Browse All News Articles on Salem-News Page 3002

Bite of Salem Underway

The annual event runs throughout the weekend at Salem's Riverfront Park.

(SALEM) - The Bite of Salem is taking place at Riverfront Park this weekend. Each year the event features different varieties of food, some that is what people have every day in Salem, and other more unusual things. Fireworks displays were written in for both Friday and Saturday nights.

Last weekend's Salem Art Fair had a good turnout initially, lots of beautiful things on hand and the best collection of vendors ever, but intense heat kept numbers down.

This weekend with temperatures expected to stay in a more mild mid-70's range, the weather should prove to be anything but a deterrent.

The Bite of Salem began Friday. Saturday's hours are 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Sunday, the event runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Vendors often break down hours early on the last day, so anyone planning to go Sunday might try to arrive well before 6:00 PM.

Deputy Says Mel Gibson Made Racial Slurs During Drunk Driving Arrest

TMZ.com reports that actor Mel Gibson cursed at a police officer who arrested him for drunk driving in California and made anti-Semitic remarks.

(MALIBU, Ca.) - The man who produced and starred in "The Passion of Christ" is accused of committing what some might call ungodly behavior in Southern California this week, when he was pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving in Malibu.

Gibson was pulled over on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu early Friday morning. TMZ.com said the Los Angeles sheriff's deputy who stopped the Oscar-winning filmmaker reported that Gibson became truculent, using obscenities, threatening to "get even" and asking him if he was a Jew.

Gibson's father is openly anti-semitic.

Unknown Chemical Release Sends 11 Employees to Local Hospitals

One employee vomited and passed out, and several more had similar symptoms. Fire officials still don't know what chemicals could have made the people sick.

(OREGON CITY) - A strange odor coming from a commercial trash bin led to the evacuation of all employees at the Metro Recycling Plant in Oregon City. Clackamas Fire and Rescue crews responded to the hazardous materials call at 1:40 PM Friday.

Investigators say it began when an employee near the container became nauseous, vomited and lost consciousness. Several other employees complained of similar symptoms and were taken by ambulance to local hospitals for treatment and observation.

State Police Say News Report Could Reopen Murder Investigation

Photos of some of Bradford's alleged, possible, and confirmed murder victims sat in an LA County Sheriff evidence locker for decades.

(PORTLAND) - As a result of media reports this week regarding San Quentin death row inmate William Richard Bradford, the Oregon State Police Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS) researched the database to determine if there are any crimes in Oregon that may be similar in characteristics.

Bradford lived in Cornelius and Forest Grove, Oregon during that time.

Crews Work all Night Protecting Structures From the McLean Creek Conflagration

(SALEM) - Fighting fire with fire, crews on the McLean Creek Conflagration worked through the night on a burnout designed to remove the structural fire risk. Qualified firefighters under the joint guidance of the Office of State Fire Marshal and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) removed the threat of fire before it could reach buildings by burning fuels leading to structures.

“Firefighters must be careful to gauge temperature, humidity and wind conditions for a safe but effective burnout operation,” explains State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr. “Temperature and wind typically drop at night and humidity rises. If the humidity rises too much, though, the burnout won’t burn.”

A Central Oregon task force on scene is experienced in these operations. USFS provided hand crews and personnel certified to operate the drip torches.

Fire Sprinkler System Puts Out Early Morning Fire at Salem Boat Manufacture

(SALEM) - An early morning fire at Kal Kustom, 3220 Pringle Rd SE, was kept small by the activation of the building's fire sprinkler system.

Deputy Fire Chief Joe Parrot says the fire occurred in a portion of the building used for fiberglass boat manufacturing. The cause was determined to be a malfunction in equipment used in the manufacturing process Parrott said.

Firefighters were called to the business at 3:30 AM.

Upon arrival firefighters carefully checked to make sure any remaining fire had been extinguished and then secured the fire sprinkler system.

Liberty Street SE Bridge Improvement Project Delayed Till Mid August

During the bridge rehabilitation project, anyone who lives or works south of State Street can expect delays when traveling on Liberty Street SE south of downtown Salem.

(SALEM) - If you use Liberty Street SE to get to work, school, or downtown, Be Aware! that beginning in mid-August, Liberty Street SE near City Hall will be reduced to two lanes of traffic while crews rehabilitate the bridge over Pringle Creek.

Retired Oregon Guard General Receives Hollywood Attention

The hard work and creativity of a retired Oregon Army National Guard officer has Hollywood calling for his artistic talents.

(SALEM) - Brig. Gen. (ret.) Lynn Ashcroft, of the Oregon State Defense Force designed and built a custom motorcycle that caught the eye of actor Gary Dourdan, of the hit television drama CSI: Las Vegas.

Ashcroft is the owner of Ashcroft Motorcycles, a custom bike shop in Salem, Oregon. His custom-designed motorcycles have drawn national attention — having been featured in magazines such as The Robb Report and Easy Rider.

Salem Police Conduct Prostitution Sting

(SALEM) - Several arrests were made as Salem Police conducted a prostitution sting in the Highland neighborhood on Tuesday, using two female officers as decoys. Before it was over, nine individuals were charged after allegedly soliciting prostitution.

Evacuations Ordered In Sisters Due to Black Crater Wildfire (UPDATE)

Heavy fire activity in Deschutes County means some residents have to evacuate. The Black Crater Fire near Sisters is now declared Oregon's second conflagration.

(SISTERS) - The Deschutes County Sheriff and Emergency Services have issued evacuation notices Thursday afternoon to Sisters residents in the Crossroads and Edgington neighborhoods.

A pre-evacuation notice has been issued to residents in the Tollgate neighborhood.

The evacuations are due to the Black Crater wildfire that is burning SW of the small Central Oregon town.