak a public health emergency.

Lyft Blasted By Portland Pols Over Statewide Proposal

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland's mayor is blasting Lyft, saying the ride-hailer is trying to detour around local regulations.  Mayor Ted Wheeler was joined yesterday by Commissioner Chloe Eudaly in criticizing the firm for being behind a proposal they say would hurt consumer protections.  Wheeler says the company's move through Salem would undermine local efforts to collect data to analyze Lyft's effect on climate change, among other things.  OregonLive reports that a Lyft spokesperson says the company is committed to working with policymakers and regulators. 

One Man Stabbed On Street Car In SW Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a stabbing that injured one man on a street car in southwest Portland.  Police say the stabbing happened last night during a disturbance between two men on the car on Southwest Mill Street.  Police say they're questioning a suspect.  Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police.

Child Killed In Three-Alarm House Fire

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are investigating a three-alarm house fire that killed a child in Stayton.  Troopers say a child was found dead inside the burned home on Washington Street Friday afternoon.  Police initially said they suspected arson but now say that it's too early to tell.

Burglar Steals Equipment From Gresham Candy Store

(Gresham, OR)  --  Police are searching for a burglar who broke into a candy store in Gresham.  Police say the suspect entered iCandy yesterday morning and stole 15-hundred dollars in electronics and other equipment, including an iPad used to ring up customers.  Police have released a surveillance photo of the suspect. 

48 Measles Cases Confirmed In Washington State

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Washington state's measles outbreak continues to grow, with the number of confirmed cases now at 48.  An additional seven cases are suspected.   The majority of the cases involve children under the age of ten.  They're also confirming that one of the known cases involves a person who had one dose of the MMR vaccine, but not the second.  According to the CDC, just one dose of the MMR vaccine is 93 percent effective.  Two doses ups the effectiveness to 97 percent.

Protester To Sue City Over Police Force During August Protest

(Portland, OR)  --  A demonstrator is suing the city of Portland over police officers' use of force at an August protest downtown.  Tracy Molina tells KATU News she's notified the city of her intent to file a lawsuit in connection to the August 4th counter-protest to a Patriot Prayer rally along the Southwest Waterfront.  Video footage shows police trying to grab Molina's protest sign before shoving her to the ground and then arresting her on charges of attempting to assault a police officer, disorderly conduct and interfering with an officer.  Molina is fighting the charges.  The Portland Police Bureau faced criticism for injuring several protesters at the event with aerial distraction devices.  The bureau responded by temporarily suspending its riot control methods pending an internal review of police use of force.

Man Found Guilty Of Reselling Stolen Legos For Profit

(Portland, OR)  --  A Portland man is convicted of buying stolen Lego merchandise and reselling them for a profit.  A jury found Raji Azar guilty of encouraging others to steal Legos so he could resell them on Ebay.  Police say Azar even gave others advice on how to be a better Lego thief.  Police arrested him last April.

Man Accidentally Shoots Friend In Hip In Camas

(Camas, WA)  --  A man is hospitalized after his friend accidentally shot him in the hip in Camas.  Police say 22-year-old Alder Deschand was visiting his friend 22-year-old Spencer Altfilish at his home on East First Avenue Saturday morning when it happened.  Altfilish was reportedly disassembling a nine-millimeter handgun when it went off, striking Deschand.  Deschand was rushed to a hospital, where doctors say he's expected to survive.

15 Middle Schoolers In Oregon Sent Home After Eating Edibles

(Portland, OR)  --  School officials say 15 middle schoolers in Portland, Oregon were sent home last week after eating marijuana edibles.  A district spokesman said the students at Harriet Tubman Middle School most likely consumed the drug on Wednesday.  Two eighth-graders are facing disciplinary action for providing the students with the edibles.  It's still unclear if all the students knew they were consuming what the principal described as marijuana in "dessert snack" form.  Officials said none of the students were hurt.

Health Officials Confirm 42 Measles Cases In WA

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Washington state's measles outbreak now stands at 42 confirmed cases.  Health officials say 41 of the cases are in Clark County, with the remaining case coming from King County.  Officials are still awaiting blood test results on another 15 cases.  Meanwhile, two confirmed cases of the disease in Hawaii are being blamed on unvaccinated Washington children who visited the island recently.  Health officials are urging anyone who thinks they may have contracted measles to call a doctor.

City Council To Vote On Withdrawing From Joint Terrorism Task Force

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland City Council will vote this month on whether to withdraw from the FBI's Joint-Terrorism Task Force.  A vote is tentatively scheduled for February 13th.  Commissioner Jo-Ann Hardesty promised during her campaign last year to put the issue to a vote.  The city of Portland previously withdrew from the task force under Mayor Tom Potter, but later rejoined in 2015.  The Joint Terrorism Task Force is a cooperative partnership between local law enforcement and the FBI.

Police Confirm ID Of Pilot Found Dead At Plane Crash Site

(Hood River, OR)  --  Police are confirming that a pilot found dead near a small plane crash on Mount Hood is missing 63-year-old George Regis.  The Hood River County Sheriff's Office says crews found Regis's body at the crash site near Eliot Glacier on the north side of the mountain Wednesday.  Regis was reported missing Monday after taking off from Grove Field Airport in Camas Friday.

Portland Cops Link TX Serial Killer To 1979 Murder

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland police say they've solved a 1979 murder with the help of a public genealogy site.  Authorities say a serial killer from Texas was linked to the strangulation murder of a Portland woman through DNA.  The Oregonian reports that it's same technique that was used last year in finding California's Golden State Killer.  The suspect was executed 20 years ago for three similar crimes in Texas. 
 

Saudi Students Facing Charges Are Vanishing Before Court Dates

(Portland, OR)  --  An Oregon newspaper is documenting five cases that suggest the Saudi government is helping its citizens avoid prosecution for crimes they committed in the United States.  The Oregonian says two accused rapists, two suspected hit-and-run drivers and a man who had a large amount of child porn on his computer have all disappeared before facing trial or sentencing in Oregon.  All five suspects were young men studying at Oregon colleges with the help of the Saudi Kingdom.  In four of the cases the newspaper says the Saudi government posted bail and possibly paid legal fees.  In one of the hit-and-run cases a high school sophomore was killed.  In the other a homeless man was critically injured.  Three of the suspects were forced to surrender their passports, but that didn't seem to keep them from leaving the country.

Noho's Hawaiian Cafe Closing SE Portland Location

(Portland, OR)  --  A popular restaurant in southeast Portland is shutting its doors after more than two decades.  Noho's Hawaiian Cafe says they're closing up their location on Southeast Clinton Street.  Noho says they plan to combine the restaurant's operations with their restaurant on Northeast Fremont Street.

OR PERs Unfunded Liability Grew By $4.3B Last Year

(Salem, OR)  --  Bad news is coming about Oregon's public pension system.  The Oregonian reports that a status check due today shows that the PERS fund was hit hard by the stock market's fourth-quarter plunge.  Trillions of dollars in wealth were reportedly wiped out, leaving the full-year return at just under a half-percent.  It had been expected to grow by more than seven-percent last year.  The system's unfunded liability grew by four-point-three-billion dollars.  The number crunchers say some of the results are lagging a quarter behind, so things may be even worse than they appear.

Cycle Oregon Registration Open

(Portland, OR)  --  Registration is underway for Cycle Oregon.  Registration for the popular cycling event opened yesterday, one day after organizers held a celebration at the Portland Art Museum.  This year's event features three routes.  The route called "Classic Ride" is a seven-day trek through Central Oregon to the rim of Crater Lake.  The other two routes will take cyclists through Independence and the eastern Gorge.  Participants can register at Cycle-Oregon-dot-com. 

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