Portland’s popular Last Thursday street fair will continue in July, probably under the supervision of the volunteer organization that resigned last month, according to a set of proposals from Mayor Charlie Hales’ office. But the event will include at least some new strictures, including shutting down a half-hour earlier, at 9:30 pm. The city will […]
Dirk VanderHart
I'm a news reporter for the Mercury. I've spent a lot of the last decade in journalism — covering tragedy and chicanery in the hills of southwest Missouri, politics in Washington, D.C., and other matters elsewhere.
I've been in Portland three years, love it and want to help make it better. Let's keep it amicable!
Posted inNews
Commission Recommends the City Annex West Hayden Island
Anna Shelton Without hiding misgivings about potential health and ecological problems—and despite new uncertainties brought on by the death of the Columbia River Crossing—the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission this afternoon voted to recommend the city annex West Hayden Island. That’s no guarantee the Portland City Council will take that controversial step in coming months. […]
Posted inBikes
Buy a Scratch-Off, Fund a Bike Trail
Bicycle Transportation Alliance Good news today for proponents of more bike and pedestrian trails throughout the region: more than $40 million in funding is about to become available. That’s because the Oregon House of Representatives this afternoon passed Senate Bill 260. The culmination of a years-long effort to win more money for bike trails, the […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News!
Supporters of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi clashed violently with his detractors Friday, with little sign the turmoil’s going to abate any time soon. More than 30 people were killed in yesterday’s violence. The country’s interim leader is meeting with the military and in general trying to find his feet amid the chaos. Meanwhile, leaders […]
Posted inNews
Damn It. There was a Drive-By Shooting Today on NE Broadway
It’s not uncommon lately to get an e-mail from the police describing an attack officers believe is gang related. There have been three of them already this month, all drive-by shootings. Most of the attacks occur at night and near traditional hotspots of gang activity in North, Northeast and East Portland. But a shooting this […]
Posted inNews
June’s Last Thursday was More Unruly than May
Rappers and their bass. June’s Last Thursday celebration was relatively quiet. Given claims the city wanted to forcibly disperse celebrants with “pressurized water,” the procession of cops, officials and street cleaners that ultimately cleared Alberta Street was downright benign. But city staff actually documented more questionable activity on June 27—when the city was forced to […]
Posted inNews
Unions Challenge the Pension Reform that Eased Portland’s Budget Plight
Alex Despain As promised, a coalition of unions are challenging reforms to the state’s Public Employee Retirement System passed in Salem this year. Portland Attorney Greg Hartman on Monday filed a petition for review with the Oregon Supreme Court, asking the court to rule the changes in Senate Bill 822 amount to a breach of […]
Posted inNews
Two Birds, One Stone
Will the CRC’s Demise Also Claim Port’s Plans for Hayden Island?
Will the CRC’s demise also claim Port’s plans for Hayden Island?
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News!
It’s lonely at the top. Especially when a large cross-section of your people hate you and the military is threatening to take you out. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has lost his sixth cabinet member since protests against his government began. And that really only hints at the leader’s dire situation. Looks like Edward Snowden won’t […]
Posted inNews
Good Morning, News!
Egypt is simmering in conflict, amid discontent with a lack of reform after the 2011 ouster of then-President Hosni Mubarak. One cleric warns the weekend could bring “civil war.” Not sure what the total death toll from the clashes is, but an American student is among those killed. President Obama won’t meet with an ailing […]
Posted inMedia
Oregonian Editor Trying to Extinguish the Notion He Laid Off His Wife
The offending article In a beautiful illustration of potential pitfalls in today’s click-to-repost digital age, the editor (or vice president of content?) of the Oregonian has been working in the last day to stomp out a bit of misinformation from some heavily trafficked corners of the web: that he laid off his own wife. Peter […]
Posted inNews
Friends of Last Thursday Allies will Mount a Rallying Cry Tonight
The drama over ownership of Last Thursday continues. With Mayor Charlie Hales making public appeals for a new group to step up and take the reins of the popular street festival, allies of the organization that just relinquished those reins will seek to rally support during tonight’s event. Rochelle Saliba, a former co-chair of Friends […]