Salem-News.com Articles written by Bonnie King

Old McKenzie Pass Highway Opens for Summer Season

Drivers are urged to use caution ...it's a fun but very narrow road.

(BEND, Ore.) - The Old McKenzie Pass Highway (OR 242) will officially open to all traffic on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 8 a.m. The highway has been closed due to winter snows.

Motorists driving on this curvy road need to be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadway and take proper precautions. Vehicles longer than 35 feet are prohibited from using the highway.

USS Liberty Attacked by Israel 50 Years Ago Today

The USS Liberty was a spy ship, keeping tabs on Israel's Arab neighbors and their Soviet advisers.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fifty years ago today, on June 8, 1967, 34 American servicemen were killed and 174 were wounded when Israel attacked the USS Liberty navy ship in international waters.

It was the highest casualty rate ever inflicted on a U.S. naval vessel. Still, no investigation.

Driver Arrested for Crashing into Motorcycles Killing Two and Injuring Many Others

Bikers were traveling to Fossil for annual Campout

(FOSSIL, Ore.) - What started out as what would be the perfect 3-day weekend at an Oregon campground, complete with camp fires, cool bikes and unparalleled camaraderie was changed forever in a split second.

For several people riding toward the campout, a deadly nightmare ensued.

Two Motorcyclists Killed and Others Injured in Tragic Crash

A sad day for bikers in Oregon, and beyond.

(FOSSIL, Ore.) - Two motorcyclists on their way to a campout were killed and several others seriously injured late Saturday night when a car crossed over and struck several riders.

OSP Troopers, Wheeler County sheriff's deputies and ODOT responded to the crash around 10:40 p.m.

Many Fatalities after Blast at Ariana Grande Concert

Number of fatalities has not been disclosed at this time.

(SALEM, Ore.) - UK Police have confirmed that there are a "Number of fatalities" in the alleged explosion today at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchaster Arena (England).

Immediately after the loud blast, a speaker came on telling everyone to evacuate. Screaming ensured. All Twitter reports describe a horrific scene of stampeding people.

Colton Man Charged with Murder of his Mother

A tragic Mother's Day for a small Oregon town.

(CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore.) - On Mother's Day, the Sandy Police Department received a 911 call and responded to the Estacada Harvest Market Thriftway at about 2:15 p.m. The caller said that a male covered in blood and armed with a knife, ran into the store carrying what looked like a severed human head. He was not mistaken.

Other callers stated that the subject had stabbed a store employee. He, along with other store employees, disarmed the subject, and subdued him to await the arrival of the police.

Medical Cannabis Growers Win Big in Jackson County

Cannabis farmers will be allowed to once again grow in rural residential Jackson County.

(JACKSON COUNTY, Ore.) - Tuesday, the Jackson County Hearings Officer Panel issued a decision which approved a “non-conforming use application” to grow medical marijuana on RR-5 lands. This is considered a huge win for medical growers.

If you were growing on RR-5 land prior to March of 2016, your non-conforming use application now has a good chance of finding approval. Any grow that started after that date will be under the new rules: 6 medical (OMMP) and 4 rec plants (21+).

T-Rex 2 Makes Solvent-less Cannabis Oil with the Push of a Button

Tarik+Rosin is set to revolutionize the rosin industry.

(SALEM, Ore.) - More people every day are discovering the delights of cannabis in many types, shapes, tastes and consistencies. Cannabis products also vary in strength, and it is integral to their success that consumers know what they are buying.

The “bud” is the most vaunted of all parts of the cannabis plant. The bud (aka “flower” or “herb”) is where the THC content is found, and therefore the most valuable and most sought after. The second favorite? OIL produced from the buds.

Failure of TrumpCare Incites Mixed Reactions

The Republican bill to repeal Obamacare has failed.

(SALEM, Ore.) - House leaders cancelled today’s vote on the American Health Care Act, or “TrumpCare,” because the bill lacks the support to pass.

Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley says now is the time to fix what's broken with ObamaCare. "Following today’s TrumpCare failure, it’s time for Republicans to cease and desist in their plans to destroy American health care. I’m happy to work with anyone, from either side of the aisle, to explore these or any other ideas that would improve health care for working Americans."

Executive Order Banning Entry from 7 Muslim-Majority Countries

EXECUTIVE ORDER: PROTECTING THE NATION FROM FOREIGN TERRORIST ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Americans from the kitchen table to the water cooler are continuing to debate the pros and cons of the Executive Order excluding entry into the United States by a myriad of people and situations. Before stepping up to your own pulpit, it will behoove you to know the FACTS.

Here is the January 27, 2017 Executive Order, in it's entirety: