Date: 07/21/2015 09:11 AM
AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute/268
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
DETROIT, Ore. (AP) – Willamette National Forest officials say a 120-acre wildfire near Marion Lake in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness is 50 percent contained. The Salem Statesman Journal reports that many closures are still in place at the popular recreation area east of Detroit. That’s about 45 miles southeast of Salem. Lightning started the fire on Saturday.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon resident who transitioned to a woman more than three decades ago is pleading guilty to collecting Social Security disability checks under her male identity, fraudulently raking in $250,000. Court records show Richelle McDonald was born Richard McDonald in 1945. In 1974, Richard claimed disability because he was unable to work after suffering a serious arm injury when hit by a San Francisco bus.
NEWBERG, Ore. (AP) – The top city administrator in Newberg is on paid leave after the Yamhill County district attorney requested a criminal investigation into her decision to put the police chief on leave. The Newberg City Council voted yesterday to remove City Manager Jacque (JACK’ee) Betz from her job during the investigation. Betz could not be reached for comment.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A Medford man is facing charges after he tried to rob a convenience store with an unlikely weapon: his hands. KDRV-TV reports that the 60-year-old man held his hand in the shape of a gun and asked the store clerk for $50 and a pack of cigarettes. Medford police say the store clerk was not convinced and that the man left without anything for his efforts. He was arrested on suspicious of third-degree robbery.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.