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Oregon Ranks 2nd in Denying College Aid for Drugs Convictions

In Oregon, one in every 278 aid applicants admitted a drug conviction.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - New data shows that Oregon has the second highest percentage of college applicants who are denied financial aid due to drug convictions.

Nearly 200,000 would-be students have been affected nationwide.

3,637 Oregon students have been punished under a little known provision of the Higher Education Act that was enacted in 2000.

The new data, is part of a state-by-state report by the national organization Students for Sensible Drug Policy.

The group obtained the information through the settlement of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education.

Oregon Representative David Wu was one of only two Democrats who voted to keep the aid penalty on the books during a July 2005 meeting of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

Five Items Placed on The Special Session Agenda

HEAR THIS STORY AND MORE SALEM-AREA NEWS FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM`S KEVIN HAYS ON NEWSRADIO 1190 KEX

(SALEM) - Legislative leaders have agreed to five items to be on the agenda for the special session which begins on Thursday.

The five on the list are:

Using 42.2 million in unanticipated lottery revenue for public schools. If approved, it would be the first time in years the state has approved a mid-biennium bonus instead of a cutback of school funding.

Re-balancing the DHS budget, projected at a shortfall of $140 million, would include an additional one million for the children`s Health Insurance Program which would cover another 9,600 children.

Oregon`s Jessica Law, which would increase mandatory minimum prison sentences and provide lifetime monitoring of sexual predators.

Allowing a three-year extension of bonds for Portland public schools.

Police: Interstate 5 Speeders Be Aware! Saturation Patrol Set For Tuesday in Salem

HEAR THIS STORY AND MORE SALEM-AREA NEWS FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM`S KEVIN HAYS ON NEWSRADIO 1190 KEX

(SALEM) - Following "National Work Zone Awareness Week", a multi-agency saturation patrol is planned Tuesday to target a Salem-area highway construction zone on Interstate 5 in which Oregon State Police troopers have noted problems caused by speeding and inattentive drivers.

From 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, motor officers from Oregon State Police, Salem Police Department, and Keizer Police Department will conduct the saturation patrol on a seven-mile stretch of Interstate 5 between Market Street and the Sunnyside/Turner interchange.

According to OSP Trooper Mark Davie, officers will target speeding and following too close violations because these have been contributing factors in crashes related to this work zone.

"The shoulders have been narrowed dramatically and the speed limit has been reduced to 50 mph. When we respond to a crash in this area it brings traffic to a near stop, and if it happens in the southbound lanes it almost always completely blocks the freeway until we can get the cars removed," Trooper Davie said.

Oregon`s Unemployment Rate Continues to Decline

The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in March, about the same as the 4.8 percent reading in February, and tied with January as its lowest level since July 2001 when the rate was 4.6 percent.

(PORTLAND) - Oregon`s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent, from 5.6 percent in February. In March it continued a declining trend over the past two years and dropped well below the year-ago reading of 6.2 percent.

Oregon`s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment saw strong growth of 6,500 jobs in March, after a gain of 2,600 in February.

Pringle Elementary Turns 150

A mural that depicts the schools service to the community will be unveiled during the Sesquicentennial celebration.

(SALEM) - Pringle Elementary School will be celebrating its Sesquicentennial on Saturday.

The celebration will include art work, a walk through the past 150 years, a carnival, and live music with the Severin Sisters.

The school enlisted local artist Anne Stecker, to work with students over the school year to design a mural that depicts the service of Pringle through the years.

Students worked with parent volunteers to create and glaze the 485 tiles that make up the mural.

Political Firestorm Brewing Over Student Anti-Immigration Reform Protests

State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo`s statement on the student protests has Republican legislators mad, and they now want to stop a special $42 Million allocation for kids and schools announced earlier this week.

(SALEM) - Hundreds of Portland-area students held a walkout and protest rally on Friday in downtown Portland.

On Thursday, an estimated 700 high and middle school students from Woodburn, Gervais, and Silverton protested along Highway 214 near I-5 before rallying in a parking lot.

In Salem, an estimated 1,000 high and middle school students protested on the steps of the Oregon State on Monday...

Fire Evacuates Salem Retirement Home

Nobody was injured during the ordeal as staff and firefighters evacuated over 200 people.

(SALEM) - Over 200 residents and their guest were evacuated from Lancaster Village Retirement at 4138 Market Street NE for
approximately 1 hour Sunday while fire fighters contained and extinguished a fire that broke out in the facility's mechanical room.

Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says the first alarm came in at 12:27 PM sending 3 Engines, 1 Ladder Truck, and a Battalion Chief to the scene.

"The first arriving firefighters reported flames and smoke coming from the exterior front door of the mechanical room. A second and third alarm was called at 12:31 PM, bringing additional apparatus and fire fighters to the scene."

Take A Scan Against Hunger

A disturbing irony is that in the agriculturally rich Willamette Valley, the fastest-growing harvest is hunger.

(SALEM) - Now through April 30th, shoppers can donate any amount they wish by scanning a coupon at Roth`s checkout counters in Salem, Keizer, Silverton, Independence, Stayton and Woodburn.

According to the Marion-Polk Food Share, over 67,000 individuals in Marion and Polk counties ate from an emergency food box at least once to avoid going hungry during the fiscal year 2005.

Of those helped with a food box, 46 percent were children.

The number of families assisted with a food box provided by a Marion-Polk Food Share network charity increased 24 percent, to more than 5,100 a month.

The Salem Area`s Recreational Secrets

(SALEM) - Oregon's capital city, Salem, as well as the surrounding region of Marion and Polk County are extremely diverse. Salem is known for state government, unique historic museums, award-winning wineries and beautiful gardens. However, the region also boasts outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities that are a well kept secret.


Fun on the Water

Outdoor activities abound in and near Salem. With the Willamette River flowing through the city, there are many opportunities for water sports - from water-skiing to kayaking and canoeing to fishing for trout and salmon.

Volunteer Opportunities Abound at Salem Pioneer Cemetery

(SALEM) - Want to learn community history and spend some productive hours in pleasant company out of doors? Have a knack for repair and enjoy restoring things to order?

The Friends of Pioneer Cemetery are seeking volunteers for several upcoming Saturday events. Community volunteer work parties will be held on the following Saturdays, beginning at 9:00 AM.

May 20th - Spring clean up; headstone straightening

June 24th - Headstone straightening; spruce-up of a tea site

Special events at Pioneer Cemetery conducted by volunteers...