Regional News Archives for 2020-04

Man Charged With Attempted Murder For Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is charged with attempted murder following a shooting in Northeast Portland.  The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office charged 32-year-old Marshawn Seamster yesterday with second-degree attempted murder for the shooting on March 18th at Northeast Alberta Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.  Witnesses say the shooting happened following an argument involving several people.

Police Investigate Deadly Sweet Home House Fire As Criminal Case

(Sweet Home, OR)  --  Police are launching a criminal investigation into a house fire that killed four people in Sweet Home.  The Sweet Home Police Department says they've uncovered evidence that all four victims suffered bodily trauma not related to Tuesday's fire.  Autopsies on the victims are pending. 

Man Arrested After Allegedly Running Over Skateboarder On Purpose

(Vancouver, WA)  --  An 18-year-old man is facing a murder charge after allegedly running over a skateboarder on purpose in Vancouver, killing him.  Police arrested Joshua Jones for the incident yesterday afternoon in the five-thousand-block of East 4th Plain Boulevard.  Investigators say the 45-year-old victim was skateboarding in the parking lot there when he approached Jones's car and punched one of its windows.  Police say Jones responded by making a U-turn and speeding up to run over the man.  Responding officers found the man trapped under Jones's vehicle.  He died at a local hospital.

Man Shot By Police In Vancouver Dies From Injuries

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police say a man who was shot by police in Vancouver has died from his injuries.  The Vancouver Police Department says the shooting happened Tuesday morning after officers responded to Fourth Plain Boulevard and Stapleton on a report of two men fighting.  When officers arrived, they found one man on the ground and another man armed with sharp objects.  A witness says officers tried to use a taser on the suspect, but he was wearing a leather coat and it had no effect.  Police say three officers opened fire on the man after he refused to drop the weapons.

Romance Novelist Accused Of Murdering Husband To Remain In Jail

(Portland, OR)  --  A self-published romance novelist accused of murdering her husband will remain behind bars while she awaits trial.  A judge ruled yesterday against Nancy Crampton-Brophy's petition to be released from jail and put under house arrest.  Crampton-Brophy argued in her petition that she is at increased risk for contracting COVID-19 due to her age and underlying conditions.  Crampton-Brophy is accused of shooting Oregon Culinary Institute teacher and chef Daniel Brophy in June of 2018.  Her trial is set to begin in September.

State Parks To Remain Closed Through May 25th

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials are extending the closure of Oregon State Parks due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  State parks officials issued a release Tuesday saying parks will remain closed through May 25th.  The closure was originally set to be lifted on May 8th.

Police Seek Missing Oregon City Man

(Oregon City, OR)  --  Police in Oregon City are seeking the public's help in their search for a missing man.  The Oregon City Police Department says 56-year-old James Troy Chaney was last seen Monday afternoon, when he left his group home to go to the store.  Police say he didn't take any of his necessary medications with him.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Bob's Red Mill Offering Financial Help To Struggling Eateries

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Milwaukie-based Bob's Red Mill is lending a helping hand to independently-owned restaurants struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic.  The company is offering five-thousand dollars to five restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks or other eateries to help them keep the lights on.  People can nominate their favorite independently-owned eatery by going to Bob's Red Mill's website.  The company is accepting submissions through May 8th. 

OR Has 99 COVID-19 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is approaching the 100 mark.  The Oregon Health Authority confirmed seven new COVID-19 deaths yesterday, raising the state's death toll to 99.  The deaths occurred in Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion and Yamhill counties. The patients ranged in age from 69 to 93 and they all had underlying medical conditions.  Officials also announced 31 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total number of cases to two-thousand-385.

Police Release Sketch Of Hit And Run Suspect

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Police need help finding the suspect in a hit and run that happened April 10th near Southeast Division and 136th Avenue.  The victim confronted a car thief who ran the victim down, causing a serious injury.  The suspect stole a gold 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a license plate of YUR 384.  The vehicle will have front end damage.  Police have released a sketch of the suspect.

Suspect Indicted In Multi-State Drug Ring

(Portland, OR)  --  A 36-year-old man is facing a nine-count indictment in Multnomah County following his arrest in an on-going investigation into a multi-state drug trafficking ring.  Police arrested Kao Sae Chao in February.  Court documents say a search warrant was served at a home in Southeast Portland, where officers seized nearly 17-thousand dollars and heroin.  Sheriff's deputies seized guns and drugs in a search of his car.  In addition to the Portland area, investigators learned the ring was operating in Colorado and Indiana.

Vancouver Man Shot By Police

(Vancouver, WA)  --  An investigation is ongoing into the officer-involved shooting of a man in Vancouver.  It happened yesterday morning after officers responded to Fourth Plain Boulevard and Stapleton on a report of two men fighting.  When officers arrived, they found one man on the ground and another man armed with sharp objects.  A witness says officers tried to use a taser on the suspect, but he was wearing a leather coat and it had no effect.  Police say three officers opened fire on the man after he refused to drop the weapons.  No word yet on the man's condition.  None of the officers was hurt.

Money Laundering Suspect Caught During Traffic Stop

(Keno, OR)  --  Police say a traffic stop in Southern Oregon led to the arrest of a man for money laundering.  An Oregon State Police trooper pulled over a car for several traffic violations near Keno, southwest of Klamath Falls on Monday.  The sergeant saw evidence of criminal activity, searched the car and found 236-thousand dollars in cash that was packaged in vacuum sealed baggies.  The trooper arrested 27-year-old Drew Miller of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Robbery Suspect Targets Facebook Marketplace Victims

(Portland, OR)  --  A North Portland man is behind bars after several armed robberies connected to Facebook Marketplace.  Portland Police Robbery detectives say since September, seven victims have been robbed at gunpoint in four incidents near the intersection of North Albina Avenue and Blandena Street.  Three of the robberies involved meetings to buy or sell items listed on Facebook Marketplace.  Police say they arrested 19-year-old Jerone Walker Friday at his home on North Mississippi Avenue.  Walker is charged with four counts of robbery.

Oregon Employment Department Adds Self-Employed Workers

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Employment Department has started taking applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.  The funding comes from the CARES Act.  It covers people who are self-employed, contractors, agricultural workers and people who didn't make enough to qualify for regular unemployment benefits.  To apply, go to the Oregon Employment Department website and go to the CARES ACT section.

USPS Workers Demonstrate

(Portland, OR)  --  Postal workers in the Portland area demonstrated on Tuesday to remember the 45 U.S.P.S. workers who have died from COVID-19 nationwide.  They're also concerned about the future of the Postal Service.  They rallied outside of the Southeast Portland Post Office.  There's been a 30-percent drop in mail volume because of the coronavirus effect on the economy, and that's expected to increase to 50-percent by summer.  The Postmaster General says the USPS may be broke by the fall, without a 25-billion-dollar injection of funding from Congress.  President Trump has threatened to veto any bailout package with money for the postal service.

Police Arrest Three For Speed Racing

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Police Bureau continues to make arrests for speed racing.  Three people have been criminally cited for incidents that happened in March and April.  They're charged with reckless endangering and disorderly conduct.  This includes an incident on the Fremont Bridge where traffic was blocked while drivers spun out.

Oregon Gas Prices Continue Slide

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas prices are continuing to fall in Oregon.  The state's average price for a gallon of gas fell six cents to two-dollars-and-41 cents while the national average declined four cents to one-dollar-and-77 cents, according to the Triple-A.  Prices will continue to fall due to an over supply of crude oil and weak demand that's caused by the stay at home orders.

Police Arrest Road Rage Suspect

(Woodburn, OR)  --  A man is facing charges following a suspected road rage-related crash on I-5.  Police say the crash happened Saturday afternoon in the northbound lanes just North of Woodburn when someone in a white Dodge pickup swerved into a red Ford pickup driven by 39-year-old Matt Rogers of Beaverton.  He and a passenger went to the hospital with minor injuries.  Witnesses helped troopers track down 24-year-old Shawn Waite of Woodburn who took the Ehlen Road exit in Aurora.  Waite was arrested for second degree assault, hit and run and reckless driving.

Oregon's COVID-19 Death Toll Increases By One

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming one new COVID-19 death in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced yesterday a 91-year-old Washington County woman has died from the virus at Providence St. Vincent Hospital.  The death raises Oregon's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic to 92.  Officials also announced 43 new cases yesterday, bringing Oregon's total number of cases to 23-hundred-54.

PSU Cuts Executive Pay

(Portland, OR)  --  Executives at Portland State University are having their pay cut as the school deals with a budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  Interim President Stephen Percy's salary has been cut 15-percent for the next six months.  Other senior executives, including vice presidents, general counsel, deans, vice provosts, and the athletics director, will take reductions of either ten-percent or seven-and-a-half-percent, depending on individual salaries.  Percy hopes the cuts show the resolve the school has toward long-term planning and effects on the budget.

Officials Confirm 15 COVID-19 Cases At Shutter Creek Correctional Institution

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming more than a dozen cases of COVID-19 at a prison in Coos County.  Officials say 13 inmates and two employees at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in Hauser have tested positive for the virus.  The infected inmates have reportedly been sent to a hospital.

Timberline Lodge Offers Season Pass Credit

(Government Camp, OR)  --  Timberline Lodge is offering a credit on season passes that'll be good for next season.  This year's ski and snowboard seasons were cut short at 100 days because of the coronavirus stay-at-home orders.  The credits are being offered on Timberline Season Passes and Fusion Passes.  The amounts range from 35 to 100 dollars. 

Police Arrest Assault Suspect

(Portland, OR)  --  One man is hospitalized and another is behind bars following a brutal assault.  Police say they found the victim lying on the sidewalk at 4th and Taylor yesterday bleeding badly from the head and face.  Witnesses alerted officers to the suspect across the street.  They say 25-year-old Christopher Pfegl punched the victim several times, shoved him onto the cement and then stomped the man's head with his boot.  The victim has serious but non-life threatening injuries.

BOLI Furlough Days Required

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon Labor Commissioner Val Hoyle has announced that managers in the agency will have to take one unpaid furlough day a month through June of 2021 as the agency braces for budget cuts.  Hoyle says the May economic forecast will give a better indication of what the state faces and how much revenue needs to be cut.  She says services will be prioritized to protect Oregon workers from discrimination, harassment and workplace rule violations. 

Authorities Investigate Dead Geese

(Polk County, OR)  --  Oregon State Police are investigating the deaths of Canadian Geese at the Baskett Slough [[ slew ]] Wildlife Refuge in Polk County.  Police say 17 geese were sick or dead.  Their causes of death are under investigation.  Anyone with information should contact Oregon State Police.

Forest Grove Stabbing Suspect Arrested

(Forest Grove, OR)  --  A Forest Grove man is facing charges in connection to a stabbing Sunday night.  Police responded to Kingwood Street near 22nd Place where they found a victim with multiple stab wounds.  The suspect was gone.  Officers used a K-9 to search the area and found 32-year-old Zachary Blessing.   He's charged with assault and unlawful use of a weapon.  The victim remains hospitalized.

Police ID Man Killed In Polk County Crash

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man killed in a fiery crash in Polk County over the weekend.  Oregon State Police say 24-year-old Anthony Maestas of Vancouver, Washington was killed in the crash on Highway 18 west of Grande Ronde Saturday.  Police say he was headed west when his vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree, catching fire.

Governor Brown OKs Non-Urgent Procedures To Resume May 1st

(Portland, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown is giving the go-ahead for all non-urgent medical and dental procedures to resume next month.  Brown announced yesterday that non-urgent procedures will be allowed to resume starting May 1st.  Brown says there will be enough personal protective equipment available by that time for such procedures to start up again.

OR Has Five New COVID-19 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming about half a dozen new deaths from COVID-19 in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced five new deaths yesterday, raising the state's death toll to 83.  All five patients had underlying medical conditions and ranged in age from 70 to 94.  Officials also confirmed 68 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing Oregon's tally of cases to two-thousand-127.

Two Arrested For Burglary In NE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  Two people are facing charges after allegedly burglarizing a business in northeast Portland.  Police arrested 18-year-old Raymond Santanaperez and 18-year-old Emilio Deleon for the burglary early yesterday morning in the 37-hundred block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard.  Police say officers responded to the business to find the suspects running away after having broken a window at the business.  Police found them nearby and arrested them.

Oregon Zoo Seeking Donations

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Zoo is seeking donations to help it survive through the coronavirus pandemic.  KATU reports the zoo has lost roughly 60-percent of its revenue after closing its doors to comply with social distancing guidelines.  The zoo says it's hoping to raise one-million dollars in donations to help support operations and ensure the animals continue to get taken care of.

Man Accused Of Trying To Set Fire To Own Home

(Keizer, OR)  --  A 62-year-old Keizer man is facing charges after allegedly firing off several guns inside his home and then trying to set the home on fire.  Police responded to the home off Verda Lane Northeast on Wednesday afternoon after a woman called 9-1-1 to report her husband, Robert Beck, was drunk and punching holes in walls.  Responding officers safely got the woman out of the home and then left.  Later that night, police returned to the home after Beck called 9-1-1 reporting he had tried to set fire to his home.  Police responded and found he had poured several gallons of gasoline around the home and had also fired several guns inside.  No injuries were reported.  Police arrested Beck for reckless endangering and unlawful use of a weapon.

Liquor Board Suspends Renewal Fees

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is suspending renewal fees for liquor licenses.  The commission announced Wednesday it will temporarily stop collecting the fees and will refund any late fees.  The commission says it's also relaxing its enforcement of a rule requiring liquor liability insurance.

Portland Athletic Wear Business Handing Out Free Masks

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-based clothing company Dhvani is offering free masks to anyone who wants one.  The athletic wear business says it has already donated thousands of masks to Providence St. Vincent.  The company says it's now ready to branch out and hand out reusable cloth masks to anyone in the country who needs one.  To request a free mask, go to dhvani.com/freemasks.

Multnomah County, Gresham Team Up To Fight Business Break-Ins

(Portland, OR)  --  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the Gresham Police Department to fight break-ins at businesses closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  They're calling the effort the Businesses Premises Check Program.  KATU reports business owners can sign up for the program online to request that police keep an eye on their business.  Police say they've seen an uptick in burglaries at closed businesses since the pandemic began.

Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast Back In OR After Counternarcotic Patrol

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon-based Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast is back home following a 65-day counternarcotic patrol in the eastern Pacific Ocean.  The Steadfast returned to Astoria late last week after seizing more than 12-hundred pounds of pure cocaine.  The crew intercepted a total of five suspected smuggling vessels and apprehended three suspects.

Albany Man Arrested In Child Sex Abuse Sting

(Albany, OR)  --  An Albany man is facing charges after allegedly trying to arrange sex with a 15-year-old girl.  A Benton County Sheriff's deputy posed as the girl and posted an online message.  Rolan Meyers is accused of trying to arrange a meeting for sex despite being told several times the girl was 15-years old.  Deputies arrested Meyers in Corvallis yesterday when he was on his way to the meeting.

Whole Foods Employee Dies From COVID-19

(Portland, OR) --  An employee of the Whole Foods in Portland's Pearl District has died from coronavirus.  Officials say it's not yet known where the person might have contracted the virus.  Whole Foods is offering grief counseling to employees.  The store was deep cleaned by a professional company after the case was diagnosed.

OR Officials Announce 57 New COVID-19 Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming nearly five-dozen new cases of COVID-19 in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced 57 new deaths yesterday, raising the state's tally to two-thousand-59.  No new deaths were announced yesterday, leaving the state's death count at 78.

Pedestrian Struck By MAX Train

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is hospitalized after being struck by a MAX train near the Lloyd Center.  TriMet says the crash happened last night.  The pedestrian was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.  An investigation is ongoing.

$1.5M Gift Sponsors COVID-19 Hotline

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon Health Science University has created a statewide coronavirus hotline.  Nurses are available to answer questions and help evaluate symptoms if you think you have the virus.  The number is 833-OHSU-CCC and it's staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.  The hotline is funded by a one-and-a-half-million-dollar gift from the Andrew and Corey Morris-Singer Foundation.

Police Need Tips About Cathedral Park Shooting

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Police are asking witnesses to a shooting in Cathedral Park to come forward.  The shooting happened just after 4 a.m. Monday morning.  Video surveillance shows a victim who was targeted, but they don't know if that person was injured.  They believe there are other witnesses who haven't been interviewed by police, and they're asking them to contact detectives.

McMenamins Restaurants Opening For Take Out

(Portland, OR)  --  McMenamins restaurants will reopen for to-go orders on Friday.  The restaurants will sell family meals for four along with their signature tater tots, beer and wine.  When they shut down about a month ago, they furloughed nearly all of their three-thousand employees.  They haven't said how many employees are being rehired for the to-go business.

Canby Ferry To Reopen

(Canby, OR)  --  The Canby Ferry will reopen on May 4th with limited operations.  The ferry was closed because of the coronavirus social distancing order issued by Governor Brown.  When it reopens, only three cars will be allowed at a time, and exact cash or a punch pass will be required for payment.

Teen Sentenced To Seven Years For Murder Of Father's Girlfriend

(McMinnville, OR)  --  A McMinnville teenager is facing up to seven years behind bars for the murder of his father's girlfriend.  The Yamhill District Attorney's Office says 18-year-old Andrew Vineyard was sentenced to seven years in juvenile custody yesterday for the crime back in 2017.  Prosecutors say Vineyard was just 15 when he cut the woman's throat and then beat her to death.  A judge ruled against having the case waived to adult court.

More Than 80-Percent Of OR Restaurant Workers Furloughed, Laid Off

(Portland, OR)  --  New numbers show more than 80-percent of Oregon's restaurant workers have been furloughed or laid off due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.  The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association says a new survey from the National Restaurant Association shows 81-percent of the state's more-than-156-thousand restaurant employees have been furloughed or laid off.  The survey also shows four-percent of Oregon's restaurants have already permanently closed due to the pandemic.  That number is expected to rise to six-percent within the next month.

Oregon Health Authority To Ease COVID-19 Testing Restrictions

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Health Authority is out with new guidelines for COVID-19 testing.  Healthcare providers will continued to be allowed to make clinical decisions about their patients.  In addition, if supplies allow, asymptomatic people within group living situations who may be at higher risk can be tested.  That includes people living or working in group living facilities, underserved or marginalized populations and essential frontline workers, including those providing healthcare service and those serving the public, such as grocery store workers.

OR Has 46 New COVID-19 Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon has nearly four-dozen new cases of the novel coronavirus.  The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 46 new cases yesterday.  That brings Oregon's total number of COVID-19 cases so far to two-thousand-and-two.

Officials Report Three New COVID-19 Deaths In Oregon

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming three new coronavirus deaths in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority says a 47-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman died in Washington County, and a 65-year-old man died in Multnomah County.  All three patients had underlying conditions.  The new deaths raise Oregon's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic to 78.

Four Workers At Kelso's Foster Farms Facility Have COVID-19

(Kelso, WA)  --  Officials are confirming four cases of coronavirus among workers at a Foster Farms plant in southwestern Washington state.  The Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management says three employees at the facility in Kelso tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, and a fourth employee tested positive on Monday.  County health officials say they're developing a testing procedure for employees at the facility who may have been exposed.

Four Waverunners Stolen

(Gresham, OR)  --  Gresham Police are asking for help recovering four stolen waverunners.  They were stolen from Gresham Powersports and they're worth 56-thousand dollars.  The waverunners were a 2020 model Yamaha FX Cruiser, two Yamaha VX Cruiser HO's and a Yamaha GP.  The suspects also stole two Karavan model trailers that were carrying the waverunners.  Police recovered a U-Haul that was used in the theft along with three lawn mowers that were stolen from another business.

Traffic Stop Results In Big Drug Bust

(Central Point, OR)  --  A traffic stop led to a large drug bust in Southern Oregon.  A state trooper pulled over a car on I-5 North of Medford for a traffic violation Friday afternoon.  During a search of the car, the trooper found two hidden compartments in the floor of the car.  Troopers seized seven pounds of cocaine and three grams of heroin.  The driver, 50-year-old Marisol Cervantes of Vancouver, was arrested on drug charges.

Portland Starts Budgeting In Uncertain Time

(Portland, OR)  --  This is the time of year that cities across Oregon start creating a budget that will start in July.  However, the coronavirus's effect on the economy makes it extremely difficult to plan.  Portland's Budget Director Jessica Kinard says they're developing a budget with 75-million dollars in cuts.  Kinard says when restrictions start to be lifted, the economy will begin to improve.  The City of Portland is losing revenue from the gas tax, community centers that are closed, the business tax and the lodging tax, among other sources of revenue.

Oregon Gas Prices Down Seven Cents

(Portland, OR)  --  The falling price of crude oil has Oregon average gas prices at a five year low.  Triple-A reports Oregon's average is down seven cents at two dollars and 47 cents a gallon.  The national average fell four cents to an average of one dollar and 81 cents.  With crude oil prices continuing to fall, Oregon's price for gas will go down even more.

Portland Offers Emergency Grants

(Portland, OR)  --  Portlanders who've lost income because of the pandemic will have another avenue of help starting next week.  The Portland Housing Bureau is making 200-thousand dollars of its COVID-Emergency Household Stabilization Fund available in a first come, first served application process.  Starting Monday, April 27th at 10 am, households can apply for 250 dollars in emergency assistance by calling 211, or online at 211INFO-DOT-ORG.

Portland Distillery Makes Hand Sanitizer For Hospital

(Portland, OR)  --  A Northwest Portland distillery is stepping up to help Providence Health, whose hospitals are starting to face challenges getting hand sanitizer.  Freeland Distillery owner Jill Kuehler says they've re-tooled one of their stills to produce hand sanitizer using the World Health Organization's recipe.  Providence Health picked up the first two-thousand-gallon shipment on Monday.

OR Now Has Had 75 COVID-19 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon's death toll from the novel coronavirus pandemic now stands at 75.  The Oregon Health Authority confirmed one new death yesterday.  The person who died was a 45-year-old Marion County resident who tested positive April 14th and died in his home on April 18th.  Officials say he had underlying medical conditions.  Officials also reported 47 new cases yesterday for a total of 19-hundred-56.

Victims Identified In Dallas Fire

(Dallas, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identities of three people killed in a house fire near Dallas.  The Polk County Sheriff's Office says 75-year-old Patricia Dye, 64-year-old Charles Hargrove and 68-year-old Wayne Hill died in the fire Sunday.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but investigators say it appears to have started in a first floor bedroom.  Officials say 57-year-old Miller Blake was injured in the fire, and he's recovering at a Portland area hospital.

Victim Identified In Gold Club Murder

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  A 25-year-old Portland man is being held without bail on a murder charge in the death of a co-worker at a strip club.  Clackamas County Sheriff's detectives say Ryan Newman, Jr. is accused of fatally shooting 24-year-old Nathaniel Acosta of Yelm, Washington last Friday at the Gold Club on Southeast McLoughlin (mick-LOFF'-lin) Boulevard.  The investigation shows they were working on a remodeling or construction project at the club when the shooting happened.  Detectives haven't said what led to the shooting.

Governor Orders Guard To Deliver PPE To Long-Term Care Facilities

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon National Guard is distributing nearly 400-thousand pieces of personal protection equipment to long-term care facilities in Oregon.  That includes surgical masks, gloves, N95 masks, face shields and gowns.  Governor Kate Brown says the workers are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 and they need to protect their health and safety.

Machete Attack Suspect Indicted

(Portland, OR)  --  A 51-year-old man is charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a man in the face with a machete.  A Multnomah County grand jury has indicted Todd Hike for attempted murder and assault for the stabbing that left the man with injuries to the head, face and eye.  The attack happened on April 9th near MLK and Madison in Southeast Portland.  When police arrived, they say Hike was on top of the victim and armed with a 13-inch-long machete.  He allegedly tried to stab the victim again, but an officer grabbed Hike's arm and the blade missed the victim by two inches.  Hike was taken into custody.  The victim is expected to survive.

Reward Offered For Information In Pellet Shooting Of Child

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are seeking the public's help in their search for a suspect who shot a two-year-old child with a high powered pellet gun in North Portland.  The incident happened April 10th near North Willis and North Peninsular Avenue while the child was riding on their parent's shoulder during a walk.  The pellet was an inch deep in the child's buttocks.  Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to 25-hundred dollars for information that leads to an arrest.

Wanted Driver Arrested After Crash

(Happy Valley, OR)  --  A 26-year-old Southeast Portland man wanted on a warrant for DUI is now locked up on six new charges after slamming into two other vehicles while running from police in Happy Valley.  Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies say Sam Hancos sped away from a traffic stop yesterday, prompting a police pursuit that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour.  The pursuit ended with Hancos colliding with a truck hauling gravel and an SUV at Southeast 172nd and Vogel Road.  Hancos crawled out of the broken back window of his car and tried to run, but bystanders caught him.  The other two drivers suffered non-life threatening injuries.

SCOTUS Ends Oregon's Non-Unanimous Jury Verdicts

(Salem, OR)  --  The U.S. Supreme Court is putting an end to Oregon's non-unanimous jury verdicts.  The court has ruled state juries must be unanimous to convict defendants in criminal trials.  Oregon and Louisiana were the only two states that allowed non-unanimous verdicts.  Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum supports the decision.  She wanted the legislature to send a similar measure to voters.

Oregon Voter Pamphlet Coming

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon voter pamphlet are going out this week.  Oregon's Primary Election is less than a month away.  While the COVID-19 response has many public buildings closed, the state now pays the postage to return your ballot.  Voters need to be registered as a democrat or republican to vote for the presidential candidates.  If you want to change your registration you have to do that by April 28th.  Ballots go in the mail on April 29th.

Dead Gray Whale Buried

(Tillamook, OR)  --  A 40-foot gray whale that washed up on the beach north of Pacific City Friday is now at rest.  The Oregon State Parks Department buried the whale yesterday.  Biologists from Oregon State University performed a necropsy on the male whale Saturday afternoon.

House Fire Kills Three People In Dallas

(Dallas, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a house fire that killed three people and seriously injured a fourth in Dallas.  Firefighters responded to the 900-block of East Ellensdale Avenue early yesterday on reports of a fire.  The Polk County Sheriff's Office says three people were found dead inside the burning home.  Another three people were able to escape the blaze.  One of them was rushed to a hospital with significant injuries, while the other two were treated for minor injuries at the scene.  It's not yet clear what sparked the blaze.

OR Has Two New COVID-19 Deaths, Nearly 2K Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  The number of novel coronavirus cases in Oregon is approaching the two-thousand mark.  The Oregon Health Authority says one-thousand-910 Oregonians have tested positive for COVID-19 so far, as of Sunday.  Officials also confirmed two more COVID-19 deaths yesterday, raising Oregon's death toll to 74.  A 64-year-old Benton County man died April 18th after testing positive on March 26th, and a 68-year-old Washington County man died on April 11th after testing positive on March 23rd.

Police ID Man Arrested For Stabbing At Homeless Camp

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man accused of stabbing another man at a homeless encampment in Milwaukie.  Police say 45-year-old Kenyatta Green stabbed 44-year-old Gary O'Conner Friday following an argument.  The two men reportedly started fighting after O'Conner confronted Green after hearing him walking around his campsite.  Police arrested Green for attempted murder and assault.  O'Conner is expected to make a full recovery.

Felon Arrested For Allegedly Driving Stolen Car With Meth, Gun

(Portland, OR)  --  A convicted felon is facing new charges after allegedly getting caught driving a stolen car with methamphetamine and a shotgun.  Police arrested Michael Korsmyer just after midnight yesterday morning after pulling him over in the Madison South neighborhood.  A search of the vehicle turned up a Stoeger Coach 12 gauge, double-barrel shotgun and some meth.

Police ID Kayaker Presumed Dead In Willamette River

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a missing kayaker presumed dead in the Willamette River near Milwaukie.  The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has tentatively identified the victim as 23-year-old Saul Gallegos Ruiz of Happy Valley.  Ruiz was kayaking on the river last Thursday when his kayak flipped over, throwing him into the water.  Police searched the river for three days before suspending their search.

Man Arrested For Assault, Police Seek Second Suspect

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've arrested one suspect and are searching for another in connection to an assault.  The Portland Police Bureau says 37-year-old Timothy Maxwell and another suspect assaulted a man near the Lovejoy Fountain on Friday.  Police say one of the two suspects held the victim down while the other punched and kicked him.  The victim then pulled out a knife and stabbed Maxwell in the chest in self-defense.  Responding officers rushed Maxwell to a hospital and then booked him into jail for third-degree assault.

Police Working To ID Victim Of Fatal Crash In Polk County

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are seeking the public's help in their effort to identify a driver who was killed in a fiery crash in Polk County.  Oregon State Troopers say the driver crashed early Saturday morning on Highway 18 near milepost 15.  Troopers say the driver was headed west on the highway around 3 a.m. when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a tree before erupting into flames.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

PGE Warns Customers About Phone Scam

(Portland, OR)  --  PGE is warning customers about a phone scam.  The utility says the scammer has been calling people up pretending to be a PGE representative and demanding that customers pay their bills or face a power shutoff.  PGE says it will never demand same-day payments.

KEEN Making Face Masks

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland-based shoe company KEEN is now making face masks in response to the coronavirus pandemic.  The company has converted one of its factories into a mask-making production site and has already churned out 200-thousand cloth masks.  The first 100-thousand masks are going to Fred Meyer grocery store employees across the state.  The remainder will be for the general public.

OR Has 33 New COVID-19 Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  Officials are confirming nearly three-dozen new cases of COVID-19 in the state.  The Oregon Health Authority announced 33 new cases yesterday, raising the state's tally of coronavirus cases to one-thousand-663.  Most of the new cases were in Multnomah County with ten.  Clackamas County had seven cases, and Marin County had five.

OHA Confirms Three New COVID-19 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming three new deaths from COVID-19 in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced the deaths of three elderly people ages 82 to 92 yesterday.  Officials say all three patients had underlying health conditions.  The new deaths raise Oregon's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic to 58.

Coast Guard Completes 13-Hour Tow Of Disabled Fishing Boat

(North Bend, OR)  --  The U.S. Coast Guard says it has completed a 13-hour tow of a disabled fishing vessel across Coos Bay Bar.  The Coast Guard says crews completed their tow of the 68-ton commercial fishing vessel around 8:00 Tuesday morning after working through the night.  The Coast Guard responded to the boat Monday afternoon after it lost power and began drifting south with four people aboard.

PDX Getting Over $72M From Feds

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland International Airport is getting more than 72-million dollars in federal aid.  The U.S. Department of Transportation says PDX will receive the grant as part of the CARES Act signed by President Trump.  The act is meant to replace lost funding due to a decline in air travel amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Crews Recover Body Of Man Who Fell From Canoe On Columbia River

(Portland, OR)  --  One man is dead after falling out of a canoe on the Columbia River.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says search and rescue crews responded to the river just west of the Interstate 5 Bridge around 5:45 last night.  Crews found the man's body just after 7:00.  Police say the man was not wearing a life jacket.

Man Arrested After SWAT Standoff At Home In Canyonville

(Canyonville, OR)  --  A man is behind bars following a SWAT standoff at a home in Canyonville.  Police issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in the 400 block of Southwest Fourth Place yesterday while responding to a report of gunfire at a home in the area.  Witnesses told police they heard a total of 15 shots come from inside the home.  Police moved in on the suspect around 3:15 p.m. and arrested the suspect.

Convicted Felon Arrested After Speeding, Having Gun In Car

(Portland, OR)  --  A convicted felon is facing new charges after allegedly getting caught with a handgun during a traffic stop.  The Portland Police Bureau says officers pulled over 31-year-old Dennis Milton Perryman on I-205 early last Friday morning after clocking him at 96 miles per hour in a 55 mile-per-hour speed zone.  Officers say Perryman then sped off again as soon as the officer approached his window, prompting a short pursuit that ended near Southeast 82nd Avenue and Kelly Street.  Police took Perryman into custody for eluding officers and found a loaded handgun along with several magazines while searching his car.

Police Arrest Six Kids For Punching, Spitting On Security Guard

(Portland, OR)  --  Half a dozen juveniles are facing charges after allegedly spitting on a security guard while arguing with him at TriMet's Gateway Transit Center.  The Portland Police Bureau says the incident began Tuesday night after the security guard asked two of the juveniles to stop smoking on the TriMet platforms.  The youths allegedly responded by pushing the guard to the ground and then punching him and spitting on him several times.  Police responded to the scene and arrested five boys ages 12 to 17 and a 14-year-old girl.  A seventh boy had previously been reported as missing and was returned to his parents.

Three Injured In Head-On Crash On Highway 217

(Portland, OR)  --  At least three people are injured following a head-on crash on Highway 217 North in Beaverton.  Police say the crash happened around 5:30 yesterday morning in the northbound lanes near the Highway 26 interchange.  Police say a woman drove her BMW into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on with a pickup truck.  The woman was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries.  The pickup truck driver was also injured along with a KATU News photographer.

Police Arrest Suspect In Deadly Hit-And-Run

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say they've made an arrest in connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist in southeast Portland.  Police arrested 19-year-old Pavel Vasilyevich Krechko Tuesday afternoon at his home in Troutdale for the crash earlier that day near Southeast 148th Avenue and Powell Boulevard. Police say Krechko struck a motorcyclist head-on and then fled the scene.  The motorcyclist identified as 32-year-old Brandon Cory Reid died at a local hospital.

Fourth Patient Dies At Oregon Veteran's Home

(Lebanon, OR)  --  Officials say a fourth resident of the Oregon Veteran's Home in Lebanon has died from COVID-19.  The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs says the patient had underlying medical conditions and was thought to have recovered from coronavirus.  After the patient's death, health authorities have classified the death as COVID-19 related.

OR Has 1,633 COVID-19 Cases, 55 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming two new deaths from COVID-19 in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced yesterday a 71-year-old Multnomah County man died 11 days after being diagnosed at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, and an 88-year-old Benton County woman died at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.  The news brings Oregon's death toll to 55.  Health officials also announced 50 new cases, raising the state's tally to 16-hundred-33 cases.

City Of Portland To Cut $100M

(Portland, OR)  --  The City of Portland is asking employees to make sacrifices to avoid layoffs.  Mayor Ted Wheeler has given up his salary for the rest of the calendar year, except for health care deductions.  No cost of living raises will be given to non-represented employees.  Merit increases are frozen for non-represented employees and they're required to take 10 days of unpaid leave between April 30th and October 7th.  The city is also working to negotiate similar changes with union employees.

Governor Brown Won't Release Inmates For COVID-19

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown says she will not be letting Oregon inmates out of jail early because of COVID-19.  Brown says she reviewed data and a plan from Oregon Department of Corrections Director Colette Peters.  Brown says while she's concerned about coronavirus infecting inmates, she believes early release should be done on a case-by-case basis, and not for what she called an indeterminate public health benefit.

Governor Brown Details Restart Framework

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown says when the state starts to reopen from the coronavirus shutdown, it'll be important to not allow the disease to spread.  She says there needs to be more testing to know who has the virus along with contact tracing to determine who might be infected.  Brown says they need to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum.  Hospitals need to have adequate supplies of personal protective equipment and there needs to be a system for quarantining and isolating people who get the virus.  She plans to meet with health officials and business leaders across the state to look for ways they can safely reopen.

One Injured In Motorcycle Crash

(Portland, OR)  --  One person is hospitalized following a motorcycle crash in Southeast Portland.  Police say the crash happened yesterday afternoon on Southeast Powell Boulevard near Southeast 148th Avenue.  One person was taken to a hospital.  Further details were not immediately available.

Portland Fire Starts Delivering Prescription Medications

(Portland, OR)  --  There's a new program in Portland that delivers prescription medications to residents who are vulnerable to coronavirus.  Portland Fire and Rescue operates the Meds on Wheels Program.  Fire Chief Sarah Boone says it's for residents with no other options.  Besides delivering the medications, the team members will also be able to spend a little time talking with the residents who are isolated in their homes.  They'll also give them a resource flyer with information about ways they can get basic help during the citywide state of emergency.
 

Clark County Burn Ban

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Clark County now has a temporary burn ban in place.  All land clearing and residential burning is restricted because of increasing fire danger.  The ban remains in effect until April 21st, or until conditions change.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Employee Gets COVID-19

(Portland, OR)  --  A member of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has COVID-19.  The Sheriff's Office says the exposure likely occurred off-duty.  The person hasn't been at work for an extended period of time and health officials say the risk of exposure to other people at the sheriff's office is low.

Hillsboro Police Confirms Three COVID-19 Cases

(Hillsboro, OR)  --  Three employees of the Hillsboro Police Department have COVID-19.  Officials say the officers are under quarantine at home as they recover.  The Police Department says they were wearing personal protective equipment while working with the community and didn't think they had significant direct contact with community members.

Governor Brown To Detail Framework For Reopening Oregon

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon Governor Kate Brown will release details of her framework to reopen the state from the coronavirus shutdown during a news conference this morning.  This follows the agreement announced on Monday with Washington and California to coordinate the effort.  Brown says she will be joined by representatives from the Oregon Health Authority and the Governor's Medical Advisory Panel.

OR Has One New COVID-19 Death

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming another coronavirus death in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced yesterday a 66-year-old Washington County woman has died from COVID-19.  Her death brings the total number of deaths in Oregon to 53.  She was diagnosed March 30th and died at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital on April 12th.  Officials also announced 57 new cases yesterday, raising the state's total to 15-hundred-84.

Oregon National Guard Distributes PPE

(Wilsonville, OR)  --  The Oregon National Guard has distributed personal protective equipment to medical facilities in all 36 counties, nine Tribal Nations and two Tribal Health agencies in the state.  Officials say 200 guard members are working to provide logistical, communications and other operational COVID-19 support.  The PPE's are inventoried at a warehouse in Wilsonville and then transported throughout the state.

Police Investigate Weekend Street Racing

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Police Bureau says it's investigating several reports of street racing over the weekend.  Police say they received multiple reports Sunday night of drivers speeding while racing each other.  One of the reports concerned activity on the top deck of the Fremont Bridge.  No arrests have been made.

Portland Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested In Maryland

(Portland, OR)  --  Police say a suspect in three Portland bank robberies has been arrested in Maryland.  The FBI says that on February 14th three Portland banks were robbed in about 40 minutes.  The suspect, 55-year-old John Lubow, allegedly threatened that he had a weapon.  Lubow will be extradited from Maryland to Oregon for prosecution.

Stabbing Suspect Sentenced To 20 Years In State Hospital

(Portland, OR)  --  A man is facing 20 years in the Oregon State Hospital after being convicted of stabbing a person 17 times.  Court records say the victim saw Todd Schneider setting up a camp on ODOT property in the Portland area and asked him to move in 2018.  Schneider pulled a knife and stabbed the victim in the face, head, arms and torso.  The victim went to a nearby home for help.  The District Attorney's office says the victim recovered from the physical injuries, but the emotional trauma will scar the person for life.  The judge determined that Schneider was guilty except for insanity and will be in the care of the Oregon Psychiatric Board for 20 years.

Two Injured In Separate Shootings

(Portland, OR)  --  Two men are injured following two separate shootings in Portland.  Police say the first shooting happened last night near Northeast Killingsworth Street and 60th Avenue.  The second shooting happened near Northeast Fremont Street and 82nd Avenue  Both victims were taken to hospitals.  Investigations are ongoing into both shootings.

Oregon Food Bank Gets $8M To Help Feed Hungry

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Food Bank is getting millions of dollars to help feed the needy.  Governor Kate Brown announced yesterday the Oregon Food Bank will get eight-million dollars to fill an urgent need during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  Brown says no Oregonian should need to wonder where they can find food for their family in times of crisis.

Fatal Shooting Indictment Served

(Portland, OR)  --  A Multnomah County grand jury has indicted 22-year-old Joseph Schneider for a fatal shooting that happened March 30th during a robbery at a southeast Portland pawnshop.  Benjamin Taylor was the manager of USA Pawn & Jewelry.  When police arrived, Taylor was found dead outside of the store.  The suspect ran from the scene.  Schneider was arrested April 2nd.  He's been indicted on a charge of murder.

OR Has 1,527 COVID-19 Cases

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon now has a total of one-thousand-527 COVID-19 cases.  The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 80 new cases yesterday.  Multnomah County had the most new cases with 31, followed by Washington County with 18.

OR Has 52 COVID-19 Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials are confirming one new coronavirus death in Oregon.  The Oregon Health Authority announced the death yesterday, raising the state's death toll to 52.  The patient was an 89-year-old Multnomah County woman with underlying conditions.  Officials say she died the same day she tested positive for the virus on March 25. 

Restaurant Group Launches Program To Feed Needy

(Portland, OR)  --  A local restaurant group is helping put food on the table for those struggling to make ends meet amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Toro Bravo Restaurant Group has launched a program called Feed It Forward PDX.  The program delivers prepared food to nonprofits for them to distribute to those in need.  Toro Bravo Restaurant Group owns Mediterranean Exploration Company, Tasty n Alder and several other Portland-area restaurants.

Emergency Container Drop-Off Site Opens In NW Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  A new emergency container drop-off site is now accepting bottle and can returns in northwest Portland.  The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative opened the emergency drop-off site last week on Northwest Yeon Avenue.  Most stores in the state have stopped taking bottle and can returns due to the pandemic.  Many low-income residents rely on bottle and can returns to make ends meet.

Gas Station Self-Service Extended Until April 25th

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon drivers can continue to pump their own gas for another two weeks.  The Oregon Fire Marshal extended a temporary order allowing self-service until April 25th due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  The order was originally set to expire yesterday.

Two-Year-Old Girl Shot By Pellet Gun

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting a high-powered pellet gun at a two-year-old girl, injuring her.  Police say the child was walking with her father in Portland's Kenton Neighborhood on Friday when she suddenly cried out in pain.  The dad took the girl to a hospital, where doctors discovered a pellet projectile lodged about an inch in the child's bottom.  Doctors say she will recover.  Anyone with any information on the crime is urged to contact police.

Man Killed In Officer-Involved Shooting During Domestic Disturbance Call

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into the officer-involved shooting death of a man during a domestic disturbance call in Clackamas County.  Police responded to a home near Southeast Briggs Street and Southeast Evergreen Street late Saturday night on reports of a disturbance involving a gun.  Responding officers entered the home after hearing a gunshot and opened fire on the gunman, killing him.  Three deputies have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Portland Urges Residents To Maintain Social Distance At Parks

(Portland, OR)  --  The city of Portland is asking residents to keep their distance from others at local parks.  The Portland Parks and Recreation Department tells KATU they might have to shut down city parks if residents fail to maintain proper social distancing.  So far, there are no plans to close any city park, but officials say that could change if people fail to keep their distance.

Fire Burns Four Acres In Beaverton

(Beaverton, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a brush fire that burned four acres in Beaverton.  Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 17900 block of Southwest Scholls Ferry Road Saturday night.  Crews were able to bring the blaze under control within about three hours.  It's not yet clear how the fire started.

Police Arrest Two Suspects For Drive-By Shooting

(Vancouver, WA)  --  Two men are facing charges in connection to a drive-by shooting in Vancouver.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to a home off Northeast 41st Street Friday night on reports that several shots had been fired into the home from a passing vehicle.  Deputies pursued the vehicle until it crashed through a fence and the suspects got out and fled on foot.  Police then used an Air Support Unit to help track the suspects down and arrest them.

Man Shot In NE Portland

(Portland, OR)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a shooting in northeast Portland.  Police say a man was shot around 3:30 yesterday morning in the 95-hundred block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard.  The man was hospitalized for injuries.  It's not yet clear whether police have identified a suspect.

OHA Issues Safe Sex Guidelines For Pandemic

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon health officials are working to educate residents on what constitutes safe sex during the coronavirus pandemic.  The Oregon Health Authority issued a flyer on Twitter Wednesday outlining the safest sex practices during the pandemic.  Among the suggestions listed are to use condoms and other protection and to avoid kissing anyone who isn't in your small circle of close contacts.

Ammon Bundy Holding Massive Easter Gathering

(Portland, OR)  --  The man who led an armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon back in 2016 is making headlines again, this time for flouting social distancing orders amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Ammon Bundy says he's holding a massive Easter celebration regardless of any bans on large gatherings.  Bundy told CNN the event he's putting together will be held somewhere in Idaho and that the goal is to secure their rights to gather and worship.  Idaho's governor has issued a stay-at-home order because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As for potentially catching the virus, Bundy says he actually wants it, so he can become immune to it.

Two Killed In Crash Near Amity

(Amity, OR)  --  Two people are dead following a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 West near Amity.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the crash happened yesterday afternoon between Amity and Rickreall.  It's not yet clear if anyone else was injured.

Oregon Clinic Furloughing 820 Workers

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Clinic is furloughing hundreds of workers due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Willamette Week reports the Portland-based specialty health care provider is furloughing 820 employees, about 80-percent of its staff.  The clinic says the furloughs are necessary due to the state's suspension of elective and non-urgent medical procedures.

TriMet Using Foggers To Decontaminate Buses

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet is stepping up its efforts to keep its buses clean during the coronavirus pandemic.  The agency says it's now using fogger decontamination devices to clean its buses every day.  The foggers spray a hydrogen peroxide-based mist throughout the bus.  Staff members are still cleaning buses by hand as well.

OR Putting Extra $60M Into Food Stamps For April, May

(Portland, OR)  --  The state of Oregon is putting out an extra 60-million dollars in food stamp benefits this month and next month to help families struggling through the pandemic.  The Department of Human Services says the additional SNAP benefits will go to recipients who are not already receiving the maximum amount of food stamp benefits.  The extra benefits should automatically show up on recipients' Oregon Trail cards.

Police Seek Missing Teenage Girl

(Milwaukie, OR)  --  Police are searching for a teenage girl who's been missing for more than a week.  Police say 16-year-old Sierra Sunshine Porter left her home near Southeast 80th Avenue and Clackamas Street in Milwaukie on her skateboard on March 31st.  She hasn't been seen since, and family members say she left her asthma inhaler at home.  Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

TriMet Limits Ridership On Buses

(Portland, OR)  --  TriMet is now limiting the number of riders on buses in order to improve social distancing.  The agency says ten individuals, or up to 15 people if they're traveling together, will be allowed on a bus at a time.  When a bus is full, the driver will ask people at stops to wait for the next bus.  TriMet is also putting stickers on seats that read "Don't Sit Here" to encourage better social distancing between passengers.

Health Officials Say Social Distancing Appears To Be Working

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials say social distancing measures appear to be working in reducing the spread of coronavirus.  State Health Officer Dr. Dean Sidelinger says the current models show there will not be a dramatic rise in cases and that the state is successfully flattening the curve, but that will only continue to happen if residents follow the governor's stay-at-home order.  Sidelinger says the order will need to remain in place through at least the end of April to be effective.

Oregon Now Has 21 COVID Deaths

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon health officials are confirming two more deaths from the novel coronavirus.  The Oregon Health Authority says a 61-year-old Washington County man died at Tuality [[ TWAL'-ih-tee ]] Healthcare and a 91-year-old Marion County woman died at home two days after being diagnosed with the disease.  Both patients had underlying medical conditions. The deaths raise Oregon's coronavirus death toll to 21.  Meanwhile, 90 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the state's total number of cases to 826.

Oregon's Alcohol And Marijuana Sales Spike

(Portland, OR)  --  Alcohol and marijuana sales are up in Oregon since Governor Kate Brown ordered residents to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.  Liquor store owners say sales are similar to what they'd experience during a holiday season.  Marijuana retailers say their sales are also up, apparently because people are spending more time at home.

Oregon Offers New Help To Small Businesses

(Salem, OR)  --  The state of Oregon has a new clearinghouse to help small businesses.  Governor Kate Brown announced the launch of the Coronavirus Small Business Resource Navigator yesterday.  There's a hotline and website that helps small business owners find state and federal resources available to them through the crisis.  The website is oregon4biz dot com.

Police ID Deadly Crash Victim

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a pedestrian who was hit and killed by a drunk driver in Southwest Portland on St. Patrick's Day.  Portland Police say they found 39-year-old Lulia Hanczarek lying in the road near Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Parkhill Drive.  The driver of the car, 30-year-old Ivan Cam, called 911 after the crash.  He was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving and manslaughter.

Homeless Man Charged With Arson

(Portland, OR)  --  A homeless Portland man is charged with arson after allegedly burning down a homeless camp.  Police say that Jay Lamb drove by a homeless camp near Southeast 9th and Harrison on March 25th and threw a lit road flare onto a tent, causing it to catch fire.  A man inside of the tent suffered burns on his arms and legs.  Lamb says he did it because the victim had stolen things from other transients.  Lamb faces two counts of arson.

Tigard Festival Of Balloons Cancelled

(Tigard, OR)  --  The Tigard Festival of Balloons is cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The event was scheduled for June 26th through the 28th at Tigard's Cook Park.  Organizers say they plan to resume the event in 2021.

Rose Quarter I-5 Project Moves Forward

(Portland, OR)  --  A project to add lanes to I-5 in Portland's Rose Quarter moves to its next step.  The Oregon Transportation Commission unanimously approved staying the course on an environmental assessment rather that switching to a lengthier and more expensive environmental impact statement.  The manager for the project says when they added a lane elsewhere in the Portland area it reduced traffic congestion times from five hours to one hour and they expect it would do the same in the Rose Quarter area.

Oregon Craftbrew Founder Retires

(Portland, OR)  --  One of the founding fathers of Oregon's craft beer industry is retiring.  Art Larrance is selling Cascade Brewing to a group of brewery and taproom owners.  Cascade is known for specializing in sour beers but also offers a wide range of ales and lagers.  The deal is a phased transition and Larrance will remain in an advisory position.  The Cascade Brewing Barrel House, Blending House and Lodge at Cascade Brewing will all remain open.
 

Three Masked Men Rob Tigard Home

(Tigard, OR)  --  Police are searching for three suspects accused of robbing a home at gunpoint in Tigard.  Police say the three masked men entered the house off Southwest North Dakota Street through an unlocked door early yesterday morning and confronted the residents at gunpoint.  They then stole several items and fled the scene in a vehicle.  No injuries were reported.

SAIF Creates Fund To Help Businesses With Coronavirus Costs

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon State Accident Insurance Fund has established a ten-million-dollar coronavirus worker safety fund.  It can help businesses pay for expenses tied to making workplaces safer against the virus.  Eligible expenses include worksite cleaning and disinfection supplies, resources to open businesses after a coronavirus-related closure, mental health initiatives and the modification of workspace to allow for social distancing.  Member businesses can apply online.

Oregon Releases Education Guidelines

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Department of Education is releasing guidelines for what it calls "Distance Learning for All."  Students have been out of school since March 12th and won't return until April 28th at the earliest, because of coronavirus.  The guidelines will help districts craft their own plans for online and other ways to teach kids who don't have internet access.  The priority is to make sure teachers have regular contact with students and that families and caregivers help with the learning.

Police Identify Shooting Victim

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a man who was shot and killed Monday afternoon in Southeast Portland.  Police say 31-year-old Benjamin Johnson died in a parking lot near several businesses on Southeast 82nd Avenue about a block north of Powell Boulevard.  The suspect ran from the scene and remains at large.  An investigation is ongoing.

TriMet Operator Diagnosed With Coronavirus

(Portland, OR)  --  A TriMet operator has been confirmed to have COVID-19.  TriMet says the operator didn't have symptoms while at work and hasn't been at work since March 20th, because the operator stayed home after a concern of exposure to the virus.  Health officials say the risk to other TriMet workers and riders is low.  The operator worked out of the Merlo facility which has been cleaned multiple times over the past 10 days along with all of the buses.

Man Crashes Into Pole, House, Fence And Car

(Keizer, OR)  --  Police say an 81-year-old man was intoxicated when he crashed a pickup truck into a house in the Keizer area.  Police say James Harold Johnson of Salem was driving west on Chemawa Road Northeast Saturday night when he crashed into a utility pole.  His vehicle then veered into oncoming traffic and left the roadway before crashing through a fence, into a house, and through another fence before colliding with a parked car.  No injuries were reported.  Police arrested Johnson for DUI.

Three Firefighters Contract COVID-19

(Portland, OR)  --  At least three firefighters are under quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.  Portland Fire & Rescue and Gresham Fire both announced yesterday that they've each had a firefighter contract the coronavirus.  Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue on the coast has also had a firefighter test positive for the virus.  The fire departments are working to notify anyone who may have had contact with the firefighters.

Oregon Lottery Scoreboard App Hacked

(Salem, OR)  --  The Oregon Lottery has temporarily shut down the sports betting app Scoreboard after the outside vendor that runs the game was hit by a cyberattack.  The vendor, SBTech, stopped the game last Friday when it became aware of the attack.  The Oregon Lottery says no data was lost and accounts weren't compromised.  SBTech is in the process of preparing to restart Scoreboard.

Portland Cancer Researchers Look For COVID-19 Vaccine

(Portland, OR)  --  Cancer researchers at Providence Portland Medical Center are waiting to hear whether the FDA will approve human clinical trials on a vaccine for COVID-19.  Team member Dr. Bernard Fox says they're mobilizing technology used in the fight against cancer to develop a DNA based vaccine.  The goal is to stimulate the immune system to attack the "spike" the virus uses to attach to and infect healthy cells.  They hope to hear from the FDA within 30 days, and start the first human trial in 60 days.

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