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January 2010

Two cats die, but owner not injured in blaze

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Sun, 2010-01-31 17:07

Above: Firefighters attack the blaze at a Beaverton home Sunday morning.


A working smoke alarm saved the life of a Beaverton woman early Sunday morning, reports a spokesman for Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.

A fire at 16602 Somerset Drive was reported at 1:04 a.m. Six minutes later the first arriving Tualatin Fire crew members reported 20-foot flames coming from the back of the home.

Neighbor Victor Risk, who shot the photo below, said his immediate concern - when he woke to find his neighbor's home engulfed in flames - was 64-year old Jo Rail inside. Rail reportedly lived in the home alone.

Risk said that as soon as he ran out of his own house he started calling out for Rail.

"I was never so glad to hear a person's voice in my entire life," Risk told firefighters at the scene.

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Students invited to participate in 6th annual Human Rights Creative Expression Contest

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Fri, 2010-01-29 09:00

The City of Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Commission (BHRAC) is accepting entries for its annual Creative Expression Contest.

The contest is an opportunity for Beaverton-area students grades K-12, attending public, private or home school in Beaverton, to share their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and ideas about the importance of human and civil rights.

"This is a unique opportunity for Beaverton students to share their insights on a globally important issue," said Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle. "I'm looking forward to the ingenuity and talent that I'm sure will come from this contest."

Creativity is highly encouraged and entries may take the form of an artistic medium including, but not limited to writing, film, dance, music, painting or sculpture. Students may tell about a personal experience from their life or the life of your family, write about a time you felt included or excluded or saw this happening to someone else. Students may also share something about a civil rights hero or imagine a world in which everyone lives and works together in peace.

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Did you know you can buy gift certificates to the YMCA?

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Thu, 2010-01-28 12:41

Maybe you know someone who is having a tough time getting started with their new year's resolution of getting fit.

With the help of the YMCA, you can help.

Give someone a gift certificate to the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette Health and Wellness location. To purchase gift certificates or for more information, stop by any of these YMCA Health and Wellness locations.

Beaverton Family YMCA
4925 SW Griffith Drive
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
503.644.3900

Clark County Family YMCA
11324 NE 51st Circle
Vancouver, Washington 98682
360.885.9622

Sherwood Regional Family YMCA
23000 SW Pacific Highway
Sherwood, Oregon 97140
503.625.9622

Gift certificates may not be redeemed for cash, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Gift certificates can only be purchased and redeemed at these three locations and may not be used for other YMCA of Columbia-Willamette services.

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Labor Commissioner to address human rights committee

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Wed, 2010-01-27 14:10

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian will address the Beaverton Human Rights Advisory Committee (HRAC) at 8 p.m. Feb. 2 at Beaverton City Hall.

The event is free and open to the public, offering a great opportunity to learn in one setting about the work of both HRAC and the Bureau of Labor and Industries' Civil Rights Division to defend human rights and advance opportunity for all Oregonians.

Avakian will emphasize the role of community leaders in advancing civil rights and talk about how communities can combat discrimination and promote harmony within their boundaries

Details for the event are as follows:

  • WHO: Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, the Beaverton HRAC, members of the public
  • WHAT: Discussion of civil and human rights in Oregon, and how Beaverton can be a leader in defending human rights
  • WHEN: 8 p.m. Feb.
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Beaverton family arrives home with their new son from Haiti

Submitted by Susan Harding on Tue, 2010-01-26 19:30

Despite incredible odds, Joe and Jill Wilkins never lost faith that they would be reunited with their adoptive son, Samuel.

With grandparents anxiously waiting, the couple ended a two-year journey as they stepped back into Portland Tuesday afternoon. There were plenty of hugs to greet them at the airport and 20-month-old Samuel was bright-eyed and curious during most of the welcome.

His orphanage, God's Littlest Angels, did not crumble (even though many of the buildings surrounding it did), but paperwork was lost and the Wilkins feared his adoption would be delayed for years. Instead, the U.S. hurried up his adoption since it was nearly finished. Joe Wilkins bought a one-way ticket to Haiti and one-week later the family is home.

The Wilkins said they got Samuel out of Haiti just in time because child relief groups are trying to halt all adoptions out of the country to prevent kids from falling into the wrong hands.

The Wilkins had visited Samuel in Haiti just two weeks before the earthquake.

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Beaverton school no longer in lockdown

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Tue, 2010-01-26 13:28

Meadow Park Junior High School in Beaverton is no longer in lockdown after a person was seen running in the area away from an alleged home robbery.

Dave Thompson, a public information officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, said someone was seen running from a home at 360 SW 141 Ave.

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Beaverton middle school in lockdown

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Tue, 2010-01-26 12:46

Dave Thompson, a public information officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, says someone was seen running from a home at 360 SW 141 Ave. in Beaverton today after what is believed to be a burglary at the home.

Police are in the area searching for the suspect. Police are not sure if the suspect was armed.

Nearby Meadow Park Junior High School is in lockdown due to the crime.

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Arcadia Street water main break 'easy repair'

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Mon, 2010-01-25 17:29

The water main break that threatened homes as water rose to curb level in the area of Northwest 178th Avenue and Arcadia Street Monday afternoon should be an easy fix, reports a spokesperson with Tualatin Valley Water.

Twenty eight homes will be without water in the meantime, according to reports. Only one home is reported to have received water damage as of 4:30 p.m. Monday.

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It's Election Day - is your ballot in?

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Tue, 2010-01-26 09:00

The Jan. 26 Special Election is here and two measures are at stake:

Measure 66 - Raises tax on household income at and above $250,000 (and $125,000 for individual filers). Reduces income taxes on unemployment benefits in 2009. Provides funds currently budgeted for education, health care, public safety, other services. LEARN MORE

Measure 67 - Raises $10 corporate minimum tax, business minimum tax, corporate profits tax. Provides funds currently budgeted for education, health care, public safety, other services. LEARN MORE

It's too late to mail in your ballot (postmarks don't count), but you can still drop it off up until 8 p.m. at many locations throughout town.

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Make your plans now to see unveiling of major art sculpture

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Mon, 2010-01-25 13:34

The Beaverton Arts Commission will kick off the 28th Annual Visual Arts Showcase unveiling the design of a major sculptural work for the city that will be placed in City Park this fall. A model of the sculpture, will be on display throughout the duration of the 2-week art exhibition. The Visual Art Showcase will take place February 7-20 at the Beaverton City Library and is open to the public during Library hours. There is no charge for admission.

New Public Art Sculpture

The sculptural work entitled "Singing Sky" was created by Wisconsin artist Richard Taylor from a field of 235 applicants throughout the United States and British Columbia. The playful abstract shapes in the work will inspire the imagination of viewers of all ages and reflect the city's diversity. With its vibrant color and 15' height, the sculpture is certain to become a prominent landmark for Beaverton.

"I find an excitement and openness in a city such as Beaverton that has a rich blend of people and cultures," states sculptor, Richard Taylor.

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