Salem-News.com Polk County articles

Marion & Polk County Law Enforcement Leaders:
Invest in Early Education or Foot Bigger Prison Bill Later

D.A., police chief, sheriff support early learning to cut crime, prison expenses.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Currently in Oregon, there are nearly 22,000 incarcerated adults in jails and state prisons, with corrections costs exceeding $731 million every year.

Beglau, Moore and Wolfe said that Oregon would save $182 million in taxpayer dollars if it cut prison costs by a quarter by investing in early learning.

Missing 14-Year Old Swimmer Recovered From Willamette River (VIDEO)

The search for the missing swimmer came to a close today with the discovery of the boy's body.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - UPDATE 1:00 p.m.: The Polk County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the Oregon National Guard Helicopter have located the missing 14 year-old boy who disappeared Monday night while swimming with friends in the Willamette River near Spongs Landing.

The body of 14-year old Joe Engichy, was located at 11:00 a.m. today in about seven feet of water.

Lebanon Man Dies in Crash South of Monmouth

The wife of the man who died in the crash was injured.

(MONMOUTH, Ore.) - A Lebanon-area man was killed and three others injured Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 99W and Old Fort Road south of Monmouth.

Oregon State Police troopers say on July 24, 2009 at approximately 11:00 a.m. a 2002 Chevrolet Impala four-door driven by 68-year old Robert Henry Primasing of Lebanon, was westbound on Old Fort Road approaching the intersection with Highway 99W.

H1N1 Virus- Swine Flu Case Leads to Closure of Western Oregon University

The Polk County Health Department is working with WOU to contact members of the campus community who were in close contact with the student.

(MONMOUTH, Ore.) - The Western Oregon University campus in Monmouth is closed and will remain closed through Monday, May 4th, based on a recommendation of the Oregon Health Dept.

A probable case of the H1N1 virus, swine flu, has been found on campus. Western Oregon University President John Minahan says a Western Oregon University student exhibited flu-like symptoms earlier this week.

Police Charge Three Juveniles With Arson‏

Charges against the young suspects include second-degree Arson, second-degree Burglary, Reckless Burning and second-degree Trespass.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Three West Salem juveniles face charges in connection with an arson fire Sunday that resulted in no injuries, but did lead to the loss of a turn of the century area home.

Sgt. Mark Garton with the Polk County Sheriff's Office says his agency, along with Salem's Police and the Salem Fire department, responded to the house fire Sunday afternoon, at 3266 Orchard Heights Road NW in Salem.

Oregon Double Murder Suspect Arrested in Mexico

This arrest potentially clears the only open City of Independence homicide case in 22 years.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Police in Independence have experienced a significant victory in a Double Homicide investigation dating back to 1995, thanks to the help of a retired sheriff and police in Mexico.

Chief Vernon Wells with Independence Police, says the recent arrest of 38-year old Antonio Carrillo-Vera, brings to a close the only unresolved homicide in the City of Independence since 1986.

FBI Seeks Missing Girl From Dallas 14 Years After Disappearance

FBI and Father of Ashlyn Wilson Mark Her 14th Birthday.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Thursday, November 20th 2008, marks Ashlyn Wilson’s 14th birthday. She has been missing since she was an infant. The FBI holds a federal fugitive warrant for her mother, Tara Suzanne Wilson, and agents are still, despite the years, actively pursuing this case.

To this end, the FBI is featuring this case in the fugitive section of its national web site at fbi.gov/wanted.htm and on its local home page at fbi.gov today.

The FBI's Beth Anne Steele in Portland, says Ashlyn was born in Dallas, Oregon. After her birth, her father, Dan Wilson fought for legal custody. (Although Dan and Tara Wilson share the same last name, they were never married.) Tara Wilson failed to appear at a series of legal hearings in 1994, and she fled with Ashlyn 1995. Although the courts later awarded full custody to Dan Wilson, he has never seen his daughter.

Two Missing Anglers Prompt Search in Polk County

Fishing equipment was recovered from the banks of the fast moving river, but the two anglers remain missing.

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Two brothers dropped off for a day of fishing at Riverview Park in Independence have been missing since Sunday evening.

Independence Police say 20-year old Alvin Troub, and his brother 8-year old Michael Runyon, were dropped off at Riverview Park in Independence to go fishing. When family members returned to the park two hours later at 4:00 PM ,the two could not be found.

A search was initiated after information about the missing men was reported to the Independence Police Department. The search quickly included Independence Police Officers, Polk County Fire District #1, and the Polk County Sheriff's Office - including their patrol division, river patrol, and search and rescue unit.

Single Vehicle Fatal Crash Near Willamina

Police remind drivers that accidents can happen any time, but holiday weekends bring increased risk for a variety of reasons.

(McMINNVILLE, Ore.) - A Grand Ronde-area man died Sunday morning after losing control of his car and crashing on the Highway 18 business loop about 1.5 miles east of Willamina.

Alcohol and speed are investigated as possible contributing factors.

About 10:24 AM Sunday, 48-year old Allan J. Butler, from Grand Ronde was negotiating a left curve when his car drifted onto the right shoulder, he over-corrected and lost control.

Police Say Father and Son Shot Each Other During Family Argument

Alcohol reportedly drove the fight between the men that led to the shooting.

(GRANDE RONDE, Ore.) - Polk County deputies were called to the scene of a shooting with multiple victims Friday night at 8:40 PM.

While enroute, they were advised of a report that two people were shot at a residence on Andy Riggs Road in Grand Ronde.