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Taxpayers Reminded to Cash Tax Refund Checks Sooner Rather Than Later

Your uncashed check might be more difficult to cash after it hits the unclaimed property program.

(SALEM) - Did you receive an Oregon income tax refund check in the past couple of years that you still haven't cashed? If so, the Oregon Department of Revenue reminds you to cash it—soon.

State law requires the Department of Revenue to send, after two years, unclaimed tax refunds to the Department of State Lands' unclaimed property program.

"You can still collect your refund after two years," said the revenue department's Financial Manager J.P. Jones, "but it's much easier if you cash your refund check before we have to turn the funds over to the state's unclaimed property program."

"You can still collect your refund after two years," said the revenue department's Financial Manager J.P. Jones...

Mobile Home Hauler Strikes Three Highway Overpasses in Salem

Police say the Albany Man's drivers license was suspended, and it had no oversize permit for hauling the load on Highway-22.

(SALEM) - State Police say the driver of a commercial truck pulling a mobile home was cited by Oregon State Police Wednesday afternoon when three overpasses were struck as he traveled eastbound on Highway 22 from the Interstate 5 area.

Highway Department officials on the scene said one overpass had damage, and it was considered minor.

Investigators say Nicholas Gregory Smith of Albany, was operating a truck that was pulling a mobile home eastbound on Highway 22, when it struck 3 overpasses at Lancaster Avenue, Cordon Road and 72nd Street.

Cherriots Offering Free Shuttle For Salem Art Fair Attendees

Cherriots also will have some bus routes detoured this weekend due to the annual Salem Hoopla event.

(SALEM) - Enjoy the annual Salem Art and Fair Festival this weekend at Bush’s Pasture Park even more by avoiding traffic and parking by catching a free ride at specially marked bus stops along the shuttle route on July 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

The shuttle comes by approximately every 15 minutes from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday, connecting the Art Fair, downtown Transit Mall and parking lots and South High School.

Call (503) 588-BUSS for more shuttle information.

Be Aware! Salem-Area Road Construction Report For Thursday

Salem-News.com Salem-area road construction report…..

(SALEM) - Hawthorne Ave NE Between Market St NE and Sunnyview Ave SE. Hawthorne Ave will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to one side of the street. This lane closure is for installation of utilities for new development.

$1.5 Million Grant to Strengthen Science Education in Oregon

(CORVALLIS) - Oregon State University has received a grant of $1.5 million from the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) in Chevy Chase, Md., to bolster science education at all grade levels throughout the state.

This four-year award will support initiatives for undergraduate students at OSU, including summer research experiences and enhancements to the life sciences curriculum, as well as OSU’s outreach and educational programs for elementary and high school students.

Edward J. Ray, president of Oregon State University, says investing in science education at all grade levels is essential. “For the United States to maintain its position as the world leader in science and technology, we must cultivate a passion for the study of science from elementary school through college,” Ray said.

Hot Cars Could Spell Death for Oregon Children

Temperatures inside an automobile can soar and quickly exceed the heat of the day, especially when the car is parked directly in the sun.

(SALEM) - With the heat of summer in full swing, local police and firefighters say it is especially important to be mindful of kids as the sun rises temperatures far above what most Oregonians are accustomed to.

Kevin Rau with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, says they have seen an increase in referrals from Child Welfare officials about small children being left unattended in cars. “As we all know, even a few moments in a hot car could spell disaster and could even prove fatal for a child. Weather officials have forecast 100+ temperatures this weekend.”

Rau says that even at much lower temperatures, leaving a child in the car to “run into the store” or mail a letter is very unsafe and it places the child in extreme danger. “Not only is this common sense, leaving your child in a car unattended could result in criminal charges.”

Americans Spend Less Than 10 percent of Disposable Income on Food

The Department of Agriculture reports that food remains a bargain for Oregon and U.S. consumers.

(SALEM) - The U.S. consumer is spending a bit more of their disposable income to purchase food than the previous year, but they still enjoy the cheapest, most abundant food supply in the world, according to new statistics released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bush Vetoes Embryonic Stem Cell Bill

At the lowest point in his presidency, Bush makes it clear that the will of the people has no place in his decision. Now he is increasingly losing support among Republicans.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - In spite of the fact that more than 70% of the nation hoped he wouldn't, President Bush whipped out his veto pen for the first time Wednesday, rejecting a legislative attempt to remove roadblocks to increased federal funding of research using embryonic stem cells.

"This bill would support the taking of innocent human life of the hope of finding medical benefits for others. It crosses a moral boundary that our society needs to respect, so I vetoed it," Bush said at a White House event.

The House passed the bill last year, and the Senate voted Tuesday to approve the legislation on a 63-37 vote. White House officials had vowed that Bush would hold to previous threats to veto the bill.

First Accident Reported on Kite Tube in Oregon

Manufactuters are now recalling some of the kite tubes.

(OWYHEE LAKE) - A recent kite tube accident on Oregon's Owyhee Lake led to the state's first serious injury with the controversial inflatable devices designed to be towed by a boat.

In this case, a 33-year old female was life-flighted to a Boise Hospital with possible crushed vertebra. It happened July 8th.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission sent out an advisory urging...

Kulongoski, Smith, Others Call on President Bush to Sign Stem Cell Research Bill (AUDIO)

Both say that new research could lead to dramatic health care innovations.

(SALEM) - As the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 (HR 810) moves through Congress, Governor Kulongoski, Oregon Senator Gordon Smith, and others urged passage of the health care initiative.

"Stem cell research holds the potential to significantly benefit as many as 100 million Americans with new cures for some of the world’s most deadly diseases," the Governor said. "I urge the Bush administration not to play politics with important scientific research that could save many lives and lead to dramatic health care innovations."