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Officer Involved Shooting in Salem Cleared by Grand Jury

"The investigation revealed the situation was fast moving, chaotic and Mr. Nickell was armed with a what appeared to be a handgun, but turned out to be a pellet gun."- Bill Kolhmeyer, Salem Police Spokesman

(SALEM) - The Marion County Grand Jury has cleared two Salem Police officers in a shooting that occurred March 10th. The suspect survived the shooting that was actually meant to be a taser shot.

Salem Police Spokesman Bill Kohlmeyer indicates that in spite of criticism, the officer was within his rights in using the gun.

"Given the totality of the circumstances the use of force by the officers was justified."

Oregon Mother Arrested for Stuffing Baby Wipe Down Infant`s Throat

Kohlmeyer said Dolan’s other child, age one, was also placed into protective custody by DHS.

(SALEM) - A Salem mother has been arrested for allegedly stuffing baby wipes down the throat of her 18-month-old daughter.

Salem police spokesman Lt. Bill Kohlmeyer says officers responded with medical personnel to the report of an infant not breathing on Feb. 17th, at the apartment of 23-year-old Christa Dolan on Highway Ave NE.

The child was rushed to Salem Hospital, where doctors found a baby wipe in the child’s throat.

Oregon Dropout Rates Decline

According to the report, 868 students dropped out of school from the Salem-Keizer School District.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education announced on Tuesday, that Oregon’s statewide dropout rate for the 2005-06 school year was 4.1%, down from last year’s 4.2%.


The 4.1% dropout rate is the lowest rate the state has reported since statewide reporting began in 1991.


Dropout rates for white students decreased slightly, while the dropout rates for Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Native American students showed increases.

Oregon Gas Prices Jump 35-Cents in the Past Month

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Salem-area jumped 8-cents in the past week to $2.94.

(SALEM) - In a single week, the national average price for regular gasoline shot up by more than a dime a gallon to $2.70.

In Oregon, the average price rose by about nine cents a gallon to $2.95.

In the past month, the national average price increased by about 23-cents per gallon while Oregon's went up almost 35-cents.

Suspicious Device Found in NE Salem Plaid Pantry Parking Lot

The device did not contain any hazardous materials.

(SALEM) - Just after 8:30 this morning, Marion County Sheriff's Deputies were called to the Plaid Pantry store at 4690 Portland Rd NE on a report of a suspicious device.

The device was found well away from the building in the parking log.

Portland Road was closed for about a half hour while the Oregon State Police Bomb Squad investigated Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Rau said.

Taskforce Highlights Underage Drinking Problem in Marion County

Nineteen of the forty-seven businesses tested in the compliance check sold alcohol to a minor.

(SALEM) - While most teens say no to alcohol and illicit drugs, the pressure is on during times when there is cause for celebration (such as spring break, prom and graduation).

Oregon, Washington Fishermen Brace for Poor Salmon Season on Columbia, Snake Rivers

Sport and commercial fishermen will present concerns at the week - long PFMC meeting in SeaTac this week.

(SEATTLE) - West Coast fishermen, already reeling from consecutive years of cutbacks, closures and shortened seasons forced by declining Northwest salmon runs, will gather this week at the Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting in Seattle to share deep concern and anger over the direction of failed federal salmon recovery efforts on the Snake and Columbia rivers.

Another year of poor returns of fall Chinook to the Columbia and Snake river basin threatens to shorten fishing seasons for Washington and northern Oregon fishermen this year, increasing economic hardship for Pacific Northwest communities still reeling from last year's fisheries disaster on the Klamath River, increasing economic hardship for Pacific Northwest communities still reeling from last year's fisheries disaster on the Klamath River, and raising the level of urgency and insecurity throughout the region.

Tualitan Police Release Video Clip With Stabbing Suspects

Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying the men depicted in the video and still photographs. The video clip is embedded at the bottom of the screen.

(TUALITAN, Ore.) - Tualatin Police are continuing to investigate a stabbing that occurred March 31st at about 11:30 PM, in the drive-thru lane of the McDonalds Restaurant on SW Boones Ferry Rd., in Tualatin.

Oregon House Democrats Celebrate First-Half-of-Session Achievements

Democrats say Legislature under their control is more effective, less partisan.

(SALEM) - Democrats in the Oregon House of Representatives celebrated their accomplishments of the first half of the 2007 Legislative Session at a press conference Monday, saying the session had been more efficient and effective than previous sessions under the control of Republican leadership.

Salem, Oregon Teen had the Heart of a Champion

Xiomara means “Ready for Battle” and she was.

(SALEM) - Xiomara Ibanez, 15, passed away Saturday of congestive heart failure.

Born in California on May 6th, 1991 at 9:30 AM, Xiomara showed her strength and determination from the very beginning.

Xiomara was born with severe heart and lung problems, and doctors told her mother she had little chance of survival.