1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 11/18/2015 04:00 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/230
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The former head of an Oregon-based chain of retirement centers has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for defrauding investors of $130 million. Federal prosecutors said John Harder operated what amounted to a Ponzi scheme, raising money from unsuspecting investors and banks during the collapse of his Sunwest Management chain of more than 300 assisted-living centers.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. Kate Brown says Oregon will welcome Syrian refugees. She wrote on Twitter that the refugees seek safe haven and Oregon will continue to open the doors of opportunity to them. Brown followed with another tweet that said: “The words on the Statue of Liberty apply in Oregon just as they do in every other state.”

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) – Klamath County Public Health officials say norovirus caused a recent outbreak of stomach illness in the county, mostly among schools. The county is working with state epidemiologists to pinpoint the source. Students and staff members from schools throughout the county have been sickened since late October.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon now has four million residents, according to a new study from Portland State University. The Oregonian reports that Portland State population expert Risa Proehl says that’s a good sign because it indicates the state is attractive to people. She says about 80 percent of the 2015 increase was from people moving into the state.

 

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.