Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s flu season has arrived early, with at least seven deaths caused by the infectious disease, including a 5-year-old boy. Portland-area hospitals reported 179 flu-related hospitalizations from the start of the season. Dr. Ann Thomas of the Oregon Public Health Division says 84 percent of those requiring hospitalization in the Portland area were younger than 65, and that’s unusual.
DAMASCUS, Ore. (AP) – A dog missing since New Year’s Day has been reunited with his owner after being rescued from a ravine southeast of Portland. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says a Damascus police officer responded yesterday to a report that man heard a dog whimpering in the woods. The officer climbed down a ravine to rescue Sampson.
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – An autopsy shows that a beloved priest who was killed in the Northern California city of Eureka was beaten to death with a wooden stake and a metal gutter pipe. A Humboldt County coroner said investigators don’t want to release more details of how the Rev. Eric Freed was beaten, pending further investigation. But at his arraignment, 44-year-old Gary Lee Bullock was charged with murder with a special allegation of torture.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon first lady Cylvia Hayes has unveiled energy efficiency upgrades to Mahonia Hall, the governor’s official residence in Salem. Contractors installed more than 200 energy-efficient light bulbs, improved insulation and sealed air leaks throughout the 10,000 square-foot property. Labor and materials were donated by Neil Lane Company, Clean Energy Works Oregon and other companies.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.