Browse All News Articles on Salem-News Page 2013

Random Musings

A ranging view of the ideas circulating in one writer's mind.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - Sometimes there are many ideas fighting for attention in my mind, covering all the subjects I tend to write a column about, but each isn’t worthy of its own full-length coverage.

Consequently, I collect them. So, in no particular order, here are my current random musings.

UN Chief Deplores Israel`s Decision to Expand Settlement in East Jerusalem (VIDEO)

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the core issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(JERUSALEM) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday deplored Israel's decision to expand Gilo settlement, built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, a statement issued by his spokesperson said.

Reiterating his opposition that "settlements are illegal," Ban called on Israel to respect its commitments under the Road Map to cease all settlement activity, including natural growth.

Police Investigate Armed Robbery in Corvallis

Police say the suspect displayed a revolver during the robbery.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Corvallis Police say this morning at about 1:45 a.m., officers were called out to investigate an armed robbery which occurred at DeDe's located at 1786 NW 9th Street.

Weekly H1N1 Influenza Update

“Right now, with limited vaccine, we encourage local health departments to focus on getting the vaccine to the members of the target group most at risk: young children, pregnant women and people aged 5 through 64 with underlying health conditions” -Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon public health director

(SALEM, Ore.) - Since Sept. 1, 2009, 1,105 people have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 40 people have died.

Based on data collected nationwide and in Oregon, while vaccine supplies are limited, public health officials are urging local heath departments and tribes to target vaccine outreach to the people who are at greatest risk for hospitalization and death.

Forecasters Expect Long-term Job Growth in Oregon

Metro areas are expected to grow at close to the statewide average and half of the state's job growth will be in the Portland area.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Employment Department has released its projections of employment for 2018. The projections point to modest job growth between 2008 and 2018, although many job openings are expected due to the need to replace workers who leave their current occupations.

The department's forecasters expect economic growth to add more than 160,000 jobs, a gain of 9 percent over the decade. This growth is slightly less than the 10 percent gain that occurred between 1998 and 2008 and much slower than in many prior 10-year periods.

Senators Press Holder to Declassify Key Facts about Patriot Act

“Most members of Congress – and nearly all of the American public -- lack important information about the issue”.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - In anticipation of the upcoming Senate debate over Patriot Act reauthorization, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to declassify key information pertaining to the law’s “business records” provision (Section 215). Today’s letter follows a classified letter that the senators sent Holder in June 2009.

“We appreciate that the Department of Justice has taken action on several of the issues we raised,” wrote the senators. “However, the Department has yet to act on – or respond to – the issue we raised in the first two paragraphs of our letter.”

Oregon Hunger Rate Surges; Food Stamps Fill Need

Statement by OCPP analyst Joy Margheim on food insecurity data.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Data released today showing a surge in Oregon's hunger rate remind us of the importance of the expansion of food stamp benefits in the federal recovery package.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that more than one in eight Oregon households (13.1 percent) struggled to put food on the table at times during 2006-08.

Purdue Pharma Responds to Salem-News.com Article

A Purdue Pharma official wrote to "urge" me to remember the millions with poorly controlled pain as I pursue my advocacy agenda; it is an insult. I choose to remember those suffering with the loss of family members and those dealing with hopeless addiction.

(MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) - I received the below email this morning from Russell K. Portenoy, MD in response to my recent article in the Salem-News.com.

I chose to reply to Portenoy's email via Salem-News rather than personally because I feel there is an obligation for the victims of OxyContin who no longer have a voice to be heard.

Oregon Gets a `C` Ranking for Premature Births

November 17th marks the nation's 7th Annual Prematurity Awareness Day, when March of Dimes focuses the nation's attention on the growing problem of premature birth (birth before 37 weeks gestation).

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - For the second consecutive year, Oregon earned a "C" grade on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. While the grade remained the same, the state slipped in U.S. ranking and Oregon's preterm birth rate increased by a tenth of a percent.

The grades were determined by comparing preterm birth rates to the national Healthy People 2010 preterm birth objective, which is 7.6% of all live births. Oregon's rate increased slightly to 10.3% from 10.2% and the United States continues to fail at 12.7% with a "D" on the Report Card.

Everyday Leaders

As an everyday leader, you are the guardians of servitude and the custodians of courage in the time of need. You tap the resources of your leadership not out of impulse, but from what you have nurtured all along.

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) - On a cold wintry day in January 2009, US Airways flight 1549 taxied down the runway at New York’s LaGuardia airport. The flight, bound for Charlotte, N.C., was a familiar flight for Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Within a matter of minutes after takeoff, flight 1543 was floating in the Hudson River, mechanical failure from a bird shot brought the plane down.