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Merkley Backs Cap on Consumer Loan Rates (VIDEO)

“Those lenders prey on the dire financial circumstances of some Oregonians to line their own pockets.”- House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland)

(SALEM) - House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) today encouraged his colleagues to enact a bill that would place a 36 percent annual interest rate cap on all consumer finance loans in Oregon.

Willamette Softball Player Injured During Game with Oregon Tech

Fortunately, the collision between the player and the outfield chain-link fence turned out to be not as bad as it looked.

(SALEM) - A Willamette University softball player is recovering at home Wednesday night after sustaining neck and back injuries while trying to catch a deep fly ball during Willamette’s game with Oregon Tech Wednesday afternoon.

Thatcher Helps Draft OSP Funding Package

HB 3535 earmarks 1 percent of the state General Fund for the Patrol Division at OSP.

(SALEM ) - “This new proposal brings stability to the Patrol Division, gives Oregonians 24-hour coverage across the state and doesn’t raise taxes,” said State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer-Newberg-St. Paul) after House Republicans unveiled House Bill 3535 this afternoon.

Thatcher is one of the key legislators who helped craft this legislation.

Health Advisory Issued for Water Contact at Cape Kiwanda Beach

Water samples indicate higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria, which can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses.

(PACIFIC CITY, Ore.) - A public health advisory was issued Wednesday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Cape Kiwanda beach in Tillamook County.

Robert Newell Honored by Oregon Legislature

Weekend festivities are planned.

(CHAMPOEG, Ore.) - The Oregon House of Representatives will vote on a special resolution Monday April 2nd to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert “Doc” Newell. Two other events are planned this weekend at the Newell House in the Champoeg State Heritage Area to commemorate the occasion.

A bill was introduced in the Oregon Legislative Assembly February 14th, on Oregon’s 148th birthday, to honor Newell.

U.S., Oregon Gas Prices Continue Steady March Upward

In the Salem-area, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded jumped 4-cents in the past week to $2.86.

(SALEM) - With the arrival of spring break, motorists in Oregon are seeing gasoline prices ranging from less than $2.80 per gallon to more than three dollars per gallon.

In the past month, the state's average price for a gallon of regular rose by 36 cents to $2.859.

That compares to a national average price increase in the same time period of a bit more than a quarter to $2.59.

Report: State Income Taxes Pushing Many Working-Poor Families Deeper Into Poverty

Alabama, Hawaii, and Oregon will continue to impose some of the nation’s largest income taxes on the poor even after the expected reforms are implemented.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - In nearly half of the states with an income tax, a family of four owes the tax even if its income falls below the poverty line, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

In 19 of the 42 states that levy an income tax, the “tax threshold” (the income level at which families begin owing taxes) for a two-parent family of four for tax year 2006 is below $20,615, the poverty line for such a family.

Three Lanes of Westbound Sunset Highway Now Open

Lanes on Westbound U.S. 26, West of the Vista Ridge Tunnel, have been reopened.

(PORTLAND) - Westbound U.S. 26 west of the tunnel was completely closed Wednesday morning after landslides caused mud, rock and trees to spill onto the highway.

The far right lane of westbound U.S. 26 at the spot of the landslide will remain closed until further notice

Westbound US 26 (Sunset Highway) was completely closed for most of the day west of the Vista Ridge Tunnel.

Cartoon Strip: Nota Bene by Leonardo No. 35 - Nude Anatomy Part 1 of 3

This is the thirty-fifth installment of the Salem-News.com original series "Nota Bene by Leonardo" by Salem cartoonist Glen Bledsoe.

(Earth-Tensor Fascia Latae) - It is not necessary to draw back far from the Multiverse Browser to find drama. Within the very website which hosts these chronicles there is plenty--for example, the opening of the adult venue club here in Salem which has invoked anger in some and catcalls from others.

The issue is not whether such a business should be allowed to exist, but instead where. But, of course, at issue is this business's product: the lust-provoking sight of the undraped female body.

Man Dies in Surfing-Related Incident off Yaquina Head at Newport

The surfer and two friends were overwhelmed by large waves.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - One person died Tuesday afternoon after being overcome by large waves while surfing with two friends on Yaquina Head on the north end of Newport.

The victim died after being transported to a Newport-area hospital. The name of the 26-year old male victim and two friends will not be released until after his parents are notified following their return Wednesday from an out-of-country trip.