By Molly Harbarger

Last year, Clackamas County commissioners committed $100,000 to a Family Justice Center in Oregon City to serve victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The project was meant to be fast-tracked, and public safety and social services agencies began preparing for all the remodeling, relocating and redistributing staff involved. However, all the actions were potential until last week, when the four commissioners authorized county staff to proceed with getting the center up and running by Oct. 1 in the Sheriff's Office's Shaver Building at 256 Warner Milne Road in Oregon City.

"If we don't at least give this thing a nudge, we'll continue to be stalled," said Commissioner Paul Savas.

By George L. Winship

For the second year in a row, it was my privilege and honor to participate in the Pizza and Pumps fundraiser for the Shasta Women's Refuge and the Family Justice Center hosted by Charlew and Cathy Byerly, owners of Mary's Pizza Shack in Anderson.

It was all done to raise awareness and prevent sexual assaults, explained Jean King, executive director of the tandem agencies now joined into one entity.

Last year, due to heavy rain, the event was held indoors at the Shasta Outlets shopping center and did not attract as much attention as organizers had hoped.

This year, clear and sunny skies helped bring out crowds who listened to music – Redding vocalist Mike Vasquez sang a medley of Country favorites while a Blues and Folk band, Completely Different People, entertained later in the afternoon – watched a Celebrity Pizza Making Contest, took part in a family Walk A While in Her Shoes event, ate pizza and competed in a karaoke contest.