Oregon

Remains found over 50 years ago identified through DNA technology as Oregon teen

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2024

Remains found over 50 years ago identified through DNA technology as Oregon teen

PORTLAND — The remains of a teenager found more than 50 years ago have been identified through advanced DNA technology as a young woman who went missing from Portland, Oregon State Police said.

The remains are that of Sandra Young, a high school student who disappeared in 1968 or 1969, police said Thursday in a news release.

“Sandra Young has now regained her identity after 54 years,” Dr. Nici Vance, Human Identification Program Coordinator at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, said in the news release, noting the diligence and collaboration between family members, law enforcement, medical examiner staff and DNA company Parabon NanoLabs.

“This is yet another example of the innovative ways the ME’s Office and investigative genetic genealogy can help Oregonians find closure,” Vance said.

A Boy Scout troop leader found the remains on Feb. 23, 1970. Police say Young’s skeleton was found on Sauvie Island in the Columbia River, about 10 miles north of Portland.

Investigators believed trauma to her body indicated foul play, but what happened to her is still unknown.

In 2004, Young’s remains were moved to the state medical examiner facility in suburban Portland, along with over 100 additional sets of unidentified remains, police said.

A DNA sample from Young’s remains was uploaded into a computer software program database of DNA profiles at the time but no genetic associations were found.

A grant awarded to the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office in 2018 allowed for more extensive DNA testing and DNA company Parabon NanoLabs in 2021 was able to generate a prediction of Young’s facial characteristics.

In 2023, someone who uploaded their DNA into the genetic genealogy database GEDMatch was recognized as a potential distant family member of Young. With others then uploading their DNA, more matches were found and family trees developed.

Those family members indicated Young went missing around the time the remains were found.

After Young’s sister uploaded a DNA sample and talked with a Portland police detective, genetic evidence confirmed the remains belonged to Young, police said.

Genetic genealogy casework and confirmation testing have shown successful results but can cost up to $10,000 per case, police said.

Source link

Click to comment

Oregon

Former Ducks head coach Chip Kelly out as Las Vegas Raiders’ OC

Published

6 hours ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Former Ducks head coach Chip Kelly out as Las Vegas Raiders’ OC

Just 11 games into his stint as the team’s offensive coordinator, the Las Vegas Raiders have decided to part ways with Chip Kelly.

The Raiders offense is averaging just 15.0 points per game this season, tied for last in the NFL. They hold a 2-9 record after losing to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The former Oregon Ducks head coach was hired by Las Vegas in February after helping lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 2025 national title. His rushing scheme during the Buckeye’s College Football Playoff was lauded, with the Raiders expecting big things from Kelly and 2025 No. 4 overall pick, running back Ashton Jeanty.

The production simply hasn’t been there, as Jeanty has just a single 100-yard game this season and is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He’s scored nearly as many touchdowns in the receiving game (three) as on the ground (four).

The Raiders also traded for former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, pairing him with newly-hired head coach Pete Carroll and Kelly. Thus far, he leads the league in interceptions with 13, having thrown just 12 touchdown passes despite having one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Brock Bowers as his go-to target.

At the end of the day, the blame falls on Kelly, who simply couldn’t coax enough points out of this group as they embarked on an extremely disappointing season.

Kelly rose to prominence in the football world during his tenure as the Ducks’ head coach from 2009 to 2012. He led them to the 2011 national championship, where they narrowly lost to the Auburn Tigers, 22-19.

He parlayed his success at Oregon into landing his first head coaching gig in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to a 10-win season and a playoff berth in his debut campaign in 2013. But his quick, no-huddle offense quickly fell out of style in the league, and he was fired in 2015. He was soon hired by the San Francisco 49ers before being fired after just one season and a dismal 2-14 record.

Now, after less than 12 months on the job with the Raiders, Kelly is once again on the offensive coordinator or head coach job market.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes and opinions.

Source link

Oregon

Oregon Ducks Have Clear Path Back to the Big Ten Championship

Published

1 day ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Oregon Ducks Have Clear Path Back to the Big Ten Championship

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Washington Huskies — Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at Autzen Stadium. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Source link

Oregon

Oregon coalition says ICE detained four US citizens in Oregon this week

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

Oregon coalition says ICE detained four US citizens in Oregon this week

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Four U.S. citizens were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Oregon this week, according to Oregon for All, a coalition of over 100 organizations.

Among those detained were two Oregonians from McMinnville, including a 17-year-old high school senior, during ICE sweeps in Yamhill County. At least seven others were arrested in the operation.

CONTINUING COVERAGE | ICE agents take McMinnville high school student into custody

McMinnville School District Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua confirmed that ICE officers took a high school student into custody off school grounds during lunch on Friday.

“We are working to verify information through appropriate channels and remain in communication with local partners,” Ferrua said.

She emphasized that ICE agents have not entered schools in her district and expressed concern for the students’ safety and emotional well-being.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to KATU’s request for comment on Friday.

On Thursday, two women were detained in Canby after filming ICE agents in a parking lot, according to Oregon for All. They were later released.

The coalition said the four individuals have chosen to remain anonymous due to fears of further retaliation.

Jess Montoya, director of the Oregon for All Network, criticized the detentions. “Four U.S. citizens were held for hours without access to an attorney, leaving their family members terrified and desperate to find out what happened to them.”

Montoya added, “The First Amendment protects the right of Oregonians to document ICE in public as long as they don’t interfere with or obstruct law enforcement activities. ICE’s intimidation of Oregonians is unacceptable.”

Oregon for All advocates for justice for immigrant and refugee communities, with support from groups such as APANO, ACLU of Oregon, and the Oregon Food Bank.

KATU News reached out to ICE and other agencies for comment, awaiting response.

Source link