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Officials Say Three Boys Started Apartment Fire

The boys will now attend the Salem Fire Department's Juvenile Fire Setting Program.

(SALEM) - Investigators with the Salem Fire Department say three young boys playing at 2806 Fisher Road NE, in the Ellsworth Square Apartments found a lighter in the apartment complex.

They say the boys took newspaper from a recycle bin and went to the back of the apartment complex and lit the paper on fire. The fire quickly burned a tree and started to burn the exterior of the apartment complex.

Salem Fire Department received the call for a structure fire at 2806 Fisher Road NE at 2:39 PM Tuesday.

Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says bystanders were spraying portable fire extinguishers on the flames when firefighters arrived on the scene.

McLain Creek Fire in Eastern Oregon Declared a Conflagration

Firefighters are packing up to head out for the first big wildland fire in Oregon this summer.

(SALEM) - Governor Theodore Kulongoski declared the McLain Creek fire in northeast Oregon east of Halfway as the state's first conflagration of 2006.

Two Arrested for Murder in Portland

Police have been looking for the pair since June 21st.

(PORTLAND) - On Tuesday, Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detectives charged 36-year-old Christopher Aquino with one count of Murder and one count of Abuse of Corpse and 22-year-old Nichole Regalia with one count of Abuse of Corpse and one count of Hindering Prosecution in connection with the shooting death of 48-year-old Raymond Ezelle.

National Average Gas Price Pushes Upward to Three Dollars as Oregon`s Average Slides Down

U.S. average continues to go up; as Oregon's continues to go down. Oregon's average price now ranks 25th in the nation.

( SALEM) - As the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline continues its steady march forward, Oregon's average price is in retreat.

Since last week, the national average price gained more than 2-cents per gallon and currently stands at $3; Oregon's average price fell a tenth of a cent to $2.969. Salem’s average price for a gallon of regular is $2.94, while the average price in the Portland metropolitan area went down by more than a penny a gallon to $2.90.

But in the Medford-Ashland area, the average price increased by almost 3-cents per gallon to $3.03. Eugene drivers are paying $3.00 and Vancouver, Washington residents are seeing an average price of $2.94 for self serve regular.

Missing Kids Near Astoria Found Alive

After more than 24-hours, two small boys missing the the woods near a family homestead are located.

(OLNEY) - Two small boys missing near Astoria have been found alive. They were located by Coast Guard helicopter that responded to the area to aid in the search.

Ethan and Atticus Martin, ages 4 and 5, were camping with their parents and brother at an old family homestead in the rural community of Olney when they became missing.

The boys disappeared into the woods around 10:30 AM Monday as their parents, Christopher and Dawn Martin, were packing up to leave.

Smith, Wyden Say Senate Appropriations Bill Will Benefit Several Oregon Transportation Projects

Salem and Redmond Airports to Expand, Portland Light Rail Project Gets $80 million boost.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. Senate is set to consider funding legislation that will directly benefit Oregon’s highways, transportation systems and housing initiatives, U.S. Senators Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) said Tuesday.

“Improving our highways and public transportation systems will ease congestion and help build Oregon’s economy,” Smith said. “These funds will move forward light rail and commuter train projects that will transport thousands of people. There is also money to expand airports and improve our highways. It is critical to move this legislation forward.”

“From rails and roads to economic development and affordable housing initiatives, these projects address critical needs for Oregon,” Wyden said. “This funding represents an important federal investment in our economy and in the future of our state.”

Feds Assessing Oregon`s Alcohol, Drug Prevention Efforts

The three-day review, the first since March 2004, will grade the effectiveness of Oregon's programs, approximately 80 percent of which are financed with federal dollars.

(SALEM) - A team representing the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention will be in Oregon beginning Tuesday to review the effectiveness of the state's efforts to prevent abuse and illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

"Preventing addiction in every age group is key to giving Oregonians better lives, healthier newborns and lower medical costs," said Bob Nikkel, mental health and addiction administrator in the Oregon Department of Human Services. "During this federal review we will look at Oregon's entire addiction prevention system, learn how other states' experiences might help us and be reminded where Oregon is a leader."

Nikkel said he expects federal officials to recognize Oregon is getting successful outcomes from its investments despite the state's modest financial commitment to prevention.

Summer Temperatures are a Good Reminder to Plant Trees in Urban Areas

During the so-called "Dog Days" of summer, the spaces most often coveted by motorists when cruising a parking lot in search of a space to park are those with trees and shade.

(SALEM) - Yes it's true --- while Oregon's heat wave and the soaring temperatures in many of the nation's cities is uncomfortable for many, the summer months actually provide a good opportunity to remind homeowners and city officials about the importance of trees and tree planting programs in our cities.

Research has shown that trees can help reduce both heating and cooling costs; they save energy through cooling in the hotter months, and provide a windbreak for your home during the winter. This results in burning less fossil fuel for cooling and heating.

Strategically placed trees can be as effective as other energy saving home improvements, such as insulation or the installation of energy-saving windows and doors. In fact, three large trees around your home can reduce air conditioning costs up to 30 percent.

Salem Bakes Again Monday, Relief is on The Way

Get a complete 7-day Salem-area weather forecast 24-hours a day on Salem-News.com.

(SALEM) - Salem hit 101 degrees Monday, just missing the record high of 102 degrees set back in 1928.

If you were one of the unfortunate ones searching for an air conditioner to beat the heat Monday, and over the weekend, the news wasn’t good.

Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer and more reported that air conditioners flew off store shelves Friday, and most were totally out of air conditioners and fans by Sunday.

U.S. Military to Help Move Humanitarian Aid Into War-Torn Lebanon

U.N. officials said between 400,000 and 600,000 Lebanese are internally displaced due to the fighting between the terror group Hezbollah and Israeli force.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - As demand for evacuation drops, Defense Department units will deliver more humanitarian assistance to beleaguered Lebanon, a senior defense official said Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the Marines have evacuated 11,913 American citizens from Lebanon since the operation began July 16th.