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Completed investigation doesn’t ease the pain

The Marion County grand jury’s unanimous decision finding that Silverton Police Officer Tony Gonzalez’s use of deadly force against Andrew “AJ” Hanlon was consistent with the law plunged Silverton back into the spotlight.

July 24, just hours after the grand jury’s findings on the June 30 shooting were released, vans from Portland television news stations converged on City Hall, with Silverton Police Chief Rick Lewis giving an improvised press conference in front of the building.

Other

Team doctors: A family plan

Let’s say you have an appointment with Dr. Peters – will you be visiting Dr. Sarah Peters or Dr. Tim Peters? Or Dr. North – it is Dr. Senna North or Dr. Eric North?
The Peterses and the Norths are two of several “doctor couples,” medical teams working together in a single medical practice.

Six doctor couples shared what life is like for them. Some have young children, one couple’s children are nearly grown, and one couple plans to begin a family soon.

News

Rep. Vic Gilliam refutes residency challenge

A blog entry on the Northwest Republican blogspot has rekindled interest in whether Rep. Vic Gilliam (R-Silverton) fulfills residency requirements to represent the area in the Oregon State Legislature.

“I heard that Vic Gilliam actually lives in Seattle, but only owns a house in Silverton …,” the blogger, signed in as Steve, commented.

Other

Gonzalez arraigned, two more counts added to sex abuse charges

During Silverton Police Officer Tony Gonzalez’s July 22 arraignment on charges of sexually abusing a minor, Judge Joseph Ochoa announced the grand jury had added two additional counts, bringing the total to three counts of first-degree sexual abuse and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse.

First-degree sexual abuse is a Measure 11 crime and carries a mandatory sentence, in this case 75 months for each count. Measure 11 was a 1994 ballot initiative that set minimum mandatory sentences for serious crimes.

News

Grand Jury unanimously concludes police shooting justified

A Marion County grand jury deliberated one day before clearing Silverton police officer Tony Gonzalez of any wrongdoing in the fatal June 30 shooting of Irish national Andrew James Hanlon, 20.

“They were in session until just past 5 sometime last night,” Deputy District Attorney Don Abar said July 25, the day after the Marion County District Attorney’s office released information to the press regarding the grand jury’s decision.

Other

The 9-1-1 tapes

On separate occasions two families called 9-1-1, each fearing for their safety due to the violent behavior and threats of the same young man. To the first callers, he was a brother and a brother-in-law. To the second, he was a stranger.
The actions of Andrew James Hanlon, 20, instigated both calls.

On April 6, 2008, according to a police incident report and 9-1-1 tape, an emergency call was made by Nathan Heise, Hanlon’s brother-in-law.

Heise called 9-1-1 at 12:31 p.m. to report Hanlon was having a “mental breakdown.”

Other

Silverton FFA garners awards at Marion County Fair

Silverton FFA brought back all blue banners as well as several high individual awards and trophies at the Marion County Fair, which took place at the State Fairgrounds July 9-13.

The landscape team – Megan Veach, Kaylee Spencer, Bethany Ross, Megan Schmaltz, Riane Towery and Colby Qualey – came up with a design relating to the theme this year, which was “Summer Days and Country Ways.” The landscape took first place.

Other

Metal man adorns Silverton buildings with ‘twisty-cue’ art

Out-of-the-ordinary metal work is the frosting on the cake for buildings restored in downtown Silverton by Mo Salem and his crew.

Salem’s current project on the corner of Main and Water streets opposite the Wolf Building, are trimmed with metal fixtures that have a definite artistic touch.

The artistry is by Jesse Cox, who lets sparks fly as he welds the fence into place.

The work is by Jesse Cox, a 28-year-old metal fabricator, who admits, “I don’t like building things you see every day.”

Other

Homer Days celebrates smalltown life

Hang on to your baseball cap, here comes Homer Davenport – as in Homer Davenport Days – Silverton’s three-day celebration of the famous newspaper cartoonist and native son.

Lennez Hitzemann, president of the festival board, is busy during the final hours before the event, but able now to reveal who will be leader of the hometown parade on Saturday, Aug. 2. The grand marshal will be Marcella Gentzkow, who originally suggested the name for the nearly 30-year-old festival honoring Davenport. Gentzkow, formerly of Silverton, now lives in Mt. Angel.

Other

Family vows to pursue answers

Andrew “AJ” Hanlon’s family was left unsettled when the Marion County grand jury determined the use of lethal force by Police Officer Tony Gonzalez was justified.

“There are things about the justification of Officer Gonzalez’s shooting that simply do not add up to me,” Nathan Heise, Hanlon’s brother-in-law, said after the grand jury’s report was released. “I have even more questions than answers,” he said, listing thoughts including, “why was the taser not drawn instead of a weapon?”

Other

Silverton police shooting turn of events

Responding to the report of a burglary June 30, Silverton Police Office Tony Gonzalez, 35, shot and killed Andrew James Hanlon, 20. The incident occurred after 11 p.m. near the intersection of Oak and Mill streets. Hanlon, “AJ” to his friends, was an Irish citizen who had been visiting his sister and brother-in-law, Silverton residents Melanie and Nathan Heise. Nathan […]

Other

Homer Days seeks volunteers

By Dixon Bledsoe The celebration of Homer Davenport, the local boy who made good as an internationally renowned political cartoonist, returns for its 28th year Aug.1- 3. But to ensure the festival runs smoothly, volunteers are needed. How to get involved To help out call 503-508-9591, visit www.davenportdays.com.or attend a board meeting held Tuesdays, 6 p.m. or 8:30 a.m., at […]

Business

Silverton job market about to undergo another change

By Linda Whitmore There’s a book of June Drake photographs published in the 1920s from which one can get an insight into how Silverton’s economy functioned in the past. There are pictures of several lumber mills, a flour mill, a bottling plant and thriving stores that sold everything residents of the town and the surrounding farms might need – food, […]

Other

Department procedures, officer training, determine when deadly force is justified

By Matt Day Whenever there is a police officer-involved shooting in Oregon, a predetermined series of events is put into motion. That was the case when Silverton Police Officer Tony Gonzalez shot and killed Andrew James Hanlon the night of June 30. According to the protocol, the police agency connected with the case can’t conduct an investigation of its own […]

Other

Director resigns, changes afoot for Silverton Together

By Kristine Thomas The resignation of Silverton Together’s director has led to the cancellation of August’s annual Celebrate Families Picnic. Director O.B. Bergin, who announced earlier this month her last day would be July 25, is leaving to pursue “other professional opportunities.” Interested in helping? To find out about organizing the Celebrate Families picnic call Silverton Together, 503-873-0405 Her departure, […]

Other

Auxiliary fulfills role as ambassador between hospital and community

By Kristine Thomas They raise money to buy equipment for Silverton Hospital and sew anatomy dolls for children who are having surgery. They plan and host fundraisers. They greet visitors and patients at the hospital, manage the gift shop and espresso bar, and award scholarships to students pursuing medical careers. And that’s only a snippet of the volunteer work done […]

Other

Brother, friend, artist: AJ Hanlon’s life remembered

By Matt Day Almost every day, Andrew James “AJ” Hanlon would buy a cup of lemon chamomile tea at the Silver Creek Coffee House in downtown Silverton, a popular spot for teens and twenty-somethings. Frequently, Hanlon would linger for the conversation. Hanlon, an Irish citizen, arrived in Oregon in June 2007 planning to spend a few months living in Silverton […]

Other

Peeking into the parlors of Silverton’s past

By Linda Whitmore

One of the 11 sites open to visitors during the home tour is the 1922 bungalow at 810 N. Water street that was for many years the home of the Cooley family. Owners of old houses often wonder about the lives of the people who tread the stairs before them. Passers-by might be curious about how current residents live in a vintage home.

On Saturday, July 19, Silverton Country Historical Society’s “Within These Walls” home tour offers a peek into the parlors and porches of homes and businesses built before 1940 – and a couple of well-done recreations of vintage houses.

Read More…

Other

Juvenile crime an issue of attitude

By Matt Day

In her 10th year of work with Silverton Youth Peer Court, Cynthia Schaeffer is noticing a trend she’s never seen before.

Theft is up from last year. Between January and May of 2008, 33 percent of peer court cases were theft-related, up 10 percent from the same period in 2007. But theft fluctuates year to year, and she isn’t worried about the jump in cases.

Read More…

Other

Silverton, Mt Angel celebrate the Fourth in style

By Kathy Cook Hunter

Celebrating Independence Day, is an American tradition, and for many folks that means picnics, parades, concerts and, in the case of Silverton and Mt. Angel, two evenings of fireworks. The towns observe in the spirit of neighborly closeness and fun with a succession of events.

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Other

Creekside Grill plans call for a good steak, family atmosphere and a view

By Dixon Bledsoe

So how exactly does a construction manager end up owning a beautiful restaurant on Silver Creek in historic Silverton?

Manny Rodrigues paints a great story. The North Salem High graduate lives in Beaverton, spent eight years in Hawaii and is a construction lead for Mo Salem, owner of Westside Drywall. Locals see the company’s handiwork all over town, most notably the restoration of the Wolf Building, the extreme makeover of the former Silver Falls Realty Building (corner of Main and Water), Silverton Coffee Station buildings and the Hartman Building.

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Community

Church commemorates patron’s 2,000th anniversary

By Mary Owen Parishioners at St. Paul Catholic Church in Silverton are looking forward to a year of celebration for their patron saint and martyr, the Apostle Paul. “We are hoping to have some fun things, like a play, a talent show and some dinners.” -Fr. William Hammelman Hailed by many as the most influential teacher in Christianity’s history, Paul […]

Other

Fewer acres planted in strawberries this year, but outlook is good

By Jan Jackson Slow to ripen but sweet and juicy as ever, Oregon strawberries are the best and the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Strawberry Commission have stepped up efforts to market them to processors and fresh market consumers. Strawberries have been in the Willamette Valley since 1846 when Henderson Luelling loaded up two extra wagonloads of fruit […]

Community

Regular routes make bus service attractive as CARTS ridership increases

CARTS
For information on CARTS’ services,
fares and schedules contact
OHAS/CARTS at 503-585-6193 or
www.ohas-oregon.org

By Mary Owen

With gas topping $4 a gallon, the area bus system known as CARTS is greeting new riders.

“We have been picking up regularly,” said Frank Brown, interim road supervisor for Chemeketa Area Regional Transportation System.

Read More…

Other

Cook fresh: favored foods from farmers market

By Jan Jackson The cooking-fresh season has started and to prove it, shoppers carried empty produce bags and baskets into the Silverton Farmers’ Market Saturday, June 14, and left with them full. While returning shoppers made straight for their favorite vendors, new shoppers took more time looking to see who and what was there. New market manager Courtney Basile, a […]

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Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc.

401 Oak St., Silverton, OR 97381
P.O. Box 927, Mt. Angel, OR 97362
phone: 503-845-9499
fax: 503-845-9202
email: [email protected]
web: www.mtangelpub.com

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