Date: 06/12/2013 10:40 AM
AP-OR–3rd NewsMinute/254
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Portland postal worker who took $135,000 in postal funds blamed a gambling addiction when she was sentenced in federal court to 1 ½ years in prison. Lavon Mendoza-Cruz also must pay restitution. The Oregonian reports the 43-year-old pleaded guilty in February to a charge of misappropriation of postal funds. She took about 200 checks over a three-year period.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Police and fire authorities in Medford are investigating a dozen arson or suspicious fires since April of last year at vacant homes in Medford. The latest fire yesterday caused substantial damage to a vacant home that did not have power. Police say the fire started inside the home and apparently was arson.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon drivers caught smoking in cars with kids may face hefty fines under a new state law. Gov. John Kitzhaber signed into law yesterday a bill that prohibits drivers from lighting up cigarettes or marijuana if a person under 18 is also in the vehicle. According to the legislation, the maximum fine for the first offense would be $250.
VENETA, Ore. (AP) – Lane County sheriff’s officers have determined that a man in the small Oregon community of Veneta man kept his wife in the dark about their imminent eviction, then shot her to death last week before killing himself. The Register-Guard reports that Bradley Chauran called 911 on June 5 after shooting his wife. Sheriff’s Sgt. Cliff Harrold says officers were supposed to evict them June 6.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
