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

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

If you didn’t get out to this amusing annual event, take a look at our photo album, as we recap their community funfest …

Here comes the parade! For nearly a full hour, neighbors enjoyed a color procession of bands, walking groups, and community floats.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The 13th annual Gateway Fun-O-Rama, put on by the Gateway Area Business Association (GABA), played out under summerlike skies on May 16 and 17.

It started with a golf tournament at the Glendoveer Golf Course, and continued the next day with a parade down NE Halsey Street, followed by the Community Fair at 111th Square.

Judges and announcers for this year’s parade are: (back row) Annette Mattson, David Douglas School Board, Dr. Karen Fischer Gray, Superintendent, Parkrose School District; (front row); Becka Doyle, David Douglas High, Stacy Chao, David Douglas High, Tammy Vu, Parkrose High and Jacob Nall, St. Therese School.

Fun-O-Rama Parade
For years, the Fun-O-Rama Parade always seemed to take place under clouds threatening rain.

But on May 17, the sky was clear and the sun was hot, as the parade formed on the expansive grounds of St. Therese Parish grounds at NE 132nd Avenue. The procession then  headed west along NE Halsey Street, and disbanded at NE 105th Avenue.

This year’s parade featured the lively sounds and precision footwork of five marching bands – the most ever, in the parade’s history. The bands and drill teams from Parkrose High School, Parkrose Middle School, Ron Russell Middle School, Centennial High School, and Floyd Light Middle School performed well, to the delight of the crowd all along the route.

The 2008 Portland Rose Festival Princesses, and other dignitaries, rode in convertibles, and greeted the crowds along the route.

Other parade entries included those from businesses, faith groups, and service organizations – including the Al Kader Shiners’ Calliope and motorcade. Also marching was the fun-but-rowdy Parkrose Posse – and the bystanders enjoyed the antics of the crazy Gateway Keystone Kops. Many participants threw candy to watching kids as they went by.

Seems like all kids like stickers – especially when it’s an honorary badge, given by a kindly Portland cop.

Community Fair follows parade
After the Fun-o-Rama Parade, the crowd along the parade route followed the sound of calliope to the Community Fair at 111th Square. Kicking off the fair was the Portland Police Bureau Honor Guard, as they raised a huge American flag at noon.

Then, visitors perused 40 booths set up for individuals, companies, nonprofit organizations, and civic groups – as the band, “Vine Time”, played and sang a wide variety of original and popular songs.

Once again this year, the Portland Police Bureau East Precinct Cadets were fundraising by serving hot, huge “Cadet Dog” wieners – as other Cadets fitted kids with low-cost bike helmets.

The Portland Rose Festival Princesses pitched their upcoming festival, and Ronald McDonald entertained the kids.

Alan Sanchez presented the Gateway Citizen of the Year memento to David Douglas School District superintendent, Barbara Rommel.

Citizen of the Year
The Gateway “Citizen of the Year” – Superintendent Barbara Rommel, of the David Douglas School District – was honored with a plaque.

After receiving the award, Rommel told us, “I feel honored to be chosen; this organization does so much to benefit the community.”

Our Fun-O-Rama Photo Album

The Al Kader Calliope and honor guard entertain with music and performance motorcycle drill team riding.

“Will you applaud if I do a cartwheel?” asked Jefferson Smith, a candidate for state legislature. He did – and the crowd went wild with applause.

Saturday night fun; and, law and order – Parkrose Posse style!

The Floyd Light Middle School Band and Drill Team was one of five great marching bands that played in the parade.

Those crazy Gateway Keystone Kops hammed it up along the parade route.

Raising the 25′ American flag were members of the Portland Police Bureau and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard.

Michelle Frazier, a Portland Police Bureau Cadet, served hot dogs.

Lents neighborhood volunteer Judy Welch was greeted by Mayor-elect Sam Adams at the Community Fair.

Jessie Holwege looked on as her son, Hayden, got fitted with a bike helmet by Portland Police Bureau Cadet Jordan Houck.

Richard Bixby with the East Portland Neighborhood Organization gave out resource literature at their booth.

Vine Time Band from Parkrose United Methodist played a variety of original and positive music.

The blazing sun that drove temperatures to record levels also thinned the crowd – but many folks stayed the afternoon in the shade of exhibitor’s canopies.

Meet the members
If you’re interested in finding out more about GABA, they meet next on June 12 at JJ North’s Buffet, 10520 NE Halsey Street. Their web site: www.gabanet.com.

© 2008 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News

This annual service captures the spirit of this holiday weekend. Take a look and remember why call this holiday Memorial Day …

To start the service, the color guard from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 418 performs a flag ceremony.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
By modern-day standards, the event being held by Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes – just off NE Weidler St., in the Gateway District – might be considered to be quaint or nostalgic.

To those of us who attend today, May 23, it is a good reminder, as the Memorial Day holiday weekend gets underway.

When graced by moderate weather, they hold the entire service outside, near the flagpole. The service starts of with the Honor Guard from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 418 performing a flag ceremony. The “post the colors”, run the flag to half-mast as a bugler plays Taps, and run the flag up to the top of the pole once again.

Inverness Jail Chaplain Ted Wolcheck presents a Memorial Day message at Oregon Baptist Retirement Homes.

Due to the rain, the group retires to a meeting hall and listens as former military chaplain, Ted Wolcheck, and currently chaplain at Inverness Jail, delivers this heart-felt message:

“The first job I had when I arrived in Vietnam, so many years ago, was when 70 troopers from the [unit called the] Big Red One were ambushed and died. There was a big circle with the rifles with bayonets and boots in helmets of those who were killed. The thought that came to me was from Psalms 1:39:

‘Oh Lord you searched me and know me. You know what I said and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar.’

“I think David, the Psalmist gives us an idea that we are thinking people, and appreciative people. We value life; we value service — yesterday and today.

“Today, we’ve stopped to recall what others have done for us. From the time of World War I, we have been involved in bringing hope to people who’ve been really brutalized and overrun by evil regimes. A society that is unable to accept this responsibility – to people who are suffering – is a cruel and inhuman society. This we are not.

“When America decides to help people in Europe, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Iraq or Afghanistan – it seems that public opinion sways us to selfish conclusions: that we must withdraw. But, even if our efforts only bring a glimpse of hope to the oppressed, we have acted in the spirit of our forefathers.

“The veterans, who have brought hope to others, will never be forgotten.

“When I first visited Normandy and walked through the American Cemetery there, I was overwhelmed, with pride, for America. Sometimes we fail to remember just what these special people have done for us.

“I’m the chaplain at Inverness Jail. [As I say this] I am admitting that I am politically correct: Often, I reflect on just how sad it is for America to lose so many young men [in jail] to crime, drugs and other bad things. I believe if the draft were reinstated, many of these delinquents would’ve had a least two years of discipline to grow up as serve our great country.

Chaplain Wolcheck tells the gathering why he’s proud to be an American who is proud to have served his country in the Armed Forces.

“Every generation of Americans has to make their contribution to a greater America; and, to keep the flame of hope burning in our hearts. We are Americans, under God, who has blessed us with super abundance. The capacity to suffer for the sake of others is the measure of humanity.

“The true stars of our country are not in Hollywood. They are individuals who are serving their beloved country in the armed forces. For those who care for those who can’t win their own freedom, or take care of themselves, our history says we do so.

“I believe we need a new spelling of the word America. It is H-O-P-E.

“I salute all who gave their best to keep us free. God bless America.

Armed Forces veterans stand and are recognized for their contribution to freedom at the service.

After he concluded his talk, the chaplain asked all those who served in military service stand and be recognized. They were greeted with applause.

We wish you, our reader, a pleasant Memorial Day weekend.

© 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

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

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

Take a look at the pint-size vehicles on display, at this outer East Portland cruise-in that took place in Gateway …

At the SABA Cruise-in, all of the cars and trucks on display are really souped up – and really small. They’re scale models!

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Judging by the turnout we see at many of the cruise-in events we cover each year, many folks enjoy seeing fancy cars and trucks on display.

The first cruise-in of the season we covered, not long ago, was in the activity room at the Gateway Elks – it was a meeting of Scale Auto Builders Association (SABA).

“Welcome to our annual Northwest Scale Auto Fest,” greeted Michael Pearsall, one of the organizers of the show and sale. “This is a meeting of modelers from all over the Pacific Northwest. We have people from as far away as Canada and Northern California attending here today.”

This “gathering of the faithful” is important, Pearsall told us, because “it brings together people who love model cars; and, it helps people become aware of this hobby. A lot of us grew up building scale models as kids. We grew up, moved on to full-size cars, had kids and families and careers. But some of us still love building models”.

Car-show organizer Michael Pearsall, with some of his favorite vehicles.

Pint-size stress relief
Working for “one of the largest beverage companies in the world”, Pearsall said he has a high-stress, challenging job. “This allows me to escape. I enjoy cars; this hobby allows me to own, in miniature, cars I would not otherwise be able to own and full-size.”

SABA provides a sense of community for modelers, he added. “Some guys felt they were doing this all by themselves. Coming to an event like this, or to a club meeting, they get to feel ‘at home’ with others who have the same interest.”

Video games replaced modeling
The club has about 40 members, Pearsall reported. “We are trying to get more kids involved in it. It could give them a creative alternative to being on the Internet all day, or playing video games.”

Club President Ron Martinolich agreed, looking sad as he said, “This hobby has had its ups and downs. If we could get some kids under the age of 15 to get more into modeling – using their hands – I’d sure be happy.”

But Martinolich’s face brightened, as he showed us a couple of his favorite models.

SABA president Ron Martinolich shows us two of his treasures – a 1956 Chevrolet; it’s been modified from a Nomad into a two-door station wagon – and a 1962 Ford Fairlane, a work-in-progress.

“This 1962 Ford Fairlane is extremely rare. One like this would probably sell for $300 on eBay,” Martinolich said. “I’ve got 25 hours in it so far, and probably [it will take] another 10 hours to finish it.”

The best part of this hobby, he said, is meeting the people involved, who “are as nutty about it as I am.”

Models, models, and more models! Edward January brought 1,500 kits to this event held in Gateway.

Dealer brings 1,500 vehicles to show
In addition to showing their completed model vehicles, many club members also offered un-built parts kits for sale.

The largest sale display was a “wall of models” – still in their original cellophane-covered boxes – brought in by “Mr. Models”, Edward January of Springfield, Oregon. “We brought about 1,500 model kits. At home, I have four times as many.”

We asked January why he decided to go into this business. He replied, “This is a full-time hobby. It’s all fun and games. If it were a business, it would take all the fun out of it.”

January said he brought mostly standard model kits for sale. “Today, my ‘parts cars’ have been the best sellers. People use them for customizing their models. Other than that, we sell a lot of Mopar, GM, and Ford Motor models.”

Meet other modelers
If you enjoy making models, the SABA might be the place for you. The club doesn’t have a web site, Pearsall said. “There are flyers available at most hobby shops around the area. They know how to get hold of us. Or, e-mail me at pearsall74@comcast.net, to find out more.”

© 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

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

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

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