M artin L uther K ing J r .
Page 2
Week
in
Review
The
Kate Brown Sworn In
Making it clear
that the fight for
equality will not
retreat after the
most bitter and
divisive national
election in mem-
ory, Kate Brown
was sworn in to her first full term
as governor of Oregon Monday. In
her speech, she outlined plans to
address job creation, reforming Or-
egon’s tax system, public transpor-
tation funding, passing gun control
legislation and expanding the state’s
Medicaid program for all children.
Third Hypothermia Death
ple with disabilities because of
$338 in back due rent.
Bracing for More Snow
Just as Portland began to thaw
out from a weekend of snow and
freezing rain, a new storm front is
expected to hit the city overnight
Tuesday into Wednesday morn-
ing, bringing an accumulation of
1-4 inches of snow.
Merkley Wants Registry Ban
Athird homeless person has died
from hypothermia in Portland, the
third this month blamed on living
outside in freezing temperatures.
Karen Batts, 52, was found dead
at a downtown parking garage on
Saturday. Records show she was
evicted last October from afford-
able housing for seniors and peo-
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon
introduced legislation Friday that
would block the creation of any
national immigration-related reg-
istry program that classifies people
based upon their religion, race, age,
gender, ethnicity, national origin or
citizenship. “Contrary to the Pres-
ident-elect’s beliefs, America’s di-
January 11, 2017
2017 special edition
versity is not a threat; it is, in fact
our greatest strength,” Merkley
said.
PCC Chair Quits Post
The chair of Portland Communi-
ty College board has resigned to
protest a recent decision to make
the college a sanctuary campus.
Gene Pitts said his concern was
for students losing their feder-
al Pell grants, should the federal
government under the Trump ad-
ministration penalize sanctuary
designations that deny federal im-
migration enforcement.
Viola Davis Honored
“Moonlight,” the critically and
audience acclaimed coming of
age story of an African American
boy in the South won Best Mo-
tion Picture at the Golden Globe
Awards Sunday. Viola Davis won
Best Supporting Actress for her
portrayal of Rose in Denzel Wash-
ington’s directorial adaptation of
August Wilson’s “Fences.”
Firefighters respond when a fire erupts at the Hotel Alder, displac-
ing low-income housing residents, downtown.
Fire Victims Given Shelter
Central City Concern, the hous-
ing provider which operates the
low-income Hotel Alder apart-
ments, hopes to find permanent
housing by the end of the week for
62 residents displaced by a fire at
the complex. Repairs to the build-
ing may allow other residents to
return in two weeks, officials said.
The Jan. 4 fire displaced 98 res-
idents in total. Many were given
temporary shelter within a few
hours of the fire at a nearby church
and later at a new temporary shel-
ter at Portland State University’s
Howard Hall. Red Cross volun-
teers also helped with replacing
eye glasses, prescriptions, serving
warm meals and providing beds
for 70 people. Other residents
stayed with loved ones.
Officials have determined that
the 3 alarm fire was caused by
the historic building’s mechani-
cal problems. Significant water
and smoke damage affected three
floors.
Central City Concern is accept-
ing cash donations, emergency
clothing and other items to help
fire victims. Visit centralcitycon-
cern.org/donates.
Cover Art by Lori A. Martin (LORIBYDESIGN)
Established 1970
Mark Washington, Sr.
e ditor : Michael Leighton
e xecutive d irector : Rakeem Washington
a dvertising M anager : Leonard Latin
Office Manager/Classifieds: Lucinda Baldwin
c reative d irector : Paul Neufeldt
P ubLisher :
r ePorter /W eb e ditor :
Christa McIntyre
P ubLic r eLations : Mark
Washington Jr.
r ePorter : Zachary
Senn
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