Salem-News.com Corvallis articles Page 24

Study Finds Many Trailer Parks, And Families May Never Break The Label of `Trailer Trash`

The study reveals a huge social and economic crisis for families living in America’s rural trailer parks.

(CORVALLIS) - The denizens of America's rural trailer parks have heard all the snide comments about their homes – and they have been labeled everything from "trailer trash" to "tornado magnets" – but beneath that ridicule lie acute needs and real concerns, according to a new study.

“While mobile homes have emerged as the housing of choice among low-income rural households, many mobile home-dwellers face exorbitant interest rates, social instability from high turnover rates in trailer park neighborhoods, stigmatization and discrimination in the community and schools, and a lack of opportunities for their children,” said Katherine A. MacTavish, an assistant professor of human development and sciences at Oregon State University and lead author of the study.

OSU Survey Finds Oregon Coastal Airports Vulnerable After Major Earthquake, Tsunami

On the positive side, the airport in Newport stands out as one that may experience some earthquake damage, but its combination of a long runway, elevation of 130 feet and good instrumentation could keep it from shutting down completely.

(CORVALLIS) - Planners counting on the availability of Oregon's coastal airports to stage rescues and bring supplies following a major earthquake and tsunami nearby in the Pacific Ocean may want to think twice about such plans.

Many of Oregon's coastal airports would be out of commission because of earthquake damage, tsunami inundation and debris, or lack of instrumentation for approaches, according to a survey done by Oregon State University earthquake researcher Chris Goldfinger.

Oregon State to Graduate Its Largest Class in History

The graduation ceremony, begins at 2:00 PM at Reser Stadium, and will be broadcast live over Oregon Public Broadcasting.

(CORVALLIS) - Oregon State University will graduate what may be the largest class in its history on Sunday, June 18th, when it holds its 137th annual commencement.

Warren Washington, an OSU alumnus and outgoing chairman of the prestigious National Science Board, will give the commencement address.

About 4,300 students will graduate from OSU in 2006 with some 4,440 degrees. Both would be records, according to Barbara Balz, the university's registrar. Oregon State has attracted record enrollments over the past several years, leading to larger and larger graduating classes.

Beer Compound Shows Potent Promise in Prostate Cancer Battle

Don't rush out to stock the refrigerator. Xanthohumol, is present in such small amounts that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to consume the same amount found effective in the study.

(CORVALLIS) - A chief ingredient in beer shows potent promise in preventing prostate cancer and prostate enlargement, according to a new study by Oregon State University researchers.

OSU to Host Spanish Program For Elementary Students

The first registration deadline is May 31st.

(CORVALLIS) - The Hispanic Beaver, a three-week summer Spanish program for second- through fourth-grade students who have had little or no Spanish, will be held June 26th to July 14th on the OSU campus.

Students will be initiated to language learning by engaging in activities and projects focused on Spanish and Latin American societies through a well-developed language component, workshops, crafts, films, games and more, said Angela Palacios, an instructor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

`The point of the program is for the children to have fun gaining general knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures, communication skills and sensitivity to different cultural contexts,` Palacios said, adding that all of the activities are instructed in Spanish.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is offering the event and Precollege Programs is sponsoring it.

Beer, Cars Overshadow Corvallis Man`s Run For The Presidency

(CORVALLIS) - Folks at the Benton County Fairgrounds showed quite a bit more interest in a car sale and a microbrew festival than in their homegrown presidential contender - Michael Charles Smith.

Nonetheless, Smith made the best of things as he opened his quixotic run for the presidency over the weekend with a fundraising dance at the fairgrounds.

He welcomed his two dozen or so supporters, encouraged everyone to get out on the dance floor and even picked up his tuba to sit in with the band on a couple of polkas, the Corvallis Gazette-Times reported on Monday.

"For those of you who don't know me," he began after letting the Hilltop Big Band warm up the crowd, "I'm Michael Smith, and I'm running for president."

The small crowd cheered. Then Smith, a Hewlett-Packard employee, acknowledged his candidacy is the longest of longshots.

"Realistically," he said, "I don't have my bags packed for Pennsylvania Avenue just yet."

Man Charged in Wilberger Death Gets New Lawyer

This month marks the second anniversary of Brooke Wilberger`s disappearance from a Corvallis apartment complex.

(PORTLAND AP) - The man accused of murder in the death of Brooke Wilberger has been granted a request for a new lawyer in New Mexico, delaying his extradition to Oregon.

Thirty-nine-year-old Joel Patrick Courtney is facing trial in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on rape and kidnapping charges in the attack on a young woman at knifepoint.

Courtney also has been charged with aggravated murder in Oregon for the death of 19-year-old Brooke Wilberger.

Family Coming to Terms With Apparent Death of BYU Coed

(CORVALLIS AP) - Cammy Wilberger says she has made peace with the realization that her daughter Brooke is dead, and that the death was "dark, painful, lonely and ugly."

"We've come to terms with Brooke's death," she said Tuesday at Oregon State University. "We rejoice in the great memories and the fun girl that she was. We know that we will be together eternally as a family."

The open and passionate talk of the hectic days after Brooke Wilberger's disappearance nearly two years ago centered on her family's reliance on faith to get them through and the community participation that renewed their faith in humanity.

Benton County Health Officials Advise Precautionary Steps For Suspected Norovirus Outbreak

(CORVALLIS) - An outbreak of diarrhea and vomiting, suspected to be caused by Norovirus, was reported to the Benton County Health Department on Friday.

As of Monday morning, 13 cases were identified. Cases identified so far are connected with North Albany Community Church.

Samples were sent to the Oregon Public Health Laboratory on Monday, and results are expected by Thursday.

All people directly linked to the outbreak have been identified and contacted.

Survey: Voters in Benton County Are Positive About Present, Future

Voters were positive about the performance of the Benton County Commissioners and give Benton County high ratings for its efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

(CORVALLIS) - A survey of Benton County voters has found that the most important priorities for local government should be: affordable health care, illegal drugs, child and domestic abuse, jobs and the economy, and law enforcement and public safety.

Two potential levy measures to fund Benton County government received majority voter support. An "affordable health care and law enforcement" levy is supported 58-32% and a "drug and alcohol" levy is supported 61-30%. Generally speaking, funding proposals that reach 60% support in initial polling are considered viable.

The most popular potential components of a levy include:

The levy includes funding for a program for youth age 15 and under who are at risk of becoming serious and chronic delinquents...