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Teddy Bears and Back Packs Will be Collected to Help Traumatized Children

(SALEM) - For younger kids being removed from suspected drug homes by police, a teddy bear can be a comforting connection to help them in their transition to what is often a new life.

For all of the kids, backpacks filled with new clothing and other needed supplies can mean the difference between losing everything and having something to hold onto.

ODOT: Bicycle and Motorcycle Riders Remember Your Helmet or Face a Ticket (AUDIO)

(SALEM) - IF YOU RIDE A BIKE WITH A MOTOR OR WITHOUT ONE, ODOT WANTS TO REMIND YOU TO WEAR YOUR HELMET.

Salem Public Library Kicks Off its Annual Summer Reading Club

(SALEM) - Pet lovers of all kinds are invited to join the 2006 Summer Reading Club, "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales." The summer reading fun begins on Tuesday, June 6th as we begin sign-ups at the main library, the West Salem Branch, on the Bookmobile, or online.

Registrations are accepted through August.


The summer reading club and special summer programs are free to participants. All children are encouraged to participate, from babies to high schoolers. As participants count the hours they spend reading or listening to stories, they earn Book Bucks to spend in the Reading Club Store at the end of the summer, or raffle tickets to try to win one of the special prizes donated by local businesses and organizations.

Health Advisory Issued for Water Contact at Siletz Bay Beach

(LINCOLN CITY) - A public health advisory was issued Thursday due to higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Siletz Bay beach in Lincoln County.

Water samples indicate higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria, which can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses.

Direct contact with the water should be avoided until the advisory is lifted, especially for children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to waterborne bacteria.

Enjoy Oregon State Parks For Free on Saturday

The Oregon State Legislature established Oregon State Parks Day in 1997 to focus public attention on the heritage, use, development and funding of Oregon's state park system.

(SALEM) - "GO PLAY!" ... in a state park, for free.

The invitation from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is good for the ninth annual State Parks Day on Saturday at all of its day-use areas, and for camping in its full hookup (sewer, electricity and water), electrical hookup (electricity and water) and tent sites.

In recognition of National Trail's Day on the same date Governor Kulongoski will help observe the day by cutting the ribbon on the newest section of Willamette River Water Tail at 10:00 AM in a public ceremony at Marshall Island south of Junction City.

Schwarzenegger to Order Troops to Border

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger agreed Thursday to send the California National Guard to the Mexican border, ending a 17-day standoff with the Bush administration.

The two sides had been at odds over whether California Guardsmen would join the effort to bolster the Border Patrol and who would pay for it.

They reached an agreement under which California will contribute about 1,000 Guardsmen for border duty and the federal government will pick up the full cost, Schwarzenegger said.

"It is not my preference to send the National Guard, but there's an important need to protect the border," he said.

Governor Kulongoski Orders Flags to be Flown at Half Staff in Memory of Oregon Soldier

Flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday, June 2nd, 2006 in honor of Specialist Jeremy M. Loveless.

(SALEM) - Today Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff on Friday, June 2nd, 2006 in memory of Specialist Jeremy M. Loveless, 25, of Estacada, Oregon.

Specialist Loveless was assigned to the Army`s 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade combat Team of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He was killed on May 29th, when his Stryker came under enemy small arms fire in Mosul, Iraq.

"The death of Specialist Loveless is a profound loss," said Governor Kulongoski. "Loveless epitomized the spirit of a true Oregonian. He took care of his family by trying to better himself, his community through volunteering...

Marion County Courthouse Nearing Completion of Rebuild

(SALEM) - After months of intense construction work, employees have begun moving back into the Marion County Courthouse.

There are a few weeks left until the buliding is fully reoccupied, but employees who normally conduct business in the building are expressing relief. The courthouse was severely damaged by vandalism and fire last November during a police standoff.

Christopher Millis stands accused of driving his pickup through the front doors of the courthouse November 12th 2005, then firing shots and starting fires inside.

Marion County officials say they initially underestimated the amount of work, time, and money it would take.

When the building was damaged, officials locked it up tight and damages were assessed. Problems relating to asbestos and other early building practices brought crews their share of problems, but contractors worked together in a variety of areas to rebuild the courthouse to a state that will essentially be better than new.

Record `Kicker` Refunds Expected; Governor Wants Money Reinvested

(SALEM) - The biggest personal income tax "kicker" in Oregon history may be coming to taxpayers in 2007, thanks to a surging state economy, but Gov. Ted Kulongoski proposes suspending the refunds.

Repeal or Near-Repeal of the Estate Tax Would Substantially Harm Charitable Giving

Bringing home the old adage... the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

(SILVERTON) - Repealing the federal estate tax, or substantially cutting the top estate tax rate, would negatively affect charitable giving, harming vital services in Oregon that rely upon voluntary contributions, including health care, health research, higher education, and human services.