Salem: Roundup of Local News Video by Jerry Freeman

(SALEM) - Police and fire agencies all over the Mid-Willamette Valley were busy responding to incidents over the weekend.

Salem-News.com's Jerry Freeman covered a fatal crash near Dallas, a stabbing in Salem and a house fire that brings a reminder of continuing dry weather.

Five Firefighters Receive Medical Treatment Fighting Fire in Marquam

There were no injuries, residents are reminded that fire season is still upon us

A house fire Friday on Wildcat Road just East of Marquam, Oregon, ultimately saw five firefighters treated for exposure to smoke and heat. Additional firefighters were called to the scene to provide relief for the hard working crews. No firefighters were transported to the hospital but they were treated for heat injuries.

In fact fire crews from Silverton were joined by Mount Angel Firefighters and other agencies as they battled the flames in an older residence.

One battalion chief, Fred Bridgehouse from Scotts Mills, was only five minutes away from the scene when the call came in, but the flames took hold and ignited the aging structure quickly.

When the call initially came in, the incident was reported as smoke in a structure. However crews arriving on the scene found the fast moving fire fully engulfing the house. There was no cause known at this point.

One of the main objectives was to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent areas, a Silverton fire chief explained, saying this time of year wildfires and dry grass continue to be a real concern for areas firefighters. Residents are reminded that fire danger and dry conditions are expected to continue through the end of October.

Oregon State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Dallas

Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into an early Saturday morning single vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 223 near Dallas that resulted in the death of a 24-year old male passenger and non-life threatening injuries to the vehicle's driver.

According to Sergeant Mark Davie, on September 8, 2012 at approximately 1:00 a.m. a 1999 Chevrolet pickup driven by 24-year old Byron E. Moore of Dallas, was eastbound on Highway 223 near SE Fir Villa Road when it traveled onto the shoulder. Moore lost control as the vehicle went into a ditch and became airborne before coming to rest in the front yard of a residence.

The 24-year old male passenger, Mitchell B. Johnson of Dallas, was not using safety restraints and was ejected. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Moore received non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital. Safety restraint use on his part is pending confirmation.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation and will confer with Polk County District Attorney's Office prior to any enforcement action. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. Trooper Mike Lacer is the lead investigator.

Polk County Sheriff's Office, Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Stabbing in Salem Friday Night

On Friday, September 7, 2012 at 8:47 p.m., Officers responded to the 3800 block of Sunnyview Rd NE on a report of a stabbing. Upon their arrival, they located a 19-year old Hispanic male who had been stabbed multiple times. Officers also found an 18-year old Hispanic male who had been physically assaulted. It appears the stabbing and the assault occurred in a parking lot located in the 1800 block of Lancaster Dr NE.

Both victims were walking in the 1800 block of Lancaster Dr NE when they were chased by the suspects. The suspects were in a vehicle described as a red Dodge Neon 4-door sedan with black wheels driven by a white female adult approximately 20-21 years of age. The 6-7 suspects, described as Hispanic males approximately 16-18 years of age, exited the vehicle and attacked the victims. The suspects then fled Northbound on Lancaster Dr NE in the Dodge Neon.

The stabbing victim was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital where it was determined he had non-life threatening injuries. This incident is being investigated as gang related by the Salem Police Gang Response Team. Anyone who may have witnessed this stabbing or has any information concerning it is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 503-588-6123.

Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 26 west of Madras

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of an early Sunday morning single vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 26 about six miles west of Madras that resulted in the death of a 25-year old man. The victim's name is released in this update.

According to Sergeant Keith Taylor, on September 9, 2012 at approximately 2:00 a.m. a 1988 Toyota Corolla two door driven by 25-year old Damien Philip Plazola of Redmond, was westbound on Highway 26 near milepost 111 when it traveled off the highway. Mr. Plazola over-corrected in an attempt to return to the roadway and rolled several times across the road before coming to rest on its wheels off the highway.

Damien Plazola was not using safety restraints. He was ejected from the car and pronounced deceased at the scene.

OSP troopers from Bend and Madras offices responded to investigate. Alcohol is a possible contributing factor. Trooper Jake Lorentz is the lead investigator.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County EMS, Jefferson County medical examiner and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Suspicious male in the city of Wilsonville‏

On September 8, 2012 at noon, a Clackamas County Deputy took a report of a suspicious person in the city of Wilsonville near SE Willamette Way East and Wilsonville Road. The male offered candy and a ride in his Jeep to an eight-year-old girl. The girl was able to get a good description of the male and she may be able to meet with a forensic artist this week in an effort to obtain a picture of the suspicious male.

He was described as a white male with medium length salt and pepper hair. She estimated he was in his 20's or 30's. He spoke with a deep voice and was clean shaven. She mentioned something distinctive about his complexion. The man's face seemed to be tanner than his ears.

The vehicle was described as a black Jeep Wrangler with California license plates. The vehicle had an Oregon State sticker somewhere on the back.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949, or by using the online e-mail form.

The public can also submit crime-tip text messages to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office from a cell phone. All users have to do is send a text message to CRIMES (274637 on your phone keypad) -- with the keyword CCSO as the first word in the message body. Important reminder: Please do not send emergency messages using the text-messaging system -- in case of an emergency, call 911.

Deputies respond to a train versus pedestrian in the city of Jefferson

On September 7, 2012 at 4:42 PM, Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputies respond to a train versus pedestrian in the city of Jefferson.

Jesus Bearden, an eighteen year old Salem residence was walking on the railroad tracks in Jefferson after leaving a friends house. Mr. Bearden told Deputy Brenda Lumley he was listening to his I-Pod with the music turned up very loud and did not hear the train coming.

The south bound Amtrak train was traveling below the designated 45 mile per hour speed limit when the conductor observed Mr. Bearden walking on the tracks. Despite several blasts on the train's horn, Mr. Bearden did not realize the train was coming until the train was extremely close.

After being struck by the train Mr. Bearden was transported by ambulance to the Salem hospital with possible fractures and internal injuries. His status was initially listed as serious.

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who entered the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people who fulfilled their life dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “a truck driver with a new found passion to bear witness to the world’s events.”

Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarked on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Jerry's quick exhibition of natural talent and ability to shoot breaking news led to his becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team.