Date: 04/11/2013 03:59 AM
OR–1st NewsMinute/338
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Police say they have arrested a Portland man for harassing the families of victims of the mass shooting in Aurora, Colo., last July. Kevin Purfield is accused of emailing, calling and using social media to contact the victims’ relatives. Investigators say the communications weren’t threatening, but were annoying and included “vile language.” Aurora police contacted Portland officers in late February and asked them to help with the investigation of the 45-year-old. Portland police said yesterday that they arrested Purfield without incident. His bail was set at $10,000. Purfield is scheduled due to be arraigned today.
SILVERTON, Ore. (AP) – A grand jury has cleared two Oregon state troopers and a sheriff’s deputy involved in the shooting death of a 78-year-old man who opened fire in a Silverton recreational vehicle park in February. The Marion County grand jury found yesterday that Troopers Nicholas Rhoades and James Andrews and Marion County sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Postlewait were justified in firing at Jimmie Hickey, who died of his wounds. Authorities say Hickey wandered through the park shooting at people.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – An early morning explosion in a mobile home park near Corvallis yesterday broke windows in several vehicles and a mobile home. Benton County sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Greg Ridler says residents told investigators they heard what sounded like a loud firecracker. No one was hurt. Ridler says there’s no clear motive and there are no suspects.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon House has approved a bill that would punish pet owners who tether their dogs, or other animals, for an extended period of time. Pet owners who chain up their pets for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period would be guilty of unlawful tethering under House Bill 2783. It would also apply to animals tied up with leashes that are not a reasonable length, and collars that hurt the animal. Violators could face fines of up to $1,000. The bill now moves to the Senate.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
