(Portland, OR) -- Half a dozen more Oregonians are dead after contracting COVID-19. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed six new coronavirus deaths yesterday along with 415 new cases. Oregon has now seen two-thousand-381 deaths and over 164-thousand cases since the pandemic began. A total of 139 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, which is down three from the previous day.

(Portland, OR) -- An investigation is ongoing into a shooting that injured one person in northeast Portland. Police say the shooting happened Monday night near Northeast 102nd and Wasco in the Hazelwood neighborhood. Officers responding to the scene found one person suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and took them to a hospital. It's not yet clear what led to the shooting. The suspect remains at large.

(Portland, OR) -- Police are releasing the identity of a woman who was shot to death in Southwest Portland over the weekend. The Portland Police Bureau says 53-year-old Kim Lambright was found dead Sunday morning at Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Capital Highway near Hillsdale. It's not yet clear what led to the shooting. So far, no arrests have been made. The shooting marks the 23rd homicide in Portland so far this year.

(Salem, OR) -- Police say they've made an arrest in connection to a shooting in Salem earlier this month. Police arrested 18-year-old Anthony Gonzales Friday after using witness video and descriptions to identify him as a suspect. Police say he opened fire on Williams Road near Silverton Road Northeast on March 13th, hitting a vehicle and a fence. No one was injured.

(Portland, OR) -- Police are releasing the identities of two people killed in a wrong-way crash on I-84 last week. The Portland Police Bureau says 36-year-old Inna Danilovna Bosovik and 65-year-old Susan Sturdavant were killed in the crash Thursday. Police say Bosovik was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-84 when she hit Sturdavant's car head-on near 82nd Avenue. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is reporting more than 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 217 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. No new deaths were reported. The agency says new cases of COVID-19 are up 28-percent in the state since last Monday, with an average of 351 new cases per day. The percentage of positive tests is also up to three-point-eight-percent. Active hospitalizations for the virus are up 22-percent.

(Portland, OR) -- The Portland City Council is holding a series of listening sessions with the community as it prepares to create a new budget. City commissioners say they want to hear from residents about their concerns for the city budget. The first listening session was held last night and focused on housing and homelessness. Additional sessions will be scheduled in the coming weeks. City council will begin putting together a budget proposal in May.

(Vancouver, WA) -- One woman is seriously injured after jumping out of a moving police patrol car on I-5 near Ridgefield. The Clark County Sheriff's Office says a deputy was taking the woman to jail on a charge of fourth-degree assault domestic violence yesterday when she jumped out of the moving vehicle through the rear passenger window. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. The deputy is on critical incident leave pending an investigation.

(Forest Grove, OR) -- A Forest Grove couple is being featured in a new HBO documentary about a cruise ship that became stranded off the coast of Japan during the early days of the pandemic. Kent and Rebecca Frasure were on board the Diamond Princess in February of 2020 when several cases of COVID-19 broke out on the ship. The ship was quarantined off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, just south of Tokyo, with passengers confined to their cabins. The documentary "The Last Cruise" will stream on HBO and HBO Max starting today.

(Kelso, WA) -- An investigation is ongoing into a fire that destroyed an abandoned home in Kelso, Washington. Firefighters responded to the blaze early yesterday morning in the 300 block of Long Avenue. No injuries were reported. No word yet on what sparked the blaze.

(Salem, OR) -- Nearly half a dozen people are facing charges following dueling demonstrations that turned violent near the Oregon Capitol building. Police say they arrested four people during the demonstrations yesterday between right-wing demonstrators and left-wing counter-protesters. Police say one person was detained after pulling a gun on protesters who were allegedly throwing items at his truck. That person has not been arrested, and police say they're still investigating.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is reporting more than 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 253 new cases yesterday, raising the state's total case count to nearly 164-thousand. One-hundred-and-43 people are hospitalized with the virus, which is up 25 from Saturday. No new deaths were reported yesterday, leaving the state's death toll at two-thousand-375.

(Salem, OR) -- A Salem man is facing charges in connection to a fatal hit-and-run crash. Police say 24-year-old Anthony Vincent crashed an SUV head-on into a pickup truck on Commercial Street Southeast near Ewald Friday night. He then allegedly walked away from the crash. Police found him at a local hospital and arrested him. A passenger in the pickup identified as 31-year-old Sarah Jensen was killed in the crash, and the driver of the pickup was hospitalized.

(Portland, OR) -- A teenager who was wounded in a shooting last week near Four Corners Elementary School has died. The Marion County Sheriff's Office confirmed the 17-year-old's death yesterday. He and another 17-year-old boy were shot near the school last Wednesday. The other victim was treated at a hospital and released. Police detained two 17-year-old boys for questioning and charged one of them with robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

(Portland, OR) -- Today's session of the Oregon House is canceled due to COVID-19. Officials say some members who were in the House and exposed to the virus earlier this month are still waiting for test results. House Speaker Tina Kotek had previously planned to resume House floor sessions today after cancelling them last week. The House plans to meet tomorrow.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is confirming two new coronavirus deaths along with 422 new cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported the new numbers yesterday. One-hundred-and-eight people are currently hospitalized, which is up six from Wednesday. Oregon has now seen a total of two-thousand-370 deaths and 162-thousand-806 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

(Portland, OR) -- New details are coming to light regarding two Oregon brothers accused of taking part in the deadly January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol building. Court documents reveal Matthew and Jonathonpeter Klein allegedly wedged open a secure door and entered the building along with other people. Authorities say they were in and around the Capitol building for around two hours. They're currently in the Multnomah County Jail and will be extradited to Washington, DC for their trial.

(Salem, OR) -- Two teenagers are injured following a shooting outside an elementary school in Marion County. The Sheriff's Office says the teens were involved in a marijuana deal in the back parking lot of Four Corners Elementary School Wednesday afternoon when the shooting happened. One 17-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition, while the other suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Two other 17-year-olds were detained.

(Salem, OR) -- The Oregon Senate is passing a bill allowing cities and counties to prohibit guns in public buildings, including schools. The bill passed 16-to-seven yesterday without any Republican support. The bill would require a notice to be posted at entrances to all buildings with a universally recognized symbol that guns aren't allowed, even for people with concealed handgun licenses. The bill now moves to the House.

(Vancouver, WA) -- The Vancouver Police Department is planning on launching a body camera program next year. City officials say the department is working towards implementing the program by spring of next year. The department is still looking for a company to provide the cameras along with software and support for the program.

(Portland, OR)  --  The trend of COVID-19 cases in Oregon over the last week is slightly mixed.  The Oregon Health Authority reports new cases were down 15-percent, but deaths and hospitalizations increased slightly.  The percentage of positive tests fell from three-point-six-percent to two-point-nine.

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is dealing with nearly 400 new coronavirus cases.  The Oregon Health Authority reported 379 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with one new death.  One-hundred-and-two people are currently hospitalized with the virus, which is down seven from Tuesday.  Oregon has now seen a total of two-thousand-368 deaths and over 162-thousand cases since the pandemic began.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell says he's working to rebuild trust with the community.  Lovell made the statement yesterday in response to recent controversies involving the Police Bureau.  Those controversies include the sudden and unexplained resignation of the president of the Portland Police Association last week.  Lovell says he agrees the public has a right to know why Officer Brian Hunzeker resigned but that an internal review is just getting started.  

(Portland, OR)  --  Two brothers from Oregon are facing charges in relation to the deadly January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol.  Police arrested Matthew and Jonathonpeter Klein near Heppner on Tuesday.  The FBI says it used a photo of the brothers to identify them.  They face several charges including conspiracy, obstruction of an official proceeding, and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.  Last September, Matthew Klein was cited in Portland for unlawful possession of a firearm following a rally at Delta Park.

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is celebrating another milestone in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts.  The Oregon Health Authority reports one-million people have now received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine.  That's nearly one in five Oregonians who are eligible for the vaccine.  Baker and Wheeler counties have the highest rates of vaccination.  In Multnomah County, 210-thousand people have received at least one dose.

(Portland, OR)  --  Clackamas County Health officials warn they are close to moving backward in the COVID-19 reopening plan.  The county is currently in the Moderate Risk category and could be moving back to High Risk.  The county is currently at 98-point-seven-cases per 100-thousand people.  The county will move backward if it exceeds 100 cases per 100-thousand people.
 

(Undated)  --  Beaverton-based Nike is feeling the ire on Chinese social media after the sportswear company put out a statement expressing concern over reports of forced labor in the country's Xinjiang province.  It's not clear exactly when Nike issued the statement, but it was picked up by Chinese internet users late Wednesday.  China has faced criticism for accusations of forced labor and detentions of the minority Muslim Uyghur population.  This week, the U.S., European Union, U.K. and Canada imposed sanctions on Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses. 

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is dealing with over 300 new coronavirus cases.  The Oregon Health Authority reported 316 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with two new deaths.  One-hundred-and-nine people are currently hospitalized, which is down seven from Monday.  There have now been two-thousand-367 deaths and 162-thousand-16 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

(Portland, OR)  --  Nearly two-dozen Oregon counties are moving forward in the vaccination process.  The Oregon Health Authority approved 13 counties to move forward on Monday, and seven more counties were approved yesterday.  The counties can now start offering vaccines to Phase 1B, Group 6.  That includes people over 45 with pre-existing conditions as well as migrant, seafood and agricultural workers, wildland firefighters, people displaced by wildfires and pregnant women older than 16.

(Stayton, OR)  --  No injuries are reported after a tanker carrying more than eleven-thousand gallons of fuel crashed near Stayton.  The crash happened early yesterday morning, spilling 23-hundred gallons of fuel.  Police evacuated 12 nearby residents as a precaution.  Investigators say driver fatigue may have contributed to the crash.

(Silverton, OR)  --  One person is dead following an explosion at a seed cleaning facility near Silverton.  Firefighters responded to the scene yesterday morning to find three people trapped inside the building on the second floor.  Two people were able to make it out safely, but the third person was found dead inside the building.  Investigators believe the explosion was caused by dust.

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is expanding eligibility for who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine.  The Oregon Health Authority is adding several medical professions to the list, including dentists, certified nursing assistants, EMTs, optometrists and pharmacists.  Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen says it's an "all hands on deck" operation to get Oregonians vaccinated against the coronavirus.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is reporting nearly 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 178 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with two new deaths from the virus. Oregon has now seen two-thousand-365 deaths and 161-thousand-706 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. One-hundred-and-16 people are currently hospitalized, which is up four from Sunday.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is set to receive over four-billion dollars in federal COVID-19 relief. KATU-2 reports the funding from the recently signed American Rescue Plan Act will be split between the state, counties and cities. Oregon as a whole will receive two-point-six-billion dollars. Portland is expected to receive over 200-million.

(Portland, OR) -- Students from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University are filing class-action lawsuits seeking repayment of tuition and related fees. The two separate lawsuits claim the schools charged students full-price for online classes that were of lesser quality than traditional in-person classes. Neither school offered to repay students' tuition after shutting down their campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuits were filed earlier this month in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

(Portland, OR) -- A 58-year-old man is facing several charges after a welfare check led to the discovery of a stolen car, illicit drugs and a gun. The Portland Police Bureau says officers were responding to reports of a man passed out inside a vehicle in a parking lot near Northeast Wasco Street and Grand Avenue early Sunday when they determined the car was stolen. The officers also found a loaded pistol on the passenger seat and searched the vehicle to find over eleven grams of methamphetamine along with heroin and 27 pounds of marijuana. Police arrested Robert Chambers on several charges.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is dealing with more than 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 239 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with three new deaths. More than one-point-three million first and second doses of the vaccines have now been administered in Oregon.

(Portland, OR) -- The Oregon Department of Revenue is following the IRS's lead and extending the state's tax filing deadline for individuals. Instead of April 15th, the deadline to file your taxes is now May 17th. Both the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue will provide formal guidance soon.

(Portland, OR) -- COVID-19 trends are mixed in Oregon. Health officials say total new cases were up 31-percent over the last week, but deaths and hospitalizations declined. The number of hospitalizations was down by nine, while the number of deaths declined by 60. The percent of positive tests rose sharply to three-point-six-percent.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon's Secretary of State is fighting a request from the legislature to delay the redistricting process because the Census data won't be ready. The Census is late because of the pandemic. Secretary of State Shemia Fagan says delaying the redistricting process will also cause all elections in 2022 to be delayed. She says the legislature can use data from the Population Research Center at Portland State University and then refine it when the Census data comes in. The Oregon Supreme Court will decide the case.

(Portland, OR) -- Icelandair is returning to Portland International Airport this summer with flights to Reykjavik and Europe. Travelers who can verify full vaccination against COVID-19 can travel to Iceland without facing additional border measures such as testing and quarantine. The flights to Iceland resume on July 2nd.

(Houston, TX) -- A woman from Grants Pass who was arrested earlier this month in Texas for refusing to wear a face mask is in trouble again. Police arrested Terry Lynn Wright yesterday for allegedly refusing to leave a Houston-area Office Depot after employees asked her to put on a mask. Police arrested her for trespassing. The governor of Texas recently lifted the mask mandate, but businesses are still allowed to enforce their own rules.

(Portland, OR)  --  Nearly two-dozen more Oregonians are dead after contracting COVID-19.  The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 22 new coronavirus deaths yesterday along with 267 new cases.  There have now been two-thousand-346 deaths and 160-thousand-50 cases in Oregon since the pandemic began.  A total of 119 people are currently hospitalized, which is up one from Monday.

(Portland, OR)  --  Police are releasing new details regarding an officer-involved shooting near Corbett over the weekend.  The East County Major Crimes Team says 57-year-old Randy Gattman was armed with two guns during a standoff overnight Friday into Saturday morning.  Police say he fired at officers, prompting them to return fire, critically injuring him.  He remains hospitalized.  The officers who opened fire have been identified as Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Farmer and Gresham Police Officer Michael Webb.

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown wants to expand health care to all Oregonians, even if they aren't legal citizens.  Brown testified in a hearing of the House Committee on Health Care yesterday in support of HB 2164, also called Cover All People.  The bill would provide health insurance coverage to the six-percent of Oregonians who don't have access to health care.  Brown says it's an important part of the state's goal to provide equity in health care by 2030.

(Portland, OR)  --  State lawmakers are considering a bill to slow the skyrocketing theft of catalytic converters from vehicles.  The bill would allow scrap dealers to only buy from commercial sellers, who would have to identify the vehicle from which the device was removed and the seller's information.  The bill is supported by law enforcement, insurance companies and scrap dealers.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Police Association President Brian Huntziker is stepping down.  His resignation was announced yesterday after he made what the union says was an isolated but serious mistake related to a hit and run crash that falsely implicated City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty earlier this month.  Detectives found the driver involved.  The union's press release did not elaborate on exactly what kind of mistake Huntziker made.  Mayor Ted Wheeler is demanding to know what the mistake was, and he's calling for an internal investigation.

(Vancouver, WA)  --  A judge in Vancouver, Washington is apologizing for his comments denigrating a Black man who was shot to death by police during a drug bust last year.  The Columbian reports District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman issued a statement yesterday announcing he's taking time off to reflect on his comments about 21-year-old Kevin Peterson Jr.  Zimmerman was caught on a live mic calling Peterson, quote, "the Black guy they're trying to make an angel out of."  Zimmerman also called Peterson, quote, "so dumb."  Police shot and killed Peterson last October after he ran from officers trying to arrest him for allegedly arranging to sell 50 Xanax pills to a confidential informant.

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon is moving forward with a voter-approved plan to develop treatment programs using psychedelic mushrooms.  Governor Kate Brown has appointed members of the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board to manage the process.  The board includes doctors, researchers, fungi experts, therapists and licensed clinical social workers.  The board will create the rules for the therapeutic use of psilocybin products.  There's a two-year implementation period.

(Portland, OR) -- Health officials are confirming two new coronavirus deaths in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority reported the new deaths yesterday along with 178 new cases of COVID-19. There have now been two-thousand-324 deaths in Oregon and 159-thousand-788 confirmed cases since the pandemic began. One-hundred-18 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, which is up 18 from Sunday.

(Portland, OR) -- Union workers in Oregon want some of the state's share of funds from President Biden's American Rescue Plan. Oregon union workers issued the request yesterday, saying most essential union workers, including farm workers and caregivers, make less than 15 dollars an hour. Yet, they have risked their own health and well-being to mask up and keep Oregon going during the pandemic. They're asking lawmakers to consider a program to pay those workers a one-time check of between one-thousand and two-thousand dollars as hero pay.

(Salem, OR) -- A man is facing charges in connection to two armed robberies in Salem. Police say 32-year-old Javier Francisco Diaz Torres pulled a gun on the owner of a Mexican restaurant on Market Street Sunday and demanded food. He then allegedly stole items from a nearby Walmart a few hours later and threatened an employee there with a gun. Police arrested him on two counts of robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing.

(Vancouver, WA) -- A judge in Vancouver, Washington is facing calls to resign for his comments denigrating a Black man who was shot to death by police during a drug bust last year. The Columbian reports District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman was caught on a live mic calling 21-year-old Kevin Peterson Jr., quote, "the Black guy they're trying to make an angel out of." Zimmerman also called Peterson, quote, "so dumb." Police shot and killed Peterson last October after he ran from officers trying to arrest him for allegedly arranging to sell 50 Xanax pills to a confidential informant. The Clark County Prosecuting Attorney says his office is moving immediately to disqualify Zimmerman from presiding over all criminal cases going forward. The defense firm Vancouver Defenders is calling on Zimmerman to resign.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is marking a somber anniversary in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Sunday marked exactly one year since the first Oregonian died from COVID-19. Since then, Oregon has seen a total of two-thousand-322 deaths from the virus.

(Aloha, OR) -- A man is facing charges in connection to a shooting inside an apartment complex in Aloha. Police say residents of Farmington Townhome Apartments called 9-1-1 late Saturday night to report shots fired. Officers responded to the building to find two intoxicated men in one unit and a gun on the kitchen table. Police say the gun turned out to be stolen. Police arrested 21-year-old Thomas Coupland.

(Fairview, OR) -- Two men are hospitalized following a shooting in Fairview. It happened Saturday night near the apartments on Northeast 205th just south of Sandy Boulevard. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says the men suffered serious injuries. Several shots were fired, and one car was also hit. Witnesses heard a speeding car at the time of the shooting, and investigators are asking residents to check any surveillance video they may have. Police are still searching for the suspect.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is dealing with more than 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 234 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. There are currently 100 people hospitalized with the virus, which is down four from Saturday. So far, one-point-three-million Oregonians have been fully immunized against the virus.

(Oakridge, OR) -- A 50-year-old hiker is recovering after getting stranded in the Willamette National Forest near Oakridge. The Coast Guard says crews rescued the missing man over the weekend after his car and backpack were found near a trailhead on Thursday. Search and rescue crews found the man dehydrated and hypothermic on Friday night, and a Coast Guard helicopter crew hoisted him out of the forest to a hospital Saturday morning.

(Vancouver, WA) -- Police in Vancouver are asking for help in their search for a missing 12-year-old boy. Police say Daniel Dakota Daniels left his home Friday for a walk and hasn't been seen since. Police believe he may be trying to find an estranged family member in the Corvallis area. He's described as white, five-feet-six-inches tall and 120 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon evangelicals are mourning the loss of Beaverton evangelist Luis Palau. OregonLive reports his family released a statement saying he died suddenly but peacefully yesterday after a three-year battle with lung cancer. Inspired by Billy Graham, the Argentina native came to Oregon in 1960 to attend Multnomah Bible College. He went on to develop a ministry with a global reach and many thousands of followers. He was 86.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon restaurants are claiming Governor Kate Brown's limit on customers and staff amid the ongoing pandemic doesn't make sense. The current guidelines say restaurants in extreme risk counties can only have 50 customers and employees outside. Restaurants in high risk counties can have 50 people indoors and 75 people outdoors. The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association says the policy doesn't make sense for restaurants that have enough room for social distancing. They're asking the governor to change the policy so it's based on a percentage of restaurant capacity instead.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is dealing with over 300 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 367 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with eleven new deaths. Oregon has now seen two-thousand-316 deaths and 158-thousand-644 cases since the pandemic began.

(Camas, WA) -- A coronavirus outbreak at a Clark County high school is being linked to an off-campus party. County health officials announced yesterday that 13 students at Camas High School 13 contracted the virus at a party. Officials have identified 33 close contacts of the students who may have also been infected. The cases were reported Monday. Students returned to the school this week for in-person learning, but officials returned the campus to full remote learning for yesterday and today due to the outbreak.

(Portland, OR) -- Police say they've arrested one person in connection to a destructive demonstration at the Wells Fargo building on Southwest 5th. Police say a group of about 30 people entered the building's lobby yesterday afternoon and started damaging property and refused to leave. Officers found and arrested 22-year-old Darby Howard later last night on the steps of the federal courthouse, where demonstrators faced off with federal officers who pushed the group back into the park nearby.

(Portland, OR) -- New COVID-19 case numbers are trending downward in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority says the state's average number of new cases declined 35-percent over the last week. Hospitalizations are also down 15-percent. Meanwhile, the total number of new deaths increased to 86 from 57 the previous week.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is dealing with over 300 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 306 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday along with two new deaths. Oregon has now seen a total of two-thousand-305 deaths and more than 158-thousand cases since the pandemic began. One-point-two-million Oregonians are now fully vaccinated against the virus.

(Portland, OR) -- Police in Salem say they arrested a man who was shooting a gun at hallucinations. Police responded to a house on Norway Street Northeast Tuesday afternoon on reports of a man firing a gun in his backyard. Police say 27-year-old Martin Abrego was high on drugs and hallucinating. During the incident, he allegedly shot his home's natural gas meter, causing a gas leak. No one was injured.

(Portland, OR) -- A 32-year-old man is facing nearly three-dozen charges in connection to sexual assault and human trafficking. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced yesterday that a grand jury has issued a 35-count indictment against Johnel Johnson. Police say he kidnapped his victim and sexually assaulted them repeatedly over the course of several hours. The victim later escaped and called 9-1-1. During the investigation, evidence of another victim was discovered, and more charges were filed. Detectives are asking any other victims to come forward.

(Portland, OR) -- At least 100 people are joining a pair of lawsuits over last summer's Beachie Creek wildfire. The blaze burned more than 190-thousand acres, killed five people and destroyed several communities. The lawsuits accuse PacificCorps of not maintaining equipment and not turning off the electricity, which could have prevented the fires. The firm representing the plaintiffs was also involved in lawsuits against Pacific Gas and Electric following Northern California's devastating wildfires. The lawsuits seek over one-billion dollars in damages.

(Tigard, OR) -- A fugitive from Montana is finally behind bars in Oregon after several months on the run. Police arrested Sevin Griego in Tigard last Tuesday after he was first spotted in the area two days prior. He was wanted by the FBI on charges of sexually abusing children. According to the Tigard Police Department, Griego made a run for it, trying to escape through private property until he was tracked down by a police dog. He's due to be extradited back to Helena, Montana.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is dealing with over 200 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority reported 211 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, raising the state's total number of cases so far to 157-thousand-285. No new deaths were reported, leaving Oregon's death toll at two-thousand-296. One-hundred-16 people are currently hospitalized with the virus, which is up three from Saturday.

(Salem, OR) -- Governor Kate Brown is now vaccinated against COVID-19. Brown received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over the weekend at a clinic in Scappoose. Brown says she chose the J&J vaccine to prove that it's safe. She says rumors and misinformation about the vaccine are not true.

(Portland, OR) -- A fisherman is dead after drowning in the Willamette River. Police say the man was fishing with his dog in a boat at the Swan Island Lagoon Saturday evening when he and his dog fell overboard. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office's River Patrol responded to the scene along with Portland Fire and Rescue. First responders found the man dead at the scene. His dog was found on shore and was taken to an animal hospital for evaluation.

(Portland, OR) -- An investigation is ongoing into an arson that damaged three vehicles at the administration building for Portland Public Schools. The fire was reported early Saturday morning. Two cargo vans and a box truck were destroyed. No injuries were reported. Investigators say it appears a suspect broke into a fenced area to start the fires and vandalize the building. Police are still working to identify the suspect.

(Portland, OR)  --  Oregon's suicide rate appears to be on the rise.  A new report from the CDC says Oregon ranks ninth highest in the nation for suicides.  That's up form 17th the previous year.  The CDC says Oregon saw 62 more suicides in 2019 than the year prior.  On the plus side, youth suicides in Oregon decreased for the first time since 2015.

(Portland, OR)  --  Health officials say cases of COVID-19 are on the rise again in Oregon following several weeks of declining numbers.  The Oregon Health Authority says total cases increased by 17-percent during the last week of February.  Hospitalizations also increased slightly.  Oregon's current positive test rate is three-point-seven-percent.

Oregon State University is planning a return to a “more traditional fall term” with predominately in-person instruction and on-site university services and programs statewide. According to Central Oregon Daily, President F. King Alexander said faculty and staff are actively engaged in planning for a fall term. In the coming weeks, university leaders will provide more detailed information on what to expect for fall term.The University of Oregon made a similar announcement on Wednesday.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State University is planning for mostly in-person instruction this fall.  President F. King Alexander says increased vaccine production and Governor Kate Brown's announcement that higher education is a priority for vaccination will allow operations to be more traditional.  The university will have predominately in-person instruction, on-site research and extracurricular activities at OSU locations around the state.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Water Bureau is getting a federal loan of over 700-million dollars to build a water treatment facility.  The facility will remove the microorganism Cryptosporidium and other contaminants from the Bull Run Reservoir.  It will also add better corrosion control to reduce potential lead in the water.  The plant is necessary in order to comply with federal regulations.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty is denying allegations that she was involved in a hit-and-run crash at 148th and East Burnside on Wednesday.  The Portland Police Bureau is backing her up.  Hardesty says the allegations are part of a smear campaign by right wing political groups angered by her work on police reform.  Investigators say Hardesty has been ruled out as a suspect in the crash.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning aquarium owners about a product at pet stores that could include invasive zebra mussels.  The product is called Betta Buddy Marimo Ball.  Invasive zebra mussels can grow uncontrolled in lakes and rivers.  Officials are urging anyone who has purchased the product to boil it before throwing it away and sterilizing their aquarium.

(Portland, OR)  --  Four hotels and motels in Oregon will pay over 100-thousand dollars in settlements for engaging in price gouging.  The Oregon Attorney General's Office received more than 560 complaints of price gouging following last summer's wildfires.  Governor Kate Brown declared an abnormal disruption of the market in September due to the fires.  The hotels and motels who engaged in price gouging are located in Salem, Florence, Corvallis and Roseburg.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is reporting more than a dozen new coronavirus deaths, including that of a 27-year-old man. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 13 new deaths yesterday. Officials say the 27-year-old victim was a Jackson County resident. The Health Authority also reported 269 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, including Oregon's first case of the new Brazil variant. Officials say the person infected with the new variant traveled recently and is cooperating with health officials.

(Portland, OR) -- The Oregon Brewers Festival is cancelled for another year due to the ongoing pandemic. Organizers say there's still just too much uncertainty about where Portland will be this summer in relation to the novel coronavirus. They plan to hold the festival in July of 2022. Until then, they're asking beer lovers to support small breweries, pubs and cider houses.

(Portland, OR) -- The Red Cross is offering online disaster preparedness classes to Oregonians this month. The Red Cross of the Cascades says the virtual classes will focus on winter storms, wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and house fires. The classes will be held every Tuesday this month from 6 to 7 p.m.

(Portland, OR) -- The Drug Enforcement Administration is issuing a warning about fentanyl being moved into the Pacific Northwest by the Mexican drug cartel CJNG. The DEA says the synthetic opioid is being mixed with other illicit drugs including cocaine, heroin, meth and pills. Fentanyl has led to an increase in both non-fatal and fatal overdoses nationwide. More than 83-thousand people died from drug-related overdoses in 2020 across the U.S.

(Roseburg, OR) -- The Roseburg Public School District is confirming a case of COVID-19 at one of its campuses. The district announced yesterday that a member of the Roseburg High School community has tested positive for the virus. No word on whether the individual is a student or staff member. Earlier this week, the school canceled this week's football practices and games due to a coronavirus case.

(Burns, OR) -- A one-thousand dollar reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the person using blow-gun-darts to kill deer near Burns, Oregon. A mule deer and a fawn have died and at least three more deer were injured by blow gun darts. The Oregon Hunter's Association is offering the reward. Blow gun darts are illegal for deer hunting in Oregon. Tips should be made to Oregon State Police.

(Portland, OR) -- Governor Kate Brown is thanking Oregonians for their hard work as Oregon marks one year of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of Oregon's first confirmed case of COVID-19. Brown issued a statement yesterday thanking frontline workers, caregivers and everyone who has lent a helping hand to neighbors or friends in need. Brown also acknowledged the pandemic's disproportionate impact on Oregon's Black, Indigenous, Tribal, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Asian communities as well as the immigrant and refugee communities. Brown says "We must do better to build a stronger, more just, more equitable Oregon for everyone who lives her."

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is reporting nearly 300 new coronavirus cases. The Oregon Health Authority confirmed 292 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, raising the state's total number of cases so far to 155-thousand-597. No new deaths were reported, leaving the state's death toll at two-thousand-208. There are currently 134 Oregonians hospitalized with the virus.

(Portland, OR) -- No injuries are reported after a ski lift broke in the Timberline Ski Area, leaving more than three-dozen people stranded. Timberline officials say staff members used ropes to evacuate 42 people stuck on the broken lift Saturday night. Officials say the malfunction was due to an electronic problem. The skiers were stuck on the lift for over two hours before officials were able to get them down.

(Hillsboro, OR) -- No injuries are reported following a house fire in Hillsboro. Firefighters responded to the home on Northeast Stile Drive yesterday afternoon after multiple people called 911 to report hearing several small explosions coming from the home's garage. Fire officials say the blaze quickly spread to the attic. Officials say everyone was able to safely escape the burning home. Investigators say the fire was caused by a running vehicle in the garage.

(Portland, OR) -- One person is dead and another is injured following a shooting at a bar in Sellwood. The Portland Police Bureau says the shooting happened late Saturday night at the Acropolis Steakhouse on Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. Responding officers found one person dead at the scene and rushed another person to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police are still searching for a suspect.

(Portland, OR) -- Police say they've arrested a suspect in connection to a shooting in the St. Johns area. Police arrested 35-year-old Jaron Mulkey in Vancouver Saturday on a charge of attempted murder. He's accused of shooting and injuring a man earlier that morning near North Richards and Midway Avenue. The victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

(Portland, OR) -- Police are searching for a suspect in connection to a shooting in Portland's Argay neighborhood. The Portland Police Bureau says the suspect shot and injured a man early yesterday morning near Northeast Failing Street and 141st Drive. The victim is expected to survive. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

(Portland, OR) -- Police say they arrested two people following a demonstration in the Pearl District Saturday night. The Portland Police Bureau says protesters gathered at The Fields Park on Northwest Overton Street for a march that lasted roughly two hours. Police say two people were arrested after the march became destructive, with demonstrators allegedly breaking windows and spraying graffiti on buildings.

(Portland, OR) -- Highway 99W was closed in both directions for several hours last night following a natural gas pipeline break. The Oregon Department of Transportation says the break happened before 5:30 p.m., when multiple cars crashed and damaged the pipeline near milepost 20 between Newberg and Sherwood. No word yet on what caused the crash.

(Salem, OR) -- Police in Salem are investigating two separate shootings that left at least one person injured in Salem on Saturday. Police say the first shooting happened near Silverton Road and Lansing Avenue Northeast. An officer was reportedly parked nearby when he heard gunshots and then saw two vehicles speed past him with one of the vehicles apparently chasing the other. Police pursued the vehicles and eventually arrested 20-year-old Jonathan Carranza and a teenage passenger. The second shooting happened later that night near Wallace Road and Edgewater Street Northwest. Police rushed one person to a hospital with injuries and are still searching for a suspect.