PORTLAND, Ore. – As the week progresses, the weather in the Portland area remains pleasant, with no forecasts for heat returning until next Tuesday.
In significant news, a federal disaster declaration has been approved to provide storm-recovery resources to Southwest Oregon following damages from flooding, landslides, and mudslides that impacted Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties last March.
In an effort to assist with recovery efforts in Texas, local search and rescue dogs from Oregon have deployed to help those affected by severe flooding in the region.
On the law enforcement front, Vancouver Police responded to a violent home break-in that revealed a more complex situation. During the search for the break-in suspect, officers discovered a woman deceased and a man injured at a different residence within the same neighborhood.
Authorities later found an individual matching the description of the break-in suspect also deceased in another nearby home. This ongoing investigation is expected to yield more updates as information becomes available.
In McMinnville, two adults have been arrested and charged with operating a drug operation from their residence. Three children were present in the home at the time of their arrest and subsequently tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine. Disturbingly, one of the arrested adults is the children’s mother, while the other suspect is a 35-year-old man with prior convictions as a sex offender. According to court documents, he was prohibited from being in the vicinity of minor children. The Oregon Department of Human Services has intervened to place the children in a safe environment while investigations continue.
Vancouver Police are also seeking additional victims related to the arrest of a level-3 sex offender, who was taken into custody following a report regarding the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Authorities caution that there may be numerous other child victims connected to this suspect. They encourage anyone with any information regarding this case or any potential victims to come forward.
In a separate case, the Oregon State Police announced a warrant for the arrest of an individual implicated in a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a teenage boy on Highway 18 earlier this month. A group of three teens was changing a flat tire when the suspect crashed into them, failing to stop. OSP believes that the driver may have left the county and is urging anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to reach out.
Furthermore, investigators in Clackamas County have apprehended a man accused of stealing over $10,000 worth of tools through deception, posing as an employee of a drywall company. Authorities believe this behavior is part of a larger crime spree aimed at profiting from the sale of stolen goods online. Detectives ultimately captured him during an arranged meetup set up through Facebook Marketplace. During the arrest, they discovered he was in possession of a forged ID card along with some of the stolen items.
In financial news, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced the recovery of over $2.5 million from a part-time Vancouver resident. This individual was found guilty in court for obtaining various loans, including Covid-relief funds, under false pretenses. At the time of submitting these fraudulent applications, he was on probation. The investigation revealed that he laundered a portion of the funds through a business entity, spending the proceeds on personal items. The recovery of these funds was aided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office filing writs of execution to levy and sell his personal assets, which included a Duckworth boat, a Ford F350, an MTI racing boat, two Yeti snow bikes, and a Land Rover.
As we look into the business sector, many downtown business owners shared their experiences on how they were impacted by protests this year. While some noted the intensity of the crowds, one owner surprisingly reported achieving record sales during this turbulent period.
In lighter news, preparations are underway for the upcoming Providence Bridge Pedal event scheduled for August 10, which was previewed by FOX 12 Now.
Lastly, the Venardos Circus has arrived in town, with Ayo providing a behind-the-scenes look for Good Day Oregon.
Stay informed with all the latest news and updates available on the FOX 12 app. Thank you for reading this news update.
image source from：kptv
