Flags lowered — Gov. John Kitzhaber has ordered flags at all public institutions to be flown at half-staff in honor of former Gov. Vic Atiyeh. Atiyeh was governor from 1979 to 1987, leading Oregon out of the recession of the early 1980s. He died Sunday of complications from renal failure. Kitzhaber described the Republican as a mentor and a remarkable human being. He and Congressman Greg Walden on Monday both credited Atiyeh with making international trade a cornerstone of the Oregon economy, allowing the state to flourish.

Bakery bandits — There’s mischief afoot in one suburban Portland neighborhood, but police say it doesn’t involve the typical spray paint or broken windows. No, we’re talking pastry here — smeared maple bars, doughnuts left atop car windshield wipers, pastries littering a yard. One woman told officers she’s seen more than a dozen incidents of food smeared on cars. Not just pastry, but yogurt, cakes and eggs. She alerted police on July 11. The crime wave in a northeast Hillsboro neighborhood has been going on for six weeks. Lt. Mike Rouches says officers are investigating and extra patrols have been added. Still, he adds, “In my 25 years in police services, I have never investigated or seen a criminal mischief involving pastries.”

Accidental shooting — Police in Woodburn say a 24-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the back, the victim of an apparently unintentional shooting. According to police spokesman Jason Horton, the victim and 26-year-old Gerardo Ortiz Campos were in the same vehicle Sunday afternoon when Campos fired a handgun outside of the car. He then attempted to unload the weapon and it discharged. The bullet went through the seat and hit the victim in the back. The victim, whose name has not been released, was flown to a Portland hospital. Horton says Campos was charged with assault and taken to the Marion County Jail. Police believe alcohol was involved.

Rape sentencing — A Washington County man convicted of raping two girls has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. Prosecutor Paul Maloney says 47-year-old Toby Scott of Gaston started abusing the girls when they were about 8 years old and continued until they were about 14. One victim addressed the court Monday, telling Judge Thomas Kohl to make sure that Scott stays away from her. She said: “I don’t want to see his face again.” Scott did not make a statement. Jurors in May convicted him of rape, sex abuse and unlawful sexual penetration.

Remains found — Police are investigating human remains found in a wooded area of Salem. Police say the remains were discovered Sunday evening. On Monday, detectives aided by state police crime lab workers recovered the skeletal remains for transport to the state medical examiner’s office. Lt. Steve Birr says there is a tentative identification of a 48-year-old man. No name was released pending confirmation. Birr says there was no initial indication of homicidal violence.

Battery fumes — Firefighters in Hillsboro say 18 workers needed medical treatment after breathing battery fumes. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue spokesman Storm Smith says dozens of people were evacuated from Cascade Systems Technologies on Monday and some of them had problems breathing. Others complained of nausea and eye and nose irritations. Smith says 17 people with symptoms were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. An 18th employee drove to a doctor’s office. Smith described the injuries as minor. Company managers told investigators that several lead acid batteries were placed on a timed charger over the weekend. The charger failed to shut off in time and two batteries produced acid fumes after overheating.