Man indicted on sex abuse charges involving three girls A Southeastern Oregon well driller has been arraigned in a Burns courtroom on a 19-count indictment alleging kidnapping and unlawful sexual conduct with three girls under age 14.
Donald William Read , 54, was arraigned last week before Harney County Circuit Judge William D. Cramer after being indicted by a grand jury, said county District Attorney Timothy J. Colahan. Read remained in the Harney County Jail today in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Read lives in the south end of the sparsely settled, high-desert county, Colahan said.
He's charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, 12 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, four counts of first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and a single count of harassment, Colahan said.
The girls and Read knew each other, the district attorney said, but he declined to discuss the circumstances leading to the kidnapping charges. A criminal investigation by Oregon State Police began Jan. 4, he said.
Oregon State Police asked anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Jason Reese at (541) 889-6469, extenstion 751.
Court rules prison librarian violated inmate's rights A divided federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that an Oregon prison librarian violated the constitutional rights of an inmate by refusing to let him use a machine to bind his appeal.
A U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that Frank Marvin Phillips, 63, had a constitutional right to appeal his manslaughter conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, but was thwarted by librarian Lynn Hust's arbitrary refusal to let him use a "comb binder" that was routinely made available to other inmates.
The 2-1 majority said the trial judge did not adequately explain why he awarded Phillips $1,500 in damages, and ordered the court to better explain that decision.
In dissent, Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain said the majority decision set an impossible precedent for prison officials.
"Such a rule amounts to an unreasonable demand that prison librarians be not only experts on their actual duties, but also clairvoyant," O'Scannlain wrote.
Metro to meet tonight on 'flexible" transportation projects
The Metro Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 tonight on transportation projects that will split about $45 million in special flexible federal funds.
An initial list of 66 proposals, totaling $132 million, has been pared to 32 projects, and includes bike, pedestrian, transit and road projects. The money will be spent between 2008 and 2011.
Metro will take final action next month. The meeting is at Metro headquarters, 600 N.E. Grand Ave., Portland.
This relatively small pot of money - only about 4 percent of the transportation money spent in the region over the same period - attracts a lot of attention because it can be spent on a wider variety of projects than most federal funds.
Projects on the list include a bikeway in the area of 50th street between Northeast Thompson Street and Southeast Woodstock Street in Portland, sidewalks on East Baseline Street in Cornelius, and money for Metro's Regional Travel Options program.
The money comes from two federal grant programs: the Surface Transportation Program and the Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Program.
Metro selected projects primarily based on how well they support the regional government's 2040 growth plan.T
Go here for a complete list, the reasons behind the choices, and other information dealing with the program.
Noted Mount Hood climber improving LAKE OSWEGO - Veteran mountain climber Terry Cone, who broke his right leg Jan. 27 while attempting what would have been his 85th climb of Mount Hood, said he is recovering nicely and may get a smaller cast in about a month.
Cone, 68, said he's received about 50 get-well cards, many from people he barely remembers meeting. When he hobbled on crutches into the grand opening of the Mazamas' new office one week after his accident, fellow members of the Portland-based mountaineering group cheered him, he said.
Cone, who has set a goal of climbing Hood 100 times, had decided to turn back due to approaching darkness and uncertain conditions when he slipped on ice at about the 9,000 foot level. His right crampon caught on a mogul, snapping his leg just above his climbing boot. Cone crawled to a spot where descending climbers would see him, and the first to spot him was a doctor, who called for help.
Volunteers with Portland Mountain Rescue climbed to reach Cone and brought him down the mountain to a waiting ambulance crew. Officials have described the rescue as a lesson in the necessity of proper gear, nimble rescue agencies, personal grit and luck. Cone had extra clothing and food with him, plus a mountain locator unit. The units, which rent for $5 at mountaineering shops, emits a radio signal that can help rescuers locate lost climbers and hikers.
Willamette Falls public access television launching new show WEST LINN -- Willamette Falls Television, the public access television studio operated by Oregon City and West Linn, is launching a monthly community news program to debut in March.
The show will focus on community groups, nonprofit organizations and people who have information to share with the community, said Melody Ashford, studio manager.
The studio is encouraging representatives from groups and organizations to appear for a three- to five-minute taping at the studio to promote local events, activities and performances.
News items from local government will also be included, she said. Tentative news segments include "Safer Communities," "Mayor's Minute," "Spotlight on Kids," "Your Community at Work," "Healthy Communities," "Join In-Volunteer, "It's Your Turn" and "Beyond our Backyard."
The first taping will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
Clubs and organizations are encouraged to contact Ashford at 503-650-0275 to arrange for taping their segments. Presenters are encouraged to bring their own visual aids such as pictures, powerpoint presentations and video clips. The studio is located at 709 Main St. in Oregon City.
Bills aim to prevent tragedies SALEM -- Operating on the theory that tragedies can be prevented, the Oregon Legislature is poised to take up two bills stemming from recent events on Mount Hood and the Coast Range.
This afternoon, lawmakers will hear testimony on a bill that would require mountaineers to use an electronic-signaling device whenever they climb above timberline during Oregon's cold months.
The bill is in response to the deaths last December of three climbers who set out for what was supposed to be a quick trip to the summit of Oregon's tallest peak. Rescuers found the body of one of the climbers in a snow cave. The other two remain missing and are presumed dead.
Authorities said they might have been able to save all three had they been using easily rented devices that emit a radio signal.
The hearing on House Bill 2509 is before the House Government Accountability and Information Technology Committee and begins at 1 p.m.
On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee will consider a bill that would make it a crime to tamper or interfere with gates or signs restrict access to roads. House Bill 2511 stems from the incident, also in December, in which the Kim family was stranded on a remote road in Southern Oregon.
James Kim died of exposure while looking for help, although his wife and two children were rescued. Kim's father later blamed an unlocked gate that allowed the Kim family access to a logging road, as one of the contributing factors in his son's death.
Native Oregonian is voice of Westminster dog show If you’re tuning into the Westminster Kennel Club's Annual Dog Show, then you’ve heard David Frei’s commentary on pug history and poodle hairdos.
Frei, a 57-year-old New Yorker, has deep Oregon roots. A native Oregonian, Frei is a South Eugene High grad and son of Jerry Frei, the University of Oregon football coach in the late 1960s.
Today, Frei, owner of a pair of Brittanys named Teigh and Belle, is the face of a dog show that draws millions of viewers.
Click below to listen to Frei talk about his experience at the dog show and his take on this movie.
Forget your midday coffee break. Take a nap instead Forward this link to your boss this morning.
Turns out taking a short snooze at work may help your heart. New research found that workers who napped for about 30 minutes three times a week had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart attacks or other heart problems than those who did not nap.
Judging by these Google search results, it looks like a lot of folks already are fans of the workday catnap. (If you need more tips, you can always pick up a copy of this book.)
We're in for a spring preview Saturday as the clouds clear out and the mercury ticks up to a toasty 60 degrees.
Looks like a perfect day for a hike.
And we have just the nifty site to get you started. The Portland Hikers Field Guide has posted a wiki guide to hikes in the Northwest. The site breaks down hikes by difficulty, type and geographic features. Want a family-friend hike? The wiki guide has come up with this long list. Check out these hikes if you want to spot waterfalls.
Go here to see all the categories of hikes in the wiki guide.
Gresham police say they've found van in hit-and-run that critically injured mother of two
Gresham detectives have located a 1993 Chevy Astro van they believe was involved in a hit-and-run accident last week that critically injured a 36-year-old Northeast Portland mother of two.
Police this morning said they have identified a “person of interest” in the crash that hospitalized Anita Perry but have not made any arrests.
They tracked down the van with help from a witness who saw the vehicle leave the accident scene. The van had damage that led police to believe it was involved in the accident.
Police are asking that if anyone saw a similar van driving recklessly between 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 4 to call the tip line at 503-618-2719.
Read more about the crash and Perry's injuries here.
Hercules may be Portland's most famous feline, but these days he's taking his fame in stride.
Geoff Earnest's pudgy kitty has been on CNN. He's slated to appear in an upcoming Martha Stewart Living issue on slimming down fat pets. He's working on a deal to be spokescat for a low-cal cat food.
But Hercules would rather be lounging on a foot rest with Earnest nearby.
Let's get the bad news out of the way first: The rest of the week looks gray and wet. Now the good news: Temperatures on Saturday will climb into the upper 50s, and clouds will clear out.
Portland school budget proposal avoids cuts Superintendent Vicki Phillips proposed a mainly status quo budget for Portland Public Schools on Monday, saying it’s the first time the district has avoided cuts since 1994.
Making that possible: a five-year local-option levy voters passed in November and an expected jump of nearly 20 percent in state money for K-12 education the next biennium.
The budget outlook for the 2007-08 school year means “Portland can xperience stability and momentum rather than dramatic cuts,” Phillips said in a morning news conference at Vernon Elementary School in Northeast Portland. She presented her upbeat budget to the school board Monday night.
The district’s budget designates $408.4 million for general operations in the 2007-08 school year, up 5 percent from this year, including $32 million in reserves. With all funds tallied, next year’s budget will come to $593 million, compared with $554 million this year.
“It’s certainly a bittersweet feeling, but it’s a heck of a lot better than it’s been in the past,” said board member David Wynde.
Phillips’ budget includes a few new initiatives. She proposed having at least three enrichment courses — art, music or physical education — at each school,
though she said she doesn’t want to require that of all schools next year. Some schools already have more electives than that. Phillips said her goal is to add more in subsequent years.
Phillips also proposed hiring 24 school counselors, boosting teacher collaboration, and expanding Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs at four schools: King, Sabin, Skyline and Vernon.
For the full story, see Tuesday's edition of The Oregonian.
Interstate Bridge group looks to preserve Army hospital VANCOUVER -- A realigned Interstate 5 would carve through a brick Army hospital built in 1904, according to tentative plans for an Interstate Bridge replacement.
But officials said Monday they are working on a solution that would spare the U.S. Army Post Hospital in the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, on the east side of I-5. The solution, officials add, would not affect a multimillion-dollar commercial and residential project directly across from the hospital on the west side.
Nevertheless, the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust Board, which oversees several historic structures, is taking the threat seriously. The board has sent a letter to the Vancouver-based Columbia River Crossing staff opposing any realignment plan that would move or demolish the hospital.
"It's not just an old brick building," said Elson Strahan, trust president. "It has tremendous historical significance."
Crossing officials are studying Interstate Bridge options. Replacement likely would mean a bigger bridge that would accommodate more motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and rapid transit.
Crossing officials are talking with the city and the trust about "how do we make this work?" said Doug Ficco, the Crossings project director.
Strahan and Ficco spoke on a break Monday evening from an information meeting Crossing officials held with the Vancouver City Council.
A planning draft could be completed by the end of this year, and a final plan by early 2009, with construction starting in 2010, according to Crossing officials.
Troutdale Council to consider scaled-back housing development The Troutdale City Council will hold a hearing Tuesday on a nine-lot single-family home subdivision to be developed as an alternative to a contentious 19-unit development.
The hearing will be the first of two readings of an ordinance adopting an agreement approving the Tyson's Place single-family subdivision.
The ordinance is part of a settlement the city has entered into with the developer, D.A. Grey Ltd. (also known as its subsidiary Ridge Investments), as a result of a state Land Use Board of Appeals remand.
The original application for the 19-unit condominium Tyson's Place, approved by the planning commission, was appealed to the City Council in August 2005 by neighbors of adjoining Sedona Park, who did not want the access road to Tyson's Place to run through Sedona Park.
The council approved the 19-unit development, but with a condition that prohibited access through Sedona Park. The developer appealed the council's decision to the state land use board and the council's decision was remanded to the city.
In mid-December, the council approved a settlement with the developer, adopting the planning commission's decision, including access through Sedona Park, and agreed to consider a proposal for a nine-lot single family home subdivision. Under the settlement, if the lower-density subdivision is approved, the city will pay the developer $300,000 to cover the loss of revenue.
The second hearing about the nine-lot single family subdivision will take place at the next council meeting, Feb 27.
Corbett principal honored by state group CORBETT-- The assembly today to honor Corbett Principal Randy Trani began with a song -- "Eye of the Tiger." To an outsider, the song, tribute poems and caricature contest may seem a bit unusual.
To those within the community, it is a private joke and a way to honor one of their most beloved administrators.
Trani, who just smiles and laughs at the students' antics, is known for telling stories. And most students know the story of how Trani lost an eye as a toddler.
"It's made me who I am," said Trani, 39. "In fact, I think that's how I got into telling stories and relating to people. I just tell them about it."
Trani was named this year's Secondary Principal of the Year by the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators -- essentially a group of his peers. He was selected for the way he inspires students and staff.
"I'm pleased to honor Randy Trani for setting up an atmosphere of success and challenging students to excel in a variety of ways," said Kent Hunsaker, the confederation's executive director.
Corbett Superintendent Bob Dunton and Trani met 17 years ago in a 100-student school district in Newhalen, Alaska. They spent hours discussing teaching and learning.
"People flat like him," Dunton said. "That's not a bad quality to have ... And he thinks outside of the box. He doesn't even see the box."
Bill would crack down on ID theft SALEM -- The crime of identity theft is growing rapidly in Oregon, costing law enforcement agencies countless hours of time and thousands of dollars, a panel of law enforcement officials told the Senate Commerce Committee today.
"It's beyond a crisis point," Marion County Sheriff Raul Ramirez said. "The issue of identity theft and credit card fraud is so extensive that, as a state, we have to raise the bar for these multiple offenders."
Ramirez and the other law enforcement officials testified in support of Senate Bill 464, which would create a new crime of aggravated identity theft. The bill defines aggravated identity theft as 10 or more separate incidents, or transactions totaling at least $10,000 in losses to the victims, within a six-month period. It would also apply to people who have a previous conviction for identity theft.
The new crime would carry a presumptive sentence of 19 months in prison. In cases involving identity theft transactions in more than one county, the bill would allow prosecutors to bring aggravated identify theft charges against the accused in any of the counties where the transactions took place.
Ramirez said the vast majority of identity theft crimes in the state are linked to the use of methamphetamine. "It's how they support their habit," he said.
Law enforcement officials told the committee that investigating and prosecuting identity theft cases is a costly, time-consuming process.
Michael Korcek, a detective with the Salem Police Department, said he is currently investigating six suspects who allegedly used false identification cards to cash stolen payroll checks in seven Oregon counties, costing nine banks and credit unions more than $220,000.
"You can imagine the expenditure of legal resources and the logistics of transporting six suspects to multiple counties for prosecution," Korcek said.
Detective Terry Fitzpatrick of the Eugene Police Department said that city experienced a 78 percent increase in financial crimes in 2006, including one case that involved 164 victims and a total losses of more than $200,000.
Such crimes "are just tearing our communities apart," Fitzpatrick said.
The committee took no action today on SB 464 and three related measures, and indicated it would form a working group to review details of the bills.
Dodge Park near Sandy may get upgrades SANDY -- The city of Portland is looking to expand and upgrade a popular -- if little known -- park north of Sandy.
Dodge Park, at 10950 Southeast Lusted Road, is managed by the Portland Water Bureau. It is across the street from the bureau's Bull Run maintenance yard, and close to where the Bull Run River flows into the Sandy River.
A public hearing was held in Clackamas County Feb. 1 on the proposed upgrades to the 14-acre park, which may include adding 11 RV and tent camping sites, a host site, picnic shelters, upgrades to an existing shelter, several new roads, a fish cleaning station and a disabled-accessible fishing area. The proposal also calls for showers and an amphitheater.
Clackamas County officials said their decision on the proposal is expected by early March.
According to Portland officials, the park was named for Frank Dodge, the water bureau's superintendent from 1897 to 1914. Electric trolleys allowed visitors from Portland to travel to the park in the early 1910s. A round trip cost $.75. Service ended in December 1930.
To read the proposal and see designs for proposed structures at the park, go here.
Stuart Tomlinson; stuarttomlinson@news.oregonian.com
Warning to parents: Get immunization records up-to-date Public health officials are urging parents to make sure their children’s immunizations are up-to-date.
On Feb. 21, children will be kept out of public and private schools, preschools, Head Start programs and certified child-care centers if they are missing immunizations and do not have an appropriate medical or religious exemption.
“The goal is to make sure children are fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Lorraine Duncan, immunization manager with the Oregon Department of Human Resources.
Last year, health departments in the state sent 30,296 letters to parents informing them that their children needed immunizations to stay in school. More than 5,000 children were kept out of school or child care on “Exclusion Day” until their records showed they had received the required immunizations.
Many get letters because school or day care records are not updated. School and child-care staff use Oregon Immunization ALERT, the statewide registry, to keep records current, but some information is available only from parents. Duncan advises parents to update their child’s immunization record at school or child care after every shot.
Parents seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider, county health clinic or call Oregon SafeNet at 800-723-3638.
Driver escapes Oregon City Amtrak collision Singer Hill Road in Oregon City closed shortly before 4 p.m. today after an Amtrak train hit a vehicle that stalled on the railroad tracks.
The driver abandoned her vehicle before the accident and was not injured, according to John Hopkins, a spokesman for Clackamas Fire District No. 1. Her vehicle was destroyed.
The passenger train waited while the accident was investigated. The road was expected to reopen by about 5 p.m.
Man arrested in Forest Grove break-in FOREST GROVE -- A Forest Grove man was arrested on burglary charges today after police say he broke into an apartment to steal change.
Michael N. Figueroa, 18, was booked at the Washington County Jail on first-degree burglary charges, said Capt. Aaron Ashbaugh, Forest Grove Police Department spokesman.
Ashbaugh said a man and woman living at an apartment in the 1900 block of D Street heard a noise downstairs in their apartment at 11:45 a.m.
Ashbaugh said the male tenant went to investigate and saw a man run out the back door of the apartment and jump over a backyard fence.
When 9-1-1 was called, Forest Grove police found two men sitting in a car across the street. Ashbaugh said Figueroa was breathing heavily and perspiring, as though he had just been running.
Figueroa was arrested after being interviewed at the scene.
The apartment's window had been broken to gain entry but nothing had been taken, Ashbaugh said, apparently because the burglary had been interrupted.
"The apparent motive of the burglary was money, in the form of change," he said.
The amount of change involved was not disclosed by police.
Multicar crash blocks Oregon 212 in Damascus A four- or five-vehicle injury accident blocked Oregon 212 this afternoon just west of Southeast Armstrong Circle, which connects to Southeast 172nd Avenue in Damascus.
At least three people were injured, and emergency workers activated the Life Flight Network. Responding to the scene were Oregon State Police, Clackamas County sheriff’s deputies, Clackamas Fire District 1 and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Drivers should expect possibly long delays. Alternate routes are suggested.
Princesses sought for West Linn's Old Time Fair Court WEST LINN -- Applications for the 2007 Old Time Fair Court are now available at several locations throughout the city, said West Linn's volunteer coordinator Shauna Shroyer.
West Linn girls in 8th grade attending public or private school, or are home-schooled, are encouraged to apply. An information open house will be be held in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 22500 Salamo Road, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20th.
Applications can be picked up at City Hall, the Postal Annex, Athey Creek and Rosemont Ridge middle schools, and at the Three Rivers Charter School. Applications must be received at City Hall by 5 p.m. March 2nd.
Each candidate will be asked to give a speech of three minutes or less telling about themselves and why they want to be a West Linn Old Time Fair Princess. Five princesses will be selected the evening of March 7.
The princesses' duties include assisting with fair events such as Bingo, the "Mutt and Pet" show, "Little Brutes and Beauties," selling raffle tickets and taking a turn in the dunk tank. The Fair Court will represent West Linn at many events throughout the year and in several parades including the West Linn Old Time Fair Parade and the Starlight Parade during Rose Festival.
The West Linn Old Time Fair will run July 20 to 22 in Willamette Park. For more information, contact Shroyer at 503-723-2544.
Proposal would let state take over gift-card balances With Americans spending $50 billion a year on gift cards, odds are you have a loaded gift card jammed somewhere in your wallet or gathering dust in a desk drawer.
You might want to speed up your plans to find it and spend it.
Oregon lawmakers are once again weighing a proposal to let the state get its hands on the remaining balance of any gift cards that go unused for three years.
A proposal backed by Oregon teachers, administrators and school boards would ban stores from putting expiration dates on gift cards and would require stores to turn over to the state any money left unused on a gift card for more than three years. The state would hold the money in trust for the gift card's owner, but would spend the earnings from that money on public schools.
Not so fast, say merchants large and small.
Sure, the customer would benefit if all gift cards last until the full value gets spent, rather than going dead on an expiration date. Go ahead and ban expiration dates on gift cards, said Bill Perry of the Oregon Restaurant Association, Julie Brandis, head of the retail council of Associated Oregon Industries, and Jim Craven, lobbyist for the Oregon council of the American Electronic Association.
But, they asked, would a customer who holds onto a gift card beyond three years rather try to get their money's worth from Macy's, Shari's or Home Depot -- or from the Department of State Lands in Salem, the keeper of all unclaimed property in Oregon?
"You put the retailer in a horrible position," said Perry, the restaurant lobbyist. "My membership as a whole wants to make sure that the customer is satisfied." The bill would set up stores and restaurants to anger customers who wait more than three years to use up a gift card "if you're expecting the retailer to go: 'We can no longer give you your money. You have to go down to the division of state lands to get it,' " Perry said.
A similar proposal to allow the state to claim unspent gift card balances passed the Senate in 2005 but died in the House. This year's proposal, Senate Bill 460, is sponsored by Sen. Ben Westlund, D-Bend.
The Senate Revenue Committee will continue debate on the measure next week.
Tigard woman shot in Kenya improving, friends say TIGARD -- The condition of Carol Briggs, a Tigard woman shot and critically wounded while doing humanitarian work in Kenya, improved over the weekend, according to friends and family in contact with a Kenyan surgeon.
Briggs - the 64-year-old medical volunteer who moved to Kenya in November to help HIV orphans - is in serious condition at a Nairobi hospital after roadside gangsters on Feb. 4 stopped the car she was in and shot her in the mouth.
At first, she suffered brain swelling, but the inflammation is going down, said a Portland friend, Grace Kuto.
When gangsters shot Briggs, they also shot internationally known AIDS researcher Job Bwayo and his wife, who were riding in the same car.
Job Bwayo died at the scene, prompting a national outcry over violence in Nairobi. Elizabeth Bwayo is recovering in the same hospital as Briggs. She is also in serious condition, and improving.
Kuto is preparing to travel to Kenya Tuesday, a few days after Brigg's 22-year-old grandson left Oregon to be with Briggs. A member from Briggs' church - Tigard Community Friends Church - is also in Kenya.
Those who wish to donate to the Carol Briggs medical fund can send donations to the Tigard Community Friends Church, P.O. Box 230117, Tigard, OR, 97281, or make a donation in the name of Carol Briggs at any U.S. Bank.
Legislator calls for cutting back alternatives to prison time SALEM - Oregon should cut back on its "alternative incarceration program" that allows inmates to reduce their prison sentences, Rep. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, said in announcing legislation today.
Thatcher said some inmates are reducing their prison terms 25 to 75 percent. "We're losing credibility with the offenders," Thatcher said of the program, which provides prisoners with 180 days of intensive treatment in custody and 90 days of transitional leave in the community.
The Legislature created the program for minimum-custody prisoners. An inmate's participation must first be approved by a judge in open court at the time of sentencing, and they must complete six months of 14-hours-a-day programs, including residential substance-abuse treatment and cognitive programming.
But Thatcher said she will introduce eight bills calling for restrictions, such as prohibiting inmates convicted of sex crimes or crimes involving death or serious injury from being eligible for the program, and limiting inmates from going through the program more than once.
Two former policemen, Reps. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, and Andy Olson, R-Albany, joined Thatcher to voice support for her legislation. The alternative incarceration program gives the Department of Corrections "too much ability to reduce sentences," added Yamhill County Sheriff Jack Crabtree.
Oregon National Guard soldier from Portland dies in Afghanistan A 27-year-old Oregon National Guard soldier from Portland died Saturday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced today.
Sgt. Long N. Nguyen died in Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, of a noncombat related wound. Nguyen was assigned to the 141st Brigade Support Battalion, Portland, which is part of the Oregon National Guard's 41st Combat Brigade.
There are about 850 Oregon National Guard members in Afghanistan training that country's army and police forces. The 41st Combat Brigade deployed to Afghanistan last June and is scheduled to return this summer.
The Department of Defense said the death is under investigation.
Nguyen's death is the 80th from Oregon in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the first Oregon National Guard death in Afghanistan since September. It is the ninth death of an Oregon soldier in Afghanistan.
Milwaukie, Newberg seek OK to use photo radar Milwaukie and Newberg want to use photo radar and photo red light equipment to enforce traffic laws.
Senate Bill 552 is being co-sponsored by Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland, and by Rep. Carolyn Tomei, D-Milwaukie, at the request of Milwaukie Police Chief Larry Kanzler. Tomei, the former Milwaukie mayor, has been a longtime supporter of photo radar.
The bill would allow the cities to operate cameras at eight intersections in the cities. Each city would notify local drivers of the use of the cameras before any citations are issued and post signs on the streets where the radar equipment is used.
If approved by the state Legislature, Milwaukie and Newberg would join seven other cities that operate photo radar and photo red light equipment. They include Albany, Beaverton, Bend, Eugene, Medford, Portland and Tigard.
Alcohol suspected in Milwaukie police vehicle collision A 21-year-old woman was accused of drunken driving, hit-and-run and trying to elude police after her car crashed into a Milwaukie police vehicle stopped on Oregon 99E.
Elizabeth Painter, who was arrested early Sunday, had a blood alcohol level of 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.
Repair work will disrupt traffic on Southeast Woodstock A sewer repair project begins Tuesday that will close Southeast Woodstock Boulevard between 28th and 39th avenues from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays for as long as five months.
Through traffic will detour to Southeast Steele Street; crews will maintain access for local traffic and emergency vehicles.
The contractor also has the option of working from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, so additional closures may occur.
Multnomah County warns parents about immunizations Children who do not have their immunizations up to date will not be admitted to school on "exclusion day," Feb. 21.
Earlier this month, about 5,230 Multnomah County parents received letters telling them that their children needed shots to continue in school. This year's letters were half the number sent in 2005, when 10,452 letters were mailed.
The exclusion day notice applies to children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start programs, and other children's facilities. About 2,000 children were excluded from school last year until they received needed shots.
The county Health Department is sponsoring a number of immunization clinics this month for children who are underinsured or uninsured. Parents who go to these clinics are asked to take along letters they have received from the school or county health department and, if possible, their children's immunization records.
For more information on upcoming clinics, call 503-988-3816 or visit www.mchealth.org/immunizations.html
Clark County firefighter, Portland attorney face child porn charges A firefighter and a well-known land-use attorney are awaiting trials on charges that they had child pornography on their computers.
According to investigators, Clark County firefighter Travis Hardin and Portland lawyer Larry Epstein were turned in by third parties who had suspicions about their alleged crimes.
Hardin, 25, of Tigard turned himself in Friday on an indictment accusing him of 10 counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse for allegedly having child porn on his computer.
Hardin is on administrative leave from his job as a Clark County firefighter.
Micah Persons, an investigator with the Oregon Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, said Hardin applied for a firefighter job in Maryland in September and as part of the job interview was asked during a lie detector test whether he had ever viewed or possessed child pornography.
Hardin was turned down for the Maryland job when he answered that he had, Persons said. The polygraph examiner forwarded the results of the test to the Oregon Department of Justice child porn task force. Because he is a Tigard resident, his case will be heard in Washington County.
Also facing trial is Epstein, a Portland land-use attorney who has worked on a contract basis handling appeals for a number of local governments, including Washington and Clackamas counties and the city of Tigard.
Persons said Epstein, 54, was indicted on 10 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse for allegedly sending child porn through e-mail and 10 counts of second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse for allegedly having the child porn on his computer.
Persons said the task force started investigating Epstein in October after receiving a tip from Yahoo! that he was using its Internet service to disseminate child porn. The case is being heard in Multnomah County.
Portland schools set public meetings on curriculum changes Portland Public Schools will have four public meetings to offer information and take comment about proposed changes to the district's core curriculum.
For the past decade, Portland schools have received little central office support in improving what is taught in the classroom, the district says. But the district is now working to implement a strong core curriculum. The district says the curriculum will provide greater equity for all students and will balance the need for a common framework against teachers' ability to be innovative in the classroom.
Times and locations of the meetings are:
7 to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 21; Roosevelt High School cafeteria, 6941 N. Central St.
7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 27; Grant High School cafeteria, 2245 N.E. 36th Ave.
7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1; Franklin High School cafeteria, 5405 S.E. Woodward St.
7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 13; Robert Gray Middle School cafeteria, 5505 S.W. 23rd Ave.
For more information about the curriculum, go to http://www.otl.pps.k12.or.us. Comments and questions can be sent to the Office of Teaching and Learning at otlfeedback@pps.k12.or.us.
Eugene hearing set on smoking ban proposal SALEM -- The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing in Eugene this Friday on Senate Bill 571, a proposal for a comprehensive smoke-free workplace law. Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, who chairs the committee, said the hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the University of Oregon Law School.
Oregon already has a workplace smoking ban, but it exempts bars, bowling alleys and bingo halls. The new Senate bill would end those exemptions and ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, including bars and taverns.
At an event announcing Senate Bill 571's introduction today, Burdick and other Democrats noted that Oregon is surrounded by states that have comprehensive workplace smoking bans. "People have the right to work without putting themselves in jeopardy," emphasized Sen. Brad Avakian, D-Portland.
At least two other Senate bills and one House proposal, House Bill 2571, also propose to expand the statewide limits on indoor smoking.
Portland superintendent Phillips releases 2007-08 schools budget Superintendent Vicki Phillips proposed a mostly status quo budget for Portland Public Schools this morning, saying it's the first time the district has avoided cuts since 1994.
The cheerier budget outlook for the 2007-08 school year means "Portland can experience stability and momentum rather than dramatic cuts," Phillips said during a morning news conference at Vernon Elementary School in Northeast Portland.
She'll present her budget proposal to the school board tonight.
There are a few new initiatives. Phillips proposed having at least three enrichment courses -- art, music or PE -- at each school, though she said she won't make the electives mandatory next year. She also proposed hiring 24 school counselors and expanding advanced placement and international baccalaureate programs.
Voters passed a five-year local-option levy in November that's expected to bring in $33 million and cover the loss of one-time money for this year from the city, county, state and a temporary business tax surcharge.
An expected increase in state school funds will help cover increased payroll and benefit costs, district officials said. The district's budget designates $408.4 million for general operations in the 2007-08 school year, up 5 percent from this year.
Teachers are scheduled to get a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise. Less experienced teachers also will get step increases, bringing the average raise to 3.8 percent, Chief Financial Officer Heidi Franklin said. Teacher health benefit costs are expected to increase by 9 percent. Other costs, including supplies and outside contracts, are projected to rise 3 percent.
Boys and Girls Club awarded $500,000 grant A Boys & Girls Club under construction at the New Columbia development in North Portland will receive a $500,000 infusion Thursday from The Regence Group.
Construction of the New Columbia club, which will be Portland’s first completely new Boys & Girls Club in 11 years, is at the halfway point. The new club is expected to serve 1,200 youths.
Regence chief executive Mark Ganz will present the check Thursday. He’ll also be on hand for the “hard hat tour” tour that club officials are holding that day for business and community leaders who’ve provided support for the project.
Woman pleads not guilty to taking rabbits from police HILLSBORO -- A 44-year-old Hillsboro woman pleaded not guilty Monday to breaking into a police storage facility and stealing more than 100 rabbits being kept as evidence in an animal-neglect case against her.
Miriam Elaine Sakewitz was charged with three counts of second-degree burglary and one count each of tampering with physical evidence, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree theft.
Washington County Circuit Judge Rick Knapp set March 12 as Sakewitz's next appearance on those charges, as well as 30 counts of animal neglect.
Sakewitz's private attorney on the new felony burglary case, Adam L. Dean of Portland, said after Monday's arraignment that neither he nor his client had any comment.
In October, police seized 158 live rabbits from Sakewitz's home in the 1800 block of Northeast 23rd Court in Hillsboro. They also found nearly 100 dead rabbits in three freezers and other storage areas.
About 200 rabbits connected to the case were being cared for in a secure warehouse at a secret site. Police said someone cut a chain-link fence, pried open a steel door and took about 130 of the rabbits Jan. 14.
Police arrested Sakewitz in Chehalis, Wash., on Jan. 22 and found nine live rabbits and one dead rabbit in her car. The other missing rabbits were discovered at a nearby horse farm.
-- Holly Danks, hollydanks@news.oregonian.com
To read earlier stories about this case and see a video of the rabbits seized by Hillsboro police, click here.
Forest Grove school leaders consider charter school tonight FOREST GROVE -- Forest Grove School Board members will vote tonight on the charter proposal for the Forest Grove Community School.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Forest Grove School District office, 1728 Main St.
School board members will consider approval of the district's first charter school.
Forest Grove Community School's steering committee wants to start what would eventually become a 250-student eco-friendly charter school. If approved, the K-12 school would open in September.
Teaching methods would include using the community and environment as a basis for learning. Subjects such as math, English, science, social studies and arts would be integrated in lessons.
More than 100 of the charter school's supporters attended a January board meeting. Many who spoke said they would welcome an alternative to traditional public school education.
Two members of Eugene Symphony killed in I-5 crash Sunday Two members of the Eugene Symphony were killed Sunday when their car was struck by a car traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 near Albany, Oregon State Police said.
The driver of the oncoming car was under the influence, police said.
Police this morning identified the victims as Kjersten J. Oquist, 36, of Wood Village, and Angela J. Svendsen, 31, of Vancouver. Both women were wearing seat belts and were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Another passenger in the car, Kelly M. Gronli, 28, of Portland, was taken to an area hospital and has been treated and released.
The women, all members of the Eugene Symphony, were returning home from a symphony rehearsal at the time of the crash. Svendsen is listed as a principal violinist, and Oquist is an assistant principal on the symphony Web site.
Fivea Sharipoff, 26, of northeast Salem, was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway when her car slammed into the other car carrying the symphony members. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Sharipoff, now at the Linn County Jail, is accused of two counts of first-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Police said the investigation into the crash is continuing.
Maybe you’ve already heard that the average American spends a whopping $119 on Valentine’s Day, most of it on flowers, chocolates and jewelry.
Some sweethearts will stick with a simple greeting card.
Don’t know what kind of card to give your boyfriend? No worries. We’ve found a couple tips for you.
According to the professional greeting card-writers at Hallmark, your whole relationship could ride on the kind of card you choose. One greeting card writer offers this advice on picking a card: “If he’s a guy, there's a good chance he'll fall asleep reading a poem longer than, say ... two lines. (Unless it's about cars or football. Then, maybe four.) No matter what, make sure it's short and sweet.”
Want a gift that won't break the budget? You can always pick up some of these. Turns out 8 billion Sweethearts -- those tasty, tiny hearts marked with messages like, “Be Mine” -- will roll out for Valentine’s Day this year. (The National Confections Association tells us that’s enough Sweethearts to stretch back and forth from Rome to Valentine, Ariz., 20 times.)
Update: Power expected to be restored to North Portland by 8:30 a.m. About 1,400 Pacific Power customers in North Portland remain without power this morning after an outage at one of the utility's substations.
Power at the company's Columbia substation went out at 3:14 a.m. and knocked out power to about 4,800 homes, company spokeswoman Bekki Witt said this morning. Power is expected to be restored by 8:30 a.m.
She said crews are working to restore power but have not determined a cause for the failure.
Affected areas include some of Northeast 21st Avenue, Lombard Street, Marine Drive and Columbia Boulevard.
"We should be hearing any minute that customers have been restored," she said.
Motor home sideswipes cruiser on I-84, injures deputy A Multnomah County sheriff’s deputy was injured Sunday evening when a 40-foot motor home sideswiped his parked patrol car on the shoulder of Interstate 84 near Multnomah Falls.
The deputy was sent to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center by ambulance, and his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, according to sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Jason Gates. The deputy and driver of the motor home were not identified.
Gates said that the deputy had been sent at about 6:30 p.m. to help a westbound motorist with a flat tire and had returned to his cruiser when it was hit shortly after 7 p.m.
Tent service at burned-out church draws 500 More than 500 people attended services in a tent Sunday, five days after an explosive fire destroyed Morning Star Missionary Baptist in Northeast Portland.
The congregation and supporters jammed the tent just yards from the heap of blackened timber and the garbage bins of salvaged brick. Morning Star services usually draw 140 to 170 people.
The Rev. Albert Wayne Johnson consoled members who have loved the church for decades, their memories of baptisms and weddings entwined with its 1919 beauty -- the 60-foot steeple, the pipe organ, the glowing stained glass.
God would dry their tears, he said.
As his voice built, people started to stand, applaud and cheer.
"We plan to stay right here!" he thundered.
"Everybody is not destined to stay in the same place, but we are," Johnson said, pointing out the church's service to the inner city, from its soup kitchen to its after school program. "We may have burned out, but our passion is burning within."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Portland woman, 21, dies in Gresham collision A 21-year-old Portland woman died after the car she was driving crossed the center turn lane on Northeast Glisan Street near Northeast 169th Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday and collided with a minivan, according to Gresham police Sgt. Teddi Anderson.
Odosha Phillips, 21, was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, where she died of injuries. Preliminary tests indicated that alcohol might have been a factor, Anderson said.
No injuries, damage reported from quakes A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook the Pacific Ocean early this morning about 150 miles northwest of Bandon.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at 7:34 a.m., about 265 miles southwest of Portland and at a depth of 6.2 miles.
About 10 minutes later, the USGS reported a smaller quake measuring magnitude 1.2 about 120 miles inland, near Maupin. That quake registered at a depth of 11 miles.
No damage or injuries were reported from either quake.
Portland man identified as murder victim Portland police today identified the victim in a fatal shooting Saturday in St. Johns as James Kenneth Miller, 49.
An autopsy report released today showed Miller died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police arrested an acquaintance, who lives five blocks away, in connection with the shooting. Leon James Scott, 28, is charged with one count of felony murder.
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