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Oregon State Sheriffs` Association 2006 Award Winners

Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez and Washington County Rob Gordon Named Sheriffs of the Year 2006

(BEND) - Sharing this year's "SHERIFF OF THE YEAR" honor were Washington County Sheriff ROB GORDON and Marion County Sheriff RAUL RAMIREZ; both were honored for their progressive work in community-building and continuing education for law enforcement professionals.

Oregon Senate President Courtney Announced Senator Kate Brown Will Chair Rules Committee

Closing ethics loopholes will be a top priority for committee

(SALEM) - Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) announced Friday that Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown (D-Portland) will chair the Senate Committee on Rules during the 2007 legislative session. Immediately following the announcement, Brown said that closing loopholes in current ethics and lobbying laws will be a top priority for the committee.

“There are a number of inconsistencies, intended or not, that exist in current Oregon law, which has not been updated since the Watergate era,” said Brown.

Op Ed:
Perverted Politics
Killed Previous U.S.
Universal Healthcare

Moral-Hazard Myth Reverses Common Sense and Economics

(SALEM) - American history tells some woeful tales about political perversion forcing portentous decision, with damning consequence.

But our healthcare market-based debacle is setting new records in costs, consequences, and pending catastrophe.

Its most painful impacts are on the least-able to pay and our once-vauntedly “comfortable” middle-class of white-collar workers.

Five Salem Oregon Schools in Lockdown After Armed Car Jacking

The suspect is considered to be armed and dangerous.

(SALEM) - An armed car jacking took place at the Mervyn's Department store Friday afternoon about 1:00, in Albany, and a police chase ensued north on I-5.

The victim reported that a male suspect grabbed her from behind after she opened the rear driver side door on her 2004 Chevy Avalanche pickup truck and set her purse and keys on the seat.

Police say the suspect put a handgun to the victim's head and ordered her to get into her vehicle as he tried to push her inside. The victim screamed and was able to break free from the suspect and ran back to the store.

The suspect fled the area in the victim's vehicle north onto I-5.

Free Storm Debris Disposal Offered in Marion County

Debris can be taken to S. River road next Saturday, Dec 23rd

(SALEM) - Marion County Public Works is offering free disposal of trees, limbs, bushes and other organic yard debris downed by Wednesday night's windstorm at the county's Brown's Island composting site.

Debris can be brought to the site from 8:00 to 4:00 PM this Saturday, December 16th, and next Saturday, December 23rd. This offer is extended only to Marion County residents.

The composting site is off South River Road at 3295 Faragate St. SE. Take Homestead Road to its intersection with Faragate.

Highways Re-Opening After Storm

U.S. highways 30 and 101 open; Highway 22 open to Hebo

(SALEM) - U.S. 30 between Portland and Astoria and U.S. 101 are open to traffic, as of 8:30 this morning. In addition, Highway 22 north to Hebo is now open.

Motorists should drive with caution on these roads since there may still be some debris and standing water on the roads.

For the latest driving conditions, motorists can visit www.tripcheck.com or call 511.

Hwy 20 CLOSED East of Sweet Home

A winter storm moves inland with hurricane force winds and heavy rain.

(SWEET HOME) - The Oregon Department of Transportation has closed U.S. 20 about 1.5 miles east of Sweet Home after heavy winds downed trees in several locations, including some trees that fell onto power lines.

The highway is closed in both directions at mile point 33, where Quartsville Road bisects U.S. 20.

The highway will remain closed until further notice.

Hwy 26 CLOSED for 10-Mile Stretch

Another major road closure due to trees down

(SANDY) - Highway 26 east of Sandy eastbound is closed for about a 10 mile stretch due to trees falling into the eastbound lanes.

ODOT is on the scene, handling traffic control from milepost 27 (SE Firwood Road) to milepost 36 (Brightwood Truck Scales) as traffic in both directions is diverted indefinitely into the westbound lanes - Oregon State Police Sergeant Duane Larson reported that at about 5:00 PM two vehicles struck at least one of the downed trees near milepost 31 resulting in very minor damage and no injury.

Hwy 18 CLOSED from Grand Ronde to Otis

“It’s just too unsafe out there to take chances with people’s lives"

(GRAND RONDE) - The Oregon Department of Transportation has closed a 20-mile stretch of Highway 18 after high winds toppled dozens of trees across the roadway Thursday afternoon. This section of the highway will remain closed until at least Friday morning.

ODOT closed the corridor, between Grande Ronde and U.S. 101 at Otis Junction, just after 3:00 PM Thursday. The large number of trees across the road, with heavier winds expected later tonight, forced the closure.

Power Out For 115,000 PGE Customers (UPDATE)

To report an outage or a downed power line, please call 1-877-LITES OUT (1-877-548-3768). Do NOT call the police if your power goes out.

(SALEM) - Pacific Power is responding to outages caused by a major storm throughout its Oregon service territory. Portland General Electric has approximately 115,000 customers without service throughout a five-county area. Outages are a result of wind-related occurrences.

Sustained winds along the coast are currently gusting to 91 mph.