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Portland
Posted inNews

Women’s Treatment Center Announces Permanent Closure After Abruptly Halting Services 

Amid mounting operating expenses and a sudden closure that triggered complaints to the state, Volunteers of America Oregon says it will shut down the women’s inpatient facility and lay off all staff.
Avatar photo by Courtney Vaughn

Almost two weeks after abruptly discharging nearly 50 patients from a women’s inpatient substance use treatment center in Northeast Portland, Volunteers of America Oregon (VOA) announced it will permanently close the site and lay off all staff, effectively immediately.  Staff were laid off Thursday, April 16. VOA Oregon did not confirm how many employees were […]

Posted inNews

Should Portlanders Pay Hundreds of Millions for a Refurbished Moda Center? City Councilors Say “Not So Fast”

With local budget cuts looming and Trail Blazers ownership committing to stay in Portland, some city leaders aren’t ready to pull out the checkbook.
Avatar photo by Abe Asher

On the heels of an intense lobbying campaign by the Portland Trail Blazers, the Oregon Legislature last month passed a $365 million funding package to renovate the Moda Center contingent on the Blazers remaining in Portland under new majority owner Tom Dundon. State leaders trumpeted the passage of the funding package as an economic boon […]

Posted inNews

Ethics Commission Fines Homelessness Influencer Over State Violations

Kevin Dahlgren used his position as a city employee for personal gain. The state penalty stems from a previous felony plea.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

Likely very few people think it is lucrative to take advantage of homeless people, but one former outreach worker is still paying the consequences for trying. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) approved a final settlement April 10 for claims against the local social media influencer Kevin Dahlgren for violating state law when he worked […]

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Advocates Reject Zenith Energy Investigation in Letter Delivered to Mayor’s Office

An “artificially narrowed scope” predetermined the outcome of city-led investigation, letter says.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

Local environmental advocates remain frustrated with Mayor Keith Wilson over his handling of Zenith Energy, saying he has not kept his promise to revoke the Houston-based fossil fuel company’s land use credentials if the city found it violated the law. A small group of environmental advocates gathered at Portland City Hall Monday to deliver a […]

Posted inThe Trail Blazers

Blazers Sink the Clippers Battleship for All the 8th Seed Marbles

Matisse Thybulle and Donovan Clingan now sharpen their guillotine for Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.
Avatar photo by Cameron Crowell

With the 8th seed in the Western Conference on the line, the Portland Trail Blazers bested their Los Angeles Clippers conference rivals for a second time in two weeks, beating them 116-97. The Blazer win brings their record to 41-40 on the season, tied with the Clippers with only one game remaining in the regular […]

Posted inMercury Music Picks

Mercury Music Picks: Mix Master Mike Chops It Up and Forty Feet Tall Get Higher at High Limit Room

Plus Portland Music News and New Music Portland!
Avatar photo by Nolan Parker

Last weekend was kooky-beautiful outside. Or at least it looked that way while convalescing in my sickbed… That means that Darkswoon, FKA twigs, Only Fire, Six Sex, and more were missed by this lowly music editor. The absolute pits! But I suppose sickness can be framed as a reminder to be proactive about seeking joy.  […]

Posted inNews

Deal Or No Deal?

If local money goes into the Moda Center renovation, labor advocates want a smooth employee unionization in return.
Avatar photo by Abe Asher

The state of Oregon and the city of Portland may be gearing up to give hundreds of millions of dollars of public money to help finance renovations to the 31-year-old Moda Center—and organized labor wants something in return.  “About a year ago, we had outreach from workers at the Moda Center in a number of […]

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Business as Usual at North Portland Scrapyard, Despite Years of Environmental Violations 

Auto dismantler NW Metals has amassed more than $550K in state fines over the past decade and continues to operate without proper permits. The business has tested the bounds of Oregon’s environmental enforcement.
Avatar photo by Michael Williams

Update: April 6: The Oregon Attorney General’s Office announced Monday that a motion has been filed requesting a contempt hearing for NW Metals, on behalf of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The motion alleges the scrapyard owner violated a 2021 court injunction requiring the company to comply with Oregon environmental law. NW Metals […]

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Former Los Angeles Homelessness Director Tapped to Lead Multnomah County Department

Board of Commissioners expected to approve Nathaniel VerGow for top Homeless Services Department position amid local funding challenges.
Avatar photo by Jeremiah Hayden

A new director has been selected to run the department that coordinates the county’s homelessness services. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced April 2 that Nathaniel VerGow, who most recently served at Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), was tapped to lead the county’s Homeless Services Department. Anna Plumb, the Homeless Services Department’s current […]

Posted inNews

Progressives Say Investments in People, Not Corporations, Can Jump Start City’s Struggling Economy

Despite broad agreement on the need for new revenue and jobs, ideological disagreement about how to accomplish economic growth still permeates Portland and Salem.
Avatar photo by Abe Asher

If you’ve been following local political news over the last several months, you’ve likely heard a lot of talk about budget cuts. The state is making cuts, even though those cuts aren’t as dramatic as once feared. The city of Portland may have to make cuts too.  Some of the pressure facing both the state […]

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