1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,291
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) – Crews battling a fire on Mount Hood are taking
advantage of a delay in the arrival of strong winds to strengthen
lines protecting the Bull Run watershed, which provides most of the
water for the city of Portland. Spokesman Bernie Pineda says
firefighters have been making steady progress, and the fire is 20
percent contained at 4,500 acres. Campgrounds, roads and trails in
the Lolo Pass area remain closed.

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. (AP) – An autopsy has determined that a
32-year-old bartender from Central Point died of multiple stab
wounds, and her former boyfriend has been arraigned on a murder
charge. The Medford Mail Tribune reports the medical examiner’s
office reported its findings, and 36-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Wheeler
was arraigned Tuesday in the death of Jessica Bethany. A conviction
could bring a sentence of 25 years to life.

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – A Portland (Ore.) man accused of driving
a convertible from which a passenger fell to his death in southwest
Washington has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and felony
hit-and-run charges. The Columbian says 29-year-old Russell Amon
entered his pleas yesterday in Clark County Superior Court. His
trial was set for Nov. 14. Amon is being held on $100,000 bail.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) – A man accused in the death of his former
landlady has been transported from Oregon to Idaho, where he is
being charged with first-degree murder. Police say 51-year-old
Theodore J. Kestner will be arraigned today. Kestner was moved
yesterday from Oregon’s Malheur County, where he was arrested
earlier this week after a couple reported they had been held at
gunpoint at their cabin near Lake Owyhee. The couple’s report
prompted a search in eastern Oregon and Kestner was taken into
custody Monday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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