Firebomb conviction — A man accused of firebombing a Corvallis mosque five years ago was convicted of a federal hate crime charge. Cody Seth Crawford pleaded “no contest” Tuesday to a charge of damaging religious property. Prosecutors will ask that he be sentenced to five years of probation. Authorities said Crawford was motivated by racial hatred after the arrest of a Muslim man accused of plotting to set off a car bomb in Portland in 2010. Crawford has maintained his innocence. Crawford told a federal judge that he is ready to move on with his life. U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken accepted his plea, allowing him to avoid admitting guilt while accepting that he would be convicted.

Helicopter crash — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a helicopter helping to harvest Christmas trees crashed near Sheridan, but the pilot was able to walk away. Authorities said that witness reports indicate an engine failure caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft Monday afternoon. Pilot Blane Hayes of Applebee Aviation told responding medics that he was uninjured and refused medical assistance. The sheriff’s office said Applebee Aviation employees left the scene before deputies arrived. Owner Michael Applebee said everyone was OK, and they didn’t see a need to stick around.

Arrest in slaying — The wife of a 43-year-old man fatally stabbed more than seven months ago has been indicted on a murder charge. Priscilla Lynn Koester was arrested Tuesday with an arraignment set for Wednesday in the death of Christopher Koester. Koester’s body was found in his Coos Bay home in March. Officials said he died from internal bleeding caused by a stab wound to the abdomen. A Coos County grand jury returned the indictment last week after an investigation involving evidence testing at state forensic laboratories.