Month: December 2016

Crews are still clearing debris from the warehouse fire in Oakland, and they have not yet found a cause. The deadly fire raises concerns across the country about fire safety. The warehouse in Oakland was cited several times for blight, including twice in the last month for clutter and graffiti. Elsewhere, a similar building in

Governor Kate Brown on Tuesday ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff to recognize the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Flags should be lowered until sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 7. “The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor marks a significant milestone in U.S. and world

If you’ve been dreaming of a white winter, you’re in luck. Many Central Oregonians spent Tuesday shoveling snow out of their driveways and rushing to stores to grab last-minute winter gear. Shovels, sandbags and ice melter are just a few of the items that Central Oregon residents picked up today to get ready for the

The city of Bend announced Tuesday that its urban growth boundary (UGB) expansion plan has received its final approval from the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. The final approval and acknowledgement followed after the Department issued their approving order on November 14 and a 21-day appeal period with no appeals. The milestone marks

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — One of seven Oregon refuge standoff defendants awaiting trial is asking the court to dismiss his indictment, arguing that statements by federal officials expressing disappointment after the acquittal of Ammon Bundy will taint his right to a fair trial. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://goo.gl/14tmJi ) Jason Patrick, who is representing himself, filed

The first widespread snowfall of the winter hit Central Oregon Monday night and Tuesday morning, and though it wasn’t a lot of snow to start, it was more than enough to make roads slick and trigger numerous crashes and slide-offs. The National Weather Service in Pendleton said it would extend its winter weather advisory for

The city of Bend has announced some detour changes beginning next week as work continues on the 27th Street sewer project. The northbound lane on 27th Street between Reed Market Road and Bear Creek Road will be closed, officials said. This is the beginning of an extended lane closure to accommodate a sewer line construction

A leak in the Laidlaw Water District’s main line prompted a boil-water advisory for parts of Tumalo and closed Tumalo Community School on Monday while the water was tested. The water district’s tests came back clean Tuesday morning, allow a return to normal for the school, which had reopened using bottled water. The Laidlaw Water

DENVER (AP) — Surveys show a small but growing number of older adults are using marijuana — a trend that worries researchers who say not enough information exists about how pot affects older users. People over 50 are still far less likely to use marijuana than younger people. While abundant research has been done on

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — Klamath County is supporting Sheriff Frank Skrah in an excessive force lawsuit filed by a former jail inmate. The Herald and News reports (https://is.gd/SIwNXI ) that in a response to the lawsuit filed Nov. 28, Klamath County denied claims of wrongdoing by the inmate, saying any force used against him

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A couple accused of intentionally running down a black teenager will remain behind bars until the outcome of a murder trial. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2gzHX0T ) that a judge sided with prosecutors who argued Monday that 35-year-old Colleen Hunt should stay in jail. Prosecutors played a surveillance video of the August

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The stepmother of a missing Oregon boy Kyron Horman was arrested by police in California after her roommate reported that she stole his handgun. KGW-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2g6U6cw ) that Terri Horman’s roommate told authorities the gun was stolen from a safe in his Marysville, California, home. Officers say Horman had the

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A former Ashland youth pastor has been accused of having sexual contact with a young girl he knew through his church. The Mail Tribune reports (https://is.gd/BucKwI ) that 44-year-old Kenneth Baker has been charged with four felony and two misdemeanor sex charges for incidents that allegedly occurred between 2006 and 2011.

Inadequate data tracking, poor communication with employees and housing partners, and lack of strategic planning are putting the state’s existing affordable housing inventory at risk, according to an audit of Oregon Housing and Community Services released Tuesday by the secretary of state. “We can’t help address Oregon’s housing crisis if we lose existing affordable housing,”

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police say a suspect armed with a rifle has been fatally shot by an officer. Sgt. Pete Simpson says the shooting happened early Tuesday, after officers responded to a 911 call about a disturbance and shooting at a residence in outer southeast Portland. He says preliminary information shows the suspect

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A Salem man has been arrested on charges of murder, hit-and-run and DUI in connection with an incident that left a 45-year-old construction worker dead Friday. The Statesman Journal reports (https://goo.gl/POYR3P ) 22-year-old Dillon Van Diviner told police he hit Bradley Goad in Silverton because he feared the man posed a

A group of Oregon health care leaders has approved a new standard for prescribing opioids for pain. The Oregon-specific guidelines aim to improve patient care and pain management, and reduce prescription drug overdoses in the state. The Oregon Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Task Force approved the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids

When taxpayers start filing their personal income tax returns in January, they may find that they’re eligible for the new Working Family Household and Dependent Care Credit. “This new credit is geared toward helping low- to moderate-income families pay for the care of their dependents while they’re working or looking for work,” said Megan Denison,

Members of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII are reminding motorists this holiday season about the dangers of driving under the influence, which includes alcohol and other impairing drugs, such as marijuana. “Impaired driving is completely preventable,” said Chuck Hayes, chair of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII. “All it takes is a little planning.

GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a high school student who was on the rooftop of a school with weapons during a dance east of Portland was arrested. Gresham Police said in a news release that students at Sam Barlow High School alerted staff about a person dressed in dark clothing standing on the roof