Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 34

AAA Says Gas Prices Decline to Lowest Level in 11 Weeks

Good news for consumers as they fill up their gas tanks. The national and Oregon averages continue to fall and prices haven't been this low since late May. The price of crude oil is also $27 lower than the record high of $147 set in July.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - "It's costing us less to fill up our tanks. Gas prices continue to fall and haven't been this low since late May. The national average drops seven cents this week to $3.87 a gallon, while Oregon's average declines eight cents to $4.06."

AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, "If the price of crude oil remains below $125 per barrel, we could see a national average around $3.75 by Labor Day. Larger declines will be in the works if oil prices plunge even lower than they are now."

Oil is trading today around $120 per barrel, down about $27 from the all-time high price of $147 per barrel set on July 11. The drop in energy prices is mostly due to shrinking demand for petroleum products in the U.S. and other countries as global economies have cooled.

National Gas Prices at Record Highs, Oregon Average Eases Slightly

The price of crude hit yet another record high late last week, but drops several dollars today. Our national average is holding steady at a record high near $4.11 per gallon.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Even the President is talking about high gas prices and possible solutions. The recent run-up in crude has yet to be reflected fully at the pumps. Why are retailers reluctant to pass the higher prices on to consumers? And what's the outlook for prices for the rest of the summer?

AAA reports that for the second day in a row, the national average for regular unleaded remains at a record high of nearly $4.11, gaining a tenth of a cent in the past week. Oregon's average dropped two cents this week to $4.27 and prices in many of Oregon's measured metro areas are ticking down slightly as well.

AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, "Oregon and Washington are among 41 states, including the District of Columbia, with averages for regular unleaded at or above $4 per gallon, up from 39 states last week."

Amber Alert for 11-Year Old Nevada girl Cancelled

The Amber Alert for a Las Vegas girl has been cancelled; she was not harmed and is with police in California.

(LAS VEGAS, Nevada) - Oregon State Police has been informed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department that Thursday evening's AMBER Alert issued in Nevada is cancelled after the missing girl was found safe in Porterville, California.

Earlier this evening, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that they were seeking information to help find 11-year old Esther Melendez, who was believed to have been taken from her home by 30-year old Jose Rangel-Martinez.

15-Year Old Prodigy Jessie Richman Wins Nelscott Kiteboard Rodeo (SLIDESHOW)

A fairly new sport, kiteboarding becomes a main attraction on the Oregon Coast.

(LINCOLN CITY, Ore.) - The Nelscott Kiteboard Rodeo concluded Sunday with a 'no go' in the freestyle competition scheduled for the Siletz Bay due to the lack of adequate wind. Saturday's scheduled waveriding competition turned into a beach party-barbecue waiting for the 12-15 mph threshold to be reached which it never did.

Friday however was another story as the contest director Steve Gunn finally called the 'Downwinder' a go at about 4:00 PM.

Oregon Average Surpasses $4 a Gallon, Remaining Above National Average

The national average for regular unleaded has set record highs on 26 of the past 27 days, but now seems to be stalling at just under $4 per gallon. Here in Oregon, we have crossed the $4 threshold, and, in fact, all of our measured areas are several cents above that mark.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas prices have traditionally peaked just before Memorial Day and then have gradually declined over the summer. This year is likely to be different.

"Monday's average was the same as Sunday's, which was the first time since May 7th that the price didn't go up overnight." Marie Dodds with AAA said.

Battleground Soldier Killed Fighting in Afghanistan

A 19-year old Battleground soldier is among Army Casualties reported in Afghanistan.

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. One of the soldiers is from Washington state.

Government sources report that they died May 31st in Jalalabad City, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

`Surge` Brigade Redeploys Back Home

Kudos to the 4th Stryker BCT 2nd ID, heading home next month after a most successful deployment.

(BAGHDAD, Iraq) - Approximately 4,000 Soldiers from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd ID, are redeploying back to Fort Lewis, Washington next month.

Gas Prices in Parts of Oregon Pass Four Dollar Mark

Prices at the pumps continue to be much higher than they were a year ago. The national average was $3.21 last year, while Oregon's average was $3.37.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Gas has finally reached $4 a gallon in Oregon. Today's average for regular unleaded in Medford/Ashland climbed to $4.01. The statewide average and averages for the other major markets in Oregon are only pennies away.

There doesn't seem to be an end in sight to climbing gas and diesel prices, which continue to set new record highs almost daily.

Mount St. Helens - 28 Years After Catastrophic Eruption

Prior to the 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens was the fifth-highest peak in Washington.

(COUGAR, Washington) - At 8:32 AM Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted causing catastrophic devastation which was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States.

Oregon and Washington Paramedics, EMTs, Ratify First-Ever Teamsters Contract

The contract will covers more than 500 workers.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - More than 500 paramedics and emergency medical technicians in the Greater Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area have ratified their first-ever contract as Teamsters.

"The Teamsters are pleased that these workers are now covered by a strong contract that gives them job protection and a secure retirement future," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. The workers, both full-time and part-time, are employed by American Medical Response, Inc. They are members of Local 58 in Vancouver, Washington and Local 223 in Portland, Oregon.