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New OSP Charger Patrol Cars Hit Freeways Next Week

The Charger name goes back to the mid-60's, when Dodge and the other American manufacturers entered the 'muscle car era.'

(ALBANY) - Starting next week, Oregon State Police Troopers will begin patrolling Interstate 5 and local highways in the Albany area with a newly introduced 2006 Dodge Charger.

The Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division recently purchased forty-five 2006 Dodge Chargers for patrolling Oregon highways.

Forty-three new Dodge Chargers will be marked in the familiar "OSP Blue" body color with bright yellow graphics, door star emblems, and overhead light bars.

Two vehicles will be equipped unmarked patrol vehicles as part of the Department's Aggressive Driving Plan program.

Oregon DEQ Issues Smog Advisory for Salem And Portland

You can help prevent smog by reducing pollution from cars, mowers, paint and aerosol sprays.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the Southwest Clean Air Agency have issued an air pollution advisory for smog for Friday, July 21st through Sunday, July 23rd in the Portland-Vancouver and Salem area.

Air pollution levels...

Oregon State Police Celebrate 75th Anniversary

(SALEM) - The Oregon State Police turns "75" on August 1st. During the month, the Oregon State Police Foundation will be hosting anniversary celebrations for active and retired members, their families, and invited guests.

"Since August 1, 1931, the Oregon State Police have seen many changes but the spirit and values of the organization has stood the test of time for 75 years," said Superintendent Ronald C. Ruecker. "One thing that hasn't changed during that time is the hallmark of the Oregon State Police – Pride, Loyalty and Dedication."

This coming August 1st, Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski, Oregon State Police Foundation Chair Gerry Frank, and Superintendent Ronald C. Ruecker will be honoring the Department's tradition in service, duty and excellence in the State Capitol Galleria. Active and retired members, their families, and guests have been invited to a 75th Anniversary ceremony.

Op Ed: `Copper-Canisters` Provide
The Only Campaign-Test
Oregonians Need

We often focus too far-and-wide on what is in Oregon’s future; while forgetting, for a while what's still there as witness from our past.

(SALEM) - Throughout the Ages-past, what populations did to honor their ancestors has historically measured their level of culture.

That single criterion is seen as reflecting cultural concern for others; and thus the cooperative necessity we are still learning as the only true-and-solid binder for modern society. Even though the concept was surely communicated clearly by our Founders in that first Revolution.

Compassion encompasses the entire concept, at whatever levels it is allowed to operate.

Search Resumes for Two Boys, 4 And 5, Missing in Rural Clatsop County

The U.S. Coast Guard helicopter has joined in the search for the two boys, and their 10-month old lab.

(ASTORIA) - A search is under way in rural Clatsop County for two young brothers, ages 4 and 5, who wandered off while camping at an old family home.

The family, from the Portland area, was wrapping up the trip when the boys disappeared around 10:30 AM Monday.

The home, is located on Lillenas Road off Oregon Highway 202, about 11 miles from Astoria.

The boys are blonde and dressed in white t-shirts, light-colored shorts and sandals.

They are accompanied by a 10-month-old black Labrador retriever.

Natural Gas Prices in Oregon to Increase This Fall and Winter

Natural gas prices have risen steadily for all three gas utilities serving Oregon since 2003.

(SALEM) - While temperatures heat up outside, the Oregon Public Utility Commission was warned today to expect higher natural gas prices this coming heating season.

Officials with NW Natural Gas, Avista Utilties, and Cascade Natural Gas told the Commission they will be filing requests soon to raise their rates as part of the annual Purchase Gas Adjustment (PGA). The companies pass through their actual cost of purchasing gas, without any mark-up to customers, and make no additional profit from these rate adjustments. When prices go down, customers rates are also reduced.

Company officials predicted the following residential rate increases:

4 to 12% for NW Natural Gas...

Police Searching For Man Accused of Stabbing His Girlfriend 12 Times

Police say the man stabbed his girlfriend in front of their infant child.

(SALEM) - Salem police are asking for the public’s help in locating a man who they believe stabbed his on and off girlfriend 12 times inside a car Thursday night. It happened in the parking lot of the Lancaster Commons apartment complex.

The couple's infant daughter was in the car at the time of the stabbing. She was not harmed during the incident.

The 20-year-old woman is in very serious condition Friday morning at Salem Hospital following surgery for stab wounds to her upper chest and abdomen.

The suspect is described as having a thin build, and dark hair.

Op-Ed: New Las Vegas Law Against Feeding Homeless Underscores City`s Real Motivations

The city most efficient at creating homeless people now says they will arrest you if you feed them.

(SALEM) - The city council of Las Vegas, Nevada took down the town's typical facade this week when they voted to make it illegal to feed homeless people in a park. No glitz, no neon, just the real heart of America's cruelest city laid open like a book.

Now I readily admit that I am no fan of Las Vegas, having survived five years in TV news there between '96 and '01 working for both the NBC affiliate and the FOX station. I think I could say that for the most part, I saw it all.

Process For Replacing Oregon State Hospital in Salem Begins Monday

Process for replacing Oregon's aging state mental hospital kicks off with first site selection criteria hearing.

(SALEM) - The joint legislative committee appointed to develop site selection criteria for locating Oregon's new state mental hospitals held its first meeting this week, during which a variety of proposed criteria were presented by speakers representing the mental health community, care providers, architects and state facilities experts.

The committee is an integral part of an effort to restructure Oregon's mental health system, focusing on the task of replacing the existing state hospital in Salem with a minimum of four new facilities -- one 620-bed facility in the North Willamette Valley region, one 360-bed facility south of Linn County on the west side of the Cascades, and at least two non-hospital-level 16-bed secure residential treatment settings east of the Cascades.

The anticipated construction costs are $324 million to $334 million.

Oregon Weekly Unemployment Benefits Payments Increase

Changes are retroactive to the First of July.

(SALEM) - As of July 1st, the amount paid to Oregonians filing for unemployment insurance benefits increased slightly. The maximum weekly benefit amount an individual can receive will increase to $445, while the minimum amount will be $104.

Under Oregon law, each year the Employment Department recalculates the maximum and minimum amounts paid weekly to those filing for unemployment benefits.

The minimum unemployment figure is 15% of average weekly wage, and the maximum amount is 64%. Both dollar amounts are rounded down to the nearest dollar as required by law.

The new payment amounts are up slightly from those paid over the past year. The maximum payment over the past 12 months has been $434, with a $101 minimum payment.