WINTER STORM WATCH-PORTLAND
Storm watch issued for Portland area for ice, high winds
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The National Weather Service in Portland has issued a winter storm watch for the Portland area for Thursday evening into Friday.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports another round of snow and freezing rain is expected to arrive in Portland as wet, low-pressure systems from the south collide with a cold system from the north.
The weather service says up to two inches of snow could accumulate in the city by Friday before the snow becomes freezing rain. Meteorologist Gerald Macke says between a quarter inch and a half inch of ice could accumulate Friday.
He says rain and higher temperatures over the weekend will clear accumulated ice before next week.
Weather officials have also issued a wind advisory for the Portland area from 4 a.m. Wednesday to early Friday morning.
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HAZING LAWSUIT
College fraternity accused of hazing sued for $8 million
(Information from: KOIN-TV, http://www.koin.com/)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An $8 million lawsuit against a fraternity at a northwestern Oregon college says a hazing incident resulted in a 20-year-old man losing his right eye.
KOIN-TV reports that the lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges Kellen Johansen was coerced into drinking alcohol, running naked through Linfield College’s campus in McMinnville and retrieving illegal fireworks during an initiation party in April.
A man identified in the complaint as the president of the fraternity is accused of discharging the fireworks, which failed to go up in the air and exploded on the ground. The lawsuit claims the explosion resulted in an injury that required the surgical removal of Johansen’s eye.
Linfield College spoksesman Scott Bernard Nelson says the school had not yet been served with the lawsuit.
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SALEM OFFICER DRAGGED
Salem man accused of dragging officer arrested, charged
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man who authorities say dragged a police officer with a stolen car and drove the wrong way on several major roads is facing 20 charges in connection with the incident.
The Statesman Journal reported Tuesday that 51-year-old Kevin Acup has been charged with burglary, vehicle theft and other crimes.
Salem police had spotted a car reported stolen Dec. 19.
Officer Eric Moffitt tried to contact the driver through the passenger-side door, but Acup sped off and dragged Moffitt about 15 feet before he was able to free himself.
The officer suffered a fractured shoulder.
Police decided not to purse Acup at the time and didn’t arrest him until Jan. 17 after they saw him driving another stolen vehicle.
Acup told detectives he was remorseful about hurting Moffitt.
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PORTLAND-TENANT PROTECTION
Landlords vow lawsuit if proposed Portland ordinance passes
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A prominent attorney and lobbyist says to expect a lawsuit if the Portland City Council approves an ordinance that would require landlords to help pay moving costs for tenants evicted without cause or compelled to move by a steep rent increase.
John DiLorenzo contends such a rule would conflict with Oregon state law that prohibits rent control. He says the suit will be filed on behalf of Multifamily NW, an association of companies that own or manage apartments.
Portland’s newest city commissioner, Chloe Eudaly, proposed the tenant-protection rule. She tells The Oregonian/OregonLive the ordinance does not infringe on landlords’ rights to raise rents, and predicts it will pass legal muster if approved Thursday.
DiLorenzo has sued the city at least seven times over the years, including a case over misspent utility money that dragged out for more than five years.
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ANIMALS KILLED AT SHELTER
Ex-animal control chief gets jail, probation for dog death
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 62-year-old former Nevada municipal animal control supervisor was handcuffed and jailed for 90 days, and will serve another four years’ probation in a case alleging she illegally killed dogs at the shelter she ran.
Mary Jo Frazier apologized Tuesday in Clark County District Court, where she pleaded guilty in October to one felony animal cruelty charge.
Her plea deal acknowledged only that she improperly euthanized her own dog, rather than give it to her husband during a divorce.
The case developed into a small town scandal in Boulder City, where a police chief was ousted after deciding to close the investigation — despite finding that more than 90 animals had been improperly put to death.
Frazier retired from the city and moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where she has since remarried.
GIRLFRIEND ATTACKED
Klamath Falls man accused of severely beating girlfriend
(Information from: Herald and News, http://www.heraldandnews.com)
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man accused of beating his girlfriend continuously for two hours has been charged with attempted murder.
Michael Trumble was arrested Sunday after police officers forced their way into his Klamath Falls apartment.
Prosecutors said in court records that the 43-year-old man strangled the woman past the point of consciousness. The victim also suffered a severely swollen black eye and a split lip that required stitches.
The Herald and News reports Trumble appeared in court Monday on charges of assault, strangulation and attempted murder. He was appointed a lawyer and ordered held on $100,000 bail.
His next scheduled court date is Feb. 6.
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HAND SHOT
White City man pleads not guilty in shooting case
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — A southern Oregon man accused of shooting and injuring a rival during a fight over a woman has pleaded not guilty.
The Mail Tribune reports 51-year-old Martin Hutton of White City entered his pleas Monday in Medford. He’s charged with assault, criminal mischief, unlawful use of a weapon and recklessly endangering another person.
Police said in court records the incident happened last month when Hutton tried to enter a travel-trailer where his girlfriend was with an ex-boyfriend.
Authorities say the man punched Hutton in the face through the window. Hutton then retrieved a .45-caliber handgun from his vehicle and returned to the trailer window after firing two shots at the man’s pickup.
Police say Hutton was punched in the face a second time. He then stepped back and allegedly fired a bullet that entered the victim’s hand and traveled up his arm.
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GIFT CARD CRASH
Woman who drove SUV through Safeway to remain in community
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Lane County judge says a woman who drove her SUV down the aisles of a Springfield supermarket last summer can remain in the community under the supervision of mental health experts rather than go to the Oregon State Hospital.
The Register-Guard reported Tuesday that mental health professionals testified that Noella Fay should be allowed to live in the community because she is stable. The 43-year-old lives with her husband and 12-year-old son.
The incident at a Safeway supermarket caused nearly $100,000 damage and happened after Fay got into an argument with store managers who would not let her write a large check to purchase gift cards.
Charged with two felonies and four misdemeanors, she was found guilty by reason of insanity in December.
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Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.