ODOT closes 138th Avenue for three days

The Oregon Department of Transportation will close Northeast 138th Avenue at the railroad crossing north of Sandy Boulevard for three days beginning Sunday, Jan. 20.

Union Pacific crews will repair the crossing pavement and make track improvements as part of ODOT’s safety improvement project on Sandy Boulevard between 122nd and 141st avenues in the Argay neighborhood.

The closure will begin at 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, and end by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, with a signed detour available. Sandy Boulevard will remain open during the closure.

For more information, visit tripcheck.com or call 1-800-977-6368.

Help those in need through United Way

Nearly 15 percent of Oregonians live below the poverty level, According to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Northwest Natural, Oregon Food Bank and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette have launched the “Help with the Basics” campaign, encouraging Portland area residents to give $30 to help those less fortunate afford food, housing and heat this winter.

When you donate $30, $10 will go to Oregon Food Bank, $10 to United Way’s Community Relief Fund to assist with housing and $10 to the NW Natural’s Gas Assistance Program.

In turn, NW Natural is making a $10,000 matching donation from its shareholders’ Corporate Philanthropy Fund.

Donations can be made now through March 30 at unitedway-pdx.org/basics, or by mailing a check to: Help With the Basics,

United Way, 619 S.W. 11th Ave. Suite 300, Portland, 97205.