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Fire Threatens Thousands in Southern California (VIDEOS)

Wind driven fires are sending local residents from Oceanside and Los Angeles into evacuation centers.

(LOS ANGELES) - Firefighters in Southern California should get a break from nature Tuesday night and Wednesday as the winds continue to shut down.

The predicted weakening will not be enough of a change though, according to state fire officials. They say the wind flow will remain offshore through Wednesday, and that will keep the area very dry.

Almost without exception, California wildfires break out simultaneously, sending fire crews in many directions. This series of fires falls right in line with the pattern and involves substantial portions of Southern California.

Crash Kills Philomath Area Man South of Dallas

Police say they don't know why the man lost control of his vehicle

(DALLAS, Ore.) - Investigators say a man died early Tuesday morning after his pickup drove off Highway 223 and collided with a tree.

Severe Fires Heat Up Southern California

Due to the severity of the situation, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

(LOS ANGELES) - Santa Ana winds are leading to a dangerous situation in Southern California. A few fires are threatening thousands of homes and leading to frantic evacuations as very dry conditions and warm air along with the gusty winds are causing a significant fire threat.

According to the West Regional News story, a strong area of high pressure anchored in the Great Basin is creating a strong pressure gradient over Southern California. This setup is fueling strong winds above the mountains of Southern California and through and below passes. Highest gusts are expected to rake these areas at 50-75 mph.

Why Do Women Get More Cavities than Men?

UO anthropologist reviews historical records, finds links to fertility, hormones and reproductive pressures.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Reproduction pressures and rising fertility explain why women suffered a more rapid decline in dental health than did men as humans transitioned from hunter-and-gatherers to farmers and more sedentary pursuits, says a University of Oregon anthropologist.

The conclusion follows a comprehensive review of records of the frequencies of dental cavities in both prehistoric and living human populations from research done around the world. A driving factor was dramatic changes in female-specific hormones, reports John R. Lukacs, a professor of anthropology who specializes in dental, skeletal and nutritional issues.

Reformers Call For New Policy to Protect Forests From Marijuana Farms

New Approach Needed to Curb Environmental Damage, Advocates Say.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Recent alarming reports of environmental damage caused by illegal marijuana farms in national forests and wilderness areas in California and elsewhere show that an entirely new approach is needed in order to solve the problem, officials of the Marijuana Policy Project said today.

"Year after year we hear from law enforcement and U.S. Forest Service officials about growing environmental damage caused by these criminal operations, even as law enforcement seizures of marijuana plants set new records every year," said Bruce Mirken, MPP's California-based director of communications. "What we've been doing is plainly not working and has actually caused the problem in the first place. It's time to get off the treadmill and try a new approach."

An Iraq War Veterans` Welcome Home to Remember (SLIDESHOW)

Salem-News.com photojournalist Tim King has returned from Iraq, where he spent several weeks embedded with an Oregon Guard unit. Along the way he witnessed a hero's welcome at the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport for soldiers and Marines returning home from Iraq.

(DALLAS, Tx.) - It isn't often that a legacy can change.

The sound of clapping hands is an unexpected greeting for soldiers and Marines returning home from the war in Iraq. Too many stories about mistreated Vietnam vets leave an expectation of something totally different.

In fact, it takes a moment for these troops returning home on the military R&R flights to even comprehend the idea of dozens and dozens of people gathered there to simply welcome them home, but that is what happens almost every day at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport in Texas.

TODAY is Last Day to Register to VOTE in Oregon

Voting is a right, and a privilege. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this historical election, registration ENDS TODAY in Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Have you registered to vote? If you've moved recently, you might want to make sure, as Tuesday, October 14th is the last day to register.

Oregon is a vote-by-mail state, and because Oregon is considered to be 'in play', it would be wrong to not properly be represented, and to have the fate of the state/country/world determined by hardcore minority on either side.

FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

www.sos.state.or.us/elections

YOU MAY REGISTER TO VOTE IN OREGON, IF:
1. You are a resident of Oregon.
2. You are a citizen of the United States of America.
3. You are at least 17 years of age.

Marine Military Police Beat at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq (VIDEO)

Marine Corps Military Police have their hands full with a never ending list of tasks necessary for war zone security.

(Al Asad, Iraq) - Marine Corps military police in Iraq have a never ending yet ever changing job description. In one day here at the Al Asad Air Base in the Anbar Province, I will see these Marine MPs search base housing units of foreign employees, inspect commercial trucks that deliver supplies here, operate a traffic check point, and even search a FedEx jet delivering supplies to Iraq.

Most of these Marine MP's are actually from aviation roles, but a shortage of Marines has them performing jobs more closely related to security.

Op Ed: Myth of Racism Denies, Defies Our Democracy

Old Tattered Tool for Economic Power Could Still Threaten Key Vote

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Millions of Americans wake up every day with the sure knowledge that their full Constitutional participation in the world’s greatest, most powerful nation is still denied to them. Don't fool yourself, racism is alive and well.

Centuries of research and solid scientific surveillance proves that mankind is universally the same both physically and mentally in every part and parcel of this space-floating globe.

Skin-color, culture, economic status, even intense religious faith-driven differences surely do exist; but the human equation regarding equality remains unchanged.

Driver Faces Manslaughter Charges in Fatal Weekend Crash

Police say the driver of a Toyota 4runner was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

(OREGON CITY, Ore.) - Police in Oregon City say a Portland man faces serious charges after an alcohol-involved weekend crash that claimed the life of an Oregon City woman and left several other people injured.

The crash happened around 9:37 PM Saturday in Oregon City at the intersection of AV Davis and Linn Avenue. A Toyota 4runner operated by 22-year old Fernando Deanda Moreno of Portland, was traveling at a high rate of speed east on AV Davis and failed to stop for the Stop sign at the intersection of Linn Avenue.