2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute,277
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Federal prosecutors say 11 people from the
Portland area and southwest Washington have been charged with
conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A one-count indictment
unsealed this week accuses the suspects of using cell phones to
help deal the drug. The U.S. attorney’s office says a multi-year
investigation captured communications between the defendants and
supply sources in Mexico.

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – A 19-year-old Oregon man has pleaded
guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the shooting death of a
friend. Cody James Ward received a four-year prison sentence
yesterday in Washington County Circuit Court. Fifteen-year-old
Trenton Lester died Sept. 17 at Ward’s home. Prosecutors say the
Forest Grove teens were “playing around” when Ward loaded a shell
into a barrel of his father’s short-barrel shotgun that Ward
thought was inoperable. Police say Ward told them he pointed the
gun at Lester’s head and it went off.

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – State Police say they’ve arrested two
Oregon State University students in connection with images of
“Star Wars” storm troopers spray-painted on the Corvallis campus.
Lt. Steve Mitchell said John Zaikoski of Beaverton and Kamela
Hasselman of Aloha were arrested yesterday for investigation of
criminal mischief. Mitchell says the graffiti was painted this week
on at least 15 locations.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Thieves have targeted more than 100
coin-operated washers and dryers in apartment complexes in Oregon’s
Willamette Valley since summer’s end, with about 70 of those thefts
in the Salem area. The Oregonian reports that no machine has been
hit twice and each collection box is expertly drilled out. Coin
Meter Co. estimates lost revenue and repair costs at $50 to $70 per
machine.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-12-02-11 0930EST