Date: 12/11/2015 09:27 AM
AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute/275
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) – Fierce Northwest storms that sent rivers bursting from their banks, closed roadways and produced a rare tornado have had one positive effect – easing summer drought concerns that prompted cities to active water shortage plans. The storms that killed at least two people in Oregon this week are easing a bit, but forecasters said mudslide danger on the saturated hills would remain high through the weekend.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Oregon’s rental vacancy rate was the lowest in the country last year. The Oregonian reports that Oregon had a 3.6 percent vacancy rate in 2014, down from 4.4 percent in 2013. The low rate is a reflection of Oregon’s growing population, which reached 4 million people this year.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A Coquille pastor and his wife who fled to Arizona as fugitives in a million-dollar tax evasion case have been sentenced to federal prison. The Register-Guard reports that 71-year-old Ronald Joling was given an eight-year prison sentence and his wife Dorthea Joling got 4 years. Ronald Joling had said he stopped paying income taxes in the early 1990s after concluding the tax laws don’t apply to him.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Gresham police say they have arrested a longtime postal worker on suspicion of stealing coupons that were mailed to residents. The Oregonian reports that Kathleen Benting faces charges of identity theft and mail theft. Police started investigating when employees at a department store reported that someone was using a lot of coupons. Police say Benting has been with the postal service for 26 years.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
