A4 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Corvallis Gazette-Times, Corvallis, Ore. Community&Northwest IN BRIEF Yaquina lighthouse getting paint job NEWPORT — The Yaquina Head Lighthouse will close to the public next week because the staircase and interior walls are getting a new coat of paint. The Bureau of Land Management says the closure takes effect Monday and ranger-led tours of the historic lighthouse resume Sunday, April 6. The Yaquina Interpretive Center will remain open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. All other areas of the park will be open from 8 a.m. to dusk. Portland police to focus on 20 locations PORTLAND — Though the crime rate is down, the Portland Police Bureau has identified 20 areas of the city that need more attention and will receive it. Officers will visit each of the hotspots several times a day, generally for 10- to 15minute spans. Chief Michael Reese said in a statement Tuesday the goal of the initiative is to carve out time for officers to “positively engage” with members of the community who live and work in places that have a high volume of crime or livability concerns. The neighborhoods that will get more attention are located throughout the city, from Goose Hollow and downtown to outer southeast and up to North Portland. Trial set for trainer accused of sex abuse EUGENE — A former athletic trainer accused of sexually abusing a female student at a Eugene high school is scheduled to stand trial May 1. The Register-Guard reports the date was set after settlement talks failed Monday. Timothy Schley has pleaded not guilty. The former Willamette High trainer was arraigned last month and was released from jail after posting $5,000 security and agreeing to have no contact with the girl. But the 29-year-old was booked back into the jail late last week after he was accused of violating the agreement. Prosecutor Erik Hasselman says Schley contacted the girl through electronic text messages using a special application to hide or destroy the messages. Schley was released from jail Saturday night after posting an additional $15,000 in security. Firm looks at geothermal potential near Vale www.gazettetimes.com OBITUARIES Keith Purdy Morfitt March 16, 1950 — March 21, 2014 Keith Morfitt, 64, died Friday at his home in Corvallis. Keith was born on March 16, 1950, in Berkeley, Calif., to Robert and Becky Morfitt. He moved with his family to Corvallis in 1965. On Dec. 29, 1972, he married Loana “Onnie” Belnap. The couple has three children, Klifton, Christy and Oriana. Keith was a general contractor. He was an ardent Beaver fan and enjoyed pitching in city-league softball for many years. He Morfitt will be remembered for his dedication to family and friends. Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Becky. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Onnie; his father, Bob; his son, Klifton Morfitt; daughter, Christy, and her husband, Cyrus Toretto; daughter, Oriana Morfitt; grandchildren, Kassian and Cyree Toretto; brothers, Brad and Butch; and sister, Becky. A celebration of life is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at the family home. Memorial donations in Keith’s name can be directed to the Oregon State University Foundation/Athletic Department. Please leave your thoughts and memories for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com. Kwangjai Park Oct. 12, 1934 — March 21, 2014 Kwangjai Park of Eugene peacefully died on March 21, 2014, at home, in the arms of his wife, Helen, and surrounded by loving family and friends. His long struggle with Parkinson’s disease, degenerative disc disease and primary progressive aphasia is over. He was born on Oct. 12, 1934, in Wonsan, Korea, while the peninsula was under Japanese occupation. At the end of World War II, he and his family were in Manchuria, where his father’s job had taken them. To Park escape the civil war erupting in China, the family had to travel 500 miles, mostly on foot, back to Korea. Elevenyear-old Kwangjai helped his younger siblings pass the long hours of walking by telling them stories from books he had read. The family finally arrived in Seoul in 1946, but the Korean War in 1950 made them refugees again, as they fled to Pusan in the far south. Young Kwangjai was at the top of his class in school, but he had to take time out again to help support his family, working for American GIs. He learned enough English to serve as a translator. F.Y.I. One of the sergeants he worked for told him all about America, igniting a powerful desire in the teenage boy to go to this wonderful place. With the support of his family and community, he was able to immigrate in 1953, just as the war in his country was winding down. After graduating from Monterey High School in California, he applied to colleges, and was accepted with a full four-year scholarship to Harvard, where he majored in electrical engineering. He married and began a family as he went on to complete a doctorate in physics at the University of California in Berkeley. For a few years he worked at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, then in 1966 he came to the University of Oregon as a professor of physics. His first marriage came to an end in 1973, but in 1974 he married Helen (Hodson) Park. They had a marriage of true love for nearly 40 years. Kwangjai’s name is composed of the Chinese characters in Genesis 1:3 that mean “There was light.” His study of physics included many years of work with optics, the study of light, although he also made contributions in the fields of fluid dynamics and atmospheric science. He loved the elegance and beauty of the universe, and was delighted to conduct “kitchen experiments” to demonstrate some of the interesting aspects of nature. He was a gifted teacher, and his classes at the U of O were popular, even though he had a reputation for giving really hard tests! He won the Ersted Award for excellence in teaching in 1972. He retired in 2002, and devoted his time to travel and writing his family history and personal memoirs. Kwangjai is survived by his wife, Helen; children, Aaron, Melora of Corvallis, Meroe, Esther and John; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister and three brothers and their families, all of whom he loved dearly. He will be greatly missed. Vera F. Asbahr Vera F. Asbahr, 89, of the Corvallis/Albany area died Friday, March 21, 2014, at Corvallis Manor. Arrangements are pending at Fisher Funeral Home. Fred Price A celebration of life for Fred Price is set for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at Corvallis Senior Center, 2601 N.W. Tyler Ave. Obituary guidelines: Brief obituaries, death notices and service notices appear in the Gazette-Times as a free public service. A fee must be paid in advance for obituaries longer than 100 words and for a photograph. Obituaries published in the newspaper also appear at www.gazettetimes.com. For more information or to place an obituary, contact Jane Stoltz at [email protected] or 541-758-9524. Man gets life in prison for killing father, woman EUGENE — An Oregon man who beat his father and his father’s girlfriend to death nearly two years ago will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole, a judge ruled Tuesday. Johan Gillette, 38, received two consecutive life sentences following emotional testimony from victims’ relatives in Lane County Circuit Court. Gillette could have faced the death penalty. But his own family and that of the other victim opposed execution, and Gillette’s brother told his older sibling to sign a sentencing agreement that took the death penalty off the table in exchange for waiving ONTARIO — A company that operates a geothermal power plant west of Vale will evaluate the potential for geothermal south of the city. An agreement signed by U.S.Geothermal and Malheur County officials gives the company the exclusive right to explore a 133-acre property for geothermal resources, plus develop, produce, sell and/or use any resource that’s found. The Argus Observer newspaper reports U.S. Geothermal will pay the county $3,000 upfront, and then $1,500 annually during a lease that runs at least 10 years. The county also would rePORTLAND (AP) — ceive royalties for any geotCinthya Garcia-Cisneros hermal resource produced said she has two regrets and sold for the generation of about the October night electric power or other uses. when she drove through a Jackson County sees leaf pile, striking and killing two children she couldn’t jump in dog licensing see. The first is that she went MEDFORD — The number of licensed pets has increased out that night. The second in Jackson County because of is that she didn’t return to an ordinance that makes it the scene. In her first public commandatory for veterinarians ments since being found to report dog rabies shots. Animal Control sold 14,718 guilty of hit-and-run, the dog licenses in 2013, up 16 19-year-old woman told percent from the year before. The Oregonian she has Officials in the southern Ore- thought about the accident gon county estimate they’ll countless times. sell 18,000 this year. “It’s terrible,” GarciaThe county passed the li- Cisneros said. “It’s a terrible censing ordinance to collect feeling.” more money and give loose Garcia-Cisneros was animals a better chance of be- sentenced to probation, but ing returned to owners. she faces possible deportaVeterinarians must report tion to Mexico. She’s incarvaccinations within 60 days. cerated at the U.S. ImmiOwners of unlicensed dogs gration and Customs Enare then sent a letter with a li- forcement facility in Tacocense application by the ma, Wash. An immigration county. judge denied bond last week — The Associated Press for Garcia-Cisneros, deem- some appeal rights. A jury last week convicted Gillette of murdering his father James Gillette, 73, and the father’s girlfriend, Anne McLucas, 71, at a home south of Eugene in September 2012. Both died of multiple crushing blows to the head, delivered by what is believed to have been some kind of wrench. The murder weapon was never found. Gillette maintained his innocence Tuesday, telling the court that “this is not a murder case” and he believes he’ll get a new trial. “The only tragedy in my opinion is Anne McLucas,” he said. “I did this agreement for others, not myself.” He did not make eye contact with McLucas’ relatives who addressed the court, KVAL-TV reported. “Johan, you murdered my mother, beat her, left her on the floor to die,” said Jacob Shapiro, McLucas’ son. “She was just caught up in a father-son argument.” Gillette claimed he acted in self-defense when his father reached for a gun during an argument. During the trial, he took the stand to describe the fight. Prosecutors said the younger Gillette flew into a rage over his father’s plan to evict Gillette and his girlfriend from a trailer on the father’s property. Woman awaits immigration fate after crash that killed two children in leaf pile ing her a danger and a flight risk. Garcia-Cisneros has lived in the U.S. since she was 4. She had temporary permission to be in the country, but the criminal conviction may change that status. Prosecutors said the crash that killed two stepsisters Oct. 20 in Forest Grove, 25 miles west of Portland, was an accident. The girls — 6-year-old Anna Dieter-Eckerdt and 11-year-old Abigail Robinson — were likely concealed by the leaves and not visible to the driver. F.Y.I. is a community calendar.To accommodate demand for the print edition, we ask that items be brief and include time, date, place, address, admission cost and a contact number for publication. Inclusion of items is at the discretion of the Gazette-Times. Further information is available at 541758-9524 or [email protected]. Assistance THURSDAY Emergency food boxes, by appointment, North Corvallis Ministry Center, 5050 N.E. Elliott Circle. Appointments: 541-2201040. AARP TaxAide, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St., by appointment only; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Corvallis Elks Lodge, walkins or appointments. Certified counselors will prepare and e-file tax returns for low- and moderate-income taxpayers of all ages, free of charge. Appointments: 541-602-5829. Stone Soup dinner, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., gymnasium, St. Mary’s Catholic School, 501 N.W. 25th St. Free meal for those in need. Events THURSDAY Preschool story time, 10 a.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. “Cover Oregon Have You Confused?,” 7 p.m., main meeting room, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. Kristi Hart of Barker-Uerlings Insurance and State Representative Jim Thompson will answer questions. The deadline for applying for Cover Oregon is Monday. Government THURSDAY Corvallis Public Participation Task Force, noon, Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 S.W. Madison Ave. Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments Area Commission on Transportation, 5 p.m., 1400 Queen Ave. S.E., Albany. Camp Adair Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 p.m., Santiam Christian Schools, 7220 Arnold Ave., Adair Village. Information: 541-9173370. Organizations THURSDAY Heart of the Valley Runners, 6 a.m.; meet in the parking lot next to the Midge Cramer Bike Path, Benton County Fairgrounds, 110 S.W. 53rd St. Information: http://hotvrunners.com. Kiwanis Club of Corvallis — Sunrisers, 7 a.m., Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 N.W. Highland Drive. Information: 541-752-2563 or [email protected]. Corvallis Bicycle Collective, noon to 4 p.m.; for location, call 541-224-6885 or go to www.cor vallisbikes.org. The group welcomes all to volunteer or to work on their own bikes. Corvallis Lions Club, noon, Papa’s Pizza, 1030 S.W. Third St. Information: 541-752-1920. Corvallis New Horizons Band, 6:15 p.m. Rehearsals are open to all players. For rehearsal location, call 541-231-0052. Science of Mind in Corvallis, 7 p.m., Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, 420 N.W. Second St. Topic: “Practicing Nonjudgment,” followed by a guided meditation. Information: www.meetup.com. Valley Viewfinders Camera Club, 7 p.m., Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E. The first monthly meeting is dedicated to print competition; the second is for electronic imaging competition and programs to stimulate creativity and learning techniques. Information: http://valleyviewfinders.org. Plan ahead “Write Your Legacy Letter” class, 1 p.m. six Mondays, starting March 31, room 121, LinnBenton Community College Benton Center, 757 N.W. Polk Ave. Learn how to write your personal values, life lessons and hopes in this type of letter, which is given to family members and friends at life transition points such as marriage, childbirth, graduation, illness, retirement and end-of-life planning. Cost: $40. Registration: 541-757-8944 or www.linnben ton.edu. Support groups THURSDAY Alcoholics Anonymous: •7 to 8 a.m., noon, room 111, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave. • Noon, First United Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe Ave.; room 111, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave. •6:30 p.m., basement, New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., Philomath. •7 p.m., Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 2555 N.W. Highland Drive. •8:30 p.m., room 125, McNary Hall, Oregon State University. Information (24 hours): 541967-4252 or www.aa-oregon.org. Narcotics Anonymous: •Noon to 1 p.m., 7 p.m., room 11, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave. Information (24 hours): 541967-4252 or www.aa-oregon.org. Out-N-About, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., room 218, First United Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe Ave. For high school-aged youths who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, and their allies. Information: 541-2314440. Alanon, 7:30 p.m., room 12, Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 N.W. 35th St. Support group for families and friends of alcoholics. Message center: 541-967-6262.