By State Representative Rob Nosse Last month, my column was written roughly two weeks before the legislative session was predicted to adjourn. The column was published on March 1. The […]
Representatively Speaking – April 2024 Read More
By Marshall Hammond The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) expects to begin refilling Mt. Tabor’s Reservoir 6 this spring after completing repairs, prompted by the discovery of “voids” beneath the reservoir
PWB to Refill Reservoir 6 in Late March Read More
By Kris McDowell The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging people in Oregon to take steps to protect their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards from electronic theft. Electronic
Protecting EBT Food and Cash Benefits From Electronic Theft Read More
By Representative Rob Nosse Long time readers know I have to submit this column the week before it goes to print. Normally in politics, that is not too much of
Representatively Speaking – March 2024 Read More
By David Krogh The Multnomah County Library system is the fourth busiest in the US, but ranks 102nd in terms of floor area square footage. There are 19 branch libraries
Belmont Library Renovations and Addition Read More
By Nancy Tannler Oregon’s Governor Tom McCall (1967-1975) loved our natural beauty and easy access to nature. In order to preserve this grandeur, he convinced the Oregon Legislature to sign
All Stages, Wages and Ages — Housing for the Eastside Read More
By Jake Lubin For the last two years, Franklin Talks was integrated into every Franklin student’s school year. Four times a year, Franklin took 90 minutes out of the day
Franklin Talks Will Not Be Returning This Year Read More
By Kris McDowell The Oregon Legislature passed hundreds of bills in the last session, revising some existing transportation laws and creating new ones. Many changes went into effect on January
New Laws for 2024 Promote Safety on Oregon’s Roads Read More
By Kris McDowell According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), Oregon’s poorest families pay more in taxes as a share of income than any other group in
Who Pays the Most Taxes? Read More
By Marshall Hammond A new kind of housing development aimed at serving the most vulnerable members of Portland’s houseless population is scheduled to break ground on city-owned land at SE
Construction to Begin on SE Division St. Micro-Village Read More
By Audrey Lynch Talk A Mile is a non-profit organization in SE Portland that strives to create opportunities to foster positive conversations between young Black leaders and Portland Police Bureau
Talk A Mile: An Organization for Conversation Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Located in SE Portland at 5120 SE Milwaukie Ave. at Mitchell St., The Willamette Center has returned after over a year of being closed and is now
Willamette Center Reopens After Renovations to Support Homeless Community Read More
By Kris McDowell Plaid Pantry, the Oregon company many know as a neighborhood convenience store, has been exploring electric vehicle (EV) charging for a few years and this past November
Plaid Pantry Dips Toes into EV Charging Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Before you start reading, I want to express my deep gratitude to The Southeast Examiner for providing me the opportunity to share my thoughts in
Representatively Speaking – January 2024 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Despite being a little “sad” leaving their initial location on N Williams St. after over six years, the Dos Hermanos Bakery has moved to SE Portland to
Beloved Wholesale Bakery Moves to SE to Expand Read More
By Mo Damtew Brentwood-Darlington’s Errol Heights Park (SE 52nd Ave. and SE Tenino St.) is expected to reopen in December, transformed for the better, following a large Portland Parks &
Errol Heights Park Reopens Following Major Restoration Read More
By Metro If we look around our homes, most of us will likely find some type of hazardous waste, and nobody wants to have hazardous waste sitting around. Sometimes it’s
Easy Ways to Get Rid of Hazardous Waste Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse In October I wrote about the fact-finding trip I was taking to Portugal. I decided to take the trip in spite of some criticism for
Representatively Speaking – December 2023 Read More
By Marshall Hammond A large empty lot and a chain link fence are nearly all that remain of a troubled complex of vacant medical offices at 4511 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Uncertain Future For Vacant Lot on SE Hawthorne Blvd. Read More
By Jesse Miller On Tuesday, September 26 the Portland Federation of School Professionals (PFSP) union voted not to ratify their contract with Portland Public Schools (PPS). The turnout came to
PFSP Union Returns to Negotiations with PPS Read More
By Jonathan Maus Three months after a woman was killed while waiting for a bus on the corner of SE Cesar Chavez Blvd. and Taylor St., the Portland Bureau of
New Diverter Coming to Deadly Intersection Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Mt. Tabor’s Warner Pacific University (WPU) was recently selected by the US Department of Education to receive a five-year, $3 million grant under the Title V Developing
Warner Pacific University Receives $3 Million Grant Read More
By Luke Susswood Last month, Portland Public Schools (PPS) revealed “Equitable Grading Practices,” a proposal aiming to limit racial disparities in grading. If approved, new guidelines would ban grades for
PPS Proposal to Remove Racial Bias in Grading Read More
By Nancy Tannler On one of the last hot Fridays of summer, the Hawthorne Pop Up Plaza and World PARK(ing) Day were celebrated at SE 37th Ave. and Hawthorne Blvd.
Hawthorne Embraces the Kiosk Culture Read More
By Parachute Strategies Commitment to reducing waste through recycling, reuse and repair remains a widely held value in greater Portland. For decades, Metro and local governments have invested heavily in
Metro Study on Reused and Repaired Home Goods Read More
By Representative Rob Nosse Given that Ballot Measure 110 (BM 110) has received national news coverage every week this summer, I think it’s imperative that I make my thoughts on
Representatively Speaking – October 2023 Read More
By Kris McDowell For the 2023-24 fiscal year, Prosper Portland has awarded $865,000 in Community Livability Grants to 15 projects from community-based organizations in four Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts
Prosper Portland Awards Community Livability Grants Read More
By David Mayne Starting this fall, Portland Public Schools (PPS) will begin design and planning work to transform Cleveland into a next generation high school. The two-year process will include
Planning Begins on New Cleveland High School Read More
By Rob Nosse Last month in this column I talked about important bills we passed during the legislative session. This month I’m going to talk about a bill that didn’t
Representatively Speaking – September 2023 Read More
By Marshall Hammond On Thursday, July 6, Governor Tina Kotek signed a bill capping rent increases on Oregon residences at 10 percent or seven percent plus inflation, whichever is lower.SB
Rent Stabilization Bill Becomes Law Read More
By Kris McDowell The Clinton Triangle Taskforce, comprised of a diverse mix of representatives from the Central Eastside Industrial Council (CEIC), Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood Association (HAND), Brooklyn Action Corps (BAC) and
Clinton Triangle Good Neighbor Agreement Read More
By Representative Rob Nosse I am glad I waited until August to write about the conclusion of the 2023 Legislative Session. Back in May I was pretty much of the
Representatively Speaking – August 2023 Read More
By Nancy Tannler The seventh annual AARP Community Challenge Grant worth $3.6 million is being distributed to 310 quick-action projects across the country. Three of these grants were awarded to
AARP Challenge Grants Awarded to Local Non-Profits Read More
By Nancy Tannler Portland is set to receive $500,000 in federal grant money that will be used to solve some of the railroad crossing issues in inner SE Portland. This
Railroad Holdups Frustrate Drivers, Pedestrians and Cyclists Read More
By Kris McDowell Portland’s Independent District Commission (IDC) is in the process of establishing four geographic districts for City Council elections. Defining the boundaries of those geographic districts is one
Draft Maps for Redistricting Released Read More
By Representative Rob Nosse I had hoped to write a legislative update about how session was going (or how it ended as we are “officially” done on June 25) and
Representatively Speaking July 2023 Read More
By Marshall Hammond Concerns over homelessness, crime and behavioral health are at the forefront of Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson’s proposed annual budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The
Multnomah County’s Proposed Budget Read More
Gideon Street site as of the end of May. Left photo as seen looking south; right photo as seen looking west. By Nancy Tannler On July 1, the Gideon Street
Outdoor Shelter Experiment to Open in Hosford/Abernethy Read More
By Sophie McEwen, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Of all the Portland Public Schools’ (PPS) health curriculum, the nutrition portion has received the most criticism from students and parents
PPS Nutrition Curriculum Changes Read More
By Hannah Erickson The most recent land acquisition made with funding from Metro’s 2019 parks and nature bond measure and capital funds from the City of Portland are an important
Metro Partners with City to Protect Urban Salmon Corridor Read More
By Marshall Hammond It was a day Medford resident Andreas Met had been awaiting for years. On March 22, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a license to grow psilocybin
Psilocybin Growing Licenses Issued Read More
By Kris McDowell This year’s National Cohousing Open House Weekend is Saturday, May 6-Sunday, May 7 and a number of cohousing communities across the country will be hosting open houses,
Cohousing Open Houses Read More
By Nancy Tannler In the April Brain Awareness lecture series, Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) presented an online talk titled, “Is prevention of Alzheimer’s disease possible?” Dr. Aimee Pierce, associate
Possible Prevention of Alzheimer’s Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse We are around what I would consider the midpoint of the 2023 legislative session. Admittedly, a lot of the heavy lifting is done toward the end
Representatively Speaking Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Over 100 representatives from 60 neighborhood associations across Portland squeezed into the Laurelhurst Club March 9 for the 2023 Neighborhood Summit. As stated in its press release,
Neighborhood Summit Brings City and Residents Together Read More
By Nancy Tannler A big change is underway in the Richmond neighborhood as residents grapple with the redevelopment of Peaceful Villa–situated between SE 46th and 47th Ave., between Clinton and
Peaceful Villa Makeover Read More
By Francesca Silverstein, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post The Housing Authority of Portland, also known as Home Forward, has been awarded nearly $1 million to invest in a community
Nearly $1 Million Awarded to Aid Older Children in Foster Care Read More
By David Mayne The Portland Public Schools (PPS) School Improvement Bond Program began construction work in 2013 and has compiled an impressive track record of upgrading and rebuilding schools across
PPS School Improvement Program Celebrates 10 Years of Revitalizing Schools Read More
By Nancy Tannler There are an estimated 8,200 homeless youth in our state–many of them in need of immediate assistance. The recently completed $9 million interagency funds transfer from the
Building a Future for Homeless Youth Read More
By Hazel Karon Snow, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post The Portland Public School district (PPS) is redrawing boundary lines and changing the way immersion programs are laid out all
PPS is ‘Strengthening the Southeast Schools’ Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse City Council recently made progress amending the Shelter to Housing Continuum package (S2HC) that addresses issues prohibiting shelters from being built. Commissioner Carmen Rubio said the need
City Council Amends Zoning Laws to Support Building Shelters Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse The pandemic was not kind to many parts of our state’s economy and culture. We all know that our healthcare systems and our education systems
Representatively Speaking March 2023 Read More
By Nancy Tannler The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) began developing a network of bike boulevards back in the 1980s. They experimented with aggressive traffic-calming projects on streets like SE
Neighborhood Greenway Expansion Plans Read More
By Audrey Lynch, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post The Education Related Day Care (ERDC) program announced its commitment to expand its care to more homes and families across Oregon
Child Care Services Expand to Better Serve Oregon Families Read More
By Jack Rubinger The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has adopted the final set of administrative rules needed to launch the nation’s first regulatory framework for psilocybin services. Angela Albee, Oregon
OHA Sets Stage for Psilocybin Services Read More
By Kris McDowell Back by popular demand, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is releasing new neighborhood greenway signs. With silhouetted figures biking, walking their dog and playing pick-up soccer,
Free Greenway Yard Signs Available Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse Most of you already know I have been in working in our Capitol in Salem since early January as the Oregon Legislature is now officially “in
Representatively Speaking February 2023 Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse With funding from Verizon, and the support of other community organizations, Hacienda CDC has opened three free learning and tech centers to offer digital access and workforce
Hacienda CDC and Verizon Open Learning Centers Read More
By Jack Rubinger After 25 years of calling the Presbyterian Church of Laurelhurst home, the Portland Tillamook Cooperative Preschool must relocate. In October, the Tillamook Board of Directors received notice
Preschool Seeks New Location Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse I hope you all enjoyed the holidays with your friends and loved ones. Happy New Year! I am excited for what this year will bring and
Representatively Speaking January 2023 Read More
By Nancy Tannler Even though 44 percent of Americans own some kind of gun, violent crime rates have been on a steady decline since they peaked in 1991. It was
Angels Watching the City Read More
By Jack Rubinger Several neighbors have noticed the n-word being written in pen on many street signs in inner SE along SE 30th Ave. between Division and Salmon, and on
Racial Slurs Cropping Up on Traffic Signs Read More
By Lula Hugo, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is attempting to expand its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program to encompass Portland high schools,
Safe Routes to School Expanding to Include High Schools Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse Anyone who’s driven by or walked around Laurelhurst Park during the last couple of years has probably noticed the off-and-on encampments lining it nearby, especially on SE
Sports Additions Coming to Laurelhurst Park Read More
By Annalise Shorb, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post On Tuesday October 4, Sarah Pliner was hit and killed on the intersection of SE Powell Blvd. and 26th Ave., right
Portland Sees Spike in Collision Fatalities Read More
By David Krogh The Healthy Homes Grant Program was created by the 2021 Oregon State Legislature, separate from but in support of, the Federal HUD Agency’s Healthy Homes program. It
Healthy Homes Grant Program Coming Read More
By Jonathan Cruz Brendon Haggerty crouched beside a Solo Stove fire pit in his Portland backyard and stacked a few pieces of well-cured wood. This is a common scene for
How Harmful is a Fire? Read More
By Kris McDowell Cybercrime is a broad term that encompasses any type of criminal activity that involves computers or the internet. Often committed by cybercriminals or hackers who are seeking
Guarding Against Cybercrime Read More
By Better Business Bureau Great West & Pacific With the fall college semester in full swing, many students are now looking for multiple sources of income as they balance their
Employment Scams Target College Students Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse By the time you are reading this, you should have received your ballot in the mail. Election season is almost over, and it is a
Representatively Speaking November 2022 Read More
By Francesca Silverstein, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Three suspected arsonists have been arrested after allegedly setting a string of fires within Mt. Tabor Park. According to the Multnomah
Suspects Detained in Mt. Tabor Arson Case Read More
By Nancy Tannler The proposed Reedway Safe Rest Village is an unpopular plan for a group of Lents residents. The Safe Rest Village approach () is a city-led, federally-funded, alternative
Safe Rest Village Worries Neighbors Read More
By Ellen Spitaleri In late August, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $100,000 Environmental Education Grant to Growing Gardens, a nonprofit organization set up to provide gardening education to
Growing Gardens Receives EPA Grant to Support Programs Read More
By Don MacGillivray There are many causes of homelessness, but the lack of affordable housing is fundamental. It took years to create Portland’s housing crisis and now much of the
Addressing Homelessness with Built for Zero Read More
By Lauren Everett Amanda starts her workday by checking her phone to see if there have been any crises overnight. She sometimes ends the day with a late-night phone call
Do Good Multnomah’s Mobile Support Services Read More
By Jack Rubinger Foxtail is a grass-like weed that’s popping up everywhere in parking strips and yards. The weed is out there in abundance in all our parks and trail
Dogs and Foxtails: A Dangerous Duo Read More
By Don MacGillivray Portlanders are having difficulty just finding housing and they often must take what is available instead of what they need or want. As Portland works to create
Think Out Loud’s Future of Cities Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse City Council has unanimously approved the second round of the Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund (PCEF) recommendations on grantees, totaling around $120 million. As a reminder, the
Council Approves Millions of Clean Energy Grant Funds Read More
By David Krogh On June 14 the 20-member Portland City Charter Commission voted to send Phase 1 of its review with proposed changes to the city’s charter to voters. This
Charter Commission Action and Next Steps Read More
By Don MacGillivray Finding daycare and preschool for young children in Portland has always been difficult. This is especially true for families where affordability is an issue. And over the
Increasing Access to Preschool Read More
By Nancy Tannler City Council voted unanimously to adopt the Residential Infill Project – Part 2 (RIP2) zoning code amendments, going into effect on June 30, 2022. RIP2 addresses several
RIP2: A Commitment to Middle Housing Read More
By Jack Rubinger On June 2, REACH sponsored their first bike fair for residents living in REACH’s SE Portland affordable apartment communities, hosted at 72Foster (5005 SE 72nd Ave). 40
REACH Hosts Bike Fair Read More
By Nancy Tannler Residents of Portland have the good fortune to live in a city where the founders set aside a substantial amount of land for public use. They took
Preserving the Reservoirs’ Integrity Read More
By Don MacGillivray It is well known that Portland has a housing problem, which is the primary cause of increased homelessness. The only satisfactory answer to the problem is to
Building Villages to Address Homelessness Read More
By Daniel Perez-Crouse The month of May saw much activity over the proposed Portland Public Schools (PPS) 2022-2023 budget of $1.87 billion, involving its introduction, work sessions and input from
PPS Budget Edging Closer to Approval Read More
By Amy Bader, PCC Oregon healthcare providers and partners successfully vaccinated more than 80 percent of the state’s total population in less than a year, a milestone that has proven
PCC and Partners Battle COVID-19, Bridge Equity Gaps Read More
By David Krogh Portland’s trend for large numbers of candidates on a ballot for a single City Council position is continuing with the Thursday, May 17 primary, even after the
City Council Position 3 Candidate Round Up Read More
By Kris McDowell City Council Position 2, a role currently held by Dan Ryan, is one of the races on the May 17 ballot. Ryan faces eight other individuals looking
Nine Candidates Seek City Council Position 2 Read More
By Nancy Tannler The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) held their annual public hearing in April focusing on the impact of high and rising health care costs to Oregonians. The meeting
Reigning in Health Care Costs Read More
By Don MacGillivray Lone Fir Cemetery is the oldest and most diverse cemetery in Portland. It began with the burial of Emmor Stephens in 1846, only two years after the
Cultural Heritage Garden Plans Progress at Lone Fir Cemetery Read More
By Don MacGillivray The Portland Police Union (PPU) contract is now complete and final after a lengthy, contentious process. The previous contract was expected to expire June 2020 and be
Portland Police Union Contract Finalized Read More
By Nancy Tannler What has become known as a “childcare desert” has Oregon parents scrambling to find affordable, reliable places for their children while they are at work. The problem
Building a Better Childcare System Read More
By Oscar Ponteri, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post Following a projected drop in enrollment, Portland Public Schools (PPS) has outlined a budget plan to cut roughly 107 teachers from
PPS Budget Planning Deepens Divide Between Teachers, District Read More
By State Representative Rob Nosse In March I wrote this column before the legislative session ended. I tried to avoid making too many predictions, not knowing how all the chips would
Representatively Speaking Read More
By Don MacGillivray In recent years, Portland has undergone significant challenges including COVID-19 health issues, racial concerns, forest fires and climate change. While everyone has been stressed by these conditions,
By Daniel Perez-Crouse The final stages of the Residential Infill Project Part 2 (RIP2) approached as the Planning and Sustainability Commission moved to adopt amendments at its February 8 meeting.
RIP2 Moves Forward After Amendment Discussions Read More
By Nancy Tannler As you are reading this article, somewhere in the Cascadia Subduction Zone a small tremor will take place. In the past month, there have been 67 quakes
How to Prepare for a Disaster Read More
By Isabella Smejtek, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post During the 2018-2019 school year, there were numerous incidents within the Franklin High School community concerning shooting threats and physical violence on or
Safety Within Portland Public Schools Read More
By Maya Bryant, Franklin High School’s The Franklin Post For the first time in its history, Franklin High School ran its Franklin Talks program; an hour-long discussion surrounding racial equity
Franklin Talks: Normalizing Talking About Race Read More
By Jack Rubinger It’s midday on a weekday on Hawthorne Blvd. and Uri Kushner, owner of Dairy Hill Ice Cream, is mad as hell. There’s a guy passed out, sprawled
HBBA Starts Weekly and Monthly Clean Ups Read More
