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Gasoline Prices Remain Stable Despite Record High Crude Costs

Crude hit $79 last week. The national average jumped very slightly, while Oregon's fell. The record high oil prices probably will be felt soon, especially if the Lebanon-Israel conflict spreads to Iran.

(SALEM) - Gasoline pricing this past week might be described as confusing at best. Gasoline prices held steady across the United States with the current national average for a gallon of regular up by less than a penny to $2.98. Oregon's statewide average actually backed off slightly to $2.97.

Salem area drivers are paying $2.94 for a gallon of regular. The Portland metropolitan area average price fell by almost 2-cents per gallon, while in Eugene-Springfield it went up by almost 2-cents.

"Following a week of record high crude oil prices, which topped out at more than $79 per barrel, pump prices were expected to spike upward," said AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Elliott Eki.

Employees Keep Fire Damage to a Minimum at the Garten Foundation

No people were hurt as employees helped the fire from spreading through the building.

(SALEM) - Employees at the Garten Foundation were busy packing old newspapers Tuesday when a spark ignited a large pile of papers. The plant was immediatly evacuated.

Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says the department received the call for a structure fire at 3334 Industrial Way NE, the Garten Foundation at 12:45 PM.

Fire Fighter Chad Cook said workers from the plant were using bulldozers to scoop piles of the burning debris away from the larger piles when crews arrived, "This helped prevent the fire from spreading through the rest of the building."

Off-Duty State Troopers Respond to Early Morning Crashes, Making Three DUII Arrests

Police say one of the crashes happened when a boyfriend and a girlfriend tried to take an offramp at the same time.

(WOODBURN) - Off duty Oregon State Police troopers were called on duty following two traffic crashes early Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 between Woodburn and Brooks.

Three people involved in the crashes were arrested for Driving Under the Influence, including one person who police say left the scene on foot.

Silverton Grad Named Miss Rodeo Oregon

(SILVERTON) - Jennifer Steffen, Miss Rodeo Oregon 2007, has been named the proud representative of Professional Rodeo and the State of Oregon.

Jennifer was raised in Silverton, Oregon by her parents Randy and Laurie Steffen. She is a graduate of Silverton high school and is currently attending Concorde Career Institute's surgical technician program where she will graduate in January 2007.

Jennifer developed her love for rodeo while she was very young. While growing up, she attended the St Paul Rodeo each year as was family tradition and eventually led her to participating in both youth and high school rodeo.

Extreme Heat to Hit Oregon This Weekend

Health officials say now is the time to prepare for the extreme heat this weekend. The National Weather Service says temperatures in the mid-valley are expected to be near, or over 103 degrees both days.

(SALEM) - It’s going to be Hot, Hot, Hot, beginning Friday in Oregon. The mercury is expected to top 100 degrees Friday, Saturday and Sunday temperatures are expected to climb well over 103 degrees.

Not even beachgoers will get a break from the heat. Temperatures along the Oregon Coast are expected to be above 90 degrees this weekend.

Salem-area grocery and home improvement stores say they are well stocked on ice, ice cream, water, air conditioners, fans, and all of the necessities one needs to keep their family and pets cool, and healthy during the heat wave.

What Is Extreme Heat?

Still Time to Register For Downtown Salem Parking Forum Tuesday Night

Help plan downtown Salem’s parking future. So far Salem city officials have made no decisions on what to do about downtown parking problem.

(SALEM) - The Downtown Advisory Board, Salem Downtown Association, CAN-DO and the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring a downtown Salem Parking Forum July 18th, a get more input from residents and downtown business owners about what needs and should be done about the parking crisis in the downtown Salem area.

Organizers will discuss the June 8th usage data compiled on 10,000 CBD parking stalls.

They will also share information gathered from 166 downtown businesses that responded to recent parking survey, and 30 downtown employers and other stakeholders interviews.

Critical Injury Traffic Crash in Highway Work Zone Ends Search for Reckless Driver

Police say motorists had called the driver in shortly before he plowed through the cones and into a contractor's truck

(SANTIAM PASS) - Construction workers narrowly escaped injury Monday afternoon when a driver who police suspect was under the influence of alcohol, entered a Santiam Pass-area highway work zone on Highway 20 near Lost Lake and was involved in a crash with another vehicle.

Oregon State Police troopers responded at 3:30 PM Monday to the two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 near milepost 76. Prior to this reported crash, the OSP dispatch center was receiving information of a possible impaired driver that was eastbound from the Santiam Junction.

Governor Kulongoski Calls For New Mental Health Parity Rules

Mental health coverage to become more affordable, accessible under plan.

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski directed the Department of Consumer and Business Services Monday to adopt new mental health parity administrative rules that require health insurance policies to cover the treatment of chemical dependency, mental or nervous conditions at the same level as other medical conditions.

"This action will make mental health services more affordable, accessible and available – and lead to healthier citizens and families. We’re not only moving Oregon to the forefront of states recognizing the broad social benefits of mental health parity, we’re also looking out for Oregon’s bottom line – greater mental health coverage will prevent more costly responses for the state down the road," the Governor said.

The new rules are a product of Senate Bill 1, the Mental Health Parity Bill, championed by the Governor and Senator Peter Courtney during the 2005 Legislative session.

Cops Get Clipped for Salem Girl and Doernbecher`s (VIDEO)

Male and female officers that shed their locks hope the event raised over $11k and they hope that increases awareness when it comes to Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland.

(SALEM) - Marion County deputies have closed ranks and pulled together to help one of their own. A special "Crop a Cop" event was held to raise proceeds and awareness of Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

The Avoidance of Tragedy is a Story in Itself

We often only hear of the tragic water events in Clackamas County. This is a story told through a Letter of Commendation about one life that was saved.

(CLACKAMAS) - Date: July 17, 2006

Re: Commendation for July 16th life saving at Carver Boat Ramp

Dear Sir,

I am writing to commend Reserve Deputy Donnie McCafferty for his rescue of an unidentified Hispanic male swimmer at the Carver Boat Ramp yesterday.

I learned from Deputy Dick Jacobs that he and Deputy McCafferty were at the Carver ramp assisting units with parks enforcement, when an unidentified Hispanic male began having difficulty swimming at the same area where two men recently drowned, just above the bridge.