Most folks in outer East Portland occasionally need to go to the west side – and frequently use the Sellwood Bridge. Here’s what the County is doing to keep it intact …

Even with all of the “bridge closed” signs up, some drivers still acted surprised to find the Sellwood Bridge closed for inspection on May 18th.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
While we were out reporting on this story on Sunday, May 18th, drivers who ignored the five “Sellwood Bridge Closed” signs posted starting from SE 17th Avenue westward rolled down their window and asked, “Why is it closed again?”

As we drew closer to the workers above and below the side-hanging gantry crane, we could see workers measuring and marking on the bridge.

We hiked down to the trail below, and observed two Multnomah County Bridge employees inspecting the aging structure inch by inch.

Using a specially designed rig, crews can inspect the sides and under deck areas of bridge from this moving platform.

“The purpose was to map the cracks into which epoxy will be injected in August,” we later learned from Multnomah County spokesman Michael Pullen.

“There are cracks, both in the concrete bridge deck and in the girders. Our workers were documenting the size of the cracks.”

It’s clear where concrete has broken off and the exposed steel rebar is rusting. Officials are more concerned, though, about rust weakening the internal structure which is hidden from view.

To be able to draw up a work contract, all of the cracks, Pullen said, must be identified and located.

“This is a low-cost, short-term measure to prolong the life of the bridge. The purpose of sealing the cracks is to keep water out. When water seeps in, it rusts the rebar. When the cracks are filled with epoxy, the experts say it will slow the bridge’s deterioration.”

A Multnomah County bridge maintenance worker measures and marks cracks to be injected with epoxy during a planned August closure.

In August, the Sellwood Bridge will be closed for two or three days and nights while the epoxy injection work is being done – so, expect a 10-mile detour looping around and over the Ross Island Bridge before Labor Day.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See how this food festival helps unite the DDHS student body – and raise funds for student organizations – at the same time …

“HOUSE RECYCLING” PROGRESS REPORT: We’re checking in again with Ms. Q-Renew as she continues her project of recycling an old, dilapidated house into a brand new home – located on the same lot …

The old house they dismantled on SE Rex Street had lath-and-plaster interior walls – they reused the lath to provide a “rain-screen” that provides an air space between the siding and the wall.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The house that Shannon Quimby — “Ms. Q-Renew” from HGTV — is building on SE Rex Street in Westmoreland is nearly finished.

“We tore down a house on the property,” Quimby reminds us when we visit.  “We’re infusing all the materials from the original house into our new one – and we’re doing it without a Dumpster.”

Old walls into new rain screen
“In older construction here in the Westmoreland area, many of the houses’ interiors featured lath and plaster,” says Quimby. “Lath is the thin wooden boards that made up the framework over which plaster was spread.”

Instead ripping it all out, they carefully salvaged the lath boards, she says. “It took me three days to pull out all the nails! They’re becoming a ‘rain-screen’.”

She explains that a rain screen goes between the outer siding and the inner portion of the house.  “If any water seeps into the siding, it’ll vaporize before it hits the side of the house, preventing mold and mildew. The materials cost me zero dollars.”

Even the rock wool insulation was reused – it insulates the new fireplace flue.

New life for old insulation
Walking over the fireplace, Quimby shows us a bag of rock wool salvaged from the old house.

“It’s a natural mineral, and was standard insulation back in the 1930s. It is a fire retardant. Instead of throwing it in the dump, we put it around our fireplace flue.”

“I’ve always wanted a tree house,” says Shannon Quimby. “We’re building one from framing scraps and dismantled wood from our old house, for our six-year-old.”

Yard gets a bonus house
The spunky Quimby can’t resist showing off a “bonus house” – a new tree house. “We’re building it using a combination of the leftover framing materials, and dismantled wood from our old house.  I always had a dream of having my own tree house.  Now our six-year-old son will be able to have his own tree house.”

This new insulation technique decreases foam waste by 80 percent, Quimby says, as Rian Schmidt from Northwest Foam Home injects insulation under the plastic sheeting that contains it.

Novel insulating technique cuts waste
We next climb upstairs and watch as wall insulation is being installed. “They’re using a new technique that it decreases their waste of foam by up to 80%. By tacking plastic on the frame, and not allowing the foam to expand past the plastic, they use much less foam. Because they’re dedicated to reducing waste, it’s a perfect match for us.”

Home Tour brings many guests
“The ‘Ultimate Open House Tour’ wrapped up a couple of weeks ago,” Quimby mentions. “I was both amazed and pleased that nearly 2,000 people came by to look at how we’re recycling a house.”

Quimby says if builders and remodelers adopt their “no waste” techniques, their clients would save money while they help the environment. “Over 60% of our landfills are filled with construction materials, waste, and byproducts. We want to help build a better future for our children.”

Want to learn more? Check her web site at www.shannonquimby.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News Service

It’s ore than your ordinary obedience school. See how this organization helps folks with a wide variety of disabilities have richer lives, thanks to their helpful pooch …

“Paws To Freedom” client Joanne Bryngelson says the organization has, with the help of her service dog Sadie, gotten her get out of the house and enjoying life again.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Owners bringing their dogs to the lower level of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on SE 39th Avenue aren’t coming to help correct Fido’s bad habits.

“Welcome to Paws to Freedom, Inc. a non-profit service dog team training, support, and education organization,” greeted Mara Windstar, the organization’s founder.

When we visited during an open house, not long ago, Windstar explained that “service dogs” assist individuals with disabilities. “Some people have visible disabilities; they use a wheelchair or move mobility device. Other people have ‘invisible disabilities’ like a psychiatric condition, diabetes, or a seizure disorder. The dogs are trained to have public access skills, as well as special skills needed by the client.”

Public access skills, she noted, are those that help the client move about in the outside world – like going to stores, or to work. “Dogs that can be trained to retrieve items, help with doors, and turn on flights. Specifically what they do all depends on their handler and the disabilities.”

Lifesaving skills learned
Some dogs, Windstar continued, can detect the seizure. “But all dogs can be trained for seizure response, whether or not they can detect it.  They can be trained to push a button that is to a telephone to call for help for example. Often they stay with the person; if the dog is right up against the person lying against them, they can help the length of the seizure become shorter.”

Other dogs can be trained to help owners with diabetes. “They can be trained to detect low blood sugar. This can be lifesaving for some people for people that have frequent or unexpected blood sugar drops.”

Trained 23 service dogs
Since Windstar started training her own service dog in 2001, she and her volunteers have by now worked with a total of 23 service dogs.

“We’ve learned that not all dogs are suited for the program. We’ve also learned that training is a big commitment. The handler must be willing to work the dog 24/7. One of my jobs is to figure out how the owner can have schedule training. It’s very different from pet dog training.”

Partners in training
At the open house, a client, Joanne Bryngelson, talked about the Paws to Freedom, Inc. program. She appeared to be calm and relaxed as she lauded the organization and its volunteers.

Speaking about the reason she sought a service dog, Bryngelson explained, “I have really high level anxiety and agoraphobia.”

It was her therapist, Bryngelson recalled, that told her about the organization.

“The biggest difference that Sadie, my service dog, makes in my life is that I can go out in public and enjoy myself. I’m here today and I’m talking to you, and I feel pretty calm. It’s amazing. It’s just really easy to stay inside, but it’s so destructive; I don’t want to spend the rest of my life indoors.”

On the way out, Windstar commented, “We are an all-volunteer program; we’ll do it because we love it. We’re committed to people being able to be more independent.”

Learn more about their program online by visiting: www.PawsToFreedom.org, or by calling 503-231-2555.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

We don’t know why the alleged murderer shot a man in the head – with a witness present. But, we do know that then greeting the police with a gun in hand is a very bad idea …

Throughout the night – and most of the next day – NE Glisan Street was closed to traffic for blocks west of the I-205 freeway, as police tried to unravel both a murder and an officer-involved shooting.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
You wouldn’t notice the house at 9124 NE Glisan Street if you drove past it – other than that the weeds in front of it are knee-high, nearly obscuring a realtor’s “for sale” sign posted near the street.

But, this house became the scene of two deaths – and a fire – on May 13.

The bizarre incident started when a woman called 9-1-1 at 8:26 p.m., reporting she had just witnessed a murder.

Police approached the house cautiously. They spotted a 27-year-old man, later identified as Jason Spoor, walking outside, and then quickly running back indoors.

Police investigators brought all their gear in to process this crime scene.

Comes out, gun in hand
The officers called for backup when, several minutes later, they saw Spoor reappear in the doorway.

“When he opened the front door,” reported Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, “he walked outside holding a handgun.”

Based upon officers’ statements, and confirmation by independent witnesses, said Schmautz, the officers repeatedly told the man to drop the gun. At the same time that the officers were confronting the armed subject, other officers heard snapping and crackling sounds, and saw smoke starting to come from the house.

Inside and out, investigators and detectives gather evidence at the scene.

“The armed subject ignored the officers’ repeated commands to drop the gun, and began to approach additional officers at the scene. During the confrontation, two officers discharged their weapons, and the subject fell to the ground and died,” explained Schmautz.

Police say when they searched the house, they found this man, 29-year-old Dwayne Hampton, dead of a single gunshot wound.

After the shooting, a Portland Fire & Rescue crew rushed in and extinguished the fire inside the residence.

Officers then entered the residence and found a dead man there, whom the Multnomah County Medical Examiner identified as 29-year-old Dwayne Hampton. “The cause of death has been determined to be a single gunshot wound to the head,” Schmautz said. “Jason Spoor has been identified as the suspect in connection with this homicide.”

Two officers fired at Spoor, but only one struck and fatally wounded the man suspected of murdering the dead man found in the house.

Killed with one shot
The Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy the following day, and determined that Spoor was killed by a single gunshot to the head.

Although many media outlets have focused their attention on one officer involved in the shooting, Schmautz tells us two cops fired at Spoor.

“During the confrontation, two officers discharged their weapons,” Schmautz stated. “The officers are identified as 45-year-old Timothy Bacon, a 14-year veteran of the Police Bureau currently assigned to Southeast Precinct, and 32-year-old Officer Scott McCollister, a 7-year veteran, currently assigned to East Precinct.”

Motive still unclear
As this investigation continues, officials haven’t released information about why they suspect Spoor of killing Hampton, nor any information provided by the woman who claimed to have witnessed the murder.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

He drank, drove recklessly, wrecked his car, and got a trip to the hospital. You won’t believe what happened to the car he hit …

The fancy wheels and low-profile tires on this Mitsubishi won’t be going ’round and ’round – perhaps ever again – after its accused drunken driver flipped it, on NE 82nd Avenue of Roses.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The party ended on Sunday, May 11, at precisely 9:26 pm, for a man police identified as 35-year-old Rogers Miranda.

The youthful-looking driver of the Kia SUV which Miranda hit filled us in, from his own point of view: “We were sitting in the [northbound] left-turn lane on 82nd, waiting for the green light, to turn [west] on NE Fremont Street. This car came through the intersection of really fast, hit me, and rolled over.”

It appears as if Miranda’s 1998 Mitsubishi – seen here with its doors pried open, so he and his passenger could get out – won’t be speeding around outer East Portland anymore.

Pried out with rescue tools
“We pulled up we had one car on its top,” reported Portland Fire & Rescue’s Lt. Erik Oatfield, attached to Station 12. “There were two people inside, unable to get out of their seat belts. Both of them were hanging from their seat belts.”

The doors were jammed, Oatfield said, so the crews used a Hurst Tool [“Jaws of Life”] to pop one door open, and a Halligan [steel pry-bar] to open the other. Both occupants were transported by ambulance for medical evaluation, he added.

We were surprised at how little apparent damage the Kia suffered when it was hit. The inset shows the bent wheel.

Victims walk away
The Kia SUV seemed to sustain little damage in the collision – although the front driver-side tire was pushed in at a 45° angle, making the vehicle undrivable. All of its occupants walked away the wreck.

As for the driver of the car that hit the Kia, “Miranda was charged with DUII and Reckless Driving,” said Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, after looking at the official reports.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

See why two city bureaus teamed up to hold an open house – and learn what you can expect about development along our Light Rail lines …

About 100 neighbors came – to contemplate plans for further development along the Eastside MAX light rail line – at this open house, held at the Glenhaven Building.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As the eastside MAX celebrates about 25 years of operation, city officials are working to plan how areas around the light rail line should be further developed in the future.

To this end, the Portland Office of Transportation (PDOT) and the Bureau of Planning held a joint open house a couple of weeks ago to roll out the “Eastside MAX Station Communities Project”.

The stated goal of the project is to “To create active Station communities where a wide range of housing, retail, services, and job opportunities are immediately available within a pedestrian-friendly, 20-minute walk of six, [outer East Portland] MAX light rail stations.”

City planner Tom Armstrong, with the City of Portland’s Bureau of planning, listens to neighbors’ comments at the Eastside MAX Station Communities Project’s kick-off open house.

Kickoff of long-term project
“We’re in the early stages of our process,” commented Tom Armstrong, a city planner with the Portland Bureau of Planning. “This open house is the kickoff public meeting. We’ve done our policy and inventory work; we know what we can see on the maps. Now, we’re learning from neighbors what their day-to-day experiences are and what their ideas are for these station communities.”

Asked why they were teaming up with PDOT, Armstrong explained, “We learned long ago that it is best to do land use and transportation planning together. We do it simultaneously so all the pieces fit together. We also saw this as a real opportunity to look at how we can encourage more ridership through the MAX transit centers. And, we’re also looking at what’s going on in the neighborhoods, and see how we can support development to make [these areas near the MAX centers] better places.”

PDOT planner, Stuart Gwin, points out features near one of the eastside MAX Stations.

Developing compatibility plans
Stuart Gwin, a planner with PDOT, spoke with us about the project from the City’s transportation perspective.

“We’re here looking for ways to make the surrounding community more compatible with light rail,” Gwin began. “This means we would like to enhance the pedestrians’ connections to the Light Rail Station. Every transit trip starts as a pedestrian. You don’t drive your car onto the train.”

In the future, Gwin said, they hope to create Station-area communities – areas within a half-mile of the Light Rail line – into locations where citizens can take care of all their daily needs without the use of a vehicle.

Richard Glenn fills out a questionnaire at the open house. “I think there’s a lot that we can do to have better planning and an overall goal, instead of it being haphazard,” he told us.

No cars needed
“We look to some point in the future,” forecast Gwin, “When you will come home from work via Light Rail, and walk to your home or apartment. Then, if you need to go shopping or access services, you can easily walk to get what you need without having to reach for your car keys and drive.”

We turn to Armstrong and ask, “Do you really see a world without personal vehicles?”

“Times are changing,” he replied. “It’s becoming more expensive to drive. And there are a lot of serious environmental consequences to driving. If we can think about our communities as being multipurpose, as they were 50 years ago, we really reduce the need for people to drive to get around.”

A one-year process
The planners noted that they are under contract with the state to complete this project by April, 2009. “The work product will be a series of actions that the city Council and Mayor can evaluate and implement. Some of them probably have high prices. We need to start the dialogue with the Mayor and City Council.”

Chris Yake, on the project’s consulting team, writes comments. If you didn’t attend and voice your opinions, you can go online and make comments.

Your input is welcomed
If you couldn’t make it to the open house, you may check in the progress of the Eastside MAX Station Communities Project by CLICKING HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton  ~ East Portland News

Don’t expect it to last for very long, however. Learn when the heat wave will end, take a look at our “temperature survey” – and get tips on buying a window air conditioner, right here …

Temperatures in outer East Portland – measured two spots along SE Division Street: 96 degrees at Bank of the West at SE 82nd Ave. of Roses; and 97 degrees at Division Station at SE 122nd Ave.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It sure is hard to believe that temperatures would actually top 90 degrees on May 16 – but anyone out experiencing weather in the greater Portland knows that it was sizzling hot today.

Record-breaking heat
“There is a heat advisory posted until 8:00 p.m. this evening,” commented meteorologist Tiffani Brown, with the National Weather Service.

Brown said that, typically, we could expect a temperature spike into the lower 80s. “But today, we’re registering 93 degrees – we’ve broken the record high of 88 degrees set at Portland International Airport in 1982.”

The reason for this, Brown explained, is a weather pattern with an upper level ridge of high pressure sitting over the area. “Down near the surface, we have a thermally-induced low pressure area. Because of this, we lose the influence of the cooler marine air west of the Cascades.”

Some students swelter
We did a quick check of area schools – all were still in session, even though few of them are air conditioned. As we drove past, we saw shades drawn down, windows open and fans in doorways.

“The nice thing about being in a newer facility,” commented Roy Reynolds, principal at Parkrose High School, “is our complex is air conditioned. We didn’t notice the heat at our school.”

One cool job: Standard TV & Appliance’s Keith Figueroa shows off some of the air conditioners their customers are buying.

Record heat boosts air conditioner sales
“As you’d guess,” Keith Figueroa, sales manager, Standard TV & Appliance on SE 82nd Ave., told us, “we’ve sold four times the normal amount of air conditioners we’d typically sell. And, we haven’t even got to the busy part of the day yet. People will be stopping in after work.”

When shopping for an install-it-yourself window or portable air conditioner, “The number one to look for is energy efficiency,” Figueroa informed us.  “We have a unit that sells for $99. But for $20 more, you get one that is not only more energy efficient, but also is a much quieter unit. And, the more efficient units have computerized displays allowing you to program the exact temperature you want.”

Even though this heat wave will soon be over, now is still a good time to buy, Figueroa stated. “The hot days bring in customers – but when it’s hot, muggy and humid all night long – and you can’t sleep very well – that’s when the demand goes up and stores tend to sell out their inventories.”

Expect ‘typical’ weather soon
“It’s going to be pretty warm on Saturday,” said the weather bureau’s Brown. “We’re expecting mid to upper 80s. It will cool off soon as the high pressure ridge moves east. Then, we’ll be back to our normal springtime weather patterns.”

Brown declined to predict the weather for the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade in June.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

The “riot” that caused at least 100 law officers to converge on a facility out near the airport on early Sunday morning was not a Warner Pacific College party gone bad, as some local media reported. Get the true facts here …

We were held blocks away, as 70 police and sheriff patrol cars converged on NE 122nd Avenue and NE Whitaker Way.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It was 1:00 a.m. on May 11 that we heard the radio call, “All units available, come immediately to a facility at NE 122nd Avenue and NE Whitaker Way.”

It was as close to the cinematic cliche, “Calling all cars! Calling all cars!”, as we’ve ever heard while covering news in Portland.

Cars, cars, and more patrol cars – with lights and sirens on – screamed past us on NE 122nd Avenue, where we had halted, just north of the railroad overpass.

‘Near riot conditions’
“East Precinct officers responded to 12245 NE Whitaker Way regarding a loud party,” explained Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz. When officers pulled up, Schmautz said, they saw fights both inside and outside the party, and numerous intoxicated people including several who were minors. The manager of the party agreed to work with officers to shut the party down.

“As officers were telling people to leave, some people became hostile towards the police,” Schmautz continued. “Supervisors called for all available cover, and teams of officers attempted to break up fights. Some individuals agreed to leave, but others began throwing bottles and large cans of beer at the police.”

By the time we arrived in the area, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputies, Portland Police Bureau patrol cars from all precincts, and even a car from the Milwaukie Police Department, were responding to the call.

When we asked how many officers converged on the scene of what radio calls described as “riot conditions”, Schmautz told us that, because of the early morning hour of the disturbance, “I am unable to determine the exact number of officers that arrived at the scene, but there were about 70 officers working, at the time East Precinct officers asked for more backup.”

Officials at Warner Pacific College forwarded this invitation to the party that ended up as a drunken brawl not connected with their school.

Claims it was a Warner Pacific College party
Once the crowd dispersed, Schmautz added, the organizers told officers that they rented the basketball court for a graduation party for Warner Pacific students. “They said they tried to provide security and check bags, but some people entered through the side doors and organizers became overwhelmed. Organizers also said they tried to break up fights before officers arrived.”

“We’ve investigated the claim made to police that this event was associated with Warner Pacific College,” said Andria Cook, the school’s VP for Institutional Advancement. “This was not an official function of the college. It was neither sanctioned nor supported by the college.”

Police gave college officials the names of the party-gone-bad’s organizers. “We’ve checked,” Cook told us in an interview this week, “and those individuals were not – and never have been – students here. Those arrested were not, nor have ever been, Warner Pacific students.”

Distant connection to the college
We asked Cook if any of the college’s students had attended the party.

“From what we’ve found out, a very few of our students attended the party. They left before anything happened,” stated Cook.

“One of the organizers mentioned the college’s name. We found that one of our students’ cousins was helping out with the party. The connection to the college was that distant.”

Does this look like a recreational facility to you? Yet, tenants in this building confirmed there is a for-rent basketball court in the back building – behind the razor wire-topped fence.

Looking for the scene
We went back in the daytime, the following day, to survey the scene. We couldn’t find a commercial gymnasium.

We did locate the street address where Sgt. Schmautz said the near-riot took place. Several smaller office buildings fronted larger warehouse buildings in a back lot. The back warehouse area, identified as Alpine Courier Inc., was gated, with razor wire at the top.

A woman who works in an office in the front of the complex said that there is a separate basketball court facility in the back of the property that is rented out.

The woman, who declined to be identified, said she’s frequently seen a number of kids in the facility. “In fact my nephew had a party there once. It was clean and nice, and we didn’t think there’d be any problem. But this – it seems frightening.”

The following individuals were arrested by police in connection with this “riot”:

• 20 -year old Ramon Dimas-Ambriz for Riot, Disorderly Conduct, and Attempted Assault in the Fourth Degree.
• 22-year-old Alonzo Dupree for Riot, Disorderly Conduct, and Interfering with a Police Officer.
• 18-year-old Dominique Durisko-Caoile for Disorderly Conduct, Interfering with a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest.
• 20-year-old Fred Marlow for Disorderly Conduct, and Interfering with a Police Officer.
• 20-year-old Walteron Coxeff for Interfering with a Police Officer.
• 17-year-old Sheqouya Payton-Simmons for Riot, Disorderly Conduct, Interfering with a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest.
• 19-year-old Vincent Green for Disorderly Conduct, and Interfering with a Police Officer.

“No one was seriously injured, and other than a deployment of pepper spray, officers did not use any lethal or other non-letal forms of restraint,” Schmautz said.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

Vehicle drivers are responsible for avoiding pedestrians. But sometimes – like in this case – pedestrians can’t be avoided; the results are tragic …

SE Powell Blvd., just west of SE 136th Ave., was shut down for hours while investigators process the scene where a pedestrian was struck and fatally injured by a car.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
What happened at 8:21 p.m. on May 15 was clear: a Cadillac, traveling east on SE Powell Blvd. near SE 136th Ave., struck a pedestrian with such force, it threw the victim about 60 feet.

“I don’t know why he just ran out into the street,” said Megan Davis who claimed to have witnessed the accident. “I don’t think the driver had time to do anything. I think he (the victim) just came out of the Double Dribble [Tavern].”

The victim was thrown about 60 feet after being struck by an oncoming car. On the left hand side of the photo, you can make out the victim’s hat; his shoes ended up next to the stopped white Cadillac.

Officers at the scene told us that the victim was still alive when medical attention arrived, but confided, “He didn’t look good.”

To get official information about this incident, we turned to Portland Police Bureau spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz who said, “An intoxicated 49-year-old man ran into the path of the Cadillac. The pedestrian was transported to OHSU and died while receiving medical attention.”

No citations have been issued, Schmautz added.

An investigation by the Portland Police Bureau’s Fatal Accident Team concluded the victim ran into traffic, the driver that struck him was not ticketed or arrested.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

More than just being a good idea – see why, someday, because of this project, Johnson Creek may never again flood businesses and neighbors along SE Foster Road …

While talking with neighbors, Marie Johnson, the Johnson Creek Watershed Team coordinator for the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, answers questions about this project.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
A couple of weeks ago, the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) gave folks a look at the “early design ideas” regarding the “East Lents Floodplain Restoration Project”.

“And, we’re here to get public input for these designs,” explained Marie Johnson, the Johnson Creek Watershed Team coordinator for BES.

Filling in the blanks
“We’re asking folks to look over our pre-design report and the technical memorandum that accompanies it,” Johnson told us at their Open House, held in the Lents Seventh-day Adventist church before the Lents Neighborhood Association meeting.

“We want to give people the opportunity to ask any questions as we prepare to move on. June 6 is the close of public comment,” added Johnson.

She pointed out that the design concepts for the project haven’t changed. Instead, the report explains the analysis they’ve done while working on this project designed to “absorb” storm-surge water levels in Johnson Creek after a heavy rainfall.

Johnson reminded us that SE Foster Road is heavily used – with about 25,000 trips a day. “That’s a lot of interrupted trips if it’s flooded.”

Part of Lents’ revitalization effort
This is important for quality of life, public safety, and economic development of Lents, stressed Johnson. “Here in Lents, the city and the community are working to revitalize the area. When there is frequent flooding, it’s difficult to get people to come to the area and seriously consider the investment necessary to bring good jobs to the area.”

Affected neighbors Chris and Karin Hassette look at the improvements the floodplain restoration project will bring.

Lents neighbors Chris and Karin Hassette were two of the folks who looked over the project’s documentation.

“I’m kind of excited that there’ll be some improvement,” Karin said.

Chris added, “I dread the construction phase. There’ll be a lot of big trucks and dust on our street, SE 110th Avenue, south of Foster Road. Although our house stayed dry the last time it flooded, there was as much as 16 inches of water covering the road, blocking our access in and out.”

These drawings show the two alternatives for the floodplain restoration project.

Time for your two cents
The project’s design approach will be decided this summer. Detailed design work will happen over the next year. Construction is planned for summer, 2010.

To get the facts, and chime in with your comments, CLICK HERE.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

We don’t know why the FBI asked Portland’s cops to serve a search and arrest warrant on the Powellhurst-Gilbert man. For whatever reason, this wanted man would not be taken alive …

For the third time this week, the Portland Police Bureau’s Mobile Precinct was out on a mission – this time parked a block from Gilbert Heights Elementary School at 12839 SE Holgate Blvd. – as police investigate a FBI warrant service that ended in the death of the wanted man.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Perhaps we’ll never know why the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) Gang Unit was out serving a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) search and arrest warrant in Powellhurst-Gilbert, just a block away from Gilbert Heights Elementary School.

“Due to the nature of the investigation, a federal judge has sealed much of the information in this case,” said FBI spokesperson Beth Anne Steele.

What we do know, is that just before 6:00 a.m., the Gang Unit rolled up to a fenced yard at 12612 SE Holgate Blvd.

Police say they were trying to serve a FBI warrant on this man, 43-year-old Derek J. Coady, when the confrontation turned deadly.

“While clearing (searching) an outbuilding on the property, officers encountered the suspect, wanted in connection with the warrant, 43-year-old Derek J. Coady,” PPB spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz reported. “Coady was armed with a handgun.”

For hours, outer SE Holgate Blvd. was closed and Gilbert Heights Elementary School was in lockdown while the SERT team moved in and detectives processed the scene.

Wanted man refuses to surrender
Officers attempted to talk to Coady, Schmautz continued, and told him to put down his gun.

Instead of complying, Coady began playing hide-and-seek, ducking behind a vehicle parked on the property.

“This which would have provided him with a vantage point to possibly shoot at officers” said Schmautz. “An police officer discharged at least one round from his firearm. A short time later, officers heard a gunshot from the area where Coady was hiding.”

Not taking any chances, the bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) was activated. They cautiously moved up to the wanted man’s last known position, and discovered Coady, deceased, Schmautz went on.

Because a federal judge “sealed” information in this case – we may never know what prompted this arrest.

Wound self-inflicted
While some media outlets speculated that police officers shot Coady, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner concluded that Coady died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

“The death has been ruled a suicide,” confirmed Schmautz. “Coady was not hit by the officer’s bullet(s).

This investigation is continuing.

Detectives and SERT members looked weary due to the many call-outs this week.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News