Latest Oregon news, sports, business and entertainment

 

HUMAN BONES FOUND

Medical examiner: Human bones found belonged to woman

(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)

GARDINER, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say human bones found along the bank of the Umpqua River near the Oregon Coast Saturday were those of a woman.

The Register-Guard reports the woman was between 30 and 45 years at the time of her death.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office says the woman died from one to three years ago.

The examiner’s office will continue to work on identifying the woman using DNA and dental records.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is investigating possible leads from missing women whose description and disappearance match criteria from the bones.

A man who had been fishing found the bones on shore.

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BC-US-PORTLAND-POLICE-CONTRACT-PROTEST-THE LATEST

The Latest: Portland police arrest 10 in clash over contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland police say they have increased the number of protesters arrested at City Hall from nine to 10.

The Portland Police Bureau issued the information as a correction Wednesday night.

People were protesting at a City Council meeting at which council members approved a new police contract that raises questions about the use of body cameras and gives police officers a raise.

INTERNET SEARCH-RAPE

Appeals court vacates Bend rape conviction

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Court of Appeals vacated the conviction of a Bend man who’s in prison for raping a woman he met on a dating website.

The appellate court said Wednesday a judge erred in denying a motion that would have required the woman to comply with a subpoena and turn over her computer for a private inspection by the court for relevant evidence.

Thomas Bray’s attorney repeatedly sought computer evidence before trial after learning the woman told investigators she had gone online to look for information about Bray and the legal definition of rape.

The case returns to Deschutes County Circuit Court.

Bray was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the February 2011 rape of a 23-year-old woman. Bray taught at Central Oregon Community College and was a licensed anesthesiologist.

DEA AGENT-OVERDOSE KIT

As opioid epidemic spikes, DEA agent packs an overdose kit

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The DEA’s top agent in Oregon is so worried about the opioid epidemic and about Fentanyl — which is many times stronger than heroin — hitting the state that just about every time he steps out into the street, he goes packing.

Cam B. Strahm, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, says use of both heroin and prescription pills is spiking. And he says that Fentanyl, which is many times stronger than heroin, presents an even greater threat.

Strahm tries to bring an opioid overdose kit with him whenever he goes out. A black zippered bag, looking like a travel toiletry kit, contains Narcan, which when administered through the nose can revive someone who has overdosed.

AP-US-ROBBERY-BACK-TO-PRISON

Transgender robber who wanted back in prison gets 6 years

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge in Wyoming has sentenced a transgender woman who robbed a bank in order to be sent back to prison to six years in a federal women’s prison.

Linda Thompson faced up to 20 years in prison Wednesday. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Freudenthal expressed relief Thompson didn’t demand a long sentence.

Instead, Thompson apologized to a bank teller in the courtroom and expressed a change in heart. Thompson said prison time is easy for her but she wants to get out and get a job driving a truck.

Thompson pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Cheyenne in July. She threw some of the cash into the air while waiting for police to arrive.

Thompson was released from prison in Oregon in June after serving time for robbery.

FINDING GOLD

Eureka! A new generation of gold miners heads for the hills

PLYMOUTH, Vermont (AP) — A new generation of gold miners is giving prospecting a try, especially in New England and the Pacific Northwest.

The growth is attributed partially to television shows like “Yukon Gold.”

But more are turning to machinery, and that’s causing problems. Environmentalists complain mechanized mining poses a threat to river systems.

Some states are banning certain mining techniques deemed harmful.

MICHIGAN STATE-SPARTY

New monument of Sparty comes to Michigan State University

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University is getting a new bronze monument to the school’s Sparty mascot.

The statue at the MSU Union on the school’s East Lansing campus is perched on a bench with his muscular arms extended out. People will be able to sit next to Sparty and pose for photos. An unveiling of the about $150,000 project is Wednesday ahead of weekend homecoming events.

Oregon-based sculptor Alison Brown created a clay rendering used to cast the statue, which weighs about 1,500 pounds.

The MSU Senior Class Council for 2016 picked the Bronze Sparty Statue Fund as its senior class gift, an annual fundraiser for special campus projects.

Another statue known as “Sparty” is a popular campus photo spot. That statue is located outdoors, within view of Spartan Stadium.

VARIABLE SPEEDS

ODOT to test weather-variable speed signs on I-84

(Information from: The (La Grande) Observer, http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/)

LA GRANDE, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Transportation is testing new speed signs that change the speed limit based on weather conditions on Interstate 84.

The La Grande Observer reports that over the past few weeks ODOT crews have been installing the variable-speed signs in a 30-mile corridor from Ladd Canyon to Baker City.

The new electronic message boards indicate a safe speed limit for vehicles in adverse weather conditions. Computers collect data regarding temperature, skid resistance and average motorist speed to determine the most effective speed limit for this area before presenting the limit on the sign.

The variable signs are expected to go live on Nov. 1.

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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.