Salem-News.com Oregon articles

Oregon State Director of Veterans Affairs C-123 Veterans` Agent Orange Exposure Claims

A spokesperson for the C-123 Veterans Association expressed appreciation for Director Smith's direct and very effective support, noting that Marines like him can always be counted on when the Air Force needs help.

(SALEM) - Himself a Gulf War veteran, Director Cameron Smith of the State of Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, formally wrote VA Secretary Shinseki detailing C-123 veterans' eligibility for VA Agent Orange exposure benefits!

Director Smith's letter puts the VA on notice that yet another agency concurs with C-123 veterans' claims for having been exposed to Agent Orange and its contaminant, dioxin, during post-Vietnam decade of flying those warplanes.

One Week Left to Apply for Health Insurance Through Cover Oregon

Deadline to Submit Applications is April 30

(DURHAM, Or.) - Oregonians have one week left to apply for health insurance through Cover Oregon to avoid a potential federal tax penalty for not having health insurance. Applications must be submitted to Cover Oregon with a postmark no later than Wednesday, April 30.

After April 30, people who want to purchase private health insurance have to wait until Jan. 1, 2015 for coverage. People who have certain changes in their lives may be able to purchase insurance before then. Those eligible for the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) can enroll year-round, though they may be subject to the federal tax penalty if they don't apply by April 30.

Cold Case Homicide Detectives Arrest 48-Year-Old Man for 1995 Southeast Portland Homicide

Very few details about the homicide investigation can be released at this time as the case is still an active investigation.

(PORTLAND) - Today, Tuesday April 22, 2014, Portland Police Bureau Cold Case Homicide detectives arrested a 48-year-old man in connection with a 1995 homicide that occurred in Southeast Portland.

Danny Conner was arrested and booked into the Multnomah County Jail on two counts of Murder. He will be arraigned on Wednesday.

Body Found in River Has been Identified

The identification was made by the Oregon State Police Identification Bureau using fingerprint records from one of Brown's previous arrests. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's office examined the body and determined there was no evidence of foul play.

(ALBANY, Or.) - Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reports the body found in the Willamette River near Albany on April 20, 2014, has been identified as 45-year old Jared Ethan Brown of Portland.

Detectives learned Brown had recently attempted suicide by jumping into a river from a bridge in the Roseburg area.

Deputies Investigate Shooting at Kings Row Motel

The victim, William Williams, has non-life-threatening injuries, and is still being treated at a local hospital.

(CLACKAMAS) - Just before midnight on Thursday, April 17, 2014 the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office was called to the Kings Row Motel on a report of a shooting at Kings Row Motel, in Clackamas County.

The manager of the Motel called 911 reporting that a male came to the front desk reporting he had been shot by his wife while staying at the Motel.

Woman Indicted, Arrested for Murder in Josephine County

Jacqueyn Novack was indicted April 18 by a Josephine County Grand Jury for Murder, Tampering with Evidence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

(GRANTS PASS) - A 38-year old woman was indicted and is in custody pending an appearance in Josephine County Circuit Court related to a homicide investigation.

The deceased's remains were found recently at a remote campsite in the Sunny Valley-area but have not been positively identified.

Oregon`s Oldest Beekeeper, Gone but Not Forgotten

Remembering 99-year old Oliver Wendell Petty, A Beekeeper’s Beekeeper
June 9, 1914 — April 6, 2014

(SALEM) - As an early beekeeper in the Willamette Valley, Oliver Petty was instrumental in convincing farmers to rent bee hives to improve crop yields. Prior to that time, most beekeepers made their living by selling honey.

“Oliver, in his beekeeping career, had seen things that only we can dream about- thousands of acres of hairy vetch blooming all over the Willamette Valley and other bee forage untouched,” said beekeeper Dirk Olson.

One Pet Dies in NE Salem House Fire

No firefighters were injured battling the house fire. One power line did burn and fall down onto the house, forcing crews to work around it.

(SALEM) - The homeowner at the scene of a fire at 2150 Lansing Avnue NE in Salem, told Salem-News.com that he had been welding a short time before discovering the fire. Battalion Chief Cord Van Derahe, confirmed that what turned out to be a two alarm house fire, started in the garage, and extended into the primary residence of the house.

In spite of the flames seen in this video, there was, "...minimal damage to the house, it was mostly just to the garage and one car," Van Derahe said.

Murderer Josh Cavett has his Day in Court

Whether it be a plea for 25 years or "True Life", Cavett is going up the river.

(PORTLAND, OR) - Almost exactly 6 months after he committed murder, Josh Cavett went before Multnomah County Judge LaBarre and the District Attorney today to formally present his prospective plea deal.

On October 12th, 2013, Josh Cavett shot his 27-year old wife at point blank in front of her two little girls, leaving the 5-year old to call for help. He snatched their 2-year old from the scene and put her at extreme risk, setting off an Amber Alert, until he was arrested.

Tragically, Jessie Cavett died a few hours later. The man she was divorcing, and had gotten a Restraining Order against to protect her and the children, has been in custody since late that same October night.

Pulitzer Prize-Winner David Cay Johnston to Discuss Income Inequality at Salem Library Event

The talk is being organized by the Oregon Center for Public Policy and is being co-sponsored by the Salem Progressive Film Series.

(SALEM) - One of the nation's foremost experts on income inequality, David Cay Johnston, is coming to Salem in May to discuss what many are calling the defining challenge of our times.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and noted author will speak on Saturday, May 3 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Salem Public Library. Johnston's talk, "Middle, Rich, Poor-- Why Inequality Matters," is free and open to the public.