Friday Morning News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - (Audio transcript)

HERE ARE TODAY`S TOP STORY`S FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM, WITH KEVIN HAYS REPORTING...

LENGTH: 3:15

THE BIGGEST KICKER IN OREGON HISTORY MAY BE COMING TO TAXPAYERS IN 2007, BUT GOVERNOR KULONGOSKI HAS PROPOSED SUSPENDING THE REFUNDS.

STATE ECONOMIST TOM POTIOWSKY SAYS THE PROJECTED 883 MILLION DOLLAR TAX REFUND WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT 175-DOLLARS FOR EVERY ONE-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN PERSONAL INCOME TAXES PAID IN OREGON.

BUT KULONGOSKI SAID THURSDAY THAT HE WILL ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO SUSPEND THE KICKER FOR THE NEXT SIX YEARS, AND REINVEST THE MONEY IN THE STATE ECONOMY.

KULONGOSKI ADDED THAT AN ESTIMATED CORPORATE KICKER OF 198 MILLION SHOULD BE DEDICATED TO A RAINY DAY FUND TO CUSHION THE BUDGET FROM ANOTHER RECESSION.

HOUSE SPEAKER KAREN MINNIS, A REPUBLICAN, SAYS SHE IS AGAINST THE GOVERNORS PROPOSAL.

AFTER MONTHS OF INTENSE CONSTRUCTION WORK, EMPLOYEES HAVE BEGUN MOVING BACK INTO THE MARION COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

THERE ARE A FEW WEEKS LEFT UNTIL THE BUILDING IS FULLY REOCCUPIED, BUT EMPLOYEES WHO NORMALLY CONDUCT BUSINESS IN THE BULDING ARE EXPRESSING A SIGH OF RELIEF. THE COURTHOUSE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY VANDALISM AND FIRE LAST NOVEMBER DURING A POLICE STANDOFF.

`GO PLAY!" IN A STATE PARK, FOR FREE.

THAT`S THE INVITATION FROM THE OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE NINTH ANNUAL STATE PARKS DAY ON SATURDAY.

DURING THE EVENT, ALL STATE PARK DAY-USE AREAS, AND CAMPING WILL BE FREE.

IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, THE SAME DAY, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON THE NEWEST SECTION OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER TRAIL IN A PUBLIC CEREMONY AT MARSHALL ISLAND SOUTH OF JUNCTION CITY.

A BBQ LUNCH IS SCHEDULED FOR NOON.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STATE PARKS DAY EVENTS AROUND THE STATE VISIT THE OREGON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT'S WEBSITE.

THE FBI IS OFFERING A REWARD OF UP TO TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS LEADING TO THE IDENTIFICATION, ARREST, AND CONVICTION OF A SUSPECTED SERIAL BANK ROBBER.

THE MAN IS WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THREE BANK ROBBERIES IN ALBANY, EUGENE, AND SPRINGFIELD.

WITNESSES DESCRIBE THE SUSPECT AS WHITE, 5`7 TO 5`11, 180-200 POUNDS, DARK AND GRAYING HAIR, CLEAN SHAVEN, IN HIS LATE 40`S TO EARLY 50`S.

PHOTOS OF THE SUSPECT CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE SALEM-NEWS.COM.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL THE EUGENE FBI OFFICE AT (541) 343-5222.

A PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED DUE TO HIGHER THAN NORMAL LEVELS OF BACTERIA IN OCEAN WATER AT SILETZ BAY BEACH IN LINCOLN CITY.

THE BACTERIA CAN RESULT IN SKIN RASHES, UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS, AND OTHER ILLNESSES.

DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE WATER SHOULD BE AVOIDED UNTIL THE ADVISORY IS LIFTED.

HERE IS A LIST OF SALEM-KEIZER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DATES AND TIMES:

MCKAY - JUNE 9TH AT 8:00 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

MCNARY - JUNE 9TH AT 5:30 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

NORTH SALEM - JUNE 9TH AT 8:00 PM AT THE SALEM ARMORY

ROBERTS ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM - JUNE 7TH AT 7:00 PM AT THE ELSINORE THEATER

SOUTH SALEM - JUNE 9TH AT 7:00 PM AT BENNETT FIELD

SPRAUGE - JUNE 9TH AT 7:00 PM AT SPRAGUE STADIUM

WEST SALEM - JUNE 8TH AT 7:00 PM AT THE STATE FAIR PAVILION

THE SALEM STAMPEDE ARE IN THE CALIFORNIA BAY AREA THIS WEEKEND FOR A THREE GAME SERIES.

FIRST UP THE TRI CITY BALLERS ON FRIDAY, THEN THE STAMPEDE FACE THE OAKLAND SLAMMERS ON SATURDAY. THE STAMPEDE FINISH THE WEEKEND WITH A GAME AGAINST THE CHICO FORCE ON SUNDAY.

THE LATEST SALEM-AREA NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS, AND TRAFFIC IS ON DEMAND AT SALEM-NEWS.COM.

I`M KEVIN HAYS REPORTING FOR SALEM-NEWS.COM, HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL DAY!