Salem-News.com Marion County articles Page 27

Man Pleads Guilty in Courthouse Rampage

The man who was nicknamed the Courthouse Plunger after a daylong siege of the Marion County courthouse has pled guilty to a long list of charges that include attempted murder and several counts of arson.

(SALEM) - The man who took over the Marion County courthouse on November 12th, 2005 pled guilty to the series of crimes today in court. The rampage of Christpher Millis amounts to one of the costliest crimes in Marion County's history.

Law enforcement officers from all over western Oregon joined Marion County deputies and Salem police officers as they eventually brought an end to the ordeal with no loss of life.

Sheriff’s Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Solving a 2001 Homicide

Unsolved Murder: Can you help solve this 5-year old crime?

(SALEM) - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with the unsolved homicide of Bricio Munoz-Aguirre that occurred five years ago on August 24th, 2001.

On the evening of August 24th, 2001, 22-year-old Bricio Munoz-Aguirre was found inside his vehicle with a single stab wound to his chest.

His vehicle had crashed over the curb in the area of Winema Place and Lancaster Dr NE. He was driving a black 4-door 1988 Chevrolet Corsica.

Munoz-Aguirre later died at the Salem Hospital as a result of his injuries.

Investigators believe...

Marion County Has First Animal Case of West Nile Virus

There have been no human cases of West Nile Virus identified in Marion County, but avoiding mosquitos is a good idea

(SALEM) - The first animal case of West Nile virus in Marion County has been identified in a Blue Jay. This is the first case of West Nile virus to come from Marion County since the virus was first introduced into the United States in 1999.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. The best defense against West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites.

People can take the following steps to reduce their chance of being bitten by following some of these steps:

-Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding such as leaf-clogged gutters, birdbaths, and old tires...

Clausen Takes Over as Commander of Marion County Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation Division

The division is comprised of nearly 70 staff, 42 of which are Parole and Probation Deputies who supervise more than 4,100 offenders in Marion County.

(SALEM) - Troy Clausen has been sworn in as the new Commander of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation Division.

Commander Clausen graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement.

He began his career in law enforcement when he joined the Independence Police Department in 1991.

Human Skeletal Remains Found in Rural Area East of Salem

Investigators are looking for clues and hoping someone may be able to help.

(SALEM) - Investigators are trying to determine the identity of a man whose skeletal remains were found over the past weekend in rural east Salem.

Marion County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Kevin Rau says that shortly before 4:00 pm on Saturday, deputies were called to 6230 Culver Dr SE, which is in a rural area just east of Salem, by a property owner named Jerry Beckner.

Beckner is the resident on the rural forested area of about 80 acres. He told deputies that he discovered what appeared to be a human skull, but no other remains, while he was walking on his property.

Record Number of Marion County Residents Used Oregon Heat

Over 350,000 Oregon households qualify for energy assistance. Last year, Oregon HEAT was able to help over 7,000 households keep the heat on.

(SALEM) - A record number of Marion County residents used Oregon HEAT, a nonprofit group that helps low-income residents pay energy bills.

From July 2005 to June 2006, 1,325 people in Marion County used the service, said Roger Rees, the executive director of Oregon HEAT.

Oregon HEAT, the state’s largest non-profit organization providing energy assistance to low-income Oregonians, was recently recognized for its outstanding efforts to raise awareness of low-income energy issues by the The National Fuel Funds Network.

Input Sought on Elk Lake Motorboat Use Restriction

Written comments on the proposed rule are welcome and must be received by Thursday, August 31st.

(SALEM) - The Oregon State Marine Board is now accepting written public comment on a proposed rule that would restrict motorboat use on Elk Lake, near Brietenbush in Marion County.

The Marine Board received a petition requesting electric motors only on this waterbody. Difficult road access has limited vehicles towing trailers, but recent road improvements have caused concerns that larger motorboats may attempt to access this small lake.

"The question we are asking people is do we need an electric-motor-only regulation on Elk Lake, or would a 5 mph or 10 mph speed limit be more acceptable to historic users," says Randy Henry, Policy and Planning Analyst for the Marine Board.

"This lake wouldn't serve waterskiers or other high speed activities well, but there has been no historical prohibition on gas motors.

Cops Get Clipped for Salem Girl and Doernbecher`s (VIDEO)

Male and female officers that shed their locks hope the event raised over $11k and they hope that increases awareness when it comes to Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland.

(SALEM) - Marion County deputies have closed ranks and pulled together to help one of their own. A special "Crop a Cop" event was held to raise proceeds and awareness of Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.

Deputies Seek to Recover Stolen Police Badge

Police say it could have been used in a kidnap/robbery incident over the weekend.

(SALEM) - A Marion County Sheriff’s badge that was forcefully ripped off of a deputy’s shirt while they were engaged in a physical altercation is missing, and officials with the sheriff’s office say they are concerned and anxious about recovering it.

Marion County Fair Gets Underway in Salem (VIDEO)

Salem-News.com's Sean King is also a reporter for NW Teen News, which airs on Salem's UHF Channel-52. Here are some of his discoveries from the first day of the Marion County Fair.

(SALEM) - The roller coaster, the food booths, cool FFA animals, and never forget the entertainment. It's that time of year again, and the 2006 Marion County Fair kicked off under warm, sunny skies Friday, providing a family event that has something for everyone.

In the video report posted below, you will meet,,,