Thursday News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Here are today’s top stories from Salem-News.com With Kevin Hays Reporting...

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Private first class Thomas Tucker thrived on adrenaline, whether he was working construction in Oregon or manning checkpoints in Iraq.

Word slowly spread Tuesday that his body and that of a Houston soldier had been found in Iraq. Both were tortured.

On Wednesday, Tucker's father, Wes Tucker, was on N-B-C's Today show. He talked with pride about his son's enthusiasm and devotion to his work.

In one of his last phone calls home, Tucker's mother, Meg Tucker, said on the Today show that she told him to get enough sleep. "He said, 'Mom, I've only been here for five months. These men have been here for a year.' He said, 'I don't mind. I don't mind. I will do my share.'"

A memorial fund in Thomas Tucker`s name has been established to help defray the cost of returning his body to Oregon.

To help, send a check or money order to Columbia River Bank, PO BOX 0, Madras Oregon, 97741.

The name on the account is The Bring Tommy Home Fund.

Governor Kulongoski has ordered all flags at public institutions to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, in memory of 22-year-old Army Specialist Robert L. Jones, of Milwaukie.

Specialist Jones was assigned to the Army's 40th Engineer Battalion.

He was killed on June 17, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Ar Ramadi, Iraq.

This was the second tour of duty in Iraq for Specialist Jones.

Seven Marines and a sailor have been charged with murder in the April death of an Iraqi civilian, the Marine Corps said Wednesday.

All eight also were charged with kidnapping, according to a statement issued at Camp

Pendleton, Calif. Other charges include conspiracy, larceny and providing false official statements.

Separately, the U.S. military in Iraq announced that murder charges were filed against a fourth Army soldier in the shooting deaths May 9 of three civilians who had been detained by U.S. troops.

Secretary of State Bill Bradbury Wednesday released a letter to all chief

petitioners reminding them of the law prohibiting paying signature gatherers by the signature.

Chief petitioners are liable for civil penalties if any person gathering signatures for their initiative is found to violate this provision.

Formal complaints regarding signature gathering payment should be submitted in

writing to the Secretary of State Elections Division, 141 State Capitol, Salem, OR 97310. All formal complaints will be investigated.

Oregon OSHA is reminding Oregon students working this summer to focus on working safely.

In 2004, 149 workers under the age of 18 were seriously injured on the job. One 16-year-old was fatally injured.

According to OSHA, falls and being hit by equipment are the two most common injuries for younger workers.

Governor Kulongoski said Wednesday the state will make certain that no one who is eligible for Medicaid in Oregon will suffer harm from new federal Medicaid requirements

The new federal regulations will require about 450,000 Medicaid recipients in Oregon to show proof of citizenship when they enroll or re-enroll in Medicaid-funded programs, such as the Oregon Health Plan and long-term care.

DHS officials estimate as many as 70,000 Oregonians may be unable to immediately and readily provide proof of citizenship

Fifteen of 19 Polk County liquor businesses passed a compliance test recently by refusing to sell alcohol to a minor. Independence Police, the OLCC, and several underage volunteers conducted the operation June 16.

Servers and bartenders or licensees whose employees provide alcohol to the minor or fail to verify their age, are subject to administrative sanctions including fines or license suspensions. Store clerks who sold to the decoys were cited and face at least a $350 fine.

Salem-area weather forecast from Salem-News.com:

Thursday � sunny � High 78

On Friday � sunny � High 81

For Saturday � sunny and warmer � High 85

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

Salem-News.com Salem-area road construction report…..

Brush College Rd NW at the intersection with and west of Doaks Ferry Rd will have lane closures with flaggers for sewer line installation and street improvement project.

Turner Road SE between Kuebler Blvd SE and Deer Park Dr SE is closed to all through traffic for the widening of the Mill Creek Bridge. Traffic is being detoured via Deer Park Dr SE to Aumsville Highway SE and Kuebler Blvd SE

Center Street NE is closed to all thru traffic between 17th Street NE and 12th Street NE for the demolition and rebuilding of the bridge over Mill Creek. A detour route using 17th Street NE, State Street and 12th Street NE is in place.

Fisher Road NE North of Silverton Road… Lane closures for water service repairs.

Fairview Industrial Dr SE at the Interstate 5 underpass street closed for the replacement of bridges for the ODOT I-5 widening project.

I`m Kevin Hays reporting for Salem-News.com