Salem-News.com Polk County articles

Public Meeting to Address Public Safety Concerns in Polk County

Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton will address all public safety issues and concerns at 7:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 5, at the Courtyard Coffee House, 156 SE Mill Street in Dallas.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - Residents of Polk County are invited to an open meeting with the Polk County District Attorney to discuss and listen to the public's idea's about current public safety issues the county is currently facing.

The Sheriff's office reduced patrols to 10 hours per day on March 29, due to funding reductions. The impact has been a total of 332 calls from citizens during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to noon since March 29 through May 31 in which no deputies were available to respond.

WHOOPS! Towing Operator on the Run After Failing to Show Up for Court

Anyone with information on the location of Michael Alan Selmer, should contact their local law enforcement non-emergency number, or the Oregon State Police.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A 35-year-old Polk County man under investigation for running an illegal towing operation and failing to register as a sex offender in Oregon, failed to show up for his first court appearance in Salem.

The Judge issued an immediate no bail arrest warrant for Michael Alan Selmer. Selmer is the subject of an ongoing investigation after Oregon State Police received information he acquired two tow trucks and began advertising towing services in Salem and Independence areas with the name "Whoops! Towing".

Sergeant with Polk County Sheriff`s Office Killed in Crash

Police are searching for the following vehicle: a white Dodge or Chevy 3/4 ton or 1 ton pick up truck, standard or possibly with an extended cab.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - A 15-year veteran of the Polk County Sheriff's Office has died following a car crash in West Salem.

Salem Police say 48-year old Randy W. Whittaker of Dallas was a Sergeant with the sheriff's office.

Three Men Plucked from Two Willamette Valley Rivers

The Oregon State Marine Board and other boating safety advocates recommend that all boaters and water users not only have a life jacket, but “Wear It!” at all times.

(JEFFERSON, Ore. ) - It was a busy evening for Jefferson firefighters and other rescue crews, after two separate water rescue's took place in the Willamette Valley within an hour of each other.

Jefferson firefighters were first called to the North Santiam River near Scio on the report of two males in serious trouble on inner tubes.

Oregon Sheriff: Budget Cuts Giving Bad Guys the Upper Hand

A noticeable change has been a 30 percent reduction in warrants being served.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - Polk County Sheriff Bob Wolfe continues to express concern regarding the ability of his agency to handle calls due to loss of staff and budget reductions.

Sheriff Bob Wolfe said, "Since July of last year we have lost several experienced deputies and reduced our patrol hours to just 10 hours per day in March of this year"

Two Suspects Sought After Drive By Shooting in Polk County

Nobody was injured during the exchange of gunfire.

(FALLS CITY, Ore. ) - The Polk County Sheriff's office is continuing to investigate a drive by shooting in the small town of Falls City, west of Salem.

The Sheriff's office says on Tuesday, at 3:30 p.m. deputies were advised that two white male subjects had gone to the falls located between Parry Road and Mitchell Street and threatened another male with firearms.

Salem Man Killed in Ore. Highway 18 Crash

OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

(OTIS, Ore. ) - A Salem man has been identified as the person killed in a June 23 crash on Highway 18.

The Polk County Medical Examiner confirmed positive identification of 22-year-old Jason E. Machado, who was killed when the 1997 Ford Escort he was driving crossed the centerline and collided with a Mercedes SUV.

Large Amounts of Meth and Herion Seized in Polk County

During the investigation, police seized nearly 2 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2 ounces of heroin.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - The Polk County Inter-Agency Narcotics Team on Thursday, completed several drug investigations that began earlier this month.

And one thing was consistent between all of them, large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin where being distributed throughout the non-incorporated parts of Polk County and also in the cities of West Salem, Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and Grand Ronde.

3 Alarm House Fire Damages Independence Home

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Video by Salem-News.com's Jerry Freeman.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore. ) - A three alarm house fire damaged a home on Third street Thursday morning in Independence.

Polk County Fire District No. 1 along with the Dallas, and Salem Fire Departments were able to quickly extinguish the fire, before it gutted the home.

Polk County Road Work to Slow Commuters on Hwy. 223

Inattentive drivers are the most common cause of work zone crashes.

(DALLAS, Ore. ) - The Polk County Department of Public Works wants you to Be Aware! of an upcoming road construction projects that could delay your commute.