Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 26

FBI Releases Preliminary 2008 Crime Stats for Oregon and Washington

In Oregon and Southwest Washington, we are seeing a mixed bag of results. Statistics from the report include the following:

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today, the FBI released a preliminary report detailing January - December 2008 crime data based on the submissions of 12,750 law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

Each of these agencies had to submit at least six comparable months of data to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program in both 2007 and 2008. Nationally, both violent and property crimes saw decreases of 2.5% and 1.6% respectively.

King County Sheriff Spokesman Deflects Accusations of Police Brutality

Thugs With Badges or Saviors of Society?

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - A Washington man remains in a coma after being tacked into a wall earlier this month by a deputy in King County, Washington. The deputy, 27-year old Matthew Paul, outweighed the man he smashed into a wall by nearly a hundred pounds.

The video in a KOMO TV report of the police "take down", shows the deputy pummel 29-year old Christopher Harris into a wall at an awkward off balance angle, as his neck is clearly bent forward from the force.

Gas Prices Edge Higher to Kick Off Summer Driving Season

Memorial Day has come and gone, and pump prices are still edging up. Oregon's average for regular unleaded gains eight cents in the past week to $2.51 while the national average jumps up 11 cents to $2.43. Still, prices are about a buck-fifty a gallon less than a year ago.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Memorial Day traditionally signals the start of the summer driving season, and pump prices continue to rise.

Amber Alert Issued for Missing 14-Day Old Baby in Washington

The suspect is Gretchen Pier, an 18-year old white female, 5' 4", 165 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

(OKANOGAN, Wash.) - The state of Washington issued an Amber Alert this evening after a 14-day old baby boy was abducted in Tonasket earlier in the day.

Police say the child suffers from a metabolic disorder and is in urgent need of medical care according to authorities and a court order has been issued to place the child in specialized medical/foster care.

Chrysler Plans to Close Almost 800 Dealerships

Many dealerships in the Northwest are part of the announced closures.

(NEW YORK) - Chrysler LLC has announced that it plans to eliminate around a quarter of its 3,200 U.S. dealerships by early next month. The company cites a bankruptcy court filing Thursday that the network is antiquated and has too many stores competing with each other.

Chrysler filed a motion with the U.S. bankruptcy Court in New York announcing its plans to eliminate 789 dealerships by June 9th.

Gas Prices Jump in Oregon and Across the U.S.

After five weeks as the fifth most expensive state, Oregon drops to eighth place.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Pump prices show some dramatic gains in the past week with Memorial Day just a couple weeks away. The national average for regular unleaded shot up 17 cents to $2.25, while Oregon's jumped ten cents to $2.36.

Small Boy Falls From Railroad Bridge in Washington

Clark County Sheriff's Office investigates fall from train bridge involving a 4-year old child‏.

(BATTLE GROUND, Wash.) - A small boy was severely injured this morning in the Battle Ground area when he fell from a railroad bridge, approximately 30 feet to the ground.

Sgt. Mike Cooke with the Clark County Sheriff's Office, says deputies and Fire District 3 personnel responded to a residence in the Battle Ground area of Clark County at 7:40 a.m. on the report of a seriously injured 4-year old boy.

Cops Win by Default in Oregon Motorcycle Chase

After a chase that reportedly reached speeds of 140 mph, the suspect's "crotch rocket" ran out of gas.

(WOODBURN, Ore.) - Police say a Vancouver, Washington man was arrested early Friday after running out of gas on his motorcycle following an attempt to elude state, county and city police officers in an incident that started on Interstate 5 south of Woodburn and ended on the Interstate 205 Glenn Jackson Bridge.

Troopers say that at times, speeds were reported in excess of 140 mph.

Oregon `New Sanctuary Movement` Organizes Mothers Day Vigil at NW Detention Center

The group will gather at the facility in Tacoma, Washington.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On May 9th, the Washington and Oregon New Sanctuary Movement coalitions will join together with immigrant rights, labor groups and immigrant families, in a Mothers Day vigil outside the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington, a privately-run holding facility for immigrants awaiting trial in an immigration court or deportation.

Human rights abuses at immigration detention centers around the nation have been the focus of several recent reports, including one conducted by Seattle University School of Law and several partner organizations.

Aggravated 1st Degree Murder Plea Entered on Powell Road Investigation from June

Sheriff Bill Mahoney says its one more example of the great cooperation among local law enforcement agencies.

(KELSO, Wash.) - The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office announced today that Matthew Wayne Fillmore, a 21-year old Tacoma resident, pled guilty to Aggravated Murder 1st degree last week in Pierce County Superior Court.

On June 17, 2008, Cowlitz County investigators responded to a location on Powell Road, just outside of Castle Rock, where the body of the victim, Jerry Shirk, had been found.