Grain terminals — U.S. Department of Agriculture grain inspectors are refusing to walk past picket lines and into a grain terminal in Vancouver, Washington. The decision came as harvest approaches and shortly after state grain inspectors from the Washington State Department of Agriculture stopped entering the United Grain terminal, citing safety concerns because of picketing longshoremen. Federal inspectors continue to work at the Columbia Grain facility in Portland, where locked-out longshoremen also are picketing. Pat McCormick, a spokesman for both terminals, said “it’s puzzling” that inspectors consider the Portland terminal safe enough to inspect, but not Vancouver. Federal law requires inspections for grain exports, so the decision effectively shuts down shipments from the Vancouver terminal, which has the largest storage capacity of any West Coast grain-export facility.

Cave Junction slaying — Authorities said Michael Clyde MacDonald, 61, who was investigated in the 2013 stabbing death of another Cave Junction man, has been killed. Oregon State Police said officers responding to a shooting report found MacDonald’s body Saturday at a home near Cave Junction. An autopsy is planned within days. Authorities have released few other details. Officers last year identified MacDonald as a person of interest during the investigation of the death of 39-year-old Aaron Clouser, whose body was found in the middle of a Cave Junction road in November. Investigators turned their focus to 44-year-old Daniel Martinson, who surrendered in July after a weekslong manhunt in remote parts of Josephine County.

Mill explosion — A wood-grinding machine exploded at a mill in Umatilla, sending heavy chunks of debris flying and causing about $150,000 in damage. The machine creates wood shavings called hog fuel that is sent to a Boise Inc. paper mill in Wallula, Washington. Umatilla Fire Chief Mike Roxbury blamed a “catastrophic mechanical failure” for the explosion and fire Monday in the tub grinder’s engine compartment. No one was injured, and firefighters kept the flames from reaching the tall piles of wood shavings.

Hiker’s remains found — The remains of a 74-year-old Southern Oregon man who vanished while hiking nearly two years ago have been found. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said a landowner found the skeletal remains Sunday in a ravine about a mile and a half northwest of Royce Paul Cratty’s home near Sutherlin. Cratty’s wife had dropped him off west of Sutherlin, and a forest worker was the last person to see him. The sheriff’s department said an extensive search at the time turned up no trace of Cratty, but the ravine wasn’t searched. Deputies said the remains and personal effects led to a positive identification. Foul play isn’t suspected.