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1 day ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
A Salem man was sentenced June 26 to nearly 64 years in prison for 25 charges related to a 2023 shooting on Highway 22 that left one person dead and an officer and a bystander wounded.
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2 days ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
A Salem man was sentenced June 25 to nearly 11 years in federal prison for repeatedly requesting sexually explicit materials from undercover law enforcement officers posing as children online, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Oregon.
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2 days ago | 
yahoo.com | Isabel Funk
The budget for the Oregon Public Defense Commission is set to include $2.2 million for attorneys to take increased caseloads and $3.4 million for law schools to train students to take on public defense for misdemeanor cases. The Oregon Senate on June 23 passed House Bill 5031, OPDC's 2025-27 budget after it was passed by the House June 18. The budget includes funds for several measures that aim to reduce the unrepresented crisis in Oregon. It now heads to Gov. Tina Kotek for her signature.
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2 days ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
Santiam Highway was closed June 25 after a crash near the Santiam Pass summit, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. All lanes were closed at milepost 81. ODOT reported the crash around 12:30 p.m., according to TripCheck. Drivers were advised to expect "extended" delays or use an alternate route. Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @isabeldfunk
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2 days ago | 
yahoo.com | Isabel Funk
Marion and Polk county sheriff's offices have seen significant increases in 2025 in the number of requests from federal agencies asking for assistance or information related to immigration enforcement. Arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have grown since President Donald Trump took office. The crackdown has sparked nationwide protests, including in Salem, where more than 100 protesters gathered June 20 to denounce actions by ICE.
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4 days ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
This year's Fourth of July festivities will feature fireworks, parades and events in and around Salem. Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025. Here's a roundup of events happening to celebrate the holiday. July 3Oregon Garden Fireworks Celebration: The event will feature live music, food trucks and family activities.
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4 days ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
Salem-Keizer Public Schools agreed to pay a former West Salem High School teaching assistant $170,000 after settling a lawsuit she filed alleging she was placed in an unsafe work environment where students assaulted her. Lauren Eriksen's lawsuit alleged she was assaulted by students multiple times, including being bitten so hard her skin was torn and getting a concussion from being hit in the face.
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5 days ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community. Mark and Karen Green never had a strong background in music, but as their daughter, Danielle, grew up and got involved in music at school and camps in Portland, they noticed a gap in Salem. They decided to do something about that 10 years ago and founded RiverCity Rock Star Academy.
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1 week ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
A Beaverton man died June 19 while in custody at the Marion County Jail, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said. Jose Soto-Araujo, 54, was found unresponsive in his cell at about 3:37 p.m., the sheriff's office said in a news release. Deputies and medical staff administered CPR and called for emergency personnel, but he was pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death is under investigation, the sheriff's office said. Oregon State Police has been asked to investigate as an independent agency.
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1 week ago | 
statesmanjournal.com | Isabel Funk
A 19-year-old Salem man was arrested June 20 in connection with two sexual assaults reported on June 15 and 16, Salem Police said. The man was arrested in the early morning hours after detectives served a search warrant in the 5200 block of Salal Street Southeast in Salem, according to a news release.
