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State Strengthens Regulation of Mortgage Lenders

The guidelines, which have been adopted by 19 states, will become part of the method used by examiners and investigators during compliance reviews of state law and regulation.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has announced several measures it is taking to strengthen its regulation of the mortgage lending industry.

The changes — which include adopting new rules and guidelines, and increasing education and enforcement efforts -- are in response to consumer and industry concerns.

DFCS also is addressing the increasing number of nontraditional loans offered to Oregonians by adopting guidelines for state-regulated lenders.

Researchers Say Tobacco Companies Have Increased Addictive Nicotine in Cigarettes by 11 Percent

Approximately 900,000 persons become addicted to smoking each year.

(BOSTON) - A reanalysis of nicotine yield from major brand name cigarettes sold in Massachusetts from 1997 to 2005 has confirmed that manufacturers have steadily increased the levels of this agent in cigarettes.

This independent analysis, based on data submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) by the manufacturers, found that increases in smoke nicotine yield per cigarette averaged 1.6 percent each year, or about 11 percent over a seven-year period (1998-2005).

Nicotine is the primary addictive agent in cigarettes.

Salem Man With Felony Warrant Found Sleeping in Abandoned Vehicle on Oregon Coast

Garvin is now back in the Marion County Jail.

(LINCOLN CITY) - The Lincoln County Sheriff's office arrested a Salem man Sunday on a felony warrant for delivery of marijuana to a minor.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Sorby contacted 35-year-old James Gerard Lee Garvin just after 10:00 PM as he was sleeping in an abandoned vehicle near the intersection of Highway 101 and Drift Creek Rd.

Sorby conducted a routine warrants check of Garvin and was advised of the felony warrant for his arrest out of Marion County.

Corvallis Police Seize Drugs, Guns During Traffic Stop

Police say they found a semi-automatic 9mm rifle and a semi-automatic 9mm handgun in the suspect's vehicle.

(CORVALLIS) -
Police say a routine traffic stop in Corvallis Thursday morning led to the discovery of drugs and weapons.

The officer stopped a vehicle at 3:40 AM being driven by 25-year old Adam McDowell of Corvallis. He was pulled over near NW 9th St. and NW Circle Blvd. for a minor traffic violation.

While speaking with McDowell, the officer suspected that he was operating his vehicle while under the combined influence of multiple prescription and non-prescription drugs.

DeFazio Votes to Cut Interest Rates on Student Loans

When fully phased in, the bill would save typical student borrower in Oregon $4,740 over the life of their loans.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Almost a year after Congress passed legislation to raise interest rates on subsidized student loans in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) voted to reverse that increase.

The House passed a bill that will make college more affordable and accessible by reducing the rate on subsidized college loans for undergraduates in half over the next five years—cutting the interest rate from the current 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent.

The House passed the bill Thursday by a vote of 356 to 71

House Takes Steps Toward Greater Energy Independence

Hooley votes for CLEAN Energy Act, Investing $14 Billion in Clean, Renewable Energy

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregon Congresswoman Darlene Hooley joined with the new Majority to pass the CLEAN Energy Act, taking the first step on the path toward energy independence in the United States.

H.R. 6, the CLEAN (“Creating Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation”) Energy Act of 2007, will repeal $14 billion in tax breaks and subsidies given to the oil industry, and will invest the money in the creation of a Strategic Renewable Energy Reserve to promote renewable fuels.

“The American public deserves fair value for their resources,” said Hooley.

UPDATE: Oregon Authorities Release Kim Family Search Investigation Results

Included in the report is a first hand account Mrs. Kim's perspective of the survival and rescue of herself and her two girls.

(GRANTS PASS) - Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger announced this morning that the Kim Family Search Review investigation has been completed and the report is being delivered to the Josephine County Sheriff today.

Three weeks ago The Josephine County Sheriff's Office asked the Sheriff's Association to conduct a review of the search.

To read the full report click on the link at the end of this story.

Marion County Inmate Walks Away From Work Crew

Abraham Ramirez-Curiel has a criminal history in Marion County including arrests for assault and meth related charges.

(SALEM) - At about 7:45 AM Thursday morning, an inmate, 23-year old Abraham Ramirez-Curiel, walked a way from a Marion County Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew working at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.

The crew supervisor found an inmate's shirt and coat near one of the exit gates from the Fairgrounds.

Unless he shed more clothing, Curiel is believed to be wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, green work pants with the word “INMATE” down the leg, white long johns and possibly an orange stocking cap.

Oregon Conservation Groups Announce 2007 Legislative Priorities

In 1999 alone, 19 bills harmful to Oregon’s environment were passed by the Legislature, with 14 vetoed by the Governor.

(SALEM) - On Thursday, leading conservation organizations unveiled their priorities for the 2007 legislative session.

The Priorities for a Healthy Oregon include reforming Measure 37, expanding Oregon’s electronic recycling program, investing in renewable energy, decreasing dependence on foreign oil by promoting biofuels, and addressing the issue of toxic pollution in our waterways.

In addition, the coalition remains committed to retaining Oregon’s landmark environmental safeguards – including the protection of forests, farmland, rivers, fish and wildlife.

Hunt For Escaped Oregon Inmate Ends

A state corrections inmate sought by police has been located in Salem.

(SALEM) - Law enforcement officials have located David Anthony Marrow, a felon who escaped Monday from a minimum-security prison near North Bend.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada confirms that 29-year old David Anthony Marrow was located by police at 8:30 AM Friday after a report that he was sleeping in a van parked in the 300 block of River Street NE.