Linn youth wage program
The story: The Linn County youth wage grant program, now in its fourth year, began supplementing pay for some young people hired by some Linn County employers. The program is designed to encourage employers to hire local young people despite Oregon's relatively high minimum wage of $8.40 an hour. Using lottery funds, the county reimburses the company $2 an hour per young person.
The latest: Participation so far this year includes 19 employers and 27 youth. Those interested in the program should call the Linn Board of Commissioners office at (541) 967-3825 for more information.
AnneMarie Knepper
Ex-Mission's remodeling
The story: With the help of more than $300,000 in financing help from CARA, the Albany downtown urban renewal district, Herb Yamamoto has purchased and is remodeling the former Signs of Victory Albany Mission at Seventh Avenue and Lyon Street. The so-called Cameron House at 705 Lyon St. S.E. was built in 1906 and in recent years had been used as a homeless shelter. It will become the home of CADD Connection, a computer design business with a staff of 15.
The latest: Some of the interior work such as a complete rewiring has been finished, and the project aims for completion about Sept. 1, Yamamoto told the downtown urban renewal advisory board this week. He also again thanked the board for its support.
Hasso Hering
LBCC research
The story: Linn-Benton Community College sent its underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) team headed by physical science instructor Greg Mulder to Paulina Lake in central Oregon last summer to conduct research on a unique volcanic feature some 70 meters under the lake's surface. The ROV, which was designed and built by LBCC students, was unable to complete its research.
The latest: LBCC is returning to the lake as part of a joint project with Oregon Workforce Alliance. Mulder's team will conduct research and provide youth with an opportunity to study science, engineering and math. The joint effort will have 30 students from around the state participating. Teams of six different high school students will be at the site each week for five weeks. Mulder said the return to the lake allows the team to continue its research of a geologic mystery. He said a total of 18 people will be on site weekly which will have LBCC's ROV and 30 mini-ROVs working on the project. The crew is hoping to provide updates of the trip on its website at www.rov.linnbenton.edu.
Steve Lathrop
Surplus in Lebanon
The story: Lebanon voters approved a $19.97 million bond measure in 2006 to build a new library and a combined court and police building known as the Lebanon Justice Center.
The latest: City Manager John Hitt said the former police quarters at 925 Main Street will be used for city archive storage. The library, at 626 Second St., has been designated surplus property by the Lebanon City Council. Hitt said the city will send out requests for proposals by the end of the month to different organizations asking them to make an offer to purchase or lease the building.
Jennifer Moody
Albany Call-A-Ride
The story: The offices of the city of Albany's Call-A-Ride program have been in several locations over the past few years. The program provides transportation to seniors and the disabled between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Call-A-Ride employees and volunteers have been located at the senior center and the new library building. They moved from there to offices on Jackson Street across from the Linn County Sheriff's Office after construction at the new library began.
The latest: The transit program staff, including Call-A-Ride is going to City Hall in August. "The move is necessary to provide efficiency, coordination and communication," said Public Works Director Diane Dennis. "This move is necessary too to reduce our operating costs." Transit workers will remain at City Hall probably until December 2010, when the program will move again, this time into the former Railway Express Agency building at the train station. Remodeling of that building is expected to be finished by then. To arrange for a ride, call (541) 917-7770.
Cathy Ingalls
Downtown stimulus
The story: In May, Tiffany Johnson, owner of SunnyPatch Boutique in downtown Albany, started offering 10 percent discounts to customers who could show proof of purchase receipts from other locally owned stores. She was hoping the effort would stimulate sales in the downtown area and grow to include other businesses. Originally she was going to make the offer for a month but expanded it to last all summer.
The latest: Johnson said her plan has spread to other businesses and at least seven are currently participating in some form. In addition, she presented her plan to the Albany Downtown Association last Tuesday. She said it was received favorably and the ADA is planning to call on merchants to join the effort. Plans are developing to give the project a name. Johnson said customer reponse has been excellent as well and it feels good to tell customers that they saved money.
Steve Lathrop
Bake sale
The story: Eight-year-old McKenzee Ghormley of Albany sold homemade baked goods on July 11 to raise money for a Nintendo DS and some school clothes.
The latest: McKenzee raised around $175 from her baked goods. After the sale, Pizza Hut invited her to shadow all the workers and learn the basics of business. They also gave her $50.
Amanda Robbins
Lebanon investigation
The story: The Lebanon Community School District commissioned an independent investigation in March to look into allegations of cyberbullying at Lebanon High School. The investigation had cost the district $31,923.69 as of the end of June.
The latest: Kathy Schurr, administrative assistant to the superintendent, said this week the district has received a final bill from its law firm, Garrett, Hemann and Robertson, for $2,082.50. The final tab: $34,006.19. The district has declined to make the investigation report public. Superintendent Rob Hess has said the essence of the investigation indicated "conflict at Lebanon High School," which he is forming a task force to help resolve.
Jennifer Moody
