Salem-News.com Oregon articles

Two Senate Bills Aim to Curtail Oregon`s Cannabis Surplus

The current administration has been somewhat hostile toward any moves to legalize the cannabis trade.

(SALEM, Ore.) - For farmers and lawmakers in Oregon, too much cannabis turns out to be a problem. However, two bills in the state Senate aim to curtail the surplus – though in slightly different ways.

The recently passed Senate Bill 582 seeks to open a legal path for exporting marijuana while Bill 218 would give more authority to state regulators when determining the criteria for licensing.

Oregon Sees More Newcomers Than Any Other State

This population growth helps fuel the Oregon economy.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A recent report from the Oregon Employment Department found that more people are moving to Oregon than are leaving. The difference between people moving in and out is called the “in-migration” number.

On average, nearly 40,000 residents from California relocate to the state, compared to the 20,000 Oregonians that headed to California, creating a net gain of 20,000 people from a single state.

Shame and Blame As Oregon Climate Bill Collapses

The runaway Senators are also preventing the Senate from attending to important issues, like the state budget.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon Senate found itself at the center of national and international news on Thursday June 25th, as a landmark climate bill failed to pass during farcical scenes, and blame was passed everywhere by the furious senators who attempted to pass the bill.

Eleven Republican senators walked out of the Senate, thus denying their Democratic colleagues the chance to vote on the issue.

Oregon Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Hash Oil Explosion

BHO (Butane Honey Oil) is a concentrated cannabis product extracted using highly flammable or combustible solvents.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Eric L. Scully, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, was sentenced June 20th to 78 months in federal prison and five years supervised release for endangering human life and illegally possessing and manufacturing marijuana during a November 2017 butane honey oil (BHO) explosion in Cottage Grove.

Scully was also sentenced to six months in prison for violating the supervised release conditions of a previous federal money laundering conviction. The two prison sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 84 months in prison.

Oregon Passes Most Comprehensive Plastic Bag Ban in the Country

Oregon's most common litter includes cigarette butts, plastic bottles and caps, food wrappers, and plastic bags.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On June 11th, the Oregon Senate passed the most comprehensive plastic bag ban in the U.S.

Starting on January 1, 2020, single-use plastic bags will be eliminated from local retail stores and restaurants, preventing billions of non-biodegradable plastic bags from entering landfills, waterways and the environment. As the first state in the nation to successfully include restaurants in the legislation, Oregon is leading the way in reducing plastic pollution for the future.

Salem`s Blue-Green Algae Fears Put to Rest by City

After last summer's outbreak of blue-green algae, Salemites are worried.

(SALEM, Ore.) - "Earlier this afternoon, some social media sites were falsely stating the City of Salem has drinking water test results it is not releasing that shows cyanotoxins in the drinking water and that the water is unsafe. This is false.

"The treatment systems are working and the water leaving the water treatment facility is clean and safe to drink."

Ohio Bill Legalizing Industrial Hemp and CBD Products Moves Ahead

Hemp is a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. and is expected to more than double by 2022.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Ohio Senate Bill 57, a bill that would decriminalize hemp and license hemp cultivation, passed the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House Committee, and could soon get a full House vote.

“If the Ohio full House passes this bill it will be a historical step forward for the hemp industry, for residents who want to utilize CBD’s reported benefits and for local farmers,” said Hemp, Inc. CEO Bruce Perlowin.

March for Fair Housing Ends in Salem

Homeless rights activists are calling for a State of Emergency

(SALEM, Ore.) - It is around a 50-mile walk from Portland to Salem, but homeless rights activists made the trip in a bid to draw attention to their cause. Setting off on May 23rd, 2019, protesters finally reached Salem at the end of the month, where a demonstration was held.

House prices in Salem have been increasing and so has homelessness along with it.

Three Oregon Teens Killed by Drunk Driver

The Jeep driver's blood alcohol content was 0.239 percent when tested.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Jeep was travelling northeast on Salem Parkway at a high rate of speed when it ran the red light at Cherry AV NE and collided with the Toyota travelling southeast.

All three of the Toyota occupants, 19-year old Trinity Watt, of Salem, 19-year old Madison Capobianco, of Salem and 18-year old Makayla Tryon, of Keizer, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Michael Wolfe Arrested in Disappearances

Oregon man is in custody and charged with aggravated murder after disappearance of his 3-year-old son and the boy's mother.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Friday, 52-year old Michael John Wolfe was taken into custody by investigators from the Salem Police Department in connection with the disappearance of 25-year old Karissa Fretwell and the 3-year old son, William Fretwell, she shares with Wolfe.

He was booked into the Yamhill County Jail on two counts of Aggravated Murder and two counts of Kidnapping in the First Degree. He is being held without bail.