AP-OR–2nd Right Now/1170
FOSTER PARENTS-SENTENCE
Foster parents who starved preschoolers get prison
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) — A man and woman have been sentenced to over two years in prison for nearly starving to death two children under the age of 6 in their care.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports John and Danielle Yates of rural Yamhill County were sentenced Tuesday.
As part of a deal with prosecutors, each pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal mistreatment for withholding food.
When the children left the couple’s home, they weighed only a few ounces more than they did more than two years earlier. Doctors said both preschoolers could have died had the starvation lasted much longer.
The case has also prompted a $30 million lawsuit against Oregon’s Department of Human Services, with lawyers for the siblings accusing child welfare caseworkers and their supervisors and managers of overlooking repeated complaints.
Offered a chance to speak, neither the woman nor man said a word.
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BABY INJURED
Portland man accused of assaulting 5-week-old son
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police arrested a 25-year-old man accused of severely injuring his 5-week-old son.
Sgt. Pete Simpson said Wednesday the baby was hospitalized over the weekend, and detectives made the arrest after interviewing medical personnel and the boy’s parents.
Simpson says detectives believe the father, Samuel Phelps, threw the baby into a chair and dropped him on his head. He’s been charged with assault and criminal mistreatment.
The baby remains in the hospital but is expected to survive.
POLICE PURSUIT-OFFICER CRASHES
Medford officer crashes during pursuit of suspect
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Authorities are investigating an incident involving a Medford officer who was injured after crashing into another vehicle during a pursuit of a suspect, who later crashed his vehicle, killing one person.
The Mail Tribune reports that Officer Andrew Gault suffered injuries that were not life threatening in the early Sunday incident. The two occupants of the vehicle he struck sustained minor injuries.
Oregon State Police say Gault had his lights and siren activated when he crashed into the other vehicle while police were chasing after a suspect. The impact sent Gault’s vehicle into a tree.
The pursuit of Robert Franklin Brooks ended in a fiery crash after the suspect’s truck hit another vehicle, killing the driver.
Brooks faces manslaughter and other charges related to the chase.
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BEND MAYOR
Bend mayor decides not to seek re-election
BEND, Ore. (AP) — Bend Mayor Jim Clinton has announced he will not seek re-election in November.
Clinton was chosen to serve as mayor in 2013 and selected for a second two-year term in 2015. The mayor in Bend is a member of the City Council and is appointed by fellow councilors.
Clinton, in a Wednesday statement, criticized Bend for not having an elected mayor and for only paying councilors $200 a month for what he says “should be an almost full-time job.”
The 72-year-old Clinton has worked on several projects since he began serving on the council in 2004, including the proposed 5-cent gas tax and increased regulations for vacation rentals.
He says his focus has been on moving the city forward and that it’s been an honor to serve the community.
POLICE WATCHERS-DISORDERLY CONDUCT
2 arrested for blocking driveway at Portland police precinct
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Disorderly conduct charges have been filed against two people accused of blocking the driveway to the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct.
Sgt. Pete Simpson says 51-year-old Robert West and 38-year-old Sarabeth Long were initially joined by others Tuesday night. They were filming officers they entered the garage for a shift change.
Officers said they were free to film, but couldn’t block access. Simpson says most of the group moved, but West and Long didn’t follow orders until an arrest was imminent. They left in a vehicle and were detained not too far away.
The arrests came two days after a man who has spent months watching the East Precinct was arrested after worried officers found an arsenal of weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.
RANCHING STANDOFF-BUNDY SCUFFLE
Ammon Bundy defends brother’s actions in jail scuffle
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ammon Bundy says a confrontation between Ryan Bundy and jail deputies stemmed from his brother’s fear that doctors were going to remove a bullet from his shoulder without consent.
In a recorded message posted to the Bundy Ranch Facebook page, the jailed Oregon standoff leader said he was awakened early Tuesday by pounding on his cell door. It was Ryan, saying U.S. marshals were taking him to the hospital for a surgical procedure.
Multnomah County jail spokesman Capt. Steve Alexander said Tuesday he didn’t know where Bundy was taken after the altercation. Federal prosecutors declined comment.
Ammon Bundy says investigators want the bullet because it’s one fired during the Jan. 26 traffic stop that ended with the Oregon State Police fatally shooting Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.
FBI agents failed to disclose they fired rounds that missed Finicum, and a grand jury has been reviewing their actions.
AP-US-MEDICAL-PLANE-CRASH-THE-LATEST
The Latest: Private plane crashed on takeoff, killing 4
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A preliminary report from the National Transportation and Safety Board says a small private plane lost control during takeoff last month and crash-landed in a Northern California town, killing a family of four aboard.
The report says witnesses saw the 1958 Cessna 310B taxi onto a runway for departure July 27. About 40 feet above the ground, the plane stopped climbing and started drifting to the left.
Witnesses say the plane then descended and crashed. It immediately burst into flames.
The four killed were the pilot, his wife and the pilot’s mother and stepfather. The victims were from Sonora, California.
The Columbia Airport in Tuolumne County is about 130 miles east of San Francisco. It doesn’t have air traffic control.
REVENUE DIRECTOR
Missouri Revenue Director Ray picked for same job in Oregon
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Revenue Director Nia Ray is stepping down to take the same job in Oregon.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday picked Ray to lead the state’s revenue department starting Oct. 10 if she is confirmed by the Oregon Senate in September.
Ray is set to replace Oregon Interim Revenue Director Kris Kautz, who took over when the last director, James Bucholz, retired in December.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Ray in 2014, but the governor is barred from seeking re-election and will be out of office in January.
Ray led the department in implementing a one-time tax amnesty program last fiscal year that allowed delinquent taxpayers to pay back taxes without penalties.
Nixon appointed Missouri Department of Revenue Deputy Director John Mollenkamp to lead the agency when Ray leaves.
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Nia Ray’s gender has been corrected in this story.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
