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Senate Confirms Hayden as CIA Director

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - After hearing assurances he will be independent of the Pentagon, the Senate on Friday easily confirmed Gen. Michael Hayden, a career Air Force man, to head the CIA.

Hayden, a four-star general, currently is the top deputy to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte.

Hayden, 61, would be the first active-duty or retired military officer to run the spy agency in 25 years. He was approved by a vote of 78-15.

President Bush, in a written statement, applauded Hayden's confirmation.

Volcanoes Baseball And Public Safety Coordinating Council to Recognize Community Meth Successes

The event is geared towards families, with free T-shirts for children and interactive displays to educate and entertain attendees.

(SALEM) - Partnering with Volcanoes Baseball, the Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council is organizing the first annual "Striking Out Meth In Marion County" event to be held on July 14th at 6:00 PM at the Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer.

Capitol Police Probing Reports of Gunfire

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Capitol police were investigating "the sound of gunfire in the garage level of the Rayburn House Office Building," said an announcement on the internal Capitol voice alarm system.

The Senate was in session at the time, but the House was not.

Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., conducting a House Intelligence Committee hearing, interrupted a witness to request those attending the meeting to remain in the room and said the doors must be closed.

"It's a little unsettling to get a Blackberry message put in front of you that says there's gunfire in the building," he said.

HERE ARE TODAY`S TOP STORIES FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM FRIDAY, WITH KEVIN HAYS REPORTING…

(SALEM) - A SALEM WOMAN IS SHAKEN BUT UNHARMED AFTER SURVIVING A VIOLENT ARMED ROBBERY THURSDAY NIGHT AT A SALEM MOTEL.

POST OFFICES, BANKS, SCHOOLS, GOVERENMENT OFFICES, AND THE SALEM LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED ON MEMORIAL DAY.

PRESIDENT BUSH HAS SIGNED FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO HELP PRESERVE STATE VETERANS HOME LOAN PROGRAMS.

PLUS MORE STORIES IN THIS REPORT FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM.

Board to Review State`s Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies

(SALEM) - A report about Oregon's preparedness for pandemic flu and other public-health emergencies will be delivered June 2nd to the Public Health Advisory Board by state Public Health Director Susan Allan, M.D.

The board will meet from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Room 918 of the Portland State Office Building, 800 N.E. Oregon St. The 15-member board advises the Oregon Department of Human Services on public health policy.

DHS plays a lead role in ensuring that the state is prepared to meet public health needs arising out of epidemics, earthquakes, hazardous-materials spills and other emergencies.

At the public meeting, Allan and the Northwest Health Foundation's Thomas Aschenbrener will also outline progress on a report being prepared about the status of Oregon's public health.

Oregon Sees Strong Demand For its Bonds in Sale That Brought in $302 million

Bridges can be restored and replaced at a reduced cost to Oregonians.

(SALEM) - Oregon`s bridges and taxpayers will benefit from Monday`s successful sale of Oregon highway user revenue bonds, which brought in proceeds of $301,777,930.15 to repair and replace bridges in Oregon.

On Monday, the Office of the State Treasurer`s Debt Division coordinated, through its bond counsel Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliff and underwriter Bear Stearns & Co., the issuance of $291.5 million par amount in fixed rate debt at 4.54%.

`The importance of this week`s bond issuance to invest in our roads and bridges may be lost on many Oregonians, but it is foremost in my mind because of the excellent execution of a large offering in a very competitive market,` said Treasurer Randall Edwards. `Because of the process and the relationships we have developed over the years, Monday`s sale of highway user bonds saved taxpayers money and will lead to safer roads and bridges.`

Salem Night Clerk Survives Armed Robbery

(SALEM) - A Salem woman is shaken but unharmed after being kidnapped and surviving a violent armed robbery, say police.

Salem Police Lt. Dan Dietz says two masked men, one armed with a rifle, entered the Cozzzy Inn on Fisher Road NE around 9:20 PM Thursday. They overtook the night clerk and taped her to a chair inside the office.

Both men then stole items from the Cozzzy Inn, causing some damage according to Dietz, "They tore the place up a little".

Dietz says it took some time for the woman to free herself, but she eventually did get to a phone and call 911.

Officers responded and conducted a search but Dietz says so far they have not been able to locate the suspects, "K-9 officers brought their dogs out to the area but they failed to pick up anything."

Governor to Present Purple Hears and POW Medals to Bataan Survivor

(SALEM) - Governor Ted Kulongoski will present the Purple Heart and a Prisoner of War (POW) medal to a World War II veteran and survivor of the Bataan Death March. More than 60 years later, Omar McGuire, 85, of Eugene will receive the medals during a ceremony on May 30th at 1:00 PM, in the Governor's ceremonial office.

In March 2006, a curious McGuire wrote and sent copies of his military records to the U.S. Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas to inquire about receiving a Purple Heart. On May 15th, the Air Force replied saying that he was eligible to receive both the Purple Heart and the POW medal.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an armed force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving in or with one of the U.S. Armed Services has been wounded or killed in any action.

Thursday Night/Wednesday Morning News Report (Audio)

(SALEM) - HERE ARE TODAY`S TOP STORIES FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM, WITH KEVIN HAYS REPORTING…..

OREGON OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN TOUTING A DROP IN THE STATE`S HUNGER RATE, AND NOW OSU RESEARCHERS BACK THAT UP.

THE MARION COUNTY SHERIFF`S DEPARTMENT IS SET TO DEBUT AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER ENFORCEMENT VEHICLE.

AJ`s Automotive Repair Receives National Award

(SALEM) - A Salem business known for its contributions to the local and statewide community, AJ's Automotive Repair, has received the 2006 Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award from the Environmental Protection Agency.

At Monday's meeting of the Salem City Council, Bob Anderson of AJ's Automotive Repair received a letter from Salem Mayor Janet Taylor congratulating AJ's for winning the award from the Environmental Protection Agency's(EPA) National Steering Committee for the Small Business Ombudsman and Small Business Assistance Programs. The award was presented to him at the National Conference in New Hampshire on March 27, 2006.

Salem's Public Works Department nominated AJ's for the award because of the company's demonstrated commitment for running the business with the utmost regard for the environment and the health of its workers. Stormwater Technician Justin Boyington, who led the nomination process, says, "It took me a couple of visits to really understand the depth of this commitment and the innovation involved."