Arts & Books Imprisoned cellist Harun Mustafa, whose dubious imprisonment WW chronicled recently, got to hear the debut of three pieces he composed behind bars when the Portland Cello Project featured his work in a concert on Saturday night. Between collaborations with established local performers at the sold-out Aladdin, the Cello Project showcased three new songs by the 20-year-old Mustafa. Mustafa's former ...   More

News The Oregon House today passed a bill aimed at resoling the dispute over funding Measure 57 and releasing prisoners to close the state budget gap. Rep. Chip Shields (D-Portland) crafted a compromise measure he says will "keep faith with the voters" who passed Measure 57 last fall. The measure includes stiffer sentences for some property crimes and calls for more drug treatment. Measure 57 ...   More

News Two men released early on Saturday night for lack of space in the Multnomah County Detention Center have been found dead of a drug overdose, the state Medical Examiner's office has confirmed. Jamie Daniel Coleman (top photo), 22, and Rex Albert Rumer (bottom photo), 51, were both found dead on Monday, says Damon O'Brien, deputy medical examiner. O'Brien declined to release further details, ...   More

News The newly constituted Multnomah County Board of Commissioners this morning unanimously agreed to pay $27,500 to a woman who alleged she was beaten by jail guards. Tina Phillips was 36 years old and living in Northeast Portland when Portland police pulled her over on Feb. 8, 2008, and cited her for reckless driving and DUII. According to a federal lawsuit (PDF) filed Jan. 13 this year, Phillips ...   More