Browse All News Articles on Salem-News Page 2997

Earthquake Reminds NW Residents of Risk, and Importance of Emergency Preparedness

New site offers many ideas on how to make your home and family safer in the event of a natural disaster.

(VANCOUVER, Wa.) - With National Preparedness Month in September just around the corner, one might think that Thursday's early morning earthquake event was staged, if that was possible. A new coalition of public and private organizations has been working to promote National Preparedness Month activities through a new website, www.preparetogether.org.

The web site went live on August 1st to emphasize the importance of emergency preparedness to the public. The timing of the earthquake was both coincidental and convenient for getting the word out about the need for emergency preparedness.

Although the minor ground shaking in the wee hours was startling to some area residents, it came as no surprise to officials at Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency in Vancouver.

OLCC: Oregonians Love Absolut Citrus-Flavored Vodka

The citrus-flavored vodka outpaced the second best seller – Burnett’s vanilla flavored vodka -- by 20,616 bottles. Agents sold 44,904 bottles of Burnett’s vanilla.

(SALEM) - Absolut Citron has been the best-selling flavored vodka in the state, with 65,520 bottles sold in the 12-month period ending May 1st, according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

Other top flavored vodka sellers include: Absolut Mandarin, 39,140 bottles; Stolichnaya Vanilla, 37,428; Burnett’s Citrus, 34,954; Smirnoff Twist of Vanilla, 33,565; Smirnoff Twist of Raspberry, $32,592; Burnett’s Raspberry, 32,592; Smirnoff’s Twist of Citrus, 25,795; Stolichnaya Razberi, 21,919; Gordon’s Citrus, 18,198; Burnett’s orange, 17,757; Smirnoff’s Twist of Apple, 17,242; and Burnett’s Sour Apple, 16,537.

Oregon Releases 2006 Preliminary No Child Left Behind Report

Controversial No Child Left Behind standards mean 21 Salem-Keizer schools failed to meet tough test. George W. Bush's plan in insert the federal government into our local schools for the first time in history, is a lesson in irony for "smaller government" Republicans.

(SALEM) - State School Superintendent Susan Castillo Thursday released Oregon’s Preliminary AYP Report, required by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The report lists Oregon public schools making adequate yearly progress (AYP) and those that have been identified for improvement under state and federal requirements.

Salem to Expand Air Terminal in Hopes of Luring Major Air Carrier

McNary Field has been without regularly scheduled air service since Horizon left the Capitol city in 1993.

(SALEM) - The City of Salem will spend nearly half-a-million dollars to expand it's air terminal building in hopes that a major airline will return to McNary Field.

Airport Administrator Alan Alexander says the expansion will provide them with additional space to provide F-A-A required security screening, baggage claim, and ticketing areas.

Alexander says the city has been in talks with Atlanta based Delta Airlines and Las Vegas based Allegiant Air. The city has also sent information on the city’s airport expansion plans to United Express.

Las Vegas Man Rescued From Pacific Crest Trail After Suffering a Seizure

(DETROIT) - On Tuesday, at about 4:00 PM, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a group of hikers in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness area that one of their party, 29-year-old Ricardo Rosenbusch, had experienced a seizure and was unconscious.

Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Rau says the hikers were about four miles up from the Breitenbusch trailhead on the Pacific Coast Trail at the time.

Two members of the group, 21-year-old Daniel Harmon and 18-year-old Joseph Harmon, both of West Linn, hiked out back to their car at the trailhead and drove to Detroit to call for help.

It was not until after dark that members of the Marion County Search and Rescue teams were able to begin their ascent to where Rosenbusch was.

New Rules on Labeling Sex Offenders in Oregon as Predatory Now in Effect

Four Oregon sex offenders will learn whether or not they will be labled as predators by the end of the month.

(SALEM) - New administrative rules that allows the Oregon Parole Board to label sex offenders as predatory, and allows convicted sex offenders to challenge the label before they are released from prison, went into effect on Wednesday.

The new rules allow the offender to request a hearing challenge the predatory label.

Minor Earthquake Rattles Portland-Metro Area

On Sunday, a magnitude 4.0 earthquake shook at 4:30 PM, 200 miles off the Oregon Coast.

(PORTLAND) - A 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck at about 1:39 AM this morning near Cherry Grove, Washington.

The USGS says the minor quake was centered 11.6 miles below the earth’s surface.

There have been several small aftershocks.

Washington State, and Clark County emergency officials say there have been no reports of any damage or injuries.

Third Grade Teacher Run Down in Parking Lot

Police are looking for the driver of a pick-up truck that reportedly fled the scene.

(OREGON CITY) - Clackamas County investigators are hoping that somebody can help identify that man who left Kimberli Lyons, a third-grade teacher, lying in a parking lot unconscious and suffering from a serious head injury Tuesday.

Witnesses say they saw Kimberli Lyons at approximately 12:30 PM, standing next to a blue, Dodge, pick-up truck conversing with a male driver, who was seated at the steering wheel. They were in the Shell gas station in the Ashley's business complex on State Hwy 212 and State Hwy 26.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in attempting to identify the suspect involved in this reported incident.

If anyone has investigative information pertaining to this incident, contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949.

Kite Tubing Prohibited at Corps Reservoirs in Oregon

Recent injuries from kite tubes in Oregon have led to the devices being banned from many of the state's waterways.

(PORTLAND) - Kite tubing is now prohibited at all Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed reservoirs in the Columbia, Willamette and Rogue river basins, the agency announced today.

Effective immediately, the ban includes the use of any “airborne towables,” which are defined as inflatable recreational devices designed to go airborne with a rider while being towed by a boat, whether or not they are specifically marketed as kite tubes.

Several Fires Have Been Intentionally Set Near Springfield; Police Need the Public`s Help

Investigators say the alleged arsonists may have been driving a lowered red Honda Prelude.

(SPRINGFIELD) - Fire investigators are asking for the public's help in developing information related to several intentionally set fires that occurred Wednesday morning on Camp Creek Road about two miles east of Springfield.

A partial description of a vehicle seen in the area is provided to help in the joint investigation involving Oregon State Police Arson & Explosives Section, Oregon Department of Forestry and McKenzie Fire & Rescue.

On August 2nd, 2006 at approximately 4:30 AM, McKenzie Fire & Rescue responded to multiple fire set locations along Camp Creek Road east of Springfield. Fire investigators have identified four fire-set locations as well as damaged mailboxes and paper boxes.