Wednesday Mid-Day News Report With Kevin Hays (AUDIO)

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - (Audio transcript)

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.

Two 15-year-old Sprague High School students were arrested Tuesday for starting the fire in the girl's bathroom on Wednesday, the first of two suspicious fires in one week at the school.

The two freshman girls, whose names have not been released, were charged with First Degree Arson.

The second fire, near an outside concession stand by the stadium, burned itself out.

Investigators believe an accelerant was used to start the fire.

Investigators are unsure whether the two fires are connected.

Anyone with information on the fires are urged to call the Salem Fire Department or Salem police.

State troopers say three recent graduates of South Medford High School died early Tuesday morning in a car crash near Ruch (Roosh) in Southern Oregon.

OSP says the three were in a car that went around a curve on Oregon 238 at a high rate of speed shortly after midnight. Troopers said the car went down an embankment, hit a tree and landed upside down in Applegate River.

OSP identified the three as Kyle Ross, the driver, David Bergin and Jonathan Thibeault. All were 18.

OSP says it doesn`t yet know whether the three were wearing restraints.

Friday`s community enforcement and crime prevention event in east Salem, and Keizer led to 44 arrests.

In addition, nearly 4 oz of cocaine were seized along with small amounts of other drugs.

The arrests were due to parole/probation violations as well as new criminal charges.

Four children were taken into protective custody, 14 drug activity complaints were cleared, and 97 traffic citations were issued by Salem police.

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

Wednesday - sunny - High 75

Thursday - sunny and warmer - High 78

On Friday - sunny - High 81

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 the bridges for the ODOT I-5 widening project.

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