Regional News

Fire Season Not Over

Posted Today At 9:59am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Fall is here, and fire season isn't over yet. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports seven large active fires are burning. Four of the fires are on land that's protected by the State of Oregon. The Narrows, Austin, Grasshopper and Rowe Creek fires are all at least 98-percent contained. There are more than 24-hundred personnel working the seven large fires.

Retail Theft Operation

Posted Today At 9:58am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Police arrested a suspect with a long history of alleged retail theft. Police conducted a coordinated operation to locate and arrest 29-year-old Dana Baines. The investigation resulted in the closure of more than 81 open cases, representing more than 32-hundred-dollars in stolen merchandise. Officers also conducted a retail theft mission at Jantzen Beach Shopping Center. 13 people were arrested and 22-hundred-dollars in stolen items were recovered.

Social Media Depression

Posted Today At 9:57am by 24/7 News Source

(Corvallis, OR) -- Social media is no substitute for emotional support people receive from in-person relationships. Two studies from Oregon State University looked at social media use. One study found that people with lowest levels of real-life emotional support had more than eight times the odds of loneliness. Another study found people who read social media within 30 minutes of waking were strongly associated with depression. They don't know if social media causes the depression or if depression causes people to use social media as soon as they wake up.

East Evans Creek Fire Arrest

Posted Today At 9:57am by 24/7 News Source

(Rogue River, OR) -- A teenager is facing charges in connection with a deadly crash that caused the East Evans Creek Fire. The crash happened July 10th. A 17-year-old driver was speeding in rural Rogue River, hit a power pole, and rolled over killing an 18-year-old passenger. An Oregon Department of Forestry fire engine was nearby and started fighting the fire and trying to save the victim who died. The fire burned more than 15-thousand-acres. The driver is charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving and criminal mischief.

I-5 Closure Delays Get Longer

Posted Today At 9:56am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- ODOT reports the delay on I-5 southbound because of the closure at I-405 is now twice as long. During the afternoon peak hour, it normally takes nine minutes to travel from the Columbia River to the I-405 junction. Now it's taking 22 minutes. Drivers are using alternate routes including I-205, I-84, Interstate Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. They're also shifting the time of their commute. Peak travel times on I-5 now start at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. The evening commute is lasting about 90 minutes longer.

Ocean Plane Crash

Posted Today At 9:56am by 24/7 News Source

(Newport, OR) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a small plane that crashed into the ocean west of Newport, Oregon. It was reported just before one o'clock local time Monday afternoon. The 78-year-old pilot was the only person on the twin-engine plane. The aircraft reportedly entered the water at a high rate of speed, and the pilot wasn't seen getting out. The 12-hour search covered 124 square miles. The pilot remains missing.

Oregon Tech Receives $1 Million For Quantum Computing

Posted Yesterday At 10:21am by 24/7 News Source

(Klamath Falls, OR) -- The Oregon Institute of Technology has received a one-million-dollar federal grant to expand quantum computing. The money will be used to upgrade laboratory equipment. Quantum technologies have the potential to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, energy, transportation, and environmental sustainability.

I-5 Closure Delays Increasing

Posted Yesterday At 10:20am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Delays caused by the closure of southbound I-5 at I-405 are increasing. ODOT reports at the start of the closure, delays were one-point-four times longer than usual. Through last week that increased as more drivers used the freeway. They're asking drivers who can to take alternate routes, mass transit, or work from home. That will help keep delays down for drivers who don't have a choice.

New Report Ranks OR 25th For Binge Drinking

Posted Yesterday At 10:16am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to the nation's binge drinking rates. A new report from Valley Spring Recovery Center ranks Oregon 25th among the 50 states for binge drinking levels. Researchers analyzed data on excessive alcohol consumption and found that nearly 16-percent of Oregon adults reported binge drinking in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines binge drinking as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women. Iowa had the highest binge drinking rate followed by North Dakota. Utah had the lowest rate in the country. The rankings are based on 2023 federal CDC health data on excessive alcohol consumption.

Sports Bra Demonstration

Posted Yesterday At 10:16am by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- There was a clash between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators outside of The Sports Bra in Portland on Sunday. The Sports Bra features only women's sports and they've asked people wearing anti-trans messages to cover the clothing or leave. A group of demonstrators against the policy were across the street. Supporters of the bar clashed with the demonstrators. Bear mace was used and police responded. No arrests were made.