2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 08/05/2013 09:37 AM

AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute/309
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

DENVER (AP) – John Backowski says he feared for his son’s life when the young man went snowboarding. Backowski tells the Denver Post he would talk to his son after every report of an avalanche to make sure 25-year-old Collin Backowski of Pine Junction, Colo., was safe. The expert snowboarder and five of his companions were traveling on Mount Hood in Oregon when an ice tunnel collapsed Saturday, killing young Backowski.

SWEET HOME, Ore. (AP) – The Linn County sheriff’s office says a 19-year-old Silverton man fell to his death while camping near Green Peter Reservoir. Michael Staab was camping with a woman Friday night and was last seen near the edge of a steep embankment. She went to their vehicle and when she returned, he was gone. Divers found his body early Saturday morning. The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A former Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy who police say began to use methamphetamine has been charged with a string of burglaries and thefts. Darren Fox, a 44-year-old former deputy and Coburg police officer, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, first-degree burglary, theft, identity theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. Fox was convicted last year in Lane County of theft and unlawful entry. He was arrested on methamphetamine charges earlier this year.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The AAA auto club reports the average price of a gallon of gasoline in Oregon is $3.86, down 2 cents in a week. It’s 11 cents higher than a month ago and 25 cents higher than the national average. Some metro prices from the AAA’s survey — Portland $3.84, Salem $3.85, Eugene-Springfield $3.84, and Medford-Ashland $3.88.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.