PORTLAND OFFICER-DRUNK DRIVING
Portland cop accused of driving drunk to appear in court
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Portland police sergeant is scheduled for a court arraignment after an incident over the weekend in which police say he was driving drunk in a police car while off duty.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports 43-year-old Timothy K. Robinson will appear in court Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Jail staff says he was booked into Washington County jail early Saturday and released several hours later. An 18-year police veteran, Robinson works in the drugs and vice division.
The police bureau says he has been reassigned to the telephone reporting unit pending resolution in the case.
Robinson is the second Portland police officer arrested this year on suspicion of intoxicated driving in a police car.
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CRIME LAB INVESTIGATION
State crime lab scientist sentenced to 3 years in prison
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge has sentenced a fired forensic scientist at the Oregon State Police crime labs to three years in prison for stealing hundreds of pills from evidence submitted to the lab over two years.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports 36-year-old Nika Larsen was sentenced Monday after she pleaded guilty in August to two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud and deception.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Larsen used her position to steal methamphetamine, morphine and other drugs while processing and overseeing cases.
Oregon State Police launched an investigation in 2015 after a forensic scientist in the Bend lab found 18 oxycodone pills were missing. Investigators found some pills were missing, partially missing or had been replaced with non-controlled substances — all in cases handled by Larsen.
Larsen’s crimes potentially affected more than 2,500 drug cases statewide.
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RANCHING STANDOFF-O’SHAUGHNESSY
Oregon refuge defendant seeks to withdraw guilty plea
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Arizona man is the latest Oregon standoff figure to ask for his guilty plea to be withdrawn.
Joseph O’Shaughnessy pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge nearly three months before a jury acquitted seven of his co-defendants, including standoff leader Ammon Bundy.
O’Shaughnessy is awaiting trial on accusations stemming from a 2014 standoff with government authorities at the Bundy ranch near Bunkerville, Nevada.
Defense attorney Tony Schwartz wrote Sunday that O’Shaughnessy had a plea deal in Nevada, but it was contingent on him pleading guilty in Oregon. Because the plea offer fell apart, his client should be able to withdraw his Oregon plea.
When he pleaded guilty in Portland, O’Shaughnessy said he didn’t participate in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, but felt a duty to provide security for the protesters.
Two other defendants have sought to withdraw their pleas. The judge has yet to rule on their requests.
WASHINGTON COUNTY STANDOFF
Suburban Portland man surrenders after 6-hour standoff
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — After a six-hour standoff, authorities arrested a 63-year-old suburban Portland man accused of setting his neighbor’s truck on fire.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the Rock Creek neighborhood Sunday night after neighbors reported that Judson Holden burned the truck and was threatening people with a shotgun.
Holden was in his house with his 95-year-old mother when authorities arrived. Deputies were able to get the woman out during the ensuing negotiations.
Deputies eventually deployed what the sheriff’s office describes as a gas irritant. Though Holden had a gas mask, the gas proved too much for him and he surrendered Monday morning.
Holden has been charged with arson, menacing and felon in possession of a firearm.
The sheriff’s office says deputies found spent shotgun shells in the street.
SALVATION ARMY KETTLE THEFTS
Oregon City teen accused of stealing Salvation Army kettles
OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) — Oregon City Police have identified a 19-year-old man accused of stealing Salvation Army kettles last week.
Sgt. Matthew Paschall said Monday that Jeremiah Tracy of Oregon City was booked into the Clackamas County Jail on theft charges. Bail was set at $18,500.
Investigators found Tracy at his residence in Oregon City and Paschall says one of the donation kettles was recovered. Police believe the teen is responsible for thefts outside Fred Meyer stores in Oregon City and Canby.
The Salvation Army said about $170 was taken, but the overall impact was more than $1,000. The Salvation Army said that figure includes missing kettles, a damaged kettle stand and the inability to collect the rest of the day’s kettle income after the thefts.
UMATILLA COUNTY SKIING
Oregon ski area closes for season over snowmobile concerns
(Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.com)
PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — The owner of an Oregon ski area says he won’t open this season because of concerns about snowmobiles creating an unsafe environment in his parking lot.
The East Oregonian reports that Spout Springs Ski Area owner John Murray says the slopes are otherwise ready to open but that the machines have made the parking area too dangerous for customers.
Murray says there have already been some close calls and he doesn’t want to be responsible for anyone getting hurt.
The ski area operates under a special use permit with the Umatilla National Forest. It is also a designated Sno-Park area, allowing it to be used as a launch point for snowmobiles to access trails.
Walla Walla District Ranger Mike Rassbach says the forest is trying to make sure everyone plays by the rules.
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DOG RESCUED
Officials rescue dog believed to be involved in fighting
(Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com)
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Josephine County officials have rescued a yellow Labrador they believe was involved in a dog-fighting operation.
The Grants Pass Daily Courier reports that County Animal Protection Officer David Pitts found two men trying to force the Labrador into a pickup truck and believed the men were trying to gather dogs to be used for dog fighting.
Pitts says he saw two other dogs in the back of the truck, but the men drove off before he could stop them. They abandoned the yellow lab, Finley.
Pitts feared Finley would have been used as a bait dog. Such dogs are used to train fighting dogs and often have their snouts taped shut or their teeth filed down so they can’t fight back.
Finley has since been reunited with his family.
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FATAL CRASH
Oregon man fatally struck by car while trying to get mail
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State Police say a 77-year-old Klamath Falls man died when he was hit by a Dodge Dart while trying to cross a road to get his mail.
The crash occurred Saturday on Highway 39, about an hour after sunset. James Wells was unconscious when emergency crews arrived and was pronounced dead at Sky Lakes Medical Center.
The driver from Klamath Falls was not hurt and is cooperating with police.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
