Salem-News.com Springfield articles

Oregon Motorcycle Operator Dies from Injuries Sustained in Monday Crash

The crash happened Monday on Belt Line Road north of Eugene.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - A Springfield-area motorcyclist who was seriously injured Monday afternoon in a motorcycle crash, died early Wednesday morning at an area hospital. The crash happened police say, when the rider lost control of his motorcycle and crashed on Belt Line Road north of Eugene.

Oregon State Police says 21-year old Timothy Russell Tull of Springfield was riding a 1997 Yamaha motorcycle September 14, 2009 at approximately 4:10 p.m. eastbound on Belt Line Road near milepost 6 when the crash occurred.

Old McKenzie Pass Highway Now Open

The McKenzie Pass Highway became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962 with the completion of the Clear Lake-Belknap Springs section of OR 126.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - The McKenzie Pass Highway (OR 242) is now officially open to all traffic. The highway has been closed to complete a highway repaving project that has now been completed.

The nearly $4 million dollar project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, cut back the slope and realigned the highway, replaced two bridges and repaved the highway surface making the road more stable and safe for all users.

Feds Will Spend Millions on Eugene/Springfield Rapid Transit

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Brings $3 Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Pay for Bus Rapid Transit Serving Eugene, Springfield, Oregon.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that Lane Transit District will receive $2.9 million in ARRA funds for the Pioneer Parkway extension of the “Emerald Express” Bus Rapid Transit system serving Eugene and Springfield, Oregon.

Last year, the Federal Transit Administration signed a “project construction grant agreement” to provide $32.5 million of the $41.3 million total project cost to be paid out in annual increments through 2010.

Two Suspects Arrested for Corvallis Armed Robberies

Two Springfield men, both suspects in Corvallis armed robberies, are in custody.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Police say last November 2nd, at 10:17 a.m., Corvallis officers responded to a panic alarm from DeDe's All Lottery Games at 1786 NW 9th Street. Weeks later they responded to another armed robbery in Corvallis.

The suspects in both of those incidents have been arrested. One is in custody in Oregon and the other man is in California.

Motorcyclist in Sunday Freeway Crash Dies From Injuries

Richard Graybeal reportedly died about 3:30 a.m. today from injuries sustained in the Sunday crash.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Oregon State Police has been notified that a Medford-area man seriously injured Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle collided with a sport utility vehicle southbound Interstate 5 just south of the Brownsville interchange died early Tuesday morning at a hospital.

76-year old Richard Graybeal of Medford, crashed Sunday during a lane change on I-5 at milepost 216.

Most Wanted Fugitive from Massachusetts Spotted in Oregon

Massachusetts State Police are working with law enforcement agencies in Pacific Northwest to track fugitive Michael Breshahan.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Massachusetts State Police say Michael Breshnahan, one of the state's most wanted fugitives, was spotted last weekend in a store in Springfield, Oregon and was then seen hitchhiking on an Oregon highway. 36-year old Breshnahan is wanted for terrorizing and sexually assaulting a 61-year old woman after forcibly entering her home in Winchendon, Mass. last year.

Breshnahan, who has been featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted," was seen Saturday night by a viewer, purchasing camping equipment in a Walmart in Springfield, Oregon. Further information developed by local police there revealed that Breshnahan was last seen hitchhiking later that night on northbound Interstate 5 in Springfield.

Oregon Couple Laid to Rest After Tragic Motorcycle Crash (VIDEO)

Those who knew and loved them say they will be sorely missed.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Over 100 motorcycle riders showed up this week to pay their respects to a couple that died as a result of a car versus motorcycle crash on the Oregon coast May 17th.

The man riding the bike, Robert Ellis Shimp, was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was 63-years old. Robert survived for several days but ultimately died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. His wife, Nancy Ann Shimp who was 75, died at the scene.

Fiery Truck Crash Halts Traffic on I-5 Sunday

Neither the driver of the truck or her passenger were injured.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Police say a commercial truck was destroyed following a Sunday evening fire after it crashed on Interstate 5 southbound between Eugene and Coburg in a highway construction zone.

The driver and passenger were not injured, and the southbound lanes are anticipated to remain closed for about 3 more hours, according to Sergeant Ted Phillips with Oregon State Police in Springfield.

Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash Near Springfield

The trooper said he administered first aid until medics arrived and transported the operator to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Police say a 33-year old Springfield area man died Thursday night from injuries suffered after losing control of his motorcycle and colliding into a highway guardrail near Jasper on Parkway Road south of Springfield.

Troopers believed 33-year old Mark Allen Jones was trying to avoid police when the crash happened, said Lt. Greg Hastings, spokesman for OSP.

Hundreds of Trees Cleared from Oregon Highway 126

The highway reopens after many hours of clearing work.

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) - Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews will reopen Highway 126W at 5:00 PM today after clearing slide debris and hundreds of fallen trees from the roadway.

ODOT closed the highway between Eugene and Florence at 1:00 AM on Sunday following a landslide at milepoint 25, about 10.5 miles east of Mapleton.