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Report: Combine Oregon Schools for the Deaf and Blind

In October, Superintendent Castillo announced that contracting out instructional programs to a local education agency was not in the best interest of students at the state schools.

(SALEM) - State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced Tuesday that she has received an analysis of the State Schools Study Committee’s recommendation to move programs from the Oregon School for the Blind to the campus of the Oregon School for the Deaf.

The analysis covers physical space, staffing requirements, special events, safety and environment, and cost/benefit analysis.

In December, Castillo asked Department staff for a study on the recommendation to move the OSB programs to the OSD campus.

Public Invited to Observe Spring Lambing at OSU Sheep Center

The public can view the ewes and lambs beginning Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM weekdays and weekends.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - New lambs will begin arriving at Oregon State University's Sheep Center this month and the public is invited to view this annual rite of spring.

Nutria Removal Planned in Santiam-Albany Canal

The wildlife management company will be using approved control methods to remove the nutria.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - A wildlife management company will be removing nutria from the Santiam-Albany Canal over the next several months under a contract with the City of Albany.

Former Oregon Daycare Owner Arrested on Sex Abuse Charges

Police believe there may be more victims yet to come forward in this case.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - On Monday, Albany Police Detectives arrested 27-year old Albany resident, Jamie Tennille Burkhart, on multiple sex offenses involving a minor boy.

The investigation began in early January 2007 when a 20-year old male reported that he had been sexually abused by Burkhart over a nearly 2-year period beginning in approximately 1996 when he was 10 years old.

Dangerous Pedophile Parole Hearing Wednesday

William 'Hank' Dufort was convicted of 26 counts of sodomy, sex abuse and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor.

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - "We encourage Oregonians to tell the State Parole Board not to let this dangerous predator out of prison," said Steve Doell President of Crime Victims United of Oregon. 67-year old William 'Hank' Dufort is scheduled for a hearing before the board on Wednesday March 7th.

Dufort is serving a 48-year sentence for sodomizing and sexually abusing six teenage boys at the Corvallis Farm Home between 1987 and 1989 where he served as director.

Dufort is considered a high-risk predator who shows no remorse for his crimes.

Spring Break Means Plenty of Whale Activities on Central Oregon Coast

Newport has three official whale watching sites, a few others close by, a plethora of whale watch vantage points and cruises, and two aquarium centers with loads of whale information.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - To the whales passing by, the Oregon coast is probably just a pit stop for a few million bites of phytoplankton on the way to the Bering Sea. But to thousands of visitors to the area, the Oregon coast is the biggest panoramic theater to nature’s gargantuan cetacean show.

It’s the Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon coast, happening March 24th – 31st, and the central Oregon coast town of Newport is the ticket to some of the best seats in the house.

Oregon Army National Guard Joins Search for Missing Aircraft

Oregon Guard Spokesman Mike Braibish says the mission for the OH-58 is to pinpoint the location of the missing aircraft.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Army National Guard launched an OH-58 Kiowa at 8:30 PM Monday, March 5th to assist the Klamath County Sheriff's office in the search for a missing aircraft.

The type of the missing aircraft is unknown, but officials with the search team believe there are two people on the airplane that went down near Crescent Lake Airport, which is located southwest of Sun River.

The Oregon State Police are also assisting in the search from the air and ground.

Rotary Clubs Hope to Build a Better Community With Food Drive

Food/Fund Drive will stock empty shelves.

(SALEM) - Rotary Clubs throughout Marion and Polk counties will officially launch the 2007 Workplace Food/Fund Drive on Wednesday, March 7th.

Area businesses, individuals and organizations have the opportunity to join the fight to end hunger by coordinating food/fund drives in their workplaces. These drives benefit Marion-Polk Food Share and run through April 4th.

“The Rotarian’s motto,” says Ron Hays, executive director of Marion-Polk Food Share, “is to put ‘service above self.’ I’m pleased to be a part of such an important food drive in both of my roles--at Food Share and as a Rotarian.”

New Round of Sex Offender Bills Launched By Rep Krummel

The bills range from banning sex offenders from Viagra to permanent incarceration for predators.

(SALEM) - State Representative Jerry Krummel (R-Wilsonville) introduced a series of bills Monday that he says will hold sex offenders in Oregon more accountable. “We worked very hard to get the new statewide sex offender web site on line and managed to get Jessica’s Law adopted, now it’s time to work on other areas,” said Krummel.

He says these areas include implementing the new Adam Walsh Act adopted by Congress last year, GPS tracking, better registration procedures and civil commitments for the most dangerous offenders.

“Last legislative session our lawmakers made a great first step in protecting our children by establishing a website showing some of the most dangerous sexual predators in our area,” noted Wilsonville mom Connie Hollon.

Keizer Police Arrest Couple Described as Serial Shoplifters

A police officer received minor injuries during the arrest.

(KEIZER) - Keizer Police say a couple from Pennsylvania responsible for a number of thefts from Target stores in Oregon were arrested by police officers Sunday.

Keizer Police Sgt. John Troncoso says a series of shoplifts took place beginning February 19th, when a man stole a Magellan GPS unit valued at $600, from the Target store in Keizer. Investigators say he returned on February 21st, and stole another Magellan GPS unit valued at $300.