Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning News Report (AUDIO)

This is the Salem-News.com audio news report from Kevin Hays.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - (News audio transcript)

HERE ARE TODAY`S TOP STORY`S FROM SALEM-NEWS.COM's KEVIN HAYS...

LENGTH: 3:30

THE DASH TO RESERVE A STATE PARK CAMPSITE FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS OVER.

ACCORDING TO RESERVATIONS NORTHWEST, ALL CAMPSITES AT THE 28 PARKS THAT ACCEPT RESERVATIONS ARE BOOKED FOR THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND.

HOWEVER, 22, OTHER STATE PARKS HAVE SITES AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.OREGONSTATEPARKS.ORG

THE LINN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY`S OFFICE SAYS IT WILL NOW CHARGE THE PARENTS OF AN AUTISTIC TEENAGER FROM ALBANY WITH FIRST DEGREE MANSLUGHTER, AFTER THEIR SON DIED IN AN ALLEGED ARSON FIRE THAT KILLED HIM ON MOTHERS DAY.

INVESTIGATORS SAY 19-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER DEGROOT WAS HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE.

HE WAS UNABLE TO ESCAPE THE BLAZE BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE APARTMENT BY HIS PARENTS.

AGNES AND NICOLAS DEGROOT REMAIN IN THE LINN COUNTY JAIL.

THE PARENTS, ARE DUE BACK IN COURT ON JUNE 5TH

SALEM-AREA RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO A FREE FORUM THURSDAY NIGHT AT SALEM HOSPITAL TO LEARN ABOUT THE AFFECTS METH IS HAVING ON THE SALEM COMMUNITY.

A PANEL OF PROFESSIONALS FROM THE COMMUNITY, WILL ADDRESS THE LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND SOCIAL RAMIFICATIONS OF METH ABUSE.

ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER CALL (503) 561-5639.

THE STATE LAND BOARD ON TUESDAY APPROVED A 22 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT TO REMOVE THE WRECKAGE OF THE NEW CARISSA.

THE COST OF REMOVING THE WRECKAGE IS ESTIMATED AT $19 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE 660-FOOT FREIGHTER RAN AGROUND NEAR COOS BAY IN FEBRUARY OF 1999.

OREGON SENATOR GORDON SMITH, JUST BACK FROM IRAQ, SAID THAT THE COUNTRY IS AT A TIPPING POINT NOW THAT A NEW GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN OFFICE IN BAGHDAD.

SMITH SAID HE REMAINS HOPEFULL THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT EVENTUALLY WILL PROVIDE IRAQ WITH ENOUGH SECURITY TO ALLOW THE WITHDRAWL OF AMERICAN TROOPS.

THE FBI AND SALEM POLICE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC`S HELP IN LOCATING AND IDENTIFYING A BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT.

THE MAN, WALKED IN THE UMPAQUA BANK BRANCH AT 2595 LANCASTER DRIVE NE MONDAY AFTERNOON, HANDED THE TELLER A NOTE AND GOT AWAY WITH AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT OF CASH.

THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS WHITE, IN HIS MID-TO-LATE 50`S, WITH A GRAY BEARD, EYEGLASSES, AND A LARGE NOSE.

HE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A TAN DENIM JACKET AND PANTS.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THE SUSPECT IS URGED TO CONTACT SALEM POLICE AT (503) 588-6123.

AN ESTACADA FAMILY SEEKING $1.6 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE DEATH OF THEIR DOG CANNOT BE COMPENSATED FOR LOSS OF COMPANIONSHIP, A CLACKAMAS COUNTY JUDGE RULED TUESDAY.

THE JUDGE THREW OUT THE CLAIM, BUT WILL ALLOW THE JURY TO DECIDE IF THE FAMILY SHOULD BE PAID FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

THE ISSUE ENDED UP IN COURT, AFTER A 2004 INCIDENT IN WHICH A NEIGHBOR ALLEGDELLY RAN THE FAMILY`S DOG OVER.

RAYMOND WEAVER WAS CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE ANIMAL ABUSE.

THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO END LATER THIS WEEK.

THE HUBBARD POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTS YOU TO BE AWARE OF A CROSSWALK ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH.

POLICE SAY THE GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN IS SIMPLE “ PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

THE ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN WILL OCCUR ON SATURDAY, JUNE 3RD, 4:00 PM TO 8:00 PM, ON HIGHWAY 99E AND D STREET.

THE CITATION FOR FAILING TO YIELD TO A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK IN $243 DOLLARS.

FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT TODAY`S NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS, AND TRAFFIC STAY WITH SALEM-NEWS.COM

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