Salem-News.com Albany articles Page 21

New OSP Charger Patrol Cars Hit Freeways Next Week

The Charger name goes back to the mid-60's, when Dodge and the other American manufacturers entered the 'muscle car era.'

(ALBANY) - Starting next week, Oregon State Police Troopers will begin patrolling Interstate 5 and local highways in the Albany area with a newly introduced 2006 Dodge Charger.

The Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division recently purchased forty-five 2006 Dodge Chargers for patrolling Oregon highways.

Forty-three new Dodge Chargers will be marked in the familiar "OSP Blue" body color with bright yellow graphics, door star emblems, and overhead light bars.

Two vehicles will be equipped unmarked patrol vehicles as part of the Department's Aggressive Driving Plan program.

Armed Robbery Suspect Shot And Killed by Police

The officer who fired the shot was identified as Dezi Meza, a 5-year veteran of the Albany Police Department. As is common in any traumatic incident, Officer Meza is now on paid administrative leave.

(ALBANY) - An Albany police officer shot and killed 32-year-old Rachel Lea Soto, who was wanted by police in connection with three armed robberies.

Capt. Eric Carter says officer Dezi Meza stopped to investigate a vehicle with two occupants inside.

Once at the vehicle, the officer drew his service weapon after he recognized the rear passenger as Rachel Soto.

Oregon Atomic Veteran`s Day Celebration July 16th in Albany Oregon

July 16th also marks the first anniversary of a legislatively approved date to honor Oregon's Atomic Veterans--military members who participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the United States, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans during and after World War II.

(ALBANY) - Members of Oregon's Atomic Veterans organization will be hosting a ceremony and celebration in Albany, Sunday, July 16th, to remember Atomic Veterans Day.

All military Veterans and their families are invited to attend the celebration being held at the Linn County Fairgrounds and Expo Center, between noon and 4:00 PM.

Guest speakers during a ceremony that begins at 1:00 PM will include State Senator Ted Ferrioli, State Representatives Donna Nelson and Jeff Kropf, and Jim Willis, the Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Albany Police Seeking Woman Suspected of Robbing Two Businesses Monday

(ALBANY) - Albany police are asking for the public’s help in locating 32-year-old Rachel Lea Soto they believe on Monday robbed two businesses in Albany.

Officers responded to an armed robbery just after 4:00 PM Monday at the 7-Eleven store, located at 6190 Pacific Blvd. S.W.

A woman entered the store, asked the clerk for a pack of cigarettes and started to walk to the door, Police Capt. Eric Carter said.

When the clerk confronted the woman about not paying, she pointed a small-frame .38-caliber revolver at the clerk and “made a reference to not having to pay for anything,” Carter said.

Tangent Man Charged With Sex Abuse and Child Pornography

(TANGENT) - A Linn County man is in custody on $350k bail following his arrest for sex abuse and child pornography charges.

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says Linn County deputies took a report of possible sex abuse as well as internet child pornography at a residence in Tangent on the afternoon of July 5th.

Mueller says that based on the initial report and statements from witnesses, deputies executed a search warrant at the residence of 41-year-old Matthew Reece Sanders.

After analyzing physical evidence located in the home, pursuant to the search warrant, the Linn County Sheriff?s Office charged Matthew Sanders with 35 separate counts of...

Six Month Swanson Park Heroin Investigation Leads to 8 Arrests. 2 Sought

Since February, the Linn Drug Task Force has been investigating heroin distribution in the Swanson Park area of Albany

(ALBANY) - Albany Police Department spokesman Capt. Eric Cater says between April 28th, and June 2nd, the Linn Drug Task Force executed 3 narcotics search warrants at residences in the Swanson Park area and interdicted 1 heroin sale within the park.

The investigations led to a 4th narcotics search warrant being executed at a residence in a West Albany neighborhood on June 23rd, Carter said.

Homeowner Shoots, Kills Teenage Boy Believed to be Breaking Into Their Home

(ALBANY) - A teenage boy was shot and killed Saturday morning in Albany by residents who believed he had been breaking into their house.

Albany police say 16-year-old Jeremiah Daniel O`Sullivan died of a gunshot wound to the chest at Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

Capt. Eric Carter of the Albany Police Department says at about 2:30 AM police received a call from a resident at 2726 27th Ave. S.E. who said her home had been broken into and her purse, car keys and 2001 Buick Century had been stolen.

Albany Fire Department to Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks

Oregon law bans the possession, use, or sale of fireworks that allow packaging to fly, explode, or travel more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air.

(ALBANY) - The Albany Fire Department will be responding to illegal fireworks complaints starting the evening of June 30th through the 4th of July.

Legal fireworks may be purchased only from Oregon permitted fireworks retailers and stands.

Examples of illegal fireworks are bottle rockets, roman candles, M80's, and firecrackers. Under Oregon law officials may seize illegal fireworks, fine up to $500 per violation, or arrest offenders for possession of illegal fireworks and endangering life and property.

Albany Bus Fares Going Up

Transit fares in Albany have not increased since 2002.

(ALBANY) - Fares for the Albany Transit System and Linn-Benton Loop buses will increase effective Monday, July 3rd. Officials with the city say the need for the fare increase is due to rising operating costs.

Cash fares on the ATS routes will be 75 cents for adults or 50 cents for seniors, persons with disabilities, and youth.

On the Loop, the adult cash fare will be $1.25 with fares for seniors, persons with disabilities, and youth $1.00. Children under age 6 continue to ride free on both transit systems.

City of Albany Reminding Residents of RV Parking Ordinance

(ALBANY) - With summer underway, the City of Albany is reminding city residents of laws that apply to where recreational vehicles or travel trailers may be parked.

City ordinances allow motor homes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and other recreational vehicles to be parked on public rights-of-way for up to 48 hours with the consent of the adjacent property owner. Without that permission, vehicles may not be stored on the street for more than 24 hours.

Any vehicle or combination of vehicles more than 23 feet long or 8 feet wide cannot be parked on a street, alley, public parking lot, or parking strip between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM weekdays or all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.