Date: 10/26/2012 10:29 AM
OR–3rd NewsMinute/251
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) – The man accused of killing a 21-year-old Gresham woman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today. Jonathan Holt is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Whitney Heichel (HY’-kel). Investigators say he abducted the 21-year-old Heichel Oct. 16 on her way to work, sexually assaulted her, shot her four times and left her body at Larch Mountain.
GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) – The family of slain Gresham barista Whitney Heichel (HY’-kel) is holding a public memorial for her today. A family spokesman said they wanted to show their appreciation for an outpouring of support. KGW reports the family also plans a private memorial later for Heichel. Today’s memorial will be at the Salquist Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Gresham.
HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – Police in the Portland suburb of Hillsboro say a contractor died after falling more than 20 feet from a ladder. Police say the man was working yesterday on a vacant home to prepare it for sale. Police did not immediately identify him pending notification of relatives.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The deputy director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has been selected as the agency’s interim director. Merle Lindsey takes over for Steve Pharo, who announced Tuesday that he’s retiring after six years at the helm of Oregon’s liquor regulator. The agency is currently under pressure to loosen its tight grip on liquor sales after voters in Washington supported an initiative to privatize the system.
