Salem-News.com - News with Video Page 258

Documentary on American Renegade Pilot Moving Forward (VIDEO)

As a documentary producer, Salem-News.com's Tim King has followed the story of WW1 pilot Frank Luke across the world, literally.

(SALEM) - Frank Luke Jr.`s life was short; he was only 21 at the time of his death in 1918, shot down in a biplane over France in the last months of WW1. But in a very short period of time, this blonde-haired blue-eyed cowboy from Arizona had gone from being a young, brash pilot criticized by his peers for his attitude, to the leading ace of his nation… quite a feat in only three weeks.

Family Releases Recording of PFC Tommy Tucker`s Last Call Home (Audio)

(MADRAS) - Private 1st Class Thomas Tucker joined the U.S. Army stating that he wanted to do something positive and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky as a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

In a recent telephone message that remains on their telephone answering machine, Thomas sent the following greeting. "Be proud of me Mom, I'm defending my country. Tell sis and my nephews hello for me, I'm OK, I'm on my way."

Thomas Tucker's family released that call, it is included in this story.

Salem Ex-Marine May be World`s Toughest Kickboxer (VIDEO)

Black belt John Olivera of Steele's Karate in Salem trains kickboxers by serving as their human punching bag.

(SALEM) - Oregon`s capitol city is home to one of the most radical, inspirational and durable Kickboxing instructor/champions in the nation. In fact, there may not be a tougher martial arts instructor alive.

A former U.S. Marine, he is still one of the few and the proud, from his mannerisms to the logo he created for his fight team shirts. John Olivera is the Sensei at Steele`s Karate in Salem and he shares his lifetime of experience with those who take an interest. What John has done in his lifetime is become one of the most accomplished martial artists and not just in one style of martial arts either.

I knew John in the earliest days. We were both Marine Corps recruits in Platoon 1044, 1st Battalion `C` Company at M.C.R.D. San Diego. That is the long way of saying that we went through Marine Corps boot camp together.

Abused Farm Animals Get New Lease on Life (VIDEO)

For one sheep named Jessie, found wandering the streets of McMinnville, the sanctuary means a fresh chance and a new beginning.

(SALEM) - Wayne Geiger cares for farm animals that have been abused or neglected. The Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary is a project that grew from a direct need to shelter livestock when Wayne worked for what was then known as the Willamette Valley Humane Society.

A project created initially to house four abused sheep from a farm, grew into a multi-acre facility that cares for nearly 150 abused and neglected animals.

Exotic Dancers Kick Up Their Heels in Salem, Oregon (VIDEO)

The class is presented by Dancing Orchids.

(SALEM) - Salem women are learning the art of exotic dance. The same moves seen in strip clubs, this style of exotic dance keeps clothes on, and is part of a growing movement across the nation.

Instructor Brandi Siefarth of Dancing Orchids in Salem, says the allure of being on stage is one part of it; exotic dancing also restores confidence in women.

`I love watching women come in really cautious and not knowing what to expect.` She says the contrast between what is anticipated, and what the class is actually about, is big. `We do some exercises, and by the end of the class they`re having a good time.`

But who could blame a woman for being hesitant? Student Mattie Brandt says the initial reaction...

Keizer Iris Festival (VIDEO)

The 2006 Keizer Iris Festival runs throughout the weekend of May 19th. Watch the streaming video below.

(KEIZER) - Keizer's grand event, The Iris Festival, is underway with new activities, displays and vendors. The Iris Festival is held across from Keizer's Wittenburg Inn on River Road North. The 2006 Iris Festival is a huge annual gathering that draws people from throughout the Northwest.

Salem-News.com caught up with Robin Barney from the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, and she shared with us the myriad things to do and see at the festival that is built around a strong local product, the iris.


One of the event's biggest draws this year is a scuba tank that is on site. For people who have always been curious about what it would be like to try diving, it is a perfect opportunity.

PETA Demonstrators Protest KFC in Salem (VIDEO)

To ensure that they gained people`s attention, PETA Campaign Coordinator Lindsay Rajt donned a yellow bikini, and gained her objective.

(SALEM) - Members of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, demonstrated in front of the Salem KFC restaurant on Lancaster Drive Thursday.

They say the chain`s practices aren`t ethical. Without going into too many details, PETA Campaign Coordinator Lindsay Rajt described their complaints against this fast food chain, `I'm here as one chick sticking up for other chicks. Getting the message out that we're only asking KFC to take the scientific advice of their own animal welfare advisors."

"After you see, behind the scenes, what really happens to these chickens, anybody that cares about animals would want to be out here. They're scalded alive, they're kept in sheds of 30-50,000 birds."

PETA has plenty of critics. Some people go so far as to call them a terrorist group. These PETA members and supporters say they are simply asking the huge corporation, KFC, to kill their chickens in a humane manner.

Wednesday`s Farmer`s Market Has a Little of Everything

Watch the streaming video news report by Bonnie King.

(Salem) - Spring has sprung. And in Salem, that means the beginning of the Wednesday Farmer`s Market. The event takes place along Chemeketa Street in downtown Salem. Vendors draw visitors from throughout the Willamette Valley who want to experience this traditional marketplace. Be careful, some describe the experience as habit-forming.

8,000 Attend Immigration Rally at State Capitol (VIDEO)

The highly publicized pro-immigration rally drew a crowd of several thousand, police say all everyone remained civil and no problems were reported.

(SALEM) - Thousands assembled at the state capitol in Salem today to protest and demonstrate against immigration reform legislation that would make illegal border crossings a felony, and also punish those who hire illegal immigrants.

Immigration activists called for May First to be a day of solidarity. Hundreds of thousands of people turned out at rallies like the one in Salem, in numerous cities around the country...

New DVD Will Show Salem`s Downtown Off To The World (VIDEO)

(SALEM) - Few American cities have the intimate, historic downtown setting that Oregon`s capitol city has kept for so long. No major rush, safe streets, free parking and a new convention center are just a few of the amenities that this architecturally significant NW city offers.

The city merchant`s Downtown Association and Salem Electric wanted to let the world know more about the mergence of history and art in Oregon`s capitol city, so they contracted Rebecca Maitland of Western Media and Tim King of Northwind Video Artists to craft a two and a half-minute production that would be sent out as a DVD, and streamed on the Web from numerous points.