OREGON NEWS

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• Persistence pays off with pedestrian safety project Orenco resident won't take no to get a sidewalk for her neighborhood
The Argus

• OREGON LEGISLATURE Bill could stop LNG projects
The Argus

• SpectraWatt puts brakes on local building plans
The Argus

• 1 + 1 = 8 Feb. 24 is Spay Day USA
Spay Day USA is on Feb. 24. This national campaign promotes spay/neuter as a simple, humane and effective way to end the tragedy of euthanizing homeless pets.

• Artist to make presentation at Hillsboro Library
Meet Pacific Northwest Native American artist, Lillian Pitt, and see a presentation of her multimedia work in slideshow format Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Hillsboro Main Library. Call the library for the time.

• Big screen TV raffle will benefit local animal shelter
SHERWOOD - Wishing for a big screen TV? Well now you can win one.

• Century parents seek grad party donations
The parents of the Century High School graduating class of 2009 is seeking donations for the school's All-Night Alcohol and Drug-Free Party following graduation ceremonies on June 4.

• County praised for coping with snow Two-week blast revealed county's mettle
The Argus

• Evergreen Parkway 13 to hold fun event to promote 'Hotel for Dogs'
Evergreen Parkway 13 invites the public to its "Hotel for Dogs" promotion 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Movie times during the promotion will be 11:45 a.m., 2:10 and 4:40 p.m. Other movie times are 7:10 and 9:40 p.m., but these are not part of the promotion.

• Federal estate tax exemption explained
Editor's note: The following is an explanation in response to a reader's request for clarification.

• Gang expert to speak here Jan. 21 and 22
With alarms sounding over increased violence in east Portland neighborhoods, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hillsboro Police Department, Hillsboro School District and county juvenile department will sponsor a two-day gang awareness summit Jan. 21 - 22.

• Hillsboro Business Briefs
Tienken offers foreclosure help

• Hillsboro residents invited to kickoff for 'Reach the Summit'
The American Lung Association of Oregon invites the Hillsboro community to climb for a cause through its 2009 Reach the Summit kickoff fundraiser. The event, which will include an informational meeting, is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the REI store, 2235 NW Allie Ave., Hillsboro.

• Lion expert kicks off conservation lecture series at Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND - There was a time when lions' tracks could be found by day and their calls could be heard at night across Sub-Saharan Africa. Sadly, that simply isn't true anymore. Ten years ago, lions were abundant in much of East Africa. Now, outside of the biggest parks and reserves, lions and other great predators are disappearing at alarming rates.

• Nurseries report millions in damages
Oregon nursery owners are starting to turn in damage tallies in the wake of last month's snowstorms.

• Remember emergency access this winter
Gaston Rural Fire District officials are asking residents of the district to keep emergency access in mind as they maintain driveways to their homes.

• Retailers exempt from testing, must adhere to lead restrictions
The Argus

• Riley bill would protect children
SALEM - A study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine confirms that second-hand smoke is the leading preventable cause of respiratory illness in children.

• Robot all wet after missing for a week
BEAVERTON - While Wall-E may have found peace in his world, a local robot stolen Jan. 4 from a parked SUV in Aloha was found resting Sunday at the bottom of a shallow Beaverton lake.

• Senior center travel fair scheduled for Jan. 19
Hillsboro Senior Center will hold a travel fair on Monday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m., when trips planned for 2009 will be announced.

• Service club posts Hillsboro Optimist Club to sponsor essay contest for students
The Optimist Club of Hillsboro is encouraging area students to expound on the phrase "The Power of Youth" as a part of the Optimist International Essay contest for 2009.

• State police release holiday DUII statistics
The Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation reported an increase in fatalities during the 102-hour New Year's holiday period between 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4.

• Task force nabs Aloha robbery suspect
ALOHA - On Saturday, members of a federal task force arrested the suspect in one of two Jan. 3 robberies in the Aloha area.

• The Dougy Center seeks facilitators
The Dougy Center in Hillsboro provides, at no charge, peer support groups for children, teens and their parents or adult caregivers after a death. Volunteers team up with The Dougy Center staff to facilitate the every-other-week, evening groups.

• Three Tuality employees graduate to nursing careers
With the help of a special program and funding offered by Tuality Healthcare, three of the hospital organization's employees have graduated to new careers in nursing.

• Washington County seeks volunteers for councils, commissions
Washington County is seeking volunteer members to serve on three appointed boards and commissions.

• Westside Stories in Brief
Forest Grove: Mayor Richard Kidd invites citizens and business owners to have coffee and discussions with him on Saturday mornings in the Community Auditorium, 1915 Main St. To reserve a time, e-mail the mayor at Richard@groveweb.net.

• Wyden's wilderness bill finally passes
Public land protection in Oregon got a big boost last weekend, as the U.S. Senate finally passed a long-sought lands bill that added parts of Mt. Hood to wilderness protection areas.

• It's official: Council gavel now rests with Mayor Jerry Willey
The Argus

• Air Show checks totaling $63,000 presented to community organizations
U.S. Air Force

• Solutions to leftover sand require true grit
The Argus

• A critical time North Plains mayor takes over at the peak of discussion about regional planning
The Argus

• Breed-specific Bans Leave Problem Intact
Opinion Column for The Argus

• Chamber seeks Crystal Apple nominations
For the fourth year, the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce is honoring excellence in education with the Crystal Apple Awards.

• Council updated on latest sewer spill
The Argus

• Draft reserves maps due out next week
The vision of the future slated to be revealed to the public this week at Metro's regional offices won't be quite as murky as an image in a crystal ball.

• FERC chairman resigns
The Argus

• Glencoe Band members collect cans Saturday
Glencoe High School Band's can and bottle fundraiser will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, within the school's attendance area. Band students will be collecting door-to-door. Feel free to leave cans and bottles out at curbside (labeled "Glencoe Band"). If you prefer, you can bring them by the school (off the back parking lot) during these hours. The next collection will be during the same hours on Saturday, Feb. 7.

• Hillsboro Teen Idol contest coming soon
Teens in seventh through 12th grades are invited to be among the first to participate in Hillsboro Parks and Recreation's newest event for their age group: the city's very first and very own Teen Idol competition.

• KATU off Dish Network
Dish Network's satellite carriage agreement with Fisher Communications Inc. expired Dec. 17, 2008, immediately leaving Dish customers in several media markets without the ability to receive Fisher's programming. Stations no longer available to Dish customers are KOMO and KUNS in Seattle; KIMA and KUNW in Yakima, Wash.; KATU in Portland; KVAL in Eugene; KBCI in Boise, Idaho; KIDK in Idaho Falls; and KBAK and KBFX in Bakersfield, Calif.

• North Plains pit bull ban not yet formally proposed
There's still no pit bull ban proposed in North Plains.

• Obama's inauguration pushing county plans for federal transportation funds
The Argus

• Palomar eminent domain not imminent
The Argus

• Quick response contained TriQuint chemical mix-up
The Argus

• School board earns leadership awards
Hillsboro School District Board members received an Oregon School Boards Association leadership awards at a banquet Nov. 15, 2008.

• Stolen robot out of professor's control
ALOHA - Caring for his ailing girlfriend may have made a Portland State University professor absent-minded Sunday, as a borrowed 90-pound robot was stolen out of the vehicle he left parked in front of her Aloha home.

• WashCo 4-H Horse Bowl Team in national competition
The Washington County 4-H Horse Bowl Team competed April 18-19, 2008, in Pendleton to earn first-place honors and the right to represent Oregon at the National Tournament.

• Sue Graves wins spin as Wheel of Fortune contestant
The Argus

• Nurseries tally snow damage
The Argus

• Police: same suspect robbed two businesses
Police believe two robberies at central Washington County businesses Saturday were the work of the same man.

• Cities to swear in officials; opening in North Plains
Terms are officially beginning for newly-elected politicians across western Washington County.

• Community invited to Relay For Life of Hillsboro kickoff
Individuals, businesses, groups and teams are invited to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Hillsboro Kickoff Celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at Witch Hazel Elementary School, 4950 SE Davis Road.

• County roads drying after weekend floods
The Argus

• Delinquency Prevention Initiative steers youth away from juvenile delinquency
Young people at risk of juvenile delinquency in western Washington County can be steered from negative, potentially delinquent behavior with the help of the new Delinquency Prevention Initiative from the Inukai Family Boys & Girls Clubs of Hillsboro.

• Dog vest donations accepted at U.S. Bank
Restrictions in fund-raising regulations won't discourage 8-year-old Katie Eros from her efforts to collect more donations to buy a new protective ballistics vest for Washington County Sheriff's Office K-9 officer Hudson.

• Drooping economy brings travel savings
Travel bargains could be one of the fringe benefits of the drooping economy, as popular destinations offer discounts and new options to try to lure more discretionary spending.

• Heavy rains bring sewer overflow to Turner Creek line
With each winter's heaviest rainstorms, residents along Hillsboro's Turner Creek trunk line wait for what seems to be the inevitable sewer overflow near their properties.

• New ATV rules now in effect
SALEM - Effective Jan. 1, ATV (quad) or off-road motorcyclists age 16 or younger - or an adult who supervises those riders - are required to complete the Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Education course before riding on public lands in Oregon. The online course is available now at www.rideATVoregon.org.

• ODA director sees challenges, opportunities in 2009
Oregon Dept. of Agriculture

• OHSU Cardiac ICU wins national recognition
PORTLAND - The Cardiac & Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) of Oregon Health & Science University Healthcare has won the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence, which was given by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) in recognition of the CSICU's "extraordinary commitment to high-quality critical care standards, and dedication to the exceptional care of patients and their families."

• PCC set for Native American powwow
The Portland Community College Winter Powwow, which attracts more than 1,000 visitors each year, runs from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, in the HT Building of the Sylvania Campus, 12000 SW 49th Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

• Separate meetings scheduled Wednesday
The Hillsboro Airport Issues Roundtable and the Washington County Fair Board meet separately Wednesday to talk about issues on both sides of Cornell Road.

• Shoveling in high places
An accumulation of wet, heavy snow, not the light fluffy stuff, fell in such a short time and in such a heavy dose in 1979 that it was causing rooftops to collapse in the greater Chicago area.

• Some pass holders get credit for snow days
The Argus

• Tualatin Hills Park & Rec District guide now in homes
Three times a year, the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District mails to area residents a thick book packed with its upcoming classes, programs, events and activities.

• Tuality opens primary-care practice in Orenco Station
Four board-certified physicians are now seeing patients at Tuality Healthcare's newest primary-care practice, Orenco Station Medical Group, at 6355 NE Cornell Road, Suite 100, in Hillsboro. They are available for appointments by calling 503-597-3130.

• Vernonia firewood effort garners award
A project conceived by professional foresters in 2008 as a way to clean up winter storm damage to northwestern Oregon forests and help afflicted local residents heat their homes has garnered a national honor. This fall, the Society of American Foresters bestowed the House of Society Delegates National Recognition Award on the Portland Society of American Foresters chapter for the outstanding public service benefits achieved by Project Woodcut.

• WorkSource Oregon Employment Department office open Saturdays
The Hillsboro office of WorkSource Oregon Employment Department is now open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The office is at 265 SE Oak Street, Suite A.

• Top stories of 2008
The Venetian Theatre rises again

• Girl's fundraising effort to go ballistic for K-9 officer
The Argus

• Snow and ice make Gratteri's sales nice
The Argus

• Brown, Westlund to be sworn in Monday
Two of the state's constitutional officers will be sworn in at the State Capitol on Monday.

• Carry cheer into the New Year by recycling your old wireless phone
PORTLAND - Consumers who unwrapped a new wireless phone this holiday season can continue the giving spirit by donating their older, used wireless phones to Verizon Wireless' HopeLine, its phone recycling program.

• City stretches to keep major routes passable
The Argus

• Corn-Scheff closure delayed because of snow
The snows of December have prompted the Washington County Department of Land Use and Transportation to delay the closure of Cornelius-Schefflin Road, between Spiesschaert Road and the Verboort Road roundabout.

• Feds taking comments on Palomar
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is taking comments on the proposed Palomar Gas Transmission pipeline through Jan. 30.

• Ice, snow stay local postal couriers from appointed rounds
By Kurt Eckert and Nick Christensen

• KGW, Charter reach tentative agreement
PORTLAND - KGW announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle with Charter Communications Inc. for retransmission of the station's analog and high-definition signals and for carriage of the 24-hour news channel, Northwest Cable News.

• Kiwanians accept Christmas trees Jan. 3 and 10 at two drop-off sites
Want to get rid of that Christmas tree that is now dropping needles all over the floor? The Hillsboro Kiwanis Club will man drop-off sites at Jackson Elementary and Lennox Elementary schools from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the next two Saturdays, Jan. 3 and 10, 2009.

• Local man completes ombudsman program
Tim Hall, of Hillsboro, recently completed the training program to become a resident associate program volunteer for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for the state of Oregon. As a volunteer, he will visit the residents of long-term care facilities, reducing the isolation experienced by many residents and increasing their social interactions.

• Meeting on homelessness set for Jan. 12
The Interfaith Committee on Homelessness will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, at the Sonrise Church in Hillsboro. Uppermost on the agenda will be the Severe Weather Shelter Response of 2008 with reports from Annette Evans and many of those who facilitated this response.

• New Year brings wage boost for Oregon's lowest-paid workers
Oregon's lowest-paid workers will get some help in making ends meet starting on New Year's Day, when a 45-cent hike in the state's minimum wage takes effect.

• New Year kicks in with cuts to federal estate tax
Moneyed Oregon families have one more reason to pop open the champagne for the New Year, when a law cutting further the federal tax on inherited wealth takes effect, according to the Oregon Center for Public Policy.

• Reps. Riley, Edwards to hold town hall meetings
State Representatives Chuck Riley (D, HD-29) and David Edwards (D, HD-30) will hold two joint town hall meetings where they will take questions and speak on the issues facing the people of Oregon, especially those living in Forest Grove, Cornelius and Hillsboro.

• Resolve to opt out of phone books in 2009
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality recommends opting out of unwanted new phone books by contacting the book publishers.

• Smoking ban presents questions, opportunity
The Argus

• The Year That Was For Far Too Long
Opinion Column

• Upper floor dwellers not safe from burglars
Two similar third-floor burglaries last week at an apartment complex in the 600 block of Northeast 20th Avenue in Hillsboro have local police warning citizens about preventing break-ins during the holiday season.

• Mayor Tom Hughes looks back and ahead
The Argus

• Sustainability is not just a pretty word for Peter Brandom
The Argus

• New city councilor wants pit bull ban in North Plains
The Argus

• 2 major changes occurring with Oregon's Bottle Bill expansion
PORTLAND - The Oregon Liquor Control Commission reminds customers that Oregon's Bottle Bill expansion goes into effect Jan. 1, 2009. The bottle bill expansion, Senate Bill 707, includes two major changes that affect both consumers and retailers.

• At-large pit bulls in Mollala and Hillsboro safely captured
Two aggressively pit bulls that attacked a 21-year-old Molalla man Christmas Day were trapped in the foundation of an abandoned mining building Friday morning, police said.

• Christmas pickax attacker arrested
An east Washington County man was arrested early Christmas morning when he allegedly attacked another man with a pickax after his wife called the victim to drive her away from a domestic disturbance.

• Cooped up, feeling down
The wind is howling. Temperatures are well below freezing. And you're curled up on the sofa with the cat, a good book and a crackling fire. How could you possibly feel so lousy?

• County prioritizes its 2009 legislative agenda
The Argus

• Couple seeking home for needy pet
Sonrise Baptist Church fed more than 20 homeless people Christmas night thanks to community support from the Orenco Station neighborhood.

• Hillsboro Business Briefs
Restaurant marks 40th anniversary

• Inclement weather shorts blood supply
PORTLAND - The last two weeks of terrible driving conditions forced the delay, or cancellation of a number of Red Cross blood drives in the community.

• It's snow time for impaired driving with DUII crackdown in effect
The Argus

• Missing Aloha man found dead Tuesday
A homeless Aloha man reported missing Dec. 21 was found dead Tuesday night near a shed on property off Southwest Farmington Road.

• Night-vision goggles to help wildlife agents see their prey
Illegal hunters in western Washington County's forests won't have the cover of night to protect them any more.

• Officials encourage proper tree disposal
After the holiday season, Metro recycling officials and local fire departments say it is important to promptly dispose of the Christmas tree and other greenery before it dries out.

• Riley carries heavy load with four committee assignments
SALEM - Rep. Chuck Riley, D-Hillsboro, will be doing a bit more work this session than most of his fellow legislators. Sen. Bruce Starr, R- Hillsboro, for instance will be serving on only two committees, while Riley will serve on four.

• Santa not suspected in Beaverton chimney fire
Old Saint Nick is not listed as a person of interest in a suspected chimney fire that caused heavy damage to a home in rural Washington County southwest of Beaverton Christmas Eve.

• Smoke-free salsa dance party marks new law
PORTLAND - Starting at midnight on New Year's Eve, Oregon's Smoke free Workplace Law will protect nearly every Oregon employee from the health risks of secondhand smoke. Danny Cardoso, owner of Aztec Willie's in Portland, wants to celebrate.

• Tualatin auto glass shop's roof collapses
A roof on a commercial building in Tualatin collapsed Friday morning when significant snow melt exacerbated the snow's weight.

• Wet, warm weather means Snow 2008 is over Care urged as slush creates poor road conditions, stresses drains and roofs
The Argus

• Whale pods peaking for winter watching season
DEPOE BAY - Recent snowy weather hasn't affected the whale populations passing by the Oregon Coast during "Winter Whale Watch Week," continuing through Saturday.

• ZooLights on until Jan. 4
PORTLAND - Holiday-light lovers have an extra week to take in ZooLights. After nearly a week of closures due to inclement weather, the Oregon Zoo resumed regular operations at noon today, and has announced it will extend the run of its popular ZooLights display through Jan. 4.

• Knee-deep in white stuff
The Argus

• Snow cuts most bus service, hampers MAX
The Argus

• Emergency responders adapt to snow and ice
The Argus

• Aloha woman dead in crash
An Aloha woman was killed in Salem Saturday afternoon when the vehicle in which she was a passenger slid into oncoming traffic on the Salem Parkway.

• CERT: Citizens helping others in disaster's wake
In the wake of a disaster, professional emergency responders may not be immediately available.

• Churches to serve Christmas dinners
Faith Cafe, at Beaverton First United Methodist Church, 12555 SW Fourth St., and Sonrise Church, 6701 NE Campus Way, Hillsboro, will offer Christmas dinners on Thursday, Dec. 25.

• Cornell Estates donates $2000 to Toy & Joy program
Hundreds of Children in the Hillsboro area will be additionally served this Christmas season thanks to the generosity of seniors, vendors and artisans, who participated in the Christmas Marketplace bazaar, and bake sale campaign to raise money for the Hillsboro Firefighter's Toy and Joy Program.

• Court closes for first time in two decades
HILLSBORO - Because of horrible driving conditions precipitated by snow and ice, Washington County Circuit Court completely shut down operations Monday for the first time anyone could remember in two decades, said Court Administrator Richard Moellmer.

• Evergreen club offers winter curling learning
If you are wondering what those people are doing in the Olympics with brooms and rocks on ice, come to Lloyd Center Jan. 6 or Jan. 13, 2009, to try it out. The Evergreen Curling Club will be hosting open houses for the public to try their luck with curling.

• Homeowners be wary that repair scams follow storms
December's winter storm has left many homes and buildings damaged by downed trees, ice-covered tree limbs and heavy snow. The Construction Contractors Board warns Oregon homeowners not to become a victim to those pretending to be legitimate contractors. Homeowners whose home and other property is damaged are prime targets.

• Last chance for Zoolights
Popular holiday

• Oregon ag taps federal conservation programs
Oregon Dept. of Agriculture

• Police search for missing Aloha man
Police are searching for a 46-year-old man reported homeless, cold and possibly missing from the Aloha area.

• Sen. Starr meets with President-elect Obama's economic transition team
WASHINGTON - Oregon State Senator Bruce Starr (R-Hillsboro) and a contingent of leaders from the National Conference of State Legislatures visited the Obama transition headquarters in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, to discuss NCSL's views on a federal economic recovery package.

• Snow of '08 leaving sand in short supply
The Argus

• Snow removal ensures, avoids, rooftop hazards
With two Washington County apartment buildings and one commercial building reporting significant rooftop damage from excessive snow weight, county building officials warn homeowners and business managers to deal with roof snow removal before it becomes critical.

• Teen driver study ranks Portland among safest
A study released by Allstate Insurance Company finds Portland ranks No. 4, as one of the 10 least deadly teen driving hotspots from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Among the 50 largest U.S metro areas, Seattle ranks at 12th on the same list.

• Zachary Inman, 6, of Hillsboro honored as finalist in 2009 K'NEXpert building contest
NEW YORK - K'NEX Brands, one of the world's leading construction toy manufacturers, has chosen Zachary Inman as one of the finalists of its 2009 K'NEXpert Search. The nationwide search asks kids ages 5-12 to submit original designs made entirely out of K'NEX pieces. Zachary is 6 years-old and lives with his parents in Hillsboro.

• Zoo hosts belated birthday bash for polar bears Dec. 26
PORTLAND - The Oregon Zoo is treating its polar bears to a belated birthday party Dec. 26 at 10:30 a.m. Throughout 2008, the zoo has participated in Polar Bear International's Year of the Polar Bear with activities designed to bring attention to the plight of polar bears as they continue to face shrinking habitat in the Arctic.

• Sheriff draws integrity by not pulling punches Peers award Gordon second Sheriff of the Year plaque
The Argus

• Vote on Hillsboro island properties beached until 2009
The Argus

• Two arrests connected to brutal Banks home robbery
Two more arrests were made Thursday in connection with a home invasion robbery near Banks in August.

• Buckhorn's saddles fit needs (and seats) of serious riders
The Argus

• Connell House applies for change in use permit
A Cornelius transitional house has applied for a modification of its conditional use permit, in an attempt to more closely represent the type of facility city planners and council members thought it to be.

• Home heating oil prices drop 22.4 percent lower than in November
SALEM - December's winter chill was greeted with lower home heating oil prices. A statewide heating oil price survey completed Dec. 15 for the Oregon Department of Energy reported average 200-gallon home heating oil prices of $1.97 a gallon statewide and $1.82 a gallon in the Portland metropolitan area.

• Oregon, Washington adopt 2009 rules for sturgeon, smelt fishing
CLACKAMAS - Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington today adopted new regulations for white sturgeon fishing in the Columbia River and its tributaries throughout 2009.

• Resource Center spreads holiday cheer, good will
Special to The Argus

• State unemployment hits 8.1 percent
Oregon's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent in November from 7.2 percent (as revised) in October. The state's unemployment rate has risen sharply over the past five months after remaining stable throughout the first half of the year at near 5.5 percent. The U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent in November, from 6.5 percent in October.

• Wood smoke levels approaching EPA limits
The Argus

• Wyden objects to Mt. Hood forest amendments
The Argus

• Weekend storm could bring wind, ice, outages
The Argus

• Leaders laud Hughes, O'Donnell as terms end
The Argus

• 'Donate Dinner' generates $230,000 to feed area seniors
Area shoppers donated more than $230,000 at participating stores, such as New Seasons Market, Hank's Thriftway and Lamb's, during Loaves & Fishes Centers' Donate Dinner campaign in November. Shoppers were encouraged to Donate Dinner for homebound seniors when they checked out at participating grocers between Nov. 22 and 26.

• 1,000 Friends express concern over reserves
The Argus

• Century High students are Trailblazers at Rose Garden
PORTLAND - A team of Century High School students got an early Christmas present from Intel and the Portland Trail Blazers, a chance to display their engineering talent from center court of the Rose Garden Arena in front of more than 20,000 screaming fans during half time of a Trail Blazer's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. A picture of the Century students at center court is attached.

• Coping with cold winter weather
Cold weather is here. Is your home ready for winter? Here are some suggestions from the Oregon Department of Energy for keeping your home heating costs as low as possible this winter.

• Cornelius-Schefflin Road to close in January
Cornelius drivers, who just got access from Cornelius-Schefflin Road back after a three-month closure, will have to find a detour for another month.

• County public works offers tips, stays at the ready for weekend snow
The Argus

• Edwards gets committee assignments
SALEM - Rep. David Edwards, D-Hillsboro, was re-appointed to the Legislature's Joint Committee on Ways and Means for the 2009-2011 session.

• Free classes for families living with mental illness
A free, 12-week course for those with family members living with mental illness is offered by the Washington County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

• Group petitions State Supreme Court: Reverse Pacific building OK
The Argus

• Hearings officer sessions postponed
Due to the severe weather, Washington County Department of Land Use and Transportation Hearing's Officer sessions set for the week of Dec. 15 have been postponed until Jan. 15, 2009, at 9 a.m.

• Hillsboro home improvement store hit by shoplift scam
Hillsboro Police have discovered a new method of shoplifting from a local home improvement retailer.

• Open enrollment rolls out in Beaverton Schools
The Beaverton School District will offer open enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year at several schools.

• River Road won't close until Dec. 29
A planned closure for River Road between Davis and Witch Hazel roads has been delayed until Dec. 29.

• Secure facility group set to make recommendations
The Argus

• Service club posts Commander Tyler to lead Rotary study group to Philippines
Commander K. Marie Tyler, officer in charge of the Washington County Jail and secretary of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, has been selected to lead a team of four young adults on a Rotary Group Study Exchange to the Philippines in February 2009. Selected from a list of 10 applicants by a Rotary District 5100 committee, this will be Tyler's third experience with a Rotary travel program.

• Shelter proposed for homeless transitioning into the working world
The Argus

• Space heater sparks rural residential fire
Investigators believe a space heater placed too close to curtains ignited a Friday afternoon blaze that did more than $200,000 in damage at a rural Glencoe Road residence.

• Stubborn electrical fire displaces dozen
Damage estimates are about $20,000 for an electrical fire that forced 12 people to move from five units at Hillsboro's Sunset Garden Apartments Monday evening.

• This is not Minnesota: Don't walk on icy ponds
Despite temperatures in the teens, forecasters and rescuers are warning people not to try walking across frozen bodies of water.

• Wells Fargo ATMs in Hillsboro accepting donations for Oregon Food Bank and other nonprofits
The level of hunger in Hillsboro is rising. In response, Wells Fargo has invented a new ATM function in order to increase donations from its customers in Hillsboro to Oregon Food Bank and three other nonprofit groups.

• Wolves return to Oregon Zoo
PORTLAND - After a five-month hiatus, the wolf exhibit reopened on Dec. 12 with the addition of two new wolves acquired from the Minnesota Zoo.

• Work-at-home schemes circulate, target jobless
DUPONT, Wash. - Jobless is a title no one wants but, unfortunately, some will find themselves there during this economic downturn. Those who find themselves in this position may look toward a work-at-home job or business. However, your Better Business Bureau warns that con artists prey on the jobless.