Salem-News.com Douglas County articles

Police Identify Victim in Ore. Highway 38 Crash into Umpqua River

Last year in Oregon, four people died in 4 separate traffic crashes during the 102-hour Fourth of July holiday period.

(REEDSPORT, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into the cause of Wednesday afternoon's fatal crash after a sport utility vehicle went into the Umpqua River as it traveled along Highway 38 about six miles east of Reedsport in Douglas County.

According to Lieutenant Steve Mitchell, on July 2 at approximately 3:49 p.m., a 1991 Ford Explorer driven by 54-year-old Kenneth Ray Richards, from Coos Bay, was traveling westbound on Highway 38 near milepost 6. For an unknown reason, it traveled off the highway into the Umpqua River where it became submerged.

County Advisory Group for Forestry to Meet May 6

(Salem, Oregon) - A group of commissioners representing Oregon counties that in the past deeded forestland to the State for management will meet on Friday, May 6, in Salem.

Spike Strips Halt Long Distance Wrong Way Driver on I-5 in Southern Oregon (PHOTOS)

Police say the wrong way driver blew past officers while driving the wrong way on the freeway and only stopped after being spike stripped.

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Police say a Glendale, Oregon woman was hospitalized and arrested after an early Saturday morning incident during which she drove nearly 20 miles the wrong way on Interstate 5 between Glendale and Canyonville.

OSP troopers and Douglas County deputies were able to get her vehicle stopped using spike strips after closing the southbound lanes at two locations, according to OSP Sergeant Steve Mitchell. He says it began this morning at 1:46 a.m. when a 911 caller reported a traffic crash on southbound Interstate 5 near milepost 79 near the Douglas and Josephine County line.

One Person Dies in Fiery Crash East of Scottsburg (PHOTO UPDATE)

The vehicle that caught fire was extensively damaged and its unidentified operator was deceased at the scene.

(SCOTTSBURG, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a Saturday afternoon four-vehicle fatal traffic crash that left one person dead and six others injured on Highway 38 east of Scottsburg in Douglas County.

The victim's vehicle caught fire and has not been identified, Oregon State Police Spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings said.

Saturday at 2:49 PM, OSP received a report of a multi-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 38 near milepost 20, Hastings said.

Update on Douglas County Officer Involved Shooting Investigation

The man has been identified as 46 year old Donald Eugene Lowry of Myrtle Creek.

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Law enforcement officials in Douglas County, Oregon have released the name of a man killed over the weekend by officers after what they describe as a standoff.

The man, identified as 46-year old Donald Eugene Lowry of Myrtle Creek, reportedly emerged from his car with a gun and was shot and killed. Six different officers fired at the man. They have not yet been identified.

Fuel Truck Tanker Fire Shuts Down I-5 South of Roseburg

(ROSEBURG) - State troopers say a truck driver received minor injuries after the fuel truck he was driving struck a guardrail and caught fire on Interstate 5 about one mile south of Winston. The fire led to the closure of Interstate 5 in both directions until about 8:00 AM when one northbound lane was reopened. Southbound lanes remained closed for several hours.

Oregon Army National Guard Assists in Search

(Salem) - The Oregon Army National Guard launched an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter shortly after 9:00 AM Chirstmas morning from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Salem to assist in the search for a woman missing since approximately 4:00 AM December 24th.