Salem-News.com Oregon articles

City of Salem Considers New Streetlight Fee

The Salem City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the streetlight fee in February.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Keeping Salem's more than 10,550 streetlights operating has squeezed funding for road repairs.

What's the crux of the problem? Streetlights and road repairs in Salem both depend on a shrinking pool of gasoline tax revenues. Money for basic road pavement maintenance has largely evaporated.

SWAT Stand-off with Suspect in Drive-by Shooting Ends in Arrest

OSP troopers are continuing the investigation of a drive-by shooting in Northern Klamath County

(LA PINE, Ore.) - Information from on-scene commanders indicates that just before 2:00 A.M., Sunday morning, 9-1-1 call centers received a report of shots being fired at or into a residence, south of La Pine. Troopers learned the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Gary Davis, of La Pine, had threatened a man at that location previously.

Shortly before 7:00 A.M., troopers tracked Davis to a residence in La Pine where he was staying with his girlfriend.

Two People Critically Injured in South Marion County Crash

Two vehicles collided head-on with each other at about 2:30 pm this afternoon on Liberty Rd S near Bunker Hill Rd S.

(SALEM, Ore.) - One the vehicles is a Green 1993 Ford Explorer, driven by 39-year old Michael Lowe of South Salem and the other is a Black 2013 Hyundai Elantra, driven by 58-year old Randy Harrison, also of South Salem.

Lowe was extricated from his vehicle by fire personnel. Both Lowe and Harrison were injured in the crash and transported by ambulance to Salem hospital where they are in critical condition.

Oregon Gas Prices Keep Tumbling Down

Lower gas prices are a welcome relief for consumers across the U.S.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - U.S. motorists are paying an average price at the pump today ($2.13 per gallon) that is more than forty percent lower than the 2014 peak of $3.70 reached on April 28.

The national average continues to test lows not seen since May 2009 and has now dropped a record 109 consecutive days for a total decline of $1.22 per gallon during this span.

Over 20 Trucks and Vehicles in Major Crash on I-84

4 people were transported with minor to serious injuries.

(EASTERN OREGON) - I-84 Eastbound is now open to single lane travel at MP 318, 12 miles east of Baker City. Both lanes of the Eastbound freeway had been blocked since around 4:54 a.m. due to a crash involving over 20 semi-trucks and other vehicles.

The Eastbound freeway is also open at La Grande and Pendleton.

Silicon Forest: Oregon`s Untapped High Tech Gold Mine

A rising middle class in emerging markets is eager to import high tech products.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon is known for many things: It has more ghost towns than anywhere else in the United States; Hell's Canyon is the deepest river on the continent; the Columbia River gorge offers the best windsurfing in the world; and Seaside Aquarium was the first place in the world where harbor seals were bred in captivity.

However, few people know that during the gold rush, the biggest reserves were found in 1958 at Sharp’s Creek in the Bohemia Mining District nestled in the Cascade Mountains.

Heisman Trophy Goes to UO Quarterback Marcus Mariota

Mariota is the first ever Heisman Winner from the University of Oregon

(GoDucks.com / NEW YORK) - The most celebrated individual season in Oregon football history received an historic exclamation point Saturday, as junior quarterback Marcus Mariota was awarded the Heisman Trophy for the 2014 college football season.

Mariota became the first Heisman winner in UO history, and the first from the Pacific Northwest since Terry Baker of Oregon State in 1962.

Marijuana Legalization Questions Answered by Dr. Phil Leveque

A high school student interviews Dr. Leveque about his experience with marijuana/cannabis and legalization.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Dear Dr. Leveque,
I am a sophomore at Lee's Summit North High School. I have contacted you today because we need to "interview" someone over our topic (my topic being the legalization of medicinal Marijuana) and my first choice was to talk to you.

The best way to start is at the beginning, so here is some background on Dr. Leveque, direct from the source.

Liability Issues for Uber and Lyft Drivers

Lyft and Uber are steering very clear of Portland

(SALEM, Ore.) - Peer-to-peer, or ridesharing, is nothing new; just check any grocery store in the low-income parts of town and you’ll find “bootleg” taxis offering people rides home at a fraction of the cost of a traditional taxi.

In Salem, we have companies like The Cherriots, Ridester and other organizations that help people pair up for carpooling needs.

Street Re-Opened: Mission Street Accident (PHOTOS)

Mission Street has been reopened.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Mission Street SE between 17th & 22nd Streets is closed due to a vehicle crash. The vehicle landed in Shelton Ditch and first responders have closed traffic due to the situation.

Watch for detour signs and avoid the area until further notice.