Salem-News.com Eugene articles Page 17

Lower Gas Prices Expected This Week

After a couple weeks of increases, AAA expects gas prices will start to come down again over the next several days.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - After increasing for nearly two weeks, gas prices are stabilizing and are expected to decline over the next few days, according to Oregon AAA.

"Seasonal demand for gasoline is at its lowest point of the year, and the drop in demand for gas caused by the struggling economy does not warrant a sustained rally in gas prices." AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says.

"The national average for regular unleaded jumps up 10 cents in the past week to $1.79, while Oregon's average increases ten-and-a-half cents to $1.91. AAA believes some gas station owners may have raised prices too quickly last week, and we urge drivers to shop around before filling up."

FBI Releases Preliminary 2008 Oregon and Washington Crime Stats

Salem saw decreases in rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults, but also an increase in Murders and burglaries.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Today, the FBI released a preliminary report detailing January - June 2008 crime data based on the submissions of 11,515 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. Each of these agencies had to submit data to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program for January through June of both 2007 and 2008.

Man Dies Outside Eugene-area Hospital‏ From Brain Injury, After Being Discharged

The man had been arrested after a hit and run crash.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police say thay were notified by the Lane County Deputy Medical Examiner that a Seattle, Washington man arrested last Tuesday following a hit and run crash on Interstate 5 near Eugene died at an area hospital.

Following the man's arrest and follow up investigative evaluation, OSP had taken him that day to the hospital for a medical evaluation and last had contact with him after issuing citations on several charges.

According to Lane County Deputy Medical Examiner Frank Ratti, 40-year Jason Cord Menk of Seattle, was released from Sacred Heart Hospital University District following a medical evaluation.

Man Arrested After Hit & Run Crash and Chase (PHOTOS)

The driver reportedly failed to yield on Interstate 5 north of Eugene.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - A Seattle, Washington man was arrested by Oregon State Police troopers Tuesday afternoon following a hit and run crash northbound Interstate 5 south of Eugene.

The arrest occurred when troopers spiked the vehicle's tires after he failed to stop for nearly ten miles.

Investigators with OSP say today at approximately 3:30 PM, the suspect's 2002 Hyundai sport utility vehicle was reportedly involved in a hit and run crash on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 189. OSP Recruit Trooper Will Ulch spotted the vehicle northbound near milepost 197 and attempted to stop it.

Gaza Conflict Sends Gas Prices Higher to Start 2009

The Oregon average for regular unleaded increases six-and-a-half cents in the past week to $1.81 while the national average gains seven cents to $1.69.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Continued fighting between Israeli and Palestinian forces in the Gaza Strip over the past week, and optimism for a resumption in economic growth in 2009 have propped up the price of oil and sent pump prices higher to start the new year, says AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds.

"The Oregon average for regular unleaded increases six-and-a-half cents this week to $1.81, while the national average gains seven cents to $1.69. Despite the increases, drivers are still paying the lowest prices in nearly five years with the Oregon and national averages at their lowest point since February 2004."

She says just a year ago our national and Oregon averages were at $3.11, and crude oil first passed $100 a barrel.

Oregon Gas Prices Reach Five-Year Low to Close Out 2008

2008 concludes with the lowest gas prices we've seen in nearly five years.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Drivers will end 2008 with the lowest gas prices in nearly five years. The national average for regular unleaded drops four cents this week to $1.62, while Oregon's average increases half a cent to $1.74.

Surviving Oregon`s Colder Days (VIDEO)

This first winter storm was outstanding in many ways; especially the beauty that it delivered; watch the video for some of the storm's cooler images.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Western Oregon's cold snap is over and life is resuming its normal pace for most residents. The snow and ice overtook the area very quickly and many Oregonians were essentially snowbound last week.

Gas Prices Tick Up for First Time in 86 Days

Oregon AAA says they are still at lowest level in nearly five years.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon AAA says we've seen the national average tick up twice in the past week, after 86 consecutive days of declines.

"This development signals a potential period of firming prices during the upcoming holiday travel period," AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says.

"The national average falls nearly four cents in the past week to $1.66, while Oregon's average drops nearly eight cents to $1.73. Both averages are at their lowest point since February 2004 and more than $1.30 a gallon lower than a year ago."

Op Ed: `Legal Fiction`
Futilizes Voting,
Damages Democracy

Corporate contributions rest on court reporter error.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Corporate “campaign contributions” now count for constant power-seeking impacts to control government everywhere, at every level from precinct to Congress. Even the Presidency is policy-affected, not only in “choice via election” but on every action-shaping decisionthen following.

Congress itself is irredeemably surrounded -- and too often then prevailed-upon-- by overwhelming troops of lobbyist-tribesmen, by recent count 100-to-ONE. They carry, not shields bearing visible corporate logos, but many carefully-wrapped forms of rapid elected-representative support.

But somehow --you can count on it-- no matter how wrapped, that support never arrives except for sure-and-solid action, always ostensibly taken solely for commonweal interests. K Street in D.C. is pulsing and heavily profiting from what has become the Capital City’s leading industry by far.

Oregon Average falls to $1.80; National Average drops below $1.70

Gas prices continue to drop like a rock, with the national average reaching its lowest point since March 2004, and Oregon's average falling to levels we last saw in January 2005.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The national average hasn't been this low since March 1st, 2004 when it was $1.69 a gallon. Regular unleaded fell 11 cents in the past week to just under $1.70. Oregon's average is the lowest it's been since January 2005. It drops 12 cents this week to $1.80, says AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds.

"Both averages are more than $2.40 a gallon lower than the record highs of more than $4 a gallon set in July. That's a decline of about 58% in just five months."

The price of crude oil has fallen more than $100 per barrel since setting the record high of $147 per barrel on July 11, 2008. Today crude is trading at about $43 per barrel, after dropping to $40.81 last Friday. Dodds says, "The steep decline in crude prices is because of the faltering global economy and the resulting soft demand for fuel in the coming months."