1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 08/22/2013 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/314
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – Strong east winds are helping to spread a fire in the Columbia River Gorge that has burned a fourth house and is now pushing into the Mount Hood National Forest. Fire spokesman Justin de Ruyter said yesterday that the Government Flat Complex has grown to more than 13 square miles in an area 10 miles southwest of The Dalles. It’s 15 percent contained.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. Forest Service is running out of money to fight wildfires at the peak of the season, so it’s diverting $600 million from timber, recreation and other areas to fill the gap. A Forest Service spokesman said yesterday that the nation’s top wildfire-fighting agency was down to $50 million after spending $967 million so far this year. He says the $50 million the Forest Service has left is enough to pay for a few days of fighting fires when the nation is at its top wildfire preparedness level.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland officials say a Broadway Cab driver who stopped his taxi on Interstate 84 and discharged two female passengers will lose his taxi driver permit because he failed to meet a basic city safety code. The Oregonian reports that Ahmed Egal has 10 days to appeal. Shanako Devoll and her partner, Kate Neal, say Egal ditched them just before midnight July 25 because of their sexual orientation. Egal says the women were “real drunk, and so mean” and didn’t want to pay.

COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) – Oregon State Police wildlife troopers in Coos Bay are asking for help in finding those responsible for illegally killing two bull elk abandoned on a rural road. Trooper Ryan Keeler says the carcasses of the 5-point and 3-point elk were found Monday about 20 yards off Shotgun Creek Road. Each had been shot and left to rot.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.