Salem-News.com Oregon articles

Wasp`s, Squirrels Damaging Oregon White Oak Trees

"The damage to these trees seems to be common around the Willamette Valley," says ODF Forest Pathologist Alan Kanaskie.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Recently, stewardship foresters with the Oregon Department of Forestry have been receiving phone calls from landowners, homeowners and other members of the public concerned about the appearance of numerous dead branches and leaves on Oregon white oak trees.

Investigation by agency foresters resulted in the discovery that the damage is being caused by both insects and mammals.

WHOOPS! Towing Operator on the Run After Failing to Show Up for Court

Anyone with information on the location of Michael Alan Selmer, should contact their local law enforcement non-emergency number, or the Oregon State Police.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A 35-year-old Polk County man under investigation for running an illegal towing operation and failing to register as a sex offender in Oregon, failed to show up for his first court appearance Wednesday morning at the Marion County Court Annex in Salem.

The Judge issued an immediate no bail arrest warrant for Michael Alan Selmer after he failed to appear. Selmer, from Falls City, is the subject of an ongoing investigation after Oregon State Police received information he acquired two tow trucks and began advertising towing services in Salem and Independence areas with the name "Whoops! Towing".

Marine Board Warns of Hazards on Oregon Waterways

Trees, root wads and other natural debris are a common part of Oregon's rivers and streams.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - As a result of less snow pack and lower rainfall amounts this winter, many Oregon lakes and rivers will be reaching historically low levels which will expose previously unseen hazards to boaters this summer.

Stumps, rocks, logs and other obstructions could be just below the surface, resulting in hull or prop damage in areas that are normally navigable. These obstructions also impact the water dynamics and the currents in rivers, which can increase the difficulty to navigate safely, especially for paddlecraft.

Calling All Oregon DIY Beverage Makers

Excepting the soft drink category, all participants must be age 21 and over to enter.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The 149th Oregon State Fair is officially accepting entries for its Homebrew Beer and Amateur Wine competitions, raising a pint and a wine glass in honor of Oregon's best DIY beverage makers.

The Oregon State Fair runs August 22 through September 1 in Salem. Discounted admission tickets are on sale now.

Portland Teen Dead After Shooting in SE Portland

No motive has been determined in the shooting.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - Homicide detectives are continuing their investigation into Tuesday night's shooting that left one man dead in Southeast Portland.

The victim has been preliminarily identified as a 19-year-old male. Detectives have learned that several neighborhood residents heard several gunshots prior to the discovery of the victim.

Albany Apartment Fire Leaves One Person Dead

Albany Fire Department and Albany Police Department are working together investigating the cause of the fire.

(ALBANY, Ore. ) - Wednesday at 6:41 a.m. a fire was reported from the Pacific Ave. overpass where someone saw smoke coming from an apartment complex located at 417 SE 6th Ave.

Arriving fire department personnel saw flames and smoke coming from the top story of the apartment building. There were 10 apartments, two were vacant.

Western Oregon Autism Study Enrollment Open for Kids Ages 6-11

Families enrolled in the study receive all services for free, including training, treatment and assessments.

(MONMOUTH, Ore. ) - The Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University and Louisa Silva, M.D., M.P.H. are announcing a first time opportunity for parents with children between the ages of 6 and 11 with autism to enroll in a research study to receive free training and treatment.

Enrollment is open now through Sept. 5 for residents of Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Linn, Benton, Lincoln and Lane counties.

WOU’s early research with 46 children evaluating a five-month period of massage showed promising improvements in the severity of autism.

Oregon Voters to Get Say on Recreational Marijuana

Oregon's proposal will come before voters just two years after they rejected a similar measure.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - An initiative seeking to legalize, tax and regulate recreational marijuana in Oregon has qualified for the November ballot, the state said on its website on Tuesday.

Only two U.S. states, Washington and Colorado, currently allow recreational marijuana, which remains illegal under federal law.

Red Cross Facing Blood Shortage in Oregon

Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed at this time.

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) - The American Red Cross is facing a looming blood shortage in Oregon, and nationwide leading to an urgent need for donors of all blood types to roll up a sleeve and give.

OSU`s Food Preservation and Safety Hotline Now Open

Master Food Preservers answered 2,262 calls during the 2013 summer season.

(CORVALLIS, Ore. ) - The Oregon State University Extension Service's food preservation and safety hotline will help Oregonians safely can and preserve their garden's abundance again this summer.

The hotline remains a useful resource for food safety information even in the Internet age, said Nellie Oehler, a faculty member with the OSU Extension Service's Family and Community Health program and Master Food Preserver coordinator in Lane County.