Salem-News.com Washington articles Page 40

Powerful Storms Will Slam the West Coast this Weekend

Snow fell Thursday in the mountains of California, Washington, and Oregon, with some locations picking up several inches.

(State College, Pa.) - A series of storms will slam the West Coast this weekend, causing many weather-related problems for the region. One storm started to impact parts of Oregon and California with rain, snow, and gusty winds Thursday, weather experts at Accuweather.com report.

Damaging winds will continue to pound the coast today as the storm intensifies and impacts the region. The storms will also buffet the coast and mountains with strong winds.

Crude Oil Reaches $100 Per Barrel Mark

We start a new year with a new record high for crude oil. After weeks of speculation, the price of crude finally reached $100 per barrel. Gas prices are up across the country and in Oregon.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - "After weeks of anticipation, the price of crude oil finally reached the century mark in New York today before easing back slightly. And prices at the pumps have been rising again. The national average is back over $3 per gallon as we start 2008." AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says.

Parade of Pacific Storms Will Spread Rain and Snow from Canada to Mexico (VIDEO)

Intense winds will add to the severity of the storms in the Sierra, with blizzard conditions creating extremely dangerous travel conditions in the mountains.

(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) - The nation's western states will undergo a change in the weather in the upcoming days. The widespread dry weather that dominated the region as 2008 arrived will be replaced by the return of the parade of Pacific storms.

The storms will spread rain and snow from British Columbia to the Mexican border, with the heaviest snow and rain targeting northern and central California.

Pacific Storms Continue to Pound the Northwest (VIDEO)

Snow Predicted in the Mountains of Washington and California

(State College, Pa.) - A seemingly never-ending train of Pacific storms will continue to roll through the Northwest this weekend, with rain and heavy mountain snow forecast through Sunday.

Rain will fall today in coastal areas west of the Cascades, while snow will fall in the mountains of Washington and California. Several inches of snow could fall today in the foothills around Seattle.

California, Oregon and Washington Will be Impacted by EPA Decision

In a surprise move, the Administrator of the EPA denied California and 16 other state's ability to set standards for cleaner air.

(SALEM, Ore.) - California Congresswoman Barbara Boxer is lashing out at EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson for his dead of the night move as lawmakers were leaving town for the holiday recess, to deny California's Waiver that allows the state to set higher emission standards for cars.

Sixteen other states including Oregon are affected by the political maneuvering. Boxer says the nearly half the country's efforts to clean the air will be affected. She compared Johnson to a character in a Dr. Sues book.

13-Year Old Boy From Vancouver Area Located

The boy has been found.

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - Police say 13-year old boy from the Vancouver, Washington area who was reported missing has contacted his parents and is OK.

The parents of Anthony K. Abruzzini called 9-1-1 to report their son as missing Friday at 5:30 PM.

O`Brien Auto Group Announces Pending Purchase of Salem`s DeLon Auto Center

Purchase Includes Five Dealerships, Marks Beginning of O'Brien Expansion into Oregon.

(BELLEVUE, Wash.) - O'Brien Auto Group (OAG), one of the largest- and most-successful auto dealers in Washington state, today announced its intent to purchase DeLon Auto Center of Salem, Oregon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The purchase, that's pending approval by affiliated auto manufacturers, will include all five DeLon dealerships and represent OAG's entry into the Oregon market. Founded in 1960, DeLon Auto Center currently employs 135 people in the Salem area at its BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Volvo dealerships.

Traffic on I-5 in Washington Reopens Today

Washington Department of Transportation crews are working around the clock to get highways open.

(OLYMPIA, Wash.) - Road crews in Washington have partially reopened Interstate 5 at Centralia. They prepared a northbound lane and a southbound lane through the flood area for low-speed truck traffic Thursday, after receding flood waters revealed less damage to the Interstate than anticipated.

The lanes opened to commercial freight haulers shortly after 5:00 PM Thursday. After 8:00 PM, an 11-mile portion of southbound I-5 was reopened to all traffic. All vehicles may now enter the southbound lanes of I-5 at SR 6 in Chehalis and continue south with no further closures.

Oregon Gas Prices Decrease Slightly

Some encouraging news at the pumps as the price of gas inches down this week.

(PORTLAND,Ore.) - "Gas prices are creeping down this week." AAA Oregon Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds says, "The national average is down about four cents to $3.05, while Oregon's statewide average is also down about four cents to $3.11 per gallon. Portland drivers are paying $3.076 for regular, Salem motorists are paying a little more; $3.084. The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Eugene/Springfield area is $3.116.

Prices have stabilized amid speculation that OPEC will agree at tomorrow’s meeting to raise production. The price of crude has fallen to around $88 per barrel after being close to $100 per barrel last month."

Train Crashes Into Car on Tracks Killing Driver

Weather conditions or other factors causing this accident are still undetermined.

(VANCOUVER, Wash.) - A freight train hit a vehicle at a train crossing Saturday night in Clark County and pushed the car up to 3/4 of a mile before it was able to stop.

The driver was the vehicle was located deceased inside the vehicle. At this time the name of the deceased is not being released pending the notification of next of kin.