GRESHAM & EAST COUNTY NEWS

Breaking news from Gresham, Multnomah County, Troutdale, Sandy and Corbett

Ronald Bruce Erickson, 65, died after he hit the westbound guardrail of Highway 26. He had been driving the wrong way on a stretch of road east of Gresham. Full story »

Rector arrives in the job with a familiarity with Portland as well as some of the challenges facing the east Multnomah County school district. Full story »

Find a way to make a positive contribution and set a good example Full story »

Maya Lin's artwork, built at the end of a mile-long trail at the mouth of the Sandy River, is one of several along the Columbia River known as the Confluence Project to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition's Corps of Discovery.  Full story »

Sharon Bergquist, best known for Shari's and Country Inn, is back in business  Full story »

A regional parks district could be the only way cities in east Multnomah County could raise property taxes for improving parks.  Full story »

Two Lake Oswego businessmen are close to collecting signatures on a pair of ballot measures authorizing a casino at the former dog track in Wood Village. Full story »

Oregon's first redemption center would replace bottle bill returns at three nearby stores, a Fred Meyer, a Safeway and a Walmart.  Full story »

Multnomah County has been awarded a $7.5 million community health and prevention grant  from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in an initiative to support public health efforts to reduce obesity, increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and decrease smoking. A total of $372.8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was awarded to 44 communities... Full story »

The Chicago-based company sees the airline industry returning to profitability in 2011, leading to demand for new aircraft in 2012 and beyond. Full story »

The centers are part of the safety net for the uninsured and underinsured.  Full story »

The City of Gresham reminds young people as spring break approaches that the city’s curfew is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Full story »

Barbara Willer is the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners' pick to complete Jeff Cogen's term as District 2 commissioner. Cogen, who will be named county chairman April 1 to finish Ted Wheeler's term, confirmed Willer's selection this afternoon. Willer will serve through the end of year, when a new commissioner will be sworn in. Eight candidates are running in... Full story »

Kamila Joy Rhodes, a Gresham resident, admitted earlier this month that she rifled through the personal belongings of others during parent-teacher conferences at Powell Valley Elementary School on Nov. 23 and Highland Elementary School on Nov. 24. Full story »

Dr. Karen Gunson, state medical examiner, said tests show Sgt. Jeffrey A. Grahn's blood-alcohol level was .10 percent -- above Oregon's .08 percent limit for driving.  Full story »

The school district estimates its energy efficiency work at school facilities saves about $1.5 million a year, the equivalent of 25 teaching jobs. Full story »

The Fairview City Council voted Wednesday night to ask the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to not renew the liquor license of the Gin Sun Restaurant & Lounge. Full story »

As if facing its 10th straight year of budget cuts wasn’t enough, Multnomah County will seat a new chairman just weeks before the executive budget is due.   The county is projecting a budget shortfall between $5 million and $7 million for the coming fiscal year and has asked all departments to come up with 4 percent cuts. But... Full story »

Barbara Willer, Ted Wheeler’s former chief of staff, is the chief contender to take over Commissioner Jeff Cogen’s district 2 seat when he becomes Multnomah County chairman April 1. “I like her a lot,” Cogen said. “I am working with the other board members to see if they agree.” The Board of Commissioners will vote in Cogen to finish... Full story »

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The Gresham City Council today approved increasing garbage rates charged by the city’s five haulers. A typical residential customers with a 32-gallon can will pay an additional $3.80 a month.  Full story »

Kent Spence of The Spence Law Firm in Jackson, Wyo., released a statement today regarding a $1 million settlement between Clackamas County and the family of Fouad Kaady, who was fatally shot by officers in 2005.  Full story »

The west leg of SE 1st Street will be closed in Gresham starting tomorrow, March 17, as part of the ongoing Kane Drive improvement project. Full story »

In addition to becoming a destination for climbers and hikers, the park will attract fledgling scientists and anyone capable of identifying the more than 100 native wildflowers that bloom there each spring. Full story »