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Maxine Bernstein

@maxbernstein.bsky.social
2.1K followers 423 following 790 posts

Oregonian reporter covering federal court, criminal justice

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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Vancouver woman’s report to FBI sparked fraud case against man posing as San Francisco 49ers player @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Vancouver woman’s report to FBI sparked fraud case against man posing as San Francisco 49ers player
The recent college graduate connected with the man on a dating app. She later brought the case to the FBI in Portland, leading to arrests in an alleged multi-state fraud ring.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Testimony revealed ICE agents randomly ran license plates of cars in Walmart & McDonald's lots in Medford this summer, looking to detain people. Judge says he’s ‘deeply concerned’ about inaccuracies in ICE reports & post-arrest justifications for stops. www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
ICE ‘dragnet’ violates court order against warrantless arrests, immigration lawyers say
Federal judge cites "deep concerns" about inaccuracies in ICE documents, and post-arrest justifications for stops.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
FBI identifies another potential 35 victims in alleged San Francisco 49ers impersonation fraud case @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
FBI identifies another potential 35 victims in alleged San Francisco 49ers impersonation fraud case
“The women didn’t just fall for something obvious; they were deliberately targeted by people who worked very hard to earn that trust and steal their money," said Douglas A. Olson, special agent in cha...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Oregon woman’s lawsuit alleges Apple AirTag enabled stalking by ex-boyfriend @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon woman’s lawsuit alleges Apple AirTag enabled stalking by ex-boyfriend
The device was discovered taped under her car in January, and she says she never received alerts on her iPhone warning her of its presence.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Oregon seeks to lift contempt order, $4 million fines for delayed state hospital psychiatric admissions @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon seeks to lift contempt order, $4 million fines for delayed state hospital psychiatric admissions
Lawyers for Disability Rights Oregon said it would be premature to lift U.S. District Judge Adrienne C. Nelson’s sanctions after only three months of compliance by the state.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Federal appeals court reverses order to move transgender women out of Oregon’s men prisons @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Federal appeals court reverses order to move transgender women out of Oregon’s men prisons
The three-judge panel's ruling was unanimous.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Driver shot by Border Patrol in Portland gets time-served sentence after feds promised ‘full force’ prosecution @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Man shot by Border Patrol after ramming federal vehicle receives time-served sentence in Portland case
The U.S. Attorney General's office vowed to prosecute Luis Niño-Moncada for assaulting a federal officer, but forensic evidence and alleged evidence tampering complicated the government's case.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Judge removes federal monitoring of Portland police discipline, accountability settlement sections @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Judge removes federal monitoring of Portland police discipline, accountability settlement sections
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon ruled the city can self-assess compliance with accountability requirements, rejecting Justice Department arguments about inconsistent enforcement of policies.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Washington County chair flips off fellow board member in public meeting via @dediosreports.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/washingtonco...
oregonlive.com
Washington County chair flips off fellow board member in public meeting
Kathryn Harrington apologized for her “unprofessional response” to Commissioner Nafisa Fai after the exchange was caught on video.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Oregon concealed carry license laws challenged by gun rights group www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon concealed carry license laws challenged by gun rights group
Gun Owners of America filed suit against Salem and Marion County, arguing that residency restrictions violate the Second Amendment rights of out-of-state gun owners who want to carry concealed weapons...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Portland police documented alleged Border Patrol evidence tampering at January shooting scene @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland police documented alleged Border Patrol evidence tampering at January shooting scene
An officer’s body camera footage captured a federal agent picking up an unfired bullet at the scene of a January shooting in Portland.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Terminal illness delays trial of man accused of forced labor in Oregon @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Terminal illness delays trial of man accused of forced labor in Oregon
Two siblings escaped a house in Grants Pass with broken ribs and burn marks, police said. Their alleged captor now says he’s too sick to stand trial.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Oregon man accused of $200K pandemic loan fraud after his Eugene bar had its liquor license revoked over fights, druggings @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Oregon man accused of $200K pandemic loan fraud after his Eugene bar had been shut down over fights, druggings
Federal prosecutors say Ramzy Peter Hattar applied for Small Business Administration funds for Taylor’s Bar & Grill after the business had permanently closed and lost its liquor license.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Nurse accused of preying on Oregon psychiatric patients kept license, state paid $1M to settle lawsuits ‘I do chicks who are locked up,’ nurse at Oregon psychiatric hospital allegedly bragged in text message. @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
‘I do chicks who are locked up,’ nurse at Oregon psychiatric hospital allegedly bragged; state pays $1M
David Peter Herne, a former nursing manager at Oregon State Hospital’s Junction City campus, allegedly harassed two psychiatric patients under state authority, texting one of them: “I do chicks who ar...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Benson high school student, 15, in critical condition after ingesting unknown chemicals @isabeldfunk.bsky.social @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Benson high school student, 15, in critical condition after ingesting unknown chemicals
The resulting chemical spill led to the Portland school’s evacuation.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Former owner of Oregon wildlife park to be sentenced this afternoon for severe animal neglect, drug offenses Joint recommendation calls for: 7 years and six months in prison and pay $340,922.61 in restitution. @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Former Oregon zoo owner to be sentenced for severe animal neglect, drug offenses
The owner of the closed West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon faces seven years and six months in prison.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Added several documents to the post that the city posted online at 4:58 p.m.: June 25 findings and IPR investigative reports involving former deputy Chief Chris Davis & former Capt. Anthony Passadore.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Two ex-Portland police leaders found to have violated police policy deride 2020 protest inquiry as a charade @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Two ex-Portland police leaders found to have violated police policy deride 2020 protest inquiry as a charade
Chris Davis, a former deputy chief, and former Capt. Anthony Passadore flew in from out of state to call the city's four-year-long investigation biased, incomplete and designed to shield higher offici...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
McMinnville K-9 officer sued after his dog Mako bites another officer @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
McMinnville K-9 officer sued after his dog Mako bites another officer
The police dog attack lawsuit also alleges the McMinnville police dog handler falsified his training records. The city declined comment.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Alleged teen accomplice in fake 49ers player scam appears in court @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Alleged teen accomplice in fake 49ers player scam appears in court
Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, allegedly posed as a financial adviser while his partner convinced women on dating apps he was an NFL player, defrauding 26 victims of $1.3 million.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Listen to deputy’s mumbled Miranda warnings that got DUII case discarded @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Listen to deputy’s mumbled Miranda warnings that got DUII case discarded
"You understand your rights?" the deputy asked. "Huh?" the motorcyclist responded, according to body camera video obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Portland police ex-deputy chief, captain to challenge findings they violated policies during 2020 protests @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland police ex-deputy chief, captain to challenge findings they violated policies during 2020 protests
Former Deputy Chief Chris Davis and retired Capt. Tony Passadore will appear Friday to challenge findings related to their management of officers' force and force reporting failures during the mass p...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Portland clarinet player suffered feds’ ‘cruel and abusive’ conduct, deserves no more punishment, her lawyer says @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland clarinet player suffered feds’ ‘cruel and abusive’ conduct, deserves no more punishment, her lawyer says
Defense submits videos that show federal officers pulled a chemical-soaked mask over Oriana Korol’s face after pepper-spraying her in the face and yelled expletives at her.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Oregon resident gets prison for buying 124 guns illegally @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon resident gets prison for buying 124 guns illegally
Vincente Cortez Quiroz, a Mexican national, falsely claimed citizenship on federal forms to buy specialized firearms with custom engraving and gold embellishments.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Judge’s order on housing transgender women in prisons is ‘illogical,’ Oregon argues @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Judge’s order on housing transgender women in prisons is ‘illogical,’ Oregon argues
The state tells the 9th Circuit that a federal judge in Oregon micromanaged prison administration by mandating housing reviews based on gender identity for all transgender women in custody.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Judge upholds Oregon’s 2021 recycling law www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Judge upholds Oregon’s 2021 recycling law
“It is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to ...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
A vulgar anti-vaccine email got a PSU student suspended — the university may have gone too far, judges say @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
A vulgar anti-vaccine email got a PSU student suspended — the university may have gone too far, judges say
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revived a First Amendment retaliation claim and sent the case back to district court.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
US DOJ sues Oregon over in-state tuition for undocumented students @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/education/20...
oregonlive.com
DOJ sues Oregon over in-state tuition for undocumented students
The lawsuit challenges Oregon's 2013 Tuition Equity Act, which allows undocumented immigrants to access in-state tuition rates at public universities and community colleges.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Seaside postmaster accused of using AI to create and share child abuse images @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Seaside postmaster accused of using AI to create and share child abuse images
Ryan Sherman faces federal charges after investigators found thousands of alleged child sexual abuse images on his devices following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Oregon judge adds more prison time for heroin smuggler to deter other ‘plea-and-flee’ defendants www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon judge adds more prison time for heroin smuggler to deter other ‘plea-and-flee’ defendants
The man smuggled close to 10 pounds of heroin under his helmet as he rode his motorcycle across the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Portland police, FBI to target fentanyl dealers in public housing, outside treatment clinics @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland police, FBI to target fentanyl dealers in public housing, outside treatment clinics
U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford announced Tuesday that federal prosecutors will expand efforts beyond downtown to focus on dealers operating in public housing and outside drug treatment clinics.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dating apps became hunting ground for fake NFL player’s investment scams, feds say @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Dating apps became hunting ground for fake NFL player’s investment scams, feds say
Investigators identified 26 women who were targeted from Oregon, California and Washington states, according to a federal affidavit.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
1-year-old poisoned by fentanyl in Washington County, suspected dealers arrested @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
1-year-old poisoned by fentanyl in Washington County, suspected dealers arrested
The child’s father told investigators he purchased an ounce of fentanyl for a friend and an eighth of an ounce for himself as payment. Both parents used some of the drug afterward, an affidavit said.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Cellphone, Flock cameras helped cops track mass killer to Washington city @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Cellphone, Flock cameras helped cops track mass killer to Washington city
Detectives believed Benjamin C. Parker had stolen one of the victim’s vehicles - a Toyota 4Runner SUV - and traced his phone to Enumclaw, a 5.2-square-mile city of about 13,000 located roughly 190 ...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Oregon State Police promised DNA results to catch burglars in 30 days. It’s turned out to be 3 years @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon State Police promised DNA results to catch burglars in 30 days. It’s turned out to be 3 years
The High Throughput Property Crime Program was supposed to revolutionize property crime investigations. Instead, agencies are abandoning it and going back to fingerprints.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Umatilla County sheriff should lose his certification for 3 years for dishonesty, misconduct, state committee says www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Umatilla County sheriff should lose his certification for 3 years for dishonesty, misconduct, state committee says
Sheriff Terry Rowan told the committee he had “profound regret” for driving drunk in a county vehicle and lying to investigators.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Judge halts Oregon man’s telemarketing lawsuits, cites fraud concerns @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Judge halts Oregon man’s telemarketing lawsuits, cites fraud concerns
“Frankly, I’m concerned about whether criminal fraud is taking place," U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane said.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Portland blamed systemic failures, not bureau leaders, for police mistakes during 2020 protests @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland blamed systemic failures, not bureau leaders, for police mistakes during 2020 protests
After six years, Portland released eight pages of findings and recommendations on police leadership during 2020 protests — and no one faced discipline.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Estacada man sentenced to prison after 270 pounds of meth seized in I-5 rest-stop bust www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Estacada man sentenced to prison after 270 pounds of meth seized in I-5 rest-stop bust
Investigators tracked Anthony Barrera using geolocation data as he transported drugs from southern California, catching him during a cigarette break at an Interstate 5 rest stop.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Accused killer attended victim’s funeral, donated to family before Portland arrest Rideshare driver followed friend across Portland, then fatally shot him while stopped at light, police say @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Accused killer attended victim’s funeral, donated to family before Portland arrest
Rideshare driver followed friend across Portland, then fatally shot him while stopped at light, police say
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Eugene officers on ‘party patrol’ lose immunity in UO student’s excessive force case @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Eugene officers on ‘party patrol’ lose immunity in UO student’s excessive force case
A reasonable officer would know using substantial force against someone for holding an open beer can in public, a nonviolent misdemeanor, was unlawful, a judge finds.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Portland man who struck police dog with pipe had earlier threatened city worker, police say www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Portland man who struck police dog with pipe had earlier threatened city worker, police say
A Portland police lieutenant is under investigation after striking the suspect with a police SUV on Wednesday.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Oregon court throws out DUII conviction over mumbled Miranda warning “It was like they were almost provided in a different language, and that language was Mumble,” one judge said during argument. @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon court throws out DUII conviction over mumbled Miranda warning
“It was like they were almost provided in a different language, and that language was Mumble,” one judge said during the appeal hearing.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Police arrested a suspect wanted for menacing another with a knife after he had run from officers & broke into a lower-level apartment of a house on NW Overton Street Wed. afternoon. Police also investigating potential use force involving a police car involved. www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Northwest Portland shelter-in-place order lifted; suspect in custody
The suspect was seen with a knife, officials said.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Alaska killer Aaron Hague sentenced after search for body fails “I’ve never been able to grieve any of it in the way a person is supposed to because we have never been able to lay him to rest,” said Taylor Wick, of her father John McClelland, at sentencing. www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Alaska killer Aaron Hague sentenced after search for body fails
“I’ve never been able to grieve any of it in the way a person is supposed to because we have never been able to lay him to rest,” said Taylor Wick, of her father John McClelland.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Bicyclist shot and wounded this afternoon at SW Market Street & 4th Avenue in downtown Portland. A car was involved, said Chief Bob Day, who addressed media at the scene. No arrest at this point. from @isabeldfunk.bsky.social www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Man shot in downtown Portland; suspect at large, police say
The suspect is at large.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Police raided the infamous red house on North Mississippi Avenue after reports that occupant, William Kinney III, had harassed and threatened to shoot employees and contractors working on Self Enhancement Inc.’s neighboring property. @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Oregon law enforcement training faces scrutiny; sheriff says right now it’s little more than ‘checking a box’ @oregonian.com www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon law enforcement training faces scrutiny; sheriff says right now it’s little more than ‘checking a box’
Marion County Sheriff Nick Hunter, a member of a state workgroup on law enforcement training, says required annual training must be improved.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Oregon jail ignored man’s deteriorating condition, leading to leg amputation, lawsuit alleges . It alleges sheriff’s deputies, staff nearly killed the man by ignoring 5 days of documented deterioration and by treating the man's psychiatric crisis as misconduct. www.oregonlive.com/crime/2026/0...
oregonlive.com
Oregon jail ignored man’s deteriorating condition, leading to leg amputation, lawsuit alleges
Klamath County deputies mocked the 51-year-old man’s condition and ignored his psychiatric crisis, allowing gangrene to develop while he was in custody, the lawsuit contends.
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Maxine Bernstein @maxbernstein.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Judge orders U.S. Department of Defense to resume wind energy reviews that U.S. says it halted over national security concerns U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut: “Congress did not give DoD free rein to review energy projects in whatever way DoD deems fit.” www.oregonlive.com/business/202...
oregonlive.com
Oregon judge orders Pentagon to resume wind energy reviews
The nationwide order affects more than 600,000 wind projects after Renewable Northwest and 19 other developers challenged the Defense Department's suspension.The nationwide order
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