And yes, it is a macabre question. Portland may be America’s “most patriotic” and “least manly” city, but some people are looking for another ranking: how good we are at handling in-custody deaths. We’ve had three so far this year, and with the review of the James Chasse case last week, officials got some time […]
Stefan Kamph
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From Pioneer Courthouse Square Guard Nick Jones’s Facebook Page
This is a posting on what seems to be the Facebook page of a guy who was working without certification when he admitted to punching a skateboarder (see earlier post): So, as of July 15, someone named Nick Jones was still working for Pacific Patrol Services. The original story is here.
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BREAKING: Pioneer Square Guard who Punched Skateboarder was Working Illegally
Yesterday we reported that police responding to a November 2009 fight between private security guards and skateboarders agreed with the security firm not to write up police reports at the time of the incident. One officer, Nicholas D. Jones, appears to be the primary agressor among the guards. He allegedly told police officer Israel Holsti […]
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Good Morning, News!!
Now that Prop 8 has been declared unconstitutional, people celebrate… then grimly realize that this November’s election debates will sound a lot like 2008’s. Elena Kagan has been confirmed as a Supreme Court justice; Obama plans to celebrate her appointment today. Pakistan faces the worst flooding in its history. The US economy (what, that old […]
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BREAKING: Cops Agreed with Private Security Firm Not to Write Report on Skateboard Attack
UPDATED with comments from Portland Police Bureau, below the break November 25, 2009: A Pioneer Courthouse Square private security guard is caught on video, apparently hitting a kid over the head with his own skateboard. Here’s a refresher: Police records relating to the incident show that Portland police officers decided, after consultation with the private […]
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Port Taking Toxic Dumps on West Hayden Island
This week, reporter Amanda Waldroupe outlines the debate over whether to leave West Hayden Island undeveloped as a wildlife habitat, or to let its owner—the Port—turn it into a big ol’ parking lot for imported cars. Last Thursday’s meeting had a huge turnout from longshoremen and environmentalists alike… but it became apparent that the city […]
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Phoning it In
Do We Finally Have Closure on the Chasse Case?
Four years after James Chasse’s death, the city pays—and the lawyers talk.
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What the Prop 8 Decision Means for Oregon
In response to today’s ruling overturning California’s Proposition 8, we asked some local community leaders who are invested in the gay community what they think the victory for gay rights might mean for Oregon. Oregon passed its own constitutional amendment, Measure 36, in 2004, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one […]
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Coming Soon: Pot Financial Aid
This November’s Initiative 28 Measure 74 will seek to set up medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon. One of its provisions—and a foil to those who say that the dispensary business will attract profiteers—calls for “a program to assist low-income and needy… cardholders in obtaining medical marijuana.” A program like that already exists in Washington, DC, […]
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Who’s Bidding on the Custom House?
US GSA Not too many people, apparently. We reported in June that the historic US Custom House at 220 NW 8th Avenue was up for auction, and after more than two months, the highest bid is… $275,000. The recommended opening bid was $2.5 million. The current high bidder goes by the online handle “cstmhse” on […]
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Jailed Fraudster Getting Hitched
Doitchin Krasev—formerly the man formerly known as Jason Evers, an identity fraudster who worked as an inspector for the OLCC—is getting married in prison (wow, that’s the best lead I’ll write all day). Krasev stole the identity of a toddler who died in 1982, and racked up a successful career before being busted for forging […]
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Portland: Not Enough Space for Dead People
Another entry in the what-the-hell-does-Metro-do file: managing Portland’s 14 “Pioneer Cemeteries.” These include Lone Fir Cemetery in Southeast and Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Southwest. Aside from being bucolic resting spots for settlers recent and historical, they also generate revenue through the sale of gravesites—which, in turn, pays to maintain the sites. —b— […]