Salem-News.com Bend articles Page 5

Oregon Soldier Dies in Bomb Explosion in Iraq

Central Oregon Soldier is the latest casualty in Global War on Terror in Iraq.

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - An Oregon soldier named Specialist Zachary McBride of Bend, Oregon was killed on January 9th 2008 along with five other soldiers when a bomb exploded in a house while they were on patrol in Diyana, north of Baghdad, Iraq. The Soldiers were conducting a house-to-house mission in Baghdad. Four additional soldiers were wounded in the attack and evacuated to coalition forces hospital.

This was the first incident involving multiple deaths of U.S Soldier in Iraq since September 10, when seven Multi-National Division-Baghdad soldiers died and 11 were injured in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad.

Senior Skip Day Doesn`t Go as Planned for Bend Teen

Troopers also learned that the BMW was driving with two other vehicles, one of which apparently called the suspect on a cell phone to warn him OSP was trying to catch up to stop him.

(BEND, Ore. ) - An Oregon State Police trooper, with the help of local agencies participating in an interagency saturation patrol kicking off the holiday weekend, was able to find a high speed teenage driver who fled from an attempted traffic stop in the Bend area.

The driver was one of several area high school students taking part in Senior skip day, but now he will have to face a judge on reckless driving and speed-related citations.

Illegal Activity on State Lands in Central Oregon on the Rise

Public advised of actions that could result in fines.

(BEND, Ore. ) - From bike jumps to dumping garbage, illegal activities on land owned by the Department of State Lands just outside the Bend city limits are on the increase.

The activities are taking place on DSL’s Steven’s Road parcel, located southeast of the intersection at Reed Market Road and 27th Street.

Dumping garbage, using motorized vehicles, altering the land, discharging firearms, and using campfires on the site are against the law.

Woman Dies in Crash Near Bend

A total of five other vehicle occupants were transported by ground ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend reportedly with serious injuries.

(BEND, Ore.) - One woman died and six others were seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a head-on crash on Highway 20 about 6 miles west of Bend. All names are being withheld pending next of kin notifications, and the release may not happen until Sunday.

Bend Man Seriously Injured When Large Rock Crashes Through Windshield

Investigators believe the rock fell from an area embankment.

(SWEET HOME) - A Bend-area resident enroute to Corvallis was seriously injured Friday afternoon when a large rock crashed through the windshield of his pickup and struck his right side.

The incident occurred on Highway 20 about 27 miles east of Sweet Home.

OSP says at approximately 4:49 PM, a Toyota pickup driven by 23-year-old Sean C. Passage, from Bend, was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 55 when a large rock crashed through the front windshield and struck Passage in the right side and arm.

Oregon State Sheriffs` Association 2006 Award Winners

Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez and Washington County Rob Gordon Named Sheriffs of the Year 2006

(BEND) - Sharing this year's "SHERIFF OF THE YEAR" honor were Washington County Sheriff ROB GORDON and Marion County Sheriff RAUL RAMIREZ; both were honored for their progressive work in community-building and continuing education for law enforcement professionals.

Head-On Commercial Vehicle Crash Erupts in Flames Killing Two Near Bend

The crash halted traffic on Highway 97 for several hours as police investigated the burned wreckage.

(BEND) - State Police troopers responded to a head-on crash with Bend Police Department on Highway 97 near milepost 142 in the city limits of Bend.

The 3:20 PM crash involving two commercial vehicles resulted in the death of two persons. Both vehicles were reportedly destroyed by the fire. The identities of the two drivers have not been released.

Senator Westlund Supports Governor Kulongoski’s Re-election Bid

Calls for Oregonians to Reject Measures 41 & 48.

(BEND) - Today, I came to the decision to vote for and openly support Governor Ted Kulongoski’s re-election. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly. For quite awhile I considered not endorsing at all, but the reason I gave for running, because I care and I’m concerned are my same reasons for endorsing Governor Kulongoski.

Oregon has been spiraling into mediocrity and below and the choices we have made as voters have had severe consequences for Oregon.

Westlund Announces Plan to Restore Police Patrols on State’s Highways

Westlund says $70 Million in Dedicated Funding Per Biennium Would Restore 24/7 State Police Patrols.

(Bend) - Senator Ben Westlund (I-Bend), Independent candidate for Governor, today announced his plan to create a dedicated fund to restore twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week police patrols on Oregon’s highways.

He says the plan would generate $70 million each biennium specifically for Oregon State Police patrols by adding a small State Police surcharge to some fees paid to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

“While we all agree that restoring twenty-four hour patrols on our highways is important, promising to do so without an actual plan to fund it sells our State Police short and places our citizens at risk,” said Westlund.

Westlund Campaign Submits First Batch of Signatures to Counties

Over 36,000 Oregonians Support Westlund’s Campaign to Get on the Ballot.

(BEND) - Senator Ben Westlund’s quest to qualify for the fall ballot as an Independent candidate for Governor reaches a major milestone this week as the campaign begins submitting signatures to county clerks for signature verification.

The campaign has already gathered over 36,000 signatures statewide and needs to submit 18,368 valid signatures to the Secretary of State by August 29th to qualify for a spot on the November ballot.

“We have launched one of the most comprehensive statewide grassroots campaigns in the history of Oregon,” said Westlund. “Establishing and maintaining direct contact with Oregon’s voters is a huge advantage for us and the tens of thousands of signatures we have obtained so far is a product of our top-notch team of statewide staff and volunteers.”