Salem News Journal Page 18

On Monday, at about 9:20 AM, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office located a black 2005 Honda Civic traveling on US Hwy 26 near NW Gumwood, northwest of Madras. The car had been reported as stolen earlier that morning to the Warm Springs Police Department. When the Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle it accelerated, fleeing from the officer. Officers from Warm Springs Police, Madras Police Department, and the Oregon State Police responded to the area to assist in apprehending the fleeing vehicle.

The City of Salem says that River Road South will remain close through tomorrow morning. The extra time is so city and contract workers can complete additional repairs to the protective screening at that location. We expect to be able to bring you an update on their progress by early afternoon tomorrow. Until then plan to use alternate routes for your morning commute.

Salem Police and Fire responded to a one vehicle rollover accident on River Road South in Salem. The accident was caused by a mud slide in the road which has caused the full closure of River Road South, northbound at Schurman Dr South, and south bound at Owens Street South and Fir Street South.

Update: River Road South will remain closed overnight and for most of Wednesday.

The Polk County Marine Patrol finished up their seasonal program year at the end of September. This past summer was a busy year for the Marine Patrol Unit as the use of the Willamette River continues to increase yearly for both motorized and non-motorized activities. This year we saw a significant increase in our floating traffic from previous years due to the new launch ramps that opened up the previous year in Keizer and Independence.

“The Oregon average is at its lowest price since October 2010. It dipped below $3 a gallon last Thursday for the first time since November 12, 2010. For the week, the Oregon average plunges nine cents to $2.92 a gallon. The national average nosedives a dime to $2.66 a gallon and is at its lowest price since February 2010.” AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, “As crude oil prices continue to slide, the national average could test $2.50 by Christmas and the Oregon average could fall to around $2.75.”

The Sundial Manufactured Home Park was the scene of a fire today where two people lost there home. Around 2:30 this afternoon a fire broke out at the rear of a house in space 321 and quickly spread to the whole house. The two people inside were able to escape safely, however the male did have minor burns to his face.

High winds are expected in the Salem area this afternoon and into the evening hours. Please be prepared for potential hazards due to the high wind or flying debris.

Last night at about 6:00 p.m., deputies with the Marion County Sheriff's Office were called to the area of Cascade Highway and Golf Lane SE near Stayton to investigate a vehicle versus pedestrian crash. It was determined that Harold McAlister, age 59 of Sublimity was attempting to cross Cascade Highway near Golf Lane from east to west. At the time of the crash it was dark, raining heavily  with very little to no street lighting in the area.

On December 9, 2014, at about11:53 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers from the Springfield Area Command located a tan, 2003 Nissan Altima, southbound on Interstate Five near milepost 186 in Lane County. The car had been reported as stolen to the Salem Police Department in Marion County. When the trooper activated his overhead emergency lights near milepost 185, the vehicle accelerated to speeds near 100 MPH.

Lake County ranchers Don and Diana Robinson were awarded this year’s Riley Freeman Award at the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) meeting in Bend on Dec. 6. “The Robinsons are actively involved in protecting and enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife on their land,” said ODFW Interim Director Curt Melcher when presenting the award in Bend.

The Oregon Department of Corrections was recently presented with two awards for its commitment to sustainability practices, a Portland Business Journal Innovation in Sustainability Award, and the Governor's Sustainability Award from Business Oregon. On November 18, the Portland Business Journal presented DOC with a 2014 Innovation in Sustainability Award in the "waste" category for its commitment to recycling.

Oregon State Police Bomb technicians were called to the scene of a suspicious package this afternoon at the North Mall Building, 725 Summer St. NE, in Salem. Portions of the North Mall Building were evacuated as a precaution while technicians examined the package. Workers were allowed back into the building at approximately 2:15 P.M.

"I got mixed up, I thought I left it in my car." This was the statement given to deputies by Michael Durban, age 23, of Salem after he walked into his arraignment with drug paraphernalia in his pocket. Durban was set to be arraigned on the charges of possession of heroin at the Circuit Court Annex located at 4000 Aumsville Highway SE, in Salem.

Sunday at about 6:00 a.m., deputies and emergency responders were called to a two vehicle crash at the intersection of Howell Prairie Road NE and Silverton Road NE. A 2014, Chevrolet pickup, being driven by Robert Lovatt, age 57, of Silverton was turning south from the west bound lanes of the intersection at Silverton Road NE and Howell Prairie Road NE. As Mr. Lovatt entered the intersection a, 2002, Ford Explorer, driven by Rogelio Constantino-Xaca, age 31, of Salem drove through the east bound lanes of the intersection, without stopping causing the two vehicles to collide.

On December 3, 2014 at approximately 1:10 AM, a suspect walked into the Seven Eleven located at 1690 Market St NE and asked the clerk for a pack of cigarettes. After obtaining the cigarettes, the suspect told the clerk he had a bomb and would not be paying for them.

UPDATE:   On February 26, 2015, Anthony Pena, Pablo Serrano, and juvenile David Hernandez-Fragua were sentenced in Marion County Circuit Court for their involvement in a gang related shooting spree that occurred in Salem on November 25, 2014. Two individuals were shot and injured during the spree. Anthony Pena and David Hernandez-Fragua were also sentenced for two other incidents that occurred on November 28, 2014 and December 6, 2014, respectively. 

This morning at around 4:00 a.m., Mr. Russell was getting dressed for work when he heard strange noises outside of his residence. Mr. Russell went outside to see what was going on and saw that again his locked gate had been cut and a purple, Toyota Forerunner was driving out of his driveway. Mr. Russell noticed he was missing another wheel and tire so he went back inside of his house, armed himself with a shotgun, went back outside and waited for the thief to return.

 Oregon State Police tell us they are investigating a crash at milepost 267 on I-5 southbound with blockage. The northbound lanes of travel are not affected. According to the OSP Northern Command Center, the Marion County Sheriff's Office began getting reports of a vehicle going the wrong way on I-5, northbound in the southbound lanes, at approximately milepost 264.

This morning two cars collided and caused at least one death, according to Oregon State Police. All Southbound lanes are closed until OSP can complete the investigation. Police are diverting traffic off I-5 South at Woodburn, exit 270. We will bring more on this as soon as police release it.  

Troopers, assisted by the United States Forest Service and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, learned the bus slid through the eastbound lane and off the embankment before rolling over twice and coming to rest against some trees about 50 feet away from the road.