A Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Gets You In Your Own Business Fast

For many, entrepreneurship is living the "American Dream".

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Cold Stone Creamery ice cream company launched its first franchise in 1994. All the franchise owners make their own ice cream daily to keep it at the peak of freshness.

The company has an established, proven business model.

Open Letter to Pope Francis About Sexual Abuse in the Church

I am standing in solidarity with the victims in Pennsylvania.

(DALLAS/FORT WORTH) - The thousands of voices raised is only a small fraction of what I am guessing are the MILLIONS who have suffered this fate, yet remain quiet for personal reasons or out of shame. Wearing robes, burning incense, genuflecting and absolving people of sins does not make it "open season" on gentle young souls trying to create a spiritual connection with God.

It is not ok, was not ok, and never will be ok for the strong to take advantage of the humble.

Bangladesh: Release Mr. Shahidul Alam Immediately from Arbitrary Detention

An open letter to the Honourable Ambassadors of Bangladesh

(UNITED KINGDOM) - I am writing to voice my deep concern about the arbitrary arrest of an award-winning photographer, academic and human rights defender Shahidul Alam.

I have been informed... about the arbitrary detention and torture of Mr. Shahidul Alam, photographer and founder of the Drik photo agency and of the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute.

SPECIAL SECTION Cannabis De-Classified

PTSD - Medical Marijuana Toxicology - Pharmacology

Radical Acts: The Art of Cheech Marin

Marin's personal collection of Chicano Art documents the cultural perspective of many Mexican-Americans.

(SOLANA BEACH, Calif.) - The thing for a comedy team to be successful, what people don’t realize, is that it involves a great deal of compromise. -Cheech Marin

Creativity is a demanding lover and a loving task master. When Cheech Marin realigned his acting career following a string of successes with films home grown from comedy sketches about dope, among them the career making Cheech and Chong debut, “Up in Smoke,” he stepped away from the relationships and financial successes and into unknown territory.

5 Things You Must Do to Get a Lower Car Payment

Follow these car payment tips and you will thank yourself for making the right decision.

(SALEM, Ore.) - In every ten car purchases, eight are made on loan. If you're reading this, chances are an auto loan is your biggest financial obligation right now.

Most car loans are typically cleared in 72 months (six years) and I must say we spend much on interest. After purchasing a home, a car is the second most important asset.

Oil Tumbles as Geopolitical Events Drive Prices

The issue at hand is if Iranian oil is kept off the market, prices will rise.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Crude Oil continues to experience a bumpy ride as geopolitical events continue to drive prices action. Prices tumbled mid-week as traders headed for the exits after comments from Iran and the EIA inventory report.

Inventory levels remain tight, and while U.S. imports continue to flow at normal rates.

What Is 3D Printing, Anyway?

...And What It Might Mean for Your Small Business

(SALEM, Ore.) - You’ve probably heard the buzz around 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. If you run a small business, you might even have an inkling that 3D printing has the potential to give you a competitive edge.

As is often the case, 3D printing’s buzz is a mix of hype and legitimate enthusiasm.

The Smartest Way to Use a Travel Credit Card

With each amount you spend, a bonus amount is added to your account.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Having a travel credit card in your wallet is always a good thing. The best about this type of a bank card is that it allows you to get profits by doing nothing.

It's no surprise that every second any big traveler has a travel credit card today. If you are not yet in this army, this may convince you to join.

UPDATE - FOUND! Oregon Mother and 2 Young Daughters Reported Missing

UPDATE: The three were found alive and safe.

(SAMS VALLEY, Ore.) - The search for a missing woman and her two children has ended. Tanda Christiansen, 28, and her daughters, ages 6 and 7, were found Thursday afternoon approximately two miles from their home.

On Thursday, August 9, 2018, at 1:06 p.m., a resident in the 8400-block of Ramsey Road called dispatch to report finding the three missing subjects on his property. They were hiding in a brushy area along Sams Creek.

Portland Man Arrested for 31-Count Sex Crimes Indictment

Luring a minor and encouraging child sexual abuse in the first, & second degrees are some of the charges looming against the accused.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a secret indictment filed against 52-year-old Randy Shefstad was unsealed.

The indictment alleges the defendant used graphic and sexually charged language to electronically communicate with four separate minor victims – in four different states – in 2017 and 2018 for the purposes of sexual gratification.

Campfires and Open Flames Prohibited in Oregon State Parks

The fire ban is expected to last at least one week.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is prohibiting all campfires and open flames in all state park properties effective 10 a.m. today. The ban is in response to Gov. Brown’s declaration of a fire emergency.

The campfire and open flame ban includes campgrounds, day-use areas, and all areas of the Ocean Shore and beaches managed by OPRD.

Cutting Your Car Insurance Costs in Oregon

Taking the right steps can bring down those monthly bills

(SALEM, Ore.) - If you are a motorist in Oregon, you will already know what a struggle it can be to run and maintain your vehicle. There are many costs associated with vehicle ownership and with the running of a vehicle.

This is something you have to carefully consider when you are working out your budget, as otherwise your vehicle costs could have a huge impact on your financial well being and your ability to meet your other financial obligations.

Star Party Aug 4 at Silver Falls State Park

View the starry skies from one of the darkest places in the Willamette Valley

(SILVER FALLS, Ore.) - Moons, planets and other celestial wonders will be on display during the Silver Falls State Park Star Party 9 p.m. to midnight Aug. 4.

Telescopes and other stargazing equipment will be provided by Night Sky 45, a local astronomy club. Visitors can also enjoy a special astronomy presentation at 10 p.m.

OMMP Inspectors Targeting Small-Scale Grows With 1-2 Patients

Oregon inspectors are picking random medical growers and giving a one day phone call warning.

(SALEM, Ore.) - To Catch A Grower:
Inspectors for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program are fanning out across the state during the month of August to inspect medical grow sites that claimed a reduction in the number of patients they are growing for to 2 or less sick people.

OMMP is suspicious of these small-time growers because growing for "fewer than three" patients means the farmer is not legally required to use the Cannabis Tracking System. So, if you only have two patients, beware a suit at your door.

For The Few, Not The Many

The IHRA confirms that the Jewish State is not a state like all other states; no other state bothers to restrict criticism of its politics by others.

(LONDON) - The relationship between Zionism and the Jews has been the source of confusion for many years. Both Zionists and the so called ‘anti’ have preached to us that ‘not all Jews are Zionists’ and ‘Judaism is not Zionism.’

But we are confused no more. Two weeks ago, the chief rabbi of Britain together with 68 other rabbis mounted pressure on the Labour party to change its ‘antisemitsm code.’

Murder of Michael Francke: Focus of Film and Fundraiser for Englewood Forest Festival

Many insiders believe the man convicted in the murder, Frank Gable, was a patsy.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Englewood Forest Festival, a summer arts festival at Englewood Park in Salem, Oregon is presenting “Without Evidence”, a film about the murder that occurred near the park in January of 1989.

The location was in the neighborhood at the Dome Building – office of the Department of Corrections, 7 blocks away from the park, and the victim was Michael Francke, the Director of the Oregon Dept. of Corrections.

10th Annual Otter Rock and Roll is June 23rd

This youth surf contest is for ages 18 and under only; open to surfers of all skill levels.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - In celebration of International Surfing Day, the Surfrider Foundation’s Newport, Siuslaw and Portland Chapters have announced they will be hosting the 10th annual Otter Rock n Roll Youth Surf and Beach Cleanup Challenge.

Observed globally, International Surfing Day celebrates the sport of surfing and helps raise awareness about issues facing our ocean, waves and beaches.

Truth, Truthfulness and Palestine

Talk delivered at Deep Truth-Countering Deep State Lies (online conference)

(LONDON) - A healthy society doesn’t need a ‘truth movement.’ But we Americans, Brits, French and Germans are far from healthy and our so-called ‘truth movements’ haven’t led us towards any sources of light. The question is: Why?

One possible answer is that ‘truth movements’ are ideal environments for the operators of controlled opposition...

Salem Drinking Water Advisory Continues for Two Weeks

Though water is "safe for most", drinking water filling stations are open.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Test results received this morning from water samples taken on Saturday, June 9, indicate the presence of cyanotoxins in the water distribution system is below EPA advisory levels for vulnerable populations.

As a precautionary measure, the City of Salem extended the drinking water advisory for at least two more weeks to ensure safe drinking water for our residents and water customers.

Trump doing Putin's Work for Him

“America First” is slowly becoming “America alone.”

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - At the Group of Seven (G7) meeting on June 8, President Trump called for the readmission of Russia into the group.

Russia was tossed out of the Group after it annexed Crimea and intervened in the Ukraine and did so even after Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election. Soon there will be only a de facto G6 Group.

Different forms of Both Teams To Score Bets

Doing your research will give you needed knowledge.

(SALEM, Ore.) - After the basic ‘match result’ market, betting on Both Teams To Score bets are one of the most favourable. The primary version of this doesn’t affect what the final score is, how many goals there are or which side wins, as long as both teams score at least one goal each, meaning there needs to be a minimum scoreline of 1-1 by the time the games reached the full ninety minutes.

As there’s far less at stake and plenty more time for your bet to land, BTTS bets are arguably even more worth doing than match result bets.

Super Eagles get Tactical Morale Boost from Rohr in World Cup

The outcome will be decided in 90 minutes on Saturday.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Super Eagles today were handed a tactical morale boost as head coach Gernot Rohr, in his interview with football reporters, backed the Nigerian team to defeat the Blazers when they lock horns at Stalingrad stadium on Saturday.

The Super Eagles had their second day of training after arrival from Austria on Monday.

Could Tough Love Salvage Lebanon?

Problems for Lebanon’s economy and political status continue to mount

(BEIRUT) - “You could qualify for U.S. and Western aid to salvage Lebanon or you can cede what’s left of your country’s sovereignty to Iran. But you cannot do both.” A US Congressional staffer after his boss recently introduced legislation to cut off all aid to Lebanon until it “cleans its house of Iranian militia and restores Lebanese sovereignty.”