Salem-News.com TOP STORIES for Tuesday (AUDIO REPORT)

Here are today`s top stories from Salem-News.com, Kevin Hays reporting. Listen to the audio report by scrolling to bottom of story.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Gary Phillips, a Salem-Keizer School District school bus driver, remains in critical condition today after being hit Monday morning while walking on his way to work.

Salem police spokesman Lt. Dan Deitz says 65-year old Gary Phillips of Salem was struck about 6:10 AM at the Hawthorne Ave and D Street intersection near the School District`s bus barn. Family members said Phillips went through three hours of surgery yesterday to remove a blood clot, his wife and five children were by his side Monday at Salem Hospital.

Fellow bus drivers coming to work yesterday were in shock and disbelief over the accident. Some even found it to hard to walk by the area where he was struck. They called Phillips, who is also a part-time minister for area jails, a wonderful man and a true gentleman.

Police are looking for a silver car, which has its driver's side mirror missing. Police also believe the car may have sustained hood, windshield, fender, and roof damage. Anyone with information is urged to contact Salem police.

Salem firefighters evacuated 160 people following an ammonia leak at the Rainsweet plant in Northeast Salem Tuesday morning.

The leak was reported about 8:00 AM. Firefighters evacuated about 60 people from Rainsweet, and another 100 people from Oregon Cherry Growers next door, fire spokesman Bill Holmstrom said.

Holmstrom said that some employees were evaluated at the scene but no employees were transported to the hospital.

Holmstrom said an ammonia tank apparently was overfilled at the processing plant, causing the tank's relief valve to release ammonia into the air

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, joined by family and friends, took the oath of office Monday for his second four-year term as Governor of Oregon, calling upon all Oregonians to work together in building a brighter future for every Oregonian based on shared opportunity and shared responsibility.

Remembering the hard economy and divisive politics of recent years, Governor Kulongoski emphasized the moment of opportunity facing Oregon today and asked legislators and the public to join him in a commitment to bridge the divides and work together to turn this great moment of opportunity into Oregon`s longest and strongest period of prosperity.

WEATHER Frigid weather is on the way to the mid-valley. The National Weather Service says a blast of cold air from Canada will arrive Wednesday and linger into the weekend.

A cold front will bring rain Tuesday then showers will have snow mixed in rain overnight as the snow level drops. The snow level is expected to lower to 500 feet in the north part of the state Wednesday morning and in the south part of the state Wednesday afternoon.

Accumulation of one to two inches of snow is possible Wednesday and Wednesday night above 500 feet.

An inch of snow is possible on the valley floor Wednesday. Cold but dry weather will persist through the weekend.

Salem-News.com will keep you informed of any school closures and delays should snow hit the Salem-area Wednesday morning.

Salem-area weather forecast from Salem-News.com

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with areas of fog in the morning. A slight chance of rain in the afternoon. High 50. For Wednesday: Snow, mixed with rain below 500 feet in the morning, snow showers likely by the afternoon. High 35. On Thursday: Partly sunny. Highs around 35.

For a complete 7-day Salem-area weather forecast visit Salem-News.com

I`m Kevin Hays reporting for Salem-News.com have a safe and wonderful day!