People arrested are innocent unless proven otherwise in court. Charges often change as a case progresses.

Albany Police

Ouch - A man was leaning against a construction sign near 3060 Pacific Blvd. S.E. just after 2 a.m. today when he said the sign fell over and hit him on the head. He told police he fell down and thinks he may have passed out for a bit. He said his neck was a little sore but he did not want medics. Though the man said he had just had a few beers, police believed him to be intoxicated.

Theft from vehicle - A caller reported several valuable items were stolen from a vehicle in the 1850 block of Walnut Street S.W. sometime between midnight and 7:30 a.m. today. The items included two purses, two digital cameras, two cell phones, two wallets, two music players, cash, jewelry and other items. No loss of value was listed.

Don't worry - A grandfather called police to ask if they would talk to his grandson. The boy had seen a police raid awhile back and was scared. An officer had a long talk with the boy, explained how it was necessary to wear a big vest, a helmet and a mask sometimes for safety. The officer told him not to worry and that the police are the "good guys." The officer then gave the boy a Batman doll.

Transient fight - A transient was transported to the Albany hospital then taken by helicopter to OHSU in Portland after a fight near Waverly Park late Monday night. The man, whose name is not being released until family is notified, is 58 and from Albany. Police are still trying to sort out the details, but it appears a group of transients was drinking when the man assaulted another man with a bike lock and chain, causing a laceration to the head that required stitches. The other transients then went after the aggressor and he sustained critical injuries.

Detectives were following up on the incident Tuesday morning.

Linn County Sheriff

So not cool - Someone in Brownsville has been spray-painting the word "cool" on outbuildings and fences. One person arrived home Sunday night to find the letters painted in black about 3 feet tall on his detached garage. On Monday, another reported 3-foot-tall letters spelling out "cool" and "sick" in black, green and brown paint on his cedar fence. Police have no suspects but believe the work has been done by understimulated kids on summer break.

Chasing Wile E. - Deputies warned a man for blocking a logging road near Mill City with his vehicle Monday night. The man told a deputy he had been chasing a "pesky" coyote that has been giving him problems.

Injury DUII crash - A man sustained injuries around 4 a.m. Sunday when the white Nissan Maxima his girlfriend was driving collided with a guard rail near the intersection of Bowers Drive and Powerline Road. The man, who had been in the passenger seat, was taken to the Riverbend hospital for treatment for a broken ankle. The woman admitted she had been drinking and police found her blood alcohol level to be .19, more than twice the legal limit.

Bethany Kristine Vodrup, 21, of Harrisburg was arrested Sunday on charges of DUII and felony second-degree assault. She is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 12.