Salem-News.com Oregon articles

Portland Man Arrested for 31-Count Sex Crimes Indictment

Luring a minor and encouraging child sexual abuse in the first, & second degrees are some of the charges looming against the accused.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a secret indictment filed against 52-year-old Randy Shefstad was unsealed.

The indictment alleges the defendant used graphic and sexually charged language to electronically communicate with four separate minor victims – in four different states – in 2017 and 2018 for the purposes of sexual gratification.

UPDATE - FOUND! Oregon Mother and 2 Young Daughters Reported Missing

UPDATE: The three were found alive and safe.

(SAMS VALLEY, Ore.) - The search for a missing woman and her two children has ended. Tanda Christiansen, 28, and her daughters, ages 6 and 7, were found Thursday afternoon approximately two miles from their home.

On Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 1:06 p.m., a resident in the 8400-block of Ramsey Road called dispatch to report finding the three missing subjects on his property. They were hiding in a brushy area along Sams Creek.

OMMP Inspectors Targeting Small-Scale Grows With 1-2 Patients

Oregon inspectors are picking random medical growers and giving a one day phone call warning.

(SALEM, Ore.) - To Catch A Grower:
Inspectors for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program are fanning out across the state during the month of August to inspect medical grow sites that claimed a reduction in the number of patients they are growing for to 2 or less sick people.

OMMP is suspicious of these small-time growers because growing for "fewer than three" patients means the farmer is not legally required to use the Cannabis Tracking System. So, if you only have two patients, beware a suit at your door.

Star Party Aug 4 at Silver Falls State Park

View the starry skies from one of the darkest places in the Willamette Valley

(SILVER FALLS, Ore.) - Moons, planets and other celestial wonders will be on display during the Silver Falls State Park Star Party 9 p.m. to midnight Aug. 4.

Telescopes and other stargazing equipment will be provided by Night Sky 45, a local astronomy club. Visitors can also enjoy a special astronomy presentation at 10 p.m.

Policing Changes after Cannabis Legalization Success Revealed

The study was funded by the National Institute of Justice, an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice.

(PULLMAN, Wash.) - Washington State University researchers have found that marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington has not hurt police effectiveness. In fact, clearance rates for certain crimes have improved.

Arrest rates for marijuana possession dropped considerably. Following legalization in 2012, they dropped nearly 50 percent in Colorado and more than 50 percent in Washington.

Cannabis Stocks Like TILRAY are Here to Stay

This fact may be more bad news to die-hard prohibitionists

(PORTLAND, Ore./ ICBC) - After decades of global prohibition, cannabis companies are making history as they move forward in our current international patchwork system of various cannabis laws and regulations.

With October 17th coming up quickly in Canada, we’ll see more and more history made as a G7 nation will legalize non-medical cannabis commerce for the first time, likely influencing other nations.

Campfires and Open Flames Prohibited in Oregon State Parks

The fire ban is expected to last at least one week.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is prohibiting all campfires and open flames in all state park properties effective 10 a.m. today. The ban is in response to Gov. Brown’s declaration of a fire emergency.

The campfire and open flame ban includes campgrounds, day-use areas, and all areas of the Ocean Shore and beaches managed by OPRD.

Lincoln City Passes Resolution Against Offshore Drilling

City Council approves resolution, joining growing local opposition to federal drilling proposal

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore..) - Last night, the Lincoln City Council joined a growing movement of Oregon leaders taking a stand against a federal offshore drilling proposal that would open the Pacific coast to new oil and gas leasing for the first time since 1984.

The proposal released in January would open 90 percent of US waters to drilling, including all of Oregon’s coast. It has met widespread opposition in Oregon.

Pacific Northwest Seeing Alarming Increase in Heroin Usage

Seattle and Portland continue to be the most dramatic areas of increase.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Many heroin suffers who participated in an outpatient in Seattle drug treatment program, started off abusing prescription painkillers prescribed as a result of chronic pain or surgery.

Those who came to depend on prescription pain meds and were unable to find them on the streets at an affordable cost saw heroin as a fast-acting solution that was easier and more affordable to obtain.

Speakers Gather to Discuss Without Evidence in Salem

The turnout was indicative of the interest in a transparent investigation, even now.

(SALEM, Ore.) - “Without Evidence,” a 1995 movie about the murder of Oregon’s Corrections Chief Michael Francke, was shown this week at Salem Cinema, drawing a large crowd.

The full-length film was created through the inspiration of Kevin Francke, brother of the slain corrections director. Proceeds raised by the film will be used to support the Inglewood Forest Festival in Salem, which takes place August 11th.