Salem-News.com Ontario articles Page 1

Nearly 80 Oregon Prison Inmates Died Between 2010-2011- Most `Unreported` Says AP

AP reports: "Most Oregon prison deaths unreported to public; 79 inmates died in custody on 2010-2011".

(SALEM) - A new story about Oregon prison deaths by The AP; Most Oregon prison deaths unreported to public; 79 inmates died in custody on 2010-2011 confirms many things we have reported.

All manner of Oregon prison deaths have not been reported to the public and they won't be in the future, Oregon officials say.

A Witness With No Credibility

"Beating down a woman for twenty years consistently. Threatening the lives of his kids" - William Coleman describing Joseph 'Joe' Salazar Jr.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police and news media in Salem used the testimony of a known criminal to hang a pair of African-American state security officers out to dry in November 2008.

Now that same convict, Joe Salazar, once the star witness of a Statesman Journal article, is facing years in prison for a life of criminal domestic abuse.

Inmate`s Life Threatened by Staff at SRCI

Prisoner who helped reveal racism believes he is in serious peril.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - We've reported at length on the plight of black inmates in the Oregon state prison system whose lives were in jeopardy for helping expose prison racism.

Terrence Kimble testified in court for former Corrections Officer William Coleman, who filed a Whistleblower claim over racism taking place in the prison.

Oregon Man Dies in Mine Cave-in

The two other adult males, whose names are not available, spent five minutes digging him out before they could remove him from inside the cave.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - A 42-year old Ontario-area man died Saturday morning when the walls of a mining cave collapsed on him as he was digging inside.

Three others, two adult males and a juvenile male, were not injured in the incident north of Interstate 84 about one mile west of Huntington, Oregon State Police (OSP) reports. They are completing the death investigation.

More Oregon Guard Soldiers Will Head for Iraq

A mobilization order is still needed to establish specific time frames and location of duty.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Department of Defense has alerted more than 3,500 Citizen Soldiers of the Army National Guard's 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team for possible mobilization affecting the 3-116 Cavalry in Eastern Oregon.

The Cavalry Brigade is scheduled to be comprised of approximately 800 Oregon Guard members with the remainder being from Idaho and Montana. Supporting the 3-116 is F/145 with detachments throughout Eastern Oregon. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Idaho, will be commanded by Col. Guy Thomas, and is the largest Idaho National Guard unit.

Motorcycle Rider Dies in Crash on I-84 West of Ontario

There were no witnesses to the single-vehicle crash.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - Police say a 57-year old motorcycle rider died Saturday night in a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84 about three miles east of the Farewell Bend Port of Entry west of Ontario. The victim's name is withheld pending next of kin notification.

Oregon Governor Hits the Road for Hunger Awareness Week (AUDIO)

The number of people requesting emergency food boxes is up about 30 percent in his area.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - It's Hunger Awareness Week in Oregon through May 3, and food bank locations are scrambling to meet record demand in many areas of the state.

To help drum up donations, on Thursday and Friday Gov. Ted Kulongoski will hop aboard an Oregon Food Bank truck to run a multi-city delivery route to eastern Oregon.

Police Rule Snake River Prison Death a Homicide

The inmate had been at SRCI since January 15th 2003 and had a release date in 2026.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - An investigation into a suspicious death on May 12th at the Snake River Correctional Institution has been confirmed by the Malheur County District Attorney as a homicide.

The Oregon State Police and the Malheur County District Attorney, working in cooperation with Oregon Department of Corrections, began the investigation after a deceased inmate identified as 61-year old James Ivan Briggs, was found deceased in his SRCI cell in Complex 1 on May 12th 2008 at approximately 6:52 AM.

Lock-Down at Prison Near Ontario Continues After Inmate Disturbance and Shooting

An information phone line can be called to learn about the current status of visiting and general information. The number is 541-881-INFO (4636).

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - Corrections officials say the Snake River Correctional Institution near Ontario, Oregon remains on partial lock-down today. The SRCI Minimum Facility and Complex 1 have been taken off of lock-down status. Complex 2 and Complex 3 remain on lock-down.

Visiting for Wednesday and Thursday has been canceled. The status for Visiting on Friday will be evaluated tomorrow.

Inmate Disturbance Reported at Ontario, Oregon Prison

The institution is on lock-down status. Visiting is closed for the afternoon.

(ONTARIO, Ore.) - An inmate disturbance occurred at the Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) on Sunday, April 06, 2008 at approximately 9:40 AM in the Complex 2 Recreation Yard, officials there say. The disturbance involved up to 120 inmates.

Corrections staff reported that they fired a shot from an observation tower which struck an inmate. The inmate has been transported to an area hospital for medical attention.