Howard Hugh Dick

Jan. 24, 1925-Feb. 2, 2013

Longtime Fairview resident Howard Hugh Dick died Saturday, Feb. 2. He was 88.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 23, at El Camino Memorial, La Mesa Chapel.

Howard was born Jan. 24, 1925, in Saskathewan, Canada, to James and Janet Dick.

A member of the Canadian Air Force during World War II, Howard went on to have his own construction company, specializing in remodels and architectural design. In 1946, he married Pearl Olive McDonell in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Howard enjoyed boating, golfing, working with wood, traveling in his motorhome, “cool cars” and dark chocolate. He was known to smoke and waterski at the same time.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife and two brothers. He is survived by his sons, Howard James Dick and Bill Dick; daughter, Holly Harper; six grandchildren; and five grandchildren.

Lloyd M. Seltzer

Feb. 19, 1930-March 24, 2013

Gresham resident Lloyd M. Seltzer died Sunday, March 24. He was 83.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29, at Cherry Park Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Troutdale. A committal service with military honors will follow at Willamette National Cemetery.

Lloyd was born Feb. 19, 1930, in Portland to Oscar and Agatha Seltzer. He served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 28 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Lloyd married Margene Roholt on June 8, 1951. Lloyd’s favorite hobby was fishing, and he was an enthusiastic Oregon State University fan.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife and great-granddaughter. He is survived by his sons, Jeff, Bow and Hal Seltzer; daughter, Celia Gruwell; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Agnes Lerona Ridenoure Loftin

Nov. 2, 1914-March 23, 2013

Longtime Gresham resident Agnes Lerona Ridenoure Loftin died Saturday, March 23, surrounded by her family. She was 98.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Mt. Hood Christian Center, 2500 S.E. Palmblad Road, Gresham.

Agnes was born Nov. 2, 1914, in Blackburn, Ark. A resident of the Gresham area since 1942, Agnes was known for her quilting expertise and for crocheting hangers and hot pads for Christmas presents.

She enjoyed spending time with her extended family and celebrating her birthday at Sayler’s Old Country Kitchen.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Leonard in January 1980. She is survived by her sons, Edwin, Hayden, Leonard Jr., Clifford and Dan Loftin; daughter, Carolyn Asbury; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Frank James Dolan

Oct. 3, 1941-March 25, 2013

Gresham resident Frank James Dolan died Monday, March 25. He was 71.

No services are planned at this time.

Frank was born Oct. 3, 1941, to Edward and Ann Dolan. He graduated from Velva High School in Velva, N.D., in 1959.

He married Barbara Smith in 1959 in Chester, Mont.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Dolan; and daughters, Lisa Leis of Milwaukie and Michele Dolan and Kimberly Dolan of Gresham.

Arrangements are being handled by Gresham Memorial Chapel.

Gloria Clarabelle Young

Jan. 31, 1933-March 27, 2013

Gloria Clarabelle Young died Wednesday, March 27, at her home. She was 80.

A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday April 6, at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 290 W. Gloucester St. in Gladstone.

Gloria was born Jan. 31, 1933, in Kindred N.D., to Robert and Christine Nelson. She graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1950 and graduated from Sisters of St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1953.

Gloria married Richard Young on May 4, 1957. The couple had four children and later divorced. Gloria retired from Boeing as industrial nurse.

Gloria was preceded in death by her sister. She is survived by her sisters, Rose Pollock and Virginia Bratholt; children, Neal Young, Gail Short, Angela Young and Nancy Elkins; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Ronald Curtis McGee

May 17, 1956-March 25, 2013

Portland resident Ronald Curtis McGee died Monday, March 25, of prostate cancer. He was 56.

A private memorial service will be held.

Ronald was born May 17, 1956, in Portland to Margaret McGee-Brown and Warren McGee Sr.

Ronald attended Jesuit High School in Beaverton and received his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Oregon State University in 1980. He was a mechanical engineer.

He married MaryAnn Constante on Oct. 23, 1983, in Oceanside, Calif. Ronald loved sports — especially basketball — long walks, playing chess and listening to jazz. His Christian faith was important in his life.

Ronald was preceded in death by his father and sister, Clema Marie McGee. He is survived by his wife; sons, Kahlil and Nigel McGee; daughter, Chea McGee; stepfather, Bob Brown; sisters, Reberita Fitz, Marvia McGee and Sharon Dizer; brothers, Warren McGee Jr. and Al Tatum McGee; and granddaughter, Riley McGee.

Oregon Cremation is handling arrangements.

The training will continue each year for juniors

When David Hopper arrived as a counselor at Reynolds High School last fall, he wanted to help introduce programs that had transformed his previous high school.

Along with ASPIRE, a statewide mentorship program, Hopper helped bring Challenge Day, an interactive training featured on “Oprah” and MTV, to the school.

Over three days last week, about 360 Reynolds students and 120 adults — teachers, staff and community members — attended the daylong Challenge Day, with many saying they felt moved by the experience.

“We’ve been previously depicted as maybe not the most together school in the news,” said Tanner Byer, a senior and student body president. “I thought this was a great chance for us to catalyze a change in our school and bring everyone together. Through the years, the training will eventually filter through every class. I’m very excited to see what it does for our school.”

The premise of Challenge Day is for each child to feel safe, loved and celebrated within his or her school by tackling challenging conversations and letting down barriers during a day of activities, games and small group time.

Following the training, participants take part in community service projects and teach the lessons from Challenge Day to middle and elementary school students.

“Once you go through this, you understand what fellow students have been through,” student Christina Sanchez said, referring to an activity called “cross the line” in which participants step forward in a circle when they identify with a statement.

“It’s powerful to see the things you have in common,” she said. “You won’t be quick to judge because you’ll know what they’re going through.”

Hannah Thompson, also a student, called the training life changing and said it made her respect her fellow classmates on a deeper level.

Adult participants also were moved by the training, saying they’d like to bring the training to their places of work.

“I felt like I got as much benefit as the kids,” said Flo Stephen, a community member. “To see the emotions, the tears, the hugs — wow! I’m 62 and I’ve never seen that before. There are so many people who could be better adults if they were exposed to something like that.”

Reynolds Superintendent Linda Florence also attended.

“What a rich program,” Florence said. “This is really needed if you’re going to have a true change in climate. In a school, in a district, this is the level you need to start at. It’s really about how we treat each other and understanding that there is a lot more to people than what we see on the outside.”

Challenge Day, March 18-20, coincided with Reynolds’ Fusion Month, an effort that raises awareness about diversity within the school and attempts to unify students. Reynolds’ event was led by Challenge Day facilitators Jon Gordon and Christina “Migs” Miglino.

“If any school is feeling a big schism between students, this is an activity that can change the course of a school and students,” Byer said. “It’s a confidence boosting activity. You feel vulnerable, but you realize people are there for you and made you feel not alone. Adults go through the same problems we go through.”

Hopper said the Challenge Day training would take place again in the fall and continue year after year.

“It was out of this world,” Hopper said of the first Challenge Day. “I would probably say that there are a lot of changed hearts.”

For more information, visit challengeday.org.

Gresham police have arrested a local man on allegations of murder.

Police and members of the East Multnomah County SWAT team arrested Miguel Ramirez-Carney, 25, of Troutdale on an allegation of murder at 4:40 a.m. while serving a warrant in Gresham in the 2900 block of Northeast 23rd Street, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean, Gresham police spokesman.

That’s less than a mile from where Shane Brumbaugh, 23, of Gresham was shot to death at his condominium in the 1400 block of Northeast Paropa Court at 6:42 p.m. Sunday, March 10.

Neighbors reported that the suspect arrived on foot. He fled the scene, along with another man who was serving as a lookout. Both men ran to a waiting vehicle that sped off after the shooting.

Brumbaugh died at the scene of a gunshot wound to his chest, after his live-in girlfriend and a neighbor tried to revive him with CPR.

The address was one of two that police served warrants at in hopes of making an arrest in the case, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean. The other warrant was served in Portland.

As for the relationship between the suspect and the victim, Grandjean could only say they knew each other. “It was not random,” he said.

The East County Major Crimes Team, comprised of detectives from Gresham, Multnomah County, Fairview and Troutdale, as well as the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, continues to investigate the case. Detectives say more arrests are possible.

Everett takes a 3-0 lead into the third period Saturday and holds on for the win

The Everett Silvertips weren’t ready to call it a season just yet. Everett stayed alive in the best-of-seven series by sneaking past Portland, 3-2, in Game 5 of the first round of the WHL playoffs on Saturday. The Winterhawks now cling to a 3-2 series lead.

“They played hard. Any time you are facing elimination, you are going to play desperate,” Portland coach Travis Green said. “They found a way to win a hockey game.”

After allowing 18 goals in the previous two games, the Silvertips finally snapped out of their defensive funk in Game 5. Everett goaltender Austin Lotz had 43 saves and he stopped the first 39 Portland shots. The Winterhawks had 45 shots on goal compared to just 18 Everett shots. Portland had its chances, but Lotz was almost flawless in the net.

While the Silvertips did not have nearly as many looks at the net, it made the most shots it did have.

At the midway point of the opening period, Everett left wing Joshua Winquist controlled the puck near the boards in front of the Silvertips’ bench. Winquist moved it down the left side and fired from just inside the blue line. The puck snuck over the left shoulder of Portland goaltender Mac Carruth and into the top-right corner of the net. It was Winquist’s sixth goal of the series and it gave Everett the early lead.

About 3:20 later, Everett cleared the puck and slung it along the back boards. That coaxed Carruth from his perch in front of the net as he went back to retrieve the loose puck. Just as Carruth was getting to the puck, an Everett player met him and popped it out in front of the net. Silvertips right wing Logan Aasman was there to receive it and he flipped it into the net before Carruth could get back around to stop him.

“In the first period, we didn’t manage the puck that well. We had a lot of turnovers,” Green said. “When we’re on our game, we are playing with the puck and we manage it a lot better than we did.”

In the second period, the Silvertips added to their lead after the clock dipped below the seven-minute mark. The strike came when Lotz stopped a Portland shot and passed the puck to center Kohl Bauml near the Winterhawks’ bench. As Bauml caught the pass, he spotted Reid Petryk sprinting out in front of the defense. Bauml whipped it to Petryk who took it uncontested from the center line all the way to the goal where he used a double fake to beat Carruth. With that, Everett took a three-goal lead into the second intermission.

“When you’re down three-nothing in a playoff game, it’s hard to come back,” Green said. “I thought we were desperate, but I think at times we were too desperate to try to score.”

The Winterhawks got back in the game with two power play goals in the third period. The first came with 14 minutes remaining when Portland defenseman Troy Rutkowski ripped a shot to the right side of the goal. It was going wide, but center Brendan Leipsic deflected the puck out of the air and into the net.

With 1:25 left, Portland made it a one-goal game when Derrick Pouliot took a pass from Rutkowski and poked it past Lotz. The Winterhawks pulled Carruth for the final 80 seconds, and the extra skater almost made the difference. Portland had a few near-goals, but each shot just missed and Everett escaped with the win.

Portland gets its second chance to win the series when the two teams face off in Everett on Monday.

The Fairview Police Department is investigating at least two recent reports from residents who’ve lost about $5,000 in what’s known as the “grandparent scam.”

Police Officer Eric Flener said the scam involves someone calling and claiming to be a grandchild. The caller says he or she is in trouble, and has been arrested in Mexico.

The caller provides a detailed story of how they got caught up in a bad situation and need several thousand dollars for either bail or a "processing" fee.

They also instruct the victim to not tell anyone because it is "an open and ongoing investigation.” The caller will also give an elaborate story on why a money order should be sent to the country of Haiti, even though the grandchild reportedly is jailed in Mexico.

Flener said Fairview police has received reports of at least two or three instances in Fairview in the past couple of weeks.

In one instance, the victim didn’t recognize the caller’s voice as a grandchild’s but thought the grandchild had a cold.

“It plays on our sympathies,” Flener said of the scam, adding that in many cases, the caller breaks down crying on the phone before an ambassador or someone else in a position of authority gets on the line.

Also, once the victim sends money via Western Union, the crook sometimes calls back demanding more money for “legal fees.”

Alert bank employees encouraged one Fairview scam victim to call relatives before sending the money. That’s how the victim discovered the grandchild was fine and that the request for help was a scam.

“We urge citizens to be very vigilant and question any such request for money,” Flener said. “A legitimate organization will provide contact information that can be easily verified. In the cases under investigation, fictitious phone numbers were provided. A quick check could have verified the information was a scam."

Police are looking for a man who may have stalked his victim before sexually assaulting her at knifepoint on March 20.

The attacker struck during the day by pushing his way into a home near Southeast 174th Avenue and Division Street, where he sexually assaulted a woman inside, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland Police spokesman.

The victim did not know her attacker, who was armed with a knife. Police think he may have been stalking her before the attack. The victim sustained injuries during the attack.

The suspect was wearing a black Northface-style jacket with a hood and a dirty white T-shirt. He may smoke cigarettes and either work or live in the area where he attacked the woman.

Anyone who may have information about the suspect is urged to call Detectives Cory Stenzel or Hiedi Housley at 503-823-1063.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public’s help identifying and finding three suspects thought to be part of an organized retail theft ring.

Police believe the three worked together to steal numerous household items from the Wood Village Walmart, 23500 N.E. Sandy Blvd., on Jan. 27 and March 20 — items they later returned for cash, said Lt. Steve Alexander, sheriff’s office spokesman.

One suspect is a 6-foot-1-inch tall, 200-pound, 30- to 35-year-old Hispanic man with a shaved head and goatee.

Another is a 6-foot tall, 220-pound, 25- to 30-year-old Caucasian man

The third suspect is a 5-foot-5-inch tall, 120-pound, 25- to 30-year-old Caucasian woman with long brown hair.

Anyone with information about who these suspects might be are asked to call the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 503-261-2847.

At the shopping mall, burger joint, maybe even next-door — street-level heroin dealers are openly covert operators

Heroin dealing in East Multnomah County is undergoing a radical change that’s resulting in huge livability issues for the community.

Cartels that control the drug industry are getting out of street-level dealing, creating a void in the supply chain that addicts are increasingly filling, said Sgt. Lee Graham, who heads up the Gresham Police Department’s Neighborhood Crimes Unit.

So what does that mean to you?

Well, you know the stereotype of drug deals going down in darkened alleys or in nearly vacant parking lots — they’re now happening at your local fast-food restaurant, shopping mall, even the Goodwill store.

That’s right, while you’re shopping for a pair of flats or picking up a value meal for your little one, dopers are buying, and in some cases even using, right then and there.

“It’s horrible,” Graham said.

Two weeks ago, police busted a father-mother-son operation that was dealing drugs just blocks from an elementary school. “It was virtually an open-air market for heroin,” Graham said of the operation, which was based out of the family’s apartment in the 16800 block of Southeast Stark Street.

Goodwill bust

Another bust took place at the Gresham Goodwill after a dealer removed cash from a ceramic vase and left behind heroin for her lurking customer.

Barbra Mae Gibbs, 45, of Gresham now faces charges of heroin delivery and possession, as well as delivering heroin within 1,000 feet of a school: Gresham High School is right across the street from the store.

Her neighbors complained to police about constant traffic coming to and from Gibbs’ rental house in the 700 block of Northwest Angeline Avenue. The police department’s Neighborhood Crimes Unit investigated and arrested the woman on Feb. 26.

Neighbors are relieved to know Gibbs likely will be behind bars for quite some time. In addition to the drug charges, she is being held on a U.S. Marshals Service hold because she is on federal probation for counterfeiting, and police searching her home reportedly found drug records indicating she used counterfeit money to buy the heroin she sold.

And in yet another Gresham bust, a non-fatal overdose in a McDonald’s restroom led police across the street to a nearby hotel room, where the dealers were holed up.

But before the arrests, police watched one of the dealers sell heroin to a 24-year-old man at a Carl’s Junior just south of the motel.

The customer had a 3-year-old child with him.

Police arrested the client — Michael Riopel of outer Southeast Portland — for first-degree child neglect. They also cited his alleged dealer, Thomas Jay Hoffmeister, 25, a transient, on allegations of delivery and possession of heroin.

Over at the hotel where the dealers were based, a pretty girl answered the door. Police recognized her as the same young woman they arrested in November for robbery, theft and drug possession.

This time, they cited Cami Lorraine Copeland, 21, of Gresham for heroin possession, and arrested her on a Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office warrant for third-degree drug possession.

A man she was in the room with took off running. Police cited Samuel Edward Adam Morse, 24, a transient, on an allegation of heroin delivery across the street at McDonald’s.

And to think this all took place on a Thursday afternoon around 1:30 p.m.

Game changers

Police say a variety of factors are to blame for this very bold, and very public, brand of drug dealing.

“The game has changed,” Graham said.

Just a few years ago, Mexican drug cartels controlled every aspect of heroin dealing, including the street-level, smaller-scale deals.

Drugs also were delivered through calls to “dispatch centers,” which sent “runners” to meet with street-level buyers, usually in cars or other out-of-sight locations.

But now they’ve abandoned small-quantity street sales and instead deal only in larger amounts of an ounce or more, Graham said.

As a result, heroin addicts are buying those larger quantities, dividing them into grams or half grams and selling them to support their own addictions.

Most of these new street-level dealers are what Graham calls “the twenty somethings” — young adults in their 20s who got hooked on oxycodone in their teens, when they crushed, snorted and smoked the pills.

Eventually, their habits got too expensive to support, so they switched from smoking oxycodone to smoking heroin.

“It used to be the heroin stigma was enough to keep anyone away,” Graham said, adding that the idea of injecting a drug made some potential users squeamish. “Not any more.”

Heroin is cheaper, easier to find and delivers a more powerful high than oxycodone, making oxycondone the perfect gateway drug to heroin.

But heroin is so addictive; those who start out smoking it usually end up turning to the needle eventually, Graham said.

And those heroin users who traded their oxycodone addiction for a heroin habit are the same ones who are now East Multnomah County’s street-level heroin dealers.

“I think what I find scary … is at the street level, there is a younger crowd with no oversight,” Graham said. “It’s kind of a free-for-all. There’s no structure to it. It’s very random. … Even a criminal cartel has structure and controls. There’s none of that organization at the street level now.”

'Openly covert'

This new, younger generation of street-level dealers operate differently.

Instead of the pagers of yesteryear, today’s dealers communicate via cell phones and texts.

“We’ll find people actively walking to the car before it parks because it’s all been set up ahead of time and everyone is more mobile,” Graham said.

They also prefer places that are easy to blend into, allowing the dealer and customers to be “openly covert,” Graham said.

“They go to a crowded area where they can blend in and where it’s normal for people to be in a vehicle for a short amount of time,” he said.

Remember that dealer who got busted at the Goodwill? Police say that in addition to operating out of her home in a quiet family-friendly Northwest neighborhood in Gresham, she worked a circuit.

From her home in the 700 block of Northwest Angeline Avenue, she’d go to Gresham Station Shopping Center, Gresham Town Faire Shopping Center and the Safeway in Hood Center. Sometimes she’d swing by the Goodwill before returning home.

With so many people coming and going at shopping centers, running into a store for quick drug deal or getting into and out of a car after just a few minutes doesn’t attract a lot of attention, Graham said.

The changing demographics of heroin addicts also enable both buyer and seller to blend in, he added.

Forget the image of a skinny strung-out junkie shooting up in a flophouse: Today’s heroin users maintain the appearance of a normal life. They drive nice cars and buy a bindle every day after work. Otherwise, they’ll get sick.

“I am seeing more people in their young 20s addicted to heroin than I’ve ever seen on my 25 years in law enforcement,” he said.

He recognizes some from outreach efforts made at local high schools after the 2009 overdose death of 18-year-old Rachel Daggett, who was a senior at Sam Barlow High School.

“… It’s hitting the working-class folks and these young, just-getting-out-of-high-school kids,” Graham said. “They don’t look the part of an addict.”

Oregon City puts up three runs in the third inning and wins 4-0

OREGON CITY — Reynolds squashed an Oregon City rally in the sixth inning Tuesday, but couldn’t produce any runs of its own during a 4-0 loss to the reigning 6A champs.

The Pioneers threatened to put the game out of reach after getting a pair of runners on base early in the sixth inning, but pitcher Joseph Palmisano pounced on a sacrifice bunt attempt. He fired a quick dart to home plate where Raiders’ catcher Mitchell Rose tagged the runner on the chest as he slid through the dirt.

A pop-up to shallow right field stranded runners at second and third.

The Raiders put together their biggest scoring threat in the seventh inning when Rose and Cameron Sheets led off with back-to-back singles, but three straight strikeouts ended the comeback threat.

Look for extended game coverage in the Friday, April 5, print edition.

View a photo gallery from the game at …

http://daveball.exposuremanager.com/g/april2_rey-ocity_baseball

College hosts ‘Inside Out’ art exhibit

The Fireplace Gallery at Mt. Hood Community College is hosting a free art exhibit, “Inside Out,” featuring works by Gabriel Fernandez, April 2-29.

Fernandez’s art is an interpretation of everyday objects in the world, but slowed down to portray a particular scene. He has explored nostalgia, personas of inanimate objects and moods through realism, color, composition and texture.

Fernandez’s work has been exhibited all over the West Coast.

The Fireplace Gallery is in the Student Union on the Gresham Campus, 26000 S.E. Stark St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Mount Hood hosts electrathon car race

During the annual electric car race at Mt. Hood Community College March 9, 24 Oregon high schools raced electric derby cars on a special track.

Centennial High School took first place, followed by Willamette High School and Springfield High School in second and third. Each car carried a driver and was capable of reaching a top speed of 30 mph.

“This event is a positive way to showcase MHCC’s Industrial Technology programs such as automotive, integrated metals and welding,” said Jerry Lyons, automotive technology instructor and event coordinator.

For more information on MHCC automotive events and classes, call Lyons at 503-491-7203 or email Jerry.Lyons@mhcc.edu.

Oregon State University

The following students appear on the winter term scholastic honor roll at Oregon State University. A total of 837 students earned straight-A grades (4.0). Another 3,562 earned a B-plus average (3.5) or better to make the listing. To be on the honor roll, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work. Students on the honor roll included:

Boring

4.0 — Alexandra E. Piazza, Junior, Merchandising Management.

3.5-3.99 — Amanda R. Bolender, Senior, Animal Sciences; Shelbie L. Carmony, Senior, Chemical Engineering; Alexander W. Frace, Senior, Management; Jakob K. Neuenschwander, Sophomore, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Taylor L. Shields, Sophomore, Mathematics; Shawn T. Smoot, Junior, Civil Engineering; Joseph I. Sou, Sophomore, Exercise and Sport Science; Lauren N. Summers, Sophomore, Psychology.

Corbett

4.0 — Peter L. Killgore, Sophomore, Mathematics.

3.5-3.99 — Nicholas A. Bechtoldt, Senior, Renewable Materials; Molly K. Burbach, Sophomore, Interior Design; Taylor J. Fahlman, Freshman, Pre-Computer Science; Mackenzie E. Lenz, Junior, Physics; Craig D. Schaaf, Senior, Zoology.

Damascus

4.0 — Dylan R. Kearney, Senior, Mechanical Engineering.

3.5-3.99 — Erika M. Grumbling, Sophomore, Exercise and Sport Science; Jacob T. Johnson, Senior, Chemical Engineering; Nicholas S. Kelly, Senior, Elect and Computer Engineering; Zachary R. Moore, Freshman, Pre-Environmental Engineering; Eric R. Shannon, Junior, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Yan Yu Yee, Junior, Computer Science.

Fairview

4.0 — Alexa M. Johnson, Senior, Bioengineering; Matthew T. Ngo, Senior, Biology; Nicole A. Rejchrt, Senior, Animal Sciences.

3.5-3.99 — Blake A. Erickson, Freshman, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Haley N. Erickson, Junior, Pre-Public Health; Hallie T. Exall, Senior, Management; Maria K. Gomes, Senior, Animal Sciences; Victoria T. Nguyen, Senior, Biology.

Gresham

4.0 — Brooke L. Beland, Senior, English; Anthony P. Bernabo, Freshman, Environmental Sciences; Colleen Cameron, Junior, Human Devel. and Family Science; Lindsay M. Carlton, Senior, Human Devel. and Family Science; William Hemstrom, Senior, Zoology; Jessica N. Kibler, Junior, English; Matthew Lei, Sophomore, Pre-Computer Science; Austin A. Olson, Senior, Marketing; Addison J. Pang, Junior, General Science; Kimberly L. Pehrson, Senior, Economics; Heather M. Ries, Sophomore, Environmental Science; Kaitlyn Y. Traynor, Senior, General Science; Sarah M. Wong, Senior, Chemical Engineering.

3.5-3.99 — Grant T. Abel, Senior, Merchandising Management; Brandon C. Anderson, Senior, Fisheries and Wildlife Science; Dmitriy G. Bobrovnikov, Sophomore, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Ellie R. Bohrer, Freshman, Zoology; Samuel J. Box, Senior, Chemical Engineering; Nicolas Castaneda, Junior, Exercise and Sport Science; Ann W. Chan, Senior, Management; Adam W. Cordell, Senior, Mechanical Engineering; Leah M. Dethlefs, Senior, Liberal Studies; Timothy E. Dufala, Sophomore, Pre-Computer Science; Ashley M. Duncan, Senior, Management; Jared A. Ell, Sophomore, Pre-Business; Courtney L. Ellis, Senior, Biology; Vincenzo J. Ferrero, Freshman, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Brendan M. Fitzpatrick, Senior, Food Science and Technology; Rebecca M. Flynn, Senior, Public Health; Gracie M. Hamlin, Freshman, University Exploratory Studies; Kimberly R. Harnish, Senior, Civil Engineering; Michael S. Heath, Senior, Biology; Leevi T. Heis, Freshman, University Exploratory Studies; Breanna R. Hill, Junior, English; Emily D. Holevas, Senior, Liberal Studies; Jonathan W. Jenkins, Junior, Pre-Construction Engr. Mgt.; Madeline M. Kaufman, Senior, Marketing; Amanda R. Lashbaugh, Senior, Liberal Studies; Tyler M. Laufer, Junior, Management; Eileen K. Ly, Sophomore, General Science; Sarah J. Mc Gregor, Junior, Public Health; Thomas G. Nockles, Junior, Fisheries and Wildlife Science; Jordan R. Olson, Junior, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Tyler D. Phillips, Junior, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Sofiya V. Popova, Sophomore, Merchandising Management; Nichole D. Rex, Senior, Public Health; Bryce A. Saling, Senior, History; Derek M. Saling, Freshman, English; Spenser J. Saling, Senior, Mechanical Engineering; Michael J. Seifert, Junior, Pre-Business; Kileigh E. Shea, Senior, Civil Engineering; Nicole A. Sidebotham, Junior, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Katurah S. Soule, Senior, Fisheries and Wildlife Science; Kyle D. Stevens, Freshman, Pre-Business; Jacob P. Taylor, Junior, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Joshua P. Temple, Senior, Elect & Computer Engineering; Leslie A. Tengwall, Senior, Public Health; Nicholas C. Wilson, Senior, Civil Engineering; Brittany K. Winfrey, Senior, Exercise and Sport Science; Kelsey L. Yates, Sophomore, Biology; Maria A. Yerkes, Sophomore, Political Science; Allen S. Yoshinaga, Sophomore, Microbiology; Julia Y. Zhukov, Senior, General Science.

Troutdale

4.0 — Caleb A. Green, Senior, Anthropology; Katlyn N. Stade, Freshman, Biology; Andrew Svesko, Senior, Physics.

3.5-3.99 — Laurie E. Aronstein, Senior, General Science; Ryan P. Baldwin, Freshman, Pre-Nuclear Engineering; Karlei M. Forrester, Senior, Exercise and Sport Science; John A. Hall, Junior, Finance; Jake M. Perkins, Sophomore, Pre-Civil Engineering; Omar D. Rachdi, Senior, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Shane P. Skinner, Junior, Elect and Computer Engineering; Emily M. Sykes, Junior, Botany.

Wood Village

3.5-3.99 — Keaton C. Scheible, Freshman, Pre-Elect and Computer Engineer.

Corbett-based veterinarian offers in-home euthanasia for pets

In a perfect world, our four-legged companions would be able to communicate when it is time for them to leave us.

But more often than not, it’s up to us to make what can sometimes be perceived as a cold and heartless decision.

“People do this because they love their pets,” said Dr. Deborah Rotman, a veterinarian and owner of Loving Hands, who provides euthanasia for dogs and cats in their homes. “I feel that sometimes, euthanasia is the greatest gift we can give to the animals we care about the most to help relieve their suffering.”

Putting an animal to sleep is never an easy choice. Is it the right time? Have we done all we can medically? Can we face the days without their company?

Loving Hands, Rotman’s Corbett-based business, offers a full spectrum of compassionate care for pets and their owners as they say their goodbyes. It’s part counseling service and clinical assistance provided in a private and personal way.

A veterinarian for 17 years, Rotman had been performing euthanasia, by request, in her clients’ homes off and on for 10 years. She owned Lombard Animal Hospital in Northeast Portland for six years but sold the clinic in 2008 to turn her attention to raising her two young children. She’s worked as a temporary part-time replacement for several area veterinary clinics since then, and recently found herself fielding calls from local folks asking for her services in their home.

“I was getting requests for euthanasia (in Corbett), but it was such an ordeal for people,” Rotman said. “They would have to register with a clinic, and I had to get the supplies, so I figured I could do this as a business. And with the economy right now, veterinary care is expensive for a lot of people. I feel I can offer (euthanasia) at the same cost as a clinic, but I’m trying to make it more affordable.”

Taking our pets’ fate into our hands is never easy, and often the decision is laced with questions over whether we are doing the right thing. Rotman recognizes pet owners’ vacillation and helps guide them toward a choice that brings them peace.

“My goal is to make them comfortable,” she said. “I want them to know they’re making the decision that’s right for them. I want them to follow their gut. They know their pet may be suffering and something’s not right, but in their mind, there are still questions about timing and the decision.”

A longtime cat owner who euthanized her own feline years ago, Rotman understands the emotions pet owners have when faced with losing a pet. She helps people understand the sometimes-subtle messages animals nearing the end are sending and what to expect during the death process.

“I spend a lot of time talking to people about what to look for,” she said. “And I talk to them about quality of life issues. It’s important from my perspective that they know what to expect. I stay with them afterward for a while, so they aren’t surprised by any part of the death process. But I understand some people want alone time, so I’m respectful of that as well.”

Helping a beloved friend move on to the big off-leash park in the afterlife needn’t be impersonal and clinical. Rotman calls the experience “beautiful” when animals are comfortable in familiar surroundings and among those who care about them most. She encourages her clients to approach the time in a manner and way that brings them as much peace as they are giving their animals.

“Being an animal owner, I know what it’s like to go through this process,” Rotman said. “And having worked with thousands of clients, I understand the empathy and sensitivity needed for both the owner and the pet. I feel honored to have the ability to help, and I respect that.”

Loving Hands Fast Facts

Rotman’s services, based on a client’s location, range from $95-$150. Body care is an additional charge and can run between $75 and $225 for cremation, transport of the animal and its final disposition. Those in rural areas who would like to bury their pet on their property are advised to check local laws regarding restrictions for on-site burial.

For more information, call Rotman at 503-489-8421.

Norman Francis Smith

Sept. 13, 1947-March 30, 2013

Sandy resident Norman Smith died in his home Saturday, March 30. He was 65. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Sandy Funeral Home.

A visitation period will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday before the service.

Lewis A. Hammond II

Jan. 7, 1932-March 29, 2013

Longtime Gresham resident Lewis A. Hammond II died Friday, March 29. He was 81.

Private services will be held.

Lewis was born Jan. 7, 1932, to Mable Mae Hill and Lewis A. Hammond I in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Known across the country for his expertise in transmissions for any vehicle, Lewis could diagnose a problem with a transmission by a 10-minute phone call.

He made people get up and dance to almost anything he sang and played on guitar, whether it was gospel or country music.

Lewis was preceded in death by his son, Rocky Lewis Hammond; daughter, Tammy L. Hammond; and four siblings.

He is survived by his sons, Lewis Adam Hammond III and Thomas C. Hammond; daughters, Clara Moss, MariAnn L. Schmid, Tina M. Hamilton, Jacqueline Grave and Sally M. Edwards; stepson, David Smothers; siblings, Donna Jean Balcom, Delbert Ray Hammond and Janet Ellen Milner; 24 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Robert (Bob) Davidson

May 11, 1925-March 16, 2013

Longtime East County resident Robert (Bob) Davidson died Saturday, March 16, at his home in Portland. He was 87.

Bob was born May 11, 1925, in Gresham to Glenn and Lucy Davidson. He graduated from Gresham High School in 1943.

Bob served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was a graduate of Portland State University and the University of Oregon.

Bob was a retired math and photography teacher at David Douglas High School. A former member of Valley View Evangelical Church, he attended Mosaic Church. He enjoyed the beach, gardening and supporting church missions.

Bob is survived by his wife, Norma Davidson; brother, Jim Davidson; son, Rick Davidson; daughter, Jan Allen; and two grandchildren.

Mark Anthony Sanzone

/June 12, 1963-March 27, 2013

Gresham resident Mark Anthony Sanzone died Wednesday, March 27. He was 49.

A celebration of life Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Gresham. 

Mark was born June 12, 1963, in San Bernardino, Calif. As a student at Portland Community College, Mark held swimming records in backstroke. He worked at Weyerhaeuser Co. and fashion modeled.

On May 14, 1987, Mark became a victim of a medical accident, leaving him severely brain damaged and physically handicapped. Living at home with family members and professional caregivers, Mark survived and thrived another 25 years. He brought joy and humor to all who knew him.

Mark is survived by his parents, Michael and Shirley Sanzone; sisters, Michelle, Nannette, Jeanette and Patricia; brothers, Michael and Mathew; and many nieces and nephews.

Bateman Carroll is handling arrangements.

MaryAnn Van De Coevering

Feb. 21, 1928-March 26, 2013

Gresham resident MaryAnn Van De Coevering died Tuesday, March 26. She was 85.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church, 5239 S.E. Woodstock St. in Portland. Interment will follow at Willamette National Cemetery. 

MaryAnn was born Feb. 21, 1928, in Greenleaf, Wis., to William and Kathryn Broeren. She graduated in 1946 from Kaukauna High School.

MaryAnn married George Louis Van De Coevering on June 7, 1958. She worked as a cook in the North Clackamas School District for 13 years. 

She was a longtime member of Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic Church and the Milwaukie Elks Lodge. MaryAnn loved old movies, the beach and collecting stamps and salt and pepper shakers.

MaryAnn is survived by her daughter, Patricia Van De Coevering; sons, George, Christopher and Vincent Van De Coevering; sisters, Alice Broeren, Kathy Sarconi and Eileen Bedard; brothers, Paul, Tom, George, Bill and Ed Broeren; and four grandchildren.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

SEED scholar Glenda Alfaro is among finalists for her composting project

As basketball fans revel in March madness, Mt. Hood Community College celebrates having a student make the semifinals in the Clinton Global Challenge.

Represented by Glenda Alfaro, a student in the Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) program, Mt. Hood is the only community college in the bracket and will compete with major four-year universities including Duke, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia.

This is the third year of Clinton Global Initiative Commitments Challenge, a competition of student ideas and projects that address some of the world’s most pressing issues.

Alfaro’s project was chosen among 1,000 projects by a panel of judges including former President Bill Clinton.

As March Madness comes to its finale on April 5-7 with the final four men’s and women’s basketball championships, Alfaro will attend the Clinton Global Challenge at the same location — Washington University in St. Louis.

“I really want to represent my country — to represent every person I’ve met and every person who has helped me,” Alfaro said.

“I’m excited to learn about leadership and develop more communication skills through the workshops.”

The winner of the Challenge will be announced on stage with Clinton and Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central during the conference Saturday, April 6.

For her project, Alfaro committed to replenishing nutrient-poor soil and stimulating agricultural production through composting in her hometown, Jardins de la Nueva, El Salvador, a village of 100 people.

This November, she will return to El Salvador to distribute composting bins to 12 families and teach them the basic procedures for composting at home.

Alfaro is one of eight students from Mt. Hood who will attend the Challenge, a program the school has participated in the past two years.

More than 1,000 students representing more than 300 universities and 75 countries will be in attendance.

“Whether empowering poor families in Nepal to start their own fish farms, launching an annual event for disability rights, or securing engineering apprenticeships for students who’ve dropped out of high school in Kenya, these 16 new CGI U Commitments to Action in our ‘bracket’ competition reflect the passion, potential, and problem solving skills of our next generation of leaders,” Clinton said in a press release.

Established in 2005 by Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative brings together global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

“It’s pretty exciting to have Mt. Hood represented at such a prestigious conference,” Nikki Gillis, SEED program coordinator, said. “We’ve had many wonderful community partners.”

Voting for round two of the Challenge closed at 11 a.m. Monday, and Alfaro was a winner of the round. Voting for the quarter finals will run through Thursday, April 4.

SEED an international development program, sponsored by USAID and administered by Georgetown University, brings young leaders from rural areas of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to the United States for two-year technical and leadership development training programs.

Mt. Hood is hosting 37 SEED scholars for the 2012-13 school year. After their studies, scholars return to the native countries to help make positive environmental changes in their communities.

For more information and to vote for Alfaro’s project, visit cgiu.org/bracket.

Many communities in the region have already undertaken projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as required by the State of Oregon in the future.

They range from building transit systems in Portland to encouraging alternative transportation options in Hillsboro and studying increased density in Forest Grove and Hillsboro.

These and other projects were discussed last week in a series of stories published in many Pamplin Media Group newspapers.

The articles explained the Climate Smart Communities project being undertaken by Metro, the elected regional government, at the direction of the Oregon Legislature.

Metro is currently conducting an online Opt In survey to gauge public response to possible new policies to reduce driving even more. To register and take it, visit www.climatesmartsurvey.com.

The policies under discussion include encouraging more mixed-use developments and increasing the cost of driving and parking.

The elected Metro Council will consider the results of the survey when finalizing its proposal for the 2015 Oregon Legislature. In the meantime, here are a sampling of projects from around the region discussed in last week’s stories:

Portland: The biggest city in the region is well-known for its alternative transportation polices and projects. They include the Portland Streetcar loop that is nearing completion around the urban core. Work is underway to connect it to TriMet’s new Portland-to-Milwaukie MAX line near OMSI on the east side of the Willamette River and in the South Waterfront neighborhood on the west side.

The City Council also approved the Portland Plan last year that calls for the creation of neighborhood centers throughout town where residents can walk to work and shopping within 20 minutes. The plan also calls for them to be connected with streets that are designed to encourage walking and biking.

Clackamas County: Created in 1980, the 819-acre Clackamas Town Center redevelopment called for improving transportation connections along Southeast 82nd Avenue. Connections to Interstate 205 and Sunnyside Road made it one of the region’s fastest growing areas in the past three decades. Proposed projects included the construction of TriMet’s Green Line MAX line to the Clackamas Town Center mall. The plan has been modified over the years to reflect growth in Milwaukie and Happy Valley, the two cities surrounding the area, but it has always maintained efforts to add local housing and improve traffic flow.

Police arrested three teenage boys for fighting with a school resource officer and other officers who provided backup.

The three Portland teens — one is 15 and two are 17 — now face charges of assaulting a public safety officer, attempting to assault a public safety officer, harassment and interfering with a peace officer, said Detective John Rasmussen, Gresham police spokesman.

It began at 12:47 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, when a school resource officer looking for truant students in violation of daytime curfew laws noticed a group of juveniles hanging out at the 7-Eleven at 17404 S.E. Powell Blvd., in Portland.

The officer stopped a 15-year-old boy, who gave a fake name, shoved the officer and acted in a menacing manner, pretending he was going to hit the officer, Rasmussen said.

The boy’s 17-year-old friend interfered, pushing the officer and saying he had no right to stop his friend. After shoving the officer, both boys ran away and refused to obey the officer’s orders to stop.

While calling for other officers to help, the officer chased the juveniles in an effort to take them into custody. During the chase, the older boy stopped, faced the officer and tried to punch him in the face. The officer managed to dodge the punch and the boy took off again.

And again, the officer chased the boys, who ran to an apartment in the 17200 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard. The boys briefly ran inside, came back out and advanced toward the officer. As the 17-year-old aggressively came toward the officer, he deployed his Taser, Rasmussen said.

Within about five seconds, the boy ran back into the apartment and other officers arrived to help.

The mother of the Tasered juvenile allowed officers to enter the apartment and tend to her son, Rasmussen said. Then, as officers tried to contact the boy, a third male, also 17, blocked their way, Rasmussen said.

That third boy then fought with two officers who tried to move him aside.

Ultimately, paramedics transported the Tasered boy to Oregon Health & Science University to have a Taser probe removed, which is considered a non life-threatening injury. When released, he’ll face charges of harassment, attempting to assault a public safety officer and interfering with a peace officer.

The 15-year-old boy and the other 17-year-old boy from the apartment also are facing the same charges.

Two officers received minor scrapes, and one officer injured his back during the incident.

The names of everyone involved are being withheld pending review from the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Rasmussen said.

Deadline approaching for senior and disabled deferral program

Residents who are enrolled in the Senior and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program have until Monday, April 8, to file paperwork for recertification of their eligibility.

In addition, those new to the deferral program have until Monday, April 15, to file with their county assessor’s office to be eligible to have their property taxes paid this year.

The Oregon Legislature established the Senior and Disabled Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program in 1963 to help qualified residents pay their county property taxes. The state essentially makes property tax payments on behalf of eligible participants. A lien is then placed on the property, and all taxes and fees must be repaid before the lien is removed.

For more information, or to obtain an application, visit Oregon.gov/dor/scd.

Preventing graffiti in Gresham

The city of Gresham will hold a Graffiti Summit from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Gresham City Hall Council Chambers, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway.

The summit will focus on what graffiti means, how to prevent it, why it’s important to remove it quickly and how to remove it successfully.

Gresham Police Department, Code Compliance and the Office of Neighborhoods will present.

For more information, call 503-618-2482 or email Cathy.Harrington@GreshamOregon.gov.

Multnomah County seeking volunteers

Multnomah County Land Use Planning division is looking for two county residents, who live east of Gresham and Troutdale, to serve on the county’s Planning Commission.

Members of the planning commission make sure that rural land use planning issues meet state planning requirements, as well as policies established by the Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners. They also make recommendations to commissioners for adoption, revision or repeal of elements in the Comprehensive Framework Plan, zoning code and other regulatory ordinances in place to carry out the plan as directed by the board.

The planning commission consists of nine members, who serve four-year terms and are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Multnomah Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., in Portland.

Deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 16.

To request an application, call 503-988-3043 or visit multco.us/land-use-planning/planning-commissioner-application.

Learn about the Healthy Damascus Food Plan

How does healthy food and active living affect you, your family and community?

Delve into this question from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Sunnyside Community Church, 16444 S.E. Highway 212, Damascus.

A Kaiser Permanente Health Initiatives-funded grant is helping the city develop the Healthy Damascus Food Plan.

Participants in Saturday’s event will have the opportunity to learn about partnerships, programs and projects to make Damascus a more healthy and active city.

Recycling event to benefit canine adoption group

The Oregon Greyhound Adoption (OGA) organization is inviting area residents to clean out their closets, garages and storage cabinets for a Community Recycling Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Multnomah Greyhound Park, 944 N.E. 223rd Ave., Wood Village.

The event offers folks a way to dispose of sensitive documents (via shredding), obsolete electronics and Styrofoam. Accepted electronics include televisions, VCRs, PDAs, computers, keyboards, camera, telephones, stereos and audio equipment. Microwave ovens cannot be accepted.

Suggested donation is $5 per item, or two bags/boxes of documents, with a $50 maximum per car load.

OGA is a registered nonprofit corporation, meaning all donations are tax deductible. The group is dedicated to finding good homes for retired greyhound racing animals.

For more information, visit oregongreyhound.com.

Host families needed for next school year

International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) is seeking local families who would like to open their home to a foreign exchange high school student for the 2013-2014 school year.

Interested host families are provided with student profiles that allow them to select an exchange student based on gender, nationality, common interests, religion and other criteria. Exchange students are fully insured and have their own spending money to cover personal expenses. ICES also provides a local program coordinator, who works with the student and host family throughout the year and plans activities and get-togethers.

Each year, ICES brings students from more than 30 countries to the United States to live with local families, attend school and learn about American culture. ICES is a nonprofit organization, and host families are eligible for a tax deduction for hosting.

For more information, call Kari Hampton at 503-724-2308 or email at hampton.ices@gmail.com.

Locate buried utilities before digging this spring

NW Natural is reminding residents that April is Safe Digging Month and to know the location of their underground utility lines before beginning any yard work requiring tools.

Officials with the gas company warn that garden shovels, backhoes, trenchers, post-hole diggers and other tools are all capable of damaging gas lines and could result in service disruptions and possible injuries.

Residents and contractors should call 811, the Utility Notification Center, at least two business days prior to the start of any yard project. The call is free and required by law. Failure to comply could mean a hefty fine.

If a gas line has been accidently damaged, officials with NW Natural advise you to remember “Smell. Go. Let us know.” Leave the area if you smell an odor like rotten eggs or hear a hissing sound, and follow these additional tips:

Do not use your telephone, cell phone or any electronic or battery powered device.

Do not light matches.

Don’t operate any electrical switch, including lights.

Don’t create any other source of ignition or spark that could ignite the gas.

Evacuate the area on foot.

Call NW Natural’s 24-hour emergency hotline at 800-882-3377.

For more information, visit nwnatural.com.

The following students were named to the second trimester honor roll at Damascus Middle School:

Sixth grade

4.0 — Lainie Hampton, Coleman Kane, Jade Minzlaff, Ainsley Pate, Sydney Raymond, Jessica Roner, Trinity Teyema, Samuel Titchenal and Grace Wells.

3.50-3.99 — Ally Billard, Samantha Brandsen, Max Campbell, Griffin Cardwell, Tatyana Castro, Mackenzie Cochran, Brooke Collins, Mason Cote, Cailyn Crain, Grace Davidson, Preston Hobbs, Tanner Marquardt, Sarah Mickle, Kinzey Moller, Zachary Nikolay, Cole O’Halloran, Matt Pomasl, AJ Pomasl, Abigail Simon, Katie Simon, Samuel Stinson and Matthew Worthy.

Seventh grade

4.00 — Christopher Chapelle, Jesse Cooper and Nathan Paul.

3.50-3.99 — Kara Borchert, Melissa Ceja Chavez, Isaac Chapelle, Collin Humphreys, Daniel Kylykivskyy, Gabbi Nowodworski, Cody Poff, Alexis Sanchez, Triston Stauffer, Emily Stout, Marissa Wagner, Alex Wells and Shannon Wilhelm.

Eighth grade

4.00 — Savanah Campbell, Brett Falkner, Johanna Hampton, Alli Heckmann, Kelsey Houston, Maddie Huffman, Ally Mager, Anya Papageorges, Evan Plusquellec, Alyson Teachout, Kaylee Teasley, Nicholas Touchette, Rachel Wheeler and Justice Zitting Matsuoka.

3.50-3.99 — Jared Aldridge, Clare Brinkman, Parker Cardwell, Kaylah Cha, Lucy Diaz, Kelly Estrella, Aidan Gierer, Diana Gotur, Antonia Heacock, Amanda Hendrickson, Sam Hughes, Jenny Karn, Gina Litke, Mason Nice, Marissa Nowodworski, Skylar Olsen, Sierra Scheuermann, Erin Shannon, Damon Stewart and Heidi Thies.

The following students had perfect attendance during the second trimester at Damascus Middle School:

Sixth grade — Lainie Hampton, Coleman Kane, Sarah Mickle, Trinity Teyema, Christian Wong and Matthew Worthy.

Seventh grade — Mary Girdan, Keri Mello, Triston Stauffer, Caleb Tuma and Courtney Vanderberg.

Eighth grade — Kaylah Cha, Brett Falkner, Zane Minzlaff , Martin Rangel, Ronald Simpson and Caleb Virell.

The following students received a .5 and above GPA increase from first semester at Damascus Middle School:

Sixth grade — Aidan Armstrong, Christian Maxey and Zachary Nikolay.

Seventh grade — Parker Irby, Kayla Masoumpanah and Brody Touchette.

Eighth grade — Lucy Diaz, Shannon Endner, Katelynn Johnson, Jacob Mosbrucker, Nicholas Touchette and Chaz Wylie.

David Leroy Salisbury

Oct. 15, 1951-March 31, 2013

Gresham resident David Leroy Salisbury died Sunday, March 31. He was 61. 

No public services will be held at this time.

David was born Oct. 15, 1951, in Toledo to James and Glenda (Petri) Salisbury.

He married Geneva Zigler in July 1978 in Bremerton, Wash. David worked as a warehouseman at Fred Meyer for 26 years and was a member of the Teamsters Local 206. He enjoyed hunting, woodworking and hiking.

David is survived by his sons, Randy A. Salisbury and Johnny M. Salisbury; stepson, Daryll M. Zigler; daughter, Cindy I. Salisbury; father, James Salisbury; brothers, Philip and Jimmy Salisbury; and nine grandchildren.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Donations may be made to SnowCap Community Charities and to the Oregon Food Bank.

George Albert Casterline

Jan. 15, 1920-April 2, 2013

Portland resident George Albert Casterline died Tuesday, April 2. He was 93.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 13, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Portland.

George was born Jan. 15, 1920, in Axtel, Mont., to Leo and Annette Casterline. He grew up in Mabel, Ore., and graduated from the University of Oregon Dental School in 1955.

George served in the Army during World War II, receiving the American Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He worked as a dentist, retiring from his Gresham practice in 1983.

On Aug. 8, 1948, George married Polly Pollard in Portland. He was a member of Gresham Rotary, the Mt. Hood Community College board and First Congregational United Church of Christ, and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Polly Casterline. George is survived by his ex-wife, Suzanne Shepperd; sisters, Leota More and Carolyn Miller; daughters, Peg and Paula Terp; sons, Milton and Alan Casterline; six grandchildren; and seven grandchildren.

Davies Cremation and Burial Service is handling arrangements.

Gerald (Jerry) Busse

July 20, 1936-March 17, 2013

Gresham resident Gerald (Jerry) Busse died from a sudden illness Sunday, March 17. He was 76.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Eastrose Fellowship Unitarian Universalist Church, 1133 N.E. 181st Ave., Portland.

Jerry was born July 20 ,1936. He was raised in Illinois, graduating from high school in 1955.

He joined the Air Force in 1958 and married Tara Ryan. They relocated several times, ending up at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where Jerry specialized as a ballistic missile technician instructor for the Titan II Program.

In 1982 Busse married Joanne Axline. They eventually settled in Gresham. Jerry was a caring man who was active in his church.

He is survived by his son, Don Busse of Seaside, Calif.; his wife, JoAnne Busse; and his extended family.

Crown Memorial Center is handling arrangements.

Lillie May Powell

March 12, 1923-March 28, 2013

Corbett resident Lillie May Powell died Thursday, March 28. She was 90.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, April 2, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Troutdale. She was buried at Willamette National Cemetery.

Lillie was born March 12, 1923, in Cane Beds, Ariz., to Andrew Herold and Mary Anna (Barnhurst) Allen. She married Wallace Bertram Powell on Feb. 4, 1947, in Eugene.

Lillie was a homemaker, a member of 4-H and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lillie sang with a country band, was a great artist and seamstress, loved crocheting and enjoyed watching the kids in her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Mary Irene Norman and Dora Fetzer; and grandson, Andrew Ames Post. She is survived by her daughters, Alice Hawkings, Renah Strawser, Karen Christenson and Shirley Post; sisters, Orrella Butts and Elva Owens; brother, Jim Allen; 21 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.

Family Memorial Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Betty Marino

Feb. 7 1940-April 1, 2013

East County resident Betty Marino died Monday, April 1. She was 73.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes.

Betty is survived by her husband, Al Marino; children, Tim, Tami, Tony, Bruce, Shannon and Russell; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society.

Lewis A. Hammond II

Long time Gresham resident, Lewis A. Hammond II, died March 29, 2013. He was 81.

Mr. Hammond , born Jan. 7, 1932 to Mable Mae Hill(s) and Lewis (Louis) A. Hammond I, in Grand Rapids, MI.

Mr. Hammond was known across the country for his expertise in transmissions of any kind on and for any vehicle. He was known as a mechanical genius after learning “If” he took it apart, he could make it work better than designed. Pretty much could diagnose a problem with your transmission by a 10 minute phone call.

Mr. Hammond was also know for his musical talents on his guitar. He could make you want to get up and dance to pretty much anything he sang, be it gospel or country music.

Mr. Hammond loved life after he figured out who he was and he was loved by many.

Family include: Rocky Lewis Hammond, (Deceased 2001), Lewis Adam Hammond III, Pompano Beach, FL, Clara (Lucy) Moss, Beggs, OK, MariAnn (Mary) L. Schmid Mount Vernon, WA, Tina M. Hamilton, Rogers, Arkansas, Jacqueline (Jackie) Graves, Adair, OK, Sally M. Edwards, Wagoner, OK, Tammy L. Hammond, (Deceased 2005), Thomas (Tom) C. Hammond, Collinsville, OK, 24 + grandchildren, 23 + great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Step-son: David Smothers, Gresham, OR

Brothers and Sisters: Edna Elaine Gibson (Deceased), Geraldine Frances (Deceased), Bessie (Becky) Norine Finney (Deceased), Donna Jean Balcom, Delbert Ray Hammond, Janet Ellen Milner and Kenneth James Hammond (DSeceased).

Private services. Flowers may be received at Forrest Lawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, 400 SW Walters RD., Gresham OR #97080.

Lee Larson

Lee Larson, 94, passed away on April 3, 2013 in Portland, Oregon. He was born on January 30, 1919, in Seattle, Washington. He was raised there and attended the University of Washington, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Aleutian Islands. After the war, Lee began his career as a high school teacher and counselor. He also joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves, retiring as a Major after 20 years in 1967.

Lee married Ruth (Olson) on April 4, 1943. They have shared 70 wonderful and supportive years of marriage together. Lee was well recognized as a great role model, and also as a loving husband and father. He was very attentive and respectful to his family and all those around him. He spent 35 years in secondary education, including 10 as a math and science teacher in Burlington, WA and 25 as a teacher and head counselor at Benson HS in Portland. Lee was also a very active leader in the Covenant Church. He enjoyed staying in touch with both young people and adults, and was never “stuck in a decade”. He always made sure to listen, understand, and often learn from the people around him, no matter their ages.

Lee is survived by his wife, Ruth Larson, of Portland; children Robert Larson of Portland, Christy Fair of Gig Harbor, WA, James Larson of Happy Valley, and David Larson of Albany; as well as 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Lee will be laid to rest privately at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Gresham, and a memorial service will be held on Tuesday April 9, 2013 at 1:30pm at Powell Valley Covenant Church in Gresham. For more information or to leave the family a message, please visit www.batemancarrollfunerals.com.

Audrey L. Normoyle (Skeslien)

February 17, 1930 - March 7, 2013

Audrey was born February 17, 1930 in Mohall, North Dakota to Alvin and Myrtle Skeslien.  In 1934 they moved to Sandy, Oregon where she lived all her life. She attended Bull Run Grade School and graduated from Sandy High School in 1948.

Audrey worked 33 years in dentistry as an assistant, receptionist and in dental insurance.

On November 24, 1948 she married George (Bud) Hornback, after 23 years of marriage they divorced.  They had two lovely daughters, Diane and Debbie.  In 1978 she married Eugene Normoyle.  He died in 1997.

Audrey loved people.  Her hobbies were her family, sewing, golfing, bowling, Pinochle, her flower garden and western music.

She was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Normoyle, sister Doris and her great-grandson Ben Pierson. Survivors include daughters Diane Deatherage and husband Bob, Debbie Kirkpatrick and husband David, sisters Darlene Weller and Carol Pleiss, brother Bud Skeslien, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her long-time companion Mike Bohrer.

Remembrances can be sent to Mt. Hood Hospice PO Box 1269 Sandy, OR 97055.  A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

To sign Audrey’s on-line guestbook, please visit

www.sandyfuneralhome.com

Sam Barlow senior Nick Poelwijk dreams of becoming a international concert pianist

He sits down at the choir room piano, takes a deep breath, and seamlessly plays through a Chopin scherzo, the blues, a waltz and Tchaikovsky.

A Sam Barlow High School senior, Nick Poelwijk dedicates four hours a day to practicing in the summer and more than two hours a day during the school year, with his eye on becoming a concert pianist.

“There’s a correlation between music and academics,” Poelwijk said. “My mom wanted my brother Zack and me to have that connection, so she put us in piano. It was a struggle at first, but as I got older, I learned to love it.”

Beginning piano lessons at age 3, Poelwijk has played for 15 years. Along with playing percussion in the symphonic band and piano in the jazz band at Sam Barlow, Poelwijk studies under internationally-renowned concert pianist Mark Westcott, learning hundreds of pages of music a year.

“In under two years, his improvement has been the most amazing of any teenage student I’ve ever worked with,” Westcott said. “He has a tremendous vitality and expressiveness. His level of precision, grace and execution are damn-near professional level.

“Kids are often so guarded about their feelings,” Westcott said. “He’s perfectly sophisticated, much more than I was at his age. His honestly and sensitivity is really compelling — almost mesmerizing.”

Poelwijk was among three winners in his age division in the Chopin Northwest Competition in early February. After he played, he was approached by the founder of the competition, who offered him opportunities to play in Paris and Sydney, Australia, after a few more years of development and college.

“Who knows what will happen, but it was reassuring,” Poelwijk said. “Just the fact that someone with that knowledge of music noticed and appreciated (his playing).”

Poelwijk has received just shy of a full-ride scholarship to the University of Oregon School of Music and plans to eventually transfer to a music conservatory and pursue graduate school.

Outside of school and his personal piano studies, Poelwijk plays piano Saturday nights and Sundays for St. Michael Catholic Church in Sandy and St. John Catholic Church in Welches.

He also plays for funeral homes and weddings, and he and his friends put together Christmas shows at Zoo Lights.

“My heart starts to race a bit the night before I play, but I’m constantly playing in front of people, and that definitely helps with the butterflies,” Poelwijk said.

His band teacher, Paul Nickolas, said he often scares kids away from being performance majors if he doesn’t see their enjoyment of practice. But Poelwijk is one of those students who does enjoy practicing and the process of getting where he wants to go.

“A lot of those really serious kids who spend a lot of time in the practice room, who spend a lot of time performing, will have a disconnect in other ways,” Nickolas said. “They won’t have social circles or other interests. They’ll have tunnel vision. Nick is not that way. He has huge social circles, he comes to our athletic events, he leads the drumline and everybody knows and loves him. He bleeds blue and gold.

“His leadership skills combined with his extraordinarily disciplined process and musicality make him so much fun to teach.”

For a recent winter recognition assembly focused mostly on sports, the school reserved a 5-minute slot for Poelwijk to play. You could hear a pindrop, and Poelwijk received a standing ovation.

“I want to be able to get people my age to appreciate music of substance,” Poelwijk said. “That moment on stage, whether it’s a competition or recital, when you’re on the spot making good music... it’s a special moment.”

Poelwijk has been significantly influenced by Westcott, a pianist who, at the top of his game, suffered a debilitating right arm injury and then had a 10-year bout with cancer, forcing him to leave the international touring circuit.

“To see how how dedicated he is and how much he loves what he does means a lot to me,” Poelwijk said. “He’s really changed my playing and I want to live up to his standards.”

At home, Poelwijk practices on a grand piano in his living room and an 80-year-old upright piano in his bedroom. He and his mother, Vivianne Couch Giusto, a vocalist, perform together for special events.

“Music molds lives,” Giusto said. “My two sons are the proof of that. I wanted them to have the gift of music forever. My grandmother gave my mother the gift, she gave me the gift and now they have the gift.”

After finishing Tchaikovsky, Poelwijk gracefully lifts his fingers from the piano keys and smiles.

"I know I’m putting my whole future on the line with trying to make a living and be a success with just my fingers, but I'm doing what I love to do."

To watch a clip of Poelwijk performing at the Chopin Competition, visit chopinnw.org/2013.html.