(Mt. Angel, OR)  --  The city of Mt. Angel is mourning the loss of its mayor.  Officials say Mayor Don Fleck died from natural causes at his home on Sunday.  Fleck was also a retired firefighter and former Mt. Angel Fire Chief.  Fleck served as mayor for the last year-and-a-half.  He was a big supporter of the city's Oktoberfest.  Services for Mayor Fleck will be held Friday with a memorial service at 1 p.m. in the Mt. Angel Festhalle.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Fire quickly stopped a fifth floor apartment fire in downtown Portland Wednesday morning.  The apartments are located near Southwest 12th and Alder.  When firefighters arrived, they found flames coming from a fifth floor apartment.  The building is older, and doesn't have sprinklers.  The fire was kept to the unit where it started.  No one was hurt.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.
 

(Salem, OR)  --  Oregon is joining 22 states in calling on the federal government to set standards for toxic metals in baby food.  The proposal calls for interim limits on arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.  The level of arsenic in infant rice cereal would be reduced from its current level.  Baby food manufacturers would also get guidance for toxic metal testing.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture would need to set the new rules.

(Salem, OR)  --  A program from the Oregon Health Authority that monitors drug prescriptions needs to make key changes.  An audit from the Oregon Secretary of State's Office found the program still does not require doctors to check databases of patients for suspicious activity before writing a prescription.  That opens the door to some people getting multiple prescriptions of opioids and other drugs that can be abused.  The report shows the biggest issues with the program require legislative action to correct.  

PORTLAND, OR -- A major conference on electric mobility is happening now in Portland. The Roadmap Conference is organized by FORTH. Executive Director Jeff Allen says they’re showcasing a variety of EVs, including electric tractors, which don't rely on expensive diesel. "A lot of the diesel that farms burn, they burn idling. Of course, with an electric tractor, you’re not using any fuel if it’s not moving," Allen tells KBND News, "And electricity is a lot more predictable. It’s regulated. You know what it’s going to cost." FORTH is working with a handful of Oregon farmers to test out this new technology and provide feedback, "We’re also finding [farmers] love the fact that they’re quiet and they don’t stink."

Allen says FORTH has two electric tractors rotating around the state, including at a Sisters-area ranch. There are only a handful in use around the country. They’re not big - 30 to 40 horsepower. But Allen says they could have a positive impact on a farmer’s bottom line, "Batteries and electric drivetrain, and all that technology, the costs have been going down dramatically and quality has been going up dramatically."

Those tech improvements and the rising cost of fuel are pushing expansion of electrification, which is the focus of this week's Roadmap Conference, "We’re talking about all kinds of electric vehicles: tractors, cars, school buses, planes, boats, you name it. Pretty much, if it moves, it’s going electric."

Photo courtesy FORTH Mobility

(Hazel Dell, WA)  --  An investigation is ongoing into a fire in a homeless camp in Hazel Dell that threatened to spread to nearby trees.  Clark County Fire District 6 responded to the fire yesterday morning near the BPA's Ross Complex between Highway 99 and I-5.  Crews were able to stop the fire. One person suffered non-life threatening injuries.
 

(Portland, OR)  --  Gas prices are slowly dropping ahead of the Independence Day holiday weekend.  Triple-A says the national average fell nine cents to four-88 a gallon.  Oregon's average declined three cents to five-50 a gallon.  The price of crude oil fell which caused gas prices to go down.  Diesel in Oregon increased 15 cents a gallon over the last week reaching a new record high six-47 a gallon.
 

(Salem, OR)  --  Family and friends of Travis Juetten are offering a 50-thousand dollar reward for information that leads to his killer.  On August 13, 2021 Juetten and his wife Jamilyn were stabbed several times inside of their home on Howell Prairie Road, west of Silverton.  Travis died at the scene.  Jamilyn was hospitalized and survived her injuries.  The Marion County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case and hasn't arrested a suspect.  The 50-thousand dollar reward is offered for the arrest and conviction of a suspect.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is unveiling a new initiative to fight the rise in gun violence that normally occurs during the summer.  It's called Safer Summer PDX.  He's hired three experts to coordinate the effort.  They are a counter-violence expert, a communications coordinator and a community liaison.  They'll work with the Police Bureau's Focused Intervention Team and the Enhanced Community Safety Team along with community groups to reduce instances of violence.
 

(Vancouver, WA)  --  The NTSB and the FAA are investigating a small plane crash at Pearson Field in Vancouver that killed one person.  The crash happened in the middle of the runway yesterday morning when a small plane crashed onto its top and caught fire.  The pilot was the only person on board.  The name of the person who was killed hasn't been released.
 

(Salem, OR)  --  Governor Kate Brown is unveiling what she's calling a Moon Shot for Equity Initiative to help Eastern Oregon college students.  Brown announced yesterday she's allocating one-point-six million dollars from her emergency education relief fund for the five-year project.  Eastern Oregon University, Treasure Valley Community College, and Blue Mountain Community College will work with national experts to use research, technology and advisory services to close equity gaps for students.

(Battle Ground, WA)  --  Police say three people walking along Lucia Falls Road in rural Clark County were injured when they were hit by a car Sunday afternoon.  The Clark County Sheriff's Office says the driver of a Chevrolet Blazer went off the road and hit the pedestrians.  Several drivers stopped to provide medical help until first responders arrived.  Impairment wasn't a factor in the crash.  Two people were hospitalized in critical condition.

(Portland, OR)  --  A suspect arrested in connection to the brutal attack of two elderly men in Southwest Portland is being arraigned on charges of attempted murder and assault.  Court records show 29-year-old Keffer White was arraigned in court yesterday.  Police arrested White Saturday night near Southwest 5th and Hall Street, where the attack happened.  Witnesses say White approached the men and tried to talk with them.  When they didn't respond, witnesses say he yelled at them and made fun of them for being elderly.  He then allegedly attacked them physically and punched and kicked the men after they were on the ground.  Police say 88-year-old Edward Lichenstein and 83-year-old Donald Pierce are both hospitalized in critical condition.

(Mountain Home, ID)  --  An Oregon State University Air Force ROTC cadet is dead following a training accident in Idaho.  East Idaho News reports 19-year-old Mackenzie Wilson was killed Friday afternoon during an accident involving a HUMVEE at Mountain Home Air Force Base.  Wilson was one of 19 cadets taking part in an immersive professional development training program called Operation Air Force.  An investigation into the accident is underway.
 

(Tigard, OR)  --  Tigard Police are investigating a suspicious death that happened Sunday afternoon on Hall Boulevard near Garden Place.  Officers found a man who was deceased and the cause of death was suspicious.  Investigators talked with witnesses and they interviewed a person of interest, but haven't said whether the person was arrested.

PORTLAND, OR -- LIV Golf, competing with the PGA for golf fans, opens its U.S. series of tournaments in Oregon this week. But the event at Pumpkin Ridge is drawing a lot of local opposition.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) says a Saudi man is responsible for killing an Oregon teen in a 2016 hit and run. His government then allegedly helped him get an illegal passport and he fled the country, avoiding prosecution. Wyden says that same Saudi government is backing LIV Golf. Its first U.S. tournament starts Thursday west of Portland. "When U.S. sports institutions partner with these governments, they are, in effect, allies in these cover-ups and selling out integrity for profits," Wyden said at a recent press conference with four area mayors.

Eleven Washington County mayors signed a letter opposing the tournament at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains. Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty says, "Not all money is welcome in our community. We want our community to know we have no political power to stop this. So, we’re partnering with other levels of government to speak our outrage in public." Because Pumpkin Ridge is a private company, the mayors say they were unable to prevent the tournament from coming here. 

Beatty says because Mayors come from different political backgrounds, they don’t often speak with one voice, "This is not a political issue. This is an issue of safety; this is an issue of an unwelcome tournament coming into our own backyard. Because, if something goes wrong, it’s all of our police departments that are going to be expected to respond on a holiday weekend."

They point to Saudi Arabia’s human rights violations and referred to the tournament as “blood money” for their region.

(Mountain Home, ID) -- An Oregon State University Air Force ROTC cadet is dead following a training accident in Idaho. East Idaho News reports 19-year-old Mackenzie Wilson was killed Friday afternoon during an accident involving a HUMVEE at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Wilson was one of 19 cadets taking part in an immersive professional development training program called Operation Air Force. An investigation into the accident is underway.

(Timberline Lodge, OR) -- A 31-year-old woman was seriously hurt on Friday when she fell climbing Mt. Hood. The accident happened in the Old Chute area of the mountain. A doctor who was also climbing the mountain started first aid. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office coordinated the rescue. An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter crew lifted the woman from the mountain and flew her to a Portland hospital where she's being treated.

(Tigard, OR) -- Tigard Police are investigating a suspicious death that happened Sunday afternoon on Hall Boulevard near Garden Place. Officers found a man who was deceased and the cause of death was suspicious. Investigators talked with witnesses and they interviewed a person of interest, but haven't said whether the person was arrested.

PORTLAND, OR-- This weekend’s warm weather is a welcomed shift for us humans, but our pets may not be as excited for summer.  

"People might be thinking, ‘oh my gosh. I can’t wait to get outside. I’m going to take my dog out for a long hike; it’s gonna be amazing’," says the Oregon Humane Society's Laura Klink, "But, it’s going to be kind of shocking to the system." She says our pets are not yet accustomed to the heat and they may not be ready for intense outdoor exercise.

There are also other hazards to consider, pavement can burn paws, especially later in the day, and a hot car can be deadly, "A car can heat up really quickly. Even if it feels comfortable outside, like maybe low to mid-70s, the inside of a car can quickly get over 100 degrees. And that’s even with the window cracked a little bit." Klink adds, "When in doubt, just leave your pet at home with a nice comfy bed and a chewy toy. Safest bet is to always just leave them home in the cool inside temperatures."

Signs your pet is struggling with the heat include excessive panting and lethargy.

PORTLAND, OR-- A new group of ag organizations hopes to tackle drought concerns threatening their livelihood and our food supply. Members of the newly formed Oregon Agricultural Water Alliance include the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattleman’s Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, Oregon Water Resources Congress and Jeff Stone’s group, the Oregon Association of Nurseries.

Stone says extreme, recurring drought threatens them all, "Since the state is so diverse, in terms of water availability versus the type of farming, we try to speak with a common voice to make sure a drought doesn’t disproportionately impact one segment of agriculture versus another." He tells KBND News, "Snowpack no longer really is our great savior for continued water supply. We have to look at rainfall and capturing that rainfall. And, there are a lot of multiple uses for water, so I think we can look and say, ‘what are things that we can do in order so there wouldn’t be a water war?’"

He hopes the new alliance will eventually impact state law and provide accountability in decision-making, "Water should be bipartisan. It should not care who the Governor is or who is in charge of the legislature."

(Portland, OR)  --  A Flood Warning continues for the Columbia River in Multnomah and Clark counties through this evening.  The river is at minor flood stage and will remain at that level until tonight, when it will being to slowly recede.  The river is expected to drop about a foot by Friday.
 

(Portland, OR)  --  Boaters will have to stay out of Willamette [[ wil-AM-eht ]] Cove through September 5th.  That's the area on the east side of the Willamette River downstream from the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge in north Portland to North John Avenue.  Crews will be taking water, sediment, and soil samples as they develop a cleanup plan.  That area is part of the Portland Harbor Superfund Site where industries polluted the river for more than a century. 

(Fairview, OR)  --  Police are releasing the identity of a motorcyclist who was killed in a crash in Fairview last night.  The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Maksim Mishuk was riding north on Fairview Parkway when he made a left turn toward the I-84 westbound on-ramp and collided with the SUV.  Mishuk died a the scene.  The driver of the SUV was not impaired and cooperated with the investigation.  Police say the speed of the motorcycle was a factor in the crash. 

(Salem, OR)  --  Two juveniles are in custody after a shooting in Salem Monday afternoon left a 20-year-old person with life-threatening injuries.  Salem Police say there was dispute between a group of people at the Cherriots Transit Mall and the shooting happened in the parking lot of Columbia Bank on Center Street.  A 16-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder and a 14-year-old who was armed with a knife was charged with menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.  They were both booked into the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center.

(Portland, OR)  --  Lime is replacing its electric scooters in Portland.  The new Gen4 e-scooters have handles that are easier to grip, a dual hand brake system, a better center of gravity, a better kickstand to keep them from falling over when parked, and a better suspension system for a smoother ride.  Since Lime launched in Portland in 2018, 400-thousand riders have taken over two million trips traveling over two-point-three million miles.
 

(Portland, OR)  --  A new federal project has honeybees making themselves at home on the roof of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building in downtown Portland.  The General Services Administration is putting honey bee hives at eleven facilities across the country as part of a yearlong pilot.  Two hives with 40-thousand bees are located at the top of the Portland federal building.  The Best Bees Company, a major beekeeping service, will maintain the hives, analyze honey production and identify the plants the bees are using.  The pollination that bees provide are vital to agriculture and food production.
 

(Medford, OR)  --  A Eugene man who pleaded guilty for illegally shipping live scorpions to Germany has been sentenced.  Federal prosecutors say 39-year-old Darren Drake imported and exported dozens of live scorpions without licensing.  One of the boxes was labeled "chocolates."  Drake also mailed live scorpions to Michigan and Texas.  He was sentenced to two years' federal probation, 250 hours community services, and a five-thousand dollar fine.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Portland Trail Blazers will apparently be getting a new player.  ESPN reports the Blazers have traded a 2025 protected first round draft pick for Detroit Piston Jeremy Grant.  Grant averaged 19 points last season and played 31 minutes a game.  The Blazers haven't confirmed the trade.  This doesn't affect the Blazers' pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.  The Blazers will pick in the seventh position.

(Seaside, OR)  --  People with mobility challenges will be able to use all-terrain wheelchairs to enjoy the beach at Seaside on July 2nd and 3rd.  The electric wheelchairs have treads, instead of wheels, to move over the sand.  Seven of the wheelchairs will be available for free.  People need to register in advance online at davidschair dot org.

(Undated) -- Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty is calling on community members to do their part to fight racism this Juneteenth. Hardesty says that while Juneteenth has now become a federal holiday, white supremacy and racism remain alive and well today. Hardesty says she hopes people go beyond appreciating the holiday as a day off from work and recommit to exposing white supremacy where they find it. She says she also hopes the holiday serves as a call to action to white community members to step up in ways they never imagined stepping up before. Originating in Galveston, Texas, the Juneteenth holiday observes the end of slavery -- or more specifically, the day men, women and children held in bondage in Texas and other parts of the southwest, learned they were free on June 19th 1865. That was more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. Since it falls on a Sunday this year, the official public holiday is today.

(Manzanita, OR) -- A 42-foot commercial fishing boat is destroyed following a fire Saturday morning off the Oregon Coast. The boat was about two miles west of Manzanita when it caught fire. The one person on board was rescued from the water by another boater. The person wasn't injured. The boat burned to the water line and the Coast Guard was maintaining a one-thousand foot perimeter around the remains of the boat.

(Salem, OR) -- COVID-19 vaccines will be available starting today for children between six months and five years of age. The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup approved the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for use in Oregon, Washington, California, and Nevada. The CDC approved the vaccines on Saturday. The Workgroup says the benefits of the vaccines substantially outweigh any known or likely risks.

(Portland, OR) -- The National Weather Service is confirming three funnel clouds in Western Oregon over the weekend. Officials say two of the funnel clouds were see over Hillsboro and one over Harrisburg on Saturday. Funnel clouds don't touch the ground and don't cause damage. The National Weather Service says that if you do see a funnel cloud, take shelter in the event it touches the ground.

(Portland, OR) -- Gas prices are at record high levels and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is sponsoring a bill to limit excess profits, stock buybacks and big bonuses for executives. Wyden says oil companies would be allowed to reinvest profits to make their operations more efficient. If they use profits to reward stockholders or executives they would face a surtax. Stock buybacks would be taxed 25-percent and profits over 10-percent would be taxed 21-percent. Wyden says oil companies would also be prohibited from reducing their profits through accounting methods.

(Portland, OR) -- A federal grand jury in Portland has returned an indictment against a real estate developer from Vancouver for fraudulently obtaining COVID-relief program funds. 60-year-old Michael DeFrees allegedly used two business entities to obtain Economic Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program funds. DeFrees is also accused of lying on his loan applications by saying he had never been convicted of any criminal offense. DeFrees was on probation for a 2017 conviction for falsifying records in a bankruptcy.

(Bend, OR) -- Oregon State Police say a man who's accused of killing two people is now in custody. Investigators arrested 50-year-old Timothy Onley in the Bend area. He's accused of killing 81-year-old Marilyn Janson and 60-year-old David Janson, both of Wilderville in Josephine County. They have not said how they were killed. Olney faces two counts of first-degree murder.

(Battle Ground, WA) -- Warning signs are going up at Battle Ground Lake. Clark County Public Health reports E. coli bacteria has been detected. Test results for one of five water samples collected at the lake showed the bacteria. E. coli can cause gastrointestinal illness. The health department is warning against swimming and wading in the water, especially for young children who might swallow the water. More water samples will be taken next week.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon has its first probable case of human Monkeypox. The Oregon Health Authority says a man is isolated and following recommendations from public health officials after traveling to an area with confirmed cases. While the CDC is testing to confirm the illness, the OHA, CDC and health care providers are working to identify other people who might be at risk. OHA Public Health Dr. Richard Lehman says unlike COVID-19, Monkeypox does not spread easily between people, so the risk to other people is very low. Infection requires prolonged skin to skin contact. Currently, there are 84 cases across 18 states.

(Portland, OR) -- The Oregon Humane Society has taken in more than 30 dogs from a suspected puppy mill in California. In all, more than 150 dogs were living in cramped crates, filled with waste. Many of the dogs need medical attention. They are French bulldogs and other bulldog mix breeds. The Oregon Humane Society says it'll be several months before the dogs are ready for adoption. They'll go to foster homes to recover and learn how to be a pet. The dogs will be put up for adoption as they become ready.

(Newberg, OR) -- Two members of the Newberg School Board are resigning following controversial decisions by the board's majority. Rebecca Piros and Brandy Penner announced they were leaving their seats during the meeting last night. Both members accused the conservative majority of abusing their power with recent policy changes regarding symbols for marginalized groups, as well as the abrupt termination of former Superintendent Joe Morelock.

(Portland, OR) -- The Portland Charter Commission is approving a package of reforms that could reshape the city's government and elections. Under the changes, the city would move from its commission form of government to a city council with 12 members. The plan calls for four geographic districts to be drawn up, with ranked-choice elections to determine every district's three council members. The plan must be approved by Portland voters this November.

(Newport, OR) -- The U.S. Geological Survey is registering a magnitude-five-point-six earthquake off the Oregon coast early this morning. The quake's epicenter was tracked three-hundred miles west of Newport, just before 4 a.m. The quake was not strong enough to trigger a tsunami. There were no reports of damage along the coast.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon's unemployment rate is still declining. It declined slightly last month after 62-hundred jobs were added to the state economy. The Oregon Employment Department reports the state's unemployment rate declined from three-point-seven-percent in April to three-point-six-percent in May, which is the same as the U.S. rate. Leisure and hospitality, transportation, warehousing, utilities and manufacturing all added jobs. Oregon has regained 90-percent of the jobs it lost at the start of the pandemic compared to 96-percent for the U.S.

(Portland, OR) -- A Flood Warning continues for the Columbia River in Multnomah and Clark counties through this evening. The river is at minor flood stage and will remain at that level until tonight, when it will being to slowly recede. The river is expected to drop about a foot by Friday.

(Portland, OR) -- An independent review finds the Portland Police Bureau needs to give officers better training to help domestic violence victims. The City Auditor's Independent Police Review released a report yesterday reviewing the effectiveness of the police bureau's Special Victims Unit. The report says officers responding to initial calls in domestic violence cases need more trauma-informed training to help them understand how trauma affects a survivor's behavior. That includes teaching officers why sexual assault survivors often don't flee, cry out or fight back against their attackers and why survivors might refuse help, lie to police or choose to stay with their abuser. The review also found that the Special Victims Unit benefits from its co-location and collaboration with partner agencies such as the Multnomah County's Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team. Partner agencies interviewed said the unit should remain in its current location in order to continue facilitating that collaboration.

(Salem, OR) -- A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled today in Salem for a 34-unit affordable housing building for Veterans. It'll be located at Cottage and Court streets and will be operated by the YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties. The name will be Courtney Place, for State Senator Peter Courtney who secured seven-million dollars. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley got two-million dollars from the federal government. The facility will include services for Veterans. Construction should be finished by late next summer.

(Portland, OR) -- Climate change is affecting the mental health of young people. The Oregon Health Authority released a report that shows youth are worried about how climate change will affect their future and they feel hopeless to prevent it. They don't think leaders are doing enough to solve the problems. The report recommends that parents take their kid's concerns seriously and that leaders find ways to include young people in planning to prevent climate change.

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Police say officers arrested seven people during a street racing mission overnight Sunday. One of the events happened at Northeast 13th and Multnomah Street. More than 200 people were involved. When police tried to break it up, several shots were fired from one vehicle. No one was hurt. The Police Bureau's plane followed several suspects who fled the scene and K-9's were used to track suspects who ran from their vehicles. Besides the seven arrests, several vehicles were seized and towed.

(Portland, OR) -- A Portland-based romance novelist who once published an essay titled "How to Murder Your Husband" will serve life in prison after shooting her husband to death. A judge sentenced Nancy Crampton-Brophy yesterday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. A jury convicted Crampton-Brophy of second-degree murder late last month for the 2018 death of Daniel Brophy. Crampton-Brophy shot and killed Brophy at the Oregon Culinary Institute, where he was a popular teacher and chef. Crampton-Brophy says she plans to appeal.

(Oregon City, OR) -- Clackamas County Clerk Sherry Hall says staff members have finished counting all ballots from the 2022 May Primary. Thousands of ballots had blurred bar codes and the votes had to be transferred to new ballots that could be counted by a machine. Hall thanked county workers from other departments who helped with the process. She says they'll review their procedures to prevent the problem from happening again. Oregon's Secretary of State has ordered an audit of the election and specifically an audit of the ballots with blurred bar codes.

(Portland, OR) -- The owner of the German food restaurant chain Gustav's has announced they're closing some restaurants. Suzeanne Briede posted on the company's website that after working through cancer recovery, she's closing after 34 years in business. The Gustav's in Clackamas will close on July 11th. The Gustav's in Vancouver remains open. Their lower cost Bargarten at Cedar Hills Crossing will close on June 26th. The Bargarten at Keizer Station remains open.

(Portland, OR) -- Heavy rain on Saturday caused a small combined sewer overflow into the Willamette River just north of Willamette Park. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services says around 340 gallons of combined sewage flowed into the river. That's not part of the Big Pipe System, which didn't have any overflows during the rain storms. You should avoid contact with that part of the river through Tuesday.

(Portland, OR) -- The floating section of the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland is closed because the Willamette River is too high. The record setting rain has caused the river to rise so high that the ramps to the walkway are too steep. The river is expected to recede starting on Wednesday and the walkway will reopen later in the week.

(Portland, OR) -- An Oregon man is among the 31 white nationalists arrested for allegedly planning to riot at an LGBTQ+ Pride event in northern Idaho over the weekend. The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office says 32-year-old Lawrence Alexander Norman of Prospect was arrested near the Pride in the Park event in Coeur d'Alene on Saturday. All 31 suspects are members of the white supremacist neo-Nazi group Patriot Front. Police say the suspects were wearing riot gear including armor and masks and were carrying shields when officers stopped the U-Haul truck they were traveling in. Police responded after a concerned citizen called 911 to report the men piling into the U-Haul looking "like a little army" in the parking lot of a local hotel. Arraignment is scheduled today.

(Portland, OR) -- The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the Columbia River from the Portland-Vancouver area to Cowlitz County. Record setting rain has caused the river to approach minor flood stage. Parks, trails and boat ramps may have minor flooding. The river is also filled with debris being washed down rivers from the heavy rain. The river will start to recede on Wednesday.

(Portland, OR) -- Minor flooding is expected on the Columbia River in Portland and Vancouver, but it could be worse. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the dams on the river, is using the John Day Dam in Eastern Oregon to store some of the extra water. The dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers normally release as much water as they receive, but the John Day provides some storage capacity to reduce flooding.

(Ridgefield, WA) -- Life jackets saved the lives of two girls in the Lewis River near Ridgefield. Clark County Fire and Rescue says a father and his two daughters were boating when they hit trees in the river and the boat capsized. The dad was able to hold his 8-year-old, but the 12-year-old was swept about a hundred yards down stream. Firefighters got all three out of the water. They were taken to a hospital for evaluation.

(Portland, OR) -- Residents in east Multnomah County say they're tired of finding bags of human waste left along roads. Since 2018, more than 500 bags have been found. It's illegal to leave the waste and county code enforcement officials want to find the person or people responsible. Residents say they don't want to clean up after the perennial poopers. The county's code enforcement division is asking anyone with tips that can identify the person to contact them.

(Portland, OR) -- The 100th Queen of the Portland Rose Festival will be coronated today. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at the Double Tree Hotel on Northeast Multnomah Street. The Queen and the court will be in the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade on Saturday. It starts at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will take a two-mile route on the east side of the river for the first time since the 1940's.

(Portland, OR) -- Portlanders planning on taking a flight this summer should be prepared for more crowds. Up until now, travel volumes have been below pre-pandemic numbers, but it's changing. Port of Portland officials expect summer travel to peak early this year at Portland International Airport. The single busiest day of the summer is expected to be this Sunday when more than 51-thousand travelers will go through PDX. The airport is under construction, so travelers are advised to arrive early to navigate changes at the airport.

(Portland, OR) -- A Portland man who was struck by a vehicle during protests in June 2020 is suing the city. Richard Bunch was directing traffic away from protesters who were marching near Southeast Sixth Avenue and Main Street when he was hit by a truck hauling a trailer. He later needed reconstructive surgery for his leg after suffering several broken bones. In his lawsuit, Bunch accuses Portland Police of failing to seriously investigate and find the person who struck him.

(Portland, OR) -- A Canadian man has been sentenced to federal prison in the U.S. for running dozens of illegal Asian brothels in three countries, including several in Portland, Tigard and Beaverton. Zongtao Chen recruited women, primarily from China, to travel to the U.S. and work as prostitutes. So-called dispatchers would take requests for "dates" from potential customers and schedule the women who were working in brothels. Chen was arrested in Canada. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

(Vancouver, WA) -- A suspect has been arrested for a kidnapping and robbery in Vancouver. The victim was in a car at a convenience store when the suspect asked for a ride. The suspect then pulled a gun and forced the victim to drive him around for several hours. The victim told the suspect he needed gas and was able to escape at a gas station. The suspect then held the clerk at gunpoint. Police arrived and took the suspect into custody. He'll be charged with robbery and kidnapping.

(Portland, OR) -- Multnomah County will take two actions this week to support access to abortion and other reproductive health services ahead of a soon-to-be-announced ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade. The board will consider a resolution today that would require immediate action to protect clinics if Roe is overturned. Commissioner Jessica Vega Peterson will also propose spending 200-thousand dollars to protect access to abortion services. That would help between 300 and 400 people receive care.

(Portland, OR) -- The City of Portland is starting its summer water testing program for the Willamette River. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services tests water quality every week at five popular recreation spots. The first tests show bacteria levels are well below standards set by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Over the last decade, 99-percent of samples were within DEQ requirements. You can see the weekly test results on the Bureau of Environmental Services website.

(Salem, OR) -- Starting July 3rd, people receiving unemployment in Oregon will get a raise. The Oregon Employment Department has announced the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts will increase seven percent. That's because Oregon's average weekly wage during 2021 increased. The base rate will increase 12 dollars a week to 183 dollars and the top rate will increase 50 dollars to 783 dollars a week.

(Vancouver, WA) -- The City of Vancouver is unanimously approving an amended version of its Climate Priority Resolution. It calls for an 80-percent reduction in municipal operations Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2025, an 80-percent reduction in emissions from the Vancouver community by 2030, and carbon neutrality by the city and the community by 2040. They say it's some of the most ambitious climate reduction goals in the country.

(Washington, D.C.) -- Oregon's U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are joining Patty Murray and Elizabeth Warren in asking President Biden to use his executive authority to defend reproductive rights. They want the federal government to increase access to medication abortion, create resources for people seeking abortion care in other states, and use federal property to provide abortions in states that have prohibited abortions. If the President issues an executive order it can be rescinded by the next President.

(Salem, OR) -- A court-ordered expert is issuing her recommendations for capacity challenges at the Oregon State Hospital. Dr. Debra Pinals has issued her second report on the facility. It calls for evaluations of people when they're in jail to determine whether they've become fit for trial and don't need admission to the state hospital. Counties should increase treatment beds for people who don't need hospital level care. And, she says there needs to be better sharing of data to determine how many patients are waiting for admission and discharge.

(Portland, OR) -- A City of Portland audit found the Joint Office of Homeless Services wasted funds intended to serve veterans. Officials say 850-thousand dollars were spent over 16 months to provide apartments to veterans, but the property wasn't maintained and the residents had to be moved to other housing. The investigation found there wasn't oversight of the provider running the facility, the building's condition wasn't assessed and nothing was done to address the problems. The Joint Office of Homeless Services generally agreed with the audit, but objected to some descriptions as being inflammatory.

(Portland, OR) -- Washington County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Trotter has been released from Legacy Emanuel Hospital after 41 days. He was critically injured when his patrol car was hit by another vehicle on April 27th. Trotter asked that Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue transport him to a rehabilitation facility, because they helped save his life at the crash scene. Trotter's wife Heather released a statement thanking the medical team at Emanuel Hospital and the first responders who saved his life. They say Trotter faces a long recovery, but this is a huge step forward.

(Salem, OR) -- A quarantine in Lane County to help limit the spread of bird flu has been lifted. The quarantine was put into effect on May 17th after bird flu was detected in a backyard flock. The quarantine prevented birds in a six mile radius from being transported. The infected birds were euthanized. No new cases have been found in the area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the state's request to lift the quarantine. Agriculture officials urge people with backyards flocks to take steps that will keep them separated from wild birds.

(Portland, OR) -- The Rose Festival Fleet starts arriving this afternoon, with the rest of the ships arriving Thursday afternoon. Drivers will face delays on the Broadway, Steel and Burnside bridges that will have to open for the ships. TriMet says all MAX lines will experience delays and buses that use those bridges will also be delayed. The Rose Festival Junior parade will be held this afternoon in Portland's Hollywood District. The Grand Marshall is The Unipiper who will lead the Woodmere Unicycle Club.

(Sante Fe, NM)  --  An Oregon wildland firefighter remains hospitalized for injuries suffered on the job in New Mexico.  The Bureau of Land Management says over Memorial Day weekend a Hot Shot crew was working on the Calf Canyon fire when a helicopter missed its drop location and hit firefighters with water.  Three firefighters were hurt, including one man from eastern Oregon.  A fundraising webpage says he faces a difficult recovery.  The Calf Canyon Fire has burned more than 315-thousand acres.

(Clackamas County, OR) -- Clackamas County Sheriff's deputies rescued a man after he fell nearyy six-hundred feet on Mount Hood. CCSO says the fall happened on May 24th as the climber was descending the peak near the Pearly Gates and Hogsback area. The man fell into a snowfield and other climbers assisted until emergency officials arrived. Investigators believe the climber was trying to adjust his boot when he lost the grip of his ice axe.

(Coos Bay, OR) -- Bay Area Hospital terminated its new COO, just two weeks after hiring him. The hospital hired Larry Butler from a hospital in the Sacramento area back in May. On Facebook, BAH officials explain that their background check failed to find that Butler was convicted of defrauding two of his previous employees in 2013 and 2014 while he was in Louisiana. He was also charged with misusing company credit cards for personal expenses.

(Salem, OR) -- The wet Spring is benefiting parts of Oregon, but the drought also continues. The Natural Resources Conservation Service reports well-above regular monthly precipitation in May and cooler temperatures that have extended the snowpack. The heavy rain in late May increased streamflows in northwest and northeast Oregon. Much of central and southern Oregon didn't get the rain, and below normal streamflows continue in those parts of the state.

(Portland, OR) -- Cannabis products only provide short-term reduction in chronic pain, according to a review by Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers evaluated more than three-thousand studies and found only 25 with scientifically valid evidence concerning cannabis. The short-term benefit can help with pain experienced by diabetics and similar neuropathic pain. Side effects include sedation and dizziness. Anyone considering using cannabis products for pain relief should consult with their doctor first.

(Portland, OR) -- The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is renewing its search for a boy who disappeared more than a decade ago. The sheriff's office has released a new age-progressed photo of what Kyron Horman might look like today. The office released the photo over the weekend on the 12th anniversary of Horman's disappearance from Skyline School in 2010. Horman was dropped off at school by his step-mother, Terri Moulton, before he went missing. Detectives have not identified a suspect in the case. Horman's mother, Desiree Young urged people to continue searching for her son. A 50-thousand-dollar reward remains for anyone with information that leads to his location.

(Portland, OR) -- Nurses at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland have reached a tentative contract agreement after nearly eight months of negotiations. It includes new COVID-19 safety standards, higher wages, improves nurse staffing, boosts patient safety standards, and more. Nurses will vote on the contract soon. Nurses at Providence Milwaukie, Willamette Falls, and Hood River hospitals will continue bargaining.

(Portland, OR) -- The Rose Festival Fleet arrives along Portland's seawall this week. Three ships arrive Wednesday afternoon with the rest of the fleet arriving Thursday afternoon. Drivers should expected extended bridge lifts of the Broadway, Steel, and Morrison bridges while the ships move upriver.

(Corvallis, OR) -- Oregon State University is expected to announce its next president this week. The Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting tomorrow to consider the appointment and the employment agreement. The candidate will succeed OSU Interim President Becky Johnson. She replaced Ed Ray in 2020 who retired after serving as president since 2003.

(Portland, OR) -- COVID-19 is making a comeback in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority reports cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all on the rise. The number of new cases is up 24-percent over the last two weeks, hospitalizations have more than doubled to 549 and there were 58 deaths, which is an increase of 16-percent. Test positivity is up to 12-percent. They say COVID-19 is still widespread in Oregon and it's important to be vaccinated, boosted, and people at higher risk should talk with their doctor about antiviral medications that can treat COVID-19.

(Portland, OR) -- Pacific Power is offering rebates to Oregon residential and business customers who install electric vehicle charging systems. Rebates of 500 dollars are available to residents with up to a thousand dollars for income-qualifying residents. Businesses can get rebates of one-thousand dollars and multifamily housing property owners can qualify for three-thousand dollars. The charging equipment needs to be approved by Pacific Power.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon OSHA wants workers and employers to know about rules for working in hot weather. The rules take effect June 15th and start when the temperature hits 80 degrees. Hotter temperatures have more requirements for water, rest breaks, and working in pairs. The rules require training for some employees. OSHA offers a heat illness prevention online course. There are also fact sheets about the rules and how to prevent heat illness. The Oregon OSHA website has links to the materials.

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley says his battle against COVID-19 continues. He took the antiviral drug Paxlovid and his symptoms improved. But, like some patients who take Paxlovid, he is experiencing COVID-19 rebound. He again tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms. Merkley is following CDC guidelines to isolate. He says it's another reminder that the virus is evolving and it's important to be vaccinated with boosters, wear masks, and isolate after testing positive.

(Vancouver, WA) -- Police are searching for a hit-and-run suspect accused of crashing into and killing a man who was changing a flat tire on I-205 north of Vancouver. Police say 42-year-old Jerry Bolland of Idaho Falls was killed early yesterday morning when a vehicle drifted onto the shoulder and hit him. He was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the hit-and-run suspect to contact them.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says many rehabilitation centers for birds aren't accepting waterfowl, because of bird flu risks. They can carry the virus without showing symptoms and potentially infect other birds in the facilities. If you find ducklings or goslings without a parent nearby, leave them alone because the parents will usually return. Injured ducks or geese should be brought to an ODF&W office for euthanasia. If you see sick or dead wild birds, leave them where they are and call ODF&W.

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Public Schools is considering a proposal to ban concealed guns from its campuses. The Portland Public Schools Policy Committee discussed the move during last night's meeting. The proposal would enforce penalties for concealed handgun license holders who bring guns onto school campuses. The proposal is set to before the full school board at its next meeting on June 14th.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon's new paid leave program is on track to start in 2023. Paid Leave Oregon Director Karen Humelbaugh told legislators they'll be ready for employers to start withholding money from paychecks in January with paid leave being funded by September of next year. Paid leave will cover medical, family bonding, and safe leave which will include time off for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It'll cost one-percent of your salary with employees paying 60-percent and employers paying 40-percent

(Salem, OR) -- ODOT is preparing to expand Oregon's network to charge electric vehicles. Transportation officials say 100-million dollars the state received from the 2021 federal infrastructure package will go to expand EV charging stations along seven highway corridors. The expansion will be focused on smaller and rural communities as well to encourage EV sales and tourism. Oregon has set a goal of having 90-percent of all new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2035.

(Salem, OR) -- Oregon officials are beginning the process of distributing 270-million dollars to fund drug addiction treatment programs statewide. The move is in response to voters' passage of Measure 110 in 2020. Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen told legislators programs have been approved in two counties with another 12 to 13 counties to get approval soon. All of the money is expected to be distributed by October, if not sooner.

(Undated) -- The average for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is hitting a new record. Triple-A finds the national average price for regular is up to four-67 a gallon. Oregon is averaging over five bucks a gallon, along with Washington state, Hawaii, Illinois, California, Nevada and Alaska.

(Troutdale, OR) -- A single engine plane crashed near the Troutdale Airport Tuesday night. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office says the plane lost power during takeoff. The pilot returned to the airport and landed in a field. No one was hurt. The FAA is investigating.

(Clackamas County, UT) -- Clackamas County election officials expect to finish the count of primary ballots at the end of this week. Clerk Sherry Hall says there are just over 37-hundred ballots left as of last night. A printing error is forcing election officials to transfer votes from ballots with blurred barcodes onto ballots without the error so they can be counted electronically.

(Salem, OR) -- A suspicious package caused an evacuation of the Oregon Department of Corrections headquarters building in Salem yesterday morning. The package was addressed to the Director of the department. The mail room was secured and the building was evacuated while the Oregon State Police bomb squad responded. The package didn't contain anything hazardous and employees returned to the building.

(Vancouver, WA) -- A student at Vancouver's Skyview High School has been arrested for bringing a loaded gun to school. School employees found the handgun in the student's coat pocket yesterday. The semi-automatic handgun had rounds in the magazine and an empty chamber. The student said he brought the gun to school for self-defense. Under Washington law, the student was referred to speak to a Designated Crisis Responder while at the Juvenile Detention Center.

(Portland, OR) -- Gas price increases are smaller this week due to a slight dip in demand, but prices are still setting records. The Triple-A reports the national average increased two cents to $4.26 a gallon. Oregon's average added a nickel bringing the state's average to $5.21. Crude prices have exceeded $116 dollars a barrel, driven by fears of further global supply restrictions with the European Union reducing the amount of gas it'll buy from Russia. Oregon's average price for diesel increased four cents to $5.72, which is also a new record high.

(Portland, OR) -- A man who was arrested last year for alleged sexual abuse of a child in Clackamas County has been indicted for possessing and distributing child pornography while awaiting trial. Officials say 33-year-old Raphael Whitfield was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month. Whitfield posted bail after his arrest in February 2021. Police found evidence he was downloading child pornography and searched his residence. When police tried to arrest him, he barricaded himself inside of his residence and threatened to kill himself. He was taken into custody and hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. He has pleaded not guilty to the new charges.