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California Requests Declaration of National Emergency Over Fires (VIDEO)

Gov. Schwarzenegger Requests President to Declare a State of Emergency for California Due to Southern California Wildfires.

(LOS ANGELES) - Fire officials say the wildfires burning in Southern California may burn all the way from the mountains to the ocean before it is over. Images of the Malibu Colony on television earlier with flames in the background were a clear indication that this is a fire possibly worse than anything in California's history.

California National Guardsmen Reinforce Firefighters

The Governor has proclaimed a State of Emergency in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today directed the California National Guard (CNG) to make 1500 guardsmen available to support the firefighting efforts in Southern California.

The 1500 guardsmen, including 200 troops currently patrolling the California/Mexico border, will be deployed at the direction of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) to areas where they can have the greatest impact.

California Prison Inmates to Help Fight Fires

Gov. Schwarzenegger Directs CDCR to Utilize Inmate Fire Crews in Response to Major Wildfires.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - California's Governor has directed inmate firefighters and staff from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to deploy across Southern California to work hand-in-hand with state and local firefighters.

As of today, more than 2,300 CDCR inmates and more than 170 custody staff have joined firefighters from city and county fire departments and state agencies as part of a major coordinated effort to battle the widespread wildfires in Southern California.

Health Alert Issued in Los Angeles County

Sensitive individuals at greatest risk include those with heart disease or lung diseases, including emphysema, asthma and chronic lung problems.

(LOS ANGELES) - The Los Angeles County Health Officer is issuing a health alert due to the smoke and associated air pollution from fires in Malibu Canyon, Canyon Country, and the Santa Clarita area. Smoke from these fires includes small particles and gases that can cause health problems.

“Despite significant efforts toward fire containment, air quality in some parts of the County is being adversely affected by the fires,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and County Health Officer. “Small air particles carrying through Los Angeles County can have adverse health effects, and will be particularly unhealthful for sensitive individuals. Those individuals should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.”

Videotape Catches Graffiti Tagger in the Act

Beaverton Police hope somebody identifies the suspect from the tape.

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - The Beaverton Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying a suspect they describe as a tagger who has vandalized a Verizon electrical box and at least one vehicle in the Beaverton area.

The suspect was videotaped vandalizing an electrical box on October 15th in the 5500 block of SW Alger Street. Police say the suspect used a red Sharpie marker to write "XIV" on conduit pipe and on the top and side of an electrical box.

Sheridan Resident Cited for Killing Bald Eagle

The incident south of Independence, Oregon could cost the suspect a $6,250 fine.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - An Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division investigation into the unlawfully killing of a bald eagle south of Independence last Friday led to the identification and citing of a 19-year old suspect.

OSP Fish & Wildlife Division Troopers Richard Young and Doug Shugart say they received information Sunday, that a bald eagle had been shot and killed two days earler, in the area of the Willamette River south of Independence.

The Oregonian: Medical Marijuana Slanderers

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Pharmacologist and Toxicologist.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - I thought I had seen enough slander of the medial Marijuana users in Oregon in the Oregonian article of October 21st- not so.

They seem to experience cerebral orgasms by writing slanderous articles about a whole bunch (about 17,000) of legal and near legal marijuana users. These are really sick people and are certified by about 2,700 doctors.

Electricity Prices See Largest Increase Since 1981

The prices have gone up across the board.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The retail price of electricity increased by more than 9 percent in 2006, the largest increase since 1981.

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia saw the average price of electricity rise by 10 percent or more between 2005 and 2006, according to "Electric Power Annual 2006", released today by the Energy Information Administration. Electricity prices increased in all regions of the country but most of the larger increases were in the East.

Deadly Bombings in Pakistan Condemned by UN

The Council reaffirmed its position that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

(UNITED NATIONS) - Strongly condemning last Thursday’s attacks on the convoy of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi, the Security Council today said those behind the “reprehensible act of terrorism” must be brought to justice.

In a presidential statement read out by Ambassador Leslie K. Christian of Ghana, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, the Council joined its voice with that of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who spoke out against the blasts in a statement issued Thursday.

Salem Fire Receives Grant for Thermal Imaging Camera

The grant from Fireman's Fund Insurance should be a help in recovering fire victims.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fireman's Fund Insurance Company announced that a $10,000 grant is being directed from Frank Crystal & Company to the Salem Fire Department for the purchase of a thermal imaging camera.

These cameras are invaluable safety tools as they allow rapid primary searches in near-zero visibility conditions. They also assist in finding fire hidden in walls and other concealed spaces.