School leader quits over ‘sin’ — The superintendent of a Christian school system in southern Oregon has resigned over an undisclosed “persistent sin." The Mail Tribune reported that a letter to parents from the board of Cascade Christian Schools in Medford says nothing illegal occurred, and no children were involved. The letter says that Ray Johnson told the board that he has struggled for years with a sin that violates biblical principles and an agreement signed by school employees. The Rev. Greg Spires of First Baptist Church, which is affiliated with the schools, said he could not comment, because it was a personnel issue.
Boy, 17, sentenced for killing uncle — A 17-year-old Linn County boy has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing his uncle, described by relatives as verbally abusive and harsh. The Albany Democrat-Herald reported that 17-year-old Johnathan Baker came to live with his uncle, Gary Baker, southeast of Albany in 2006 after his father died and his mother was no longer able to care for him. Prosecutor George Eder said the youth was under “great emotional distress." The uncle disappeared last summer. His body was found in a ravine in a barbecue cover that was stapled shut. He had been shot in the back of the head. The youth pleaded no contest in January to manslaughter.
Pedestrian killed by car — Police say a man who was struck and killed Monday night on a Salem road was wearing dark clothing and lying on the pavement. KOIN reported the man in his 40s was hit by a van about 7 p.m. on a dark stretch of road and died at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators who said she apparently was not speeding or intoxicated.
No charges in ‘diaper’ case — Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson says he will not charge a Boardman kindergarten teacher accused of forcing students to wear diapers as punishment. Nelson said police interviews with 14 students failed to provide enough evidence to back up the claims of three students who said the teacher put diapers on students for “acting like a baby." The East Oregonian reportsed the kindergartners gave conflicting statements and some said no students ever wore diapers. Superintendent Dirk Dirksen said Monday the school district will conduct its own investigation with an outside investigator. That will determine whether the teacher at Sam Boardman Elementary School will face discipline.
2 stabbed in backpack dispute — Police say two men were stabbed outside a north Portland store during a confrontation over a backpack. They are expected to survive. Neither was immediately identified. The police said one of the victims emerged from the Dollar Tree store in the Lloyd District and saw a woman nearby with his backpack. He confronted her, and a man with her stabbed him. Police say a fourth person used pepper spray on the attacker, and was also stabbed. Police arrested a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man. Their names were withheld until they could be booked.
Ex-finance officer on trial — The former finance officer of a Linn County town has gone on trial over accusations she burned down its City Hall to cover up evidence of theft. Prosecutors allege that an audit was impending, and Joy Marie Cronin, then the finance officer of Mill City, used gasoline to start the fire in September 2010. The Albany Democrat-Herald reports the arson trial began Monday in Linn County Circuit Court. Cronin denies stealing city money. Her lawyer said Monday she stopped by City Hall the night of the fire to turn off a light she noticed as she drove by, found open doors and scattered papers, and then was blown out the door by an explosion. Cronin was dismissed in 2011. A new City Hall building was opened last year.
EPA looks at West Salem sites — The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting preliminary site assessments at four locations in West Salem to look for a possible connection among several cancer cases. EPA official Anthony Barber said at a public meeting Tuesday that a team is looking at land-use records, spill reports and environmental history at each site to determine whether or not the site is safe. The Statesman Journal reported that several cases of osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, have been seen in young people in recent years. Residents are concerned about possible environmental exposure. — From wire reports
