Dr. Phil Leveque, WWII Hero & Cannabis Warrior Turns 92

Standing up for others has always been something "Doc" does best.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - “I have been studying the medical use of marijuana since 1950 and I am very proud of the fact that I essentially introduced medical marijuana to the state of Oregon,” said Dr. Phil Leveque.

Now, with so many proactive changes going on throughout the United States in regard to rational marijuana laws, Dr. Leveque says he feels like people are finally catching up.

From a Pile of Rubble to a Dance Center thru Crowdfunding

"We want to replace the piles of rubble, full of death, with a dance academy full of life." ~ Shaark Cb Crew

(GAZA STRIP, Palestine) - We are a group of youths who live in various refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. We are united by art, peace and love. In 2003, we established a dance team and historical art movement for the community of Gaza, and started performing and spreading the art of dance around the Strip.

After the 2009 war, we found our rented dance studio bombed and demolished. But we did not to give up on our dancing.

Flow Beehive Crowdfunding Beats Goal By 3,000%

Too good to be true? Flow Hive invention delivers honey on tap directly from the hive.

(SALEM, Ore.) - For the first time ever, there may be an easier way to extract honey from the hive. A father-son team, Stuart and Cedar Anderson, from Australia has been perfecting their idea for ten years, and it's been in use in experimental bee yards for three years. They began a Crowdfunding campaign yesterday, asking for $70,000.

In ONE day, they raised $2,155,661 USD, which is 3,080% of their goal, with 41 days left (campaign closes April 5).

SPECIAL SECTION Cannabis De-Classified

PTSD - Medical Marijuana Toxicology - Pharmacology

Local FASTSIGNS Named One of the Top Centers in the Country

Signage company is well known for its top-notch quality and service.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The locally owned and operated business received the Pinnacle Club Award, which is given to the centers ranked 26 to 125 in the U.S. and Canada for sales volume from the previous year.

“This award commemorates all of the hard work and excellent service our team at FASTSIGNS of Salem provides every day,” said owner Mark Smith.

I Was Born in Israel Many Years before I Realized Israel Was Palestine

Israel is not colonialism. Colonialism is a clear exchange between a mother state and a settler state. Israel is a settler state, yet there is no Jewish mother state.

(LONDON) - I was born in Israel and it was many years before I realized that Israel was Palestine. I was relatively patriotic. I was looking forward to serving in the army and then I grasped that there was little truth in the Jewish historical narrative.

I then gathered that I was living on someone else’s land. At the same time I discovered the saxophone. By the age of 30, I left Israel and never went back.

Marijuana Legalization Takes Effect in Alaska TODAY

Law Enforcement Anticipates Public Safety Improvements

(ALASKA) - Last November, Alaska’s Ballot Measure 2, a law to legalize and regulate marijuana for adults, passed with 52% of the vote.

When the measure takes effect today, people age 21 and older will legally be able to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate no more than six plants at home. Colorado, Oregon and Washington have also legalized marijuana, and medical marijuana is permitted in 23 states and Washington D.C.

Car Crashes into Hagan Hamilton Building

A shocking sight indeed!

(McMinnville, Ore.) - A car crashed into the Hagan Hamilton Insurance building in McMinnville on Monday night.

During the investigation it was determined that the vehicle drove through the concrete barriers that were installed to protect the building, at a high rate of speed, after the driver was unable to negotiate a bend in the road.

Salem Plaid Pantry Robbed Monday Night, MCSO Seeks Information

$1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect

(SALEM, Ore.) - On Monday the 23rd at about 1:00 a.m., a male, portraying to have a weapon in his pocket, entered the Plaid Pantry, located at 4617 Silverton Road NE and demanded cash.

The male is described as mixed race, approximately 6'3" tall, medium build, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue hooded jacket, dark colored pants and dark colored shoes.

Oregon Farmers can Legally Grow Hemp as of Now!

Oregonians will soon be looking o'er fields of Hemp, after nearly 60 years.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Hemp hasn't been grown in Oregon since 1957, when prohibitionists went on the offensive and demanded a total ban on hemp production...  but this spring that all changes.

As of today, the State of Oregon has accepted the rules presented by the committee and will accept applications to become a hemp farmer, handler, or hemp seed producer.

Newport Seafood and Wine Festival Wine Competition Winners Announced

Four wineries from Oregon and one from Washington took home two gold medals apiece

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - And the winner in a starring role as Best-Of-Show wine at the 2015 Newport Seafood and Wine Festival Commercial Wine Competition is... (hold the drum roll): Emerson Vineyards 2013 Willamette Valley Pinot noir.

From 167 wines (36 Pinot noir entries) in the just-concluded competition, this Pinot impressed the five-member judges’ panel as balanced, expressive of its fruit and a charming representative of Oregon’s signature wine varietal.

Motorcyclist Thrown From Marion Street Bridge Following Collision

All lanes of the Marion Street Bridge are now open for normal traffic.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Department Traffic Control Unit is on the scene of a motorcycle/vehicle crash on the Marion Street bridge that caused the motorcycle driver to be thrown into the Willamette River below.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 pm on Monday when a motorcycle and vehicle impacted each other while eastbound on the Marion Street Bridge.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Announce Bill Introduced in House of Representatives

"Agent Orange is persistent over time at a high toxicity rate, and it was capable of contaminating individuals who handled equipment that had been exposed." ~Institute of Medicine

(WASHINGTON, DC) - New York Congressman Chris Gibson (NY) reintroduced our bill in the House of Representatives on Friday, Feb 13th, along with 130 original House sponsors. Co-sponsors are continuing to be added to that overwhelming bipartisan support.

On the Senate side, we have Sen. Gillibrand (NY) ready to introduce an identical Senate legislation. However, she is waiting for a Republican Senator to step out with her so there will be an initial bipartisan support.

Federal Officials Close Investigation into Death of Trayvon Martin

“Our decision not to pursue federal charges does not condone the shooting...”

(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Justice Department announced today that the independent federal investigation found insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman for the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida.

“The death of Trayvon Martin was a devastating tragedy. It shook an entire community, drew the attention of millions across the nation, and sparked a painful but necessary dialogue throughout the country,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.

Kitzhaber Calls It Quits!

Since Oregon's Secretary of State was called home earlier this week, it has been clear that the torch was being passed.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's only Governor to be elected for a fourth term is resigning.

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber resigned effective next Wednesday, Feb. 18, in a letter submitted to Secretary of State Kate Brown. He met with his staff late this morning, then released this statement just after noon today.

Wyden Praises Senate Passage of Bill Helping Veterans At Risk of Suicide

Caring for the needs of our American Veterans is a must

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released the following statement after the Senate unanimously approved the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act:

“I was proud to cosponsor and to vote for this bipartisan bill, which I’m convinced will save lives in Oregon and across the country,” Wyden said.

Green Crony Capitalism The Governor and the Grifter(s)

“It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.” --- Frank Herbert

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon’s Governor-for-Life John Kitzhaber, 68, resigned Friday the 13th. His resignation letter was the usual lawyerly-parsed, blame-the-media/take no responsibility sham we’re used to seeing.

He had been governor from 1995-2003 and again from 2011 until now.

Oregon's Lady Macbeth

In honor of Valentine’s Day, Oregon’s governor lets his scandal-prone fiancé ruin his political career.

(WASHOUGAL, Wash. ) - On the surface, Cylvia Hayes looked like the perfect First Lady of Oregon: neat, brown hair; wide, toothy grin; conservative clothing and a warm demeanor.

She came from made-for-campaign-literature beginnings and had a cause to which she devoted her life. But Hayes also had secrets...

Brilliant Director-Producer-Truthteller Anthony Lawson Remembered

Salem-News.com is sad to share this news of Anthony's passing, the 8th of January, 2015 in Phuket, Thailand, at the age of 79.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Anthony Lawson was an international prize-winning commercial director, cameraman, ad-agency creative director and voice over talent. He used to be known for shooting humorous commercials, but as he learned more about the world and why things are the way they are, he found less to laugh about, and instead found his passion about sharing the truth.

He spent his final years using his vast experience to shed light on the events of 9/11 and the terrible world events that have since followed.

Kitzhaber 2nd choice?

Keeping your mouth shut isn't always the best answer.

(WASHOUGAL, Wash.) - Dear Editor:

I could be wrong, but in my opinion and that of most, silence is participation.

As was the Oregonian Newspaper silence about much of the romantic baggage Kitzhaber and his girlfriend were carrying when they supported his successful 4th term election.

How President Obama Could Take On and Defeat the Zionist Lobby

Those in Congress who insist that Iran poses a threat to Israel's existence are recycling Zionist propaganda nonsense.

(LONDON) - A longer version of my headline would be this: How President Obama could take on and defeat the Zionist lobby and secure for himself the freedom to put America's own best interests first in the Middle East and wider Muslim.

In the course of a prime time address to his fellow Americans, Obama could do it with just one sentence. This one: "To our Jewish citizens I have to say the time has come for you to decide whether you are Americans first or not."
More on that in a moment.

SWAT Stand-off with Suspect in Drive-by Shooting Ends in Arrest

OSP troopers are continuing the investigation of a drive-by shooting in Northern Klamath County

(LA PINE, Ore.) - Information from on-scene commanders indicates that just before 2:00 A.M., Sunday morning, 9-1-1 call centers received a report of shots being fired at or into a residence, south of La Pine. Troopers learned the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Gary Davis, of La Pine, had threatened a man at that location previously.

Shortly before 7:00 A.M., troopers tracked Davis to a residence in La Pine where he was staying with his girlfriend.

Cuba Uncensored

Answers to some very pointed questions about Cuba

(WASHINGTON, DC) - This evening, February 9, 2015, a handful of visitors from the land to the north asked an assistant professor of philosophy about his studies and his teaching experiences here in Cuba.

One of our group made the mistake of asking whether this philosopher thought of Fidel as a philosopher. The result was an almost Fidel-length response that had little to do with philosophy and everything to do with criticizing the president.

Protecting Yourself From Common Scams

Scammer or scamster (n.): a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud; chiseler, chiseller, defrauder, grifter, swindler, gouger

(SALEM, Ore.) - Most people believe that they would never be fooled by a scam artist, and that those who do fall for them aren't very bright.

The thing is, there are several different types of scams, from the subtle to the absurd, and scam artists spend a lot of time perfecting ways of separating people from their money and their identities.