Gladstone gets it together, after committing eight errors in an 11-1 loss

Gladstone High School baseball coach Clark Webster is hopeful that his Gladiators have put their soccer shoes away — for good.

After kicking the ball around and committing eight errors in an 11-1 five-inning loss at Madras on April 10, the Gladiators played three games last Friday and Saturday and committed just one error in the three games combined.

“We had some serious buffoonery on Wednesday [April 10],” Webster said. “When we got off the bus at Madras, we weren’t ready to play....

“They came back focussed and ready to play on Friday. They played to their capabilities, and it was nice to see. Consistency, that’s our next step.”

Only five of Madras’ 11 runs were earned in the April 10 abbreviated game at Madras. Trask Telesmanich pitched all five innings in the loss, striking out four and walking no one.

“We got ground balls, but we kicked them. We couldn’t field them and make the play,” Webster said.

Ty Breshears (2-for-3, double) led the Gladiators at the plate, with two of their six hits in the 11-1 loss.

The Gladiators met Madras again on Friday, and it was like night and day. Breshears (3 strikeouts, no walks) pitched six innings of two-hit ball, while the Gladiators reached Madras pitchers for 10 hits. And Gladstone defenders committed just one error.

Zach Webster (3-for-4, double, 3 RBI) and Ben Fox (3-for-4, double, 3 RBI) were “big sticks” for the Gladiators.

Gladstone put Madras away in the third inning, scoring five runs on base hits by Ben Hunter, Webster and Fox, a walk, a hit batter, and two Madras errors.

The Gladiators played Tillamook in a nonleague doubleheader on Saturday and split with the Cheesemakers, winning the second game 12-2 in five innings, after bowing 5-1 in the opener. They played error-free defense in both games, but their bats were silent (3 hits) in the first game.

“We hit the ball, but we hit it right at people,” Webster said.

The Gladiators stung the ball for 11 hits in the 5-inning nightcap. Breshears (3-for-4, double, 2 runs), Telesmanich (2-for-2, 2 RBI) and Dalton Moe (2-for-2, double, 2 RBI) headed up the offense.

Austin Krieger and Kyle Betnar pitched, striking out three, walking five and allowing just four hits.

Coach Webster had praise for Telesmanich for his play on defense.

“Trask did a great job at third base, knocking down balls and making the play at first for outs,” Webster said.

Gladstone (6-5, 3-1) entertains North Marion (8-5, 4-0) this Thursday, and the Gladiators play host to La Salle (9-5, 2-2) next Monday.

The Kingsmen sweep Wilsonville, split with St. Helens

Last week was a good week for Rex Putnam High School baseball, as the Kingsmen put three of four Northwest Oregon Conference league games in the win column.

The Kingsmen battled, and bagged a pair of games from Wilsonville last week, defeating the Wildcats 12-4 on April 8, and winning a 2-1 barnburner on April 9. And they split with St. Helens, blanking the Lions 8-0 on Friday, after losing 3-1 on Thursday.

The April 9 game with Wilsonville went 10 innings. Nick Parr plated the game-winner with a one-out single in the bottom of the tenth.

Justin Wyler drew a walk to lead off the tenth and advanced to second on a balk. Following an intentional walk to Nick Edwards and a flyout, Parr pounded the ball up the middle, scoring Wyler from second for the hard fought win.

Evan Lochridge pitched a gem in the victory, going the distance on the mound. The senior right-hander struck out six, walked no one and hit one batter, while scattering eight hits, in 10 complete innings.

Lochridge threw a lot of strikes and his pitch count was only 104 for the 10 innings.

The Kingsmen got only two hits off of Wilsonville ace Clayton Gelfand (12 strikeouts, 3 walks in eight innings), who was co-league pitcher of the year in 2012. But they took advantage of Gelfand’s control problems in the early going, and they supported Lochridge with error-free defensive play.

Trace Loehr led off Putnam’s half of the first inning with a base hit. He then advanced all the way to third base on an overthrow on an attempted pick-off. With two down, he then scored Putnam’s first run on a wild pitch.

Wilsonville tied things up in the top of the third, scoring its only run on a double, a sacrifice bunt and a base hit.

Putnam defenders turned three double plays. In the fourth inning, Loehr fielded the ball at shortstop and threw the ball to Dylan Knoth at second, who fired it to Max Bailey at first for a double play that ended that inning.

In the sixth inning, Knoth fielded a line drive and tagged a base runner for an unassisted double play. And in the eighth frame, Loehr fielded a grounder, tagged second base and threw to Bailey for a double play.

“The kids played great defense,” Putnam coach Jason Stanley said. “Wilsonville had players in scoring possession on all three double plays.... We didn’t compete at the plate, but we made the plays when we needed them. And Evan pitched a great game.”

The Kingsmen stung the ball for 13 hits and scored in all but two innings in their 12-4 win over Wilsonville.

Eli Skiles headed up the offensive onslaught with two triples, a single, five RBI and two runs scored in three at bats. Skiles had a two-run triple in the fourth inning, when the Kingsmen broke a 3-3 deadlock with three runs. And he came through with a bases clearing triple in the fifth stanza.

Other leading hitters included: Knoth (3-for-5, 2 runs), Loehr (2-for-3, 2 runs), Lochridge (2-for-5, triple) and Wyler (2-run double).

Putnam (6-8, 3-3) hosts Sandy (8-7, 4-2) this afternoon, and the Kingsmen play Sandy on the road on Friday.

McLean ups his record in the pole vault and Clackamas girls go 3-0 in league

Last week was a good week for Clackamas High School track and field, as the Cavaliers swept West Linn in a Three Rivers League dual meet, and they came through with some impressive individual performances at a weekend invitational hosted by Westview.

Clackamas junior Connor McLean made some waves at Westview, clearing a state’s best and personal best of 15-1 to outclass the field in the boys pole vault. The 15-1 vault broke McLean’s month-old school record in the event by an inch.

McLean also headed the eight-team field with an effort of 15.45 in the high hurdles, and he finished a close second to Sheldon junior Tyus Kuykendall (40.86) with a lifetime best clocking of 40.98 in the intermediates.

Clackamas senior Max Jette (6-0) and McLean (5-10) went one-two in the high jump at Westview, and Jette (13-0) was second only to McLean in the pole vault.

Clackamas girls were tough in the 4x400-meter relay, where the team of Caroline Combs, Alli Dickey, Yasmeen Ramos and Zeena Nwokoma ran a season’s best of 4:07.64 to finish second to Grant (4:01.82). The time is the seventh fastest in 6A this season.

Clackamas junior Savannah Warner earned runner-up honors in both the girls javelin and high jump.

Clackamas girls last week upped their Three Rivers League record to 3-0 with a 96-49 trouncing of West Linn.

Clackamas girls were especially tough in the field events, where they outscored the Lions 53-10, sweeping the shot put, discus and triple jump. They won every field event except the long jump.

Eight different Clackamas athletes teamed up to win no fewer than 10 individual events; and the Cavaliers upped their stock in the 4x400-meter relay, where they pushed themselves to a 4:10.36 clocking, a season’s best mark at the time.

Clackamas junior Maddy Visscher had a great meet, clearing a career-best 9-3 for a runaway win in the pole vault, and leading the sweep of the triple jump with a leap of 31-9-3/4.

Freshman Angela Arrington (27-4-1/4) led the sweep in the shot put and sophomore Jordyn Batemen (70-7) led the sweep in the javelin.

The Cavaliers were tough in the hurdles. Sophomore Melissa Carson (17.37) and senior Hannah Stultz (17.47) went one-two in the high hurdles; and Stultz (50.28) and Carson (51.79) went one-two respectively in the low hurdles.

Warner was a double winner, clearing 4-8 in the high jump and outclassing the field with a throw of 108-1 in the javelin. The javelin is a new sport for Warner and she had only been practicing the event for a week.

Sophomores Caroline Combs and Chloe Clegg were also winners for Clackamas, Combs setting the pace in the 200 (26.91), and Clegg setting the pace in the 1,500 (5:18.62).

Clackamas boys also had a good day on April 10, putting their first league meet in the win column with a 78-67 victory over West Linn.

Clackamas guys made up for West Linn’s domination on the track with their strength in the field events and in the hurdles.

The Cavaliers continued to prove that they have possibly the strongest program in the state in the hurdles.

Jette (15.57) and McLean (15.87) went one-two respectively in the high hurdles; and McLean (41.03) and Clackamas senior Jesse Debord (45.62) went one-two in the intermediates.

Jette’s mark in the high hurdles was a personal record and it ranks him in the top 10 in the state in that event; McLean’s mark in the intermediate hurdles was also a lifetime best.

Jette also continued tough in the high jump, clearing 6-2 for an easy win.

And Clackamas seniors Austin Insisiengmay (124-5), Justin Hesselegesser (122-6) and Jette (118-9) swept the discus.

Other winners for Clackamas boys included: seniors Hesselegesser in the shot put (44-1), Aiden Turner in the javelin (155-9) and Rommel Zapanta in the triple jump (39-10), junior Cameron Jones (11-6) in the pole vault, and the Cavalier 4x400-meter relay team (3:52.30).

“We’ve got a lot of young kids and we’re continuing to get better every week,” said Clackamas coach Jeff Kelleher. “Lots of PR’s or near PR’s. We’re three-deep in every event now.”

The Cavaliers have a bye from league competition this week. They battle Oregon City at Oregon City next Wednesday (April 24).

DeWitz clears 6-4 and ties his class record for the high jump

Oregon City thinclads rode their strength in the field events to relatively easy wins over Grant in their Three Rivers League dual track and field openers, held in Oregon City April 10.

The Pioneer girls outscored the Generals 58-5 in the field events, winning all seven field events and sweeping the shot put and triple jump, en route to a 97-47 runaway win.

Oregon City guys topped Grant 89-56, outscoring the Generals 52-11 in the field events, winning every event except the long jump, and placing at least two athletes in each event.

“Going into the meet, we were a little worried, because Grant had beaten both Clackamas and Canby in a three-team league dual meet a week earlier,” said Oregon City boys coach Adam Thygeson. “But between our top kids and our depth, we got it done.”

Senior Brady Heinsoo had a big meet for Oregon City guys, clearing 11-1 to lead a Pioneer sweep of the pole vault, heading up a sweep of the high hurdles with an effort of 16.06, and leading a one-two finish in the intermediate hurdles, with a lifetime best clocking of 42.64.

The Pioneers also swept the javelin, where three juniors — Easton Christensen (166-5), Alex Canchola (144-2) and Jacob Cardwell (134-7) — all beat Grant’s best thrower.

Oregon City senior Beau Brosseau continued to get it done, winning the discus with a 17-foot PR of 140-0 and upping his state’s best 6A mark in the shot put to 55-4 to run away with that event. Brosseau’s mark in the discus ranked him in the top 10 in the state.

Oregon City sophomore Austin DeWitz had a big day in the high jump, clearing 6-4 for the first time in competition. The effort, which tied Oregon City’s sophomore class record [Kody Kozak, 2009], ranks DeWitz second in the state in 6A.

Oregon City senior Daniel Slack soared 42-2 to run away with first place in the triple jump.

Oregon City boys also had three winners on the track — senior Justin Cornejo in the 100 (11.28), senior Ryan Cox in the 200 (22.90) and junior Al Lacey in the 3,000 (9:28.51).

Senior Breanne Johnston scored big for Oregon City girls, leading a sweep of the shot put with an effort of 31-9-1/4, and tossing the discus 90-3 for first place in that event.

Freshman Jenna Holland was impressive in the triple jump, leading a Pioneer sweep with an effort of 33-10, a personal record by close to two feet.

Junior Becca Houk had a big day for Oregon City in the sprints, winning the 100 in 12.74 and finishing a close second to Grant standout Piper Donaghu (26.47) with a 26.57 clocking in the 200.

Houk’s times were lifetime bests and they rank her in the top 10 in the state in both sprint races.

Other Oregon City winners included: senior Emily Leonetti in the high hurdles (17.71), senior Katie Kohler in the low hurdles (49.04), senior Nicole Simons in the javelin (106-5), junior Veronica Laughlin in the pole vault (7-6), sophomore Chelsea Bone in the 400 (1:03.23), sophomore Karli Kolsut in the long jump (15-7-1/2) and freshman Taylor Shaw in the high jump (4-10).

The Pioneers (1-0) return to league competition this afternoon at Lakeridge. Lakeridge girls (1-0) handled Lake Oswego 94-51 in last week’s dual meet with the Lakers; Lakeridge boys lost in a 73-71 barnburner with their cross-town rivals.

Oregon City guys win

Willamette Falls Invitational

Oregon City boys continued on track on Saturday, when they won the large division of their own Willamette Falls Invitational for the third year in a row, out-pointing the runner-up team from Hermiston, 176-1/2 to 123-1/2. Other teams in the division included: McNary, Liberty, Pendleton, Union, Putnam, Cleveland, Corvallis, Mountain View (Washington), Woodburn and Century.

Oregon City girls (75 points) placed third, finishing back of Union (112-1/2) and Corvallis (92).

Oregon City boys had four athletes record the top marks of the day in their events.

Cornejo (11.36) won the 100-meter dash; Heinsoo won the high hurdles (16.23) in a photo finish, and he finished second in a photo finish in the intermediate hurdles, where he was clocked in a lifetime best of 42.07.

Brosseau won the shot put (53-6-3/4) and he placed second in the discus, with a lifetime best mark of 142-8, a mark that ranks him fifth in the state in 6A.

Oregon City junior Josh Miller won the hammer with a throw of 109-4.

Oregon City’s 4x100-meter relay team of Cox, Nick Martin, Mitch Thompson and Cornejo finished runner-up to McNary in a photo finish in that race, with a season’s best 43.45 clocking.

Cox was tough in the sprints, recording the second-best time of the meet in the 200 (23.36) and the third-best time in the 100 (11.46).

Oregon City junior Easton Christensen placed second in the javelin (158-2), Slack was runner-up in the triple jump (41-11-1/2), and DeWitz was runner-up in the high jump (6-2).

Putnam junior Bryan Marlatt cleared 6-4 for the top mark of the day in the high jump.

Top performers for Oregon City girls included: sophomore Miranda Nelson, with the second-best time of the meet in the girls 3,000 (11:05.26); junior Alisa McEniry, with the second-best mark in the girls pole vault (8-6); and junior Becca Houk, with the third-best time in the 100-meter dash (12.95).

La Salle boys won the six-team small division of the Willamette Falls Invitational, scoring 200 points to finish well in front of the runner-up team from Horizon Christian (147). Estacada (144-1/2) and La Salle (124) went one-two in the girls small school division.

La Salle senior Mark Holenstein was the fastest quartermiler at the meet, with his winning time of 50.56 in the 400 meters. Holenstein also won the long jump (21-7), and he helped pace the Falcon boys to a 3:30.28 clocking and first place in the 4x400-meter relay.

Estacada (50.22) and La Salle (50.62) recorded the top times of the afternoon in the girls 4x100-meter relay.

The Gladiators handle La Salle, get by North Marion

Competing in one of the tougher high school softball leagues in the state, the Gladstone Gladiators put two more Tri-Valley Conference games in the win column last week, and they closed out the week ranked second in the state — behind Banks (10-2) — in the OSAA Class 4A rankings.

Madras (11-4, 3-1) and Molalla (8-3, 3-0) finished last week ranked fourth and tenth respectively in the rankings.

The Gladiators (14-1, 3-1) cruised by 16th-ranked La Salle (5-4, 1-2) last Friday, winning 8-0. But they had their hands full earlier in the week, when they had to go to eight innings to top 13th-ranked North Marion (9-5, 1-3), 3-2.

“We put the ball in play and we pitched much better,” Gladstone coach Bruce Mortier said, following last Friday’s win over the Falcons.

La Salle pitcher Loryn Williams struck out Gladstone batters nine times, but the Gladiators reached her for 10 hits, and Williams issued nine free passes.

Meanwhile Gladstone pitchers Megan Kirchem and Nena Dudley took care of business, teaming up to throw a one-hitter. La Salle’s only hit was a lead-off double by Shannon Stockfleth in the bottom of the sixth.

Kirchem pitched 6-1/3 innings, striking out 11, walking one and giving up the one hit.

La Salle’s only threat came in the sixth. After Stockfleth’s double, she advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. But the next batter hit into an inning-ending double play.

The Gladiators scored their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Pitcher control problems helped the Gladiators get on board in the fourth. Julia Schumaker (2-for-3) and Meghan Winkle both reached as hit batsmen and Kat Kerr drew a full-count walk to load the bases. Erica Ward brought one run round with a groundout, and Kerr darted home on a wild pitch.

Kirchem (2-for-4) led off the fifth with single, advanced on a groundout and scored on a base hit by Schumaker. Following another groundout, Winkle brought Schumaker in with a single up the middle.

Molly Webster, Kirchem, Ashlee Muller and Schumaker all hit safely in a four-run sixth inning. The runs scored on Muller and Schumaker’s hits, a sacrifice fly by Winkle, and a walk by Kerr.

Gladstone struggled to get timely hitting and the Gladiators kicked the ball around in the April 10 extra-inning win over North Marion.

The Gladiators hammered the ball for 11 hits, but they left no fewer than 14 baserunners stranded. And they committed four errors. Both of North Marion’s runs were unearned.

North Marion pitcher Katlin Wompole (2 strikeouts, 6 walks) began to tire in the later innings, and that played a part in the Gladiator victory.

With two down in the bottom of the eighth and the score tied at 2-2, Nena Dudley drew a full-count walk. Megan Kirchem reached on an infield single, and Ashlee Muller drew a full-count walk to load the bass. Julia Schumaker walked on four straight pitches, forcing in the winning run.

Gladstone scored the game’s first run with two down in the third stanza. Kirchem, Muller and Kerr all got base hits in the inning, with Kerr’s two-out single to right driving in the run.

North Marion answered in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of a walk and two Gladstone errors to score one unearned run.

Muller led off the fifth with a double and scored on an overthrow following a bunt by Schumaker, making it a 2-1 ball game.

The Huskies kept the game alive in the top of the seventh, scoring their second run on a base hit, a sacrifice bunt, an error, and a run-scoring sacrifice fly.

Sophomore third baseman Melisa Campos was huge on defense for the Gladiators. She made an error that resulted in a North Marion run, but she more than made up for it, with four putouts and four assists.

Campos turned two double plays that proved pivotal. In the fourth inning, the Huskies had runners at second and third with one out, when Campos snagged a line drive and tagged the runner headed home to end the inning. And in the top of the eighth, Campos hauled in a popped up bunt and threw to Schumaker covering first to complete a double play.

Kirchem (3-for-4), Muller (3-for-4) and Kerr (2-for-4) led Gladstone at the plate.

Dudley and Kirchem both took a turn in the circle, combining for five strikeouts, while walking six batters and giving up three hits.

“It was a tough game,” Mortier said. “We didn’t play well. We got lucky.”

The Gladiators are back in action on Thursday, when they entertain Estacada (1-10, 0-4). They entertain Madras at 4:30 p.m. next Tuesday. The White Buffaloes dealt the Gladiators their only loss of the season in an April 5 game at Madras.

Clackamas rallies around Zehr to start the league season 3-0

Clackamas High School diamond girls continued on fire last week, launching their Three Rivers League season with wins over Lake Oswego (12-1) , Oregon City (6-1) and Lakeridge (3-0).

Last Friday’s shutout of Lakeridge was the Cavaliers’ 10th win in a row, after a 0-3 start to the season.

“We talked to our pitchers,” said Dave Just. “We told them we want them to throw strikes, and they’ve bought into it. They’re throwing strikes and we’re playing defense behind them.”

Amanda Zehr did all of the Cavaliers’ pitching last week and the 5-5 sophomore was outstanding, throwing two one-hitters and allowing no hits and no baserunners through the first 4-1/3 innings of the third game.

“Amanda is throwing well for us right now,” Just said. “Her confidence is up. She’s getting ahead of hitters and throwing strikes.”

Zehr started off last week striking out 14 batters and walking no one while throwing a one-hitter in the 12-1 rout of Lake Oswego. Lake Oswego’s only hit was a lead-off single in the bottom of the sixth.

Zehr also threw a one-hitter in the 6-1 win over Oregon City, striking out three and walking one. Sophomore outfielder Taylor Katzmarek got a leadoff single in the top of the fifth for Oregon City’s lone hit in that game. Oregon City’s only run was unearned.

Last Friday, Zehr struck out two and walked one in the 3-0 win over the Pacers, while she scattered five hits. And her teammates played near flawless defense behind her.

The Cavaliers struck early against the Pacers, scoring two runs in the first inning on two hits and some heads up baserunning; and one run in the second on a walk and a timely double to right-center by Allie Anderegg.

Sophomore outfielder Ashley Filler led off the first with a base hit, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a single up the middle by Melissa Noble. Noble moved to second on the throw home, stole third and scored on a passed ball.

Noble (2-for-3) had two of the Cavaliers’ five hits in the win.

The Cavaliers scored all six of their runs in the first two innings in their 6-1 win over Oregon City.

They scored four times in the first inning on two walks, two hit batsmen and two base hits. Filler and Mariah Scholes (2-for-4, 2 runs) had the only hits in the inning.

Two more runs scored in the second on a walk, an error and a run-scoring base hit by Vanessa Oakden (2-for-4, 2 RBI).

The Cavaliers had their bats working in their April 8 trouncing of Lake Oswego, as they stung the ball for 17 hits and scored in six different innings.

Filler (4-for-5, one double, 4 runs, 2 RBI) led five Clackamas batters who connected for three or more hits.

Cassie Haehlen (3-for-4, 3 runs) stung the ball for a solo home run, her second round-tripper of the year.

Other big sticks included: McKenzie Giancola (3-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Scholes (3-for-4, 3 runs, 3 RBI, 2 doubles), and Anderegg (3-for-4, 2 runs).

The Cavaliers play Canby (8-5, 1-2) on the road this afternoon and they entertain Lake Oswego (0-6, 0-3) on Friday. Area youth players and the Clackamas High School community are invited to attend Friday’s game, which is being played on “Happy Valley Softball Day.”

Clackamas (10-3, 3-0) was the only Three Rivers League team that finished the first week of the league season without a loss in league. Lakeridge (8-5, 2-1) and West Linn (6-5, 2-1) finished the week in second place.

Hard work paid dividends for the Oregon City Pioneers and their longtime coach in 2013

Longtime Oregon City High School wrestling coach Roger Rolen has been honored by his peers as the National Wrestling Coaches Association 2013 Coach of the Year for the state of Oregon.

The honor puts Rolen in the running for regional and national Coach of the Year honors.

“I’m honored and humbled to get it,” Rolen said. “But without assistant coaches, the kids and the parents believing in what I promote, it wouldn’t have happened.”

Rolen added, “This means a lot to me, because it’s an acknowledgement of the statement I have in my room: ‘Hard work pays off.’ Hard work doesn’t guarantee success. But it gives you a real good chance at succeeding....

“This is an awesome honor! But there’s no way I would have gotten it without those around me.”

The past season was an historic season under Rolen’s tutelage. After going undefeated in the Three Rivers League for the fifth time in the nine seasons that Rolen has been a head coach at Oregon City, the Pioneers went on to place second to David Douglas at the 2013 TRL/Mt. Hood Conference Regional Tournament, and second to David Douglas at the Class 6A State Tournament.

The second place team finish at the 2013 State Tournament is the highest placing at state by an Oregon City wrestling team in the 65 years that the Oregon School Activities Association has sanctioned a state wrestling tournament.

Rolen has been a part of Oregon City’s wrestling program for most of the past 27 years, after joining the program as a volunteer assistant in 1986. He was co-head coach with Bill Nugent for two seasons, beginning with the 2004-05 season, and has served as head coach since then.

Rolen explained why he has continued as a high school wrestling coach for so many seasons: “It’s a passion.... It’s the challenge of helping kids reach their potential — helping them be the best that they can be....

“It becomes an addiction, like fishing and hunting is an addiction. I’m addicted to it, and I enjoy spending time with people who have a like passion.”

The Pioneers have had 72 state placers and 11 state champions during Rolen’s tenure. He’s helped coach Oregon City teams to eleven top-10 state tournament finishes, with three teams bringing home trophies — third place in 2002, tied for fourth place in 2010 and second place in 2013.

Oregon City’s state champions during Rolen’s tenure include: Cody Claymier and Dustin Maddox in 1991; Ryan Snegirev in 1999; Snegirev, Mark Bradley and Justin Pearch in 2002; John Bates in 2004; Jacob Morris in 2007; Jared Groner and Kyle Sether in 2011; and Sether in 2013.

Oregon City teams, under Rolen’s tutelage, have gone 45-8 in Three Rivers League dual meets since 2004-05. His teams won Three Rivers League district tournaments in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and they won the Three Rivers League/Mt. Hood Conference Regional Tournament in 2011.

Rolen’s coaching peers in the TRL have named him league Coach of the Year or league Co-Coach of the Year the last six years in a row.

Rolen coached the Oregon Junior freestyle and Greco Roman teams in 2008, 2010 and 2012; and he coached an Oregon Cultural Exchange team that went to Hungary in 1998. He served as Oregon City Wrestling Club coach and director from 1988 through 2001.

Rolen is a graduate of The Dalles High School (1974) and Western Oregon University (1978). He is a two-time All-American, placing third at the NAIA National Tournament in 1977 and fifth in 1978.

Clackamas improves to 12-1 on the season with three wins over Oregon City

The Clackamas Cavaliers last week continued to prove themselves among the top baseball teams in the state, as they swept defending Class 6A state champion Oregon City in their opening series of the Three Rivers League season, winning three hotly contested games, 3-2, 5-3 and 4-2.

The Cavaliers finished last week ranked No. 1 in the state in the Class 6A coaches poll, and No. 3 — behind North Medford (12-2) and Roseburg (9-3) — in the OSAA power rankings.

With last Friday’s 4-2 win over the Pioneers at Oregon City, the Cavaliers improved their record to 12-1 on the 2013 season.

“I’m pretty impressed with the kids so far,” said Clackamas coach John Arntson. “They’re playing good in all phases of the game. We’re getting good pitching and they’re supporting the pitchers with great defense; they’re hitting all through the lineup, one through nine; and they’re doing a great job running the bases.

“They’re playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played. They’re fun to watch!”

The Cavaliers outhit the Pioneers 10-4 on Friday. They stole five bases, played near flawless defense and they got a solid performance on the mound from relief pitcher Taylor Stinson. Stinson (5 strikeouts) pitched 5-1/3 innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and no earned runs.

“We ran the bases well, came up with some timely hits, and Stinson came in in relief and did an outstanding job on the mound,” Arntson said. “He had command of all of his pitches. He threw strikes and he did a good job hitting location.”

Trailing 2-0, the Cavaliers tied things up with two runs in the top of the third. Jake Iverson hit a leadoff double, stole third and scored with one down on a sacrifice fly by Garrett Myers. Jared Bell singled, stole second, and scored on a base hit by Austin Kelly.

Cole Scruggs plated the winning run in the top of the fourth. Michael McDonald reached on a one-out triple, and Scruggs singled him home.

McDonald drew a bases loaded walk to force in an insurance tally in the fifth.

Bell headed Clackamas’ offense, with a double, two singles, two stolen bases and two runs scored in four at bats. McDonald (2-for-2) and Kelly (2-for-3) had two hits apiece in the winning effort.

Bell was solid in a complete game on the mound in the Cavaliers’ 5-3 win over the Pioneers in an April 10 game at Clackamas. The junior right-hander recorded five strikeouts, while walking one batter and scattering seven hits. And he was supported by error-free defensive play.

With the score tied at 2-2, Clackamas went ahead for good with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Myers started things off with a single; McDonald reached on an error; and the runners advanced on a successful double steal. Kelly (3-for-3, two doubles) plated Myers for the go ahead run, and Jarrod Switzer (2-for-4, two doubles, 2 RBI) brought what would prove the game-winner around with a two-bagger.

The Cavaliers scored one run with two down in the first on a base hit by Kelly and a double by Switzer. Bell reached on an error in the second inning and ended up scoring — with two down — on a passed ball; Bell led off the fifth with a single, advanced on a wild pitch and sacrifice, and scored on a groundout by Cade Wilkins.

Oregon City scored two runs in the third on a double by Cary Swalwell, a sacrifice, and RBI-singles by Clay Reece and Jacob Tipton.

Jake Phillips went 2-for-3 at the plate in the losing effort.

Defense was pivotal for Clackamas in the Cavaliers’ 3-2 win over the Pioneers on April 8. The Pioneers reached Clackamas pitcher Austin Kelly (3 strikeouts) for eight hits and six walks, but they left 12 baserunners stranded.

The Cavaliers turned two double plays. In the third inning, Kelly fielded a ground ball, threw to Aaron Ahlstrom at second; and Ahlstrom fired to Switzer at first for an inning-ending double play.

Oregon City threatened in the top of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one down on base hits by Reece and Rilyn Lewchuk. But shortstop Jake Iverson, Ahlstrom and Switzer then teamed up for a game-ending double play.

“Austin didn’t have his best stuff, but he did a good job competing,” Arntson said. “And I thought we played really good defense behind him.”

All of the scoring was done in the early innings.

Clackamas went up 2-0 with two runs in the bottom of the first. Myers (2-for-2, 3 stolen bases) singled and stole second. Everyone was safe when Kelly reached on a late throw on a fielder’s choice. Wilkins plated Myers with a sacrifice fly. Switzer singled, and Kelly scored on a double steal.

The Pioneers tied things up on a run-scoring single by Swalwell in the second and a RBI-single by Luke Ehli in the top of the third.

Bell brought the winning run across in the bottom of the third. Scruggs drew a two-out walk, stole second, and scored on Bell’s double to left.

Lewchuk (4 strikeouts, 3 walks, 6 hits) pitched a complete game for Oregon City.

Prior to the April 8 game at Clackamas, Oregon City coach Greg Lord presented one of the Pioneers’ 2012 Class 6A championship rings to Clackamas coach John Arntson as a way of paying tribute to Arntson’s 7-year-old son Jacob, who died in a New Year’s Eve car accident on I-84 near Mosier.

Clackamas players have dedicated the 2013 season to Jacob, who had been a fixture around Clackamas High baseball games and practices.

Clackamas has another big week on tap this week, as the Cavaliers (12-1, 3-0) go head-to-head with Lake Oswego (9-4, 3-0). They entertain the Lakers this afternoon, and they play at Lake Oswego on Friday.

Oregon City (6-7, 0-3) hosts cross-river rival West Linn (5-9, 2-1) this afternoon, and the Pioneers play at West Linn on Friday.

The Pioneers upset the defending state champs 10-8

Oregon City High School’s girls lacrosse team couldn’t have asked for a better week.

They opened league play last week upsetting defending state champion and top-ranked Lake Oswego 10-8 on Thursday, after dropping Clackamas 10-7 earlier in the week.

“We had the lead from the very beginning and never let up,” Oregon City coach Dara Kramer said of the Lake Oswego game. “The girls showed a tremendous amount of focus, and they played with so much heart.”

“The key was our defense,” said Oregon City senior co-captain Emily Krupa. “We had really hard crashes to keep them from going to goal....

“We worked together on defense and offense, doing just what we’d practiced. Our teamwork was the best it’s been this season.”

Kramer singled out senior keeper Annaliese Hernandez for her solid play in-goal; senior attacker Kennedy Kullmann, for her “timing” and “deception” on drives to the goal; and senior midfielder April Lanz, for her ball control at the offensive end of the field.

And Kramer praised seniors Danielle Kirby and Krupa for their effectiveness in shutting down a Lake offense that had averaged 14-plus goals heading into the game.

Hernandez had 12 saves on 20 shots on-frame, for a 60 percent save percentage.

Kullmann and Lanz headed the Pioneer offense, Kullmann with a game-high four goals, and Lanz with three goals and two assists. Krupa, McKenzie Rollins and Britney Smith also found the net for Oregon City in the victory.

Lexi Cheetham and Madeline Reece had two goals apiece to lead Lake Oswego.

“This means a lot to us,” said Krupa. “Not only because it helps us in our league standings. But because Lake Oswego beat us two years ago in the state final and last year in the semifinals, and they didn’t lose in league last year.

“It’s nice to know we can go toe-to-toe with the best in the state and come out on top....

“This tells the rest of the state that we are a contender for the state title.”

While it was the first loss of the 2013 season for Lake Oswego, it was the seventh win in eight games for Oregon City, whose only loss came in a March 21 barnburner with Wilsonville, 12-11.

The Pioneers play Canby on the road this Friday, and they entertain West Linn next Monday in an 8 p.m. game at Pioneer Stadium.

The Lions (5-1) defeated Wilsonville 12-4 in an April 5 game with the Wildcats, but they lost to Lake Oswego 8-5 in an April 8 game at Lake Oswego.

Lake Oswego, West Linn, Wilsonville and Oregon City were ranked first, second, third and sixth in the state respectively heading into play last week. Clackamas was ranked 11th.

The Pioneers used a balanced attack to get by an upset-minded club from Clackamas 10-7 in their Three Rivers League opener, played at Clackamas on April 8.

Kramer said that the defensive play of senior Mallery Wellschlager on Clackamas offensive star Cydney Bartlett was pivotal in the Pioneers’ victory. Bartlett scored just two goals, well off her average of 4.7 goals a game.

Balance was the key on offense. Six different Oregon City players scored goals, led by Cassie Downing, Danielle Kirby, April Lanz and McKenzie Rollins, who had two goals apiece. Emily Krupa and Lindsi Peters also found the net for Oregon City.

Hernandez had nine saves on 16 shots on-frame.

Kramer said she was not at all surprised that the Cavaliers gave Oregon City a game.

“We expected it to be close,” Kramer said. “They were close to us last year, and they return almost all of their lineup.”

Kramer added, “We had a period toward the end of the first half where we let them fast-break three in a row. Other than those few minutes, we played well.”

Other scorers for Clackamas were: Hannah Glennon with two goals; and Maria Clegg, Desiree Jacobson and Sarah Jones, each with a single tally.

Clackamas slipped to 2-5 on the season with the loss.

After seven years of struggle and turmoil, the Clackamas River Water Board voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a settlement with Beavercreek Telephone Cooperative.

CRW has been in negotiations with BTC ever since a former board took issue with a sale of property made to BTC over 10 years ago.

“Given the passage of time,” said CRW General Manager Lee Moore, who has been working with CRW legal counsel since his hiring in 2007 to come up with the settlement, “this is the best agreement we could come up with for both parties.”

Under the settlement, BTC would have to pay off the remainder of the lease in the amount of $94,395.93, and at the end of the lease, CRW will deliver the deed and ownership of the property, with the exception of the two CRW water-tank sites, to BTC.

Despite comments from Pat Holloway, a former commissioner recalled by voters on March 19, advising members to stay a vote until they had copies of the agreement in hand, the board moved quickly throughout the meeting, and most of it went smoothly. With the exception of a few exclusions of titles when addressing certain board members, and some murmurs of “here we go” from the back of the room when Holloway got up to speak, the board passed the first three action items unanimously on April 11.

“Too much time has been spent trying to lay the blame,” said Commissioner Kenneth Humberston. “I think it’s silly. It’s time to move on and not waste any more of the ratepayers’ money.”

Before the vote, there was only small discussion about the inclusion of a detailed survey of structures on the property. Commissioner Grafton Sterling, who would have faced the recall last month had it not been for a petitioner’s clerical error, expressed concerns about the survey.

We have been communicating over the past several years how the Oregon City Chamber has become more engaged in large-issue advocacy.

These large issues are those like this May Special Election,

Measure 3-423. Essentially, this measure needs to be passed with a YES vote by Oregon City voters to eliminate the automatic rollback of water rates to 1994 levels. Setting Oregon City’s water rates to the levels of 20 years ago will be detrimental to the city’s ability to deliver and maintain a quality water supply.

Our chamber’s advocacy efforts need not always be on large issues. We know advocacy for business comes in all shapes and sizes.

Sometimes a single business needs an advocate. Take, for instance the Masonic Lodge in downtown Oregon City, purchased last year by a private equity firm. Based on a recommendation from the Government and Economic Affairs Committee, our Board of Directors voted unanimously to submit a letter of support for the use of urban-renewal façade improvements grant funds for the Masonic Lodge.

The chamber hopes our effort will: 1) Demonstrate positive representation and support for our local businesspeople (and members) who are investing funds in existing buildings, and especially investments in rehabbing our most unique buildings for marketability, and 2) Demonstrate support to our Urban Renewal Commission to fund the façade improvements grant for the Masonic Lodge, furthering economic improvements in our downtown through this showcase effort.

Masonic Temple Multnomah No. 1, 707 Main St., was constructed in 1907. This building is significant historically and architecturally. With four floors, its height and width make it one of the largest, most visible commercial buildings on Main Street.

It’s hard to speculate what new uses and tenants will be occupying the Masonic Temple, but one thing is certain. Façade improvements and interior rehabilitation of this 106-year-old building will be cause for even greater celebration of our downtown economic renewal!

Amber Holveck

Oregon City

Communicating with citizens

The city of Happy Valley and its City Council have goals that we keep in mind as we go about our duties. One is to work towards a safe, livable community with a sense of pride and a strong idenity, and another is to provide effective and efficient services. When it comes to communicating with our citizens, we show accomplishments for both.

In January the city received FCC approval and launched a new radio station — AM 1700. Soon, signs around town will remind drivers to tune in and listen. An information loop will announce city news and upcoming events, road advisories, and messages from partnering agencies that provide safety tips and reminders 24 hours a day. In an emergency, the city or any of our government partners or emergency responders can immediately broadcast updates and give you emergency instructions.

Happy Valley has kept up with technology and social media, too. Everyone from grade-school kids to grandparents uses the Internet, and the city has a very user” friendly website. YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are all daily connections for most of us.

Facebook followers can click on the city of Happy Valley’s page and catch up-to-the-minute news and happenings. The city has a great YouTube video showing our National Night Out celebration and plans to add more event videos. Twitter users can follow city happenings, too (@hvmayor and @HVCouncilorMichael).

At City Hall, visitors have wi-fi internet access, and can use touch-screen kiosks in the lobby to search city services, to find local points of interest or to print out forms and maps.

Staying on top of technology has boosted Happy Valley’s community profile, and also gives our citizens more ways to keep in touch with what’s happening in their community, and that keeps us all connected.

Councilor Tom Andrusko

Happy Valley

Improving communication

Clackamas Fire has been working closely with our cities to discuss areas of greater collaboration and partnership.

We have been meeting through an interagency committee process that includes representatives from both the Clackamas Fire District Board of Directors and elected officials to include staff from each city. We have met with the cities of Milwaukie and Oregon City. A meeting with the city of Happy Valley is scheduled for April.

Meetings include discussions regarding economic development, collaboration on future capital improvement projects, updates on fire and life safety initiatives, and exercising the local Emergency Operations Centers. Communicating openly and developing strategies within our communities in an effort to be more efficient and effective is a primary focus for Clackamas Fire.

Fred Charlton

Fire chief

Keep kids safe

Oregon added a new tool to help keep children safe this year when it expanded the list of professionals who are required to report suspicions of child abuse.

In addition to teachers, medical professionals and other established “mandatory reporters,” the new law increased the list of public and private professionals who must report child abuse, including: all employees of organizations providing child-related services or activities such as scout groups and summer camps; all employees of higher education institutions; and paid coaches, assistant coaches and trainers of child athletes.

These additions are a step toward increasing child safety. Yet, we must remember that each and every citizen plays a crucial role in keeping children safe.

We daily see the devastation of child abuse at Children’s Center. Though we applaud the increased responsibility placed on adults, we don’t believe the Jan. 1 expansion goes far enough. Every citizen needs to notify authorities when they suspect a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect. You can make a world of difference to a hurting child by acting on your concerns.

The expanded-reporting law means increased education is needed about how to respond, and when to call in suspected cases of abuse. We encourage you to contact Children’s Center if you have questions or would like a presentation about child abuse reporting and other related topics. Call the Center at 503-655-7725 or visit childrenscenter.cc today.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, make this a community that will protect kids from child abuse. Call Children’s Center today to learn how you can partner with us to end child abuse in our community. And most importantly, call the Clackamas County Child Abuse Hotline at 971-673-7112 if you are concerned about the safety of a child.

Barbara Peschiera

Children’s Center executive director

Don’t get the wrong impression

I voted for Paul Savas for commissioner in 2010 but since he entered into county service he seems unable to make clear, sound decisions even when he has adequate information.

For example, Mr. Savas stated that the Columbia River Crossing is not our project and “we have no intimate knowledge of it” in your March 27 story headlined “County ‘compels’ 2014 run for Savas.” This project has been on the drawing board for 10 years! The CRC certainly does concern the citizens of Clackamas County. We are the taxpayers who are paying for it!

Although this was just a basic resolution, Mr. Savas felt that the issue had not been studied enough and voted “No” on the county voicing its concerns about the impact CRC may have on Clackamas County. I cross the bridge to Vancouver every day and my family and I would be greatly impacted by tolling on either bridge! Then there was a suggestion to go to the people of the county and ask to poll them on the tolling issue he says the people do not understand the issue fully. This could apply to any poll; apparently you should only poll if you know what the outcome will be, this is ridiculous.

This is just one of Mr. Savas’s many political ploys to stall and delay the county’s work, avoid taking action or making a firm decision!

I will not support Mr. Savas’s re-election campaign for 2014.

I cannot support a candidate who publicly professes to be in favor of transparent county business, conservative spending and pretending to serve the citizens wishes only to turn to indecision.

I would support a candidate that shows courage, acts boldly in making timely decisions that serve to have a positive impact on the citizens of Clackamas County.

Wes Stanley

Oak Grove

Occupy TriMet

The stage is set. There will be an Occupy TriMet on Tuesday, May 7, all day at TriMet headquarters, 1800 S.W. First Ave., in downtown Portland.

We need a huge turnout. Bring signs, we will have microphones or megaphones set up so people can talk. We need a huge crowd to make a difference. This is all having to do with Portland/Milwaukie light-rail project, which voters in the city of Milwaukie, and Clackamas County have voted down for nearly 20 years. We are tired of our locally elected officials trading favors for campaign dollars and ignoring the voters/taxpayers. The voters/taxpayers hired these people by electing them. We need to let TriMet know that they can not bully the voters/taxpayers or our local elected officials. TriMet is currently suing Clackamas County.

They don’t want the voters/taxpayers to have a say. These are our tax dollars at work.

There will also be media coverage at this event. We can make a difference with a huge turnout. So please spread the word. We hope to seee not just Clackamas County residents, but residents from all over the Portland metro area.

Let’s let TriMet and our

elected officials know who is in charge.

I am also responding to Peter Belamy’s April 10 letter to the editor titled “Let county, TriMet sort it out.”

I never said that myself and my group represents all of the voters in Clackamas County. However, based on the fact that Measure 3-401 passed by a 61 to 39 percent margin, we do speak for the majority of Clackamas County voters.

As for letting Clackamas County and TriMet sort it out, the county commissioners need our help. Do we really want to do business with a company who is financially unstable? I think not.

As far as my comments on the unions, what Mr. Belamy says is true. The unions do provide 40-hour workweeks, however, so do non-union companies. Many of the union jobs that provide 40 hour work weeks are temporary jobs. Once the Orange Line is finished, these workers who really want to provide a stable environment for their families will go on unemployment until the next job comes along.

Measure 3-401 was designed to stop the Orange Line. Why do you think the previous county commission went to Bank of America and got a $20 million loan that they paid to TriMet four days before the Sept. 18, 2012, voters’ approval of 3-401? I never implied that the people’s word cannot be trusted. I am one of those people. Some members of the previous commission however, could not be trusted, so they were fired by the voters/taxpayers.

And then there is Ann Linninger who set herself up with Oregon Iron Works. This is why she did not seek re-election. She did not care about the people of Clackamas County. She only cared about her future.

Mr. Belamy also claims that the unions provide living wages, annual holidays, workplace safety. So do non-union companies. He also claims that there has been a drop in union membership. Need I say more?

Jeff Molinari

Milwaukie

State cuts to Clackamas County Court budget, now down to $11.9 million from $16.6 million in 2008, have had devastating effects on local access to justice.

Examples are numerous:

Domestic-violence survivors in Clackamas County now often have to wait 100 days to get a judge to order a spouse to let them visit with their kids, nearly double the average wait time from 2008.

In that year, someone from out of state who needed proof of his or her not-guilty verdict in a Clackamas County trial could mail in a request with a 25-cent-per-page payment and expect to get the document back within three weeks. Now that person waits three months, or hires a local private investigator to track down the document.

After two board members illegally staged a political takeover, a local water-district governing board remained in limbo for at least a month before a document came through from a judge officially nullifying the action. Five years ago, officials could be back on their feet with a civil judgment in less than a week.

For Robert D. Herndon, the presiding judge who manages the Clackamas County Circuit Court, these types of delays are just a sampling of the problems that Oregon legislators have caused by reducing Fifth Judicial District’s budget. Now, the Oregon Legislature is considering another 3 percent cut effective July 1, which would mean that the local court system would have to survive on $11.6 million annually through 2015.

“We collectively as a judicial branch have really started to think that the cuts that we’ve suffered have had a severe impact on access to justice and public safety,” Herndon said.

Cuts have torn through the court’s nonunionized employee group, bringing 2008’s 110 positions now down to 80, assuming no one is out on leave. Nine mandatory furlough days resulted in an almost 10 percent cut in pay, and court employees are looking for work elsewhere. A record 23 of the remaining county-court employees left their jobs last year, and the high staff turnover (about double the average of the previous four years) has resulted in losses of institutional knowledge and in decreased efficiency due to more frequent staff-training sessions.

“Unlike other state-funded agencies, we don’t have any road projects or capital improvements we can defer,” Herndon said. “When we’re underfunded, we have to just not do some things or do things in ways that they shouldn’t be done.”

Asked about the court’s hardships, state Rep. Brent Barton (D-Oregon City) responded that he “absolutely” agrees with the Clackamas County Court’s opinion that further cuts would have a considerable effect on access to justice and public safety.

“The rule of law is the first duty of government and is fundamental to civilized society,” Barton said. “Every issue that goes before the court is affected by the budget crisis, whether it be domestic violence, child-custody resolution or addiction services.”

Finding efficiencies

Clackamas County Court has limited scheduled public access hours from 45 to 30 hours a week so that its staff can process all the pleadings. But there have been several periods when court staffers are so far behind that Herndon will shut down the building to the public for a couple hours.

“Nothing says closed for business like a closed courthouse,” Barton said. “Businesses will not invest in Clackamas County if they cannot enforce their rights, be it property, contracts or intellectual property.”

The state mandates that courts expedite certain types of hearings, but case hearings having to be held within 14 days or less are some of the fastest-growing in the county. Stalking orders are up 14 percent, restraining orders are up 21 percent, and landlord/tenant eviction hearings are up 24 percent.

“If the Legislature gives us one more mandated thing to do, we’ve going to have to quit doing some other things,” Herndon said. “We got very creative with saving money in every way we can, but there’s no more fluff to cut.”

Clackamas County Court already has outsourced its technological services and implemented procedures to reduce the amount of paper it needs to print.

Last year, when a clerk entered the billionth item, yes, 1 billion, into the aging computer system, which is not user-friendly even when working properly, it crashed the entire system. In December 2016, Clackamas County will be one of the later counties in Oregon to upgrade its outdated system so that all public files can be effectively searched from outside of the courthouse.

“All branches of government are going to be smaller, so we have to have technology to do it,” Herndon said. “We already did the downsizing part of it, and now we’ve got to get the technology on board.”

As a practicing attorney, Barton watched Clackamas County Court get more efficient when the recession hit.

“There is only so much that can be done before affecting public safety and the administration of justice,” he said. “Although we always have a duty to pursue additional efficiencies, the fact is that Clackamas County Court has been cutting into the bone for several years.”

Everyone ‘equal’ before law

The court’s 15 percent increase in workload lately is largely due to civil cases being up 22 percent and to “self-represented people making unnecessary filings” according to Herndon. Although he appreciates new state laws increasing access to justice through that self-representation, he wants the Legislature to know how it affects courthouse staff.

“The volume of pleadings that are filed in our court is staggering, and so much of it is from self-represented folks,” he said. “They’re often wanting someone to practice law for them, and the staff can’t do that. A family law coordinator can assist but she can’t cross the line in terms of telling. So, practically with every civil case, there’s a lot of pushing and shoving that requires a lot of judicial intervention to occur to shepherd them to the point that they’re ready to go to trial.”

Barton countered that citizen access to justice is “fundamental” to the U.S.

“The courtroom is the only place left where everyone stands equal before the law, which is certainly not the case in the Legislature,” he said. “Our judicial system filters out frivolous filings in many ways, which means that an increase in unnecessary filings does not drain court resources proportionately.”

Each legislative session, the Oregon Judicial Department’s budget comes toward the end of June as a very small portion of the overall budget, so Herndon advocates that OJD’s budget should come earlier in the session so that it’s not squeezed with other budgetary distractions. Barton points out that OJD is part of the overall public-safety budget, which includes the Department of Corrections, Oregon Youth Authority, Oregon State Police and other vital services for Barton.

“The public-safety budget is almost always one of the last things voted on by the Legislature because the debate surrounding the Corrections budget is always contentious, especially in hard economic times,” Barton said. “Given that DOC is by far the largest line item in the public-safety budget, what happens to DOC necessarily affects the other agencies in that budget.”

Town halls scheduled

Joint town hall with state Sen. Alan Olsen and Rep. Brent Barton on bipartisanship in the Legislature from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the John Adams Fire Station, 624 Seventh St., Oregon City.

Town hall with Barton and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler on jobs and Oregon’s economy from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Operating Engineers Local 701, 555 E. First St., Gladstone.

Town hall with Barton and AARP’s Executive Director Jerry Cohen on issues facing seniors in Oregon from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Pioneer Community Center, 615 Fifth St., Oregon City.

Barton town hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, in Johnson City prior to the City Council meeting at 16121 S.E. 81st Ave.

Frank Milton Dionne

Aug. 30, 1941- April 10, 2013

Frank Milton Dionne passed away at home in Molalla on April 10, surrounded by his family.

He was born on Aug. 30, 1941, in Belcourt, N. D.

He is survived by: his wife, Penny; daughter, Debbie Cannon; son, Duane Dionne; sisters, Theresa Ball and Darlene Johnson; and grandchildren, Kiki Dohman and Jabin and Jarren Dionne.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, at Hillside Chapel in Oregon City. Visit hillsidechapelfh.com for more information and to leave a memory of Frank for the family.

Arrangements: Hillside Chapel.

Susan Marie Harding

February 2, 1952 - April 6, 2013

Surrounded by the love of her family, longtime Portland resident, Susan Marie Harding died peacefully on April 6, 2013. She was 61.

Susan was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, to parents Jack and Marie Churchill, and is survived by her two brothers, Mike and Pat Churchill. She spent her career working for Norel Forest Products and North Pacific Lumber, and then spent the last 19 years working for the State of Oregon Public Health Division.

She married Patrick Harding in 1979, and together they enjoyed early pre-family days water skiing and taking in everything the outdoors could offer.

Two daughters, Megan and Lindsey Harding, and stepson, Troy Harding, survive her, as well as her beloved grandchildren, Ashlin, Sean, Nick, Andraya and step-grandchildren, Adrienne and Tanner.

Susan loved the simple pleasures of life including reading and gardening, but especially loved spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. She could often be found shopping with the girls or spending fun social hours with friends and family.

A celebration of life will be held on April 21, 2013, 2-4 p.m at the Milwaukie Center, 5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Drive in Milwaukie, Oregon.

John Joy

December 17, 1929 – March 23, 2013

Milwaukie resident John Joy died on March 23, at age 83.

He was born on Dec. 17, 1929, in Emmett, Idaho, to parents Frank and Alta Joy. He was raised in Emmett, attending Emmett High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Oct. 11, 1948, and was discharged on Feb. 28, 1971. He served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, but not in-country.

He had been employed as an office manager, retiring in 1994.

He married Helen Joy on Dec. 25, 1952.

Mr. Joy is survived by: daughter, Judy Fast; son, Jack Joy; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death.

A memorial service was held on April 13 at Willamette View Manor – Terrace Auditorium.

Arrangements: Cascadia Cremation & Burial Services.

Betty J. Kleinmark

Dec. 19, 1923 - March 26, 2013

Former Milwaukie resident Betty J. Kleinmark died on March 26, in Tuba City, Ariz., at age 89.

She was born on Dec. 19, 1923, in Salt Lake City, to Deborah and Corneilus Dalabout. She was a school teacher, before she retired in 1984 and moved to Troutdale.

She was also known for packing lunches, which she claimed was her hobby, for her daughters that were so large they shared them with their co-workers.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and tutored children in the community until 2005.

She is survived by: daughters, Barbara Cole and Kate Kleinmark Schneider; son, Rick Kleinmark; sister, Dorothy Daily; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: husband, Richard T. Kleinmark; brother, Casey Dalabaout; and sisters, Gertrude Nesbit and Janet Dalabaout.

A service was held on April 11 at Willamette National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to: Haiti Foundation of Hope, P.O. Box 61941, Vancouver, Wash., 98666, and/or Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, Ark., 72202.

Cynthia Leatherberry

April 3, 1953 - March 26, 2013

Cindy Leatherberry of West Linn died at her home on March 26 at the age of 59 with family present. She had bravely fought cancer and will be missed by a multitude of family and friends.

She was born April 3, 1953, in Portland, to Henry and Lois Clemo. Growing up she attended Jason Lee Elementary School, and Madison and Cleveland high schools.

She met the love of her lifeJoseph “Joel,” in 1974 and was later married at the Agnes Flanagan Chapel at Lewis and Clark College in 1976. She worked at Niedermeyer Martin Company for over 20 years. While her children were enrolled in the West Linn School District, she worked at Bolton Elementary School and later Rosemont Ridge Middle School.

She was involved with Portland Volleyball Club in various roles, most recently as parent coordinator and board member. She enjoyed spending time and entertaining family and friends at their beach house in Gearhart. She also loved to travel, especially to Maui.

She is also survived by daughters Kimberly Leatherberry, Kelly Bay, Kendall Steffens (Jeff); father, Henry Clemo; mother, Lois Barber (Alf); sisters, Sherri Peterson, Kathy Schoenkopf (Greg), Teresa Barber; brothers, Randy Clemo, Alf Barber, Scott Clemo, Robert Clemo; four grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her constant companion “Lexi.”

The Leatherberry family prefers that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cindy (Clemo) Leatherberry Volleyball Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o CEL VMS Fund, PMB 232, 19363 Willamette Drive, West Linn OR 97068.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 21, at 4:30 p.m. at The Oregon Golf Club, 25700 S.W. Pete’s Mountain Road, West Linn.

Myrle L. Lewis 

Dec. 25, 1925 -April 8, 2013 

Myrle L. Lewis died on April 8, at age 87. 

She was born on Dec. 25, 1925, in the Oregon City area to parents Wesley and Gertrude Brockart, and lived her whole life in the Oregon City/West Linn area. 

She married Neal R. Lewis on Jan. 14, 1945. She was mostly a homemaker and mother of four children. 

Mrs. Lewis is survived by: her four children, Marilyn Freimuth, Marlene Lewis, Wallace Lewis and Patty Kalafate; grandchildren, Earl Freimuth, Marlene Duval, Steven Davis, Michelle Hazard, Nicole Gornick, Holly Holloway, Gregory Abel, Amber Abel and Vanessa Fatheree; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grand-children.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Neal R. Lewis; her parents, Wesley Brockart and Gertrude Oliver; and stepfather, Victor Oliver. 

A funeral took place on April 15.

Arrangements: Holman-Hankins Funeral Home in Oregon City.

Wilma Jane Oatman

April 12, 1933 – April 6, 2013

Wilma Jane Oatman of Sierra Vista, Ariz. died at home on April 6 with family at her side. She was 79. The cause of death was complications of pneumonia and heart failure.

Wilma, who preferred to be called Mique by all who knew her, had moved from Oregon to Sierra Vista in 2001. Mique and her husband Bill spent most of their married life in the Northwest, bringing up their children on a farm in Clackamas.

Mique was born in Maxwell, New Mexico on April 12, 1933. She was eight years old when adopted by Blanch Slack and grew up under her new mother’s care in Colorado. She attended school in Wheat Ridge. After graduation, Mique worked as a file clerk, did housekeeping, and continued to develop her talents as an artist and a writer. She found beauty in everything, and her kind-hearted, generous ways attracted many to her.

Mique first met Bill when she accompanied her friend on a visit to another friend’s house. Bill had been working on his convertible and noticed Mique’s trim figure from under the car. He decided to come out to see the girl whose legs caught his attention. When he fell upon the gaze of her beautiful blue eyes, he was smitten and asked his friend to arrange a blind date. Mique and Bill found love and were married in 1951.

After their wedding, she and Bill stayed in Colorado for a time, living in Lakewood, Englewood, and Denver. They also started a family.

At home one day, Mique was visited by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was intrigued by what she heard and accepted a Bible study. Mique was delighted to learn that God has a name, and Psalm 83:18 became one of her favorite scriptures. Her study of the scriptures convinced her of the benefits of applying Bible principles in daily life and became the basis of her hope, a wonderful future by means of God’s kingdom. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1962.

As parents of a growing family, Mique and Bill were resourceful and determined in providing for their children, assisting family members and neighbors along the way. Eventually the family settled in Oregon, moving first to Portland, then to Gladstone, then to the Clackamas farm.

Throughout the years, Mique wrote about her life and raising her family. She continued her artwork and painting. Her lovely voice could be heard whenever she felt like singing, often with Bill at family gatherings and around campfires. Together they journeyed in their RV across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Most of all, Mique’s faith was her life, and her hope, a treasure. She shared what she cherished with so many, extending herself in her ministry as much as her circumstances permitted. She felt blessed to have helped others come to learn and appreciate God’s word.

She is survived by her husband William (Bill) Oatman; her seven children, Rebecca Williams of Oregon City, Michael Oatman of Denver, Colo., Tanya J. Oatman of Cascade Locks, Susan Ash of Milwaukee, Lisa Kitz of Gladstone, Victoria Miller of Clackamas, and Virginia Talbot of Vancouver, Wash.; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; a sister, Pat Cooper of Benson, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Helen Tipton of Benson, Ariz., and a brother-in-law, Lloyd Oatman of Benson, Ariz.; and their families.

Her adopted mother Blanch Slack predeceased her.

A memorial service was held on April 14 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sierra Vista, Ariz.

Anita Clair Ostrander

May 25, 1935 - March 29, 2013

Anita Clair Ostrander died on March 29, in Oregon City.

She was born on May 25, 1935, in Helena, Mont., the daughter of Aaron and Florence King.

She married Leonard Roy Ostrander on July 4, 1953. They had two children: Steven Leonard and Joanna Marie.

She loved the beach, fishing, black powder shoots and her church; she brought up her two children and three grandkids to believe in and depend on the Lord.

She is survived by her two children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, at Evergreen Community Church, 16940 S. Beckman Road, Oregon City, by Steve Rief, pastor; bring or send your stories of Anita to share.

The family has asked that donations be given to the church in lieu of flowers.

There will be a reception immediately following the services.

Arrangements: Hillside Chapel.

All of us at the Clackamas Review and Oregon City News take accuracy very seriously, so I was disappointed and embarrassed to discover two serious errors in the eighth-annual Clackamas County Answer Guide inserted in last week's paper and available in city halls, nonprofits and businesses countywide.

Because outdated text from last year's Answer Guide sneaked in, we mistakenly omitted noting new North Clackamas Chamber CEO David Kelly and the OC Chamber's new headquarters at 2895 Beavercreek Road No. 103. We apologize for the errors and any negative effects they may have caused these important organizations.

I am planning to implement procedures to ensure that we don't repeat errors such as these, but we humbly request our readers' help in letting us know about other necessary changes or possible omissions for next year's Answer Guide.

Please let us know by contacting me or someone in my newsroom staff.

Students at Milwaukie High School who have a passion for the language arts are invited to apply for the Nancy Matich Scholarship; deadline for the application is May 1.

Matich died May 14, 2012, at age 59, and her mother, Virginia, decided she wanted to set up a special scholarship through the North Clackamas Education Foundation.

Because Matich “loved Milwaukie and was devoted to improving Milwaukie,” there are some specific requirements for the scholarship, noted Ami Margolin Rome, the executive director of the foundation.

Students must be seniors at MHS with above a B average, must have attended Rowe Junior High School and must be interested in the language arts.

“The scholarship is something special, because it is for $3,000; our traditional scholarships are usually $1,250,” Margolin Rome said.

Virginia Matich is endowing the scholarship for five years.

Students who qualify for the scholarship must fill out the full application on the NCEF website at nc-foundation.org, and click on college scholarships to find the form. Students must also write an extra essay on the importance of the language arts.

The application is due to Margolin Rome by May 1 and it may be mailed to her at P.O. Box 595, Clackamas 97015, in care of scholarships, or it may be emailed to her at ncfoundation@nclack.k12.or.us.

Matich grew up in Milwaukie, attending Ardenwald Elementary School, in addition to Rowe and MHS.

She attended Lewis and Clark College and Portland State University after high school.

Although she had been ill much of her adult life, she was active with the Ardenwald-Johnson Creek Neighborhood Association, especially with the Summer Music in the Park Program, and was a member of the New Century Players and the Milwaukie ArtMob.

North Clackamas School District students’ creativity in artistic and written work produced a surprising number of winners in the Oregon Humane Society’s 64th-annual Be Kind to Animals Poster and Story Contest.

Carlie Hughes, a junior at Milwaukie High School, won first place for her poster with intricately drafted drawings to show each hair on six cats and encouraging people to spay or neuter their pet. As a top grade winner, she’s eligible for the grand-prize award to be announced during a special ceremony, “the A’Cat’emy Awards,” on Sunday, April 21.

Sophie Gingrich, a first grader at View Acres Elementary, won second place for her poster; Kora Wietrzynska, a senior at Milwaukie High School, won third for her poster; Kristin Connelly, a seventh grader at Rock Creek Middle School, won third for her story; Josie Christensen, a senior at Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, won the contest’s only special award; and Amanda Owren and Dana Barbee, juniors at New Urban High School, got a second-place award and an honorable mention respectfully, for their stories.

Owren’s story, “A hopeful dream,” illustrated that cats and dogs with owners generally live longer and healthier lives than strays with the opening paragraph:

‘Twas a dark and stormy night, and the dogs and cats alike huddle in their cages and pens, preparing for the imminent and terrifying thunderstorm. Amber eyes glint in the darkness, shining from beneath the tattered ears of a lanky, lean dog with straw coloured fur. With a brave, slightly gruff voice, he asks: “Have you ever walked through your neighborhood, and truly taken a look around? Have you even realized that we’re there?”

Youth from Gladstone and Oregon City High School’s Junior ROTC program will work alongside adults for the 10th annual Gladstone Cleanup and Enhancement Day on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students will plant of flowers, install bird’s-nest boxes and generally clean up nearly 1/2 mile of McLoughlin Boulevard in Gladstone — just as they did recently in downtown Oregon City.

Cleanup coordinator Jerry Herrmann said they expect a good turnout since it is the city’s 102nd anniversary. SOLVE, the city of Gladstone and U.S. Bank (with a $400 grant) sponsored the event.

Noah Brown, an OCHS senior in the JROTC program, said that he got involved with the program for opportunities to better himself, a chance he’s getting with the cleanup projects he has been involved with. Herrmann was looking for a youth group he could count on and feels he has definitely found that with Major Doug Thomas’ program.

“It’s amazing, the amount of service they do,” said Herrmann, who is hoping that members of the public will come and help with the cleanup.

Market of Choice recently announced that Clackamas County Arts Alliance was selected by the company to be a recipient of proceeds generated by the sale of its new 100 percent recyclable, non-woven, polypropylene reusable art bags. 

The bags feature an original painting by Corvallis artist Licia Basille-Jelten; the bags sell for $3.99 each at the West Linn Market of Choice, and of that, $1.50 will go to support the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, a nonprofit organization working to keep art central to life in Clackamas County. 

“The company contacted me out of the blue, and said they had selected us” to be the recipient of one of their arts grants, said Cheryl Snow, executive director of the arts alliance, based in Oregon City.

“It was a delightful surprise, and has an even deeper meaning for us, because we have used the community room in the West Linn Market of Choice for meetings. It is a nice way to close the loop,” Snow added.

The company will collect funds generated by the sale of the art bags, and will then distribute checks quarterly to the beneficiary organization, she said.

CCAA does not have a dedicated program to raise funds, so it will be helpful to have an ongoing fund source, Snow said, adding that the money will go into the organization’s general operating fund.

Market of Choice is based in Eugene, and expanded into West Linn in 2006; the company has always had a program to give back to the community and to the arts.

“We understand that the arts alliance was created to support, develop and promote access to arts and culture in Clackamas County. And it’s a mission we’re excited to help support,” said Lyn Ryse, marketing director for Market of Choice.

“We are always pleased to work with any business person who understands art and culture, and we are particularly grateful to partner with a locally owned business,” Snow said.

“We share many values with Market of Choice, and we are thrilled to engage in this partnership.”

Portland State University’s College of Urban and Public Affairs will honor Happy Valley residents Keren Brown Wilson and Michael DeShane for their work in helping people age with dignity.

The married couple will receive the 2013 Nohad A. Toulan Urban Pioneer Award for Public Service at the college’s hooding ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14, in the Stott Center, 930 S.W. Hall St.

Wilson, who founded the Clackamas-based Jessie F. Richardson Foundation, which advocates for quality housing and long-term care, is known as a pioneer in the model of assisted living that started in Oregon and spread across the nation.

DeShane is president of Concepts in Community Living — also based in Clackamas — a consulting, development and management firm that provides technical assistance for states and organizations and manages assisted living communities with a goal of maximizing independence for elders.

“Keren and Michael are exceptional people who have made an extraordinary difference,” said College Dean Larry Wallack. “Their generosity has helped us build buildings, extend more opportunity to more students and create bigger and better ideas about aging in the 21st century. Their intelligence, commitment and generosity combine to benefit our university and community.”

Wilson and DeShane donated $1 million to fund the Aging Matters Locally and Globally initiative in PSU’s Institute on Aging, which works to change the ways communities plan for and address quality-of-life issues for older adults. The initiative’s projects include Dr. Paula Carder and Jenny Weinstein’s 2012 report on older adults who live in public housing. Their findings revealed an immediate need for affordable housing for older adults in the greater Portland region, as well as the need for Portland’s public-housing agency, Home Forward, to improve their provision of supportive services for older adults.

DeShane and Wilson support a scholarship program for students who complete their first two years of education at Clackamas Community College then transfer to Portland State University to complete a bachelor’s degree. Wilson also helped start a service-learning program that takes students to Nicaragua each year. She will help lead the next group in June.

An interesting local option became available for buyers and sellers of produce last month.

Gladstone Country Market opened an online farmers market similar to Aurora Local Foods, which recently closed its cyber doors.

Owner Andy McBride said it will open up new options for local farmers for whom the current farmers market system is not an option. Mcbride explained that most farmers markets require sellers to haul their product to the market, sit at a competitive booth all day and maybe not even sell what’s necessary.

“You can spend the whole day doing that, and it may take up your whole weekend,” said McBride, who has a seperate job outside of his farm that takes up his time during the week. “Or you have to pay someone else to do it.”

Gladstone Country Market works in a completely different way, especially targeting those small farmers that have other careers like McBride. But the Country Market is not your typical produce stand: it’s completely online.

“Unfortunately, it’s all computerized,” said McBride. “So we can’t meet every shopper’s need. But we are not in direct competition with the farmers market, and we are open year round.”

Despite operating 12 months out of the year instead of the four of a farmers market, Gladstone Country Market follows the same regulations.

Farmers put their products on an online catalog, and the business marks up each farmer’s price by 10 percent. The customer then orders their wanted products online; ordering is open all week and closes on Friday at 8 p.m. The farmers get their orders and have all weekend to prepare boxes for customers.

Gladstone Country Market has two “crop drop” sites where the products can be picked up. One in Canby, at Canby Wholesale Feed, 1420 S. Township Road, which is operational on Mondays, and one in Gladstone, at Two Girls Catering, 125 E. Dartmouth St., in business on Tuesdays.

Farmers drop off their products before noon, and customers are able to pick them up after 1 p.m. This system also allows for the recognition of local businesses such as Two Girls Catering, which gets a shout-out on the Country Market’s website, and in turn uses as much local product in its business as possible.

Since its start, Gladstone Country Market has been growing pretty rapidly according to McBride. In two weeks, their business has grown to reach about 40 customers.