AP-OR–3rd Right Now/1209
CRASH INTO HOUSE-ARREST
Arrest made in fatal Portland crash that sent Jeep onto yard
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A driver is facing charges for a crash that left one person dead and another severely injured after police say she struck another vehicle, sending it onto the front porch of a Portland home.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports 21-year-old Rayna Johnson has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, assault and reckless endangering. She was booked into the Multnomah County Jail in connection with the Saturday incident.
Police say Johnson drove a Volkswagen Jetta through a red light and hit the side of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The collision had enough force to knock the Jeep onto its side and push it near the front door of the home.
Police say 58-year-old Diana Miller-Dixon, of Portland was killed. Another person sustained serious injuries and two others, including Johnson, suffered minor injuries.
The injured victims haven’t yet been identified.
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RANCHING STANDOFF
Ammon Bundy returning to downtown Portland jail
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ammon and Ryan Bundy will be reunited at a downtown Portland jail.
The men who are awaiting trial on charges related to the armed occupation of an Oregon bird sanctuary were recently separated, with Ammon Bundy shipped to a jail in outer northeast Portland.
On Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones granted Ryan Bundy’s request to have them housed in the same jail as they prepare their legal defense ahead of the September trial.
Though jail officials prefer to have co-defendants separated, the judge said this is “an exceptional case and an exceptional relationship.”
Also Monday, the judge allowed standoff defendant Jason Patrick to be released from custody before trial.
MOREL MUSHROOMS SEIZED
234 pounds of morel mushrooms seized from Crater Lake park
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Crater Lake National Park rangers have seized 234 pounds of morel mushrooms worth an estimated $8,000 that were harvested illegally from the park over the Fourth of July weekend.
Chief Ranger Kean Mihata said Monday authorities have issued citations to 14 people in connection with the crime.
Mushroom hunting is prohibited in national parks but allowed in some areas of national forest. Harvesters who want the mushrooms for personal use can gather up to 5 gallons a day without a permit.
The mushrooms, which can retail for $20 a pound, grow in forests burned by wildfire, making the area surrounding Crater Lake ideal for hunters.
The park recorded its largest fire on record last year when flames burned nearly 21,000 acres in the park and nearby Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
EUGENE LEAD
Homeowners worried after lead found at Eugene schools
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — After drinking water at several public school buildings in Eugene tested positive for elevated levels of lead, homeowners in the area have expressed concern that their homes might also have tainted water.
The Register-Guard reports that about 72 percent of all homes in Lane County were built before 1986, when the use of lead-based pipes was banned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says homes built before then are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder.
The Eugene Water & Electric Board, which provides water for most of the area, is not required to test plumbing or water quality inside private homes.
EWEB officials suggest that if homeowners are concerned they should test their water at a state-certified lab. Tests typically cost about $30 and a list of labs can be found on the EWEB website.
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RESTAURANTS VANDALIZED
Asian-owned businesses vandalized in Eugene; man arrested
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Police arrested a man accused of vandalizing two Asian-owned restaurants in Eugene and are investigating whether he’s connected to similar incidents at other Asian-owned businesses in the city.
The Register-Guard reports 39-year-old Bernard Shifman was booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Eugene police spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin says the arrest was made early Sunday, after someone threw rocks at the Lotus Garden and Jade Palace restaurants.
In recent weeks, several Asian-owned businesses have been vandalized by rocks thrown through their windows.
The Asian/Pacific Islander Community Action Team says Yi Shen Market had three instances of such vandalism in just one week. Other targeted businesses have included King’s Asian Market, LZ Chinese Dish, Sushi Island and Chingu Restaurant.
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FLAVEL BUILDING
Couple buys historic Flavel property in downtown Astoria
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — A couple who recently moved to the North Coast from Portland has purchased one of the last downtown Astoria buildings owned by Mary Louise Flavel.
Marcus and Michelle Liotta bought the building for $135,000. The vacant structure named the M&N Building was built in 1924 and includes more than 8,000 square feet spread out between five storefronts.
The Daily Astorian reports that the Liottas plan to establish their own businesses in two or three of the five storefronts and lease the others.
The building needs work. During a walkthrough in 2002, a historic buildings consultant said the structure would need new steel I-beams, pilings with a wider footing to buttress the sinking foundation and work to reattach the cracked brick facade.
Mary Louise Flavel and her conservator could not be reached for comment.
Capt. George C. Flavel was one of Astoria’s most influential pioneers and the Flavel House remains a tourist attraction.
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BEND DOG ABUSE
Bend man accused of abusing dog
BEND, Ore. (AP) — A Bend man has been charged with animal abuse after witnesses told police he kicked and punched his 6-month-old dog.
The Bulletin reports police obtained a search warrant Friday night to seize the shepherd mix named Diesel and have him evaluated. The warrant was served Sunday, and a veterinarian determined Diesel had multiple injuries.
The suspect, 20-year-old Tyler Speas, faces charges of aggravated animal abuse and attempted animal abuse.
He tells KTVZ he spanked the dog for peeing in the car. He says he loves Diesel and the charges are “outrageous.”
HERBICIDE FINE
Judge reduces fines for pesticide operator to $55,000
(Information from: Capital Press, http://www.capitalpress.com/washington)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon pesticide applicator may be paying reduced penalties for ignoring the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s order to stop spraying herbicides.
The Capital Press reports that a senior administrative law judge has recommended that Applebee Aviation be fined for less than $55,000 and have their pesticide-spraying licenses suspended for one year.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture previously said Applebee Aviation must pay $160,000 and its owner Michael Applebee must pay an additional $20,000. The state’s original fine was $1,100.
ODA says it discovered the company performed 16 separate pesticide applications in violation of its suspended license. The state obtained a restraining order in court to stop the company from spraying.
Applebee can challenge the ruling before the Oregon Court of Appeals after a final order has been issued.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.