EARTHQUAKE-WOODBURN
Officials: 3.1-magnitude earthquake hits north of Salem
WOODBURN, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. Geological Survey says a minor earthquake has hit about 16 miles northeast of Salem.
The agency says a magnitude-3.1 temblor struck at about 9:29 p.m. Monday with an epicenter about three miles northwest of Woodburn.
The agency reported the earthquake was about 14 miles deep.
No damage was immediately reported.
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GUBERNATORIAL RACE-SPOKESWOMAN
OR gubernatorial candidate’s spokeswoman quits over remarks
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The spokeswoman for Oregon’s Republican gubernatorial candidate says she has resigned because of a comment he made during a debate about abuse of women.
Stacey Kafka told The Associated Press over the phone that she resigned on Friday because she was offended that Bud Pierce had said that successful women aren’t susceptible to abuse and sexual violence.
The resignation, reporter earlier by the Portland Tribune, came as Pierce is fighting against the odds to take the governorship away from Brown in this predominantly Democratic state.
Kafka said that as a former low-paid TV reporter, she did not feel she was more prone to being targeted than a more highly paid professional.
Pierce’s remark drew groans and boos from the audience. He later apologized.
KLAMATH SHERIFF
Inmate sues southern Oregon sheriff over attack
(Information from: Herald and News, http://www.heraldandnews.com)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — A 26-year-old man who has accused Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah of assault during an arrest is suing the sheriff and the county over allegations of excessive force.
The Herald and News reports that Kenneth Ray Bragg filed the lawsuit in federal court last week in connection with the alleged attack.
Bragg had been found at a motel with illegal drugs and a stolen handgun in February 2015.
The lawsuit says officers had arrested him without incident until Skrah threw him on the ground, began kneeing him in the head and choked him until he passed out.
Skrah is facing several criminal charges in connection with Bragg’s allegations and other complaints that he roughed up suspects.
An attorney for Skrah says statements by his client’s accusers have been inconsistent.
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STOLEN CAR-DOG’S DEATH
Man admits to stealing car, causing dog’s death in Portland
(Information from: KGW-TV, http://www.kgw.com/)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A 34-year-old man accused of stealing a vehicle and causing the death of the owner’s dog has pleaded guilty to animal abuse and other charges.
KGW-TV reports that police say 34-year-old Francisco Vincent Gonzalez stole a car belonging to Bill Robbins on April 5 while the victim’s dog was inside. The car was found five days later with the Great Dane and black lab mix dead inside.
Gonzalez was arrested at a Portland motel and indicted by a grand jury on several charges, including animal neglect, theft and possession of methamphetamine.
He pleaded guilty to all the charges Monday.
A forensic examination showed the dog, named Kona, did not experience any trauma before she died.
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MAN PUNCHES OFFICER-SENTENCE
Man sentenced for punching Oregon police officer
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A Jackson County man charged with punching a police officer and converting a plastic spoon into a weapon while in jail has been sentenced to more than two years in prison.
The Mail Tribune reports William Bruce Daubenschmidt was sentenced Monday after pleading no contest to assaulting a public safety officer. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon by an inmate.
Court documents say police in Phoenix, Oregon responded to a report of a domestic dispute when they encountered Daubenschmidt in January 2015.
Police say he began acting unruly, resisted arrest and then punched an officer in the jaw.
While jailed several months later, Daubenschmidt was seen attempting to conceal a sharpened spoon in his waistband.
He said in court Monday he made the weapon in self-defense.
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GUILTY PLEA-TODDLER DEATH
Man sentenced to at least 25 years in death of 3-year-old
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison for the death of a 3-year-old girl in Salem.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office says David Elliott pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday for the assault and murder of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old and assault of her 5-year-old sibling.
He was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years.
The girl was found face down in a bathtub in April 2013.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office says the girl died of cerebral anoxia due to near drowning after blunt force abdominal trauma. Elliott admitted to causing the blunt force trauma which contributed to her death.
The children’s mother, Mercedes Alvarado, is serving 10 years in prison for manslaughter in the case.
RANCHING STANDOFF
Witness: Refuge less tense than town during armed standoff
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A witness testifying for the defense in the trial of Ammon Bundy and six others says the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was peaceful and laid-back during the standoff.
Pat Horlacher said the same couldn’t be said for Burns, the nearest city to the Oregon bird sanctuary. He said the massive police response looked like a scene from the 1984 movie “Red Dawn,” in which Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town.
He was among three witnesses Monday afternoon who provided a different view than the government of what took place during last winter’s standoff. Earlier Monday, Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward returned to the stand about three weeks after he appeared as a witness for the prosecution.
Ammon Bundy was expected to testify in the afternoon, but his appearance was pushed back.
The defendants are charged with conspiring to prevent federal employees from doing their jobs at the refuge.
HUMAN REMAINS
Authorities: Unidentified human remains found
GARDINER, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a fisherman found human bones along the bank of the Umpqua River near the Oregon Coast Saturday.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says the man’s boat broke down in Gardiner, Oregon, and once at shore, the man was gathering firewood when he found the bones.
The sheriff’s office confirmed the skeletonized remains were human.
The remains are unidentified and will be taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Portland to be examined and processed for possible identification.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.