1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,328
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon jury says an engine problem was
responsible for the 2008 crash of a helicopter that killed nine
firefighters during a wildfire in Northern California. The jury in
Portland reached its verdict yesterday after a pilot who survived
and the widow of one who was killed sued General Electric for $177
million. The plaintiffs argued GE knew the engines it made for the
Sikorsky S-61N helicopter had a design flaw. GE claimed the
helicopter was carrying too much weight at the time.

MONMOUTH, Ore. (AP) – A Monmouth-area man accused of
accidentally wounding his 8-year-old stepson while showing off a
handgun has been arrested. Polk County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Isham
says the boy had surgery at Salem Hospital for a gunshot wound to
the left shoulder. Deputies arrested Steven Hanna for investigation
of felony assault, reckless endangering, tampering with evidence,
tampering with a witness and being a felon in possession of a
firearm in connection with Monday’s shooting.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A prosecutor in Medford says a former
Marine tried to hire someone to kill his wife before shooting her
to death himself. The Medford Mail Tribune reports that 43-year-old
Bourne Huddleston pleaded not guilty Monday. Among the charges are
murder, attempted aggravated murder, and soliciting aggravated
murder. Prosecutor David Hoppe didn’t name the person Huddleston
allegedly tried to hire. Huddleston’s 34-year-old wife, Kristy,
died of a gunshot wound last Friday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The AAA auto club says the price of
gasoline has jumped more than 6 cents in Oregon and averages $4.07
for a gallon of regular unleaded. The club says the weekly survey
results mean Oregon’s average price is up 68 cents for the year.
AAA says the national average is $3.90, and eight states and the
District of Columbia are at $4 and above. The club says a survey it
did earlier this month shows travelers are scaling back spring
break plans but not canceling them entirely.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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