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FOUND: Missing 2-Year Old Boy From Canby

The youngster was found hiding in a dresser in his home.

(CANBY) - Little Trevor Luttrell has been found. Missing since 2:45 PM this afternoon, the two-year old boy was located in his SE Canby home, hiding in a dresser.

The Canby Police and Clackamas County Search and Rescue had been on the lookout for the toddler until just about 4:00 PM, when he was found.

All's well that ends well. And this time, there was a happy ending.

Oregon Soldiers to Receive Army`s New Combat Action Badge

(SALEM) - Thirty-four Soldiers of the Oregon Army National Guard's former B Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion will receive Combat Action Badges at the Linn County Fairgrounds on Aug. 5th at 11:00 AM. The Soldiers earned the awards for encountering combat action while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The B Company, 52nd Engineer Battalion officially no longer exists, as they have been absorbed by other aspects of the Oregon National Guard. These soldiers faced many challenges during their deployment in Iraq, and the combat badge is one of many honors that have been bestowed upon these citizen soldiers.

Many of the Oregon Guard units have serious history under their belts. Much of it fairly recent history like Desert Storm and Vietnam, other stories hail from WWII and before.

Oregon Jail Survey Highlights Needs of Inmates with Mental Illness

It has been years since citizens and government agencies took active steps to promote the well being of people who break the law, but new trends indicate at least a desire in the professional community to address some of the many shortfalls.

(SALEM) - A state survey shows that nearly 9 percent of inmates in Oregon's 30 county-run jails are persons with serious mental illnesses, and concludes that both the inmates and jails would benefit from their diversion to other types of programs.

"By and large, the survey found that many of these people have committed lesser crimes and don't pose significant risk to the public," said Bob Nikkel, mental health and addictions administrator in the Oregon Department of Human Services. "Most would benefit from treatment and do not belong in jail."

All 30 jails responded to the survey.

Salem Police Say Foul Play Suspected in Missing Person Case

Police think he may be the victim of a bad drug deal, they are hoping someone in the community can share information that will assist their search.

(SALEM) - The Salem Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing adult who may have been the victim of foul play.

23-year old Christopher Marcus Lampkin of Salem stands 5 feet, nine inches. He weighs 150 Lbs, his hair is brown and his eyes are blue.

Chris Lampkin was last seen at about 3:00 PM April 10th, 2006 getting into a dark green four door sedan on Ruge St in West Salem. He was reported missing officially on June 21st, 2006.

Saxton Blasts Kulongoski on Forest Management in Wake of Black Crater Fire

Saxton Blasts Kulongoski on Forest Management in Wake of Black Crater Fire.

(SISTERS) - As the Black Crater Fire grows to nearly 9,000 acres and threatens to evacuate the entire town of Sisters, Ron Saxton Friday visited the affected areas and questioned Governor Ted Kulongoski’s opposition to sound forest management.

Oregon Introduces Hotline And Website Promoting Payday Loan Alternative

The Department of Consumer & Business Services says research shows many Oregon consumers have multiple payday loans and often extend the payback period, which means they are paying an exorbitant amount of money in interest rates and fees.

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski has announced a new consumer campaign – including a 1-800 hotline and web site – promoting payday loan alternatives and encouraging working Oregonians to avoid these high-interest loans.

"We’ve made real progress protecting hard-working Oregonians from high cost payday loans," said the Governor. "But these new tools will help get this important message out – there are better alternatives for consumers than payday loans charging up to 500 percent interest."

In April, Governor Kulongoski signed legislation establishing reasonable limits on payday lending charges to protect consumers from excessive price gouging.

Dog Bite Ends Ride for Suspected Car Thief Who Gave Chase

Police say the driver who they eventually caught up with, was also intoxicated.

(KEIZER) - Keizer Police received a report of a Hit and Run that had just occurred at the 3900 block of Brooks Ave NE Sunday just after 7:00 PM. The victim reported that a small Geo type 2D vehicle sideswiped his parked Jeep and drove away without stopping.

Keizer Police Sgt. David LeDay said he spotted the suspect vehicle around 7:20 PM near the intersection of Clark ST and Bailey ST NE and attempted to stop it. LeDay says the vehicle fled a short distance to the 4900 block of Bailey where it pulled into a private driveway and the driver ran away on foot leaving his passengers behind. The passenger ages were three, six, ten and 37 years old.

Officers chased the suspect on foot but lost the suspect over fences. Keizer Police K-9 Officer Jefferson and his partner Czar spotted the suspect going over a fence and Czar was released after numerous commands were given out for him to stop. Shortly after, Keizer Officers took the driver into custody after he received a dog bite to the leg.

The investigation continued and that is when officers realized that the car had been stolen earlier in the afternoon.

Op-Ed: Mel Gibson: And We Were Actors

Mel Gibson Apologizes for his behavior as cops in LA maintain that the arrest was "without incident."

(MALIBU, Ca.) - By now, most people have heard about actor/producer Mel Gibson's alleged unruly behavior during a drunk driving arrest in Malibu, California last week. Gibson allegedly made anti-semitic remarks toward the arresting deputy, and that was just the start of it.

Now the actor has offered a public apology, but for what? LA County says nothing happened. Hmmm, too much smog?

The LA County Sheriff's Department has been accused of doctoring the report, and their apparent desire to act as if nothing out of the norm happend during the course of Gibson's arrest, is hard to believe, especially in light of Gibson's own admissions.

McLean Creek Fire Considered Stable

The news is especially good for other areas, where fires continue to keep wildland crews moving at a fast rate.

(MCLEAN CREEK) - The threat from the McLean Creek blaze near Halfway, Oregon is now considered subdued enough for the structural firefighting resources sent from across the state to return home to resume protection of their own districts.

The McLean Creek fire was declared a conflagration by Governor Ted Kulongoski. Invoking Oregon's Emergency Conflagration Act cleared the way for the State Fire Marshal to mobilize resources to protect structures and dwellings in Baker County.

The act allows more firefighting resources to be diverted to help Oregon crews when a fire becomes a serious concern.

Meet Ben Westlund: Independent Candidate for Oregon Governor

An Oregon politician who has left the Republican party, says there is no excuse for the state's lack of health care.

(SALEM) - Ben Westlund has been taking names since switching away from the Republican party to run for the office of Oregon Governor as an independent candidate. Dropping off signatures in Salem, Oregon, he says people are ready for a change.
Westlund says his campaign started well and has only gained momentum. Voters throughout Oregon he says, are jumping on board.

Teams working for the Independent candidate from Bend, Oregon have gathered more than 38,000 signatures have been gathered, those signatures will put his name on the Ballot this November.

One of Westlund’s priorities is the lack of health care for Oregon’s citizens. He doesn’t pull his punches when he talks about how sweeping changes would be under his watch.