UBER GREYBALL SCHEME
Portland to investigate Uber scheme to thwart regulators
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Officials in Portland are calling for an investigation into Uber’s use of software to identify and reject hails from city code enforcers when it was operating illegally in the city.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the investigation could make public more details of Uber’s anti-regulation tactics as the company is asking the state legislature to legalize its business model statewide.
A video by The Oregonian/OregonLive at the time showed code officers’ ride requests repeatedly canceled, preventing attempts to fine the company and its drivers.
Uber later suspended its premature launch while the city ironed out a pilot program to allow for its business model. It launched with the city approval in 2015.
An Uber spokesman said Friday that the company has not used the software in Portland since then.
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SUSPICIOUS DEATHS-PORTLAND
Man pleads not guilty to raping woman, killing man and dog
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A 33-year-old registered sex offender has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, rape and animal abuse in connection with the rape of a woman and the death of a man and his dog in Portland.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Alexander Rico Ortiz was arrested Friday in Hillsboro.
Court documents say he declined to be interviewed by jail staff and laughed when informed of the charges.
Portland police say Ortiz raped a woman at a Red Roof Inn on Feb. 27, then fled to an adjacent apartment complex and killed 59-year-old Eleazar “Tony” Herrera Villegas and his Jack Russell terrier.
Police say Herrera Villegas died of multiple blunt force injuries and that the two men didn’t know each other.
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XGR-POLICE-PROFILING
Oregon lawmakers aim to nix police profiling
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon policymakers are considering establishing a statewide data-collecting system on police stops, searches and arrests as well as requiring all law enforcement officers to undergo cultural and bias training.
The bipartisan proposals — crafted over 18 months by a law-enforcement task force chaired by state Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum— laid out in House Bill 2355 are intended to strengthen Oregon’s prohibition on police profiling that was adopted in 2015.
Many local law enforcement agencies such as Oregon State Police have already been collecting data described in the bill for several years, but the measure would make that practice a statewide requirement as is the case in 19 other states.
The bill, which drew public testimony Monday during its first hearing before lawmakers, would additionally reduce criminal punishments for possessing a controlled substance, currently a felony, to a misdemeanor.
TRAVEL BAN-OREGON-SOMALIS
Somalis in Oregon react to Trump’s revised travel ban
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Somali immigrants in Oregon are reacting to President Trump’s revised travel ban with dismay and fear.
Musse Olal, president of Somali American Council of Oregon, said Monday the ban is discriminatory and will further isolate Somali immigrants from American society by making them feel targeted.
President Donald Trump’s revised executive order bars new visas for citizens of six predominantly Muslim countries, including Somalia.
The Somali-American community in Portland has been working to repair relationships with civic leaders, law enforcement and residents since a local Somali-American was convicted of plotting in 2010 to bomb a holiday event in the city’s town square.
There are between 8,000 and 10,000 Somalians in the greater Portland metropolitan area.
RAPE CASE-COMPLAINT
Oregon man convicted of rape alleges misconduct by former DA
(Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon man convicted of rape has filed a complaint requesting an investigation into allegations of prosecutorial misconduct by a former Deschutes County district attorney and a deputy district attorney.
The Bend Bulletin reports that Thomas Bray of Bend was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the 2011 rape of a woman he met on a dating website.
His complaint, filed with the Oregon State Bar last month, accuses prosecutors of intentionally ignoring court orders to keep evidence favorable to the defense from being considered at his trial.
An Oregon Court of Appeals ruling late last year chastised the prosecutors’ disregard for court orders, but the appeals court determined their actions did not warrant a new trial.
The prosecutors could face disciplinary action if Bray’s claims are substantiated but there would be no direct impact on the rape case.
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FATAL ACCIDENT
Woman killed in accident
BORING, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a 24-year-old woman died when she turned in front of an oncoming car along Highway 26
KOIN reports that Alexis Graham turned left about 8:45 p.m. Sunday when her Honda was hit by an oncoming Toyota 4Runner. She was pronounced dead.
The Toyota driver was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries. The 25-year-old Portland resident was later released.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said neither alcohol nor speed appear to be factors.
BORDER TOWN-POT SHOP
Oregon town’s pot shops seeing influx of Idaho customers
(Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho residents are helping to boost the economy of a small Oregon town by purchasing marijuana from the town’s two dispensaries, which lie along the border between the two states.
The Idaho Statesman reports that Huntington, Oregon, has 435 residents, but the city’s pot shops can serve up to 600 customers on a busy day, with most coming from out of town.
A good chunk of the businesses’ customers come from Idaho’s Treasure Valley, which has a population of more than 600,000. Officials say Idaho residents are taking advantage of the short trip across the Snake River into Oregon, which legalized the recreational use of pot in 2014.
Huntington expects to receive $100,000 in taxes from just one of its pot shops this year, which is half the city’s annual $200,000 budget.
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PEDESTRIAN KILLED
Female pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle in Gresham
GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) — A 33-year-old woman was struck and killed by a driver in Gresham.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Gresham Police officers were called to the area at 1 a.m. Sunday and determined the pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle and was dead.
Police say the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Police say that drugs, alcohol and speed don’t appear to be factors in the accident.
The East County Vehicular Crimes Team is continuing to investigate.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press.