News It felt like a coronation when Multnomah County commissioners this morning unanimously voted to appoint county Sheriff's Lt. Dan Staton as the interim sheriff. But there was an interesting political back story behind that unanimous vote, a decision that touched off an eruption of applause from several dozen sheriff's office staffers in the room. Afterward, Staton (pictured above) stood by the door ...   More

News Two weeks ago, WW first reported the "Made in Oregon" sign had been turned off owing to a dispute among city officials, the University of Oregon, the owner of the White Stag building and the owner of the sign. Then The Oregonian reported an additional twist. Commissioner Randy Leonard, in a second attempt to bring the sign under the city's control, would support what the O called a "public option" ...   More

News A federal judge warned in court today he may move the civil trial over the death of James Chasse Jr. out of Portland because heavy media coverage may have poisoned the pool of jurors. "We're going to have a heck of a time finding a jury in this case that has not read information or come to some opinion based on information that may or may not be relevant," said U.S. District Court Judge Garr ...   More

News In response to the news that Commissioner Randy Leonard wants Water Bureau security guards to become armed peace officers, Commissioner Dan Saltzman today issued an eight-page memo [PDF] outlining all the reasons he opposes the effort. Saltzman, of course, oversees the Portland Police Bureau that Leonard at one point wanted to manage. The document, which proposes giving security guards less lethal ...   More

News Last week, Commissioner Randy Leonard's plan for a "water house" built by the Portland Water Bureau got its first nod of approval from his colleagues on City Council. Thanks to that council decision to accept donated supplies to build the house, residents in outer Northeast Portland will soon have an eco-friendly home in their neighborhood. The pictures above and below are what this house would ...   More

News As an incredibly superstitious Oregon football fan, I'm very sensitive this week to anything that could tip the cosmic karma in the Ducks' rivalry game Saturday against the University of Washington. So imagine my "shock" to learn that Portland's Morrison Bridge is apparently lit this week in UW's purple and gold for something called "Husky Heritage Week." Could this be the final revenge of ...   More

News Does Portland's City Council still feel guilty about its duct tape ban for the Rose Festival? We'll find out Wednesday when the council considers a proposed ordinance [PDF] that would give the 2010 Rose Festival a $19,650 grant to help with parade amenities. It would be the third year in a row the Rose Festival received a grant to improve restroom facilities and sidewalk accessibility along ...   More

News Portland Firefighters Association Local 43 President Ken Burns told his members in a letter [PDF] yesterday that he will not seek re-election to a second term next month. Time has sped by at an alarming rate. I have three boys still at home; two of whom will be out of the house within two years. So many of you have been very supportive and encouraging which has made this a difficult decision, ...   More

News Oregon-OSHA received a complaint after the Nov. 10 fire at Marysville K-8 school about the actions by City Commissioner Randy Leonard, who has been very aggressive about going after businesses for fire code violations. At issue in the Marysville fire, according to people familiar with the matter, is that during the blaze, Leonard — a former firefighter and the city's current fire commissioner ...   More

News Commissioner Randy Leonard recently announced plans to arm the 19-member Water Bureau Security force. Although Police Commissioner Dan Saltzman and Police Chief Rosie Sizer panned the idea, Leonard has said he'd like to move forward. Leonard is now bringing in a trusted ally with strong law enforcement credentials into the Water Bureau. WW has learned that the commissioner has hired former ...   More