MIGRATORY BIRD DECLINE
Migratory bird struggles for shelter as chimneys torn down
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Vaux’s (pronounced VOX) Swift, a tiny migratory bird species, has adapted well to urban living and now roosts in old brick chimneys along the West Coast during its annual migration from Canada to Central America and back.
But the birds’ numbers are dwindling and scientists worry it may be because the pre-1940 brick chimneys the species prefers are being demolished for urban redevelopment and because of earthquake fears.
A move is afoot to build replacement towers for the birds.
The birds can fly for about 100 miles at a time between stops and must roost in large numbers in tight, enclosed spaces because their body temperature drops at night.
PORTLAND SCHOOLS-LEAD SCANDAL
Third Portland schools official resigns amid lead scandal
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The chief operating officer at Portland Public Schools has resigned after months on paid leave over a lead scandal that forced out the district’s superintendent.
The district found high lead levels at two schools in March but didn’t release the results until May, allowing students and staff to drink tainted water.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Chief Operating Officer Tony Magliano was the highest-ranking official to see the test results.
Magliano and senior health and safety manager Andy Fridley were placed on leave June 2 by then-superintendent Carole Smith, who criticized them for not delivering on handling lead hazards among other issues.
Attempts by the newspaper to reach Magliano have been unsuccessful. Fridley has resigned and said he acted promptly and appropriately based on the information, resources and direction he received.
District-wide testing over the summer showed a lead problem at every school.
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AFTER-SCHOOL SATAN CLUB
Satanic Temple brings after-school club to elementary pupils
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland chapter of The Satanic Temple has succeeded in its efforts to bring an after-school program to a Portland elementary school.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the organization has been approved to begin a program on Oct. 19 at Sacramento Elementary School.
Finn Rezz, one of the group’s leaders, says their program focuses “on science and rational thinking,” and it will promote “benevolence and empathy for everybody.”
The Satanic Temple has been targeting schools that have a Good News Club.
That club is put on by the Child Evangelism Fellowship, “a Bible-centered organization composed of born-again believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to establish (disciple) them in the Word of God and in a local church for Christian living.”
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COPS-DRUG OFFENSES
Oregon’s top cops call for new approach to drug policy
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Two associations of law enforcement leaders in Oregon are recommending that possession of small amounts of drugs be downgraded to misdemeanors, saying that locking up users ruins lives.
The Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association and Oregon Association Chiefs of Police said they are committed to work with Gov. Kate Brown, lawmakers and prosecutors “to craft a more thoughtful approach to drug possession when it is the only crime committed.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon said it applauds the stance supporting a new approach to drug policy.
The law enforcement associations said most drug possession cases result in felony convictions and that instead, convicted users should be given individualized, mandated treatment.
FATAL BEATING-SENTENCE
Man sentenced in fatal beating of Lebanon man
(Information from: Albany Democrat-Herald, http://www.dhonline.com)
ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — A Linn County man charged with causing the death of a mentally disabled man who was beaten during a robbery has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.
The Democrat-Herald reports 22-year-old Jesse Jimenez was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of Ronald Whitehead. A murder charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Jimenez will serve a total of 20 years in prison after being given a 13-year sentence on robbery and assault charges before Whitehead’s death.
Whitehead was beaten in 2013 and died as a result of his injuries a year later.
Jimenez and his co-defendant, Trevin King, had stolen a bike from Whitehead as he was riding in Lebanon before the man was beaten.
King is serving a 10-year sentence on assault and robbery charges.
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BOAT CAPSIZES-OREGON
3 killed after boat capsizes near Bandon identified
(Information from: The World, http://www.theworldlink.com)
COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) — Coos County authorities have released the names of three men who died after their recreational crab boat capsized at the Coquille River bar near Bandon.
The World reports that the victims of the Saturday morning incident have been identified as 67-year-old William Fredrick Lamica, of Reedsport, 59-year-old Chandler Richard Dann, of Auburn, California, and 59-year-old John Douglas Sherman, of New Castle, California.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that their boat had capsized in 6- to 8-foot waves.
Officials say a Coast Guard helicopter crew recovered two bodies in the water and that Bandon police recovered a third body from the rocks on a jetty.
All three men were taken away by ambulance and later pronounced dead.
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HORSEBACK RIDER RESCUE
Injured horseback rider rescued from Green Lakes Trail
(Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — Search and rescue crews have rescued a woman who suffered an injury while horseback riding along a central Oregon trail.
The Bend Bulletin reports that Deschutes County rescuers had responded to a report on Monday that 66-year-old Marsha Morrison couldn’t get down from the Green Lakes Trail. Two other riders had been with her at the time.
An air ambulance helped locate the riders, and about a dozen crew members hiked up the trail to provide medical aid to Morrison.
The Bend woman was assisted down to the trailhead and taken to a hospital.
An update on her condition and details about her injuries have not been released.
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POLICE WATCHER ARRESTED
Armed man who filmed Portland police returns to jail
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man arrested last month after he monitored a Portland police precinct from a car loaded with weapons is back behind bars after authorities say he violated terms of his pretrial release.
Court documents say a federal employee noticed Eric Crowl outside his home Saturday afternoon, accompanied by a woman and a teenage boy. The employee said the three were “staring aggressively” into his open garage.
Two witnesses, both federal employees, said Crowl was not wearing a GPS monitoring device on his ankle, as required.
Crown was arrested Aug. 7 after police found firearms and ammunition inside his car. Police said he had been watching and filming officers for months.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.