City of Salem: Hazardous driving conditions exist throughout the Salem area. Residents are asked to avoid unnecessary travel. Public Works is responding with all available personal and equipment and is focusing on the main arterial streets.
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: Light snow and sleet has fallen on many roads throughout the Willamette Valley creating icy conditions for travelers. Numerous crashes have been reported along the I-5 corridor and other connecting highways. With freezing temperatures to continue today and tonight, travelers need to take extra precautions. Motorists should slow down, leave adequate distance between them and the vehicle ahead, add extra travel time and expect some delays.
ODOT: Valley, No. Coast: U.S 101 is open three miles south of Cloverdale (milepost 90) in Tillamook County

SEVERE WEATHER ADVISORY: PBOT WARNS PUBLIC TO AVOID TRAVEL, USE CAUTION, DO NOT ABANDON VEHICLES IN WINTER CONDITIONS
News Release from Portland Bureau of Transportation
Posted on FlashAlert: January 3rd, 2016 1:22 PM
(Jan. 3, 2016) The Portland Bureau of Transportation warns the traveling public to be prepared for winter weather that is creating hazardous traveling conditions. 

Snow accumulations since Sunday morning are expected to remain on streets throughout the day and into the evening. People who are not experienced at driving in snow or icy conditions should avoid driving. 

People driving are urged to use caution, slow down and do not abandon your vehicle in a travel lane. Vehicles blocking travel lanes can delay emergency responders and cause traffic congestion. 

In addition: 
* If you choose to drive, stay with your vehicle in a snow and ice storm. Any abandoned vehicle creating a safety hazard is subject to being cited and towed. To locate your vehicle, call Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044. 

* If you are driving and visibility and conditions are getting worse rapidly, do not stop in a travel lane. Look for an opportunity to pull off the road into a safe parking area and wait for conditions to improve. If you cannot reach your home, move your vehicle off a major street or plow route onto a side street so that plows can completely open up major streets. 

* If you become stuck or stranded in severe weather, stay with your vehicle for warmth and safety until help arrives. While you wait for help to arrive, open a window slightly for ventilation, run your motor sparingly, and use your emergency flashers. 

* Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other travelers. Keep your lights and windshield clean. Don't

Marion & Polk Co. Schools:
Silver Falls Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late. All Schools and district office. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Virginia Garcia Medical Center will be opening at 10am Monday.
The Wheatland Ferry is closed due to ice/power issues,
Western Mennoite is closed tomorrow.
Yamhill County Circuit Court opens at 10am tomorrow (monday Jan 4th)

Western Oregon University: Opening at noon (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)..Sheridan Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)Willamina Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Newberg Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, Buses on snow routes (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)Virginia Garcia Medical Center will be opening at 10am Monday.
Yamhill County Circuit Court opens at 10am tomorrow (monday Jan 4th)Yamhill Carlton Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, Buses on snow routes (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Perrydale Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, No preschool (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th) UPDATENorth Santiam Sch. Dist. (Stayton): 1 Hour Late. from Monday start time (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Forest Grove Sch. Dist.: 2-Hour Delay. Buses on snow routes in AM. AM PreK closed. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Gaston Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, Buses on snow routes (For tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Silver Falls Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late. All Schools and district office. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
The Wheatland Ferry is closed due to ice/power issues,Western Mennoite is closed tomorrow.Marion County Circuit court open at ten am.
Oregon Highway 78 is closed southeast of Burns Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Cascade Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)

Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Silver Falls Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late. All Schools and district office. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)Virginia Garcia Medical Center will be opening at 10am Monday.The Wheatland Ferry is closed due to ice/power issues,
Western Mennoite is closed tomorrow.Yamhill County Circuit Court opens at 10am tomorrow (monday Jan 4th)Yamhill Carlton School District two hour delay.
Marion County Circuit court open at ten am.Oregon Highway 78 is closed southeast of Burns 
Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Cascade Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)Yamhill Co. Schools:Yamhill Carlton Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, Buses on snow routes (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Lebanon community schools There will be a 2 hour delay for January 4 ,2016 and all buses will be on snow routesWashington Co. Schools:Banks Sch. Dist.: Closed (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)Gaston Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late, Buses on snow routes (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Hillsboro Sch. Dist.: Buses in zones 1,2,3,7,8,9 & 10 on snow routes. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)NW Regional ESD: Washington Co.: 2 Hours Late (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Sherwood Sch. Dist.: 2 Hours Late. Students attending Cascade, Pacific, Life Works & Tigard programs, buses will transport 2 hours late. Staff, report for in-service 2 hours late. (Effective tomorrow - Mon Jan 4th)
Marion & Polk Co. Schools:Ge

Willamette Valley Medical Center, McMinnville has a new years baby.  Skylar Jade Meierotto is a baby girl, weighing in at seven pounds, six ounces this morning at 7:55am, January first. 2016

SALEM POLICE OFFICER INVOLVED IN SHOOTINGNews Release from Salem Police Dept.A Salem Police officer was involved in an on-duty shooting on the morning of January 1, 2016 in northeast Salem. At approximately 7:11 am, Salem Police received information of a tow truck that had just been stolen in the 6300 block of Portland Rd NE and was last seen southbound from that location. At approximately 7:27 am, Salem Police officers located the stolen tow truck behind a pole barn in the 3600 block of Chemawa Rd NE. At least one Oregon State Police trooper also arrived on the scene to assist. Shortly after officers arrived and were attempting to apprehend the suspect, the truck started, revved up its motor and drove towards Salem Police Sgt Tony Moore, who discharged his firearm. The truck then fled the scene and continued to elude officers until getting stuck as it crossed a drainage ditch in a field off of Lakeside Dr NE. The driver fled from the vehicle on foot and was apprehended a short distance away. The Oregon State Police and Marion County Sheriff's Office were on scene as well and worked with Salem Police officers. The suspect sustained a non life-threatening gunshot wound and is expected to be released from the hospital shortly. The suspect has been identified as 51-year old Ronald Gene Chilcote of Salem. He will be taken into custody upon his release from the hospital and transported to the Marion County Corrections Facility on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Felony charges of Attempting to Elude an Officer. Sgt Moore was not injured in the incident and will be placed on administrative leave pending the investigation as is common procedure following incidents of this nature. The investigation will be conducted by the Oregon State Police and the Marion County District Attorney's Office, who are currently on the scene. This is standard procedure for the Salem Police Department to request the Oregon State Police conduct an independent investigation into incidents of this nature. Because this is an ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Oregon State Police Detective Kyle Wilson at [email protected] or Oregon State Police dispatch at 503-731-3030.

INDEPENDENCE MAN KILLED RIDING A BICYCLE ON HOFFMAN RD (PHOTO)News Release from Polk Co. Sheriff's OfficeOn December 30, 2015 at approximately 6:41 p.m. Polk County Deputies were dispatched to a reported vehicle versus pedestrian crash in the 9000 block of Hoffman RD, on the outskirts of Monmouth city limits. It was reported that CPR was in progress. Due to the close proximity of the crash to both Monmouth and Independence, officers from each agency responded to assist. EMS personnel from Polk County Fire District No. 1 arrived at approximately6:46 p.m. and the crash was determined to be a fatality shortly thereafter. Law Enforcement arriving on scene closed Hoffman RD. between 16th Street N. and S. Hwy 99W. The roadway was closed for several hours while deputies conducted an investigation which included assistance from Oregon State Police personnel who responded to a request from the sheriff's office. It was determined the deceased, 52 year old John Shapley of Independence, was struck from behind while riding a bicycle west on Hoffman RD., causing significant damage to both the bicycle and the involved vehicle driven by 40 year old Daniel Major of Falls City. It was believed Mr. Shapley was killed instantaneously upon impact. The investigation showed a secondary impact with Mr. Shapley's body by a separate vehicle had occurred but it was not thought to be a factor in his death. All parties remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. No criminal charges have been filed as a result of the crash. Both the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office and the Polk County District Attorney's Office had personnel respond to the scene. Representatives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office advised that the incident has yet to be closed and their investigation is continuing.

McMinnville Police update as of 123115We just received confirmation that Jordan Boldt was located in Southern California and is currently being attended to. His family has been notified and we consider the case closed at this time. Thank you for all of the information provided by outside sources and a special thank you to all of the partner law enforcement agenices for their work in finding Mr. Boldt.