Cleared of ethics charge

The story: Vice Chairman Rick Alexander of the Lebanon School Board filed an ethics complaint in September with the Oregon State Bar Association against Lebanon attorney John Kennedy. Alexander contends that Kennedy, as president of the group that led an unsuccessful recall attempt against Alexander, lied about him in campaign documents and in conversations with others. Alexander said Kennedy accused him of violating Oregon's public meetings laws by holding conversations with other board members outside of board meetings, and that he told people Alexander had contacted state officials about an issue at the school district rather than first talking with district officials, which he said he did not do. Alexander also accused Kennedy of violating attorney-client privilege by quoting information from a letter the school district's lawyer had written about Alexander, and said Kennedy ran the recall campaign from his law office.

The latest: In a written response Dec. 5, Assistant General Counsel Scott Morrill said he had reviewed Alexander's materials but found no professional misconduct. He told Alexander his investigation found that, whether or not Kennedy's accusations were accurate, he had a "good-faith belief" in them. Morrill said he also found that the quoted material from the lawyers had been made public in the Lebanon Express, and that bar rules do not prohibit running a political action committee from a lawyer's office. The bar plans no further action.

Jennifer Moody

Burglary, kidnapping case

The story: Linn County Circuit Judge Glen Baisinger found James Robert Culbertson guilty on Dec. 3 of burglary, kidnapping and attempted sexual assault in connection with an attack on a former girlfriend near her home last April. The judge, in a non-jury trial, found Culbertson not guilty of attempted murder. After delivering his verdict, the judge asked Linn County Senior Deputy District Attorney Reed Dinsmore, who prosecuted the case, and Salem defense attorney Daniel Wren to meet later to find a date convenient for them and the court for the sentencing.

The latest: Culbertson's sentencing will be at 2 p.m Dec. 23 in Courtroom 5 at the courthouse.

AnneMarie Knepper

Embezzlement case

The story: Lori Hickey, the former executive officer of the Willamette Valley Home Building Association, has been charged with theft. Officials at the association believe that she took about $100,000. The Linn County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the missing money on April 1.

The latest: Hickey was arraigned in Linn County Circuit Court on Wednesday. She is charged with five counts of first-degree aggravated theft and one count of first-degree theft. Albany attorney Paul Kuebrich was appointed to represent her. She remains free because of her poor health. Hickey has said she suffered three heart attacks during the past 18 months and has severe kidney failure. Two conditions were attached to her release: She is to have no contact with anyone who works at the association or who serves on the board. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 12.

Cathy Ingalls

Timber Ridge school

The story: A new Albany school for grades 3-6, with grades 7 and 8 to be phased in, is being built east of Interstate 5 north of Knox Butte Road.

The latest: Construction continues on schedule with utilities, masonry, framing, sheetrock and painting ongoing. Roofing of the large gym has been completed. Sheetrock in the classroom wings is nearly complete and has started in the north half of the building. Painting in the one-story and two-story classroom wings is ongoing. The masonry veneer is finished on the classroom wings and is in progress on the north half of the building. Mechanical and electrical equipment is being installed. The school is on track to open next fall.

Jennifer Moody

Medical examiner program

The story: Linn County doesn't have a full-time medical examiner and the on-call doctor and nurse investigating deaths say they need help, but county commissioners are wary of adding an employee during uncertain financial times. The medical examiner program is run by the District Attorney's office.

The latest: DA Jason Carlile said this week his office is "still working on financing" and has nothing to report at this time. Commissioners had asked the office to secure intergovernmental agreements to help pay for the position before the board would consider adding it to the payroll. Numbers provided by Linn County staff show the current medical examiner program billed the county for 184 hours during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

AnneMarie Knepper