Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 30

Safety and Emergency Experts Discuss Factors that Led to Safe Landing on the Hudson

The Difference between a Miracle and a Tragedy: Safety and emergency experts discuss factors that led to safe landing on the Hudson.

(BOWLING GREEN, Ohio ) - After his amazing landing of US Airways' Flight 1549 on the Hudson River last week, the media heralded pilot Chelsey B. Sullenberger for his courage, but industrial-organizational psychologists at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) say several other factors also played a role in the safe landing.

Following are comments from some of SIOP's experts in workplace safety and airline emergencies on what factors may have been at play during the landing.

Crude Prices Fall while Gas Prices Keep Climbing

As a new U.S. president begins his term, there seems to be a disconnect between oil and gas prices. Crude oil has been hovering below $40 per barrel, yet we've seen pump prices increase. In fact, our Oregon average is up 23 cents in the past month to $1.96 a gallon.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Oregon AAA's Marie Dodds says gas prices seem to be defying gravity as they continue to rise, even though crude prices have been hovering below $40 per barrel.

Last Friday, crude closed at $34.78, the lowest price since April 2005, when the nationwide average for regular unleaded was $1.76 per gallon. The national average now is $1.84, up five cents in the past week. Oregon's average increases four cents to $1.96.

National Geographic Partners with Oregon and Washington to Launch Geotourism Project for Central Cascades‏

A 2002 study shows more than 55 million adults in the U.S. could be described as "geotourists," who travel to enjoy the distinctive character of places and want them to stay appealing.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations has joined organizations in Washington and Oregon to publicize the world-class natural and cultural attractions of the Central Cascades.

The pilot project seeks to contribute to the economic health of communities by promoting geotourism: tourism that sustains and enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.

A community-based nomination process launched today will be used to create a National Geographic "Geotourism MapGuide" for the region.

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.

Cowlitz County Flood Update

The City of Kalama is having problems with their water system. Sixty homes are without water and many are under a boil water order.

(LONGVIEW, Wash.) - The Cowlitz County Incident Command Post that was county-wide has been closed. Officials there say command has been transferred back to each individual agency and jurisdiction.

A Bird`s Eye View of Pacific Northwest Flood Damage (VIDEO)

Coast Guard helicopter rescue crews are currently conducting overflights of flood affected areas in Oregon and Washington to assess damage and look for stranded people.

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - The United States Coast Guard has been flying over some of the northwest's most devastated flood areas, and they shared this video with us; scenes that show very clearly how significant the emergency evacuation zones.

This footage from a Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew at Air Station Astoria, Oregon, was being conducted in flood affected areas in order to assess damage and look for stranded citizens.

Cowlitz County Flood Update

Castle Rock High School will be closed on Friday, January 9th 2009.

(LONGVIEW, Wash.) - Officials say one home was damaged on Burcham Street in Kelso from a landslide today as floodwaters continue to create problems.

Pedestrians are being warned to avoid the Burcham Street slide area and to not go beyond the barricades. The 400 block of Burcham and the 1000 block of N 5th were evacuated.

All evacuees are being referred to the New Life Fellowship Church, 2441 42nd, Longview.

Kindness Pays BIG Dividends...

Poor people are targeted and made into criminals; there are no SAFE place to sleep, and too often shelters are NOT SAFE. People face loitering laws, and there are no public places for people to sleep/rest, why not???

(MENDOCINO ) - Many people are losing their homes, jobs, retirement funds and sources of financial well-being. What are YOU doing about it not just to secure your own future but what about your community?

Did you know that a growing segment of poor and homeless people are War Veterans as well as children and families? According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 1.2 million children are homeless on any given night. Also, the U.S. Department of Education that report almost 400,000 homeless children were served by the nation's public schools last year.

Coast Guard Responds to Pacific Northwest Flooding

Over 25 Emergency Operations Centers throughout the state of Wash. are currently open; responding to and monitoring flooding, road conditions, and other storm-related events.

(ASTORIA, Ore. ) - The United States Coast Guard in conjunction with other federal, state and local agencies is continuing its response to the Pacific Northwest flooding.

Earlier today, Coast Guard Air Station Astoria performed it's first rescue of the flood response when an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew hoisted two stranded people in Morton, Wash.

The rescue crew worked in conjunction with the Lewis County Sheriff's Department to locate the stranded citizens.

Evacuations Ordered in Cowlitz County‏

Due to the rain and flooding, churches, clubs, schools, and community groups are encouraged to cancel evening activities.

(KELSO, Wash.) - Officials in Cowlitz County say the area is continuing to experience floods and slides. The county has declared an emergency as conditions are expected to worsen. (see: Cowlitz County Declares Emergency‏)

Notice of evacuation has been given to residents in the south portion of Kelso, both east and west of Interstate 5, Toutle area near county roads Sightly, Canal and Moore, and in the city of Woodland a Mobile home park and a R.V park at 2009 Lewis River Road.

People are currently providing sand bag protection at the Brook Hollow Mobile Home park located on East Allen Street.