Parents of boys accused of burning church likely to pay for repairs

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 6:19pm

TUALATIN, Ore. - It appears the parents of two 13-year-old boys accused of torching a local church will have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage as part of a plea deal that keeps their sons from going on trial.

One of the teenagers appeared in juvenile court in Washington County Tuesday afternoon with his hands padlocked in chains for full sentencing, but the hearing was postponed.

The incredible damage he and a friend caused at the Living Savior Lutheran Church in March is now being repaired.

The boys started the fire in the church's preschool. It was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene just minutes after it was lit. Investigators say the two went into the church to steal money.

They were charged with burglary and arson.

Before the sentencing hearing for one of the boys was rescheduled, attorneys did talk about how the parents will most likely be forced to pay restitution to the church.

Outside of court, one of the boy’s parents declined to comment.

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Seven Washington County schools named earn prestigious honors from U.S. News

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 8:46am

HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Based on factors such as proficiency standards and college readiness, seven Washington County high schools made U.S. News Best High Schools in Oregon top 20 list released May 7.

The list includes a total of 76 Oregon high schools. International School of Beaverton earned a top score for college readiness (100), and in addition to being ranked number one in Oregon, is the only Oregon school ranked in the top 20 nationally (No. 20).

Washington County school districts and schools, followed by their Oregon rankings are:

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Teens accused of setting fire to church reach plea deal

Submitted by KATU.com Staff

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 9:09pm

TUALATIN, Ore. – The two teenage boys charged with breaking into a Tualatin church and setting it ablaze will not face a trial, according to the church's pastor.

The 13-year olds were arrested in March, accused of breaking into Living Savior Lutheran Church to steal cash and setting the fire in a closet. Their attorneys worked out a plea deal.

A judge will sentence one of the two boys on Tuesday.

The second boy is scheduled for sentencing next month.

No one was hurt in the early morning blaze of March 19, but the church and a preschool were heavily damaged.

Fire crews from the Lake Oswego Fire Department and Portland Fire and Rescue joined Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue to fight the fire as it rose to three alarms. A total of 60 firefighters helped put out the fire.

Police said they were able to develop a lead in the case based on information from a concerned citizen: One of the boys sent a text message to a friend, implicating himself in the fire.

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National Kids to Parks Day set for Saturday

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Monday, May 14th, 2012, 10:56am

Did you know that the City of Tualatin has more than 200 acres of parks, trails and natural areas? The National Park Trust invites every family in America to visit a National, State or local park on May 19th in celebration of National Kids to Parks Day.

Officials have invited people to come out to Browns Ferry Park to pick up your Park Adventure Booklet, junior ranger sticker, and magnifying glass, and then have fun exploring from 1-4 p.m. May 19.

Don’t miss this free family event and help celebrate Tualatin’s parks. Find out more information on nationwide Kids to Parks events.

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Two hurt when fight breaks out in Taco Bell drive through

Submitted by KATU.com Staff

Saturday, May 12th, 2012, 4:45pm

TUALATIN, Ore. - Violence erupted in a Taco Bell drive through early Saturday morning.

The crime happened around 2:15 a.m. at the Taco Bell at 17873 S.W. McEwan Avenue in Tualatin.

According to police, there had been some type of confrontation between people in two different vehicles.

One man was stabbed more than once in the back of his neck. He was transported to the hospital and later released. Another person ended up with a cut on their wrist. Both are white males around 22 years old. Their identities were not released.

The suspects fled in a gold, gray or tan Suburban or Tahoe that was driven by a white female with blonde hair. The other people in the vehicle (there were three or four total) were described as being in their 20s with medium builds, approximately 6 feet to 6 feet, 2 inches tall and wearing blue plaid polo shirts.

Police believe alcohol played a role in what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tualatin Police Department's tip line at 503-691-0285.

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‘Squirrels in chief’ go national with peanut butter brand

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Saturday, May 12th, 2012, 7:45am

EUGENE, Ore. -- Two best friends from Tualatin never thought their hobby for making peanut butter “with a twist” would turn them into “accidental entrepreneurs,” but five months after launching a new brand they made it onto a national TV show.

Keeley Tillotson and Erika Welsh said they started making peanut butter their sophomore year at the University of Oregon on a rainy afternoon.

The jar of commercial peanut butter they’d been snaking out of ran out, but they had a bag of peanuts in the pantry.

Five months later and Wild Squirrel Nut Butter is on the shelves of local grocery stores.

"Wild Squirrel Nut Butter sells artisan, all natural peanut butters with a twist,” said Keeley Tillotson in the peanut butter aisle at the Market of Choice on Willamette Street in Eugene on Friday.

“The squirrel girls,” as many have started calling them around town, started making their version of peanut butter by hand and then selling jars of the stuff at local farmers markets.

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'Stamp Out Hunger' today

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Saturday, May 12th, 2012, 7:33am

PORTLAND, Ore. – If you’re feeling charitable, you can help "stamp out hunger" on Saturday.

“Stamp Out Hunger” is the annual food drive by the Oregon Food Bank and Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers. Postal carriers in Oregon and southwest Washington delivered 1.5 million yellow, biodegradable bags to homes this week.

If you would like to donate, simply fill the bag with non-perishable food – like canned soups, cereal and pasta – and leave it outside for your mail carrier. Items like peanut butter and tuna fish are in high demand for kids, since schools and food pantries need help with their summer lunch programs.

“Nobody raises more food in one day than letter carriers do across the country by l,” said Kevin Card, the president of the Oregon State Association of Letter Carriers. “It's that one time we can work with our customers to do something really incredible.”

The drive can bring in two million pounds of food for Oregon and southwest Washington; however, donations were down by 18 percent last year. Organizers do not know the reason.

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