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Man Accused of Critically Injuring Salem Bus Driver Appears in Court

An account has been established to assist Gary Phillips, the Salem-Keizer school-bus driver who was critically injured in a hit and run accident this week.

(SALEM) - The man accused of hitting a critically injuring a Salem school bus driver faced a Judge for the first time Friday.

20-year old Corey Duffield faces charges of felony hit and run and assault, while 65-year old Gary Phillips remains in critical condition at Salem Hospital.

According to court records, Duffield said he was on his way to work, when he came upon the Hawthorne Ave and D Street intersection. Duffield said there was a yellow light, he was traveling at 40 mph in a 35 mph zone, and it was dark, rainy, and foggy at the time of the accident.

The Judge set Duffield’s bail at $70,000.

Oregon`s DeFazio Votes to Implement The 9/11 Commission Recommendations

"One of my highest priorities has been to implement the common-sense recommendations of the 9/11 Commission," DeFazio said.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio voted Tuesday for a bill to implement the recommendations of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, which he has been urging since the Commission's report was published in 2004.

The bill will enhance homeland security at airports, in our airways, and in our ports, and will allow our first responders to better communicate with one another.

The House passed the bill Tuesday night by a vote of 299 to 128.

BREAKING NEWS! I-5 Southbound in Southern Oregon Closed

Stay with Salem-News.com for more information on this story as soon as it becomes available.

(ROSEBURG) - Interstate five in southern Oregon at milepost 154 near Roseburg is completely closed.

OSP says the closure is due to a fatality crash between a semi truck and a passenger vehicle.

There is no estimated time on when the freeway will re-open.

Salem Police Make Record Number of Arrests For Graffiti Related Crimes

In 2006, over 91,000 square feet of property in the Salem-area was hit with graffiti, of which 54 percent was gang related.

(SALEM) - Salem police arrested a record number of individuals, eight of which were adults, for graffiti related crimes last year.

Kim Nelson Graffiti Abatement Officer for the Salem Police Department says officers arrested 72 individuals in 2006, up from 32 in 2005. There were 45 arrests in 2004.

Nelson said 2,034 Salem residents reported graffiti, while officers responded to 2,853 graffiti related calls.

In 2006, over 91,000 square feet of property in the Salem-area was hit with graffiti, of which 54 percent was gang related.

Nelson said they also saw a large increase in the number of "tagger graffiti".

The hardest hit areas were north of Mission Street and in the downtown core area.

Willamette Valley Homeless Seeking Shelter From The Cold; Agencies Desperately Need Donations

The cold snap could prove deadly for the homeless, especially children and the elderly

(SALEM) - With frigid temperatures expected in the Salem area over the next few days, the number of homeless trying to find a warm place to eat and sleep has put those who are trying to help in a desperate need of donations of food and warm clothing.

The National Weather Service says overnight low temps will be in the teen's to low 20's through Tuesday.

Oregon House Speaker Merkley Appoints Guidelines Committee

Merley also announced that three House committees will see a change in membership, effective immediately.

(SALEM) - Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) on Thursday appointed three members to the House Guidelines Committee.

The committee will regularly review the gift and travel ban guidelines approved in House rules on Monday, and suggest changes or further clarification as questions arise.

The members of the committee are: Rep. Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), Chair; Rep. Phil Barnhart (D-Eugene); Rep. Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point).

Fatal Crash on Highway 22 (UPDATE)

Police say Highway 22 East of Salem is very slick with ice. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when driving and should remember that shaded areas can be icy.

(MILL CITY) - At approximately 1:35 PM today, two Portland Area Residents died in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 22 near Mill City. An off-duty medic was at the crash scene and reported the fatalities.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2002 Toyota 4-Runner, driven by 27-year old Levi Wilson, of Turner slid out of control, on black ice, in a curve. A 1999 Subaru Legacy made an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision but was struck on the passenger side.

Oregon Lawmakers Sound Off on President`s New Plan For Iraq

U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio said the President's new proposal is anything but - it's a status quo, more of the same, stay the course plan.

(SALEM) - "This is the President’s Hail Mary pass,” U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith said Wednesday night reacting to President Bush’s new plan for Iraq.

“Iraqis need to be their own street cops, not U.S. forces,” Senator Smith said, “Now it is up to the Iraqi Army to catch the ball. We are extending an ineffective tactic to further the status quo. Iraqis must be the ones to settle their own peace.”

Senator Ron Wyden, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said, “I am not convinced that overstretching our military further is going to produce success in Iraq, and I oppose the President’s plan."

Oregon Hunters Association Offers Reward Related to Illegal Killing of Three Buck Deer

A reward of $500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the illegal killing of the three buck deer in Wasco County.

(WAMIC) - The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is investigating the illegal killing of three large buck deer near Sportsman's Park west of Wamic.

A reward of $500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

From early November through late December, 2006, three large buck deer were shot within 200 yards of each other near Sportsman's Park.

Police Release Video of Salem Armed Robbery

There is a link to the video at the end of this story.

(SALEM) - Salem Police have released the video of the armed robbery that occurred last week at the Plaid Pantry, located at 1504 Broadway St NE in the hopes that someone will recognize the suspect.

At approximately 1:59 AM, the Plaid Pantry reported an armed robbery; then, at about 5:11 AM, the Circle K Store at 2459 Fairgrounds Rd. NE, also reported an armed robbery.

Watch the video and alert police if you recognize the suspect.