Browse All News Articles on Salem-News Page 3067

OSU Analysis: Oregon Decline in Hunger Bucks National Trend

(CORVALLIS) - A new study by researchers at Oregon State University confirms that Oregon has experienced a significant drop in its hunger rate since the state's No. 1 national ranking earlier this decade – at the same time that national rates for hunger and food insecurity have risen.

Oregon is bucking that national trend, the researchers say, showing a major drop in hunger rates in non-metropolitan areas, as well as among employed and unemployed households, two-parent families, and both renters and homeowners.

The OSU report also points out a large disparity in hunger and food insecurity between Hispanics and non-Hispanics in Oregon.

The newly released analysis, led by Mark Edwards, an associate professor of sociology at OSU, found that Oregon's hunger rate dropped from 5.2 percent of the population during 1999-2001, to 3.7 percent during 2002-04, the most recent data available.

President Signs Veterans` Home Legislation

(SALEM) - Federal legislation has been signed by President George W. Bush to help preserve state veterans' home loan programs. Signed by the president on May 17th, the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HR 4297) includes a qualified veterans' mortgage bond provision that will remove certain service date restrictions and help maintain a source of lendable monies for state veterans' home loans.

The new legislation allows for the use of tax-exempt Qualified Veteran Mortgage Bonds (QVMBs) for making state veterans' home loans to younger veterans in certain states, including Oregon.

Efforts to affect this needed change have been a continued commitment of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith. Senator Smith's willingness to champion this cause over a number of Congressional sessions has concluded with reward to Oregon veterans.

Corps: Boaters Be Aware! of Woody Debris in Mid-Valley Reservoirs

As the water in the reservoirs climbed to summer recreation levels earlier this week, the rising water collected the debris and set it afloat in the reservoirs

(SALEM) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is advising boaters to Be Aware! of floating debris while recreating in Willamette Valley reservoirs this Memorial Day weekend.

Earlier this winter, large amounts of woody debris were carried downstream by unusually high flows and deposited high on the banks of reservoirs in the Willamette Valley.

The increased debris could pose safety risks to boaters or other reservoir users.

This thought is at the forefront of Corps employees` minds since National Safe Boating Week began Monday and runs through Memorial Day weekend.

`Public safety is our primary concern as we manage our reservoirs,` said Bryan von Bargen of the Willamette Valley Project.

`It`s important to us that all boaters and recreational users are aware of the potential hazards the increased debris poses and use utmost caution while using our lakes.`

Lay, Skilling Convicted in Enron Collapse

Former Enron Corp. chiefs Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling were convicted Thursday of conspiracy and securities and wire fraud in one of the biggest business scandals in U.S. history.

(HOUSTON) - The verdict put the blame for the 2001 demise of the high-profile energy trader, once the nation's seventh-largest company, squarely on its top two executives. It came in the sixth day of deliberations following a federal criminal trial that lasted nearly four months.

Lay was also convicted of bank fraud and making false statements to banks in a separate, non-jury trial before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake related to Lay's personal finances.

The conspiracy conviction was a major win for the government, serving almost as a bookend to an era that has seen prosecutors win convictions against executives from WorldCom Inc. to Adelphia Communications Corp. and homemaking maven Martha Stewart. The public outrage over the string of corporate scandals led Congress to pass the Sarbanes-Oxley act, designed to make company executives more accountable.

Enron's collapse alone took with it more than $60 billion in market value, almost $2.1 billion in pension plans and 5,600 jobs.

"The jury's verdicts help to close a notorious chapter in the history of America's publicly traded companies" said Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio, co-author of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. "Appeals aside, the end of the trial will mark the end of a dark era."

Detectives Ask for Public`s Help With Attempted Rape Investigation

(SALEM) - Detectives with the Marion County Sheriff`s Office say they need the public`s help in locating an attempted rape suspect charged with attacking a Salem woman in the Roths IGA Market at 4746 Portland Rd NE, on April 28th.

Deputies received a call from woman who reported that she had been attacked in the parking lot of the store in NE Salem.

She told investigators that while dropping off Statesman Journal newspapers for delivery crews at the Roths location, she was approached from behind by a male who forced her to the ground.

She reported that the man threatened her with a knife.

Police say the victim was able to kick her attacker, break free and get away in her car.

Now they are asking for the public`s help in locating the suspect, and they`re hoping the police sketch helps.

Thursday Mid-Morning News Report (AUDIO)

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

AN 82-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND HER RESCURE WERE INJURED YESTERDAY IN A FIRE AT THE LOVING HANDS ADULT FOSTER CARE HOME IN SOUTHEAST SALEM.

A BURNING TRASH CAN IN A ROOM AT THE MARRIOTT HOTEL IN SOUTHEAST SALEM FORCED THE EVACUATION OF GUEST AND EMPLOYEES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

OREGON`S AVERAGE PRICE IS THE FIFTH HIGHEST IN THE NATION. HAWAII IS THE HIGHEST AT $3.40, AND OKLAHOMA IS THE LOWEST AT $2.63.

MARION COUNTY RETAINED ITS SPOT AS THE STATE`S LARGEST AGRICULTURAL COUNTY, WITH $540 MILLION DOLLARS IN SALES.

PLUS MANY MORE STORIES....

Hallie Ford Museum of Art Announces 2006-07 Exhibitions

(SALEM) - The Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University has announced its exhibitions for the 2006-07 season, including works from an Oregon printmaker, art made from recycled materials and a Seattle artist`s autobiographical paintings.

`I`m extremely pleased with the quality, range and diversity of temporary exhibitions planned for next year,` Museum Director John Olbrantz said.

Major exhibitions scheduled for the Melvin Henderson-Rubio Gallery include:

Frank Boyden: Prints and Books (June 10th - Aug. 5th) will feature the work of this Oregon printmaker and founder of the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology in Otis, Ore. A ceramic artist and printmaker, Boyden has explored a wide variety of themes in his prints over the past 20 years, including animals, the landscape and most recently, the human figure.

Marion County Tops Oregon Agricultural Sales in 2005

(SALEM) - Twenty-nine of Oregon's 36 counties reported an increase in agricultural sales last year according to preliminary statistics released this spring by Oregon State University.

The latest figures underscore the importance of agriculture to both the local and state economy. Oregon's total agricultural sales figures for 2005 are up about five percent at $4.1 billion with several counties recording double digit increases this past year.

Once again, the diversity of agriculture in Oregon resulted in winners and losers among various commodities. The mixed bag of results continues to tweak the rank order of counties when it comes to 2005 gross farm and ranch sales.

Burning Trash Can Evacuates Salem Hotel

(SALEM) - The Salem Fire Department responded to a report of a burning trash can in a guest room at the Marriott Hotel at 640 Hawthorne SE just before 1:00 PM on Wednesday.

Arriving firefighters reported light smoke throughout the 3rd floor of the structure.

Firefighters quickly removed the melting trash can and performed positive pressure ventilation in the structure.

Salem Fire Capt. Wayne Ayars said that three guests and nine staff members evacuated the building.

Wednesday Night/Thursday Morning News Report (AUDIO)

Our audio levels are newly adjusted and our technical team says the clips should should play at levels viewers are accustomed to on their computers. If any continued problems are experienced, please let us know through Email or our comments section.

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

THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER IS UNITING THREE GENERATIONS OF ONE SALEM FAMILY.

IT`S BEEN EXACTLY TWO YEARS SINCE 19-YEAR-OLD BROOKE WILBERGER VANISHED FROM A CORVALLIS APARTMENT COMPLEX.

SIOUX FALLS SOUTH DAKOTA IS THE NATION`S SAFEST CITY FOR DRIVERS ACCORDING TO A STUDY RELEASED WEDNESDAY FROM ALLSTATE INSURANCE.

AND MORE STORIES...