Follow-ups on some of the stories we've reported recently in the Democrat-Herald

Brass Ring Carousel

The story: Volunteers have been crafting animals and benches for Albany's Brass Ring Carousel at its carving and display center at 503 First Ave. S.W. Eventually, the former craft and floral warehouse is to be torn down and a new structure built to hold the carousel.

The latest: Six animals have been finished, including horses, zebras, a rabbit and a bear. Work came to a halt in the heat of last summer, because the oil-based paint used on the figures coagulates if it is too hot and the building had no air-conditioning, said Gwenn Marchese, one of the workers. She said the building now is air-conditioned so work can continue year-round. Twenty-two wood figures are being constructed now, and it takes a year to carve each, she said. The goal is 52 animals on the carousel and two benches. A date to open has not been set. Visitors are invited to the museum and carving studio from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Wednesday, when hours at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The building is closed on Sunday. For more information, visit www.albanybrassring.com.

Cathy Ingalls

Bank robbery

The story: A man robbed the US Bank at the corner of Santiam Highway and Waverly Drive in Albany on March 4. He gave employees a note that indicated he was robbing the place and had a gun. Employees gave him money and the robber fled. Albany police searched the area but didn't find him.

The latest: Detectives believe the robber was the same man who robbed a US Bank branch in Tacoma, Wash., the following day. Surveillance photos from both banks show the robber in the same clothing, according to Albany police. So far, the robber has not been identified. Detectives received half a dozen tips but none led anywhere.

Carrie Petersen

Harrisburg skatepark

The story: An unofficial committee hoping to bring a skatepark to Harrisburg chose a developer and identified grants and donation matches to fund the project, but needed land for the park. The group identified a plot owned by the Harrisburg School District and was initially turned down, but upon learning more about the project, the district began to negotiate with the group.

The latest: According to City Administrator Bruce Cleeton, the school board "made it official" Monday night by approving an option-to-purchase agreement to allow the city to buy the skatepark site if funding is obtained. The next hurdle: The planning commission must approve a partition of the school district property so the skatepark site can be sold. That meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

AnneMarie Knepper

Sweet Home lawsuit

The story: Rick Kopf, a public works employee for 33 years, sued the city three years ago in federal court for violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and state laws prohibiting disability discrimination. The suit also claimed that the city retaliated against him for use of the Family Medical Leave Act and for using Workers Compensation. Kopf said the issues leading up to the lawsuit started nearly five years ago when he injured his back on the job. The effects of those injuries combined with a disability led to what he said was harassment from other employees and negative documents added to his personnel file. Kopf, who used to run marathons, said he took a few months off from work due to the emotional stress and a year later was demoted.

The latest: The city in January settled the lawsuit with Kopf for $175,000. The settlement also required the city to remove all negative documents from Kopf's personnel file, provide a written apology and to require City Manager Craig Martin and Public Works personnel Mike Adams and Pat Wood to attend a day-long Equal Employment Opportunity Commission training. In a letter dated Feb. 5, Martin said he regrets the events that gave rise to the lawsuit. "I apologize for any distress that you experienced as a result of these events, and we look forward to having you remain a valued employee of the city of Sweet Home," he added. Kopf said he is now earning the wages he did before the demotion.

Ellen Ast