Salem-News.com Articles written by Bonnie King

OMMP Inspectors Targeting Small-Scale Grows With 1-2 Patients

Oregon inspectors are picking random medical growers and giving a one day phone call warning.

(SALEM, Ore.) - To Catch A Grower:
Inspectors for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program are fanning out across the state during the month of August to inspect medical grow sites that claimed a reduction in the number of patients they are growing for to 2 or less sick people.

OMMP is suspicious of these small-time growers because growing for "fewer than three" patients means the farmer is not legally required to use the Cannabis Tracking System. So, if you only have two patients, beware a suit at your door.

Thousands of Oregonians Frightened by Emergency Alert Issued Without Explanation

What does "Prepare for Action" mean, anyway?

(SALEM, Ore.) - The alert said there was a "civil emergency", yet gave no indication as to what type of emergency it was or what citizens should do. It was an amazing lack of information from an agency whose entire mission is to share information.

People outside of Salem as far as Sherwood, Willamina and Eugene were taken aback with the erroneous message of could-be imminent doom. As it turns out, it was a water alert. Not North Korea.

Pickup vs Motorcycle Crash Claims Life of Washington Woman

A tragic reminder that driving under the influence is a volatile choice.

(SPIRIT LAKE, Idaho) - It was about 10:50 p.m. when 25-year old Jonathan A. Smith was traveling south on Idaho state Highway 41 in a 1992 Dodge Dakota, while 49-year old Mark Kondash was driving northbound, riding a 2002 Harley Davidson.

According to the preliminary investigation, Smith attempted to enter a side road and turned directly into the path of the motorcycle.

Oregon Schools Join Thousands in Walkout Against Gun Violence

A new gun culture is on the horizon

(SALEM, Ore.) - The walkout lasted for exactly 17 minutes -- a minute for each life lost in the tragedy at Parkland. The clock was set and hundreds of students stood in quiet contemplation as it counted down. The last minute was an observed moment of silence.

Students were well spoken and clearly had done their homework researching the walkout and what it meant.

Oregon Man Imprisoned in El Salvador en Route to Colombia

Clay Pierce is a disabled patient jailed in hellish conditions for months.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregonian Clay Pierce is imprisoned in the Mariona prison in El Salvador for possession of personal use medical cannabis, just $43 worth of Oregon-licensed homegrown medicine. Pierce is an Oregon medical marijuana cardholder.

This story is an important notice to all Oregonians: when traveling from one legal cannabis location to another, you must be aware of the laws in all connecting flight locations.

Man Charged with Murder for Shooting in Yamhill

It all happened in the small town of Yamhill, Oregon.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The suspect, Richard R Mershon, was reported to have gotten into an argument with a man that led to a physical fight. The physical fight quickly turned into a shooting, by a man that had been drinking.

Male victim number one told Police he had witnessed the suspect push a pregnant female, and she may have fallen down. The woman was apparently an employee of Zippy's Pizza, had been trying to help give the suspect a ride home because he was intoxicated.

6 Girls Are Not to be Beheaded in Saudi Arabia

Truth vs Click Bait: Can You See It?

(SALEM, Ore.) - There’s a tragic story making the rounds right now of 6 young girls who are allegedly going to be beheaded by the Saudi Arabian government for having boys at a birthday party. The viral article asks for a world outcry to save the girls’ lives.

Shocking, but because Saudi Arabia has such a terrible track record for human rights violations, even a kid’s birthday party police crackdown is easily believable.
That said, the article in question is absolutely FALSE.

Legendary Rocker Tom Petty Remembered with Love and Laughter

A young landscaper learned to ask before moving Tom Petty's tree.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On Oct. 2, we heard the shocking news that rock music legend Tom Petty had suffered cardiac arrest at his Malibu home and was on life support. This, just after the painful tragedy and loss of life at Las Vegas, seemed surreal, even unfathomable.

Not long later, an announcement no one wanted to hear: Tom Petty had died.

Protesters Line up to Greet Betsy DeVos at McMinnville High School

The most controversial education secretary in recent history visits rural Oregon high school.

(McMINNVILLE, Ore.) - A crowd of over one hundred people gathered on the streets next to McMinnville High School today, to give Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos a hearty Oregon reception. There were protesters and supporters, though her supporters were outnumbered by the score.

Well known as a billionaire philanthropist, DeVos’ “out of touch” policies directly threaten federal funding for public schools, according to teachers we spoke with.

Sanilac County Circuit Judge Ross Gives Visitation Rights to Child Rapist

Justice? The victim’s address was revealed to her abuser and the judge ordered that the convicted rapist's name be added to the child’s birth certificate.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A Michigan judge has granted parental rights to a convicted sex offender, providing the man with access to a child who is the product of the rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Sanilac County Circuit Judge Gregory Ross in Michigan has given parental rights to a man that raped a 12-year old girl over a matter of days while he held her and her young friend against their will, threatening their lives.