Jon Eric Smith

Portland

News Reporter at KXL-FM (Portland, OR)

Audio drama fan and producer, Themepark fan, and radio hobo.

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Articles

Washington County Man Convicted in 1988 Cold Case Murder

6 days ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Nearly four decades after Deborah Atrops was found strangled in the trunk of her abandoned car, her estranged husband has been convicted of her murder. A Washington County jury found Robert Atrops guilty of second-degree murder on Thursday. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on May 20. Deborah disappeared in November 1988 after failing to pick up the couple’s 8-month-old daughter. Her body was discovered days later at a remote construction site in Beaverton.
Silverton High closed Friday after second threat in a week

6 days ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

SILVERTON, Ore. — Silverton High School is closed Friday after another threat prompted a police response and district-wide precautions. On Thursday, officers responded to a computer-generated call reporting an incident at the school. Police found no threat, and students were released as scheduled. However, investigators later identified an implied threat for Friday. Out of an abundance of caution, the Silver Falls School District canceled all classes and activities at the high school.
Police Responding To Silverton High School

1 week ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

Breaking News | Police Responding To Silverton High School Silverton, Ore. – Silverton High School has been placed on lockdown, after reports of a possible active shooter situation.
Dow Drops as US Stock Market Leads a Worldwide Sell-Off Following Trump’s Tariff Shock

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

NEW YORK (AP) — Financial markets around the world are reeling Thursday following President Donald Trump’s latest and most severe volley of tariffs, and the U.S. stock market may be taking the worst of it. The S&P 500 was down 3.3% in early trading, worse than the drops for other major stock markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1,204 points, or 2.9%, as of 9:50 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 4.3% lower.
Multnomah County man first to plead guilty under Oregon’s new public transit drug law

3 weeks ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Multnomah County judge has accepted the first guilty plea under a newly revised Oregon law that makes using illegal drugs on public transportation a crime. Judge Chanpone Sinlapasai on Wednesday sentenced Nicholas Clay Birdsley to 12 months of bench probation after he pleaded guilty to trespassing on a public transit vehicle and using a controlled substance on the Portland Streetcar.
Habitat For Humanity Volunteer Wanda McNealy

1 month ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

Portland, Ore. – Wanda McNealy started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Portland Region during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s so much going on in the world, it’s easy to feel paralyzed, like we can’t make a change. So I just looked up our local Habitat region and found out they were doing a women’s build,” she said. She tells KXL that while her work with Habitat for Humanity is construction-related, volunteers don’t need to be master craftsmen.
Portland’s Smallest Park Loses World Record

1 month ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mill Ends Park, Portland’s famously tiny patch of greenery, has lost its title as the world’s smallest park. The park originated as a hole in the ground meant for a streetlamp. When the lamp was never installed, Oregon Journal columnist Dick Fagan took notice and began writing whimsical tales about a leprechaun named Patrick O’Toole who supposedly lived there. The stories turned the spot into a local legend.
Police Investigate Shots Fired Call at Tigard Tesla Dealership

1 month ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

Tigard, Ore. – Police in Tigard have confirmed that they are investigating a shots fired call at the Tesla dealership near Highway 217. Police have not released any other information. KXL listeners called and described the scene early Thursday. “Lots of Police activity, looks like a bunch of windows have been busted. Cops everywhere.”This is the same location where someone fired seven shots a week ago, damaging cars and windows.
Three NW Soldiers Accused of Leaking U.S. Military Secrets to China

1 month ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

SEATTLE , Wa. – Federal authorities have arrested two active-duty soldiers in Washington state and a former soldier in Oregon on charges of selling classified military information to China. The FBI identified the active-duty soldiers as Jian Zhao and Li Tian, who were stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma. The former soldier, Ruoyo Duan, was arrested in Oregon.
Clackamas County Commissioner Faces Calls To Step Down

1 month ago | kxl.com | Jon Eric Smith

Oregon City, Ore. (AP) — The fallout continues after a Clackamas County commissioner was charged with first-degree theft, identity theft, computer crime, and forgery. Acting Chair Paul Savas addressed the issue during a Clackamas County Commission meeting Thursday, saying the board will consider all options if an immediate resignation does not occur. “The charges against Commissioner Fireside are extremely concerning,” Savas said.