Metro Council OKs purchase of Roslyn Lake to build Oregon Zoo remote elephant center

Sandy residents should get used to the idea of having elephants in their backyard.

The Metro Council gave unanimous approval at Tuesday afternoon’s meeting for the nearly $1 million purchase from PGE of the former Roslyn Lake site to build a remote elephant center.

The approved plan would send the Oregon Zoo on the road less traveled to create a sort of PDX “Serengeti,” even though the zoo’s elephants aren’t African; they’re Asian.

The concept of an off-site facility for zoo animal conservation and breeding is unique, Zoo Director Kim Smith told the Post outside of the meeting.

“Not a lot of zoos have the privilege of building a center like this,” she said. “There are just a few that have properties for animal conservation and breeding like we’re planning to do here.”

From past experience, zookeepers know elephants in captivity need space, a variety of enriching activities, well-drained soil and a matriarchal herd with several generations housed together. That scenario is ideal and matches closely with wild conditions.

The expansion of the elephant area at the zoo from 1.5 acres to 6 acres, financed by the 2008 zoo bond, is only part of the solution.

Zoo staff members are planning to have two herds (at the zoo and at the remote center) so they can move the bulls between the herds. Even though the bulls socialize with others in the herd, the experts say it is better to have them “visit” the herds instead of living with them.

Smith told the Council the Oregon Zoo would do its research when formulating its plan and use the National Elephant Center, now under construction, as an example.

This adjustment to the Oregon Zoo’s previous plan for its herd, which was held only at the zoo near Portland, will allow for expansion, create conditions that more closely mimic those of the wild (which includes all-important socialization) and allow the zoo to have two herds at separate locations.

Part of the plan, which is still being formulated, would include developing partnerships to assist in funding the massive project.

Constructing the remote center is expected to cost more than $17 million, with annual operational costs of more than $1 million. Oregon Zoo officials plan to consult the Oregon Zoo Foundation to plan a fundraising campaign.

After the Council’s approval, Smith voiced her excitement at the thought of going forward with support from people (councilors) representing three counties.

“I am thrilled,” she said of the unanimous affirmative vote. “This vote exemplifies the support we have in our region. Everything (the councilors) said is heartwarming.”

The atmosphere was not without discord, as three animal rights groups were represented, each requesting delay on moving forward. But the council did not agree with their concerns.

UPDATE: Student arrested in Gladstone after threatening Facebook post

Clackamas County is beginning to gradually recover and come to terms with two people killed and one other person seriously wounded during a Dec. 11 afternoon attack in the Clackamas Town Center’s food court.

Cindy Ann Yuille, 54, a Kaiser nurse and resident of northeast Portland, and Steven Mathew Forsyth, 45, of West Linn, were killed.

Kristina Shevchenko, 15, is slowly recovering from a chest wound in the shooting and was taken by Life Flight to Oregon Health and Science University Hospital, where she was released Tuesday. Donations to benefit her recovery can be made at any Wells Fargo branch.

But school administrators statewide have been investigating student and parent sources regarding a rumored shooting threat that could occur on Friday, Dec 21, vaguely relating to the end of the Mayan Calendar. The threat is especially concerning in Clackamas County coming the week following shootings at the Clackamas Town Center and Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

On Wednesday, a Gladstone High School parent alerted the school district of a student threat via on Facebook. The student, whose name was attached to the Facebook post, reportedly wrote on Tuesday night, “Imma blow up ur school on Friday!”

The student in question was immediately detained by school administration, said Principal Stu Evans, and the Gladstone Police Department transported the student to the Clackamas County Juvenile Detention Center. Clackamas County has a “Threat of Harm” assessment protocol that will be part of the processing done by the juvenile and mental health departments.

“I want to thank the parent and student who made us aware of this threat, and are obviously looking out for the safety of our school,” Evans said. "Any threat of this specific nature is information that schools need to know about as soon as possible, so that we may act in a timely and safe manner.”

This week, Evans locked an extra set of doors so that only the front entrance is open, where a staff person greets all visitors who have to sign in there to get a visitor pass, instead of reporting to the main office as is usual. GHS teachers, along with teachers at other high schools around the region, talked with students this week about intruder threats and shooter safety procedures.

Administrators across the state have also been investigating the Mayan Calendar threat. GHS officials had asked students to provide credible information relating to rumored threats of violence, but Evans enlisted the help of parents on Tuesday after turning up nothing substantial. Given the lack of credible information, school officials are planning a full day of school on Friday.

“If you or your student happened to come across any credible information, that could substantiate or put an end to these rumors, then please let us know right away,” Evans wrote to parents on Tuesday.

Talking with kids

The mall was closed Tuesday evening, and all day Wednesday and Thursday, as law enforcement investigated the shooting. The mall’s owners, General Growth Properties of Chicago, managed to reopen the mall on Friday, when people tried to go back and begin recovering psychologically.

KPAM 860 newscaster Terry Boyd was good friends with Forysth and saw the mall’s opening as a chance to broadcast there and begin the healing process.

“We need a way to begin to move on from this,” Boyd said.

Boyd shared his thoughts during a live report from a Friday evening candlelight vigil at the mall.

Milwaukie teacher Deborah Barnes’ middle daughter was working at California Pizza Kitchen when she got the call from her boss to “get outta there.” Many kids who were working at the mall or shopping there couldn’t get to their purses or backpacks until it reopened Friday.

Stress levels of students are affected by many factors, Barnes noted, but it didn’t help that many kids personally knew the killer, 22-year-old Jacob Tyler Roberts, who used a semi-automatic rifle he stole from a friend. Roberts went to Rowe Middle School and Milwaukie High School, finishing his degree in the Oregon City School District.

“One thing I’m hearing over and over is this is so out of character for this kid, so for them the hardest thing is wondering how this happened, and they see themselves as somehow culpable for their actions,” Barnes said. “So the most important thing for us to tell them as educators is: ‘It has nothing to do with you, and there was nothing you could have done to change what he did.’”

Gladstone Superintendent Bob Stewart also recommended that parents try to shield their youngest children from the initial trauma as much as possible.

“It’s as it’s happening, so that kind of thing really scares kids, so I would hope that parents do not let their kids watch TV with them after incidents,” Stewart said.

Dr. Lawrence Hipshman, a psychiatrist based at Kaiser’s Sunnyside Hospital in Clackamas, offered his expert practical advice on coping, and agreed that kids should be talking with their friends and family, not watching TV.

“Most importantly is that people stay with their families and do those things that they associate with caring,” Hipshman said.

In response to the tragic events at both the Clackamas Town Center and at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school on Friday, Dec. 14, Wendy Wilson, Gladstone elementary principal, Oregon City Superintendent Larry Didway and North Clackamas Superintendent Matt Utterback assured parents that the school districts will continue to take all the safety precautions necessary to ensure a safe school environment.

“Children need reassurance from those around them and a calm environment to feel safe,” Wilson wrote to parents. “It is important to keep with routines, as predictability helps to keep children feeling safe.”

Kristen Soprito also must pay an extra $3,350 for damages associated with not filing club taxes for three years

A Gresham woman who stole $11,000 from a local parent-teacher club must repay the money as well as an additional $3,350 for failing to filing the club's taxes.

Kristen Soprito, 42, has already pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree theft for stealing the money from the Kelly Creek Elementary School Parent-Teacher Club. Her sentence includes 10 days in jail that she has already served, 18 months of probation, 160 hours of community service and continued mental health counseling.

Gresham police arrested Soprito in June on four counts of first-degree theft following a six-month investigation into allegations that she embezzled nearly $17,000 from the Kelly Creek Parent-Teacher Club's fund between August 2009 and October 2011, but paid about $6,000 of it back before she was caught.

Soprito was the former treasurer of the club, which raises money for extras such as books, computers and field trips that benefit the school. She also served as president for a year.

On Monday, Dec. 17, the club's current treasurer, Jamie Roth, explained to the judge that after the embezzlement was discovered, she also found that Soprito failed to file the club's taxes for three years.

This caused the club's status as a nonprofit organization to be revoked, which costs $850 to reinstate. And the company hired to handle all the paperwork and other duties associated with the reinstatement charged $2,500.

“These fees and costs are the cause of her theft and should be covered under restitution,” said prosecutor Dennis Shen.

Soprito's attorney, Lisa Ludwig, argued that Soprito shouldn't have to pay the costs because she was just one of four board members responsible for the club's finances. “There was an entire parent-teacher club board that had not been functioning according to its bylaws,” Ludwig said, calling the board dysfunctional.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Youlee Yim You disagreed.

She concluded that Soprito was already stealing from the club in 2009, which is the first year for which Soprito failed to file the club's taxes. Soprito did the same thing in 2010, and again in 2011, when Soprito also lied to Roth, the new treasurer, telling her that she was taking care of the taxes.

The actions were a “continuance of her effort to conceal her behavior,” You said.

This brings the total amount Soprito owes the club to $14,722.

Roth was relieved by the ruling.

Although Soprito has apologized in court for her actions, she's offered no explanation other than to say it was a “dark time” in her life, Roth said. The stolen money paid for elaborate birthday parties for Soprito's children, private guitar and sports lessons, and Christmas gifts, Roth said.

So hearing Soprito's attorney blame the other parent-teacher club board members for Soprito's failures as treasurer was frustrating, she said.

“She was the president and treasurer at one point,” Roth said. “So she was half the 'dysfunctional' board.”

Check out all the Events and happenings scheduled for 2013 in the new Washington Events Calendar.

Click on the link below to open this special online flipping book:

publications.pmgnews.com/fpubs/washington-events-calendar-2013/

Special Section covering all of Oregon's Best Events for 2013

Check out the new Oregon Events Calendar for 2013. This special section is full of exciting events for everyone, all the year round.

Click on the link below to open the flipping book!

Oregon Events Calendar

publications.pmgnews.com/fpubs/oregon-events-calendar-2013/

A Gresham man who assaulted his 7-month-old daughter so violently it caused permanent brain damage has been sentenced to 90 months in prison.

Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Ed Jones sentenced Roderick D. Frimpong, 28, of Gresham to more than seven years in prison on Friday, Dec. 14. A jury found Frimpong guilty of first-degree assault on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at the end of a week-long trial.

Citing his client's mild mental retardation, Frimpong's defense attorney argued that Frimpong should be found guilty of a lesser charge of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, instead of the felony Measure 11 offense that comes with a mandatory sentence of 90 months.

On May 9, 2011, police responded to a 9-1-1 call from one of Frimpong's neighbors who reported hearing a commotion that sounded like someone throwing and breaking furniture, from Frimpong's apartment at the Groves, 3500 N.E. 17th St. Officers arrived to find an infant who appeared unconscious and was having trouble breathing.

Earlier in the day, Frimpong had asked a different neighbor for help getting the baby to stop crying. He told police he rocked the baby too hard in her stroller and he knew something was wrong as soon as she stopped crying. Frimpong told an officer that he'd had training about shaken baby syndrome in high school and was afraid that's what happened.

He also said he was intoxicated and under the influence of marijuana at the time.

Doctors, however, said his story didn't match the severity of her injuries. According to results of an MRI, the parts of the baby's brain had died.

Scenarios that could cause such injuries include a television falling and crushing a head, a car crash in which a person is ejected and the head crushed, or a fall from 33 feet in which the person lands on his or her head.

In addition to being shaken, doctors noted evidence of impact, Woods said. She had bruising to the side of her head, as well as bleeding under her scalp and between the brain and the membrane that surrounds the organ, indicate the baby's head struck something soft and broad, such as mattress, Woods said.

“In some ways, she's doing better than expected,” said prosecutor Charlene Woods. Originally doctors feared she would die or, if she survived, she'd be comatose or blind. The assault has impaired her vision. She doesn't have full use of the right side of her body and drags her foot when she walks. Now 2, the girl's speech also is significantly delayed.

She's undergone brain surgeries and a prolonged hospital stay. She also will need plastic surgery to correct a bone flap on her skull, the result of one of those brain surgeries.

The baby is in foster care. Her mother died five months after the assault from a heart problem. She was at an appointment with her cardiologist when Frimpong assaulted their baby.

Pat English, longtime post-secondary coordinator, will be moved to Walt Morey Middle School because of teaching license requirement

Students, alumni and parents are rallying behind a beloved Reynolds High School employee after learning he would be reassigned to work at a middle school at the first of the year.

Pat English, a classified employee in the Reynolds School District for 21 years and the current post-secondary coordinator of the high school, will no longer be able to continue in his position after Friday, Dec. 21, because he is not a licensed teacher, said Andrea Watson, spokeswoman for Reynolds School District.

“It’s hard not to see this as a personal situation, but we have the obligation to run a standard school and the work needs to be done by someone with a license,” Watson said.

Because the post-secondary position at Reynolds High, which offers guidance to students on post-high school plans, has evolved over the years, English was not listed as the teacher of record.

Under state and federal regulations, though, because English has operated in a teaching capacity while considered a classified employee, he is not authorized to teach the class.

Watson said the district did not realize until this fall when Susan McKinney, interim principal, discovered the nature of English’s role, that Reynolds High could no longer employ English as the program coordinator.

English has received an offer to work as an educational aide at Walt Morey Middle School beginning in January. He declined to speak to The Outlook, pending a Jan. 3 meeting with human resources.

A call to action

Through the Reynolds High seniors Facebook page and email, seniors Kaylyn Taylor and Nicki Gidney started collecting stories from students — 30 in one day — and received more than 180 signatures in a single day on a petition for English to stay at the high school.

“Within the short time I’ve known him, he’s been the person I go to with my problems,” Taylor said. “He’s the perfect person to get advice from.”

Taylor said she’d be the first person in her immediate family to graduate high school and said English was instrumental in helping her apply to the University of Texas.

Gidney said juniors spoke of how disappointed they were English wouldn’t be around their senior year. In addition to the post-secondary program, English was the senior class adviser.

“Reynolds has been through a series of tough times, and losing Mr. English would just add on to the list,” said Lisa Nguyen, a Reynolds High junior.

Despite students' concerns, Crystal Greene, communications director at the Oregon Department of Education, said Reynolds’ policy complied with state and federal regulations for high school career center instruction.

She said career center classes are typically taught by either certified counselors or certified career and technical education teachers. Nonlicensed teachers, she said, would need to work under a licensed teacher as an aide.

Watson said a substitue teacher has been working with English and will help two licensed teachers transition to the position for January.

But for students and parents who’ve grown attached to English, the regulations are hard to accept, especially halfway through the school year when many seniors are in the process of college applications and vocational planning.

“The guy is a fountain of information — invaluable,” said Jodi Cox, a parent, of English. “This just hits home."

In a 5-to-2 vote, the Damascus City Council on Monday, Dec. 17, approved new rules designed to create more order and decorum at council meetings.

Mayor Steve Spinnett and outgoing councilor Barbara Ledbury cast the only no votes against the proposed rule changes.

The new “rules of civil debate” state that personal attacks will be avoided, as will violence or distracting actions, applause and other loud or disruptive noises that obstructs a presentation or a person's ability to finish his or her presentation, and “willful injury of furnishings, damage to personal property or Council Chambers.” Comments also are to be limited to the “issue at hand.”

Anyone not abiding by the rules will be warmed to stop the disruptive conduct. If the conduct continues, the council can agree to have the person removed from the meeting. Removal duties would fall to any law enforcement officer at the meeting.

In addition, if the officer determines that any city codes were broken in the disturbance, the officer can arrest the person.

But it's not all about people in the audience.

“The Mayor, council, and staff are expected to behave in a manner that brings dignity to the council meetings,” reads part of section on order and decorum of council meeting.

The rules also appear to curb Spinnett's mayoral power by allowing the city manager to set the council agenda with input from any councilor, not just the mayor.

At issue is what some councilors call the mayor's refusal to maintain order during council meetings. In October, the city manager trespassed two Damascus residents from City Hall after some felt threatened by their comments at an Oct. 15 council meeting. The city manager later rescinded the no-trespass orders.

Both of those trespassed residents have filed tort claims against the city.

Spinnett, who in November was elected to a second two-year term as mayor, contended that the proposed rules violate the city's charter by removing the mayor's authority to enforce order in council meetings and transferring it to a majority vote of council.

“From my perspective, this is very divisive,” Spinnett said of the new rules. He particularly objected to the change in how agendas are set.

The council rules still state that the mayor is responsible for maintaining order and decorum by both councilors and members of the audience during council meetings.

Council President Diana Helm said the rule changes are needed to get people to behave themselves and to allow the council to get city business taken care of.

“If things were normal we wouldn't have to go through this process,” she said.

A member of the audience, which had about 25 residents in attendance, nodded her head in agreement.

“Can we applaud?” she whispered.

Ledbury suggested pushing it off until January when three new councilors will be in office. Ledbury, Helm and Councilor Marlo Dean did not run for reelection. In fact, the Dec. 17 meeting was their last City Council meeting.

If it's OK to move forward on the rule changes now, it should be OK to do so in January, said Ledbury, who has served on the council since 2004, when the city incorporated.

Councilor Randy Shannon disagreed, saying the council has postponed the decision long enough and doing so again would mean more work for the new councilors.

Shannon motioned for a vote and Councilor Mary Wescott seconded it. After a series of yes votes, Ledbury said, “quack, quack, this lame duck says no.”

So did Spinnett. But the motion passed

Air Force

TAYLOR — Air Force Airman Roman A. Taylor recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Taylor, the son of Todd Taylor of Troutdale, is a 2011 graduate of Reynolds High School.

Marine Corps

WRIGHT — Marine Corps Pfc. Chelsea R. Wright recently graduated from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C.

The daughter of Deborah Olson of Portland and Gerald Wright of Canby, Wright is a 2010 graduate of Canby High School.

A first bowl appearance for Oregon State in three years looms Saturday when the 9-3 Beavers — ranked 13th by the BCS, 14th by USA Today and 15th by Associated Press — take on 8-4 Texas.

OSU is a slight favorite over the Longhorns, who are No. 23 in the BCS, No. 25 in USA Today and unranked by AP.

There is much to be gained by victory for the Beavers. For one thing, it would mean the third 10-win season in Oregon State’s 117-year football history.

“Especially for us seniors, it’s our last Beaver game — this is huge,” receiver Markus Wheaton says. “For the young guys, it would carry some momentum into next season. It’s very important that we win.”

OSU coach Mike Riley is 8-1 in bowl games, including three as offensive coordinator at Southern Cal in the mid-1990s. He lost his last outing, though — 44-20 to Brigham Young in the 2009 Las Vegas Bowl.

Texas is among college football’s most-storied programs, with a rich tradition. Its “brand” provides a little extra motivation for the Beavers.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to get to play a program like that, with a name known all across the country,” Wheaton says. “It’s even more exciting.”

There is a mutual admiration society with Riley and Texas’ Mack Brown, who forged a fast friendship through their position on the same NCAA committees and through Nike coaching vacation trips over the past five years or so.

Brown planned a trip to Corvallis with his coaching staff two springs ago to spend time with OSU coaches. For whatever reason, it never materialized.

“We were just going to visit about football,” Riley says. “I love to visit with other coaches about how they practice and how they set up their routine. I think Mack’s the same way.”

Texas is 21-16 since losing to Alabama in the 2009 national championship game, including 5-7 in 20-10. After a 4-0 start this season, the Longhorns finished 4-4, including losses to Oklahoma (63-21) and Kansas State (42-24). At different times, offense and defense has been a problem.

Like Oregon State, Texas has gone with two quarterbacks, sophomore David Ash and junior Case McCoy. Ash, the better runner, has seen much more time than McCoy and has been tabbed as the starter against the Beavers.

The Longhorns have a pair of able running backs in 5-11, 205-pound freshman Johnathan Gray (683 yards, 4.8 average, three touchdowns) and 6-1, 230-pound sophomore Joe Bergeron (565 yards, 4.6 average, 16 TDs).

Mike Davis (54 receptions, 909 yards, seven TDs), a 6-2, 195-pound junior, is the top aerial target.

Co-offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin departed earlier in the month to become head coach at Arkansas State, leaving the other co-offensive coordinator, Major Applewhite, as offensive coordinator. That’s not likely to have much effect on the Texas offense, but it never helps to lose a key member of a coaching staff.

The Longhorns employ a 4-3 base defense and mix it up with a three-man front in long-yardage and passing situations. Safety Kenny Vacaro, who has 100 tackles, is the Longhorns’ premier player on defense.

“He is really physical, runs and hits, is good in press coverage” against receivers, OSU offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf says. “He will jam you up — he's one of the better players we’ve seen at that position all year long. They also have two strong defensive ends (Alex Okafor, with a team-high eight sacks, and Cedric Reed) who are good pass-rushers. We’ll have our work cut out for us.”

Oklahoma rushed for 343 yards versus Texas, and five other foes have gained 200-plus yards on the ground against the Longhorns this season. The Beavers want badly to establish a run game in the Alamo Bowl to provide balance, because they are confident they’ll be able to move the ball through the air.

Whether it’s Sean Mannion or Cody Vaz at the controls, Oregon State needs solid play at the quarterback position. It will be about getting the ball to Wheaton, Brandin Cooks and Storm Woods in space.

The Beavers’ defensive plan is to stop the run and force the Longhorns to get things done with an aerial attack that has averaged 265 yards a game.

Plenty is at stake for both teams. The Beavers want to close out a successful 2012 campaign on a high. In Austin, there is some pressure on Brown, who could use a win to quiet those suggesting his time as a big-time coach has passed.

This will be about Oregon State taking care of business. Though Texas owns a flood of four-star recruits, the Beavers are the better team this season. If they play a crisp game on both sides of the ball, there will be plenty of happy campers in Beaver Nation Saturday night in San Antonio.

THE PICK — Oregon State 34, Texas 24

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Twitter: @kerryeggers

With the inexplicable 17-14 loss to Stanford behind them, seniors on the Oregon football team want to go out in a blaze of glory in the desert, beating Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl in their fourth consecutive BCS game to finish 46-7 during their careers as Ducks.

What could have been? Sure, it'll be with the seniors and UO coach Chip Kelly for the rest of their lives, how the Ducks went being the best team in the country to out of the BCS title chase on one bad offensive day of football, Nov. 17.

"Stanford beat us, everybody else won out, but it's still an honor and blessing to play in a BCS game," says Michael Clay, one of six seniors who will be playing in their fourth consecutive BCS game, Jan. 3 in the Fiesta Bowl. "Four in a row is kind of unheard of."

Actually, Miami, USC and Ohio State have appeared in four or more consecutive BCS games, but the Ducks have been the hottest program in recent years.

Oregon broke through last year, beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, after previous defeats in the Rose Bowl (Ohio State) and BCS title game (Auburn). So, Kelly hopes to even his BCS record at 2-2, to go along with potentially running his UO record to 46-7.

Along for the ride — and doing the playing of the games — have been several seniors. The six who are planning to play in their fourth BCS game in a row: Clay, defensive end Dion Jordan, running back Kenjon Barner, punter Jackson Rice, kicker Rob Beard and long snapper Jeff Palmer.

Clay and Rice are four-year seniors, the others five-year.

Fellow senior Kiko Alonso, a linebacker, did not play in the BCS title game — but will be playing in his third BCS game. Another senior, Nick Cody, also missed the BCS championship game and won't be at the Fiesta Bowl because he failed to meet the NCAA academic requirements to play in a bowl game.

Safety John Boyett would have been the lone four-year starting player to appear in four consecutive BCS games, had he not missed almost the entire season with an injury.

Offensive lineman Carson York would have played in his fourth BCS game in a row, as well, had he not been sidelined most of the year with an injury.

So, it's pretty exclusive company — six guys playing in four BCS games, as part of a senior class that goes down in UO history.

"Just the record alone says a lot about what they've done," says Marcus Mariota, redshirt freshman quarterback. "They've done an unbelievable job of leading us, especially myself when I first came here. To get that (winning) mentality ... you want to win one for the seniors, win for that group of guys to really show what they've done. They've built a foundation for future generations."

It's too early to be sentimental, Beard says.

"We can't think about that right now," he says. "We've just got to get work done and enjoy every moment. In the back of our minds, we know it's coming to an end."

Says Barner, who, like many graduated seniors (criminology degree), will not return to Eugene following the bowl game: "You become so close to people out here, you develop basically family. It's weird to leave. But, it's an adjustment. It's life."

Cody has a couple classes left to finish his double major of journalism and cinema studies. So, he'll be back in Eugene, but done with football.

"You don't let (sentimentality) seep into your preparations," he says. "We're so focused on the task at hand.

"When you sit back and think, 'It's going to be my last game,' it's sad, but everything we've said we were going to accomplish as a freshman class we've accomplished. We set some goals, we didn't think we could 'cash those checks.' We said we'd go to Rose Bowls, win Rose Bowls, compete for national championships. We really had the goal of upping the tier of this program."

Indeed, for the third consecutive year, the UO senior class set the record for most wins in any four-year stretch in UO history — 45, with a game to play.

It stands to reason that the seniors will miss one another and others within the program. Move back home or away from Eugene, and leave teammates and friends ... they can stay in touch with texts, emails and phone calls, but it's not the same as seeing people every day.

Clay and Rice, the only four-year seniors among the UO senior class, live together. Of course they're going to miss each other.

"I'm definitely going to miss the class I came in with, we had a great bond — Taylor Hart, Ryan Hagen, Boseko Lokombo, Dustin Haines," says Clay, who's completed work on his family human services degree. "I'll definitely miss those guys. We've had great times, really bonded the past couple months. I'm trying to look at the positives and have a great time with everybody."

Barner also has befriended sophomore Dior Mathis, a cornerback. He's gonna miss his buddy.

"My boy Dior ... that's, like, my little brother," Barner says. "Since he's been here, he's been under my wing. I spend a lot of time with him; he reminds me of me with my older brothers.

"As far as fellow seniors, I'll miss everybody. We started together, back in 2008. I'll miss all those guys. It'll be different not being in each other's company every day."

Alonso often hangs out with Clay, his longtime buddy from the San Francisco Bay Area, and Rice. He'll walk into their apartment and want to play video games or watch Ultimate Fighting Championship on pay-per-view. There's a chance Clay and Alonso could train together for the pros, but who knows?

"It's been a lot of fun" to play alongside Clay, says Alonso, who's completed his sociology degree requirements. "It's been awesome being here with him."

Rice says he bonded with Clay because both played as true freshmen in 2009. But the bond extends to all of the fourth- and fifth-year guys on the team, he says, whether they be seniors or redshirt juniors.

"It's been a real special class of guys," Rice says. "It's not just seniors. It's the entire team. We're such a family. We do everything together. It's a great group."

Beard remembers the redshirt players in 2008 living in Barnhart Hall together — he and Cody, Palmer and Jordan and others.

"From there, going through all the years doing things with each other — so many experiences," he says. "We're continuing to have fun. Hopefully we stay in contact for the rest of our lives."

The seniors have their share of memories.

Barner says the first Rose Bowl, in which he had 227 all-purpose yards, stands out, as does the feeling in the locker room after the Ducks beat Andrew Luck's Stanford Cardinal last season. Big win, and "the team atmosphere was amazing; it's something that you'll only experience once in a lifetime," he says. Interestingly, the next week, USC beat Oregon at Autzen Stadium — talk about a high to a low, but "you just have to be the best team on that day," Barner adds. "That's just football."

Victory can be hard to achieve, even for players who have enjoyed it 45 times. Clay says the Ducks persevering to beat Wisconsin in the second half of last season's Rose Bowl will always stick with him. Clay had the pivotal fumble recovery late in the game; his buddy, Alonso, had a key interception in the second half as well.

"Great memories, probably live with them forever," Clay says. "Playing with Kiko, being comfortable with each other, trying to make plays, we're in our home state, family there ..."

Adds Jackson: "Getting that win, especially losing the previous two (BCS) games ... such a relief. All this weight off your shoulders. And, getting a chance to get another (win) is awesome." He also says playing in the BCS title game, and running a fake punt "was a lot of fun."

More so, Jordan remembers everything that went into the 45 previous wins.

"Mainly just the preparation that led to where we are," he says. "We've been consistent since Coach Kelly has been here. It's been wonderful to watch guys grow and mature, and everybody being on the same page and having the common goal. Consistency — that's a credit to the guys. The only way to make it to the big (BCS) game is to work hard throughout the year."

Palmer has been in the middle of two plays that turned Oregon's seasons — both missed Alejandro Maldonado field goals, against USC last season and against Stanford Nov. 17. Palmer had nice snaps, and Rice nice holds, but Maldonado missed the kicks.

"It's bad it had to come down to that, because Al's blamed way more than he should be," says Palmer, who shares Beard and Rice's goal of wanting to boot a big field goal in the Fiesta Bowl. The threesome combined for a field goal in the BCS title game against Auburn.

And, the Palmer and Rice relationship extended to off-field activities. Many, many days the two could be found on the golf course together.

So, what does the future hold?

Well, a lot of UO seniors will get their chance with NFL teams, with Jordan, Alonso, Clay and Barner somewhat coveted, and likely to be drafted. One would think Rice, a Ray Guy Award finalist last season, would get an NFL opportunity.

Barner says watching LaMichael James' early success with the San Francisco 49ers emboldens him, not that he needed to be emboldened to play at the next level.

"As an athlete and somebody who believes in himself, you've got to believe you can do it, until it's proven otherwise," says Barner, who wants to work on his strength, lateral movement, quickness and speed, or "everything."

Clay admits to being somewhat "nervous" about "stepping out in the real world." He says: "You're back on the bottom of the totem pole. But you can't be too nervous. You want to be out there with a calm inside, make a great first impression on everyone."

Jordan could be the highest drafted Duck, a potential first-rounder. He's 6-7, 240 pounds, a tenacious hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker. He reminds of San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith — big, fast and elusive.

"I can play both (positions)," Jordan says. "I can play with my hand on the ground (at D-end), and for our defense, I played outside linebacker. Depends on the scenario in the game." Jordan, who needs to finish three classes for a degree, adds that he could gain some weight to compete in the NFL.

"I've enjoyed my time here," he says. "I'm looking forward to moving to the next level."

Palmer says watching Jordan evolve has been the most striking thing in his five years in Eugene — from a skinny receiver to a fearsome defensive end.

"Dion and I are really close," Palmer says. "We lived in the dorms with Dewitt Stuckey, Scott Grady, Garrett Embry ... we were a close-knit group."

Now, Jordan is facing an NFL future. Palmer, like many college players, is facing some unknowns. The 5-10, 185-pounder plans to apply to law schools, hopefully being accepted to Oregon's.

"I'm going to move down to San Francisco. My friend's dad owns a couple restaurants, and I plan to work there until I figure out where I'll be going to (law) school," he says. "Yeah, it's kind of a slap in the face — the real world. But with law school, might as well stay in school for as long as possible."

The Mount Hood Conference put in a solid showing at last year’s big-school state tournament, landing two teams among the top 10 and sending four wrestlers into weight-class championship bouts.

David Douglas highlighted that effort by edging Crater by half a point to claim the 6A second-place trophy, while crowning Josh Reyes as the state’s 138-pound champion.

The Scots are loaded for a return run at the state podium this winter, although realistically, the rest of the state is fighting for the silver medal behind powerhouse Roseburg. The Indians piled up 237 points at last year’s tournament more than David Douglas and Crater managed to score combined.

David Douglas graduated just one state placer in Cody Patterson near the top of the ladder. That leaves the shelves fully stocked to surpass last year’s state production.

Leading the way is the junior Reyes, who went unchallenged at last year’s tournament, pinning his first-round foe and outscoring his next three opponents by a combined 26-9.

Also returning is a senior-heavy group that includes Elijah Taylor, who won five straight consolation bouts to finish third at 152 pounds last year along with Vagif Afrasov, who was fourth in the 132 bracket. Jeremiah Baker earned the state’s No. 1 seed before settling for fifth-place honors.

David Douglas won last year’s regional crown by more than 30 points over Three Rivers champ Canby.

Look for team capsules on Barlow, Gresham and Centennial in the Friday, Dec. 21, print edition of The Outlook.

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

 

Sixth grade

4.0 — Griffin Cardwell, Coleman Kane, Sydney Raymond, Jessica Roner, Trinity Teyema and Samuel Titchenal.

3.50–3.99 — Ally Billard, Samantha Brandsen, Max Campbell, Tatyana Castro, Mackenzie Cochran, Brooke Collins, Mason Cote, Cailyn Crain, Grace Davidson, Natalie Ernst, Tionni Fitzgerald, Lainie Hampton, Preston Hobbs, Stephen Kerr, Tanner Marquardt, Sarah Mickle, Jade Minzlaff, Kinzey Moller, Ainsley Pate, AJ Pomasl, Matt Pomasl, Josh Sheller, Abigail Simon, Katie Simon, Samuel Stinson, Marissa Szymczak, Grace Wells and Matthew Worthy.

 

Seventh grade

4.0 — Isaac Chapelle, Jesse Cooper, Gabbi Nowodworski and Alex Wells.

3.50–3.99 — Kara Borchert, Christopher Chapelle, Mary Girdan, Collin Humphreys, Nathan Paul, Cody Poff, Alexis Sanchez, Jessica Toy, Marissa Wagner and Shannon Wilhelm.

 

Eighth grade

4.0 — Savanah Campbell, Parker Cardwell, Brett Falkner, Aidan Gierer, Johanna Hampton, Amanda Hendrickson, Kelsey Houston, Maddie Huffman, Anya Papageorges, Erin Shannon, Alyson Teachout and Kaylee Teasley.

3.50–3.99 — Jared Aldridge, Clare Brinkman, Kaylah Cha, Kelly Estrella, Diana Gotur, Alli Heckmann, Sam Hughes, Lauren Jones, Jenny Karn, Gina Litke, Ally Mager, Dash McKay, Marissa Nowodworski, Skylar Olsen, Hunter Parrott, Evan Plusquellec, Sierra Scheuermann, Damon Stewart, Rachel Wheeler and Justice Zitting Matsuoka.

 

The following students received perfect attendance during the first trimester at Damascus Middle School:

 

Sixth grade

Samantha Brandsen, Max Campbell, David Collins, Natalie Ernst, Samantha Hills, Coleman Kane, Jade Minzlaff, Kinzey Moller, Ainsley Pate, Sydney Raymond, Josh Sheller, Abigail Simon, Marissa Szymczak, Samuel Titchenal, Jonathan Vinson and Christian Wong.

 

Seventh grade

Nathan Booth, Kara Borchert, Isaac Chapelle, Emma Fitzpatrick, Ben Holliday, Collin Humphreys, Jacob Lewis, Keri Mello, Grady Miller, Gabbi Nowodworski, Kylie Parsons, Nathan Paul, Isaac Ray, Dylan Teeter, Caitlyn Temple and Jessica Toy.

 

Eighth grade

Cooper Bodman, Emma Booth, Savanah Campbell, Kaylah Cha, Lucy Diaz, Brett Falkner, Aidan Gierer, Ian Giorgi, Johanna Hampton, Alicia Martinez, Marissa Nowodworski, Martin Rangel, Matthew Sundling and Keeler Suran.

The following students were named to the first trimester honor roll at Gordon Russell Middle School:

Sixth grade

4.0 — Jennifer Bordine, Jasmine Brown, London Christiansen, Melissa Cook, Isabella Crumpton, Kimberly Dawson, Wesley Dick, Kenzley Enyart, Lexi Heaton, Jenna Jette, Jaclyn Jimison, Sarah Kim, Chandler Lael, Noah Lowery, Savanna Meyer, Jasia Mosley, Sara Nasuta, Khue Nguyen, Jordan Olsen, Shyloh Pekham, Daniela Pompeyo-Avila, Peyton Randol, Makennah Ray, Magi Sexton Laura Stanley, Rachel Stanley, Andrew Tercek, Iris Van der Meer and Ben Zimmerman.

3-5-3.99 — Shanaiya Apulu, Haley Bartley, Chloe Bowman, Cora Bruders, Olivia Butler, Becca Calkins, Lexi Cheney, Vanessa Diaz-Barajas, Katelynn Dole, Josie Edmiston, Jared Eggleston, Sophie Emerson, Zoey Erickson, Lauren Erickson, Kayla Galindo, Tetiana Gamza, Esmeralda Garcia, Gustavo Garcia, Adrian Garcia Jr., Monica Gifford, Reece Haney, Jonathan Hryciw, Amber Ingram, Sean Kahlke, Cody Loeb, Carter Loeb, Rocky Lor, Lisa Martin, Kiley Maynard, Makyla Meeuws, Samantha Mejia, Aaliya Mills, Shania Nair, Ella Neiwert, Jacob Nonamaker, Christian Olivares, Vanessa Pocol, Darcy Pound, Madeline Primmer, Chase Ramberg, Spencer Ramsey, Hannah Rispler, Alex Roehl, Giovanna Schodrow, Savannah Serviss, Leticia Silva-Garcia, Talen Stoner, Jenna Tate, Andrew Tatro, Eddo Tello Hernandez, Kyree Thames, Conor Toth, Jaxon Tracy, Yiu Tran, Marisa VanCleve, Pashence Vescovi, Whitney Waddell, Kanyan Wallace, Kerolos Yaacoub, Haily Yates, Kelsie Younce and Grace Yowell.

Seventh grade

4.0 — Kailie Franco, Sarah Gernhart, Conner Grimes, Rachel Loeb, Alayna Luna, Alyssa McCurley, Gary Schmidt, Holly Severson, Adrie Slawik, Lauren Timzen and Anthony Wilkins.

3.5-3.99 — Kassy Allen, Rachel Amadio, Courtney Andersen, Jackson Batman, Vaimoli Bigler, Cera Blakely, Anthony Bobrovnikov, Laura Carrasco-Martinez, Cittlaly Chanocua, Abigail Cohen, Evelyn Cruz-Farfan, Tyler DeBois, Ryan Edmiston, Christopher Evans, Kailie Franco, Estefany Garcia-Delgado, Sarah Gernhart, Mehan Gibson, Ben Goodpasture, Conner Grimes, Ally Haas, Sara Hawks, Gretchen Heiser, Henry Heiser, Grace Hildebrandt, Erich Hofmann, Kiana Hytrek, Tessa Jenness, Jamisen Jette, Taryn Jones, Amelia Joy, Hayden Kehn, Lauren Kohlhepp, Tristan Kuzma, Brady Layman, Rachel Loeb, Aileen Lor, Alayna Luna, Celestria Martin, Alyssa McCurley, Emily Nagel, Brandon Nelson, Jimmy Nicholson, Kenna Perzel, Jessica Romero, Luis Sanchez-Rocha, Morgan Scafidi, Gary Schmidt, Holly Severson, Adrie Slawki, Emma Stewart, Clayton Swank, Lauren Timzen, Megan Ward, Tavish White, Anthony Wilkins, Kylie Williams, Autumn Wilson and Karlee Wood.

Eighth grade

4.0 — Emily Axtell, Madison Bauck, Yasmin Camacho, Allison Chastain, Meg Cook, Lindsay Coutts, Alyson Dow, Ming Fung, Michelle Garcia, Monica Garcia, Emma Garfield, Joely Hand, Emma Ingram, Taryn Jacobson, Helen Kim, Britton Luker, Joy Macalanda, Alyssa McVay, Kelsey Menolascina, Sarah Meyer, Laura Molina, Timothy Naumets, Kyla Penrod, Wyatt Radke, Jordin Redinger, Melanie Rivas, Melanie Roberts, Danica Salitore, Parker Stiner, Natalie Tercek, Phillip Tsukanov, Sarah Willhite and Sam Winczewski.

3.5-3.99 — Sasha Ah Loy, Madison Allen, Benjamin Arthur, Samantha Bergeron, Madison Bivins, Matt Black, Gaby Bowman, Moyrah Brushwood, Marcus Butler, Robbie Cantrrell, Colbie Carlos, Fulurans Dihzod, Ashley Durham, Perrie Eischen, Kayli Ellis, Rachel Fetters, Adam Fisher, Razvan Fit, Tommy Fornoff III, Makenna Gallagher, Kalissa Gallagher, Tyler Haglund, Scott Harding, Marshall Johnson, Bailey Kahan, Lacey Knutson, Maribel Martinez, Chloe Mathes, Brady Maynard, Kiara McNeal, Madison Michael, Dennis Nguyen, Christian Ordway, Zachary Parrish, Dmitriy Prozapas, Amanda Reeder, Ashley Ricker, Jackie Rivas, Laura Rizzo, Dubia Sanchez-Rocha, Gabriela Santa De Jesus, Jenna Sellars, Andrew Severson,, Kyra Sexton, Zander Standish, Jake Thompson, Madison Topaum, Alex Valle, Destiny Wharton, Amber Witka and Becca Woods.

Money raised at this year’s annual Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas breakfast will benefit Human Solutions, My Father’s House and SnowCap Community Charities.

The recent breakfast raised $7,544, with Riverview Community Bank pledging to match the first $1,000 raised.

Each year, the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce holds the holiday event to recognize the three agency programs that assist community members in need.

This year’s breakfast drew more than 150 people.

Oregon State University

Fall Term

The following students appear on the fall term honor roll at Oregon State University. There were 728 students who earned straight-As (4.0 GPA). Another 3,379 earned a B-plus (3.5 GPA) 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:

MULTNOMAH COUNTY

Corbett

4.0: Peter L. Killgore, Sophomore, Mathematics.

3.5 or better: Craig D. Schaaf, Senior, Zoology; Russell M. Schaaf, Freshman, Pre-Bioengineering.

Fairview

3.5 or better: Blake A. Erickson, Freshman, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Hallie T. Exall, Senior, Management; Martha V. Ngo, Senior, Public Health; Matthew T. Ngo, Senior, Biology; Regan M. Nishikawa, Freshman, Pre-Graphic Design; Nicole A. Rejchrt, Senior, Animal Sciences; Dmitriy S. Strelkov, Freshman, Biochemistry and Biophysics.

Gresham

4.0: Cara L. Chase, Freshman, Nutrition; Kristin K. Chase, Senior, Women Studies; Shelley C. Dietz, Senior, Human Devel and Family Science; Robert L. Fix, Senior, Pre-Business; Kimberly R. Harnish, Senior, Civil Engineering; William B. Hemstrom, Senior, Zoology; Jessica N. Kibler, Junior, English; Nathan T. Nguyen, Freshman, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Addison J. Pang, Sophomore, General Science; Kaitlyn Y. Traynor, Junior, General Science.

3.5 or better: Dmitriy G. Bobrovnikov, Sophomore, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Ellie R. Bohrer, Freshman, Zoology; Samuel J. Box, Senior, Chemical Engineering; Colleen Cameron, Junior, Human Devel and Family Science; Lindsay M. Carlton, Senior, Human Devel and Family Science; Ann W. Chan, Senior, Management; Adam W. Cordell, Senior, Mechanical Engineering; Sarah L. de la Paz, Sophomore, Human Devel and Family Science; Dana M. Del Plato, Freshman, Pre-Business; Ashley M. Duncan, Senior, Management; Courtney L. Ellis, Senior, Biology; Cassandra M. Fellows, Freshman, Pre-Athletic Training; Brendan M. Fitzpatrick, Senior, Food Science and Technology; Rebecca M. Flynn, Senior, Public Health; Kelly R. Gutierrez, Junior, Chemical Engineering; Michael S. Heath, Senior, Biology; Breanna R. Hill, Sophomore, English; Oliver Q. Jim, Sophomore, Pre-Civil Engineering; Amanda R. Lashbaugh, Senior, Liberal Studies; Tyler M. Laufer, Junior, Management; Jordan N. Lenchitsky, Sophomore, Human Devel and Family Science; Megan L. Macleod, Freshman, Pre-Athletic Training; James L. Mal, Sophomore, Pre-Bioengineering; Tudor A. Marcu, Junior, Computer Science; Sarah J. Mc Gregor, Junior, Public Health; Huy G. Nguyen, Freshman, Pre-Elect & Computer Engineer; Kimberly L. Pehrson, Senior, Economics; Chaz D. Pierce, Freshman, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Jessica M. Pulliam, Senior, Horticulture; Nichole D. Rex, Junior, Public Health; Bryce A. Saling, Junior, History; Derek M. Saling, Freshman, Exercise and Sport Science; Spenser J. Saling, Junior, Mechanical Engineering; Chelsey L. Sann, Junior, Exercise and Sport Science; Kileigh E. Shea, Senior, Civil Engineering; Nicole A. Sidebotham, Sophomore, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Kyle D. Stevens, Freshman, Pre-Business; Jacob P. Taylor, Junior, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Leslie A. Tengwall, Senior, Public Health; Bailey M. Thomas, Senior, Management; Alexander J. Torgerson, Freshman, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Sarah M. Wong, Senior, Chemical Engineering; Kelsey L. Yates, Freshman, Biology.

Troutdale

4.0: Katlyn N. Stade, Freshman, Biology; Andy M. Svesko, Senior, Physics.

3.5 or better: Laurie E. Aronstein, Senior, Microbiology; Ryan P. Baldwin, Freshman, Pre-General Engineering; Nickolas J. Diaz, Sophomore, Anthropology; Karlei M. Forrester, Senior, Exercise and Sport Science; John A. Hall, Sophomore, Undecided Business Administrat; Miranda L. Kerr, Freshman, University Exploratory Studies; Jake M. Perkins, Sophomore, Pre-Civil Engineering; Omar D. Rachdi, Senior, Biochemistry and Biophysics; Emily M. Sykes, Junior, Botany.

Wood Village

3.5 or better: Danielle M. Lee, Freshman, Environmental Sciences.

CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Boring

3.5 or better: Jakob K. Neuenschwander, Sophomore, Pre-Mechanical Engineering; Alexandra E. Piazza, Sophomore, Merchandising Management.

Damascus

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

Sandy

4.0: Jason J. Summerfield, Senior, Psychology.

3.5 or better: Jarrett M. Fegel, Senior, Exercise and Sport Science; Laurel E. Jones, Senior, Public Health; Natasha R. Lee, Freshman, Biology; Daniel E. Ramirez, Senior, Finance; Alicia M. Sanders, Junior, Biology; Nicholas D. Soenyun, Freshman, General Science; Matthew B. Spanier, Senior, Exercise and Sport Science.

Students at Powell Valley Elementary School had a challenge this holiday season to collect more nonperishable food than their teachers.

If they won, their principal would color her hair bright purple. If they lost, they would spend 10 minutes cleaning the school together.

Wednesday afternoon, Principal Michele Cook fulfilled her promise after her students surpassed their teachers in collections, bringing in 1,800 pounds of food over three weeks for Sanctuary Church’s food pantry.

Behind the curtains of the Powell Valley stage, Parent Teacher Club members Amoreana Collins and Karin Mitchell sprayed Cook’s hair vibrant purple — a foray into hair color experimentation for a woman who’d never dyed her hair.

As students finished singing “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” Cook received her cue.

“We have to make a lot of noise to bring her out here!” Russ Baley, a parent and pastor of Sanctuary Church, told Powell Valley students on the other side of the curtain, gathered for a holiday assembly in the gym.

Cheers erupted from 450 students and staff as Cook peeked through the curtains, then stepped out and showed off her new ‘do.

Students pressed their hands to their mouths, laughed and smiled as Cook twirled around.

“Put your hand up, put it on your back and give yourself a pat on the back!” Cook told students.

The pantry

The Sanctuary Church food pantry began after the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday, when the church received increased requests for food assistance.

The pantry is open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday of each month at 3101 S.E. Orient Drive, Gresham, for those in need of food assistance.

For those in need of immediate assistance, an electronic form is available under the Plug In section of ajesuscommunity.org. Call 503-663-9146 for more information.

SnowCap Community Charities will provide a free Christmas dinner for low-income individuals and families from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25, at Rockwood United Methodist Church, 17805 S.E. Stark St.

SnowCap staff and volunteers expect to serve more than 300 during their sixth annual yule feast.

“More people are out of work this year,” said Judy Alley, executive director of SnowCap. “Others are now employed in low-paying jobs, and many others have experienced misfortune caused by the current economic downturn. If we bring in one family or person from the winter rain and chill for a hot and nourishing dinner, the event is worth the effort.”

Food donations can be delivered between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays at the SnowCap warehouse facility, 17788 S.E. Pine St.

“Attendance has grown each year,” Alley said. “At this time of year, we are in urgent need of donated turkeys and hams to make this meal a success for the many people we expect.”

SnowCap Community Charities is a philanthropic, volunteer organization that distributes food and clothing and offers advocacy in Gresham, Fairview, Wood Village, Troutdale, Parkrose and other areas of east Portland.

For details on making donations or attending the dinner, call 503-674-8785, ext. 17, or email dolores@snowcap.org.

FBI contacts Sam Barlow High School after learning of threat

The halls of Sandy High were unusually quiet Thursday, Dec. 20, as hundreds of students stayed home following rumors of possible violence that was supposed to take place at the school.

Sandy's police department, along with the school's administration, were conducting an investigation but as of Friday morning had not traced the source of the threat or confirmed rumors, Sandy High Principal Tim Werner said.

“There were a lot of rumors going around that could not be confirmed by school officials or law enforcement,” Werner said.

Rumors also spread to Estacada where schools in the district were on “semi-lockdown,” meaning the only ways to enter the buildings were to call or knock on the door, according to superintendent Howard Fetz.

In a letters sent to parents on Wednesday, Dec. 19, both school districts warned of the rumored threats, but offered assurances that precautions were being taken to keep students safe. Extra police patrolled Sandy High and security staff monitored all entrances.

There also was a police presence on the Estacada High School campus while additional staff watched the main entrance.

But those precautions didn't stop many worried parents from keeping their children at home.

Roughly 50 percent of students were absent from Sandy and Estacada high schools Thursday. However, spokespersons from both districts believed the drop in attendance could also be attributed to students leaving early for winter break, which began Friday for both districts.

“On the day before break, that percentage isn't totally out of the ballpark, but it's higher than usual,” said Monteith, adding that about 20 percent of students are usually absent the day before winter break at Sandy High.

In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., last week, rumors and threats of violence at schools throughout Oregon and the country have spiked.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, the FBI contacted the principal at Sam Barlow High School after learning of a threat made against the school on a gaming website.

Multiple rumored threats were brought to the attention of Gresham High School's administration by students and parents throughout last week.

In both cases, law enforcement, with help from the Gresham-Barlow district office, investigated all rumors and found none to be credible.

“With the tragic events of last week, people are understandably on edge,” Gresham High Principal John Koch wrote in a letter to parents last week.

And, like at Sandy High, many parents kept their children home from Reynolds High School on Monday, Dec. 17, when rumors of possible violence spread, primarily on Facebook.

Police and school officials opened an investigation after a student told the principal about a threat, but, again, it wasn't found to be credible.

In response to safety concerns from many parents and students, additional security officers were on campus on Friday, Dec. 21, the last day before the holiday break.

Dawn Marie Waldbillig

July 26, 1970-Dec. 15, 2012

Gresham resident Dawn Marie Waldbillig died Saturday, Dec. 15, in Portland. She was 42.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W. Powell Blvd. in Gresham, Oregon.

Dawn was born July 26, 1970, in Tehran, Iran, to Francis and Peggy Waldbillig.

She moved to Gresham in 1985 and graduated from Reynolds High School in 1989.

Dawn had a passion for photography. She treasured spending time with her nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her parents, Francis and Peggy Waldbillig of Gresham; two brothers, Ted Waldbillig of Redmond and Mark Waldbillig of Portland; and her best friend, Jamie Bonnett of Gresham.

Donations may be given to SHOC (Ovarian Cancer Foundation), P.O. Box 327, Gladstone, Oregon 97027 or to your favorite charity.

Charles W. “Chuck” Riggs

July 7, 1926-Dec. 12, 2012

Portland resident Charles W. “Chuck” Riggs died Wednesday, Dec. 12. He was 86.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at First Baptist Church, 224 W. Powell Blvd., Gresham.

Chuck was born July 7, 1926, in Boring to Randolph and Bessie Riggs. He was raised in the Portland area and married Geraldine “Jerry” Riggs on June 21, 1947.

Chuck work in the retail industry and was a member of Gresham Baptist Prime Timers. He enjoyed woodworking and crafting.

He is survived by his wife and numerous nieces and nephews.

Affordable Funeral Alternatives is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Chuck’s name may be made to Gresham Baptist Prime Timers.

Louis “Pat” Eugene Patitucci

April 25, 1919-Dec. 18, 2012

Gresham resident Louis “Pat” Eugene Patitucci died Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. He was 93.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, and 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home.

A funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Bateman Carroll with a committal service at Lincoln Memorial Park.

Louis was born April 25, 1919, in Portland to Tomaso and Rose Patitucci. He attended school in Portland and later enlisted in the National Guard.

Louis was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 at the rank of private after serving in World War II.

On Aug. 10, 1946, Louis married Murylene Williamson in Portland. The couple had two children. Louis worked for Centennial Flower Mill for 25 years before retiring in 1981.

A family man, Louis enjoyed tinkering around the house, old silent movies, jazz and blues music and rooting for the New York Yankees and Notre Dame.

He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas, in 1962, along with his 12 brothers and sisters.

Louis is survived by his wife; daughter, Suzanne Murphy of Troutdale; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be made in memory of Louis to Providence Hospice or the American Cancer Society.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.