ELK HERD DIES
Herd of 41 elk die in east Oregon after falling through ice
(Information from: Baker City Herald, http://www.bakercityherald.com/)
RICHLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials say dozens of elk are dead after the herd fell through the ice at a reservoir in eastern Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a Facebook post that 41 elk died Tuesday on the Powder River arm of Brownlee Reservoir.
The Baker City Herald reports someone who lives near the reservoir called to report the incident. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Brian Ratliff told the newspaper the elk were trying to cross the reservoir from the north side when the ice broke in four places.
Officials drove to the area to see if it was possible to save any of the elk or salvage meat, but Ratliff said neither option was possible.
The reservoir is about 260 miles east of Portland.
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PORTLAND POLLUTION
Portland glass company sold; production moves to Mexico
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — One of two Portland-based glass manufacturers that sparked toxic air concerns earlier this year has been sold to a California company and will have production of its materials moved to Mexico.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Uroboros Glass founder Eric Lovell had announced plans in September to sell the facility. At the time, his reasons for selling included increased costs associated with new regulations.
Lovell said in a statement Tuesday the company has been sold to Carlsbad-based Oceanside Glasstile.
The Portland facility will stop producing glass in February and its equipment will be moved to Tijuana, Mexico for production in May.
The move comes after elevated levels of toxic heavy metals were discovered near Uroboros and Bullseye Glass. Bullseye Glass has since installed newly-required industrial filters to reduce pollution.
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CHINESE LANTERN BAN
Oregon bans use of Chinese lanterns in 2017
(Information from: KGW-TV, http://www.kgw.com/)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon residents will no longer be allowed to release sky lanterns into the air under a new law set to take effect in 2017.
KGW-TV reports that starting Jan. 1, people caught releasing the lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, will face fines of up to $2,000.
A sky lantern is a paper sack suspended over a flame, usually from a small candle. The hot air from the flame causes the balloon to rise into the sky and be carried off by the wind.
Oregon Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple says the lanterns are uncontrolled and “pose an extreme fire hazard to people, property and the environment.”
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CARETAKER-THEFT CHARGES
Salem caretaker charged with stealing 12K from client
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A caretaker in Salem has been arrested on dozens of counts of theft, forgery and criminal mistreatment for allegedly cashing over $12,000 in checks stolen from her client.
The Statesman Journal reports 24-year-old Lena King was arrested by Salem police Friday.
A probable cause statement says the 73-year-old victim told officers she went to her bank after receiving a notification that her account was overdrawn and found 33 suspicious checks made out to King.
King had been the woman’s caretaker for more than a year.
The victim told police King didn’t have permission to write or sign checks for her.
Police say King told them she wrote and signed the suspicious checks because she has an infant and was struggling with finances.
She remains in jail on $735,000 bail.
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STATE TROOPER SHOT
Oregon trooper in 2nd surgery after shooting; still critical
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon State Police trooper wounded in a Christmas night gunbattle in suburban Portland is in surgery and remains in critical condition.
Capt. Bill Fugate told a news conference Tuesday that 32-year-old Trooper Nic Cederberg was undergoing the second of what is expected to be many surgeries following the shootout Sunday. Fugate declined to say how many times Cederberg was shot or to more precisely describe his injuries, citing his family’s wishes. He did say the trooper gave his wife a high-five following his first surgery Monday.
Police initially responded to a report of a shooting in King City, where they found a woman’s body. A 30-year-old suspect, James Tylka, was seen driving away, and officers pursued him.
The chase ended with a shootout about 20 miles south of Portland. Tylka was killed.
OREGON EARTHQUAKE
Earthquake recorded off central Oregon coast
BANDON, Ore. (AP) — An earthquake has been recorded off Oregon’s central coast.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the 4.1 magnitude earthquake hit Tuesday at 7:51 a.m. Pacific.
It struck about 269 miles west of Corvallis.
The USGS says it occurred at a depth of just over six miles.
TRIPLE FATAL
3 dead, others injured in multi-car crash near Warm Springs
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (AP) — Three people have died in a multi-vehicle crash on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Oregon State Police Lt. Cari Boyd says a car traveling west on U.S. Highway 26 struck the back of another vehicle, sending it into the eastbound lane, where it collided with a van.
Two people in the vehicle pushed into the van’s path died at the scene Monday: 37-year-old Adam Clausen and 39-year-old Shannon O’Leary, both of Portland. A 4-year-old child in that vehicle survived with minor injuries.
The van driver heading east also died at the scene. Boyd identified him as 34-year-old Robert Burke of Reno, Nevada. His two passengers, one of whom is a 22-month-old child, were taken to a Bend hospital for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening.
TOP OREGON STORIES-2016
Bundy takeover of wildlife refuge top Oregon story of 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the aftermath of the 41-day armed occupation has been voted Oregon’s top story of 2016 by editors and news directors around the state.
Each year The Associated Press sends a ballot to Oregon news outlets for votes on the year’s top stories.
The top story in 2016 was the takeover of the wildlife refuge by Ammon Bundy and his followers in January and the drama that ensued, including the surprise acquittal in October of Bundy and six others during a trial in Portland.
The No. 2 story was voters’ rejection in November of Measure 97, which would have increased taxes on some corporations to help fund education and other services. It was the most expensive ballot measure fight in Oregon history, with more than $43 million spent. The derailment of an oil train in Mosier finished third.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
