Local News
Ballot box is on fire in Vancouver, WA near Portland
By the time officers arrived, security guards had already extinguished the flames.
Police in Oregon and Washington are investigating incidents involving ballot boxes that were intentionally set on fire.
On Monday morning, Portland Police Bureau officers responded to a reported fire at a ballot drop box on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.
By the time officers arrived, security guards had already extinguished the flames.
Authorities indicated that the fire was started with an incendiary device placed inside the ballot box. Portland’s Explosive Disposal Unit was called to the scene to assess and safely clear the device.
Meanwhile, police in Vancouver, Washington, are investigating a similar incident that took place on Monday morning at the C-TRAN Park & Ride at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.
According to witnesses, a device placed outside the ballot box ignited the fire, causing hundreds of ballots to burn.
Officials noted that the last ballot collection from this box was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, suggesting the fire had affected a significant amount of uncollected ballots.
These incidents follow a similar case in Arizona last week, where a fire broke out just before 1:30 a.m. on October 24 outside a post office near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road.
Phoenix Fire crews arrived on the scene and quickly extinguished the flames, though the fire damaged twenty electoral ballots along with other pieces of mail.
Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade reported that the Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail.
The Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, which includes Phoenix Police detectives and fire investigators, is working closely with U.S. Postal Inspectors to investigate the cause and intent behind the incident.
Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has confirmed that a deceased resident of Lea County tested positive for measles, marking a rare and serious case of the highly contagious disease.
The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator is currently determining the official cause of death.
However, laboratory testing conducted by the NMDOH Scientific Laboratory has confirmed the presence of the measles virus in the individual.
Officials report that the deceased was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care prior to passing.
It remains unclear how or where the individual contracted the virus.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can lead to severe complications, hospitalizations, and even death.
According to NMDOH:
- 1 in 5 measles cases requires hospitalization
- Approximately 3 in every 1,000 cases result in death
With ongoing measles exposure concerns in Lea County, NMDOH is urging all residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their families, and the community.
The measles vaccine (MMR) is safe, highly effective, and the only proven prevention against the disease.
Residents who are unsure of their vaccination status are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider or local health department for guidance.
For more information on measles prevention and vaccinations, visit www.nmhealth.org or call your local NMDOH public health office.