Mosquito-spread virus — Oregon public health officials said federal laboratories are testing blood samples from two Lane County residents for a mosquito-borne virus that spread quickly in the Caribbean and is showing up in travelers from the United States. The virus, chikungunya, causes painful symptoms, such as fever and joint pains. It’s seldom fatal. Lane County officials say local laboratory tests confirmed the virus in a man who traveled in the Caribbean. The state public health veterinarian, Dr. Emilio DeBess, says three Oregon cases have been under scrutiny: In one, the test results were negative. In the other two, results aren’t back from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DeBess says the mosquitoes that transmit the disease aren’t found in Oregon.

Charges in heroin death — A Sweet Home man and a Portland woman have been indicted on federal charges of conspiring to distribute heroin that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Lebanon woman. Ashley Marie Ames, 25, was found dead of a heroin overdose Oct. 2 in her residence. Investigators found residue of black tar heroin and drug paraphernalia. Court records show 40-year-old Rockie Morse of Sweet Home told a detective he was buying heroin from Tammy Tongate of Portland. Investigators confiscated more than 100 grams of heroin from her home. They are among 15 people facing charges as a result of a Linn County and federal investigation of heroin trafficking. U.S. Attorney Amanda Marshall said the arrests reflect an increase in heroin use in rural areas.

Firework sales — Fireworks went on sale Monday in parts of Oregon where they are legal. Retailers and stands can sell fireworks through July 6. Fire officials remind users that fireworks are prohibited on all Oregon beaches, parks and campgrounds. Fireworks also are prohibited in national forest and most other public lands. Oregon law bans fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than 6 feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air. These include firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles. Violators could be fined up to $500, and users who set fires may be required to pay the cost of firefighting and damages.