AP-OR–2nd Right Now/1229
POLICE SHOOTINGS-PROTESTS-PORTLAND
Police: Man with gun arrested at Portland protest
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police say they’ve arrested a man who displayed a gun during a Portland rally to protest the deaths of two black men shot by police in Minnesota and Louisiana.
Portland police said on Twitter that no shots were fired by anyone in the Thursday evening incident.
Hundreds of people converged on Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland and marched through nearby streets. A smaller rally was taking place at a park in the southeast area of the city.
On Wednesday, a Minnesota officer fatally shot Philando Castile while he was in a car with a woman and a child. A day earlier, Alton Sterling was shot in Louisiana after being pinned to the pavement by two white officers. Both were captured on cellphone video and shared widely online.
PGE-BOARDMAN STATION
Portland General Electric moving forward on Boardman station
(Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.com)
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — Portland General Electric hopes to have a generating station in commercial service before the end of the month even though it’s more than $100 million over budget.
The East Oregonian reports that PGE originally planned to complete the startup phase of its natural gas power plant near Boardman by July 31, a deadline set by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
PGE says the Carty Generating Station uses a system that’s more efficient than other models. It burns natural gas to drive one turbine and captures excess heat to create steam that powers the other turbine.
In a recent federal filing, PGE says it might not meet the July deadline because it is fixing shoddy work by a former contractor and dealing with fallout from its relationship with the contractor.
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BIRDS SEIZED-BARN
245 birds rescued from dirty cages in Clackamas County barn
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Humane Society says it has conducted its largest ever bird rescue after helping Clackamas County authorities seize 245 birds from feces-filled cages inside a Damascus barn.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the parakeets, cockatoos, pigeons and other birds were seized Wednesday. Authorities had responded to a June 16 report of concerns over poor sanitation, overcrowding and inadequate air circulation inside the barn.
Human Society spokesman David Lytle says they found birds in cages stacked on top of each other without perches, fresh water or food. He says some of the animals had lost feathers and had overgrown nails and beaks.
The owner, who hasn’t been cited or arrested, told authorities he was a bird breeder. Lytle says the owner admitted the cages hadn’t been cleaned since the spring.
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OHSU-LEAD TESTING
Testing finds more elevated lead levels at Oregon university
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Health & Science University has shut three more drinking fountains due to high lead levels.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the university has now closed nine fountains total, with the most recent one shutting off Thursday.
That drinking fountain was located at the Russell Street Dental Clinic in North Portland. The other fountains found to have elevated lead levels are on the university’s main campus and in southwest Portland.
OHSU is still awaiting results from 84 fountains and faucets.
The recent testing is the first time the university has conducted widespread lead testing of its water and follows reports about high lead levels at Portland Public Schools.
A spokeswoman says the university is working on a long-term plan to test water fixtures on a regular basis.
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JAILHOUSE ASSAULT
Eugene officer sentenced to probation for jailhouse assault
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Eugene police officer who roughed up a suspect at the Lane County Jail two years ago has been placed on probation.
The Register-Guard reports John Sharlow was sentenced Thursday by the same judge who found him guilty last month of misdemeanor assault and official misconduct.
In an incident caught on surveillance video, Sharlow grabbed a handcuffed man around the neck and pulled him from a bench to the concrete floor.
Sharlow apologized at sentencing, saying he realizes his interaction with the suspect was “completely unprofessional.”
Sharlow faces 60 days in jail if he fails to complete the terms of his two years on probation. He was also fined $500 and ordered to pay $200 restitution to the victim.
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BALLOT BUYING APPEAL
Court overturns conviction of man who offered to buy ballots
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a self-described “internet troll” who offered to buy blank election ballots before the 2010 general election.
In a political forum on Craigslist, Aaron Hirschman said registered voters could make a “quick and easy $20” by bringing their ballots to a Bend parking lot. He and others would fill in the blanks and submit the ballot.
Craigslist quickly deleted the post and a Bend police officer noticed no suspicious activity at the parking lot.
Authorities traced the post to Hirschman and he was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of offering to purchase ballots.
In siding with Hirschman, the Appeals Court said Thursday that no matter how much one might want to reduce cynicism about elections, the Legislature can’t accomplish the goal by suppressing expression.
RANCHING STANDOFF
Federal judge in Oregon denies Bundy request for trial delay
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has rejected Ammon and Ryan Bundy’s request for a trial delay.
The Bundys and more than a dozen other defendants are scheduled for trial in September on charges stemming from the January takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Ammon Bundy’s lawyer Marcus Mumford seeks both the delay and his client’s pretrial release, contending he and Bundy have been unable to watch hours of video evidence with his client still jailed.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Bundy was recently moved from the jail in downtown Portland to one on the outskirts of the city.
In arguing against a delay, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said the September date allows the Bundys to have a fair and speedy trial in Oregon and time to prepare for a February trial on a different matter in Nevada.
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LOGAN KITZHABER-CRASH
Son of ex-Oregon governor admits having beer before crash
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Court records show the 18-year-old son of former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber admitted drinking a beer before crashing his car along the Oregon Coast.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports a police affidavit says Logan Kitzhaber told a paramedic he had a beer before heading toward Lincoln City. He also reported not knowing the cause of the Monday crash.
It’s unclear exactly when he consumed the beer, and authorities say they’re still working to determine whether Kitzhaber will face charges.
Kitzhaber had been driving a Toyota Prius when authorities say he crossed the center line on Highway 101 and sideswiped a motorhome, causing it to roll onto its side.
Kitzhaber was treated at a hospital for his injuries and released. The two occupants of the motorhome were hospitalized and are expected to survive.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
