OREGON SHOOTING-THE LATEST
The Latest: Man found dead was father of 2 children killed
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — Police say a man found dead in an apartment near Portland, Oregon, was the 36-year-old father of two children who were also found fatally shot.
Beaverton police spokesman Mike Rowe told The Associated Press that when police officers entered the Beaverton apartment on Wednesday, they initially thought, based on the gunshot wounds, that all three people were dead.
As they backed out of the apartment to preserve evidence, Rowe says they heard rustling inside and then a single shot.
Rowe says a tactical negotiation team called to the scene then entered the apartment and confirmed all three people inside were deceased.
Rowe says a major crime team was investigating the incident as a homicide-suicide.
CLOWN MASK ARREST
Man in clown mask arrested for trespassing at high school
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (AP) — Police have arrested a man wearing a scary clown mask for trespassing on high school property in southern Oregon.
Central Point police said in a Facebook post that they arrested 21-year-old Michael Richards Wednesday night.
Police say they began investigating after receiving reports that there were pictures of a clown holding a sign that said, “We Are Here” at four high schools in Central Point and Medford.
Police identified Richards as the person wearing the mask and distributing the photos. He was jailed on disorderly conduct and trespassing charges.
Police say they will have an extra presence at schools for the rest of the week.
Clown threats have popped up in schools across the country.
FOOTBALL PLAYER-SEXUAL ASAULT
Ex-football player accused of sex assault arrested in Hawaii
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A former Pacific University football player has been arrested in his home state of Hawaii on rape charges for an alleged assault on another student in Oregon.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Honolulu police say the 20-year-old man was arrested Tuesday while he was in class at the University of Hawaii. He will be sent back to Washington County in Oregon to face charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.
Forest Grove police Capt. Mike Herb says a Pacific University student reported three assaults last November, three weeks after they allegedly occurred. The suspect had been back in Hawaii at the time.
He’s being held on $520,000 bail while he awaits extradition to Oregon.
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COUNTERFEIT MONEY-CHARGES
Man, woman charged in counterfeit money case
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A man and a woman are facing charges in an alleged counterfeit money-making operation in southwestern Oregon.
The Mail Tribune reports that 36-year-old Joel David Wurch, of White City, and 32-year-old Jennifer Lynn Statham, of Grants Pass, have been charged with 10 counts of possession of a forged instrument.
Wurch pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday and Statham will be arraigned later this month.
Police say they found printers, paper cutters and a container of counterfeit money on Sept. 19 at Wurch’s home, where he lived with Statham.
Wurch remains held in the Jackson County Jail on $70,000, while Statham was released after posting $7,500 bail.
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MAN KILLED-ARRESTS
Couple charged with murder in death of man found by roadside
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — A woman and man have been charged with killing a 71-year-old man whose body was found wrapped in material by the side of a road near Astoria.
The Clatsop County District Attorney’s Office says 40-year-old Adeena Copell and 37-year-old Christian Wilkins were charged Wednesday with the murder of Howard Vinge and with stealing his vehicle. The case will proceed before a grand jury.
Wilkins and Copell were suspects before they were arrested Tuesday in Arizona driving a car owned by Vinge. Both were arraigned Wednesday on unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges. Bail was set for each at $150,000.
Copell and Wilkins were Oregon residents and investigators believe they struck up a relationship with Vinge recently.
State medical examiners say Vinge died from blunt force trauma to the back of his head.
GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE APOLOGIZES
Bud Pierce again apologizes for abuse remark
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bud Pierce has apologized again for comments he made about the abuse of women during a debate.
On Friday Pierce said successful women aren’t as susceptible to domestic abuse and sexual violence as those on lower economic rungs. His remark drew boos from the audience at the debate at the Portland City Club and Pierce said in a statement later that “sexual and physical abuse is wrong.” Pierce also apologized to Democratic Gov. Kate Brown, who in the debate disclosed that she had been a domestic violence victim.
On Wednesday Pierce posted a video statement on his campaign’s Facebook page. The Salem oncologist said “domestic violence occurs in all economic groups. I apologize for this ignorant and potentially dangerous statement.”
Pierce’s communications director, Stacey Kafka, resigned following Pierce’s original statement during the debate.
FATAL DUI CRASH-SENTENCE
Woman gets 6 years in prison for killing man in DUI crash
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A 22-year-old woman has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after driving drunk and killing a man in Portland.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Shannon Leigh O’Brien was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to manslaughter, DUI and reckless driving charges in connection with the March 27 crash.
O’Brien admitted to police that she had been drinking at a party before she got in her vehicle and slammed into the back of an SUV driven by Michael Anthony Hernandez Jose. She had been traveling at 80 mph at the time of impact.
The 25-year-old victim died at a hospital six days later.
O’Brien’s blood alcohol level had been more than three times the legal limit the night of the crash.
O’Brien apologized to the victim’s family in court Tuesday.
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PHIL KNIGHT DONATIONS
Nike co-founder donates $330K to Oregon Republicans
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — New campaign finance filings show that a Nike co-founder gave at least $330,000 to Republicans running for positions in the Oregon legislature.
The Register-Guard reports that the wealthiest man in Oregon, Phil Knight, gave thousands in personal campaign contributions to seven Republican candidates in battleground districts last month, including two incumbents and five newcomers seeking open House seats.
It’s unusual for Knight to provide sizeable donations only to Republicans. The last time he personally donated to Oregon legislative races was in 2012, when he gave $55,000 to 10 Democrats and $75,000 to 12 Republicans.
In 2014, he gave $250,000 to Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Knight didn’t respond Tuesday to a request for comment about his recent contributions.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
