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Group Sues to Protect Idaho`s Minidoka Japanese Interment Camp

A broad coalition of Idahoans and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Sue Jerome County Board of Commissioners over decision allowing factory farming near Minidoka National Historic Site.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The National Trust for Historic Preservation today joined a broad coalition of Idahoans and state and national organizations as a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit appealing a decision by the Jerome County Board of Commissioners on September 23, 2008 to approve an application for a confined animal feeding operation, or 'CAFO' permit near the Minidoka National Historic Site in Idaho.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation joined with Japanese American Citizens League, Friends of Minidoka, Preservation Idaho, Idaho Concerned Area Residents for the Environment (ICARE), the Idaho Rural Council, and local farming families and landowners, the Dimonds and Slones, in filing the Petition for Judicial Review. These groups are deeply concerned about the consequences that this CAFO will have on adjacent property and Minidoka.

The petition challenges the Board’s approval based on its inadequate consideration of the impacts to Minidoka and private property, and exclusion of the opportunity for the coalition members to participate in the process in violation of their due process rights.

El Toro`s Wells Still Suspect

The quest for information into the history of serious toxic contamination at a now-closed Marine base in Southern California continues.

(SOMERDALE, N.J.) - Marines at the El Toro air station in Orange County, California were contaminated by a toxic chemical and government agencies seem to have lost copies of the multi-million dollar contracts.

The Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro is closed now; the base wells abandoned and destroyed. For over 50 years, the Navy spent millions to purchase water for El Toro and the nearby Santa Ana Air Facility. But today the Navy can't explain why the water was purchased or the reasons the base wells were abandoned. The integrity of the wells and the dates abandoned are important since the wells were located in the path of a major trichloroethylene plume.

Trichloroethylene or TCE, is a chemical degreaser marketed and sold by Dow Chemical. For decades the product was used on military bases like El Toro to clean military equipment. At El Toro the TCE was used to strip grease from Marine jet fighter aircraft.

Suspected Online Predator Busted in Clackamas County

Intercept Task Force Arrest Medford Man In Clackamas County For Internet Crimes Involving Female Children‏

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Police in Clackamas County have arrested a Medford man who they believe is an Online predator. Intercept Task Force Investigators identified 42-year old Kelly Ray Rasmussen of Medford, Oregon as a suspect in several investigations. He was taken into custody Tuesday at 2:00 PM at an unidentified location within Clackamas County.

Detective Jim Strovink, spokesman for the Clackamas Sheriff, says Rasmussen is known to have traveled to Portland, on Monday, and stayed at a downtown Portland hotel. At the time of his arrest, Rasmussen was operating a rented automobile described as a 2008, Chevrolet, Cobalt, 4-door, white in color, with Oregon plates.

Rasmussen's arrest led to law enforcement authorities executing search warrants Tuesday afternoon, seeking items of evidentiary value from Rasmussen, the rented automobile, the Rasmussen residence in Medford, and his place of lodging here in Portland.

Multnomah Sheriff to Swear-In Cold Case Homicide Team‏

The idea of utilizing experienced, retired law enforcement personnel as Cold Case Teams has been successful in Oregon counties.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Multnomah County Sheriff Bob Skipper will swear in a new MCSO Cold Case Homicide Team Friday, October 24th, at 9:00 am on the third floor of the Multnomah Building.

Skipper explains that the team is a group of retired enforcement deputies volunteering to work on a number of unsolved homicide cases in the Sheriff's Office files.

"This project is a win-win partnership with the Sheriff's Office, the retirees and especially for the victims and family members of victims who have endured not knowing the truth of what happened and who was responsible for the loss of their loved one, and to bring justice and closure to these cases," the Sheriff said.

SEIU Members Launch New TV Ad on Gordon Smith`s Role in Digging Our Economic Hole

SEIU says members are holding Senator Smith accountable for his Washington record that gave CEOs golden parachutes but left Beaver State families stuck in a hole and holding the bill.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today, SEIU announced a new television ad, titled "Hole," that will air on cable and broadcast across most of Oregon through the end of October.

The ad highlights Gordon Smith's legislative history of siding with CEOs and housing lenders that made off with millions of dollars while hard working Americans across the country are struggling to survive foreclosure and make it through the economic recession.

The independent ad buy of more than $400,000 is in response to Smith's efforts to portray himself as a champion for working families and Main Street businesses after years of voting in support of the Bush-Cheney agenda.

Universities to Hold Forum About Uniting Rural, Urban Oregon

Four Oregon universities will sponsor a conference in Salem on November 14th that aims to strengthen links between the state's rural and urban areas.

(SALEM, Ore.) - "Oregon is an incredibly diverse collection of landscapes, economies and communities," said Beth Emshoff, metro specialist for the Oregon State University Extension Service and the lead organizer of the conference.

“No matter where we live – in an urban, suburban or rural environment – all Oregonians share common needs and aspirations for a sustainable future. Yet myths and local perspectives can keep us from acknowledging and understanding the interdependence of all of the regions.”

"Those gathered will set an agenda of discovery toward one Oregon by exploring what connects the entire state and what, strategically, are the ways that these connections can be strengthened for the benefit of the state," she added.

Benny & Sid`s Your Public Service Announcements #17

The latest Benny & Sid's Your Public Service Announcement; Salem's only original cartoon strip.

(Salem) - As the election draws near the possible outcomes creep into our dreams -- or nightmares as the case may be.

What if Barack Obama is cheated out the presidency? What if riot tears our cities apart?

What if in the event of an Obama victory red states begin to secede from the union? Ever be mindful that any world you can imagine exists somewhere in the omniverse.

With the help of Leonardo of Salem and his omniverse browser we can glimpse such a world.

Human Remains Found Near Five Island on Willamette River

"At this time we have no missing persons from Yamhill County who fit the description that we have been given." - Yamhill Sheriff Jack Crabtree

(MCMINNVILLE, Ore.) - Two local duck hunters and their dog located a human leg early this morning near the "Five Island" area on the Willamette River, according to Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree. He says the location where the leg was found is about 10 miles upriver or south, of Rogers Landing in the City of Newberg, and about 10 miles downriver or north, from the Wheatland Ferry area north of Salem.

“The remains were examined by the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office” Crabtree said. “The leg was determined to be that of a female, of advanced age, 5'4" to 5'7" in height; and included the right pelvic bone, femoral bone, knee area, tibia and fibula bones.”

Crabtree says no clothing was recovered with the remains. DNA sampling has been done and will be forwarded to the University of North Texas for analysis.

Wanted California Man Captured After Oregon Freeway Chase

Police say the elude and subsequent search happened between Eugene and Sutherlin.

(EUGENE,. Ore.) - Police say a multi-agency effort led to the arrest Tuesday of a California man who tried to flee from police in two separate attempts last night between Eugene and Sutherlin. Oregon State Police credited Sutherlin Police for continuing to search and eventually locating the suspect. An OSP spokesman says the incident lasted nearly nine hours.

Government Dismisses Charges Against Five Guantanamo Detainees

After being held in captivity for several years in some cases, a number of suspects at Guantanamo Bay see charges dropped, at least for now.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Defense Department announced today that charges against five detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been dismissed without prejudice.

Judge Susan Crawford with the Office of Military Commissions Convening Authority, dismissed the pending charges against Noor Uthman Mohammed, Binyam Mohammed, Sufyiam Barhoumi, Ghassan Abdullah al Shirbi, and Jabran Said Bin al Qahtani, the five detainees who had charges sworn by prosecutors.

Dismissed without prejudice, means the government can raise the charges again at a later time.