See why police say there wasn’t anything the driver could have done differently to avoid this New Year’s Eve fatal accident …

SE Powell Blvd. was closed for most of New Year’s Eve while officials from the Portland Police Bureau’s Fatal Crash Team investigated the death of a pedestrian.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
80-year-old Joan Catherine Blake didn’t live to see 2008. She died after she stepped off the curb, wearing dark-colored clothing, to cross SE Powell Boulevard near SE 84th Avenue on New Year’s Eve.

Blake was said to have lived by herself in a seniors’ residence, a block south of the accident.

So poorly lit was the accident scene, we had difficulty focusing on the bright orange traffic cones that marked the site of the fatality. The mishap did not occur in a crosswalk.

“The driver, 44-year-old Thomas Lynn Meeker, was eastbound on SE Powell Boulevard,” Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz reported. “Meeker struck Blake who was crossing SE Powell; he remained at the scene and cooperated with police.”

Traffic Investigators believe neither alcohol nor speed were factors in the collision. And, at this time, no citations have been issued to Meeker.

The investigation is continuing.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Find out why the men and women who prefer green for the color of their work attire give time and money to youngsters who have so little …

The program supervisor at the county jail, Elizabeth Daily (left, red blouse), and other Multnomah County Corrections workers, get ready to hand out the child-specific bundles of toys and clothes they purchased and wrapped for the occasion.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As one may imagine, Christmas can be an unhappy and stressful time for kids of parents who are homeless.

But for 18 years now, members of Local 88/Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Multnomah County Corrections Association have pitched in to help make the Holidays brighter for these kids.

“The day we hold our annual holiday party for the Community Transitions School children,” says Elizabeth Daily, Program Supervisor of the Facilities Security Unit, Multnomah County Inverness Jail, “is always special.”

Dep. Moaning, a veteran, 25-year MSCO corrections officer helps out at the event, on her day off. She’s giving out Honorary Sheriff’s Deputy badges.

“The Community Transitions School is a community-based program that teaches children who are homeless. It helps the children be in a school with other children, all coming from the same family environment as them. Instructors at the school recognize that the children have needs that can’t always be taken care of in a traditional school situation.”

Daily told us that each child at the Holiday event gets four gifts: Two of clothing, and two of toys. “Each gift is specifically chosen for each child; it isn’t a ‘grab bag’. And, everything – the toys, clothes, and pizza for the party – are all donated. Nothing comes out of the Sheriff’s Office budget.”

In the absence of Sheriff Bernie Giusto, Raimond Adgers, Facility Commander, Multnomah County Inverness Jail, (front and center), leads a “singing contest” among the jail’s staffmembers and Deputies.

Sheriff misses party
For the first year we can remember, Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto missed the party. He was talking with County Chair Ted Wheeler about the jail’s management – the same meeting at which he says he was misquoted about retiring from his position.

Raimond Adgers, Facility Commander of Multnomah County’s Inverness Jail, handled the Master of Ceremonies duties. The kids, and their teenage mentors from Wilson High School, sang songs, and participated in the day’s entertainment.

Commander Adgers thanks the kids for a handmade “thank you” card.

Chief Deputy Ron Bishop leads the kids in the official swearing-in of the “Junior Deputies”.

The kids who come to this special party get more than gifts.

“Hopefully, our event helps teach these kids,” Daily said, “that interaction with police officers can be positive. Most of these kids only experience uniformed presence when they are in a highly emotional situation. It is important to us to let them know we are here to keep them safe. Here, they get to see that they are real people who care about them and their community.”

Providing energetic entertainment is Vancouver’s own Curtis Carlyle.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The accused caused thousands in damage to a business – and then wrecked his SUV during the chase. You’ll never guess what he actually trashed a store to steal …

Officers write up their reports, looking at the SUV that plowed through heavy brush and stuck a guard as the driver tried, unsuccessfully, to elude police.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Most folks in Sellwood were winding down, getting ready to settle into the four-day New Year’s weekend, late in the evening of Friday, December 28.

But on that evening, a man, sitting alone in a white 1998 Ford Explorer, outside a business at 8636 SE 17th Avenue in Sellwood, took a swig from a bottle of booze, perhaps screwing up the courage he needed to burglarize the shop he was eyeing.

At 10:06 p.m., police dispatch got a call from a citizen, reporting a man breaking into a lighting fixture business. As they got the description from the caller, dispatchers broadcast officers, asking them to be on the lookout for a white male, average height, late 30s in age, driving a white SUV.

After losing control of his truck, the banged-up bandit, accused of a Sellwood burglary, is strapped to a gurney.

Two minutes later, a patrol car spotted the truck, driving in the dark with its lights off, northbound on SE 17th Avenue, and started following it. At 10:10 p.m., another police officer spoted the truck – and the following patrol car – heading east on SE Tacoma Street, and picking up speed.

Officers reported that they spotted the driver throwing items out of his truck – perhaps a plastic bag and beer cans.

By now fleeing over the Tacoma Overpass, the SUV made a hard left turn on SE 25th Avenue, and squealed onto a business access road under the overpass, and just east of McLoughlin Boulevard. The driver lost control of his vehicle then, mowing down 20 feet of thick brush beside the street.

Cops say the tipsy thief being loaded into the ambulance got a ride to the hospital – with a police officer at his side.

The pursuit ended when the Explorer rammed, head-on, into the end of a thick, firmly rooted steel guardrail. Within minutes, the crew from Westmoreland’s Engine 20 was on-scene, extricating the tipsy thief.

Although he’s an accused drunk driver and burglar, the man was carefully secured on a backboard, strapped to a gurney, and rushed off to Adventist Medical Center – accompanied by a police officer.

41-year-old William Andrew Diamond is the guy police say racked up four charges within fifteen minutes, has a criminal record.

Adds to his criminal record
In addition to filling in details of this abbreviated crime spree, Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz told us the alleged drunken thief is 41-year-old William Andrew Diamond. “He has established quite a record for himself,” he noted.

“He must have gotten banged up,” Schmautz added; “he didn’t get booked until the following day.”

Lynn Keller, partner in KH Lighting, Inc., says he can’t believe all the damage the botched burglary did to their business – which only netted the crook a roll of postage stamps.

Thousands in damage for – postage stamps
A few days after the incident, we visited the business, KH Lighting, Inc., formerly known as Keller’s Home Lighting, a Sellwood-based firm that has designed and manufactured custom lighting fixtures for many of the top architectural and design firms in the nation since 1964.

One of the business’ owners, Lynn Keller, greeted us as we enter. Plywood covered a broken-out 8′ x 8′ plate glass window in the front room.

“From what we can tell, he just picked up a rock and threw it through the window. The glass will cost about $450 to replace,” reported Keller. “And, he damaged the $2,000 worth of finished lighting fixtures he stumbled over.”

“What was stolen?” we asked.

“Of all things,” replies Keller, “A roll of postage stamps. We didn’t find anything else missing. My brother, David, is going to testify at the grand jury against him. I hope they put this guy away.”

After mowing down thick brush and saplings, the accused thief’s get-away car was heavily damaged as it struck a steel guard rail head-on.

Draws four charges
According to Sgt. Schmautz, Diamond is charged with Burglary in the 2nd Degree, Attempt to Elude Police Officers, Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, and Driving While Intoxicated or Impaired (DWII).

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

In a split-second, one driver’s inattention sends another driver to the hospital. Remember these photos when you’re driving at night …

Officials say it took Portland Fire & Rescue workers considerable effort to safely remove the driver of the Mazda Protégé after it was struck by the Toyota SUV.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Although it was dark by 6:30 p.m., on New Year’s Eve, neither of the drivers of the two vehicles that collided in Powellhurst-Gilbert had been drinking. Officials say it was simply a moment’s inattention that led to the traumatic intersection crash.

So severe was the pile-up, a Portland Fire & Rescue truck was called to the motor vehicle accident at the intersection of SE 104th Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard simply to extricate 45-year-old Caroline Scott from her 1999 Mazda Protégé.

Turns in front of traffic
Scott, according to Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, was westbound on SE Holgate Boulevard. “There wasn’t an indication of excessive speed or impairment.”

Officials warn that taking your eyes off the road, even for a moment, can result in a life-threatening crash like this one.

The other vehicle involved, a black 1994 Toyota 4-Runner, was driven by 27-year-old Elysia Simmons.

A passenger riding in the Toyota told us at the scene, “We were going east on Holgate, turning left (north) on 104th. I yelled when I saw the car coming, and she hit the brakes.”

Simmons was cited for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why you should make sure your home’s chimney is free of creosote build-up – even if you don’t have a fireplace …

The crew of Engine 23 attacks the fire started near the home’s furnace.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
Homeowners are cautioned to make sure that creosote – a thick, oily liquid that gradually coats the interior lining of flue pipes and chimneys – doesn’t build up in their fireplaces.

But, as occupants of a home just east of Cleveland High School, at 2920 SE Franklin Street, found out on Dec. 21 – this admonition also applies to furnace chimneys.

This fire could have been prevented, officials say, by keeping the chimney and furnace flue free of creosote buildup.

Fire smolders for hours
Officials say that one of the home’s occupants, Thomas Smith, told them he put about six gallons of #2 diesel fuel in the basement furnace tank about 10 o’clock that morning. Smith turned up the thermostat upstairs, and left about 20 minutes later.

When he returned home about eight hours later, he was confronted with a wall of thick, gray smoke when he opened the front door.

Neighbors told us they smelled smoke, and noticed thick, gray smoke coming out of the chimney, but didn’t investigate further.

Then, Smith reported, he went around the house to a door leading to the home’s basement, and said he noticed that the walls were scorched and smoke filled the basement. Minutes later, the fire “flashed over”, and fire erupted throughout the basement and came up the stairwell.

Had the fire call come in earlier, this house would have suffered much less extensive damage.

Firefighters navigate through thick smoke
“When Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 23 pulled up, at 7:20 p.m., the crew found thick, black smoke billowing out the front door of the two-story home,” Battalion Chief C1 Scott Beyers told us at the scene.

“That crew headed for the basement to attack the fire. The Truck 25 crew went to check for fire in the attic,” continued Beyers. “Then we had crews check for fire extension from the basement. There was an interior stairwell they opened at the top, to check the top part of the staircase.”

Firefighters reported that the blaze extended through the house by traveling up through a laundry chute. “The basement was divided up with shelving; it made it difficult for the firefighters to maneuver to the base of the fire.”

Ignition factor: Lack of maintenance
The fire inspector ascertained that the fire started in the flue of the home’s oil-fired boiler/heater unit. The inspector noted reported that the chimney and the flue were heavily caked with creosote buildup; the chimney clean-out was also full.

The loss was set at $90,000.00. While there weren’t any human injuries, a cat perished in the fire. The occupants were referred to the Red Cross for shelter.

Firefighters exit the house after putting out the fire that extended upward through the home by way of a laundry chute.

An ounce of prevention …
“A very hot fire in a well-working fireplace,” explained the fire bureau’s spokesman, Lt. Allen Oswalt, “can prevent creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire, because the continued heat output from the fire eventually warms up the lining of the chimney sufficiently to revaporize the deposited creosote.

“But many people don’t think about having their furnace’s flue and chimney cleaned. That maintenance could save your life.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why you should make sure your home’s chimney is free of creosote build-up – even if you don’t have a fireplace …

The crew of Engine 23 attacks the fire started near the home’s furnace.

Story and Photos by David F. Ashton
Homeowners are cautioned to make sure that creosote – a thick, oily liquid that gradually coats the interior lining of flue pipes and chimneys – doesn’t build up in their fireplaces.

But, as occupants of a home just east of Cleveland High School, at 2920 SE Franklin Street, found out on Dec. 21 – this admonition also applies to furnace chimneys.

This fire could have been prevented, officials say, by keeping the chimney and furnace flue free of creosote buildup.

Fire smolders for hours
Officials say that one of the home’s occupants, Thomas Smith, told them he put about six gallons of #2 diesel fuel in the basement furnace tank about 10 o’clock that morning. Smith turned up the thermostat upstairs, and left about 20 minutes later.

When he returned home about eight hours later, he was confronted with a wall of thick, gray smoke when he opened the front door.

Neighbors told us they smelled smoke, and noticed thick, gray smoke coming out of the chimney, but didn’t investigate further.

Then, Smith reported, he went around the house to a door leading to the home’s basement, and said he noticed that the walls were scorched and smoke filled the basement. Minutes later, the fire “flashed over”, and fire erupted throughout the basement and came up the stairwell.

Had the fire call come in earlier, this house would have suffered much less extensive damage.

Firefighters navigate through thick smoke
“When Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 23 pulled up, at 7:20 p.m., the crew found thick, black smoke billowing out the front door of the two-story home,” Battalion Chief C1 Scott Beyers told us at the scene.

“That crew headed for the basement to attack the fire. The Truck 25 crew went to check for fire in the attic,” continued Beyers. “Then we had crews check for fire extension from the basement. There was an interior stairwell they opened at the top, to check the top part of the staircase.”

Firefighters reported that the blaze extended through the house by traveling up through a laundry chute. “The basement was divided up with shelving; it made it difficult for the firefighters to maneuver to the base of the fire.”

Ignition factor: Lack of maintenance
The fire inspector ascertained that the fire started in the flue of the home’s oil-fired boiler/heater unit. The inspector noted reported that the chimney and the flue were heavily caked with creosote buildup; the chimney clean-out was also full.

The loss was set at $90,000.00. While there weren’t any human injuries, a cat perished in the fire. The occupants were referred to the Red Cross for shelter.

Firefighters exit the house after putting out the fire that extended upward through the home by way of a laundry chute.

An ounce of prevention …
“A very hot fire in a well-working fireplace,” explained the fire bureau’s spokesman, Lt. Allen Oswalt, “can prevent creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire, because the continued heat output from the fire eventually warms up the lining of the chimney sufficiently to revaporize the deposited creosote.

“But many people don’t think about having their furnace’s flue and chimney cleaned. That maintenance could save your life.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See why officers say this “cop shop” will be more than just a report-writing station …

Officer Greg Baldwin, Dennis Adair, manager Parkrose Hardware, and Sgt. John Anderson here look at lighting improvements they’ll be making at the new Parkrose Police Contact Center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Portland Police Bureau will soon have a new East Precinct Contact Center on NE Sandy Boulevard at NE 111th Avenue.

“Parkrose has traditionally been ignored by the city,” explains the project manager, Sgt. John Anderson. “Even with our enhanced patrols, there’s still a lot of crime, including drugs and prostitution. Increased police presence here would be a good deterrent.”

Some police substations, often referred to as “cop shops”, provide a place for district officers to relieve themselves, eat lunch – and write reports.

Adair and Anderson check out the front door, while identifying improvements they plan to make to the office space.

A community meeting place
“While it won’t be full-time staffed by officers,” Anderson says, “We want this to be a place where people can come and gather. It will be open to the public, so citizens can speak directly to an officer when they’re here.”

The sergeant says he plans to hold monthly events at the office. “We’ll talk about all kinds of public safety issues – including graffiti, identity theft, and elder abuse – in addition to working together to solve problems from drugs and prostitution.”

Special Parkrose phone hot-line
Anderson also plans to install a “Parkrose Crime Hotline” phone line for non-emergency problems. “Citizens can call and talk to a district officer right here. Officers will log the issues and problems which neighbors call in.”

Rossi family contributes community office
They were contacted by the Rossi family, Anderson tells us, and were offered the office space, “charging only a dollar per year. It’s a great deal for us and for the community”.

Although the space is in fairly good condition, police and community members will be sprucing up the office with new lighting, some fresh paint, and new carpeting.

In a few weeks, this office will become the newest East Portland police substation.

“We’re doing this on a tight budget,” reports Anderson, “so we’re accepting volunteer labor help and contributions of materials.”

Already, Parkrose Hardware has donated paint, hardware, and some electrical supplies.

“We look forward to having an open house in the spring,” Anderson says. “I hope the neighbors and businesses will come join us in making Parkrose a safer and more livable community.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

See how, by acting on a hunch, this East Precinct police sergeant put the brakes on three gun-toting crooks. How did a standoff with one of the thugs end? Read this …

SE Powell Blvd. was closed from mid-afternoon until 10:30 p.m. as police and SERT officers tried to coax a suspected gunman out of a home he’d invaded.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Joey Conn walked in on three armed thugs committing a home-invasion robbery at his Centennial neighborhood house in the 2500 block of Southeast 168th Avenue, shortly after 3:00 p.m. on December 7.

This crime, which included Conn being pistol-whipped before the trio ran off, kicked off an eight-hour police action that closed SE Powell Blvd. from SE 112nd Avenue to SE 122nd Avenue.

Acting on a hunch, Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Sgt. John Anderson (shown here previously speaking at a Parkrose Business Association meeting) said he was the first to spot the thug’s getaway car.

Sergeant spies get-away car
Portland Police Bureau East Precinct’s day sergeant, John Anderson, told us his role in this story. He said it started when he heard a radio dispatch call about the home invasion robbery.

“After you’ve been a cop for a while,” Anderson began, “you sometimes get a hunch about where to be.”

Anderson headed east on SE Powell Blvd., he continued, looking for the smaller, white Chevrolet identified in the dispatch call. “The license plate number stuck in my mind. The number on the plate reminded me of the name of a company with which I deal.”

Trapped on a dead-end street
When he saw a small, white car, Anderson related, he spied the plate – and it matched the description. “I made a hard U-turn and headed west. Fortunately a TriMet driver let me in. I followed the car, and turned south on SE 118th Avenue – it’s a short dead-end street.”

As he pulled up at the end of the road, the trio of suspects had abandoned the car with engine still running. “I saw two of them hike over the fence westbound. I radioed asking for more cars – and to come with their sirens on. Hearing the cars approaching often encourages [fleeing criminals] to give up.”

Makes a second, armed home invasion
But, almost immediately after the suspects split up and ran, the 911 Center received a call from an apartment a block away. The resident reported that someone had forced entry to his apartment and hit him with a gun.

During the struggle, a shot was fired. “Fortunately for that man,” Anderson said, “the gun jammed after the round went off.” The suspect then fled the apartment.

Within minutes, officers had two of the three suspected home invaders pinned down, waiting for police backup before taking them into custody.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers stand back while SERT officers search in darkness – because of the early winter sunset – for the armed, accused criminals who didn’t ditch their guns.

Kicks in the door of a third residence
As patrol cars swooped into the area, folks from a house in the 11600 block of SE Powell Blvd. ran from their house.

“They told us that it sounded like someone kicked in the door leading to the washroom and basement of their house,” Anderson told us.

Officers secured the home and surrounded the yard. Anderson activated the bureau’s Special Emergency Response Team (SERT). “When we have a situation with armed individuals on the run, or in a standoff, barricaded in a home, the SERT team has the equipment and training to deal with it.”

The holed-up suspect then broke into the main part of the house, said Anderson. “It looks like he smoked some cigarettes and stole money from the house while he was in there, surrounded by police.”

Spreading out over a two-block area of Powellhurst-Gilbert, officers combed yards, outbuildings and brambles.

SERT combs blocks
Because there was talk that there were others involved and still on the loose, Anderson reported that the SERT officers made a careful, yard-by-yard search of two-block area.

“Using our night-vision scopes, I could see them moving through the area. At one point, they used a ladder to climb over brambles. Those are long blocks where Powell Court curves around. They searched every shed and thicket in the area.”

Holed-up suspect gives up
Because the suspect had invaded the house of innocent citizens, officers hesitated to shoot tear gas into the house.

“They set up a loud-hailing system and kept telling the guy to surrender,” continued Anderson. “Finally, a SERT officer shot a ‘SAGE’ round — a rubber baton – through the home’s front door window. The suspect gave up and was taken into custody about 10:20 pm.”

Police say they’ve charged (shown left to right) 28-year-old James Gerald Richardson, 20-year-old George Edward Rowe and 27-year-old Travis Edward Saltsman each with four counts of Robbery in the First Degree.

Three in custody
Police initially took 28-year-old James Gerald Richardson and 20-year-old George Edward Rowe into custody. Finally, after the hours-long standoff, they led 27-year-old Travis Edward Saltsman away. Three handguns were recovered.

“Thanks to good police work, Anderson said, “we contained the suspects in a relatively small area.”

We learned that a total of 67 officers were on-scene; the number grew to 120 when the SERT officers joined the mission.

“This was one of the more intense situations I’ve been in years,” Anderson concluded. “We’re not going to risk the public’s safety when we know there are three armed guys, on the run, forcing their way into houses.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

The young man’s mother says her son, the accused drunk driver, is “a good boy”. See why the bereaved family may hold a different opinion …

This broken sapling is the only reminder of the fatal accident – on this SE Stark Street sidewalk – that took the life of a pedestrian.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Nearly the whole night, on December 11, the 11200 block of SE Stark Street was closed, as the Portland Police Bureau’s Major Crash Team investigated a fatal collision between a Jeep and pedestrian.

Just after 11 p.m., 42-year-old Angela Buyas had been walking near her home, westbound on the sidewalk along SE Stark Street with another person. She never saw the out-of-control vehicle careening toward her from behind.

“Based on information learned during the investigation, officers believe that a Jeep was driving westbound on SE Stark St. at a high rate of speed,” reported Portland Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz. “The driver lost control of his car and drove it up onto the sidewalk on the north side of the street.”

The individual with whom she was walking saw the Jeep at the last moment and jumped clear, but Buyas, a mother of three teenagers, was mowed down, investigators said.

The Jeep’s driver, 21-year-old Tareq Temple, “returned to the roadway and continued westbound for about a half block before stopping, then ran back to the scene. Temple remained there until officers arrived, and cooperated with the investigation,” Schmautz continued.

Temple was taken into custody and charged with one count each of DUII, Reckless Driving, and Manslaughter in the Second Degree.

“As you can imagine, the kids have been devastated by the news that their mom has been killed,” added Schmautz. “The victim’s children are being cared for by their grandmother.”

Police accuse 21-year-old Tareq Temple of killing a pedestrian with his Jeep as she walked along a sidewalk near her home.

Following Temple’s arraignment, his mother, Annette Moody, spoke briefly, saying “Please forgive my son, he’s a good boy.”  She admonished the family of the slain mother to be strong, and added, “It was a terrible mistake.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Learn why the crew of Portland Fire & Rescue Station 30 proudly showed off their firehouse, and what the improvements mean to the community …

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighter Kyle MacLowry shows the engine to future firefighter Cooper White, being held by his mom, Tracy.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Rescuing and firefighting is a serious profession. Members of Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) are ready to save lives and put out fires at any time of any day.

But on November 27, the staff of PF&R Station 30, at 13313 NE San Rafael Street, couldn’t resist throwing a party to celebrate their firehouse’s reopening.

“After being closed for about 18 months,” says Captain Fred Ellison, “We want to celebrate our reopening.”

Ellison told us the station underwent a major remodeling. The building was made more structurally sound to resist the effects of earthquakes and other natural disasters. “Also, our living areas are more gender-friendly, providing private showers and rooms for our firefighters. Our giant dorm has been broken into very nicely-sized rooms.”

In addition to the new look inside the station, the firehouse got a new name –or, we should say, number. “We are the home of Engine 30, formerly known as Engine 43,” Ellison says. “We also house a call-back rig Engine 30R. It is fully prepared for greater-alarm fires. Crews can be called in to take it to a fire when needed. We have no ladder trucks here.”

An active member of many community organizations, Jon Turino Farmer’s Insurance agent, says he’s never been in a fire engine before. So, Captain Fred Ellison helps him climb into the driver’s seat. Ellison explains the function of the controls of Engine 30. Yes, the lights were flashing!

Ellison says he’s pleased with the community’s response to the open house.

“We’ve had a couple hundred visitors here today, including some school groups. Some retired firefighters came by to look over their old station,” Ellison reports. “Some of them told stories about life in the dorm, and commented on the change to having individual bedrooms. They said it looks like we’ll be comfortable here.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

While they couldn’t save the motor home, see how a snap decision of a Portland Fire & Rescue lieutenant saved the family’s home …

Using Compressed Air Foam to put out the hotspots, firefighters make sure the motor home fire is completely out.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The simple act of trying to start up a motor home could have ended up burning down the resident’s house and garage on Nov. 24.

“The owner told me the motor home had been sitting for quite a while,” reported Lt. Mark Lyons, Engine 25 as his crew continued to spray fire-extinguishing foam into the shell of the vehicle.

The lieutenant in charge of the effort added, “He said he started it up and saw some smoke. He saw the gas dripping from the gas line. A fire broke out. He went to get a fire extinguisher, and it didn’t put out the fire.”

So intense was the heat from the burning RV, the vinyl siding drips off the home next to it.

Called in as a vehicle fire
We learned from Battalion Chief, District #4, Mark Gift, that the call reporting the fire, in the 6500 block of SE 69th Ave., came in at 12:22 pm.

“When Engine 25 was enroute, they noticed a substantial column of smoke while they were still on heading south SE 52nd Ave., before they turned up Duke St.,” Gift told us. “It was originally dispatched as a vehicle fire; a motor home in a driveway adjacent to a house.”

Just five minutes after the fire call comes in, Engine 25 rolled up to the scene.

“When they arrived, the found a motor home half involved [on fire],” said Gift. “The fire was significant enough that the house immediately to the north and the garage immediately to the west were exposed to high temperatures from the fire.”

Fast response, and a timely decision to call in more units, save this home from going up in smoke.

Lt. Lyons requested a residential fire response. “This gives us a total of four engines, a ladder truck and two battalion chiefs to fight the fire,” explained Gift.

We saw that the home’s vinyl siding has melted, oozing and dripping on the driveway from the fire’s intense heat. The front of the detached garage was smoking, as if about to catch fire.

Thanks to the precision teamwork of responding firefighters, the fuel-fed fire engulfing the blazing RV was quenched. “There was some damage to the exterior of the house and the face of the garage. But there were no exertions inside,” said Lyons. “But it looks like the motor home is pretty much a loss.”

No one was injured; loss estimates were not available.

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

Even though local meth labs are nearly a thing of the past – when you learn where this lab was located, you’ll be glad this ex-con is behind bars …

Behind these trees is the home where the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit deputies say they found pounds of expensive chemicals used specifically for making methamphetamine.

Story and photo by David F. Ashton
Because of legislation making pseudoephedrine-containing medications available only by prescription – and the steady flow of illicit drugs coming up from our southern border – home-based methamphetamine (meth) manufacturing labs around Portland are pretty much a thing of the past.

But, not entirely. Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) deputies reported they seized the chemicals needed to run a large-scale meth lab in S.E. Portland just after noon on November 29.

The alleged drug lab, located in a home at 3622 SE 49th Ave., was a half-block east of Creston Elementary School. As we walked down the street near the house, we could clearly hear the laughter of children playing during recess.

To learn more about the bust, we spoke with the MCSO spokesman, Lt. Jason Gates. “We’ve seen a dramatic decrease in meth labs. In the past, we closed down as many as 40 a year; this is only the third lab we’ve uncovered this year. But, any lab – especially this close to a school – is a danger to the community.”

Suspected of running drug lab
Gates says the SIU had been conducting an ongoing, covert investigation regarding 55-year-old Ted Wayne Berardinelli, who they said has a history of being involved in clandestine drug labs.

“They applied for and were granted a search warrant,” continued Gates. “When they executed the search warrant, they discovered specific chemicals used for making meth. The lab wasn’t set up and operating, but they found finished methamphetamine.”

Signs posted on this house make it clear that this house contained the hazardous chemicals officers say are used to cook up batches of meth. The day after the raid, when these photos were taken, it appears as if someone tried to remove the stickers.

Pounds of illicit chemicals found
In addition to the street-ready meth, deputies also found a large quantity of chemicals that are typically used to manufacture meth, Gates said.

Specifically, deputies said they discovered 35 lbs. of elemental iodine and 6 lbs. of red phosphorous.

“The average citizen wouldn’t have a use for these chemicals at home – they are not cleaning or hobby materials,” Gates explained. “And, they’re expensive. Elemental iodine goes for $300 to $600 per pound on the black market. Red phosphorous sells for up to $600 per pound.”

The Multnomah County Drug Lab Response Team was called in to mitigate the hazards associated with the lab, and process the lab evidence for prosecution.

Sheriff’s deputies took 55-year-old Ted Wayne Berardinelli into custody. He now has five charges against him.

Ex-con with guns – and silencers
In addition to the meth and chemicals, deputies also reported finding a .38 caliber pistol, .22 caliber rifle with silencer, and a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer.

“It is illegal for an ex-con to have a weapon,” Gates commented. “And, gun silencers are illegal for anyone to possess.”

Berardinelli has been lodged in the Multnomah County Detention Center on the following charges:

• Manufacturing a controlled  substance (meth) within 1000 feet of a school;
• Distribution of a controlled substance (meth) within 1000 feet of a school;
• Possession of a controlled substance (meth);
• Three counts of ex-con in possession of a firearm; and
• Two counts of unlawful possession of silencers.

“This event demonstrates that some meth labs still do exist in the community,” Gates concluded. “Citizens still should be diligent, and report behavior they suspect is associated with this activity.”

© 2007 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service