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Cancer Unites Three Generations of One Salem Family

The Ratzlaffs have one common goal – to survive cancer.

(SALEM) - The Ratzlaff family plans to do everything a loving family would normally do during the summertime, but an underlying theme this year will be the family`s struggle to fight and survive cancer.

Three different generations of the Ratzlaff family have been diagnosed with cancer.

`I consider myself very lucky,` said John Ratzlaff, `however the next few months are going to be tough on my grandson.`

John is currently fighting Hodgkin lymphoma which is now in remission.

John`s four-year-old grandson, Conner, will soon be undergoing delayed intensification treatment at OHSU for leukemia.

Mop-Topped Hicks Crowned `American Idol`

() - Taylor Hicks, the mop-topped manic dancer who wooed TV audiences with his raw singing style and boisterous personality, was named the new "American Idol" Wednesday in a pop star-filled finale that included Prince and Mary J. Blige.

Hicks, 29, of Birmingham, Ala., became the latest in a string of Southern and Midwestern contestants to win the Fox talent contest after collecting more viewer votes than runner-up Katharine McPhee, 22, of Los Angeles.

Hicks leaned over, overcome by host Ryan Seacrest's announcement.

"Soul Patrol!" he shouted, acknowledging his avid fans by their nickname. "I'm living the American dream," he added as he closed out the show with a performance of "Do I Make You Proud."

Fireplace Ignition Sets Home on Fire

(SALEM) - A chimney fire at 930 Hulsey Ct. SE in Salem started unexpectedly according to investigators, when homeowner Matt Minihan lit his fireplace Wednesday shortly after 11:00 AM.

Home alone at the time, Minihan ended up calling 911 after starting the fire, because the smoke alarms activated and he detected the smell of smoke in the air.

Salem Fire Department was dispatched to the chimney fire at 11:05 AM. Arriving firefighters reported smoke and flames coming from the chimney area of the home. Firefighters
aggressively attacked the fire and contained it before it extended into the attic area, according to Salem Fire's Bill Holmstrom.

Senate Advances Sweeping Immigration Bill

Oregon's two U-S Senators voted with the majority to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation, clearing the way for possible final passage this week.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation, clearing the way for final passage later this week of a bill that calls for tougher border security as well as an eventual chance at citizenship for millions of men and women in the country illegally.

The vote to advance the measure was 73-25, 13 more than the 60 needed.

Despite the controversy surrounding the bill, the outcome was not a surprise. Even some of the bill's opponents said they were satisfied they had been given ample opportunity over past week to try and give the bill a more conservative cast.

Salem-News.com Evening News Report (AUDIO)

(SALEM) - Here are today's top headlines from Salem-News.com's Kevin Hays...

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.

OPERATION TRUCKER CHECK X, INVOLVES A TEAM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND ODOT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INSPECTORS TARGETING DRIVER IMPAIRMENT RELATED TO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, FATIGUE, AND VEHICLE EQUIPMENT SAFETY.

National Average Gasoline Price Falling; Oregon Prices Continue to Climb

(SALEM) - In the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell more than 6-cents a to $2.87. Conversely, in Oregon, the average price went up 4-cents and currently stands at $3.10. Nonetheless, there is some optimism that prices—at least for now—have peaked and will remain level as the Memorial Day holiday arrives.

Despite the high fuel prices, AAA forecasts about 37.6 million Americans, a one percent increase over last year, will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday. More than 84 percent are expected to travel by motor vehicle.

Salem`s average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.06, slightly below Portland`s $3.07 average. Drivers in the Eugene/Springfield area are paying an average of $3.15 per gallon, with Medford/Ashland residents paying $3.13 a gallon. Vancouver, Washington drivers are paying just under $3.08 per gallon.

Wednesday Marks 2nd Year Anniversary of Missing Teen Brooke Wilberger

(CORVALLIS (AP)) - It's been exactly two years since 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger disappeared from a Corvallis apartment complex.

After literally thousands of hours of official and volunteer searches for the B-Y-U student, family, friends and Benton County authorities would NOT give up.

But a 39-year-old man was finally arrested in August 2005 and charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape and sodomy of Wilberger. Her body has never been found.

Joel Courtney, is awaiting trial in New Mexico on unrelated kidnapping and rape charges involving a college student there.

Two People Injured in Salem Structure Fire

(SALEM) - Salem Fire crews are on the scene of a working structure fire in the 4200 block of Sylvia SE.

Salem-News.com Safe & Sound Report: Memorial Day Boating Reminders

(SALEM) - If you are heading out on the water this Memorial Day weekend, the Oregon State Marine Board has some tips to keep you and your family Safe & Sound while out on the water. It may be information we have all heard before, but death by drowning happens only once in a lifetime.

It was only recently on the Oregon coast, three lives were lost that could have been saved if the boaters were wearing life jackets. Accidents happen but they don't have to be fatal accidents. One thing is certain -life jackets save lives.

Here's another reason why it's important to wear a life jacket; all waterways are cold this time of year in Oregon. In fact most Oregon waterways are cold year-round.

What, Why, How
Re Op-Ed Generation

Where Salem-News Op-Ed Content Comes From -- And WHY.

(SALEM) - `A belly-button opinion` is what one often gets --titled thus since `everyone has one and they are all about the same` -- whenever the usual individual `opinion` is heard-or-read.

That`s from a favorite story re former Oregon Governor Sprague, owner-Editor of The STATESMAN JOURNAL, who was famous for `writing his own` -- and delivering something far from the belly-button level, too.

That simply will not do for professional publications now -- especially now-- when many more millions seek out their own solid information, from manifold sources easily accessed via Internet.