Portland police this morning are investigating an unusual officer-involved shooting, saying a man was found dead in a Southeast Portland home ravaged “extensively” by flames that erupted during a standoff and shootout with officers. The man was identified as 46-year-old Craig Boehler. Police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said fire investigators were still combing the house […]
Denis C. Theriault
Denis C. Theriault is the Portland Mercury's News Editor. He writes stories about City Hall and the Portland Police Bureau, focusing on issues like homelessness, police oversight, insider politics, and civil liberties. Before arriving in Portland, Denis wrote and edited for the San Jose Mercury News, covering the California Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as the city of San Jose—a real-live million-person town.
Posted inCity Hall
Window Closing on Latest Sam Adams Recall Attempt
That latest attempt to recall Mayor Sam Adams? Don’t hold your breath. After filing a “cover sheet” last Wednesday to begin the process—and then a few more documents Friday—the Portland woman seeking the recall, Wendy Ann Wright, had yet to file the full suite of required paperwork as of this morning. The formal window for […]
Posted inPortland
What a Downtown Target Might Look Like
San Francisco Redevelopment Agency A downtown Target, just not ours. A couple of months ago, Mayor Sam Adams’ office confirmed it was in preliminary discussions with Target about finding a place for the big-box retailer to set up shop downtown. According to the Oregonian, which broke the news, the vacant Galleria—with 87,000 square feet of […]
Posted inCrime
At the City Council Hearing on Sam Adams’ Gun Laws
In front of a somewhat crowded room, on a rainy day, the Portland City Council just after 3 this afternoon finally began taking up Mayor Sam Adams’ gun-control laws this afternoon, a testimony-only hearing before a vote scheduled next month. The hearing comes months after Adams first outlined his plans—following after several delays and a […]
Posted inCops
Digging Deeper Into Portland’s New Audit on Taser Use
Late yesterday afternoon, the city auditor’s office released its report on the Portland Police Bureau’s use of Tasers, and the policies and practice guiding that use. The biggest headline? It strongly urges the Portland Police Bureau to tighten standards governing when the stun guns can be used. Currently, officers can pump a whopping 50,000 volts […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News!
Sooo much rain yesterday And wind. Seems we’ll be keeping on with the wet today. Less with the bluster. But just wait for next week. Is it too early for a dusting of snow? It’s on. It’s off. It’s on again. It’s off again. It’s on again. A Swedish prosecutor now says she wants to […]
Posted inNews
Fire Frashour? Done.
The Cop Who Shot Aaron Campbell Is Canned; Three Others Are Suspended
Ron Frashour, the Portland police officer who shot and killed Aaron Campbell, has formally been fired.
Posted inNews
Strange Bedfellows?
Business Group Weighs in on $1 Million Homeless Grant
An unusual coalition weighs in on how to spend a $1 million grant to help the homeless.
Posted inNews
Not Holding Their Fire
Neighbors Speak Up Over Gun Proposals
What do neighbors in one of Mayor Sam Adams’ proposed gun exclusion zones think about the designation?
Posted inCity Hall
BREAKING: Woman Takes Step Toward Third Attempt to Recall Sam Adams
A Portland woman this afternoon has taken the first steps toward what would be the third attempt to recall Mayor Sam Adams since he took office—and the second this year, the Mercury has learned. But the latest attempt does not appear to be serious, or have support from Adams’ opponents. And the city’s elections officer, […]
Posted inCops
BREAKING: Accused “Nazi” Cop Suspended by Police Bureau
These things have tended to come in pairs, lately. Hours after Police Chief Mike Reese and Mayor Sam Adams announced formal discipline decisions in the fatal shooting of Aaron Campbell, the chief sent out another release announcing that Capt. Mark Kruger—the cop accused of building a shrine for five Nazi Germany soldiers at a city […]