Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon agency has filed a lawsuit against neighbors it says cut down dozens of protected trees to improve the view from their homes.

The Oregonian reports that regional planning agency Metro filed the $661,000 suit against two Gresham couples Friday. It claims they cut down 44 trees in a 400-foot swath of protected nature area next to their homes to improve their views of the city below.

The lawsuit says the couples' side-by-side homes are perched on Gresham Butte, overlooking a scenic landscape.

The suit claims the changes increased the value of David El-Khal's and Alyce Hadeed El-Khal's home by more than $79,000 and boosted the value of Stephen and Judith Brugh's home by at least $39,000.

David El-Khal and Stephen Brugh declined to comment on the case.

Brown signs bill to mandate testing of rape kit backlog

Program gives retail goods to people in need

Gerry Frank oral history to be presented