Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 25

Helicopter Crashes in Grays Harbor: Both People Survive (VIDEO)

It was reported that the passenger survived the crash into the water without being injured. The pilot however, did reportedly suffer minor injuries.

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - The Coast Guard says a privately owned helicopter crashed into the shallow waters of Grays Harbor, Washington sometime before 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 7th 2009.

It happened about a mile north of Ocean Shores, Washington. The people were located and recovered early in the morning.

Gas, Crude Prices Hit the Brakes: Pump Prices May Have Reached Summer Peak

Crude oil prices hit a six-week low today with crude trading around $63 per barrel after holding steady around $70 the past few weeks.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas prices may have peaked for the summer, according to Oregon AAA. They often reach their summer highs close to the Independence Day holiday, and barring any unforeseen events, pump prices may slide in the coming weeks.

The national average for regular unleaded drops three cents this week to $2.60 while Oregon's average falls two cents to $2.78.

Clackamas County Search & Rescue Successfully Rescues Injured Climber on Mount Hood

The patient was airlifed to Emanuel Hospital‏ by an Oregon National Guard helicopter.

(MOUNT HOOD, Ore.) - Search and Rescue personnel on Mount Hood have successfully rescued a patient with a broken leg from the Sandy Glacier area.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Spokesman Jim Strovink, says the patient is being airlifted by an Oregon National Guard helicopter from Mount Hood and transported directly to Emanuel Hospital, in Portland.

He says the patient is 27-year old Kristopher R. Haskins of the Seattle, Washington area where he is employed by the University of Washington, in Seattle.

Pump Prices Jump 60 Percent Since Start of 2009

Oregon is 10th most expensive, up from 13th last week.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas prices continue to climb with Oregon's average for regular unleaded gaining nine cents in the past week to $2.78, while the national average adds five cents to $2.67.

AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, "Oregon's average was $1.75 on Jan 1, 2009, and the national average was $1.62 then. Prices have jumped about 60 percent since the start of the year, which is the largest percentage increase we've seen since the '70s."

One Percent Motorcycle Culture Commemorated

"Trouble was caused by the one percent deviant that tarnishes the public image of both motorcycles and motorcyclists." – American Motorcycle Association, responding to the Hollister Motorcycle Rally in 1947.

(AUBURN, Wash.) - The most feared and respected riders roaming the blacktop, one percenters are a breed apart from all others. These individuals bow to no one, test the boundaries of all and give their devotion to few.

Coast Guard Believes Person May Have Gone Overboard From Washington Ferry

Local authorities join Coast Guard in search for missing person from Washington State Ferry.

(SEATTLE) - The Coast Guard is searching for a possible missing person after a vehicle and cell phone were found unclaimed on the Washington State Ferry (WSF) Tacoma, Monday.

The vehicle was located abandoned on the Bainbridge Island, Washinton to Seattle ferry by WSF employees who concluded that the owner may have gone overboard into the water. The vehicle is registered to Amy Storey of Sequim, Washington.

Search Suspended for Missing Boater near Astoria, Oregon

The Coast Guard Air Station in Astoria received the report at 12:26 p.m. and dispatched an HH-60 helicopter crew while a 25-foot motor lifeboat crew left from Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Washington.

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - Coast Guard officials say the search has been suspended for a man at Tongue Point who went missing Sunday after the boat he was in struck a submerged object and capsized.

The Clatsop County Sheriff's Office has dispatched a dive team to the area hoping to find some sign of the missing man.

A Few Thoughts on Power Outages and Disaster Preparedness

Thunderstorms and lightning cut power in across Pacific NW: FEMA offers preparedness tips for when the lights go out.

(SEATTLE, Wash.) - Last night, a massive line of thunderstorms struck across the Pacific Northwest, knocking out power in over 100 communities across Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

But all power outages can cause a number of safety concerns as residents seek to light, heat, cool or power their homes from alternative sources, and emergency management officials urge residents to exercise caution.

Pilot Uninjured in Kelso, Washington Ultralight Crash

Plane flipped while landing at river's edge.

(KELSO, Wash.) - An ultralight crashed yesterday in Kelso at about 9:00 a.m. according to officials there.

Charlie Rosenzweig, Chief Criminal Deputy with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, says the plane lost power while flying above the Cowlitz River about 1 mile north of Kelso, Washigton. "The pilot was able to guide the plane to the edge of the river near a sandbar but the plane flipped as it landed at the river's edge."

Gas Prices Up Sharply in a Month with National Average Surpassing $2.50

The national average jumped ten cents in the past week to nearly $2.53, while Oregon's average for regular unleaded gains more than eight cents to $2.60.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Pump prices are at a seven-month high. The national average passes the $2.50 a gallon mark, jumping ten cents in the past week to nearly $2.53.

Several factors are helping to spur crude's climb, including heavy investments based on confidence of a turnaround in the global economy, a weaker dollar, and comments by OPEC that there are signs of a recovery in oil demand, particularly in Asia.