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Howard Dean Urges Democrats to Unite Behind Kulongoski

(EUGENE) - Former presidential candidate and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean urged Oregon Democrats to rally around Gov. Ted Kulongoski's re-election bid this fall, saying that a Kulongoski victory will be part of the party's national effort to turn the tide against the policies of President Bush and the Republicans.

Dean gave the opening address Friday night as hundreds of Oregon Democrats gathered in Eugene for their state convention to draft a new party platform and adopt party positions on ballot initiatives prior to the November general election.

The former Vermont governor and Kulongoski arrived on stage together to loud applause from the Democratic faithful. Dean made it clear he thinks it's time for Democrats to put aside any differences from the just-ended May primary election and rally around Kulongoski.

Northwest Lawmakers Hail Plan to Fight Meth

The Bush Administration wants to start randomly drug testing American children.

(WASHINGTON AP) - Northwest lawmakers are praising a Bush administration plan to fight meth use.

But politicians from the region also say the administration needs to put its money where its mouth is.

The White House says it wants to cut methamphetamine use in the United States by 15 percent by 2009.

The administration is calling for more cooperation with Mexico and the expansion of random drug testing in schools.

But the White House's current budget proposal cuts federal spending for state and local law enforcement to fight meth by 80 percent.

Weekend News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

(SALEM) - Here are Today's Top Stories from Salem-News.com, With Kevin Hays...

Health Advisory Lifted for Water Contact at Siletz Bay Beach

With only light showers predicted, it should still be a good weekend to head to the beach.

(SALEM) - A health advisory for contact with marine water at Siletz Bay beach in Lincoln County was lifted Friday by the Oregon Department of Human Services, in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The advisory was issued on Thursday after water samples at Siletz Bay beach showed higher-than-normal levels of enterococcus, a type of fecal bacteria, in the marine water. Subsequent testing showed the contamination had subsided and the waters did not pose a higher-than-normal risk associated with water-contact activities.

Since 2003, state officials have used a federal Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Such bacteria can cause illness in swimmers and others who come into contact with ocean water.

Democrat and Republican State Lawmakers Comment on $1 Billion Plus Tax Kicker

(SALEM) - Courtney says unstable national, international conditions cause economic volatility in Oregon, while Ferrioli says it is important we do all we can to keep our economy growing.

"Powerful forces could weaken Oregon's economy," said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). "These revenue forecasts are volatile. I hope everyone will beware of spending money that doesn't exist yet."

In its quarterly state Economic and Revenue Forecast released Thursday, the Office of Economic Analysis predicted continued economic growth, resulting in a projected corporate and personal income tax kicker of more than $1 billion.

Op Ed:
Take the Money and Run Tests
Oregon`s Courage,
Conscience, Convictions

“Kicker�-Confrontation Can Kill or Cure State’s Future.

(SALEM) - `Take the money and run` is a sorry film featuring Woody Allen, whose misadventures are so tragic they become comic. It`s a peculiarly revealing reflection from the realities of the world today.

Are we in Oregon about to live out the same kind of revealing --and, some will insist, revolting-- reality?

Some still see the state`s future in the same distorting light that the Allen epic denotes, via ostensible old `political principles.`

All the components --and the characters are surely there and determined to perform -- precisely as in the damaged past, if so allowed.

The same misadventure-pieces are right at hand: `The Kicker` is, of course, the chief character. Will it conquer all else in the Oregon conscience?

Will parents settle for small-dollars, abandoning any hope of permanent and proper educational advantages for those future Oregonians already here?

Bike Oregon Wine Country While Helping Local Schools

Rides are held every Sunday in August 2006.

(RICKREALL) - The people who run Eola Hills Winery in Rickreall have several fun bicycle trips planned for Willamette Valley fans this summer.

The winery`s Eric Rogers says it is a fun and healthy way to enjoy the natural area, while sampling some of the valley`s finest wines, `Being avid cyclist ourselves, we decided to organize a bike tour in the mid 90's. That ride has now evolved into `Bike Oregon Wine Country.``

When people join in the Eola Hills Wine Cellars for the premier bicycle tour through Oregon Wine Country, they benefit area kids, `For every purchase of Eola Hills Wine, a donation will be made to support Oregon schools through Eola Hills' Oregon Education Assistance Fund.`

Slide Repair to Close One lane of OR22 Near Valley Junction

Slide Repair to Close One Lane of OR22 Near Valley Junction.

(GRAND RONDE) - Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close one lane of Highway 22, the Hebo Highway, just west of Valley Junction beginning at 8:00 AM Monday, June 5th, to repair landslide damage.

The work area is at milepost 17.2 on Highway 22, about 9 miles west of Valley Junction. Repairs will take place from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday, June 8th.

Flaggers will control traffic through the work area during the four-day repair job.

Motorists should expect delays of 5 minutes or less. However, delays could last up to 15 minutes toward the end of the project when workers dig out the highway to replace a damaged culvert.

Man Escapes Early Morning House Fire in Salem

(SALEM) - William Main was awakened early Friday morning to the smell of smoke, and fire investigators say he was lucky to escape his burning residence alive.

He later told firefighters that he tried to go out of the bedroom door of his residence at 4704 Niles Avenue NE when he was pushed back by thick black smoke, forcing him to jump out his bedroom window.

Investigators say the residence did not have working smoke detector. William Main told firefighters that he had removed the batteries from his smoke detector so it would not go off while he was cooking.

Salem Fire received the call for a structure fire at 4:02 AM Friday. The first crews on the scene reported smoke coming from the front portion of the residence. Fire crews broke open a sliding glass door to discover the living room was engulfed in flames.

Friday Morning News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

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