Tuesday Morning News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Salem-news.com

(SALEM) - (Audio transcript)

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 monday 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.

Here is a phone call Tucker made to his parents in February.

A 22-year-old soldier from Milwaukie is dead, after an explosion in Iraq.

Army Specialist Robert Jones was killed Friday in an ambush while on foot patrol in Baghdad, according to family friends.

Jones was a 2002 graduate of Rex Putnam High School.

According to his father, Jones sent him a Father's Day card that arrived Thursday, sending his love, and wishing his father a happy holiday.

This was Jones second tour of duty in Iraq.

He was home on leave in April his father said.

Sprague High School was the scene of second arson fire within the last week.

The first one happened Wednesday June 14th. Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says it was set in the girl's bathroom.

The most recent fire was discovered in the outside concession stand by the stadium. The fire burned itself out and Holmstrom says damage was kept to a minimum.

Anyone with information on either fire is urged to contact Salem police.

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.

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….

Tuesday � sunny � High 73

On Wednesday � mostly sunny � High 74

On Thursday � sunny and warmer � High 78

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!