Charles Luukinen spent almost his entire 25 years on the bench overseeing the Polk County Circuit Court as the presiding judge. After retiring, he devoted time to settling Oregon’s most complicated and costly criminal cases.
Tag: POLK COUNTY
West Salem jeweler accused of scamming customers
Douglas W. Gamble, the owner of Timeless Jewelry, faces aggravated theft charges after Salem police said he scammed customers out of at least $250,000.
McNary counselor charged with sexually abusing minor in Polk County
Todd Bobeda, a school counselor and former coach, faces charges alleging he subjected a person under 18 to sexual contact multiple times and failed to perform his duties as a public servant, court records showed.
Polk County Sheriff, DA seek $4 million per year in proposed tax levy
The new levy would retain sheriff’s deputies and prosecutors hired in 2015 as an earlier public safety levy is set to expire.
Medication-assisted treatment center expands to west Salem
Polk County residents can receive same-day prescriptions for medication to move off illegal drugs at Ideal Option’s second Salem clinic, opened last month.
Salem man sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting co-worker during tree cutting
On Wednesday, a Polk County jury found Jonathan Gonzales-Salcido guilty of murdering Ryan Muniz, who he worked with at a tree trimming service. District Attorney Aaron Felton said prosecutors never established a motive for the killing.
Property tax assessments show record jumps in Salem-area property values
The value of homes and residential land in Marion County jumped nearly 27% in 2022 — but Measure 50 will limit tax increases to 3% in most cases.
Guilty plea closes Polk County cold murder case 25 years after body found
Brian Clifton pleaded guilty Thursday to murdering his wife Kathy Thomas in 1996 when the couple lived in Salem.
Uncategorized With school moving online, Polk County expands faster internet access to rural areas
Polk County Courthouse (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk Itemizer-Observer) Remote corners of Polk County will get improved internet access under a $1 million project that will allow more rural children to better connect to schools. The county is using a share of its federal pandemic funding to install broadband infrastructure in[Read More…]
Uncategorized Investigated child welfare workers had sex near juvenile, lawyer says
Polk County Courthouse (Courtesy of Jolene Guzman/Polk Itemizer-Observer) Just days before Thanksgiving last year, a juvenile was taken to a hotel in Dallas and fell asleep. As he slept, a state worker assigned to care for him overnight invited another worker to come over. The two started having sex in[Read More…]
