Around the state
Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 31, 2014
Bicyclist killed — Authorities say a bicyclist has been killed in a hit-and-run crash along U.S. Highway 30 west of Rainier. According to the Oregon State Police, the bicyclist was struck shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday by what was reported to be a pickup. A state trooper later stopped the suspect vehicle and took the driver into custody. The names of the driver and bicyclist have not been released. The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office has been notified.
Eugene officer dispute — A Eugene police officer who threatened to sue the city after losing his job has returned to work. The president of the Eugene Police Employees Association union tells The Register-Guard that David Odom returned to duty after an arbitrator issued a decision as part of an employee grievance process. The union and the city declined to say whether there was a monetary settlement or if Odom got back pay. Odom left the department a year ago following an internal investigation that began in August 2012. According to the newspaper, the disagreement stemmed from an allegation that Odom called 911 to request a “civil stand-by” while off duty. A civil stand-by is when an officer is requested to stand by a situation to keep the peace involving a dispute.
Wind farm delay — Developers seeking to build the Summit Ridge Wind Farm near The Dalles are asking to shrink and delay their project. The Oregon Department of Energy said Friday it will take public comments on the proposal until Sept. 19. LotusWorks, an Irish company, is asking to extend an Aug. 19 deadline to begin construction by two years. It’s also asking to reduce the maximum number of wind turbines from 87 to 72, reduce the peak generating capacity, and increase the maximum height for the turbines and blades. The proposed wind farm is located southeast of The Dalles near the Deschutes River in Wasco County.
Hillsboro homicide — Hillsboro police are looking for the boyfriend of a woman who was found stabbed to death in an apartment Friday. Detectives said Saturday that 24-year-old Eric Christopher Petersen is a person of interest. Petersen, who also goes by the name Eric Brown, is 5-foot-11 and weighs 145 pounds. He has reddish-brown hair and blue eyes. Authorities say Petersen is also wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant for probation violation, and is considered armed and dangerous. Police identified the homicide victim as 24-year-old Aimie Zdrantan. The stabbing death was the second in as many weeks in Washington County. Nicole Laube was killed Aug. 19 while working at the Commons at Timber Creek apartments in Cedar Mill. Police have yet to make an arrest in that case.