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Starting Local, Thinking Global: Willamette Students Host AIDS Summit

AIDS continues to take an enormous toll worldwide, killing 8,200 people every day.

(SALEM) - Two representatives from Willamette University’s chapter of the Student Global AIDS Campaign quickly discovered a problem last spring when they attended the organization’s national conference in Washington, D.C.: They didn’t meet any college students there from the West Coast.

They were alarmed by the lack of involvement from their region, and though the Willamette group had just formed, the members’ commitment to social justice made them realize that being the only Pacific Northwest university chapter was something they needed to change.

To build momentum among Pacific Northwest high schools, colleges and universities, the students are hosting a regional summit Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at Willamette in honor of World AIDS Day.

Police Investigating Death of Elderly Salem Woman

Anyone with information on the woman's death is urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

(SALEM) - Just after 3:30 AM Tuesday morning, Marion County Sheriff's Deputies received a call to 403 45th Ave SE in Salem on a report of a deceased elderly female.

Oregon General Rees Credits Soldiers for Improvements in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
Generals visit Forward Operating Base near Uzbekestan to acknowledge efforts of troops

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - My senses were assaulted by the most amazing scenes in Afghanistan this week, when I had an opportunity to visit a forward operating base in the northern part of the country.

The purpose was a visit from a number of National Guard generals from different states including Oregon's General Raymond Rees.

The trip from Camp Phoenix in Kabul involved rides in an armored Suburban, a KC-130 aircraft and a fully up armored Humvee combat vehicle.
General Rees says the U.S. mission is gaining ground.

"Soldiers are doing a fantastic job, I've seen a real improvement in everything that is going on. I was here ten months ago in the January timeframe and clearly things are much improved over what I saw then."

Search Crews Find Missing Jefferson Man

He was found over 300 feet down a steep embankment with his vehicle.

(DETROIT) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says his deputies have located a missing Jefferson man who had been the subject of a search in the Detroit Reservoir area.

54-year-old David R. Zehr, called 911 at approximately 4:10 PM Sunday and told dispatchers he had been outside his vehicle which started to roll down an incline.

Zehr said he attempted to bodily stop the vehicle but was knocked over the bank and was suffering from a broken leg.

Zehr did not have a good idea of his location but was able to inform dispatchers he was south of the Detroit Dam.

Seven Linn County deputies and deputies from Marion County and US Forest Service personnel searched the roads throughout the night and all day Monday.

STORM WATCH: Winter Wonderland Closes Salem-Keizer Schools Tuesday

Schools CLOSED for Salem-Keizer, other Closures Are Below

(SALEM) - Snow showers returned to the Salem-area early Monday afternoon creating a winter wonderland throughout the Willamette Valley.

Some areas reported heavy snowfall throughout the day, while others had brief off and on snow showers.

Roads in some areas, where city, county, and state road crews hadn’t got to yet to remove the snow and slush, became slick and dangerous.

The National Weather Service says you can expect more of the same for your Tuesday morning commute.

STORM WATCH: Afternoon Update: Willamette Valley Turning Into Winter Wonderland

City of Salem crews are out plowing and sanding roadways in south and west Salem.

(SALEM) - Snow showers returned to the Salem-area early Monday afternoon. Some places in the mid-valley were reporting heavy snowfall, with roads becoming slick and dangerous.

So far, there are no reports of any major traffic problems in and around the Salem-area.

Police do ask that if you must travel in this weather, PLEASE slow down and give yourself plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you.

This morning’s snow showers in the mid-valley did in most locations, forcing some school districts to give kids an extended Thanksgiving holiday break.

Christmas Tree Cutting Permits Now Available

When traveling out to find and cut your own Christmas tree in Oregon, remember safety first.

(SALEM) - For many families, it is an annual tradition to brew up some hot chocolate, wrap the scarves up tight and travel deep into the woods in search of that perfect Christmas tree.

However, this year, you may have to drive a bit further.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is not offering Christmas Tree Cutting permits on the Santiam State Forest this year.

Benton County Begins Habitat Conservation Plan For Rare And Endangered Species

The plan will give the county and private landowners flexibility to meet the legal requirements of the Endangered Species Act.

(CORVALLIS) - Benton County is developing a multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan for seven rare and endangered species that occur in local prairies.

The rare, threatened and endangered species include: two butterflies - Fender’s blue and Taylor’s checkerspot; one bird – Streaked Horned Lark; and four plants - Kincaid’s lupine, Nelson’s checkermallow, Willamette daisy, and Bradshaw’s lomatium.

These species are native to the Northwest, and many of them occur only in the Willamette Valley.

Eight People Die on Oregon Roadways Over The Thanksgiving Holiday

OSP arrested 59 people for DUII, and assisted over 700 disabled motorists.

(SALEM) - Preliminary information indicates the same number of people died in traffic crashes this Thanksgiving holiday period as compared to last year on Oregon highways.

As anticipated, the winter-related weather and highway conditions impacted travel, especially in mountain passes and the southern part of the state.

According to preliminary information, 8 people died in seven separate fatal crashes November 22nd – 26th.

STORM WATCH: Snow Returns to Willamette Valley

City of Salem crews are out plowing two inches of snow off the roadways in the hills of south and west Salem.

(SALEM) - The snow returned to the hills around Salem late Sunday night.

Although it didn’t stick, this morning’s snow showers in the mid-valley did in most locations, forcing some school districts to give kids an extended Thanksgiving holiday break.

A Snow Advisory remains in effect until 6:00 AM Tuesday For The Willamette Valley the north Oregon Coast, and the Portland-Vancouver metro area.