So, we finally heard back from Mayor Sam Adams’ office about how—or whether—Target bigwigs’ anti-gay-rights political leanings might factor into plans to invite the big-box retailer downtown. (The Minnesota-based company, it should be said, has earned a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.) Adams, the first openly gay mayor of a […]
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 inNews
The Bad Kind of National Headline: PDX as Sex-Trafficking Hub
Illustration by Valerie Pensworth Normally, when the national media write about Portland, it’s all about pretty feelgood stuff: Bicycles, environmentally friendly construction, and twee places to shop and dine. But ABC News has just posted a story about what it calls the “dark secret” of a place “routinely voted one of the most livable cities […]
Posted inNews
BREAKING: Suit Brought By Mayor’s Ex-Flack Dismissed
Judge Dismisses Former Spokesperson Wade Nkrumah’s Suit that Claimed He Had No Choice But to Quit
A Multnomah County judge has dismissed a $581,000 lawsuit brought against the city by Wade Nkrumah, a former spokesman for Mayor Sam Adams who argued his job was made so awful by the mayor’s prevaricating during the Beau Breedlove scandal that he had no choice but to quit. Nkrumah, who was on the job only […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News!
Mayor Sam Adams had a very, very, very long day yesterday. Some of it was pretty good: City council approved the “Made in Oregon” sign deal his staff helped assemble, and he (reportedly) agreed with Chief Mike Reese’s decision to fire the police officer who shot Aaron Campbell. Some of it was awkward: Multnomah County […]
Posted inDrunk
Booze Ban Rules OK’d: Next stop, OLCC!
Commissioner Amanda Fritz’s proposal to ban sales of the hooch most preferred by street drinkers—a bid to create a state-controlled “alcohol impact area” in downtown and parts of the Pearl and Northwest—won unanimous approval last night at a packed city council meeting where grocers, drinkers, lobbyists, and residents all came to speak their minds. Under […]
Posted inNews
Police Oversight, Police Contract Talks: What’s Next?
Yesterday at City Hall was busy—and slightly head-scratching. While commissioners were sitting down for their regular Wednesday morning meeting, questions about the fate of Ron Frashour, the officer who shot and killed Aaron Campbell, were bubbling fiercely behind the scenes. After the council meeting, Mayor Sam Adams confirmed that, earlier that morning, Police Chief Mike […]
Posted inNews
The Coldest Shoulder
Portland Rousts a Homeless Camp that Tried to be Something More
Portland officials clear out an experimental homeless camp that was trying hard to be something more.
Posted inNews
Don’t Call it a Donation
Winners and Losers in the Made in Oregon Sign Deal
Portland is calling it a gift, but the famed Made in Oregon sign comes with a subtle price tag: $240,000.
Posted inNews
Hall Monitor
This Beer Frame Doesn’t Fit
Out of bounds: A look at why downtown’s would-be ban on booze sales doesn’t walk a straight line.
Posted inCity Hall
‘Made in Oregon’ Deal Won’t Have to Wait
If it’s Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and Rudolph’s nose is shining atop the newly christened “Portland, Oregon” sign in Old Town, be sure to send some holiday wishes over to Commissioner Amanda Fritz. Fritz—known as a stickler for process, as well as for minding the city’s dollars and cents—declared her unabashed support this […]
Posted inNews
Sly Insert in Chief’s Statement on Campbell Shooting
Obviously today’s big news in police oversight has been Mayor Sam Adams and Chief Mike Reese announcement that “draft” discipline recommendations have been issued in the fatal shooting of Aaron Campbell earlier this year. (With the Portland Police Association strongly trying to imply—wonder how they’d know such a thing?—that Officer Ron Frashour would be fired […]
Posted inNews
Breaking: Mayor Won’t Confirm Punishment in Campbell Shooting
Mayor Sam Adams this morning addressed reports he and Police Chief Mike Reese had recommended firing Ron Frashour, the police officer who fatally shot Aaron Campbell earlier this year. Adams confirmed that, as of this morning, he and Reese have submitted their version of justice to the officers involved in the shooting—Frashour, along with Officer […]