Portland Agrees To Pay Cyclist 125-Thousand Dollars In Lawsuit

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland has agreed to pay a cyclist 125-thousand dollars after he was injured by a hidden bump in a Southeast Portland roadway. Joseph Rios sued the city after being thrown over his handlebars on Southeast Oak Street in July 2023, suffering injuries that included a fractured wrist requiring surgery. The lawsuit alleged the city failed to repair the road or warn cyclists despite reports of two previous crashes at the same location.

2 Portland Police Officers Injured During Camp Cleanup

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Two Portland police officers were injured Thursday while helping clear a homeless encampment near Northwest Flanders Street and 5th Avenue. Police say a man living at the camp became combative and assaulted the officers before being arrested. Both officers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while the suspect was taken to a hospital for self-inflicted injuries sustained after his arrest.

Semitruck Driver Arrested After Interstate 84 Crash

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Gilliam County, OR) -- A semitruck driver is facing DUII and other charges after a crash on Interstate 84 Thursday morning sent three people to the hospital. Police say 32-year-old Edwin Alexander Gomez of Pasco, Washington, crossed the median while pulling three trailers and struck a westbound SUV, causing it to overturn. Gomez and the SUV's driver suffered minor injuries, while a passenger in the semitruck was seriously injured. Westbound lanes were affected for about eight hours as crews cleared debris, removed hazardous materials and repaired the median.

Oregon Requests Updated Income Information From SNAP Recipients

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon is asking about 11-thousand food assistance recipients to verify their income as the state works to reduce benefit payment errors. The state began mailing notices on September 16 after reporting a SNAP payment error rate of 14.14-percent. Recipients have until September 28 to provide the requested information or risk having their benefits reduced or terminated. Officials say the income reviews will continue into next year.

Portland Mayor Says Contractor Selected For Moda Center Renovation

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Mayor Keith Wilson says the Trail Blazers have selected PCL Construction for a proposed renovation of the Moda Center. The company has built major sports arenas in Los Angeles and Toronto, and Wilson says up to 95% of the project's workforce could be local. Portland has approved a framework for a 120-million dollar contribution, while Multnomah County has committed up to 101.6-million dollars, although final funding agreements are still being negotiated. The Trail Blazers have not confirmed the contractor selection and are targeting completion by 2030 if the project moves forward.

Portland Coffee Shop Withdraws From Gaza Cafe Project

Posted Friday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A Southeast Portland coffee shop is ending its partnership with a humanitarian organization following community pushback over plans to build a cafe in Gaza. Heretic Coffee had helped raise more than 24-thousand dollars toward a 100-thousand dollar goal to provide free coffee and meals. Owner Josh White says he failed to seek community feedback before announcing the project and is now shifting the shop's focus back to local efforts. The humanitarian organization plans to continue the project independently.

Portland Police Chief Faces Complaints Over Statement About City Councilor

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Police Chief Bob Day is facing three complaints alleging he violated state election law by publicly criticizing a city councilor running for re-election. Day issued a statement last week questioning Councilor Mitch Green's ability to fairly oversee the Police Bureau after several of Green's anti-police social media posts from 2020 and 2021 resurfaced. The complaints allege Day improperly used his official position to influence an election, while the police union argues his statement addressed Green's conduct as a sitting councilor. Oregon's Secretary of State has not yet determined whether to open an investigation.

Oregon Governor Orders New AI Safety Standards For State Government

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Salem, OR) -- Governor Tina Kotek has signed an executive order directing Oregon to develop additional safety standards for artificial intelligence used by state agencies. The order calls for independent AI safety reviews and an assessment of whether advanced AI systems should be required to have an emergency shutdown mechanism. The state's chief information officer has 90 days to submit an implementation proposal. The order takes effect immediately and will be reassessed every three months.

Bat Tests Positive For Rabies In Linn County

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Albany, OR) -- Health officials are urging residents to avoid contact with bats after one found in the Albany area Tuesday tested positive for rabies. As of July, 22 bats had tested positive for rabies across Oregon this year. Officials warn that bat bites can be difficult to detect and advise anyone who may have been exposed to contact a healthcare provider immediately. Residents are also encouraged to keep their pets vaccinated and teach children not to touch wild animals.

Gresham Shuts Down Seven Illegal Massage Businesses

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Gresham, OR) -- Gresham officials say they've shut down seven illegal massage businesses over the past year under stricter licensing rules. The city now requires in-person applications and inspections to identify unlicensed operations and potential signs of human trafficking. City Council recently strengthened the rules to prevent owners of illegal businesses from obtaining new licenses.

Oregon Sees Continued Demand For Mental Health Workers

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Demand for mental health workers in Oregon remains high, according to a new state report. Employment in most mental health professions is projected to grow faster than the statewide average through 2034. Psychiatric technicians are expected to see the fastest growth, at 28 percent, as Oregon works to address its behavioral health workforce shortage.

Invasive Mosquito Species Detected In Multnomah County For First Time

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Health officials have confirmed the first detection of an invasive mosquito species native to Australia in Multnomah County. The mosquito was captured August 25th near Kelley Point Park in North Portland, prompting additional monitoring in the surrounding area. Officials say the species can transmit diseases, including West Nile virus, but there's no evidence the mosquito was infected or that the species has become established locally. Residents are encouraged to eliminate standing water around their homes to reduce potential mosquito breeding sites.

Portland Coffee Shop Earns National Recognition

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A Southeast Portland coffee shop has been named one of the country's top 20 independent coffee shops by USA Today. Tov Coffee Two is the only Oregon business on the list, known for its Egyptian-inspired decor and drinks, including a caramel and cardamom latte. The shop started in a double-decker bus before moving to its Hawthorne location three years ago. Voting for the nation's best independent coffee shop runs through October 28th.

Portland Restaurant Faces $150,000 Patio Renovation

Posted Thursday Morning by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- A Portland restaurant owner says city regulations could force him to spend more than 150-thousand dollars to keep his outdoor patio. Flying Fish owner Lyf Gildersleeve has already spent 20-thousand dollars on safety upgrades, but the city says the pandemic-era structure still doesn't meet building and design requirements. He's now crowdfunding to help cover the cost, with renovations expected to close the patio in November.

Fire Season Not Over

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Fall is here, and fire season isn't over yet. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports seven large active fires are burning. Four of the fires are on land that's protected by the State of Oregon. The Narrows, Austin, Grasshopper and Rowe Creek fires are all at least 98-percent contained. There are more than 24-hundred personnel working the seven large fires.

Retail Theft Operation

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Portland Police arrested a suspect with a long history of alleged retail theft. Police conducted a coordinated operation to locate and arrest 29-year-old Dana Baines. The investigation resulted in the closure of more than 81 open cases, representing more than 32-hundred-dollars in stolen merchandise. Officers also conducted a retail theft mission at Jantzen Beach Shopping Center. 13 people were arrested and 22-hundred-dollars in stolen items were recovered.

East Evans Creek Fire Arrest

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Rogue River, OR) -- A teenager is facing charges in connection with a deadly crash that caused the East Evans Creek Fire. The crash happened July 10th. A 17-year-old driver was speeding in rural Rogue River, hit a power pole, and rolled over killing an 18-year-old passenger. An Oregon Department of Forestry fire engine was nearby and started fighting the fire and trying to save the victim who died. The fire burned more than 15-thousand-acres. The driver is charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving and criminal mischief.

Social Media Depression

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Corvallis, OR) -- Social media is no substitute for emotional support people receive from in-person relationships. Two studies from Oregon State University looked at social media use. One study found that people with lowest levels of real-life emotional support had more than eight times the odds of loneliness. Another study found people who read social media within 30 minutes of waking were strongly associated with depression. They don't know if social media causes the depression or if depression causes people to use social media as soon as they wake up.

Ocean Plane Crash

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Newport, OR) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a small plane that crashed into the ocean west of Newport, Oregon. It was reported just before one o'clock local time Monday afternoon. The 78-year-old pilot was the only person on the twin-engine plane. The aircraft reportedly entered the water at a high rate of speed, and the pilot wasn't seen getting out. The 12-hour search covered 124 square miles. The pilot remains missing.

I-5 Closure Delays Get Longer

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- ODOT reports the delay on I-5 southbound because of the closure at I-405 is now twice as long. During the afternoon peak hour, it normally takes nine minutes to travel from the Columbia River to the I-405 junction. Now it's taking 22 minutes. Drivers are using alternate routes including I-205, I-84, Interstate Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. They're also shifting the time of their commute. Peak travel times on I-5 now start at 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. The evening commute is lasting about 90 minutes longer.

Oregon Tech Receives $1 Million For Quantum Computing

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Klamath Falls, OR) -- The Oregon Institute of Technology has received a one-million-dollar federal grant to expand quantum computing. The money will be used to upgrade laboratory equipment. Quantum technologies have the potential to drive breakthroughs in healthcare, energy, transportation, and environmental sustainability.

I-5 Closure Delays Increasing

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Delays caused by the closure of southbound I-5 at I-405 are increasing. ODOT reports at the start of the closure, delays were one-point-four times longer than usual. Through last week that increased as more drivers used the freeway. They're asking drivers who can to take alternate routes, mass transit, or work from home. That will help keep delays down for drivers who don't have a choice.

Sports Bra Demonstration

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- There was a clash between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators outside of The Sports Bra in Portland on Sunday. The Sports Bra features only women's sports and they've asked people wearing anti-trans messages to cover the clothing or leave. A group of demonstrators against the policy were across the street. Supporters of the bar clashed with the demonstrators. Bear mace was used and police responded. No arrests were made.

New Report Ranks OR 25th For Binge Drinking

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Portland, OR) -- Oregon ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to the nation's binge drinking rates. A new report from Valley Spring Recovery Center ranks Oregon 25th among the 50 states for binge drinking levels. Researchers analyzed data on excessive alcohol consumption and found that nearly 16-percent of Oregon adults reported binge drinking in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines binge drinking as five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women. Iowa had the highest binge drinking rate followed by North Dakota. Utah had the lowest rate in the country. The rankings are based on 2023 federal CDC health data on excessive alcohol consumption.

Stayton Man Arrested After Shooting

Posted About A Week Ago by 24/7 News Source

(Stayton, OR) -- A Stayton man is facing charges after a shooting left another man injured Friday evening. Police say 48-year-old Scott Poindexter was arrested early Saturday after investigators identified him as a suspect in the shooting near Fifth Avenue and Santiam Street. The victim was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound, but his condition has not been released. Poindexter faces charges including first-degree assault and unlawful use of a firearm.