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Bi-Partisan Effort Seeks to Increase U.S. Fuel Economy Standards

Oregon Senator Gordon Smith says the Fuel Economy Reform Act sends a clear message to automakers to build more efficient vehicles.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Citing the growing global demand for oil driving up prices at the pump, U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and a bi-partisan group of senators have introduced legislation that will help motorists travel farther on a gallon of gas.

The Fuel Economy Reform Act will spur the production of alternative-fuel powered cars and SUVs and will increase fuel economy standards by 4 percent a year or at least one mile-per-gallon.

“Gas prices are skyrocketing but they’re just the part of our problem,” Smith said.

Three Men Rescued After Their Boat Sinks

In recent years the federal government mandated the use of emergency beacons that allow the crews to be rescued.

(DEPOE BAY) - The U.S. Coast Guard saved three men after their 68-foot fishing boat sunk 70 miles west of Depoe Bay Tuesday night.

The Coast Guard received a call on VHF channel 16 from the operator of the fishing vessel Wild Mary at 11:18 PM, reporting his vessel was taking on water.

An HH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station North Bend, an HH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Newport, and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Depoe Bay, were launched minutes later to assist.

Coast Guard crews located the men in a liferaft and hoisted them to a helicopter at 12:25 a.m. The men were then safely transported to shore.

The cause of the sinking is under investigation.

Salem Police Help Nab Keizer Burglary Suspects

Two local police agencies worked together to take two burglary suspects into custody, and investigators report that the majority of the stolen goods have already been recovered.

(KEIZER) - Keizer Police responded to a report of a business burglary that occurred at 3787 River Road North Monday morning just after 6:30 AM. The owner of the business, Environmental Safety Resource Group, told police that he found the business had been burglarized upon arriving at its location.

Hollywood Tavern Robbed at Gunpoint Tuesday Night

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

(SALEM) - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect who robbed the Hollywood Tavern located at 4310 Silverton Road NE.

Sergeant David Cornforth says the suspect entered the tavern just before midnight, displayed a handgun in his waistband and demanded money from the bartender.

He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as a white male adult 40 to 50 years of age wearing a black shirt and black pants, 6’0 tall with a thin build.

OSCON on a Budget

If open source software is your bag, then you might want to head for the Open Source Convention in Portland.

(PORTLAND) - This week I'm checking in from OSCON in Portland, the eighth annual Open Source Convention, hosted by O'Reilly Publishing at the Oregon Convention Center.

Primarily aimed at informing businesses about the wide array of open source software available, most of the sessions and tutorials are priced at hundreds of dollars each.

In the midst of this gathering of world-class talent there are also some great educational opportunities that are free. Read on.

At the OSCON registration desk, you can obtain a free Exhibit Hall pass. Major companies and local groups will have booths in this area, Wednesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

More Questions Than Answers in Child Drowning (AUDIO)

Hear this story and more Salem-area news from Salem-News.com’s Kevin Hays on Newsradio 1190 KEX

(ALBANY) - Investigators say they still don’t know how a 16-month old child left in the care of a relative drowned Friday in a backyard pool in Albany.

Albany police and an ambulance responded to the home located at 3666 Tudor Way S.E. at 11:30 AM Monday on a report of a possible child drowning.

When crews arrived on scene, they say they located little Joelle Carr, who was found unconscious and unresponsive in 2 feet of water. It is reported that the youngster was being cared for by her grandmother while her parents were at work.

Input Sought on Elk Lake Motorboat Use Restriction

Written comments on the proposed rule are welcome and must be received by Thursday, August 31st.

(SALEM) - The Oregon State Marine Board is now accepting written public comment on a proposed rule that would restrict motorboat use on Elk Lake, near Brietenbush in Marion County.

The Marine Board received a petition requesting electric motors only on this waterbody. Difficult road access has limited vehicles towing trailers, but recent road improvements have caused concerns that larger motorboats may attempt to access this small lake.

"The question we are asking people is do we need an electric-motor-only regulation on Elk Lake, or would a 5 mph or 10 mph speed limit be more acceptable to historic users," says Randy Henry, Policy and Planning Analyst for the Marine Board.

"This lake wouldn't serve waterskiers or other high speed activities well, but there has been no historical prohibition on gas motors.

For The First Time in Nearly 100 Years, OSU to Perform Shakespearean Play Outdoors (AUDIO)

Director Scott Palmer found that this August’s adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” appears to be the first Shakespearean play at OSU performed outdoors since the 1920s.

(CORVALLIS) - For the first time in nearly a century, the University Theatre program at Oregon State University will present a Shakespearean play as it was meant to be done – in the great out-of-doors.

“These plays are meant to be performed outdoors,” Director Scott Palmer said.

Oregon State Capitol to Receive Much Needed Upgrades

(SALEM) - The Golden Pioneer atop the Oregon State Capitol is smiling today. A public panel has voted to support seismic upgrades and other much needed fixes on the Capitol building, which could cost more than 100 million dollars.

Oregon's third Capitol opened in 1938 as a replacement for the building that burned in 1935.

A four-story structure of Modern Greek architecture, it was completed at a cost of $2.5 million and is the fourth newest Capitol in the United States.

A Capitol "Wings" project, completed in 1977, at a cost of $12.5 million, added further space for legislative offices, hearing rooms, support services, a first floor galleria, and underground parking.

The James M. Floyd Memorial: An Installation by Nancy Floyd

The James M. Floyd Memorial was first shown in 1986 in Los Angeles and League City. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was shown in Washington, D.C., where it was included in War and Memory at the Washington Project for the Arts.

(SALEM) - Contemporary artist Nancy Floyd’s installation dedicated to her brother who was killed in the Vietnam War will be on exhibit Aug. 5th to Oct. 21st in the Study Gallery at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University.

Floyd created the installation, The James M. Floyd Memorial, in honor of her brother Jim, who was killed in 1969. Floyd will give an illustrated slide show lecture about her work of the past 20 years, including The James M. Floyd Memorial, at 5:00 PM Sept. 15th in the Roger Hull Lecture Hall at the museum.

The lecture is free and open to the public. A preview reception will follow from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the lobby and galleries downstairs.

The museum also will host a free, four-part film series, Vietnam: On the Frontlines, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM Sept. 14th and 28th and Oct. 5th and 19th in the Roger Hull Lecture Hall.