New owner of ‘Goonies’ house talks about landmark purchase
Behman Zakeri, an entrepreneur from Kansas, has been a super fan of the 1985 adventure comedy “The Goonies” since he was a child. He said his love for ‘80s pop culture has influenced many parts of his life. Zakeri’s frequently said if the house came up for sale, he wanted to buy it. “The driving force,” he said, “was — whether it was me or another buyer — it had to be somebody that cared about preserving the landmark, the house.” Neighbors are skeptical. They’ve complained the stream of fans driving by the house has been a nuisance at times and have expressed worry that Zakeri plans to make it even more of a destination. Zakeri said he plans to be respectful of the community. “We come in peace.” (Lydia Ely/The Daily Astorian)
Sam Adams is leaving Portland City Hall
Former mayor, city commissioner and current member of Mayor Ted Wheeler’s administration Sam Adams is stepping down from his job to focus on health issues. Adams said in an email to colleagues that he suffers from chronic anemia that has lately left him drained of energy and unable to work as he wants to. Wheeler lauded Adams’ contributions to City Hall. (Courtney Vaughn/The Portland Tribune)
Coquille Tribe triples its funding of regional nonprofits
The Coquille Indian Tribal Community Fund distributed $815,000 this year to several nonprofits across five Oregon counties. That’s nearly triple last year’s total. Since 2001, the tribal fund has distributed more than $8 million in casino proceeds. Recipients this year include SquareOne Villages, South Lane Mental Health and Community Supported Shelters. Heather Quaas-Annsa, director of philanthropy for Community Supported Shelters, said the nonprofit plans to use the funds to feed people in their shelters this winter. “We’re absolutely thrilled,” she said. (Brian Bull/KLCC)
$15K offered for info on wolf slaying
The cash reward for information on the killing of OR-103, a male gray wolf who journeyed from Oregon all the way to California and back, has gone up. A coalition of wildlife conservation groups known as the Oregon Wildlife Coalition is offering $10,000 on top of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s $5,000 reward to help solve OR-103′s death. At least five wolves were poached last year in Oregon, including OR-103. (Makenzie Elliott/The Register-Guard)
Easterday Dairy owner sues competitors for harassment
Cole Easterday, who manages the Easterday Dairy in Boardman, Oregon, is suing Zane Walker and Michigan-based Walther Farms for allegedly using the Morrow County Sheriff’s Department to force him out of his home. The lawsuit is one part of a complicated legal dispute between Easterday Dairy and other companies. Cole Easterday is also the son of Cody Easterday, who last year began serving an 11-year federal prison sentence for defrauding Tyson Fresh Meats and a second victim out of $244 million for thousands of made-up cattle. (Phil Wright/East Oregonian)
