Good morning, Portland. Enjoy these links.

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Dominic Devenuta

ICYMI, our tale of Gary Holstrom, a Forest Grove antiques and artifacts store owner who became the target of an animal part smuggling investigation before becoming an informant to bust his Malaysian suppliers:

The FWS didn't ever mention that Holstrom, in his early 70s, was the original target of "Operation Pongo" but turned informant, according to records obtained by the Mercury and a source with knowledge of the investigation. After the feds raided his house last June, Holstrom agreed to cooperate with the FWS to bust his longtime suppliers for a reduced punishment.

Some big basketball news: Blazers announcers Mike Barrett, Mike Rice, and Antonio Harvey are out. "It's the sad end of an era for the Blazers and their fans, many of whom have been listening to Barrett, Rice, and Harvey as long as they've been watching Blazers games. Thank you, gents, and best of luck with everything. Maybe we'll hear your voices somewhere else soon."

Portland just passed a massive 20-year growth plan:

It's hard to make a 20-year city planning document terribly interesting. But given the growing pains Portland's had lately, its worth noting a very big step the city took today. After years of planning, drafting, debating, and amending—which began roughly seven years ago, Mayor Charlie Hales noted—Portland City Council finally passed its 2035 Comprehensive Plan this afternoon. It's a 300-page behemoth that sets a course for how Portland will grow in the next 20 years.
Over the plan's extensive development, that's meant debates about what streets and neighborhoods should see most increased density, what tony neighborhoods actually wanted to have their density lowered, whether golf courses would be imperiled (along with their resident frogs) and more public comments than anyone wants to read.

Via the Oregonian, the Oregon State football team just offered a scholarship to quarterback prospect D.J. Uiagalelei. He's in eight grade...

There was a fatal stabbing of a woman at the Skinn Gentleman's Club in Northeast Portland last night. KATU says a dancer at a "competing" club was arrested for it.


Those darn kids and their threats of violence. Police are patrolling Liberty High School this morning after someone wrote a threat on a bathroom stall. Principal Greg Timmons to parents: "Please know that in the vast majority of these types of incidents, the messages are student pranks. However, we wanted you to be aware that there will be an increased police presence at the school this morning, both to investigate and to ensure the safety of students, staff, and any visitors to the school."

The Portland Tribune has a good long piece on the Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, which is under consideration from the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation to be named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Also in the Tribune: "Former police precinct eyed for homeless."

Led Zeppelin, who are practically a cover band, are facing a copyright lawsuit over "Stairway to Heaven." Rolling Stone has the details from an apparently nutty trial. Here's the song they're accused of ripping off for Stairway (head to 44 seconds in) :

And finally...