1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 08/19/2015 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/278
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. Kate Brown plans to visit the eastern Oregon command post where fire crews are overseeing the effort to contain a wildfire that’s destroyed at least 26 homes and damaged 50 others. The governor’s office says Brown will get a briefing this morning about firefighting efforts at the Grant County Fairgrounds in John Day. The fire has burned through about 63 square miles, mostly on the Malheur National Forest, and was zero percent contained.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon will get $2.2 million from drugmaker Amgen following a multi-state investigation into the company’s marketing of two drugs. Oregon and Illinois led the investigation on behalf of 48 states and the District of Columbia. Oregon’s share will go to an account that funds investigations into unlawful business practices.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Distilled spirits sales in Oregon are higher than ever, thanks in part to a stronger economy and population growth. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission said that the spirits generated more than $1 billion in gross revenue for the 2013-2015 biennium. That’s nearly $90 million, or 8 percent, more than the previous biennium. Sales and distribution statistics show it’s due to customers purchasing more expensive products and more customers buying the alcohol.

SHERWOOD, Ore. (AP) – Police have obtained an arrest warrant for an Oregon priest after a 15-year-old parishioner discovered a hidden camera in a church bathroom, but authorities believe the priest may have left the country. The warrant seeks the arrest of Father Ysrael Bien of St. Francis Catholic Church in Sherwood for invasion of privacy, tampering with evidence and initiating a false police report.

 

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.