Monday News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Here are today`s top stories from Salem-News.com I`m Kevin Hays reporting….

An umbrella group that includes al-Qaida in Iraq claimed in a Web statement this morning that it has kidnapped two U-S soldiers reported missing south of Baghdad.

One of the soldiers is Private First Class Thomas Tucker, a 25-year-old from Madras.

There was no immediate confirmation that the statement was credible, although it appeared on a Web site often used by al-Qaida-linked groups.

U-S officials have said they were trying to confirm whether the missing soldiers were kidnapped.

The soldiers were reported missing Friday after insurgents attacked a checkpoint.

Two public safety officers escaped serious injuries this weekend after their patrol cars were hit by suspected drunk drivers.

Keizer police Stg. David LeDay`s patrol car was rammed by 19-year-old Eric Gilmore`s GMC Jimmy early Saturday morning at Arcade Court and Larchwood Street NE.

The incident occurred when LeDay attempted stop Gilmore on suspected drunken driving. Gilmore fled Leday`s pursuit, and turned down a cul-de-sac.

Leday parked his patrol car at the entrance to the cul-de-sac, Gilmore turned around, and hit Leday`s car head-on. Gilmore fled on foot.

On Sunday, Gilmore turned himself in to authorities at his southeast Salem home.

He was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges ranging from Eluding a Police Officer, Hit and Run, and Assaulting a Public Safety Officer.

Bail is set at $65,000.

Marion County Sheriff`s Deputy Ron Cerghino`s patrol car was totaled after 38-year-old Troy Ferschweiler, of Gervais, hit it with the back of his 1999 Dodge Pickup on Butteville Road NE.

Ferschweiler was booked at the Marion County Jail on drunken driving charges.

Summer vacation time is here once again, and for many Oregonians that means packing up the family and hitting Oregon roadways to get to their vacation destination.

Along with Oregon`s breathtaking scenery, travelers will see more construction projects this year than ever before.

For the next several years, ODOT will be replacing bridges, paving and widening roadways throughout the state.

ODOT Director Matt Garrett says Oregonians and tourists alike may feel like their in a sea of orange, but all of the work is a major investment in the state`s economy.

Garrett asks that drivers be patient when encountering a construction zone.

The best way to avoid any travel delays is either call 511 or visit tripcheck.com before you head out.

Both services provide the most up-to-date information on statewide construction projects, incidents, and delays.

Firefighters in Southern Oregon rescued a small fawn from an abandoned mine shaft over the weekend.

The fawn had fallen about 20 feet into the mine, as it fled from a dog.

Firefighters lowered Applegate Fire Lieutenant Cody Goodnough into the mine to fetch the fawn, which was perched on a pile of debris.

Once the two emerged from the shaft unharmed, the fawn was returned to the woods.

Firefighters were familiar with the mine, after rescuing a Labrador that had fallen down the same shaft in 2003.

Jacksonville firefighters say they plan to recommend that the mine be plugged.

Salem-News.com traffic report….

There are currently no major delays in and around the Salem-Keizer area. I-5 is clear of accidents from Salem to Portland, and Highway 22 eastbound and westbound is also accident free.

Salem-area weather report from Salem-News.com….

Today � mostly sunny � High 72

Tonight � clear � Low 50

Tuesday � sunny � High 73

Get a complete 7-day Salem-area forecast on Salem-News.com

I`m Kevin Hays reporting for Salem-News.com Have a Safe and Wonderful Day!