Bill aims to thin forests, stem wildfires — After a summer wildfire season that blanketed much of the West in smoke, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley has introduced a bill that would reduce the severity of wildfire by thinning forests that are crowded with too many trees and have become fuel for megafires. The bill would create a $1 billion fund to allow the Forest Service to increase the pace and scale of wildfire reduction projects, empower federal agencies to work with local communities to plan and prepare for wildfires and permanently reauthorize a collaborative forest restoration program that brings stakeholders together to thin forests. He hopes the Senate will take up the bill after the November elections.

Body found in car trunk ‘likely’ missing woman — Portland Police say a body found in a car trunk is “likely” that of a missing 89-year-old woman. Police Sgt. Christopher Burley said Wednesday a definitive identification of the body is being done by the state medical examiner. Marcine Herinck was reported missing Sept. 19 from her home in northeast Portland. The car’s driver, Timothy J. Mackley, 58, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Burley says information developed Monday identified Mackley as a person of interest in Herinck’s disappearance. He says the body was found in his trunk during a Tuesday traffic stop. No attorney is listed for Mackley, and he hasn’t had a first court appearance. Court records show Mackley is a convicted felon and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Man accused of threats against YouTube employees — A man accused of threatening to kill employees of YouTube has made a brief appearance in U.S. District Court. William Gregory Douglas, 35, was arraigned Monday on charges of cyberstalking and transmitting threats in interstate commerce. A pretrial hearing was set for Oct. 8. Douglas is being held without bail. The FBI arrested Douglas last week, saying he had been using the alias “LiamXmaiL Revolution X” to make threats against YouTube after his channel on the website was restricted.

Man paid $7K after police kick down wrong door — The Portland City Council on Wednesday approved a $7,010 payment to a homeowner who had his door kicked in by police when they responded to the wrong address. Officers mistakenly came upon Stanley Horak’s home when responding to reports of a woman with a knife in her chest in the early morning hours of Feb. 5, according to a city memo. Police realized they were at the wrong house and hurried to the correct one, just down the street, Horak said. Officers later returned to apologize and tell Horak he could file a damage claim against the city. He said it’s fortunate that officers were not aggressive. “Lucky I wasn’t black — who knows what would have happened,” Horak said. At least the payment will fully reimbursed him for the damage to his door and its frame, Horak said, adding, “Mistakes happen.”