Group home

The story: A group home originally planned for "forensic" patients - people found guilty of a crime except for insanity - was slated for placement in a southeast Albany neighborhood. Under pressure, mostly from neighbors, the company behind the home, Shangri-La Corp., said it would only house civilly committed, non-felons with mental illness. It opened in November.

The latest: Linn County this week renewed its contract with Shangri-La Corp. for two more years of mental health services. "They are operating as they represented they would be," said Roger Nyquist, Linn County Board of Commissioners chairman. Shangri-La operates mental health group homes on Del Rio Place Southeast and on Old Oak Drive.

AnneMarie Knepper

Hillary's bills, part II

The story: The Hillary Clinton For President campaign was delinquent in its payment of a bill from Linn County Fair & Expo Center for its use of the facility in April 2008, when Bill Clinton campaigned on behalf of his wife. After an article in the Democrat-Herald, the campaign paid up.

The latest: According to Sheriff Tim Mueller, the campaign has not yet paid the Linn County Sheriff's Office for the security it provided at the event. An invoice from the sheriff's office shows $2,104.93 due for six deputies and six patrol cars.

AnneMarie Knepper

Cold case

The story: Michael James Williams, 36, of Lebanon was arrested April 7 for allegedly attacking a woman living at an adult care facility in Albany nearly five years ago. The incident occurred July 10, 2004, at the Heritage Meadows Retirement Community, 1212 34th Ave. S.E. A 90-year-old woman there reported that a strange man had grabbed the back of her neck and said, "don't holler." When she began to struggle, the man let go and ran. Police were unable to find him and his identity remained a mystery until this year, when Williams came to the Albany Police Department and said he wanted to discuss the attack. He was arrested based on an interview with a detective and corroborating evidence. The woman had died about a month after the attack.

The latest: Michael James Williams pleaded guilty in June in Linn County Circuit Court to one count of first-degree sexual abuse. A charge of attempted murder was dismissed. Williams was sentenced to six years and three months in prison and 10 years post-prison supervision. First-degree sexual abuse is a Measure 11 offense with no possibility for early release.

Carrie Petersen

Animal neglect

The story: Linn County sheriff's deputies arrested two people Nov. 20, 2008, after an investigation into alleged neglect of horses and dogs at a home on Jones Road near Foster Reservoir. Richard Reed Stevens, 62, and Melissa Leeann Corliss, 35, were both charged with multiple counts of second-degree animal neglect.

The latest: Richard Stevens has pleaded not guilty in Linn County Circuit Court. He is scheduled to go on trial for three days starting Oct. 13. Melissa Corliss pleaded guilty in June to seven counts of second-degree animal neglect. She was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay a $50 fine on each count.

Carrie Petersen

GAPS propane buses

The story: Greater Albany Public Schools applied for a federal stimulus grant through the Environmental Protection Agency to purchase 15 propane-powered buses through Western Bus Sales Incorporated.

The latest: The district did not receive the grant, according to Christ Ellison, director of transportation. The EPA received more than $2 billion in requests and and $156 million to hand out. In the fall, Ellison said, there will be more money available, and GAPS will try again.

Amanda Robbins

Millersburg City Hall

The story: Last summer, construction began on a 2,500-square-foot expansion to Millersburg City Hall, 4222 N.E. Old Salem Road. Nomark Construction of Woodburn was adding space to city hall for offices, a conference room, an archive room, a break room and storage. Cost was estimated at $1.2 million and was to be paid through the city's general fund. The building was originally scheduled to be finished this month.

The latest: City staff moved into its addition at the start of the new year, although construction wasn't completed until early March. According to City Manager Barbara Castillo, the new space has been well received by employees and the community. She said only finishing touches remain to be finished, including landscaping. An open house will be scheduled for later this summer.

Steve Lathrop

Peak Sun

The story: Peak Sun broke ground in Millersburg in February 2008 to construct the first of three buildings to produce polysilicon for the solar power industry. Construction was completed on the first building on the 8-acre site last fall. The 6,500-square-foot plant for processing polysilicon went under construction soon after.

The latest: Scott Schumacher, vice president of sales and marketing for Peak Sun, says the second plant should be ready to go by the end of 2009. He said a final engineering review is under way and should be completed by the end of next week. He expects that the company will begin hiring in October and should employ around 40 people. A third building, which will produce up to 65 tons of polysilicon, is scheduled to be completed some time in 2011. Once completed the three buildings are expected to bring total production to 5,000 tons of material a year and employ up to 500.

Steve Lathrop

Central Linn School board

The story: Wendy Holbrook and Tonya Smith each received 182 votes to tie for the race to represent Zone 6 on the Central Linn School Board in the May 19 election. A recount produced the same total.

The latest: At a special board meeting June 22, the board chairman designated Holbrook "heads" and Smith "tails" and flipped a coin for the seat. The coin landed on "tails," Smith was declared the winner, and she will begin her term July 13.

Jennifer Moody

Music fest lawsuit

The story: David Staup of Lebanon, who was the vendor coordinator for the 2008 Willamette Country Music Festival in Brownsville, had said he planned to file a breach of contract suit against concert president Warren Williamson for failure to repay a $10,000 loan for last year's festival. Williamson responded he had offered Staup a payment plan for the loan.

The latest: Staup filed a civil suit against Williamson on June 17, seeking $11,250 allegedly owed.

Jennifer Moody

Wyatt's Eatery

The story: Wyatt's Eatery and Brewhouse in downtown Albany closed its doors June 22. The restaurant, which opened in 1996, cited a declining number of customers, a slowdown in its catering operation and the general economic slowdown as reasons for closing.

The latest: Brian Oare, a former operator who still held an interest in the restaurant, has been looking to fill the space since the doors closed. He said he has several parties that have shown an interest but nothing has been confirmed.

Steve Lathrop

Allied Waste rate hike

The story: Allied Waste asked the Albany City Council for roughly a 10 percent rate increase to take effect July 1, but the council raised questions and postponed action last month.

The latest: Allied Waste has submitted a modified proposal that basically holds to the increases proposed earlier but suggests some options by which the rates could be lowered slightly. The council is scheduled for considering the request at a work session starting at 4 p.m. Monday at City Hall, with final action set for next Wednesday night.

Hasso Hering