Your trusted source for local Portland, OR news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The city of Buchanan, Liberia, will host a land use decision event on August 27, 2025, concerning the Maniac Latin Disciples. The decision relates to various legal and political issues, including appeals under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Portland's Independent Police Review staff authorized a strike amid concerns over job security as the city transitions to a new police oversight system. The staff, who have served since 2001, seek assurances for future employment during the shift to the Community Board for Police Accountability. Labor negotiations with the city have not met their demands for job security.
Portland's Bureau of Planning and Sustainability released its final report on the Climate Emergency Workplan, detailing 47 priority actions aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The report emphasizes Portland's ongoing climate challenges and the need for sustained effort to meet its 2030 and 2050 goals. Chief Sustainability Officer Vivian Satterfield called for transparency and discipline in achieving these objectives.
Oregon's Department of State Lands spent over $50,000 on a failed cleanup of homeless camps along the Sandy River Delta. Protests and violence led to Governor Tina Kotek pausing the cleanup efforts, with the state acknowledging wasted funds that could have supported schools.
A dumpster fire at Chapman Elementary in Portland flared up just hours before the school’s first day, but no injuries or damages occurred. Portland Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong greeted students and parents, emphasizing community connections and safety. The school day proceeded as planned despite the incident.
A property owner in Portland's Pearl District protested a new low-barrier homeless shelter by pitching a tent outside City Hall, leading to his arrest for second-degree trespassing. Paul Rudinsky expressed concerns about the shelter attracting homeless individuals to the area, which he claims has deteriorated recently. The city stated that the shelter aims to address homelessness and related issues in the community.
An Ohio mother is expected to face charges after allegedly drowning her 4-year-old son, Vincen, following a golf cart crash into Atwood Lake. Authorities believe the mother was suffering from a “spiritual delusion” and that both parents previously claimed to have communicated with God. The bodies of Vincen and his father, Marcus Miller, were recovered from the lake during the investigation.
A rideshare driver, Peter Giusti, faced a near-drowning incident after a wrong turn led him into Morgan Creek on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina, during a storm. Fortunately, two good Samaritans rescued him, and he sustained only minor injuries despite his car being totaled. Giusti urges caution for drivers in heavy rain, emphasizing the need for better signage in the area.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) began construction on the I-5 Rose Quarter project despite a funding crisis affecting the agency. The groundbreaking, which lacked a celebratory ceremony, comes as lawmakers prepare for a special session to address transportation funding issues. Critics question ODOT's financial decisions, particularly in light of rescinded federal funds exceeding $400 million.
The Street Services Coordination Center (SSCC) reported assisting 34 people with shelter referrals last week in Portland, with 20 accepting offers. From August 18-24, the Impact Reduction Program documented 2,549 campsite reports, assessed 849 sites, and removed 148 camps that posed health and safety risks.