PORTLAND EXPLOSION-THE LATEST
The Latest: First responders praised for quick work
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland officials say a natural gas explosion that injured eight people could have been disastrous without the speedy work of first responders.
Eight people were injured in the explosion Wednesday morning in a busy shopping district.
Before the blast, firefighters and police officers quickly went to the site and cleared the area of people after a construction crew hit a gas line.
Mayor Charlie Hales said at a news conference that their work averted a catastrophe. Hales said the “excellent work by our first responders” saved the lives of many people.
RANCHING STANDOFF
Ryan Bundy urges jurors to ‘stand for freedom’
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ryan Bundy told jurors during his closing argument in the Oregon standoff case to “stand for freedom,” and find him not guilty.
Bundy is among seven defendants being tried on a charge of conspiring to impede federal workers from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge during last winter’s 41-day occupation.
Acting as his own attorney, Bundy quoted Martin Luther King Jr., saying injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere.
Bundy said that explains why he joined the protest in support of two ranchers he believes were wrongly imprisoned.
He acknowledged taking over the workspace of federal employees, saying the occupiers didn’t know whose seats they were sitting in and didn’t care. He said it might sound callous, but the purpose of the movement was beyond such considerations.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS-ABORTION AD
House Democrats pull abortion ad over ‘incorrect’ statement
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon House Democrats have removed an abortion-related Facebook ad that Republicans have called false and misleading.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the ad claimed House Republican candidate, Juanita Lint, “supports punishing women who have an abortion – even in cases of rape or incest.” The House Democratic campaign wing, Future PAC, said in a Wednesday statement was incorrect and that it regrets the publication.
The ad was removed after Lint, a candidate for House District 29, sent Future PAC a cease-and-desist letter.
Lint says she didn’t know where the group got the idea for the ad and says she’s “a women’s right to life candidate.”
Oregon House Republicans’ campaign arm issued a response accusing Democrats of “lying about Republican candidates” and said the ad was intended “to serve a political purpose.”
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GOLD HILL WATER
Gold Hill residents asked to boil water while tests underway
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of the southwestern Oregon city of Gold Hill is advising residents to boil water before drinking it in the wake of several waterline breaks.
The Mail Tribune reports that Mayor Jan Fish says breaks occurred in three places around 1 p.m. Wednesday. Crews had repaired one broken pipe by the evening.
Some areas of the city are experiencing reduced water pressure while the repair work is underway.
The water is not chlorinated, and tests to determine whether it’s safe to drink take 24 hours.
Fish says the water system will be chlorinated Thursday and that drinking water will be made available at City Hall.
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CENTRAL OREGON POACHING
State Police see spike in poaching in Central Oregon
(Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State Police has seen a spike in poaching in some parts of Central Oregon just days into the elk hunting season.
The Bulletin reports that Senior trooper Greg Love, who patrols La Pine, Sunriver, southern Deschutes County and northern Klamath County, says since the elk season started Saturday there have already been five reports of poaching in his district. He says a typical season has two cases.
Also a problem is mule deer poaching. Love says an average year sees as many as four poached deer, but this year there have been at least 10 instances of poaching.
OSP Sgt. Lowell Lea, who oversees all of Central Oregon, says he hasn’t checked the numbers but that he feels this year isn’t above average. Regardless, he says poaching is a serious issue.
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PORTLAND POLICE REFORMS
Review critical of Portland mayor’s response to shooting
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal justice officials have criticized Mayor Charlie Hales for failing to begin an immediate investigation after the police chief was involved in an off-duty shooting in Eastern Oregon.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the criticism was included in a Justice Department review of Portland’s compliance with a police reform settlement agreement.
The agreement stems from a 2012 investigation that found city police used excessive force against people with mental illness. It called for a wide range of reforms to police policies, training and oversight.
Chief Larry O’Dea accidentally shot a friend in the back during an April camping trip. He informed Hales several days later, but the public didn’t learn of the incident for a month.
O’Dea quit in June amid a criminal investigation into whether he was forthright after the shooting. The investigation remains active.
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DISABLED BEACHGOERS
Cannon Beach looks to become more handicap accessible
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
CANNON BEACH, Ore. (AP) — Groups in Cannon Beach are working to bring sand-friendly wheelchairs to the beach.
The Daily Astorian reports that the Chamber of Commerce and partners Remax Coastal Advantage, Martin Hospitality and Escape Lodging hope to provide the beach-accessible wheelchairs for visitors to the city next year. Last week, the City Council approved an agreement to store the wheelchairs at City Hall.
The chamber seeks to purchase one adult chair and one youth chair that would be free for public use. The non-motorized chairs start at about $2,500 and include 4- to 5-inch-wide tires that keep the chair above sand.
Neighboring cities Seaside and Manzanita currently provide beach-accessible wheelchairs for visitors.
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PORTLAND TEACHER-INVESTIGATION
Portland police investigating teacher at K-8 school
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Police are investigating a teacher at a school serving kindergarten through eighth-grade students in Portland.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that police went to Astor School Tuesday to investigative the report that a teacher was behaving inappropriately in class and with students.
Portland Police spokesman Peter Simpson says the teacher has not been arrested.
He says “preliminary information given to police indicates the behavior could be considered criminal conduct.”
The school’s principal sent a note to families simply saying a teacher was placed on administrative leave Tuesday while police are investigating a matter.
The district declined to provide further details.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
