Deschutes County officials fighting alarming rise in online exploitation of children
As young people increasingly use the internet and social media platforms in their everyday lives, predators are taking advantage, according to Central Oregon law enforcement officials. “Last year for us, it was a nightmare,” said Sgt. Thomas Lilienthal of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, who helps lead a multi-agency digital forensics lab that investigates the cases. Bad actors online coerce youths into sending inappropriate pictures, sometimes disguising themselves as young people to gain the trust of unsuspecting kids. Each of the Bend Police unit’s 11 officers is investigating internet crimes against children. (Bryce Dole/The Bend Bulletin)
New heat rule requires Washington workers to take breaks
People working in triple-digit temperatures in Washington must take a paid 15-minute break every hour starting July 17. The state labor department estimates the rule will apply to nearly 400,000 workers. (Don Jenkins/Capital Press)
Organized labor is having a moment in the Rogue Valley health care industry
Hundreds of hospital employees in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon have voted to join unions this year. This month, more than 250 health care technical workers at Asante in Medford voted to join the Oregon Nurses Association. Union votes involving about 800 other Asante workers are too close to call. (Vicki Aldous/The Grants Pass Daily Courier)
Investigators send Clark County police shooting case to prosecutors to consider
Investigators of a fatal shooting in Clark County say they have finished their work. The case now goes to prosecutors who will decide whether the officers acted lawfully when they shot and killed Joshua James Wilson, 43. Wilson died May 30 as multiple police officers tried to arrest him for a string of recent armed robberies. Video footage showed Wilson aiming a gun at officers as they swarmed him outside a Safeway grocery store. Three Vancouver officers and a Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy opened fire. Wilson died at the scene. Investigators say they later found handwritten robbery notes, a wig, and a pipe bomb in Wilson’s car. OPB staff
Bend police bust an illegal stash of fireworks
A 42-year-old man in Bend was cited after reportedly posting videos to Facebook and TikTok showing off his fireworks. Police cited the man with a misdemeanor Thursday afternoon and searched his home, seizing more than $1,000 in illegal fireworks. Some cities in Oregon, including Bend and Portland, have banned the sale, possession and use of all fireworks, even sparklers, within city limits due to wildfire risk. Aerial fireworks are illegal statewide, though licensed professional shows are allowed. (Bryce Dole/The Bend Bulletin)
