Jan. 30 public safety round-up
Jan. 20-28 – Justin Michael Kirkbride, 45, of Newberg, was arrested on a warrant or citation. – Carol Rebecca O’Leary, 54, of Lebanon, was arrested for failure to appear on a criminal citation. – Dominique David Stacey, 55, of Newberg, was arrested on a warrant or citation. –...
Oregon State University faces uncertain financial future amid enrollment decline, budget cuts
Oregon State University is confronting a tightening financial environment as lower enrollment, federal budget cuts, uncertain state funding and broader economic headwinds strain the university’s budget. In a January meeting the Board of Trustees said the fall term freshman class was smaller this academic year than in...
Pacific Northwest projects totaling $7.1 million in top bidders | Jan. 30, 2026
A weekly compilation of the largest winning bids in the Pacific Northwest, according to the Daily Journal of Commerce Project Center. Winner (intent to award): Glacier Environmental Services of Edmonds, Washington. Amount: $2,013,073. Project: Houghton / Puyallup – Landfill Gas Blower Control Panel and Controls...
Barlow alum Kennedie Shuler hitting stride for Oregon State
When Kennedie Shuler fouled out 30 seconds into overtime in Oregon State’s eventual win over Gonzaga last week, she had no idea what she had narrowly missed out on accomplishing. “Yeah, no, I didn’t,” said Kennedie of being aware of what her stat line was. “I was like, ‘Oh, dang.’ But it’s okay.” Triple doubles […]
Northwest wineries begin offering nonalcoholic wines
While many wineries are struggling, Amity-based Varnum Vintners is seeing year-to-year growth and retaining club members thanks to a once-vilified offering — nonalcoholic wines. “We got lucky in that somebody approached us before the trend started, so we were ahead of the curve,” said Taralyn Varnum, who owns the...
Two Salem women found dead; police say cases appear unrelated and no public threat
SALEM, Ore. (KATU) — Detectives in Salem are investigating the "suspicious deaths" of two separate women on consecutive days, one at home and the other at a park. Officers found a woman dead after they responded to a call on Friday, Jan. 30 around 1:10 p.m. at a residence in the 4600 block of Dark Forest Place...
Accused bank robbers arrested on Oregon Coast, $50K seized as evidence
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two people were arrested in connection with a bank robbery in Depoe Bay earlier this week. Portland resident Franco Armando Mereno Jr., 37, and Canby resident Jonathan F. Schwentner, 43, were both arrested at Nye Beach in Newport and accused of robbing $50,000 from Columbia Bank in Depoe Bay....
A Winter Warmup: The E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area
We find some interesting places during our winter explorations. This one is an expansive wildlife area that also allows hunting, and even offers shotgun and archery ranges. There is an accessible fishing pond. There are miles of trails, which are actually the roads from what was once Oregon's second largest city,...
Security Robot to Launch at Pringle Parkade
The City of Salem will pilot the Daxbot security robot at Pringle Parkade starting February 2. The two-month trial will evaluate its effectiveness before considering whether to continue and expand to other parking garages. Patrol hours for the Daxbot will be from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. Funding for the...
Safe, Clean and Healthy Salem Makes Progress
Staff at the City of Salem have made good progress in implementing strategies under the Safe, Clean and Healthy Salem initiative. This initiative focuses on improving safety, cleanliness and health in downtown and northeast Salem, areas with higher demands for police and emergency services. The plan includes...
