ELECTION-OREGON-CORPORATE TAX
Voters and corporations tensely await outcome of tax measure
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Major corporations in Oregon and from out of state, smaller local businesses and individual voters intently awaited the outcome of a state ballot measure that, if passed, would tax companies’ sales of more than $25 million.
Tens of millions of dollars were thrown into the battle over Measure 97 by both sides, with the “no” campaign largely funded by mostly out-of-state corporations.
Opponents and even the Legislative Revenue Office say every Oregonian will be affected.
ELECTION-OREGON-STATE RACES
Dems and GOP keep close eye on hot secretary of state race
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Republicans and Democrats are keeping a close eye on the secretary of state’s race in the Tuesday election. It might be the GOP’s chance for winning its first statewide race in more than a decade.
Polls have indicated it could be a close race Tuesday between Republican Dennis Richardson and Democrat Brad Avakian.
Polls have also indicated Democratic Gov. Kate Brown has no reason to worry about the challenge from her Republican opponent, Bud Pierce.
No Republican has won a statewide race in Oregon since then-U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith was re-elected in 2002.
Oregonians on Tuesday were also voting for treasurer, attorney general, and candidates for federal races.
ELECTION-OREGON-MEASURES
Corporate tax dominates, but Oregon weighs 6 other measures
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon tax measure has grabbed headlines, but voters are considering many other issues.
Six measures covering everything from guaranteed outdoor school to additional funding for veterans’ services are also on the ballot.
Measure 94 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow state judges to serve beyond age 75.
Measure 95 would let public universities invest in the stock market.
Measure 96 would use lottery funds to help military veterans access services.
Measure 98 would use state funding to boost Oregon’s high school graduation rate, which is among the nation’s worst.
Measure 99 would use lottery proceeds to fund outdoor education for all fifth- or sixth-graders.
And Measure 100 would ban commerce on the parts from 12 animal species that are poached at high rates, including elephants, tigers and leopards.
SISTERS CHARGED-THEFT
Cottage Grove woman sentenced for stealing from 94-year-old
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Cottage Grove woman accused of working with her sister to scam a World War II veteran out of tens of thousands of dollars has been sentenced to five years of probation.
The Register-Guard reports Rita Amundson was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to felony theft and criminal mistreatment charges. The agreement requires her to pay back what she stole or go to prison.
The 94-year-old victim had hired Amundson as his live-in caregiver last winter after his wife died.
Authorities say Amundson took more than $90,000 from the man over the course of several months. She and her sister, Teena Taylor, are accused of spending the money on personal purchases, including three vehicles.
Taylor is expected to plead guilty in December as part of a similar plea deal.
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WIFE’S BOYFRIEND ASSAULTED
Lyons man accused of kidnapping ex-wife’s boyfriend
(Information from: Albany Democrat-Herald, http://www.dhonline.com)
ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — A Lyons, Oregon man is facing several charges after an alleged assault on his ex-wife’s new boyfriend.
The Albany Democrat-Herald reports that Craig Patrick Waits appeared in court Monday, where he was charged with kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon and other crimes. He was ordered held on $200,000 bail.
Court documents say Waits confronted the victim with a rifle after he arrived at the home they shared with Waits’ wife on Nov. 1.
Waits is accused of tying up the boyfriend, striking him with the butt of the rifle and placing a plastic bag over his head.
The man was eventually released and hospitalized for unknown injuries.
Waits was arrested the following day after authorities received a report about the incident.
He has no previous criminal history.
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TREES CUT-LAWSUIT
Gresham homeowners reach settlement in cut trees case
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Two Gresham couples have agreed to pay $135,000 to settle a lawsuit accusing them of cutting down or damaging dozens of protected trees to improve the views from their homes.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports court documents released Monday show insurance companies for David and Alyce Hadeed El-Khal are paying $125,000 of the settlement. The remaining $10,000 is being covered by the El-Khal’s neighbors, Stephen and Judith Brugh.
Oregon’s regional planning agency Metro sued the couples in March. Metro claimed they cut down 44 trees in a protected nature area near their homes perched atop Gresham Butte to enhance their views of the city below.
The El-Khals previously said they only cut two or three trees that were “worthless, dead and decayed.” The Brughs had only admitted to de-limbing four trees.
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RANCHING STANDOFF-REMAINING DEFENDANTS
Acquittal of 7 occupiers poses questions on fate of 7 more
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The acquittal of seven people who took over a federal wildlife refuge in a 41-day armed standoff with authorities raises questions about what prosecutors will do with seven more defendants in the same case who are going to court in February.
The verdict earlier this month has emboldened and entrenched the remaining defendants, and many say they would never take a plea deal.
Prosecutors have yet to say what they will do in a case that has generated national scrutiny.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Portland declined to comment on the acquittals and the upcoming trial.
Defense attorneys, however, questioned whether government prosecutors would be wise to proceed, given that the first jury didn’t buy the government’s conspiracy case.
POLICE WATCHER ARRESTED
Man who filmed Oregon police from an SUV gets probation
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A man arrested after filming a Portland police precinct from a sports utility vehicle filled with weapons has been sentenced to three years on probation after pleading no contest to unlawful possession of a firearm.
Multnomah County court records show 39-year-old Eric Crowl signed the plea Friday.
Police arrested Crowl in August after he spent months watching and filming officers during shift changes at the East Precinct.
As part of the plea deal, Crowl agreed to no longer monitor officers and to only contact police for a legitimate purpose.
His attorney, Bryan Francesconi, said Monday that his client started filming officers because he observed police conduct he felt was inappropriate, and believes an engaged citizenry must defend against law enforcement overreach.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
