A ceremony to rededicate a memorial to a woman who spearheaded efforts to preserve the Columbia River Gorge is taking place at Portland Women’s Forum in Corbett — a scenic viewpoint from which Crown Point and Beacon Rock can be seen — at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 2.

Gertrude Glutsch Jensen was a conservationist and civic leader nicknamed the “Angel of the Gorge” for her efforts to protect the scenic area from commercial development. The ceremony takes place just 15 days before what would have been Jensen’s 110th birthday.

Several officers from the Portland Women’s Forum organization, representatives from Oregon Parks and Recreation and some members of Jensen’s family will attend.

The stone and mortar memorial is at the scenic viewpoint, located on the Historic Columbia River Highway about 2 miles east of Corbett. It was first installed in 1970 as a drinking fountain made of rock, complete with a bronze plaque, in honor of Jensen.

The drinking fountain was later removed and replaced with a new one that was handicapped accessible.

Jensen died in 1986. The old drinking fountain had been in storage at Rooster Rock State Park for many years, but has since been converted into a new monument in memory of Jensen.

“So we’re rededicating it and celebrating it,” said Teresa Kasner of Corbett, who helped oversee the original memorial’s repurposing.

The state of Oregon has agreed to pay $500,000 to the estate of a 5-year-old Gresham girl who was tortured and abused to death by her father in what local police called the worst case of child abuse they’d ever seen.

The wrongful death suit accused the Oregon Department of Human Services of negligence for failing to rescue Oleander “Lil Andie” Labier, 5, who was the subject of an inquiry a year before the girl died on April 13, 2010.

A state child welfare worker concluded the child was safe and that a prior report of neglect and malnutrition was unfounded.

But the caseworker never interviewed or examined Labier, and didn’t interview her grandparents, Frank and Marrian Turner of Sandy, as is required under state policies.

The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as battered child syndrome. She was just 28 pounds when she died.

The girl’s father, Christopher “Andy” Rosillo, 24, pleaded guilty to murder by abuse. He is serving a life sentence in prison with possibility of parole in 25 years.

His Sandy High School classmate and longtime girlfriend, Guadalupe “Lupé” Quintero, 24, also abused the girl — who was not her biological daughter — and did nothing to prevent her fiance from starving, torturing and abusing the child. Quintero pleaded guilty to manslaughter and criminal mistreatment and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

A trial for the wrongful death lawsuit was scheduled to take place last week until the girl’s paternal grandparents accepted the state’s settlement offer.

Frank Turner, the girl’s grandfather, said they accepted the settlement partly out of fear that the state would have argued during the trial that another set of grandparents who witnessed the abuse and did nothing to stop it was more responsible for the girl’s death than state welfare workers.

Quintero’s parents, Melanie and Efren Quintero, reported seeing Rosillo forcing the girl to eat her own feces and hot peppers. They told police it wasn’t their place to intervene.

The Turners also discovered a wound on the girl’s shoulder caused by Rosillo beating her with his belt. They ordered him to never hurt the girl again, took pictures of the injury and took her into their home to live with them. But three months later, her father demanded her back, and rarely allowed his parents to see the girl.

After Labier was killed, the Turners said they didn’t know how extensive the abuse was, and Frank Turner said he called a national child abuse hotline twice to report his concerns.

The settlement will be placed into a trust fund for Labier’s siblings. A younger sister and brother witnessed the abuse before their parents were arrested. Labier also has siblings through her biological mother in Washington.

Frank Turner also hopes to change state law to require that all adults be required to report child abuse, not just a select group of professionals, including but not limited to doctors, teachers and clergy.

- Carla Piluso fills calendar with athletic events, voice lessons, school board meetings and charity-based community involvement -

Retirement has been kind to Carla Piluso.

After spending her entire law enforcement career of nearly 30 years with the Gresham Police Department and becoming the city’s first female police chief, Piluso retired in January 2009. At the time, she was still smarting from her unsuccessful run in a hotly contested race for a seat on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.

Now she’s running again — up and down soccer fields.

“Last weekend was the first time in 13 years I played a full-field outdoor game,” Piluso, 57, says over a salad at the Trufflehunter. “And I survived! Nothing hurts!”

During her college years at Willamette University, Piluso was a celebrated athlete who competed in softball, basketball and field hockey. She put that speed to work as the second female police officer to be hired by the Gresham Police Department. Over the course of her career, she rose through the ranks and became known for her community involvement with organizations such as SnowCap and Human Solutions.

But that time-consuming career took a toll on her health.

She gained weight and a host of health problems that traditionally come with extra pounds.

After she retired, she was elected to the Gresham-Barlow School Board, threw herself into the nonprofit organizations she’s long been involved with and saw her daughter Kate, now 20, off to college at Piluso’s alma mater in Salem.

Her newly empty nest happened to coincide with a doctor’s appointment that served as a wake-up call for Piluso.

If she didn’t lose some weight and make some serious changes, her retirement would be a) a lot less fun because of her body’s limitations and b) possibly cut short.

So Piluso hired a personal trainer “to do it right and be accountable to someone,” she says.

Piluso began by becoming mindful of her portions, keeping a diary of what she ate and working out two to three days a week.

Now, she works out five days a week. Three of those workouts are spent with her trainer. She lifts weights and swims five nights a week at Cascade Athletic Club, where she’s been known to close down the pool.

Today, Piluso competes on an indoor soccer team and has competed in two indoor triathlons as well as the “Warrior Dash,” a mud run/obstacle course.

She’s now in training for another triathlon with her best friend from high school.

All of this has melted off the pounds. Piluso has lost more weight than she cares to disclose, but it’s safe to say those in the community who have not seen her for some time might not recognize her.

Not only are her trademark Hawaiian shirts too big for her to wear, but she’s a sliver of her former self.

Piluso is thrilled to be back in shape and enjoying the sports she’s always loved. Recently, while catching up with an old friend, she received the best compliment she’s gotten in a long time.

“Hey, you’re an athlete again!” the friend said.

She’s also joined an all-women bocce league that competes at Club Paesano in Gresham. It’s so much fun, she brought the form of Italian lawn bowling to Dexter McCarty Middle School as part of its SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) school offerings.

Piluso is wrapping up her first four-year term as a school board member and is running unopposed for a second term during Multnomah County’s upcoming May special election. “It’s been a really good experience,” she says of serving as a school board member. “I am amazed at the complexity of it, all the funding sources and special services. And I thought running a police department was complicated.”

The role also has brought her into the schools, where she interacts with students and teachers. “I didn’t know how motivating it would be.”

When she’s not working out or in the schools, Piluso serves as the appointed chairwoman of Multnomah County’s Commission on Children, Families and Community. She continues to volunteer for My Sister’s House, a local housing program for women and children, who are often survivors of domestic violence.

She serves as board president for Human Solutions and volunteers for SnowCap Community Charities, for which she recently emceed at its annual auction. In fact, she’s become a relied-upon volunteer for groups needing an auctioneer to preside over their fundraisers.

“When these groups call, you just go,” Piluso says. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

She’s also taking voice lessons, and just sang for the first time publicly at an event for the Salvation Army. Not to sound like a broken record, but she serves on its advisory council as president.

“I’ve been shot at and I’ve had guns pointed at me, but this was far more frightening,” she said of her musical debut. In a fitting nod to her charity work, Piluso sang “God Bless the Outcasts” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

For now, Piluso is dedicated to her athletic training and is planning some trips to England, where her daughter will be studying next fall.

“This is the gift of retirement,” Piluso says. “I’ve just got the best life. A charmed life.”

Help ‘Free the Girls’

Soroptimist International of Gresham is launching a new service project to help women who have experienced human trafficking. From May 1 through June 15, Soroptimists will collect new and gently used bras for Free the Girls.

Rescued women are able to sell the bras to provide for their families.

To host a donation bin or find the nearest bin location, visit sigresham.org or call Elizabeth Delplato at 503-667-9491. To learn more, visit freethegirls.org.

Bring canned food to 4th Street for SnowCap

A food drive benefiting SnowCap Community Charities will take place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at 4th Street Pub and Brewing, 77. N.E. Fourth St., Gresham.

Attendees are encouraged to bring five cans of food to the benefit dinner. A portion of all dinner proceeds will go to SnowCap. Cash donations may be made at any U.S. Bank under Columbia River Roofing/SnowCap. For more information, visit snowcap.org.

Drink One for Dane

Dutch Bros. Coffee is inviting the public to “Drink One for Dane” and help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

On Friday, May 3, all 198 Dutch Bros. locations will donate 100 percent of their proceeds to MDA for research and family services funding. The company’s annual MDA Day honors Dutch Bros. co-founder Dane Boersma, who died of ALS in late 2009. There are four local Dutch Bros. Coffee locations. For more information, visit dutchbros.com.

Final test looms at home next week against Central Catholic

Barlow pitcher Abbie Bergerson took matters into her own hands with first place in the Mount Hood Conference softball standings on the line Monday.

Bergerson tossed a two-hit shutout in the Bruins’ 2-0 home win over David Douglas never allowing a Scot to get past second base. She also supplied the game’s only runs with a pair of RBI-doubles.

“She started off really quick and settled into the game right away,” Barlow coach Tom Topaum said. “She got really composed, and her composure just took over.”

The league has seen a jumble of four teams challenge for the title this spring, but after Monday’s win it is Barlow (9-2) alone at the top riding a nine-game win streak. The Bruins also clinched the season series with the Scots, winning two of the three matchups.

Barlow plays at Reynolds on Wednesday, while David Douglas is at home against Centennial.

Look for expanded game coverage in the Friday, May 3, print edition.

Gresham-Barlow reviews budget

The Gresham-Barlow School District’s Budget Committee will review the proposed 2013-14 budget and hear public comment Monday, May 6. A second budget committee meeting may take place May 13, if needed.

Once the Budget Committee approves the budget, the school board will vote on adopting the budget Thursday, June 6. Superintendent Jim Schlachter’s budget message can be found at gresham.k12.or.us

The budget meetings are as follows:

• 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, Budget Committee meeting, Center for Advanced Learning, 1484 N.W. Civic Drive, Gresham.

• 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, Budget Committee meeting, Center for Advanced Learning, 1484 N.W. Civic Drive, Gresham.

• 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6, School Board budget hearing, Gresham-Barlow School District Office, 1331 N.W. Eastman Parkway, Gresham.

Reynolds district to deliberate on budget

The Reynolds School District budget committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 2, to discuss the budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The public meeting will take place in Reynolds High School’s multipurpose room, 1698 S.W. Cherry Park Road, Troutdale. 

A copy of the budget document will be available at the meeting and at the Reynolds School District administration office, 1204 N.E. 201st Ave., Fairview.

Local childrens consignment store marks milestone anniversary

It’s been said that mixing business and family is never a good idea.

But apparently, Gresham residents and sisters Cari Floyd and Lori Mosher didn’t get that memo.

“We spent so much time together that we decided we needed to do something constructive,” said Floyd, owner of All About Kids Inc. in downtown Gresham. “It was a risk because we had no idea what we were doing and we had no retail experience. But it worked.”

For nearly 15 years, All About Kids has lived up to its name for both new moms and nanas, offering high-quality resale clothing, infant and toddler furniture and toys. It has weathered economic ups and downs, but never wavered from its original premise to provide superior service to both consumers and consignors.

Raised in Boring, Floyd, 46, had been a coordinator for area holiday craft bazaars when Mosher suggested opening a children’s consignment shop. On May 14, 1998, the pair launched All About Kids “on a shoestring budget” in a stripmall on Northeast 119th Avenue and Glisan Street in Portland. Despite the concept of consignment clothing stores being novel at the time, the sisters found support among the young families in the neighborhood and the store thrived.

In 2007, All About Kids opened a second location on Main Avenue in the storefront formerly home to longtime downtown anchor, Toy Bear. It made sense, Floyd said, to move into the Gresham market since the customer and consignor base already existed.

“When we came in here, we already had a following from Corbett, Gresham, Boring,” she said. “We knew we were going to be OK. But that space was so big and we had to reduce our overhead, so we moved here (across the street) in 2009.”

After Mosher stepped away from the business in 2002 to pursue other employment, Floyd became sole owner of the two stores. But business began to decline as the national economy sagged, a troubling trend particularly at the flagship store in Northeast Portland.

“We had the same number of customers, but they weren’t spending as much,” Floyd said. “We had consignors bringing items in, but they wouldn’t shop with us. They needed their $8 check to put gas in their car. At the end of the day, money is money. And if you need bread and milk, that’s going to win over kids’ clothes every time.”

Floyd closed the Portland store in 2011, throwing her efforts into rebuilding her clientele in Gresham. She admits to being detail oriented — “all the hangers have to face the same way” — and works personally with the nearly 3,000 consignors currently on the books to balance a fair price point for all parties. And a recent surprise visit by an agent with the Consumer Products Safety Commission, validated what she calls her “high standards” for the items she accepts.

“I had never had an agent come through the store before,” Floyd said. “They were looking for toys and equipment that had missing pieces or had been recalled. We passed with flying colors. I take those things very seriously because the safety of children is important. It doesn’t matter if you’re a mom or grandma — when you come here, the items are safe, age appropriate and working.”

As sole proprietor of a small business, Floyd said weathering the economic ups and downs of the last few years has required endurance and perseverance. What has allowed her to “rock it and move forward,” she said, is almost 15 years of support by loyal customers and consignors.

“I’m on my second generation of customers,” she said. “We’ve had a couple babies recently, and now those moms who shopped in her for their kids are shopping for their grandkids. That’s pretty cool.”

All About Kids Inc.

Where: 121 N. Main Ave., Gresham

What: High-quality children’s resale clothing, infant and toddler furniture, toys and books; consignments are accepted any time, but items must be clean and free of holes, stains or missing buttons or closures; All About Kids carries preemie to size 7-8 for boys and preemie to size 10-12 for girls.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Info: Call 503-492-3400 or visit All About Kids Inc. on Facebook.

George W. Rohweder

June 22, 1931-April 19, 2013

Sandy resident George W. Rohweder died Friday, April 19. He was 81.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind.

George was born June 22, 1931, at his family homestead on Lusted Road in Boring to Jergen and Kathryn Rohweder. He spent his life in Sandy, graduating from Sandy Union High School, where he was student body president and lettered in football and baseball.

George enlisted in the Navy in 1951, serving during the Guantanamo Bay conflict in Cuba. He married Joanne Chilton on Oct. 30, 1959.

George worked as a firefighter and retired in 1990. He was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved to play cards with firefighter friends into retirement. He was proud of his German heritage, keeping up with his culture and traditions.

He is survived by his children, G. Dan, Caryn, Karl, Nancy and Mike Rohweder; and five grandchildren.

Crown Cremation Services is handling arrangements. Contributions in his name may be made to Toy N Joy Makers, 5916 N.E. Going St., Portland.

Lois Elvina Blackburn

Dec. 2, 1923-April 17, 2013

Fairview resident Lois Elvina Blackburn died Wednesday, April 17. She was 89.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Burial will be at Skyline Memorial Gardens.

Lois was born Dec. 2, 1923, in Mukilteo, Wash., to Robert and Anna Smollett.

She graduated from Everett High School in 1942.

Throughout her life, Lois worked for Boeing, Meier & Frank, U.S. Bank and Multnomah County. She married James Blackburn on June 25, 1955, in Portland.

Lois was a member of the Catholic Church and enjoyed reading, music, fashion and decorating. She returned to her beloved hometown often to visit family and friends.

Lois is survived by her husband; sons, David Blackburn, Greg Blackburn and Eugene Blackburn; daughter, Lexy Tappert; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Gresham Memorial Chapel is handling arrangements.

Sondra Jean Mendell

June 9, 1939-April 21, 2013

Troutdale resident Sondra Jean Mendell died Sunday, April 21, in Troutdale. She was 73.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at Gresham Memorial Chapel.

Sondra was born June 9, 1939, in Glendale, Calif., to Floyd and Mildred Smith of Pasadena.

The family moved to Sandy, and she graduated from Sandy High School. In 1959, she attended beauty school in Eugene where she met her husband of 40 years, Robert Mendell, at a Valentine’s Day dance. The couple married Dec. 12, 1961.

Sondra was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her daughter, Verda Sargent; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother, Larry Smith; and sister, Peggy Wachline of Troutdale.

The family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Paid obituaries

Reeve E. Erickson

April 15, 1925 - April 15, 2013

Memorial service for east county resident, Reeve E. Erickson will be held on Saturday, May 4 @ 11:00am @ GRESHAM MEMORIAL CHAPEL with Honors.

Private inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

Reeve E. Erickson was born on April 15 1925 in Portland Or, the son of Fritz & Geraldine (Larson) Erickson. Reeve died on April 15, 2013 in Portland at the age of 88.

He grew up in Gresham, where he attended school until he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp(3 C’s) in 1941. When the 3C’s broke up shortly after Pearl Harbor Day he worked at the Oregon Shipyard until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in early 1943 and served with the 4th Marine Division, landing on Roi, in the Marshall Islands; Saipan & Tinian, in the Marianas & Iwo Jima, and in the Volckans.

Later after college he joined the corps again and was sent to Korea where he was injured and retired from the service.

Upon release from the service he went to graduate school and worked as a school psychologist with Multnomah County until he retired in 1983. In the mid eighties he worked as a mental health examiner for the court in commitment hearings and continued to do so until April 15, 2005.

In 1956 he married Mitzi Jones and became stepfather to Ronald Jones & Joanne Gratton. He is also survived by one grandson and one great granddaughter and his sisters: Beverly Wiens & Donna Mae Lunt.

He and Mitzi enjoyed travel, hiking, bicycle riding, ballroom dancing and bowling with seniors. In addition he liked to read and write poetic verse.

Remembrances can be made to the Gresham Historical Society.

LaVon Hills

LaVon Eileen (Konen) Hills, peacefully made her way to heaven Thursday April 18, 2013 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. Born to Nicholas John and Katherine Cecilia (Brinkman) Konen on December 27th 1934, in a little farmhouse in Gooding Idaho where LaVon spent her early years before moving with her family to Mt Angel Oregon in 1940. LaVon attended Gervais grade school and was a graduate of the all-girls Mt Angel Academy, class of 1952. LaVon worked for Mt Angel telephone as an operator prior to her marriage to Raymond Hills of Salem, at St Mary’s Cathedral on June 6, 1953. LaVon and Ray’s early years were spent in California and Salem before buying their first home in Gresham’s Centennial neighborhood in 1958. It was here that they met neighbors, deemed the “Club”, to play cards. Always at the center, LaVon cherished these friends who gathered at weddings, parties and luncheons for the next forty years. Upon moving to Cypress Park in 1966, Ray and LaVon’s corner house became the heart of the neighborhood. It was here that LaVon would find, across the back fence, a family like her own and her closest friend Muriel Proulx. By 1985 the kids were grown and LaVon could attend Mt Hood Community college floral design program where her talent and love of color would come to life. As part of the Gresham Florist team LaVon enjoyed working with her ‘gals’. Family and friends were happy beneficiaries of her talent with flowers and her ability to find specialty gifts or cards as over the years LaVon never (ever) forgot a Birthday, Anniversary or special occasion. LaVon and Ray traveled extensively in retirement and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to bring back a souvenir and pictures of their adventures visiting friends from high school, their military life, extended family or former neighbors. Always ready to welcome guests with warmth and generosity, don a costume, plan a theme party or host a get together LaVon’s spirit of fun and loving grace enriched every life it touched.

Survived by her sister Marian Bielemeier of Mt Angel and her husband of sixty years Raymond, LaVon’s large and loving family; sons Craig, Doug (Cathy), Dennis (Lisa), and Ken (Nancy) Hills and daughter Rene’ (Mark) Brown, her twelve grandchildren and two great grandsons’, cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws will miss her always.

On behalf of LaVon, the consummate hostess, her family would like to invite you to a celebratory memorial Mass of the life she lived with love and joy, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday May 4 2013, at St Anne’s Parish, 1015 S E 182nd Ave, Gresham, OR 97233, where Lavon was a member of the Alter Guild.

Memorial donations can be made to Children International, 2000 E Red Bridge Rd. PO Box 219055, Kansas City Missouri, 64131 www.children.org.

Arrangements by Batemen Carroll

LAUREL ANN MOLLER-SEILER

Laurel Ann Moller-Seiler, a resident of Gresham, died on April 24, 2013 in Portland. She was 54 years of age.

Laurel was born on April 14, 1959 at the US Air Force Base in McAllen, Texas and was the daughter of Gary and Shirley Moller. She grew-up in Gresham and graduated from Sam Barlow High School in 1977. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Oregon State University in 1981 were she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

On September 4, 1982, she married Jeffrey Seiler at the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Portland. She worked at her family’s nursery, Moller’s Nursery, in Gresham where she and her sister Sue attained part ownership. After the sale of the Nursery, Laurel opened LMS Bookkeeping and Business Services in Gresham in 1996, operating her business until 2009.

Laurel volunteered her time with various organizations donating time to the East County Oregon Donor Auctions, the Barlow Football Boosters and the OSU Booster Program. She was also dedicated to her family and friends supporting their interest and hobbies.

Fashion, design, and shopping were at the top of Laurel’s list of hobbies. She also enjoyed reading, sewing, needle point, and crocheting as well as watching classic movies and Broadway musicals. She enjoyed trips to the coast, skiing, art galleries, gardening, landscaping, and home improvements. Laurel had an eye for design and was brilliant in starting new endeavors. Laurel was a goal oriented, energetic woman with a strong sense of ethics and morality. Her positive outlook on life was infectious and her consideration for others undeniable. Laurel struggled through numerous health challenges but through her struggles she lived her life to its fullest; never missing an opportunity to laugh, love and live.

Laurel is survived by her husband, Jeffrey of Gresham, children, Hillary Seiler and Colton Seiler both of Gresham, parents, Gary and Shirley Moller of Damascus, sister, Sue (husband, Fred) MacLeod of Gresham and brother, Kurt (wife, Katie) Moller of Damascus along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Laurel’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 11:00 am at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Contributions may be made in her memory to the OSU BASF Scholarship Fund. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Denise Diane St. Clair

Denise Diane St. Clair, a resident of Gresham, Oregon, died April 23, 2013 in Gresham. She was 55 years of age.

Denise was born on October 23, 1957 in Boise, Idaho and was the daughter of Loren and Antonette (Jones) St. Clair. She moved around as a child living in Idaho, Nevada, California and Hawaii. Her family later settled in Oregon where she graduated from Gresham High School in 1976.

Denise worked for RGIS Inventory for thirteen years. She later worked as an accounts payable clerk for Fred Meyer Jewelers at their corporate office for 18 years.

Denise had many hobbies. She loved to bake deserts; making unbelievable candy, cakes, and pies for family and friends. She loved her cat, and was very loyal to friends. She was strong willed and protective, and cared very much about her family. She had a heart of gold and with her determination she had many accomplishments. She will be dearly missed.

Denise is survived by her mother, Antonette Evans of Gresham, father, Loren St. Clair of Hawaii, brother, Rick (wife, Becky) St. Clair of Gresham and her nephews Joshua, Michael, and Daniel St. Clair all of Gresham, her lifelong best friend, Susan Ferguson of Lake Oswego, and Sandy Garcia, her friend and coworker; she also had numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her Step-father, Gene Evans preceded her in death in 2007.

A Celebration of Denise’s life will be held at a later date. Contributions may be made in memory of Denise to the Humane Society. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Her parents hadn’t attended college, and after watching her sister struggle with the application process, Ehlers sought help in navigating the higher education system.

A three-sport athlete who participated in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), Ehlers committed two hours twice a week her junior and senior year to a program called College Possible.

After graduating from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., this spring, the St. Paul, Minn., native will move to the Portland area to become a coach for the region’s newly launched College Possible program, mentoring low-income students in East Multnomah County.

“It’s become a big part of my life in strange ways I didn’t expect,” Ehlers said of College Possible. “I have a big heart for underprivileged youth. Before, I was the one who needed help. Now I want to be an advocate for someone else.”

College Possible Portland is in the process of recruiting low-income sophomores from Davis Douglas, Gresham, Reynolds and Sam Barlow high schools who have a desire to earn college degrees.

Recruitment for Gresham High will continue through May, while the other schools will finish up Friday, May 3.

In its 13-year history, 98 percent of College Possible participants have been accepted to college, and nearly 94 percent have gone on to enroll in college. These students are 10 times more likely to earn a college degree than low-income students nationally.

Ken Thrasher, a retired CEO, East County education advocate and now board chairman of College Possible, saw these statistics and identified the nonprofit organization as one that would benefit communities in the Portland area.

For its first Oregon group, College Possible will accept 140 students for the fall of 2013. The program relies on AmeriCorps coaches who act as friends and role models to the students, often staying in contact long after students have graduated.

“We call it a near peer relationship,” said Catherine Ryan Gregory, a communications VISTA staff member for College Possible Portland. “These students have big ambitions for college, but don’t always know how to make it happen.”

Like Ehlers, students will meet for two hours twice a week after class at school their junior and seniors years, completing more than 320 hours of programming. Through College Possible, juniors prepare for the SAT and ACT and learn about the college application process, while seniors submit college, scholarship and financial aid applications. Additionally, College Possible takes students on tours of college campuses that interest them.

“If no one in their families have been to college or graduated from college, it can be a pretty big leap for them to imagine being on a campus like Portland State University,” Ryan Gregory said. “(The tours) can be a turning point for students.”

So far, College Possible Portland has seen an overwhelming response in East County, especially at Reynolds High School. On Friday, April 26, Reynolds sophomore Ikram Ismail stopped by to interview with College Possible. She lit up talking about her future dreams.

“I really want to go to college, and I’ve been working really hard at it,” Ismail said. “I want to work in government — in law enforcement or as an ambassador.”

To be eligible for College Possible, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and qualify as low-income by receiving free or reduced lunch or coming from a family with a lower income than the median income for families in the district.

While the program is geared toward students interested in four-year colleges, Ryan Gregory said it also welcomes students who may pursue the trades, associate’s degrees and certificates.

“We push for opportunity," she said. "Sometimes students, especially if they don’t have a lot of role models, might not immediately picture themselves going to a four-year college. They may change their minds. We’ve found that low-income students and students from minority groups that are severely under-represented can really increase their earning potential with a bachelor’s degree.”

By 2020, College Possible is expected to reach 20,000 students in 10 locations across the country. Program leaders are hopeful it can help end the cycle of poverty in communities like those in East Multnomah County.

“I hope that the students will be empowered, more confident in themselves and appreciative of their diverse backgrounds and experiences,” Ehlers said.

For more information, visit collegepossible.org, call 503-907-0248 or email CRyanGregory@CollegePossible.org.

The angst in the Rose Garden was steadily rising. The Winterhawks were clinging to a one-goal lead in the third period, but Kamloops was threatening to even it up.

Then Portland right wing Ty Rattie let the whole arena blow a collective sigh of relief.

Rattie netted a short-handed goal midway through the final period Friday night to propel the Winterhawks to a 4-1 victory and a third consecutive Western Hockey League Western Conference championship.

“We have played well when we’ve needed to all year,” Portland coach Travis Green said. “'Rat’ is one of those special guys. He has been there time and time again for us.”

With the Blazers looking for any kind of break to tie the game, they appeared to get one by way of an odd call from the referees. With 10:32 remaining, Portland’s Keegan Iverson smacked the puck to clear it away from goaltender Mac Carruth. The puck sailed over the glass and into the stands, leading the officials to penalize Iverson for delay of game.

The Winterhawks on the ice at the time insisted the puck was deflected and pointed to the video replay as evidence. Their pleas were dismissed, and Iverson was sent to the penalty box.

About 30 seconds into the power play, Rattie intercepted a lazy Kamloops pass at the center line. He pushed it all the way to the net, where he sneaked it past goaltender Cole Cheveldave from the left side for the short-handed score. That put Portland up 3-1 and gave the Hawks the breathing they needed.

“Top goal of my career,” Rattie said. “With the crowd being so loud and with as close as the game was, it was awesome to score. That ranks No. 1 for the most exciting goal I’ve ever scored.”

As the seconds and minutes ticked away after Rattie’s goal, Kamloops became more urgent and did everything it could to get off a few shots. But Portland’s defense was just as physical in the third period as it was early in the game, and the Hawks matched the Blazers’ urgency.

Kamloops’ hope died with six minutes left. when Portland scored a power-play goal for the three-goal lead before the crowd of 9.742.

The knockout blow came when Derrick Pouliot smashed a one-timer at Cheveldave’s left shoulder. Cheveldave stopped it with his glove, but didn’t catch it. As the puck fell to the ice, Portland center Nicolas Petan flipped it just inside the right post before Cheveldave could recover.

Portland outshot Kamloops 41-23. Carruth had 22 saves to continue his hot play in the net. The Winterhawks also got goals from Seth Jones and Taylor Leier.

Rattie’s goal in the third period was his fourth of the series and 15th of the postseason. He also had eight assists in the series and was named series MVP.

The Winterhawks will play host to either defending WHL champion Edmonton or Calgary on Friday in Game 1 of the WHL finals.

Edmonton beat visiting Calgary 5-1 Friday to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Game 6 is Sunday at Calgary. Game 7 would be Tuesday at Edmonton.

It seems that Multnomah County may have missed the mark with its recently approved firearms ordinance.

Attorney Bruce McCain on Monday, April 29, filed a tort claim notice with Multnomah County Attorney Jenny Morf, challenging the scope of an ordinance unanimously adopted by the five-member board of commissioners on Thursday, April 25.

The widely publicized ordinance takes effect 30 days after it was adopted and mirrors a series of gun-control measures approved by the city of Portland in 2010.

It bans possession of a loaded firearm in public with exceptions for licensed hunters engaged in lawful hunting, target shooters at an established target shooting area, people licensed to carry a concealed weapon and law enforcement officers in the performance of their official duty.

McCain said that the ordinance is off target in its assertion that it applies to all of Multnomah County — including the cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village and Fairview — “unless a city enacts separate legislation on the matter.”

“That's crazy,” he said. “They're giving the impression that this is wall-to-wall from the west hills to the Sandy River, but that's not the case. “

“To the contrary,” McCain wrote in his tort claim notice, “a county ordinance may not be imposed upon a city without that city's consent. However, a city may voluntarily consent to having a county ordinance apply to that city.”

In fact, the ordinance only applies to unincorporated Multnomah County, or parts of the county that are not part of incorporated cities — mainly Corbett, Sauvie Island and the area east of Gresham. “It applies to roughly 2 percent of the county's population,” McCain said.

Simply put, “There's a lot of confusion,” he said.

County commissioners called the gun safety measures common sense and said the ordinance was intended to make the community safer in the wake of two mass shootings last December. While one took place in a Connecticut elementary school, where an entire classroom was massacred, another hit closer to home, killing two just south of Portland at the Clackamas Town Center.

McCain said he thinks county commissioners were aiming to create continuity by modeling the county ordinance after Portland's, but instead, missed missed the mark. “I don't know whether it was an oversight or whether they're simply downplaying it,” he said.

The county attorney was out of the office on Monday, but Deputy County Attorney Jacquie Weber said “we don't comment on tort claim notices.”

Laura Shepard, Gresham's spokeswoman, said the county ordinance has no effect on the city. Gresham already has a firearms ordinance that prohibits people from discharging a firearm in public, including in parks, on trails or in open spaces.

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office announced the names of two friends of the suspect on Wednesday as part of its completion of an investigation into the Dec. 11 shootings at the Clackamas Town Center.

Among an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people in the mall at the time, the victims that day were complete strangers. Steve Forsyth of West Linn and Portlander Cindy Yuille were killed, while 15-year-old Clackamas student Kristina Shevchenko recovered from serious injuries. As part of a seven-page report released on May 1, investigators confirmed Jacob Tyler Roberts, 22, of Portland, as the lone suspect. All evidence “consistently indicates” that the suspect acted alone in the shootings. But investigators revealed that he smoked marijuana with two friends in the lead-up to the shooting spree.

Roberts visited his friend Tyler Eheler, who lives two miles from mall at 3 p.m., just minutes before the shooting, when the two talked about Roberts leaving to Hawaii and smoked small amount of marijuana.

Roberts stole the rifle used in the shooting from his friend Sean Cates who legally purchased it in 2011, the CCSO report revealed. Cates told investigators that he woke up on Dec. 11 at 4 p.m. to find the rifle gone, along with Roberts, who had also slept at Cates’ home, where he shared more marijuana. Cates apparently told a co-worker that the rifle was missing at 5 p.m. After the co-worker called Cates about the mall shootings, Cates reported the rifle missing to Portland Police at 7 p.m.

The suspect died at the scene as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and CCSO has not been able to determine a motive for his crime, despite investigators’ interviews with hundreds of witnesses as well as family members, co-workers and friends of the suspect.

The report also indicted that Roberts may have carefully planned the crimes. On Dec. 8, Roberts bought two 30-round AR-15 magazines from local gun shop, then two 20-count boxes of .223 ammo, ear plugs, paper targets at local big-box retailer. On Dec. 9, he bought two 30-round AR-15 magazines and paper targets from sporting-goods store, then buys four 20-count boxes of .223 ammo and paper targets at local big-box retailer. He also listed his car for sale on Craigslist that day, when his roommates returned from weekend trip and were surprised to find him still still there. Roberts told his roommates he had partied on Friday night, and so overslept and missed his flight. However, Roberts added in that conversation that he still planned to go to Hawaii and said that he had switched his flight date to the next weekend.

While releasing the details of the investigation, County Sheriff Craig Roberts offered CCSO’s “sincere condolences” to the Forsyth, Yuille and Shevchenko families for the pain and losses they suffered, thanking them for their cooperation and understanding during the investigation.

“We also extend our thanks to all the citizens present at the Clackamas Town Center who helped their family, friends, co-workers, customers and strangers get to a place of safety when the violence erupted,” he said. “I also thank our many partners in public safety from around the region — first responders came to the mall with expedience, put themselves willingly into harm's way and stayed to provide assistance as long as they were needed.”

Clackamas Town Center’s management team and General Growth Properties had the foresight, he noted, to train with CCSO for an active-shooter situation in the mall.

“Preparing their staff and merchants for the worst possible situation not only showed responsible caretaking, but also set an example for the rest of our region and the nation,” he said.

House representative takes lessons from her father; is a fierce advocate for East County

When she was in fourth grade, Shemia Fagan’s big brothers hoisted her on their shoulders, raised the trophy she had won and proudly proclaimed, “My sister is the chess champion!”

It was 1992 in Dufur, a rural farming community in Wasco County, and a pivotal moment for Fagan. That year, she had grappled with her mom's drug addiction and felt on the verge of acting out.

After playing chess for three years and joining her teacher’s after-school program at Dufur Elementary School, she had become one of Oregon’s Scholastic Chess Champions.

“For the first time, I knew it didn’t matter that I didn’t have what other kids had in their lives,” Fagan said. “I wasn’t exactly the kid you would pick out of a lineup of who was going to succeed, but I worked hard. I grew up poor and certainly know the life I live now I could have never imagined living when I was 10 years old.”

Twenty-one years later, on a beautiful April afternoon at the state Capitol, Fagan describes her journey to becoming a state representative.

On her desk is a photo coffee mug with images of her son, Alton, and a famous Statesman-Journal photo of a politician she greatly admires, former Gov. Tom McCall, serving ice cream to Keizer elementary school students.

Last November, Fagan was elected to represent House District 51, an area spanning from Southeast 122nd Avenue in East Portland to family farms in Boring.

Fagan, 31, who lives near Powell Butte, also is an associate business attorney with Ater Wynne LLP in Portland, a school board member for the David Douglas School District and the proud mom of 7-month-old Alton.

“Whether they’re in East Multnomah County or Eastern Oregon, I’d tell young women the sky really is the limit,” Fagan said. “Things that may seem like obstacles or things that seem different in their families from other families really can be overcome if they’re willing to work hard.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, in 2003, Fagan went on to law school, graduating cum laude from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2009.

Fagan spent two semesters as a high school teacher and volunteered as a guest speaker at schools across the region, teaching students basics of the American justice system.

Along with regularly offering pro bono legal work, she joins neighbors painting over neighborhood graffiti and planting flowers along the Springwater Trail.

As a freshman legislator, Fagan serves on three committees — education, business and labor — and as vice chairwoman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Most recently, she’s become a fierce advocate for sidewalk construction and safety after Morgan Maynard-Cook, a 5-year-old girl, was hit and killed by a car Feb. 28, on Southeast 136th Avenue.

She wears a pin on the lapel of her business jacket with an image of a light purple pedestrian in honor of Morgan.

“Certainly going forward, and knowing there are many other families on those streets, it’s going to be one of those things that I hope defines me,” Fagan said. “Everyone knows it’s sad to lose a kid, but when you’re a mom, there’s an additional level of intensity with which you experience those events. I can’t imagine losing my son. That has spurred me to fight on behalf of that family. The family told me her life meant everything to them. Her death needs to mean something, too.

“We talk a lot about ... funds we want to spend, whether it’s transportation dollars for bike lanes or street cars,” she said. “But in the end, until every kid can walk to school safely and particularly in a city like Portland that prides itself on being a livable, walkable city, we’re not the city we think we are.”

Being a new mom has greatly influenced Fagan’s foray into state politics, and she says running for office while pregnant wasn’t nearly as daunting as it sounds.

The combination of walking in the heat to canvass and taking a dip in the East Portland Community Center pool afterward was perfect.

She was surprised by people such as the 65-year-old man she canvassed who told her, “Every politician claims to care about Oregon’s future, but I have never had someone carry it up my stairs in her belly. You’ve got my vote!”

“We don’t have to see family and service as separate silos,” Fagan said. “I couldn’t do this without Ater Wynne holding my job, and my husband, Richard. He is a 100 percent, hands-on parent who shares equally in the parenting responsibilities and home responsibilities. That is what works for our family, and that’s the only way it would work.”

Alton is affectionately referred to as “The Capitol Baby,” making regular appearances with his mom and attending day care five minutes away from the Capitol several days a week.

“We try to find the same work and life balance all families throughout Oregon, throughout my district, are trying to balance,” Fagan said.

"I love Oregon. I was born and raised here. It is my home and the only place I want to live for the rest of my life." — Rep. Shemia Fagan

Her father was the 'rock'

Oregon State Day at the Capitol was April 17, a day she was visiting with pharmacy students. Fagan joked that her dad taught her to be two things: a Republican and an Oregon State fan.

“I can’t let him be zero for two,” the Democratic legislator said, revealing her status as a lifelong Beaver believer.

It’s been seven years since Fagan’s dad, John Frank Fagan Sr., died suddenly from heart failure, and he’s still her greatest source of inspiration.

When Fagan was a child, her mother was troubled with drug addiction and homelessness and her dad was a single parent — her best friend and the rock in her life.

“He was a very conservative but very religious and compassionate man,” Fagan said. “Even though we hardly had money, if there was someone more down on their luck than we were, he’d be giving money away. Or there would be times he invited a homeless person to Thanksgiving even though we could hardly put dinner on our own table.”

As a three-sport athlete — soccer, basketball and track — in high school, Fagan was cheered on by her father, whom she teased for wearing a collection of buttons in her honor.

There was nothing he loved more than to see his kids succeed, and Fagan joked that when she ran for office, even if it was for the Green Party, her dad would cover his hat in her buttons and cover his lawn in her signs.

When Fagan ran for the David Douglas School Board in 2011 and House District 51 in 2012, she brought a button, bouquet of flowers and lawn sign to her dad’s grave in Willamette National Cemetery, taking a picture of the lawn sign before bringing it back with her.

By keeping her last name, Fagan honors her father’s influence. John Fagan Sr. was a big believer in public service who dreamed of a political career, but didn’t have the opportunity to run for public office until later in life because he was a single dad.

The two held a tradition of buying each other books for Christmas that reflected the other’s perspective. Together, they debated and had heartfelt discussions, no matter how much they saw issues differently.

Fagan continues the tradition. She picks up a book her dad would have bought her and reads it by the end of January.

“No matter how much you disagree with people, you could probably always learn something from them,” Fagan said.

Another inspiration for Fagan is her paternal grandmother, Imogene Fagan, who beginning in 1942 worked in the shipyards during World War II.

Because the ship she welded had the fewest leaks, the U.S. Navy ship bore her name.

A pioneer in her day, Imogene owned a small business, served as mayor of her rural Colorado town and stood up for civil rights, once scolding her son John in front of a football coach for making a racially insensitive remark.

Women in Fagan’s church took her under their wings and stepped in to help her shop for a homecoming dress or attend a mother-daughter tea party.

“I’m really grateful they surrounded me with love and made me feel like I was not lacking,” Fagan said.

Oregon public schools are a huge priority for Fagan, who says they changed her life. At every door she knocked on last fall, people expressed their concerns in some way or another about school funding.

“There is a real connection between the future Oregon economy and whether or not our kids are getting ahead,” Fagan said. “The fact is, we can’t just talk about finding funding for our schools — we have to have a path there.”

Fagan is also concerned with small businesses and part of an effort with the secretary of state’s office to create an office of small business administration.

In the past four years, Fagan has rekindled a relationship with her mom. As Fagan was graduating from law school in 2009, her mother recovered from an overdose. At 4 a.m. one day, she called Fagan, saying “she was finally awake.”

“I grew up in the church and have always believed in grace and forgiveness,” Fagan said. “It wasn’t a choice she made, it was a disease, and it was something that had taken over her life. I had no animosity toward her for the years she missed. I just want to make sure the years she has left she’s able to enjoy her grandkids.”

Her mom introduced Fagan at her campaign kickoff and said, “I have not always been there for my kids, but they have always been there for me.”

Amid her responsibilities as a representative, volunteer school board member, attorney and mom, Fagan loves to ride her and Richard’s Harley Davidson Road King.

She and fellow motorcyclist Rep. Greg Matthews, D-Gresham, are scheming a tandem ride down to Salem together.

Fagan still plays an occasional game of chess with elementary schoolers and looks forward to being an advocate to Oregonians in some form or another for years to come.

“Because I’m young and ran young, people like to assume I have a 10-year plan of where I would like to be,” Fagan said. “Honestly, I don’t know that I can say with certainty. I love Oregon. I was born and raised here. It is my home and the only place I want to live for the rest of my life.

“I hope people say I was honest, regardless of if they agreed with me, and I hope they say I was a fighter, even if they were on the other side of an issue.”

Exceptional Women

Several months ago the collective staff of The Outlook, Sandy Post and Estacada News sat around a table brainstorming ideas for special sections.

That's where the idea of featuring Exceptional Women came from. The endeavor was to do more than feature women who have important careers, but instead to feature remarkable women.

From there, we asked our readers to help by nominating women who fit that description. The response was amazing.

We hope you enjoy reading our Exceptional Women supplement just as much as we enjoyed meeting these women and telling their stories.

— Steven Brown, executive editor, The Outlook, Sandy Post, Estacada News

American Medical Response executives expressed relief after Clackamas County commissioners voted 3-2 on Tuesday to look at their bid for continuing local ambulance services.

County Chairman John Ludlow and Commissioner Jim Bernard both voted against a motion by Commissioner Paul Savas, which Commissioner Martha Schrader seconded, to continue with the process using the one bid that was received on time. After reviewing the bid, commissioners could still vote to reject AMR’s proposal and restart another bidding process.

Although details remain shrouded in mystery, AMR’s main Portland-area competitor, Metro West Ambulance, is rumored to have missed the deadline, while Rural/Metro Ambulance didn’t follow through on a pledge to bid: Rural/Metro steps into contract fight, Feb. 6. Metro West did not respond to calls for comment on Tuesday, and county commissioners have agreed to a “blackout” on talking about the issues until this month’s staff analysis of AMR’s bid.

Bernard voted against the process on April 30 despite his admission at a Jan. 22 work session that elected officials had gone too far in trying to replace AMR. After meeting with Bernard on AMR issues, Clackamas Fire District No. 1 has since backed off of its stance that the contract should go to bid. But rather than opting for automatic annual contract extensions, county officials spent more then $50,000 to hire consultant Polaris Group to construct a proposal process for new ambulance contracts, as previously reported in County digs into ambulance contract, Jan. 30.

After attending this week’s county work session, AMR General Manager Randy Lauer expressed surprise at Bernard and Ludlow’s “no” votes. AMR netted about $12.5 million last year, but only 1.2 percent of that was profit in Clackamas County after paying an annual $365,000 franchise fee, and another $640,000 payment goes to fire departments and the system-enhancement fund.

“They had laid out a fairly complex process for bidders to follow, and we thought we had followed it exactly,” Lauer said. “If they had decided to change directions, they would have had a big political mess on their hands and a lot of explaining to do. So, the county made the right decision.”

Lauer noted that AMR’s bid proposes to continue its current programs and “really strives to build a foundation to keep AMR in step with health care reform” efforts that are moving fast in Oregon. Meanwhile, since its current contract doesn’t run out until May 1, 2014, the company is training employees for a busy wilderness and river-rescue season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. AMR provides a lifeguard-safety program at High Rocks, the popular Clackamas River swimming hole between Gladstone and Oregon City.

AMR’s “Reach and Treat” team also responds to falls and other Mt. Hood National Forest incidents. Because remote areas of Clackamas County “rely on AMR’s excellent service, response time and experience,” Jon Tullis, spokesman for the Timberline hotel and ski resort, added his name last week to the many regional leaders writing letters to the county encouraging commissioners not to waste any more time and money through the contract bidding process. He wrote that AMR acquired “essential skills and knowledge” to tackle challenging alpine conditions and difficult emergency scenarios.

“This knowledge and practical experience would be very difficult to replace,” he wrote. “We strongly believe that AMR’s experience and services, including search-and-rescue skills, is invaluable not only to those in need of those services, but to the overall reputation for world-class travel and outdoor recreation here in Clackamas County’s Mount Hood Territory.”

Emergency medical response plays an important role the county’s tourism industry, Tullis said, because visitors need to know that if something should go wrong, there is a specialized team already in place that can be called upon. AMR’s “RAT Team” out of Government Camp are “at the ready to react quickly and efficiently in situations where time literally can mean life or death,” Tullis wrote in describing AMR’s long history in Clackamas County.

“While we appreciate the commissioners’ fiduciary responsibility, we caution them from making a decision for emergency medical services based solely on money, and we see no compelling reason to change a system that has proven itself to work well,” he wrote. “The commissioners should honor AMR’s track record and renew their contract.”

Two local tours of rainwater harvesting setups are scheduled for Saturday, May 11.

The first is at 10 a.m. at the home of Damascus City Councilor Andrew Jackman, 22375 S.E. Ridgeview Drive, and includes a tour of his recently installed above-ground 1,550 gallon rainwater tank that uses gravity and a basic timer to irrigate his garden.

At 2 p.m. Clair and Beverly Klock of Klock Farm at 931 N.E. Salzman Road in Corbett will host a tour of their 3,500 gallon in-ground cistern with a smart irrigation system that uses real time data and on-site evaporation measurement to irrigate a small nursery container yard on the farm.

Clair Klock said his rainwater system resulted in a 90-percent decrease in municipal water consumption in its first year of operation.

Rainwater harvesting for both irrigation and home use is becoming more popular in the United States, especially in drought-stricken areas, Klock said, as a way to combat rising municipal water rates while creating a more cost effective way to water gardens and yards.

Tours will last 30-45 minutes or longer depending on interest.

Klock is both an accredited professional and inspector specialist certified by the American Rainwater Catchment System Association (ARCSA). For details, call or email him at 503-695-5882 or klockfarm@rconnects.com.

A no-questions-asked gun turn-in is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Lynwood Friends Church, 835 S.E. 162nd Ave.

"We are hoping to get illegal and unwanted guns out of the Rosewood area," said Jenny Glass, executive director of the Rosewood Initiative, one of many of the event's sponsors.

Each workable gun can be exchanged for a Fred Meyer gift certificate or a bank card in amounts ranging from $150 for an assault rifle to $100 for a handgun to $75 for a rifle or shotgun. Pellet or BB guns can be traded for a $10 gift card/bank card. Magazines or clips of 50 rounds or greater can fetch a $25 gift card/bank card.

Please ensure that all firearms are to be unloaded. If turning in old ammunition, please keep it in a separate container. No certificates are available for ammunition.

For more information, go to Ceasefire Oregon's website at ceasefireoregon.org or call the Ceasefire Oregon Education Foundation at 503-220-1669.

Ceasefire is sponsoring the event in partnership with the Rosewood Initiative, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick, Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, the Portland Police Bureau, Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement and Multnomah County.

May is Bike Month in Gresham, and the city is celebrating by offering opportunities to ride, volunteer and have fun throughout the month, said Laura Shepard, city spokeswoman.

Residents are invited to enjoy the more than 117 miles of bike lanes throughout Gresham, including the Springwater Corridor, Gresham Fairview Trail and the new Main City Park Spur Trail, connecting downtown Gresham with the Springwater Corridor.

Last year 177,643 bicyclists used Gresham’s segment of the Springwater Trail and 18,197 bicyclists used the Gresham-Fairview Trail, she said.

Also, the League of American Bicyclists named Gresham a Bicycle Friendly Community in 2010 for the city’s extensive network of bike-friendly routes, said Transportation Planning Manager Katherine Kelly. “Gresham repeatedly earns this honor by continually improving cycling infrastructure and providing activities for cyclists,” Kelly said.

Here’s a brief sampling of the bike-oriented offerings this month:

Bike to School Day — Wednesday, May 8

Bike or walk to school with classmates and teachers on Bike to School Day. To register your school visit walkbiketoschool.org.

Bike helmet sales — 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11

Stop by the city’s booth at the Gresham Farmers Market and buy a helmet for $5.

Bike Appreciation Day — 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 15

Stop by Gresham City Hall, 1333 N.W. Eastman Parkway, for free breakfast treats provided by Jazzy Bagels.

All levels group bike ride — 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18

Join your friends and neighbors for a slow-paced, family-friendly ride. Meet at Main City Park at Springwater Trail. Visit GreshamOregon.gov/bikemonth for route information.

Experienced Riders Bike Ride — 10 a.m. Sunday, May 19

Join the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club on a 25-mile ride in the Gresham/Troutdale/Sandy River area. The group will take a break along the route where food or drinks may be purchased. Meet at Main City Park at Springwater Trail. Visit GreshamOregon.gov/bikemonth for route information.

Call Bud Rice at 503-667-0683 for more information.

To learn more about Bike Month and to view a complete list of events and volunteer opportunities, visit GreshamOregon.gov/bikemonth.

A Troutdale man is serving a 25-year prison sentence — slightly more than one year for every sex crime a judge found him guilty of — for repeatedly raping a female relative starting when she was 8 years old.

At the end of his three-day trial, James Kevin Bishop, 38, was found guilty of 24 counts, each representing a separate incident in which he violated the victim, who reported the abuse to a school counselor when she was 14, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Charlene Woods, who prosecuted the case.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Bushong found Bishop guilty of 11 counts of first-degree rape, five counts of first-degree sodomy and eight counts of first-degree sex abuse — all of which are Measure 11 offenses punishable by mandatory minimum sentences.

The offenses also are punishable under Oregon’s Jessica’s Law, which took effect in 2006 and requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for adults who commit any first-degree sex related offenses against children younger than 12.

Portland police arrested Bishop one day before his birthday in late January 2012, after the victim’s friends urged her to report the abuse. She told an adult about it when she was 8, but when confronted by an adult, Bishop denied any misconduct, Woods said.

He also denied any sexual abuse when police arrested him.

Another factor that caused the girl to come forward: Her younger sister was turning 8, the same age the victim was when the abuse began.

Bishop is appealing his conviction, which Woods said is common practice in such cases.

Edmonton appears to be a tough team to crack.

The Oil Kings fended off Portland's early charge, settled down and took control Friday night— thanks in part to some Winterhawks mistakes — as they won Game 1 of the Western Hockey League finals 4-1 before 10,097 fans at the Rose Garden.

"We didn't think we were going to sweep Edmonton," Portland coach Travis Green said. "We've said it all year: It's one game, there's no sense dwelling on it too much or get emotionally revved up because you lost a game.

"It's a long series, a seven-game series. They got home-ice advantage now, but our group's capable of winning anywhere.

"It's one game. We'll bounce back (Saturday)."

Three days after disposing of Calgary in the Eastern Conference finals' Game 7, the Oil Kings beat the well-rested Winterhawks, who breezed through the Western Conference finals in five games. Goalie Laurent Brossoit made some key saves early — including two on shorthanded breakaways in the first period — and Henrik Samuelsson scored twice. His first goal came when Portland defenseman Troy Rutkowski turned over the puck in the defensive zone, and Samuelsson beat a screened goalie Mac Carruth. The second came on a whip-and-fire shot just after Portland's only goal by Taylor Leier on a five-hole rebound shot early in the third period, and after the Hawks' failed to clear the puck in the defensive zone.

Curtis Lazar scored Edmonton's fourth goal when a puck bounced off the back boards after a Keegan Lowe shot and landed in front of Carruth. Lazar made no mistake.

It wasn't Portland's night. The WHL's most lethal line of Ty Rattie, Brendan Leipsic and Nicolas Petan was held off the scoresheet, as their only tally — by Leipsic off Petan and Rattie passes — was disallowed in the first period because the puck bounded off his skate.

But Green took the positive approach.

"I liked a lot of parts of our game," he said. "We had an outstanding first period, and quite easily could have had three, four or five goals. I liked our pace, our energy. I thought the one goal that didn't count for us brought us down after that. ... I thought their energy picked up a little bit."

After the disallowed goal, Rattie had both of the shorthanded attempts with the score 1-0.

"It's a good thing when you're getting chances," he said. "You're doing something right. I'd be worried if I wasn't getting chances or if my line wasn't generating chances. We had chances all night. That's a positive. (Saturday) it's a matter of putting those chances in the net."

Game 2 will be 7 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Garden, with the third (Tuesday) and fourth (Wednesday) games in Edmonton.

Dylan Wruck backhanded a rebound past Carruth just 2:03 into the first period, a big goal because Portland dominated the first period, outshooting the Oil Kings 16-6.

"They came out with a lot of energy, real physical, and caught us on our heels a little bit," Edmonton coach Derek Laxdal said. "We weathered the storm. We bent, didn't break. 'LB' was outstanding with some of his saves in the first period. ... It was our goalie who got the first game here."

Said Brossoit: "I can't take all the credit."

Edmonton played well in front of him, defensively with blocking shots and positioning and stick work and making simple plays.

"They're bigger defensemen, and they collapsed a lot in the defensive zone," Leier said. "We had a little trouble with that. (Saturday) we'll have to focus on going to the dirty areas a little bit more."

Portland held a 27-11 shot advantage when Edmonton bagged its second goal, by Samuelsson. From there, the Oil Kings controlled the game, as Portland finished with only a 36-29 shot advantage.

Few teams have held the Rattie-Petan-Leipsic line in check. And, Edmonton doesn't have its best defenseman (Griffin Reinhart), and a top-six forward (Trevor Cheek), both injured.

"That line's probably the best in major junior hockey across Canada," Laxdal said. "We have to (defend) by committee, groups of five. Limit their chances, keep pucks in deep and force them to play a 200-foot game. It's a pretty dynamic line. You saw with that one goal that was disallowed, they can move the puck pretty quickly. We've got to make sure we have great puck management against them."

Brossoit said the amount of shots he had to stop helped get him into the game.

"In the first three (playoff) series, I'd have to keep my focus. I wouldn't get a shot for a period at a time," he said. "Coming into this game, I got a consistent amount of shots. You can ask any goalie, they love that. It keeps them in the game. I'm just glad I was seeing the puck."

Laxdal said he expects his team to be better from the start Saturday.

Green said the Winterhawks need to grind it out.

"It's that time of year, you've got to find ways to score greasy, dirty goals," he said. "Their defense is pretty good at blocking out or blocking shots. We've got to find a way to get pucks to the net, and get to the net — pucks and bodies to the net and make it hard for them."

In between the chants of the Timbers Army, the crowd reaction at Jeld-Wen Field went something like this: a collective and audible breath in, then a sigh filled with unimaginable disappointment. That happened every one of the 22 times

the Timbers missed a shot Wednesday night against the New England Revolution.

No matter how many times the announced sellout crowd of 20,674 sighed, the Timbers were unable to put the ball in the back of the net.

And while Portland was dominant, the Timbers had to settle for a 0-0 MLS draw.

There was not much more that Portland could have done other than score a goal. The Timbers controlled .674 percent of the possession and put nine shots on frame compared to New England’s four shots.

It simply was not enough.

“It’s not what we wanted,” Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. “We had enough chances to score the goal to win. In the end, you have to credit their goalkeeper. He made some good saves. We also weren’t as sharp as we could’ve been in and around the final third.”

The silver lining for Portland is that with the draw the Timbers (3-1-6, 14 points) extended their unbeaten streak to seven matches.

“We’re not satisfied with a point,” Porter said, “but it’s also not the end of the world.”

Also, the Timbers received a stellar performance from goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who made four saves.

Ricketts gave the credit to the entire defensive unit.

“We had to be good with our position, and we put out fires early,” Ricketts said.

The Timbers came out blasting on offense. Portland attacked the New England goal full force throughout the first half. The Timbers strung together numerous clever combinations that put shooters in optimum positions to score. Portland got off 12 shots in the half, four by striker Darlington Nagbe.

Nagbe watched shots be saved in the 12th and 15th minute, sent a shot over the

crossbar in the 30th minute and had a shot defended in the 43rd minute. He also watched his shot saved in the 88th minute.

“I had our best chances, and I didn’t put them away,” Nagbe said. “It was just unlucky.”

New England, picking and choosing its moments for counter-attacks, put up seven shots in the first half, including two on frame.

In the 44th minute, the Timbers got a call in their favor that turned out to be disastrous for them. After a throw-in, Diego Valeri had the ball on the right side, just outside the 18-yard box. Valeri turned and passed the ball to Diego Chara before being knocked to the ground by Revolution defender Darrius Barnes.

When he got the ball, Chara faked Kansas City goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth, forcing him to leave his feet. Chara then passed the ball to Ryan Johnson, who tapped the ball into the open goal.

Suddenly, though, there was a shocked cry of outrage from the Timbers Army. Evidently, the play had been whistled dead when Barnes fouled Valeri — and the goal did not stand.

Johnson refused a request to be interviewed after the match.

In the 53rd minute, Johnson narrowly missed scoring again. He got a pass in the air from midfielder Rodney Wallace, seven yards from goal. Johnson did not let the ball touch the ground. As soon as the ball reached him, he sent a left-footed rocket at the goal. The ball went directly to Shuttleworth, though, and the Revolution had thwarted the Timbers again.

In the 56th minute, Portland received a blow on an absurd play that could have costly ramifications on the club for the rest of the season. Defender Mikael Silvestre had the ball in the Timbers defensive third of the pitch. Silvestre was alone, five yards clear of any Revolution player. The 35-year-old former French national team player evidently decided to show off his skills on the ball to the crowd. Silvestre bounced the ball high up into the air, let it come down and then tried a bicycle kick. As he sent the ball down

the pitch, though, Silvestre twisted his leg beneath him and crumpled to the ground. He had to be removed from the pitch on a stretcher.

“I don’t know the situation yet with Mikael,” Porter said. “We’ll evaluate that.

The Timbers will play again Wednesday, when they face FC Dallas on the road.

Portland will then host Chivas USA the following Sunday.

Porter said that the disappointment of walking away from Thursday’s match with only a point could help his club in those matches.

“In some ways, this was maybe a good thing,” he said. “We left with a bitter taste, and that will make sure we’re hungry, and you need to be hungry and dig deep and win games.”