Search Results

Exoneree Share’s His Story at Oregon Innocence Project Benefit Calvin at Law School Graduation. Calvin Duncan spent nearly three decades in prison after a wrongful conviction. A man with strong Oregon connections who spent nearly three decades in prison after a wrongful conviction is visiting Portland next month to share his story and support Oregon’s only program solely dedicated to helping innocent people clear their names. Falsely accused of murder at the age of nineteen, Calvin Duncan endured a life sentence in Louisiana prisons without the possibility of parole for more than twenty-eight years. He’ll be the special guest speaker on September 11 in Portland at THIS IS INNOCENCE, a benefit for the Oregon Innocence Project.    While Mr. Duncan was incarcerated, he became an inmate counsel substitute, or jailhouse lawyer, helping hundreds of fellow incarcerated people – including many on death row - to challenge wrongful convictions and unjust sentences. His efforts have contributed to landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including Smith v. Cain (2012) and Ramos v. Louisiana (2020). The Ramos case vacated hundreds of convictions in Oregon, the only state besides Louisiana that allowed felony convictions based on nonunanimous jury verdicts. Calvin Duncan holds a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland and now resides in New Orleans, where he continues his advocacy on behalf of those still behind bars.    This summer, along with co-author Sophie Cull, Calvin Duncan published “The Jailhouse Lawyer,” which tells the story of his thirty-year path through Angola prison after a wrongful murder conviction, his coming-of-age as a legal mind while imprisoned, and his continued advocacy for those on the inside. Signed copies of “The Jailhouse Lawyer” will be available for purchase at THIS IS INNOCENCE courtesy of Broadway Books.    The Oregon Innocence Project (OIP) was founded in 2014, inspired by the model originally developed by the Innocence Project in New York. As well as freeing wrongfully convicted people from prison, OIP works to prevent and address wrongful convictions at a systemic level and provides an outstanding educational experience to law students. The Oregon Innocence Project accepts cases from all around Oregon and provides free legal assistance to its clients. To receive help, an individual must have been convicted of a crime in Oregon and be asserting factual innocence of that crime. There must also be some legal route to proving their innocence.    The Oregon Innocence Project has so far helped five people clear their names. The exonerees’ crimes of conviction include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and sexual abuse. These clients between them served more than sixty years in prison and would have served many decades more without the organization’s help. Among them is Jesse Johnson, Oregon’s only death row exoneree, whose wrongful conviction for a 1998 murder in Salem was overturned by the Oregon Court of Appeals in 2021. Mr. Johnson was released in 2023 after two additional years in jail when the Marion County District Attorney opted not to retry him.    The Oregon Innocence Project’s other exonerees are Josh Horner, freed in 2018 from a 50-year prison sentence for sexual abuse, Nick McGuffin, freed in 2019 after serving almost a decade in prison for manslaughter, Earl Bain, pardoned on the grounds of innocence by Governor Kate Brown in 2020 following a six-year sentence for sexual abuse and Danyale Gill, freed in 2023 from a 44-year sentence that was greatly extended because of an earlier wrongful conviction.    In addition to assisting individual clients, the Oregon Innocence Project has also worked with legislators, judges, district attorneys, defense attorneys, and others in the legal system over the years to make changes that will help to prevent or address wrongful convictions.     Supporters and staff of the Oregon Innocence Project will gather at 6pm at the Irving Street Studios (Ecotrust Building) in Portland for an evening celebration on September 11 with hearty appetizers and drinks served. Calvin Duncan will be in conversation with OIP’s Director of Communication Alice Lundell at the event and will take questions from guests. In addition, OIP Co-Directors Kassidy Hetland and Kenneth Kreuscher will share stories of their efforts to help innocent Oregonians clear their names. Some former clients plus other Oregon exonerees will also be present. Tickets are still available for the benefit from OIP’s website: https://www.oregoninnocence.org/this-is-innocence .    “Calvin Duncan’s story shows the devastating cost of wrongful convictions and the extraordinary power of resilience and advocacy,” said Kenneth Kreuscher, Co-Director of the Oregon Innocence Project. “We are honored to welcome him back to Oregon, where his work has already had a profound impact through the Ramos decision. Calvin’s journey reminds us why the Oregon Innocence Project exists: to free the innocent, to fight for systemic change, and to ensure that no one else has to lose decades of their life to a wrongful conviction.”

The first construction milestone in the City’s work to develop Waterfront Gateway Andrew Colas, President & CEO, Colas Development Group Nearly 100 people joined City leaders and project partners for a ceremonial groundbreaking of a new affordable housing community. The project, located at 615 W. 6th Street and developed by Colas Development Group (CDG) and Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), will transform the 0.92-acre site into a six-story 95-unit building. The City invested $1.27 million from its Affordable Housing Fund, sold the land for $1 to ensure affordability, leveraged the state’s construction sales tax exemption, and reduced impact fees to make this community possible. “The partners assembled on this project represent a shared vision for equity, sustainability, and cultural inclusion,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “These values will continue to shape the future of our Waterfront Gateway and ensure it remains a place where all Vancouver residents can thrive.”  “For many years, our community has been asking us to bring NAYA’s wraparound services to SW Washington,” said Oscar Arana (Chichimeca), CEO of the NAYA Family Center. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Cowlitz Tribe, CDG, the City of Vancouver, and many funders to make this community request a reality. It’s been a long-time vision to replicate NAYA’s holistic services model here in Clark County, and this incredible housing project is a historic step towards achieving this goal.”  "This project is our first vertically integrated development, and our first project to break ground in Washington State. More than 41% of our trade partners on this project are certified firms, representing real people, real families, and real opportunities in the communities we serve," said Andrew Colas, President & CEO, Colas Development Group. "We’re incredibly thankful for the partners who believed in that vision with us: NAYA, The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Colas Construction, Scott Edwards Architecture, Vancouver Housing Authority, Lincoln, and the City of Vancouver, US Bancorp Impact Finance, Citi Community Capital, Washington State Housing Finance Commission, and Washington State Department of Commerce.   The event marks the first construction milestone in the City’s work to develop Waterfront Gateway and continues the City’s commitment to creating affordable housing in Vancouver through the  Affordable Housing Fund .   This is the first of several developments planned for the 6.4-acre Waterfront Gateway District. The redevelopment will connect Vancouver’s Columbia River waterfront with its historic downtown. Waterfront Gateway advances the  City’s Strategic Plan  by providing much-needed housing to the area, including affordable housing; creating retail opportunities for local small businesses; and designing new public spaces for city events and gatherings.

Click Here to Read Full Paper

Harvey L. Rice was born to his parents Dessie Fowler and Oliver Rice on January 25, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri. He and his brother Grady moved to Portland Oregon. Harvey attended Benson Poly Technical High School where he excelled in track and football. Harvey went on to attend Portland State University to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration and general social science. Harvey used his education and experience to excel in his real estate firm KJK Properties PC and volunteering in the community. For more than 40 years, Mr. Harvey has dedicated his time, energy and knowledge to advocating for healthy people and communities across Oregon. He has been an active leader of local, county, state and national boards and committees including: AARP Oregon, Oregon state University Extension Services, Oregon Health Sciences University Dementia and Aging Study, Oregon Health Sciences University ORCA Technology Program, African American Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Trail Chapter of American Red Cross, Metropolitan Family Services, Urban League of Portland, Tri-Met’s Ride Connections, Multnomah County Library Cyber Seniors, Vernon Neighborhood Association, Portland Community College Community History and Skill Centers, and the Portland State University’s Men’s Health Project.” (Sabin CDC Website) This is just a short list of his advocacy work. At Sharon he has held many volunteer positions, some of them include being an Elder, Senior Ministries leader, Personal Ministries leader, Transportation Leader, and Health Committee. Harvey was so loved that Sabin CDC along with community partners constructed and dedicated “The Harvey Rice Heritage Affordable Housing Building.” located on 14th Ave. Plaza. It would seem to only be fitting that he shared\ a life with a partner who believed in the same commitment to community. Therefore, in 1996 he married Gertrude “Trudy” Woods. They were married for twenty-two years until her death in 2018. Harvey was a father to a son Sean Rice of Portland, Oregon and a grandfather to Sean Rice Jr. If you knew Harvey, you knew he had words of wisdom for many of Portland’s sons and daughters. One of his son’s favorite memories was when his father would cook Turkey wings and gravy. Harvey’s parents, Dessie Fowler (mom) Oliver Rice (dad), Brother Grady Rice, wife Gertrude Rice, all preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memory, his son Sean Rice of Portland, Oregon. Grandson Sean Rice Jr, (Rhode Island), stepchildren. Services will be Friday August 29th @ 11:00a.m. at Sharon Seventh-Day Adventist Church 5209 NE 22nd Ave. Portland, Oregon 97211. His public viewing will be at Terry Family Funeral Home located at 2337 N. Williams Ave. Portland, Oregon 97227 on Thursday August 28 from 4:00-6:00p.m.

Building Bridges & Restoring History Bridge-Pamoja, in partnership with the Coalition of African & African American Pastors/Imams and the Proactivists of Oregon, invites the public to Soul2Soul 2025, a two-day celebration of culture, music, and unity. The African & African American Summit will take place on Friday, August 22, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Portland Community College, 705 N. Killingsworth St. This year’s theme celebrates Afro-Futurism in the spirit of Ubuntu (“I am because you are”) and highlights the Somali community, which numbers about 12,000 in Oregon. The summit will explore Somali cultural history within the context of the broader African Diaspora and African American experience. Featuring thought-provoking conversations and inspiring speakers, the event is designed to foster connection, shared understanding, and collective empowerment. The Cultural Celebration will be held on Saturday, August 23, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Alberta Park, 1905 NE Killingsworth St. The event will feature electrifying performances from artists across the African Diaspora, with music ranging from Gospel, R&B, and Hip Hop to Afrobeat, Funk, and traditional drumming. Attendees can enjoy cultural and modern dance, games, vendor booths, and the rich flavors of African, Caribbean, and Soul Food cuisine. Families will also find children’s activities, health resources, and community soccer and basketball tournaments. This outdoor celebration invites everyone to come together in unity, heritage, and joy. Now in its 4th year, Soul2Soul is designed to engage, invigorate, and elevate the artistic contributions of African and African Americans in the world for ALL to celebrate. It is a catalyst to heighten understanding within and between our communities, to showcase our contributions of the arts to the world and to elevate our oneness in the spirit of Ubuntu (“I am because you are”). Since its inception, Soul2Soul has attracted nationally recognized music artists such Andy Stokes, J.J. Hairston, Liv Warfield and a host of local artists. In addition, over 35 black business vendors participated as a complement to a range of interactive children activities, health resources and school supplies giveaways, along with cultural cuisine that honors the cultural heritage of African and African Americans. This event has been featured on all the local television stations, newspapers and radio stations.   Soul2Soul embraces the importance of family and creates space for all ages to connect. With interactive programming and opportunities to experience the richness of the African Diaspora, the event centers joy, resilience, and togetherness.

Hurricanes Owner Tom Dundon Strikes Tentative Deal Tom Dundon, majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes talks to the media about his $250 million investment in the Alliance of American Football league before the start of an NHL hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward, File) (AP) - A group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Don Dundon has reached a tentative agreement with Paul Allen’s estate to buy the Trail Blazers and keep the team in Portland. Dundon confirmed the agreement in a text exchange with The Associated Press on Wednesday. His group includes Portland-based Sheel Tyle, the co-founder of investment firm Collective Global, and Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital. The NBA Board of Governors has to ratify any final purchase agreement. ESPN reported Wednesday that the deal was for $4 billion. Dundon did not reveal the terms of the sale to the AP. CNBC earlier this year valued the Trail Blazers at $3.65 billion. In March, the Boston Celtics sold for $6.1 billion. Dundon, 53, bought a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017 and became the majority owner in 2018. He is chairman and managing partner of the Dallas-based firm Dundon Capital Partners. Allen’s estate announced in May that it had begun the process of selling the Trail Blazers. The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, who died in 2018 at age 65 from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, originally bought the Blazers in 1988 for $70 million. Allen also owned the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and was a co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders. Since his death, Allen’s sister, Jody Allen, has served as chair of both the Blazers and Seahawks and is a trustee of the Paul G. Allen Trust. Paul Allen stipulated in his will the eventual sale of his teams, with the proceeds given to philanthropic endeavors. Representatives for the estate did not immediately respond to emails from The Associated Press seeking comment on the agreement. The estate has not announced plans for the sale of the Seahawks or the 25% stake in the Sounders. Jody Allen reportedly rebuffed an offer from Nike co-founder Phil Knight to buy the Trail Blazers for more than $2 billion in 2022. At that time, there were no ongoing discussions about the sale of the teams, she said in a rare statement. The Trail Blazers joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1970 and won their lone NBA championship in 1977. Last season, the Blazers finished 36-46 and missed out on the playoffs for the fourth straight year. A spokesperson for the Carolina Hurricanes said Dundon was “excited about the opportunity” to buy the Trail Blazers, and added that the move will not affect the NHL team. The Hurricanes, based in Raleigh, have made the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons.

Click Here to Read Full Paper

Joining twin sister Chisato as rookie LPGA Tour champion Akie Iwai, and Chisato Iwai of Japan, After Akie won the LPGA Portland Classic golf tournament at Columbia Edgewater in Portland OR. (AP) - Akie Iwai joined twin sister Chisato as a rookie LPGA Tour winner Sunday at Columbia Edgewater, closing with a 6-under 66 for a four-stroke victory in The Standard Portland Classic. Akie Iwai capped the bogey-free round with birdies on the final two holes, running in an 18-footer on the last before Chisato rushed on the green and sprayed her with champagne. The 23-year-old Japanese player broke through in her first season on the LPGA Tour after winning six times on the JLPGA Tour. She had second-place finishes in Thailand in February and Los Angeles in April, then watched her sister win at Mayakoba in May in Mexico. On Sunday, Chisato Iwai shot a 64 to tie for third, five strokes back. “This is a special year for us,” Akie Iwai said. Their parents shared in the victory. “When I saw my mom crying, oh,” Akie Iwai said. She’s the fifth player from Japan to win this season, following her sister, Rio Takeda, Mao Saigo and Miyu Yamashita. “So many Japanese people this year won, so inspired me,” Akie Iwai said. They are fourth set of sisters to win on the LPGA Tour, joining Jessica and Nelly Korda, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam. The winner finished at 24-under 264 on the tree-lined course. She opened with consecutive 67s, then shot a 64 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round. American Gurleen Kaur was a career-best second, closing with a 65. “I think it’s super exciting,” Kaur said. “We’re playing in Canada next week with a stronger field as well, so excited about that. Carrying that good momentum from here to there.” Linn Grant of Sweden had a 67 to join Chisato Iwai at 19 under. Grace Kim of Australia was 18 under after a 70. Amateur Kiara Romero shot a 64 to tie for seventh at 16 under in her first tour start. The University of Oregon player won the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior and 2025 Big Ten title. “It feels great to just play really well my first LPGA event,” Romero said.” Kind of gives me a lot of confidence going into the school year... All the Ducks fans are out here. So, we had a big crowd and a lot of people cheering me on, so it meant a lot to put a good week.” The tournament is the longest continuous event on the LPGA Tour except for the majors, dating to 1972.

Multiple Fire Incidents Reported Boom Boom Ballon's (Photo Courtesy of Portland Fire & Rescue) On Friday, August 15, Portland Fire crews had a busy lunch rush with several incidents coming in simultaneously. It all started with a fire in a business at 2739 N Lombard Ave. Boom Boom Ballon's, a party supply business, caught on fire and was called in right at noon. First alarm crews found fire coming from the front door on arrival.  They were able to make a strong push and contain the fire to just the one business. This took coordinated efforts from many companies as the attic space above Boom Boom Ballons is shared with several other businesses.  Preventing the fire from spreading horizontally was a success, and the neighboring businesses will only have to deal with smoke damage. The cause of this fire is still under investigation and there were no injuries. While crews were working in North Portland, a residential fire was dispatched in SE Portland near 114 and Powell. A couple minutes later, a rescue call came in for an individual that had fallen from a roof near SE Yamhill and Water Ave. And 15 minutes after that, a high rise fire was called in downtown Portland at 1705 SW 11th Ave. The rescue call near SE Yamhill and Water Ave was for a worker who was hanging a banner over the edge of the building.  He fell from the upper roof to a lower section below, about 20 feet. When crews made contact with the patient, he was alert and oriented.  He was packaged in a stokes basket and brought down Truck 1's aerial ladder.  The reason he was brought down in this manner is to provide for all spinal precautions since he had fallen from such a distance. He was transported to OHSU for evaluation.  A second alarm working fire, a residential box response, a rope rescue, and a high rise box response account for more then 3/4 of Portland Fire engines, trucks and chiefs responding to emergency calls within an hour. Both the high rise and residential fires turned out to be false alarms, just burned food and some smoke mitigation. But this all accounts for a busy afternoon for Portland Fire crews.

Seatbelt and Child Seat Awareness Portland Police Bureau is joining law enforcement agencies statewide for a safety belt overtime blitz, and a car seat safety campaign. (Photo Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau) Beginning Monday, August 18, 2025 and extending through Sunday, August 31, 2025, law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon will use federally funded enforcement hours to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two. Of the 23,959 passenger vehicle occupants killed in the United States in 2023, nearly 50% of those killed were not buckled. ORS 811.210 – Failure to properly use safety belts; penalty is a Class-D violation. Child Passenger Safety Week is September 21-27, 2025. Just like drivers check their vehicle’s oil and tires, everyone who drives children needs to check their car seats to make sure they’re appropriate for your child’s age and size. Sometimes as parents, we don’t know what we don’t know. Even for experienced parents who think their children are all set, Child Passenger Safety Week is a great time to double-check. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be holding public events in communities nationwide where parents can get their car seats checked for free. Let’s work together to keep our children safe. The Portland Police Bureau is hosting a child safety seat clinic at the Traffic Division on Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you are interested in the child seat clinic, please make an appointment through OHSU: Car and Street Safety | Doernbecher Children's Hospital | OHSU. Time and space will be limited. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve years old. In 2023, 1,972 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 11 percent were reported not using a child restraint system. It is estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one year old and by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four- to eight-year-olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) crash data for 2023 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 30% or 111 of a total 365 motor vehicle occupant fatalities in Oregon. In 2017 an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly. The 2017 law, which extends the rear-facing requirement from the previous age one to age two, will better protect the child’s head, neck, and spine from potential crash injuries. This is because a rear-facing seat spreads crash forces evenly across the seat and child’s body while also limiting forward or sideways motion of the head.

Corn Maze Celebrates 27 Years of Farm-Filled Fun on Sauvie Island 2025 Maze The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch, the premier destination for family-friendly entertainment and fall harvest bounty on Sauvie Island, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its 27th season on Saturday, August 30th with a brand-new theme: “Cornlandia.” This year’s design is a tribute to a wild harvest where nature, nostalgia, and Northwest pride grow tall. “Cornlandia” is a love letter to Portland’s untamed heart—celebrating the animals, land, and spirit that make our corner of the world wildly special. Visitors can wander through five acres of twisting pathways that honor elk roaming the forests, beavers building in the wetlands, salmon running in our rivers, and Mount Hood watching over it all. For an added twist, guests can pick up a Cornlandia Trivia Passport at the entrance—a fun, optional guide with Portland-themed clues to help navigate the maze. Answer questions correctly, and you might just find your way out a little faster… or discover a whole new path. As part of the opening festivities, The Western Supply Company band will play on Saturday, August 30th and again on Saturday, September 27th from noon until 2 p.m. under the iconic red and white big top tent. Admission is free with paid MAiZE admission. “For more than a quarter of a century, The MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch has been part of Portland’s fall tradition,” said Craig Easterly, Owner of MAiZE at The Pumpkin Patch. “This year’s ‘Cornlandia’ theme invites guests to reconnect with the wild beauty that makes Oregon one-of-a-kind—while having a whole lot of fun getting lost.” For more information visit   www.portlandmaze.com .

Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are Making Demands and Taking Charge Frontline nurses at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center celebrate the results of their successful vote to join ONA April 6, 2023. Photo Courtesy of ONA. More than two years after forming their union and after 21 months of bargaining, 400 registered nurses (RNs) at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike, citing Legacy Health’s refusal to make meaningful investments in recruiting and retaining frontline caregivers, patient care, and fair wages and benefits.   Frontline nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are represented by the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA).    “Mount Hood nurses have been more than patient. After nearly two years at the bargaining table, Legacy executives still refuse to address critical issues like fair pay and caps on insurance premiums—changes we need to recruit and retain the skilled nurses our patients rely on,” said Lille Charron, a nurse at Legacy Mount Hood and ONA vice-chair of the bargaining team.  “We don’t want to strike, but if management continues to slow-roll negotiations, we are united and ready to act.”   Nurses at Legacy Mount Hood are demanding:  A voice in decision-making about patient care and workplace conditions  Fair compensation that is competitive with other health systems to recruit and retain more nurses Quality, affordable healthcare Protections against shifts being unilaterally shortened by management  Appropriate compensation for RNs who work during times of crisis including inclement weather.    “We’re the ones at the bedside every day — we know our patients best,” Charron said. “We formed our union to speak up for the people we care for. A fair contract will help recruit and retain the nurses our community depends on, so every patient gets the safe, quality care they deserve.”   The vote does not set a strike date. Nurses are hoping upcoming mediation sessions on August 22 and 28 will result in a fair agreement and avert a strike. If a deal is not reached, nurses say they are prepared to act—and they have the support of RNs and frontline caregivers across the Legacy system.