The Portland Business Alliance's (PBA) legislative attempt to resurrect a version of Portland's old "sit-lie" sidewalks ordinance cleared the Oregon House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 16, without a shred of debate. Only two representatives voted against HB 2963, now headed to the Senate: Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, and Michael Dembrow, D-Portland. The bill, if approved, would let cities regulate sidewalks as they please, without worrying about state limits. It also would mandate a maximum civil fine of $250 for sidewalk infractions. A Multnomah County judge tossed out Portland's "sit-lie" law in 2009, after concerns it disproportionately affected homeless people and because it ran afoul of state preemption laws that leave the Oregon Constitution as the final word in free speech. But the PBA says the city's current rules aren't working, making it too hard to arrest people for disorderly conduct and leading to a proliferation of aggressive "street kids" scaring away tourists and conventioneers. DENIS C. THERIAULT

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Joe's Cellar, a venerable dive bar and diner in Northwest Portland, closed its doors for good in the wee hours of Sunday, April 14. According to a city report, officials inspecting the building had noticed, days before, that the structure was leaning forward and that "the wall is no longer attached to the roof." The bar's owners reportedly have no plans to relocate. DIRK VANDERHART

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The fate of North Portland horse track Portland Meadows could hang in the balance this week, as lawmakers consider two measures that would offer the hemorrhaging racecourse a bit of financial succor. State representatives were scheduled to take up HB 2613 and HB 2614 in work sessions on Wednesday, April 17. The main component of the legislation would let Portland Meadows install slot machine-like devices so patrons could bet on virtual races. Management is weighing whether to close the track, open since 1946. DVH