In these three fully-themed and staffed haunted attractions at ScareGrounds PDX, visitors experienced live-action thrills and chills. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
‘Scaregrounds’ brings Oaks Park visitors brand new Hallowe’en thrills
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
In October, people who were looking for the complete “Hallowe’en experience” – including three terror-inducing haunted houses, roaming creepy monsters and fiends, startling special effects, and creepy “sideshows” – made their way to Oaks Amusement Park to experience “ScareGrounds PDX”.
Located at the north end of the property, near the famed Oaks Roller Rink, “ScareGrounds PDX” – created by Vendetta Productions – assembled world-class haunted house sets and an unrivaled cast.
“For 2024, we unveiled our newest attraction: ‘The Forbidden Fortress’,” announced ScareGrounds PDX Director Stefanie “Lethal” Shahvar. “This fantasy/medieval-themed haunted house was a cursed castle in which wizards wielded dark magic, dragons lurked in the shadows, and ancient curses came to life!”
This season, a total of 57 cast members were inside, and roaming the grounds outside, of the haunted realm, she said.
ScareGrounds PDX is carefully planned by the producers long before it opens each October, Shahvar said. “During the year, we create new themes for the haunted houses and sideshow. Then, we do our casting in mid-August, with several characters in mind – but we are also open to folks bringing their own ‘terrifyingly entertaining’ characters to show off!”
The other two Main Attractions were “The Silver Scream” – a decrepit movie palace, where infamous horror cinema villains were unleashed; and “Slayers” – a lair of modern-day monster-hunters doing what they do best.
In addition to these three “Haunted Houses”, there were also “Sideshow Attractions”, in which could be found a blackout maze, a “Selfie Museum” – and vendors at “Graveyard Shops”, among other things. And we use the word “things”…advisedly.
“A bunch of us drove up from Eugene to be here, and we weren’t disappointed,” commented U of O student Alexis Jacobson. “It’s scary-good fun!”
This issue of THE BEE may have arrived in your hands before the end of October, in which case you might still have time to go to Oaks Park with the family to enjoy this year’s “Scaregrounds”. But be aware that some of these spooky attractions are probably not suitable for young kids! Also be advised that these productions have admission charges (most visitors feel they are worth it); and that nonprofit Oaks Park itself now charges for parking in its large parking lot complex.
If you haven’t visited “Scaregrounds”, get a taste of what thrill-seekers find and experience when they visit – and get a peek backstage – in this brief and exclusive BEE VIDEO! –
East Precinct officers together canvassed streets and yards near Harney Park, while investigating the car-to-car shootout that took place shortly before 9 p.m. in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood on October 16th. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Car-to-car shootout near Brentwood-Darlington’s Harney Park
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
The stillness of a cool fall Wednesday evening on October 16 was noisily interrupted by the sounds of gunshots. Brentwood-Darlington neighbors who live near Harney Park were startled by the barrage of gunshots – and called the 9-1-1 Center to report it.
At 8:37 p.m. that evening, East Precinct officers were dispatched – at first, to the north side of Harney Park, along S.E. Harney Street at 69th Avenue. But then the PPB’s Focused Intervention Team (FIT) officers were called in to assist as the investigation shifted to S.E. 67th Avenue – from Harney north to Tenino Street – which brought the total of officers responding to eight.
“Yes, officers responded to multiple reports of shots being heard in the area,” PPB Public Information Officer TerriWalloStrauss confirmed for THE BEE. “The District and FIT officers found [spent bullet shell] casings; and, learned the incident involved someone in a vehicle shooting at another in a different vehicle.”
It’s currently unknown if the shots led to any injuries – and both cars were long gone by the time officers arrived. But the investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information about this shooting and haven’t yet reported it to the police, please email it to – crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov – and refer to Case No. 24-266061.
This aerial look at the property that’s now under consideration for a major league baseball park shows the Zidell property on the west bank of the Willamette River, with the Ross Island Bridge soaring over part of the potential ballpark property. (Courtesy of PDP)
Major league baseball games under the Ross Island Bridge…?
By AUSTIN WHITE Carpenter Media Group
The latest chapter in the “MLB PDX” movement arrived just after the start of the autumn season, with the Portland Diamond Project announcing it had signed a letter of intent to purchase Zidell Yards on Portland’s South Waterfront – potentially for use as a baseball stadium.
The purchase includes 33 acres of land south of downtown Portland, in what is currently owned by ZRZ Real Estate. There will be a 120-day due diligence period, and then a timeframe of 42 months to make the purchase.
The plot of land runs against S. Moody Avenue to the west, and lies between S.W. Porter Street and S. Gibbs Street from north to south. The Ross Island Bridge is above part of the land as well.
“This really is a dream come true,” founder and president of Portland Diamond Project Craig Cheek said in a press release. “We’ve spent years talking about a future Major League Baseball team calling Portland home. Now we can say Portland will have professional baseball in the heart of the city, and along one of Oregon’s most iconic rivers.”
No commitment for a team has been written in stone from MLB, but this is the latest saga in the long-established Portland Diamond Project trying to find a home for a baseball stadium in the Portland metro area.
Back in January, the local organization entered negotiations with the City of Portland to possibly buy 164 acres of land at the RedTail Golf Course. However, no purchase arose from that. Other discussed locations include where the Lloyd Center Mall currently sits, and Terminal 2 of the Port of Portland.
With Zidell Yards, north of the plot of land is a developed MAX train station that comes right off of the Tilikum Crossing Bridge, giving the location a nearby public transit option – one accessible directly from the Orange Line in Southeast Portland, extending down to the City of Milwaukie.
There isn’t much space for parking options, but it’s close to downtown, and being on the waterfront is an attractive backdrop for baseball.
“There have been numerous proposals over the years on what should become of Zidell Yards,” president of Zidell Companies Jay Zidell said in a press release. “I think the potential for a future professional baseball stadium is an ideal use of the land. Who wouldn’t want to watch baseball with the Willamette River as the backdrop?”
Not only that, but this announcement came soon after the WNBA awarded Portland a new franchise team that is set to debut in 2026 at the Moda Center.
As MLB continues to mull over possible expansion, the Portland Diamond Project is trying to ensure the Rose City is an attractive location, and the group feels the Zidell lot gives them the best shot.
“This is a big moment for Portland,” Mayor Ted Wheeler said in a press release. “This is a tremendous opportunity to shape our waterfront, create new economic opportunities, and build a vibrant and sustainable neighborhood. This builds on our growing sports economy and culture, including the recent announcement of a new WNBA franchise. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with PDP on the next steps.”
Police officers blocked off the street leading into the Wimbledon Square Apartments on S.E. 28th Avenue, after a mother living there was found dead from gunshots. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
April Newcombe Cripe, mother of two children, was the victim in this domestic shooting, for which her husband has now been convicted and imprisoned. (Family-provided photo)
Reed neighborhood mom’s murderer sentenced
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
When a mother was shot to death in the parking lot of the Wimbledon Square Apartments in the Reed neighborhood of Inner Southeast – on April 15, 2023 – those who knew the victim, April Newcombe Cripe, said they were shocked – but not surprised. There had apparently been trouble.
As reported at the time in THE BEE, in the aftermath of the shooting, her two young children were located safe inside the apartment by responding officers.
The following investigation led straight to 30-year-old Adam Jamal Burns, the victim’s husband, and the father of her two children. It proved to be a domestic violence crime.
In court documents during the trial of Burns, his vehicle was seen on the complex’s video surveillance system minutes before police were called. The gun involved in the shooting was recovered – and linked to Burns.
On August 22 of this year, Burns entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Judge Jenna Plank, and was sentenced by Judge Plank on September 12th to serve 23 years for the homicide – in the custody of the Oregon Department of Corrections.
PP&R Golf Course Maintenance Supervisor John Ball says hello to one of the goats – which, at the time, was taking a well-earned break from its brush-clearing duties in a ravine at the Eastmoreland Golf Course. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Goats ‘mow’ Eastmoreland Golf Course’s gulch
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
Over the years, the ravine which bisects the 13th hole at Eastmoreland Golf Course had become overgrown with weeds and blackberries. The Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) manager and groundskeepers were uncertain just how to remove the overgrowth on the Par 5 fairway’s steep embankments.
“It was too steep for our workers to keep their footing; mowing it would require noisy, heavy equipment; we couldn’t use herbicides, because in the ravine is the fresh-water spring tributary of Crystal Springs Creek,” recalled PP&R Golf Course Maintenance Supervisor John Ball.
“But our consultants, KemperSports, suggested that bringing in goats could be the solution,” Ball told THE BEE, as we walked up to the site – surrounded by an electric fence. “We contacted ‘GoGoatOregon’ out of Hillsboro. On September 21st, ten goats, and one “guard llama” named Dewey, began dining on the weeds and tree branches there.”
Early one morning, when Ball went to check on the four-legged groundskeepers, he said: “I saw a coyote licking his lips, thinking about a fresh goat breakfast. But, Dewey wasn’t about to put up with the coyote’s plans, and quickly ran him off.”
After about three weeks, the four-fifths of an acre site was relatively brush-free, and the goats were packed up and on their way to their next assignment.
Both golf and goats start with the letter G. Turns out they work together pretty well.
Covered in soot and debris, this Woodstock Fire Station 25 Ladder Truck Company firefighter walks out of the burned house breathing through an oxygen mask. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Backyard blaze singes ‘squatter shack’ in Brentwood-Darlington
By DAVID F. ASHTON For THE BEE
When smoke and fire was seen erupting from the yard of 7915 S.E. Harney Street by employees at the nearby U.S. Post Office Station, they called the 9-1-1 Center to report it. Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews responded to the area at 1:48 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, October 2.
Lents Station 11’s Engine Company was the first from several fire stations to respond. On the way to the fire, their lieutenant reported back to dispatchers seeing “a substantial header” – a column of dark smoke – boiling up from the area, while he was still blocks away.
A neighbor also reported the fire, and told the 9-1-1 Center call-taker that a squatter could be trapped in the burning building, or might have been injured in the fire.
Three minutes after Engine 11’s crew pulled up, they were joined by Woodstock Fire Station 25’s Ladder Company, Clackamas Fire District #1’s Ladder Truck #304 Company, and an ambulance.
As they arrived firefighters reported that something in the back yard, set back far from the street, was fully engulfed in fire – and that the blaze had also spread across the dry grass, and ignited the back of the house and a tree.
The Woodstock and Clackamas Ladder Truck firefighters were directed to cut “vertical ventilation” holes in the roof and gable, then to spray water into the fire from above, while Engine Company crews fought the fire from inside the structure.
“The ambulance was standing by as a result of information that indicated the potential for unauthorized occupants in the fire structure,” PF&R Public Information Officer Rick Graves, who was at the scene, told THE BEE. But apparently nobody was, and that ambulance later left the scene without a patient.
It didn’t take long for firefighters to put out the fire in the severely-damaged building – but crews kept spraying water onto the back of the house, as well as the smoldering remains of the shed, the tree above it, and the grass in the area. The cause of the fire, if known, has not yet been announced.
Property slated for development Investigation shows that this derelict house is sited on property owned by Roger Goldingay and Carol Otis, founders and former operators of the well-known Southeast Portland food cart pod “Cartlandia” at 8225 S.E. 82nd Avenue of Roses – which was purchased in December of 2022 by Arnie Blumenthal, and renamed “Springwater Cart Park”.
Goldingay and Otis also own properties at 7909 S.E. Harney Street, some landlocked property to the north at 7915 and 7910-7918 Harney Street, and at 7928 S.E. Crystal Springs Boulevard.
In September 2021, the pair applied for a City of Portland permit to create a 76 townhouse-style multi-family development on all that land, and their application was approved in November of 2021. Apparently, for whatever reason, that project has stalled; there appears to have been no construction so far, and there have been no further permits issued.
CHS brass and woodwinds play during this year’s “Play-A-Thon” fundraiser. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Cleveland High bands’ Play-A-Thon raises $39,000
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
Members of the Cleveland High School (CHS) bands stayed after school on Friday, September 27, to play on into the evening – at their annual “Play-a-Thon” fundraiser in the school’s auditorium.
Most of the Cleveland High bands played under the leadership of CHS Director of Bands Gary Riler. But while many of the students took a supper break, several student musicians engaged in a free-form “Jazz Jam Session” for the live audience – and those who were watching and listening to the live-stream of the six hours online.
“Our ‘Play-a-Thon’ this year was another awesome event in which we were able to build community among the students and the parents – and also raise funds for our band program!” Riler told THE BEE. “We raised more than $39,000 this year – that’s the most we’ve ever raised, since we started the Play-A-Thon in 2015.”
The funds raised will be partly used for purchasing sheet music. “One ‘title’ costs nearly $100; $350 for a set of advanced music,” Riler pointed out. That’s because composers’ performance royalties figure into the cost.
The money raised will also go toward:
Entrance fees for competitions
Travel costs for band performances
Pep Band T-Shirts and hats for incoming freshman
Coaches
Visiting clinicians
Student Registration Fees for All-State & Western International Band Clinic
Students’ assistance funds for summer camps, spring trips, concert attire, and accompanists
“The typical ‘band fee’ for a high school band is at least $100,” Riler said. “Our parent booster group, Friends of Cleveland Bands, feel strongly that we don’t want to limit any student’s ability to participate due to financial hardship – so, instead, we ask our community to help to support the program.
“One more thing: Speaking of our ‘band parents’ – we’re so grateful for the generous community support of our program in so many ways – including those who provided great hot dinners for our kids during this year’s Play-A-Thon!” concluded Riler.
To learn more about the Cleveland High School Band program, visit the official Boosters’ website – https://www.clevelandbandspdx.com
On S.E. 52nd Avenue, East Precinct officers arrived to investigate the armed robbery of a marijuana dispensary. The amount of pot stolen may have been minor, but the use of the weapon to obtain it made it a major crime. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Armed robber holds up Southeast ‘pot’ shop
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
A commotion at “La Mota”, on S.E. 52nd Avenue near Flavel Street, on September 28, led to East Precinct officers were responding a the Brentwood-Darlington marijuana dispensary at 9:20 p.m.
It turned out to have been an armed robbery. Some officers sought witnesses at nearby convenience stores; others went inside the store itself to interview employees.
“Responding officers determined that a man, armed with a gun, robbed an employee,” PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner later told THE BEE. “There were no physical injuries to the employee.
“The suspect got away with a product of the store; the exact value is unknown. The suspect has not yet been located,” Benner concluded. While it might have just been a user stealing some marijuana to avoid paying for it, the use of the gun makes it an armed robbery, and the culprit faces prison time for it.
Highlighting the philanthropic purpose of the annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction and Concert, the nonprofit’s Co-Founder Janeen Rundle used a big check to show how much they’ve has raised so far, in 17 years, for Oregon music students’ education and scholarships. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Hall of Fame awards & concert rock Brooklyn’s Aladdin Theater
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
Many musicians play at the Aladdin Theater in the Brooklyn neighborhood every month of the year. But, only one of these shows – the Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction and Concert – raises funds to provide educational scholarships for young musicians in Oregon.
At the 17th annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) ceremony on Saturday night, October 12, a dozen inductees were honored for making music, or supporting the music industry, in Oregon for at least 20 years.
Although he has moved to the east coast, perennial Master of Ceremonies Tony Starlight returned to host the show, while OMHOF Co-Founder Terry Currier of Music Millennium presented the trophies.
During the program, some 2024 inductees performed – including Laura Veirs, who showcased her poetic songwriting and distinctive voice. Also on stage was The Obituaries, Portland’s well known punk, rock, and blues band – whose lead singer, Monica Nelson, again growled out a vocal performance that pleased the audience.
Near the end of the program, after Jenny Conlee was inducted – she’s best known as a founding member of indie rock band, The Decemberists – she performed with another band to which she belongs, Casey Neill and the Norway Rats.
Announced as OMHOF’s “Artist of the Year” was Portugal. The Man; the “Album of the Year” nod went to the band Eyelids, for their album Colossal Waste of Light.
As much entertainment as fundraising, the annual extravaganza again featured a live auction for guitars autographed by artists like Peter Frampton, Elvis Costello, and The Decemberists.
“Proceeds from this night help support OMHOF’s Music in the Schools programs, as well as our scholarship program – this year, providing $2,500 scholarships to help seven students further their musical education,” OMHOF Co-Founder Janeen Rundle told THE BEE.
This year’s awards presentation and concert raised about $30,000 for OMHOF, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, to continue its philanthropy for Oregon music student education.
Officers from the Central Precinct, downtown, remained at Cleveland High looking into the incident for some hours in the afternoon. (Photo by David F. Ashton)
Knife incident reported at Cleveland High School
By DAVIDF.ASHTON For THE BEE
Police responded to the report an incident on Wednesday afternoon, September 25th, at Cleveland High School, involving a weapon. When Central Precinct officers arrived, they learned several people had been chasing a student, according to a Portland Police Bureau spokesperson. It was unclear why there was a chase or who was doing the chasing.
However, the student was holding a knife, claiming it was for self-defense, and ran into the school for safety and dropped the weapon, police said. Officials said there was no longer a threat, and no one was hurt.
“Officers and PPS staff are attempting to identify all parties involved,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Mike Benner at the time. And nothing much of substance has been reported since.
Cleveland High School Principal JoAnn Wadkins later that day sent a letter to the school community, saying, in part, “Earlier today, a group of young people were reportedly chasing one of our students outside our building during lunch. The student ran inside to seek help, and school staff called 911. We confiscated a kitchen knife that was in his possession, and quickly deescalated the situation. No one was hurt.
“My main priority as Principal is to ensure a safe learning environment for every Cleveland student and staff member, and my administration and I work hard each day to maintain a school culture that promotes mutual respect for everyone’s physical and emotional well-being.
“Threatening, intimidating, and bullying behavior is not tolerated at our school. The Portland Police Bureau are currently investigating the incident to determine who exactly was involved in the altercation outside the building, and we will be following all existing policies and procedures in handling this incident and its aftermath.”
Wadkins also said counselors and supportive school staff members were available for students who might’ve witnessed the incident and became upset, and wanted to talk to somebody.
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