Salem-News.com Sweet Home articles Page 2

OSU Extension Teams With Community Partners to Test Sweet Home Well Water

In Oregon, household well owners aren’t required to test their water.

(SWEET HOME) - An Oregon State University Extension Service program is teaming with the Sweet Home Rotary Club and other partners to offer free well water testing in the area.

Sweet Home area residents who pre-register for a class on well management will receive the free water tests.

Water samples will be tested for nitrates, coliform bacteria and arsenic, said Gail Andrews, coordinator of the OSU Extension Service’s Well Water Program.

Predatory Sex Offender Awaiting Trial Found Dead in Jail Cell

Billings suffered from several medical conditions including a heart condition and had a pacemaker.

(ALBANY) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports on Sunday, Corrections Deputies in the Linn County Jail found 58-year-old Robert Allen Billings of Sweet Home, dead in his cell.

The cause of death was determined to be Coronary Failure.

Billings was arrested by Linn County Sheriff’s Detectives on January 11th, on four counts of Sex Abuse I and was awaiting trial while the investigation continued.

Linn County Deputies Arrest Predatory Sex Offender on New Charges

Billings is lodged at the Linn County Jail with a bail set at $200,000.

(SWEET HOME) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that on Thursday his office arrested 58-year-old Robert Allen Billings of Sweet Home, on four (4) counts of Sex Abuse I.

Linn County detectives began this investigation when the victim, a female child, was brought to the Sheriff’s Office by the victim’s family.

Billings is a family acquaintance.

Man Missing in Sweet Home Area Located (UPDATE)

Friends have stated the missing man may suffer from dementia at times.

(SWEET HOME) - Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports an elderly Sweet Home man who had been missing since Sunday has been found safe this afternoon.

R D White, age 94, was found with his vehicle at approximately 3:30 this afternoon on the Ames Creek 600 line, a logging road in east Linn County.

Stabbing in Sweet Home Leads to Three Injuries

The suspect received a head injury when he was disarmed.

(SWEET HOME) - Reports of an uninvited guest with a gun sent Linn County Sheriff’s deputies scrambling to 44020 Wiley Creek Drive near Sweet Home early Thursday morning at 3:53 AM. The caller informed dispatch that 26-year old Michael Shain Thompson of Foster, had come to the residence uninvited armed with a gun and was threatening people.

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says that prior to the deputies’ arrival, residents disarmed Thompson. Problems continued though, when Thompson allegedly obtained a knife. Before the scuffle was over, two residents were injured in the altercation.

The knife was taken from Thompson, and an ambulance was called to take care of Thompson and the two residents who were injured and required medical assistance.

Oregon Jamboree Sells Out Concerts and Camping For The First Time in It’s 14 Year History

The Jamboree features many popular, national country music performers.

(SWEET HOME) - For the first time in it’s 14-year history, the Oregon Jamboree has sold both it’s concerts and camping. This year's featured performers will include Gretchen Wilson, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Charley Pride, Josh Turner, Keith Anderson, Rockie Lynne, Ryan Shupe, and many more TBA


The Oregon Jamboree takes place August 4th-6th. The festival will features 14 concerts over 3 days. The Jamboree is the Northwest's largest Country Music & Camping Festival.


In addition to featured headline entertainment the family style event hosts RV and tent camping, food booths, beer & wine gardens, children's performers, and more.

Boating Hazard Reported on South Santiam River

(SWEET HOME) - Boaters on the South Santiam River have reported a potentially dangerous obstruction about two miles below the Wiley Creek Park Boat Launch between Sweet Home and Foster Reservoir.

Woman Seriously Injured Trying to Cross Highway 20

(SWEET HOME) - A Sweet Home woman was seriously injured Friday night after she stepped into an eastbound lane of Highway 20 about three miles west of Sweet Home and was struck by a van.

Troopers are investigating alcohol as a contributing factor related to the pedestrian.

OSP spokesman Lt. Gregg Hastings says just before 9:30 PM, a 1990 GMC Safari van driven by 19-year-old Nicole Taylor, from Dallas, was eastbound on Highway 20 near milepost 23 in the left hand lane.