House
Demolished
for Hotel
‘City
of
Roses’
Helping Residents
Stay Housed
Economic forces
transforming historic
black neighborhood
Volunteers tackle
housing crises by
making free home
repairs
See story inside, page 5
See Local News, page 3
www.portlandobserver.com
Wednesday • August 28, 2019
Volume XLVIII • Number 32
Established in 1970
Committed to Cultural Diversity
to
Back
School
School bus
safety gets focus
as class bells ring
A still frame from KATU video shows fire crews
responding to a 4-alarm fire late Monday afternoon in
the Madison South neighborhood.
D anny p eterson /
t he p ortlanD o bserver
Jaheim Adrien, 7, demonstrates a safety
best practice by exiting the school bus
while using a handrail.
photos by
by D anny p eterson
t he p ortlanD o bserver
School bus safety is the focus of Mike Hamel, gen-
eral manager for the bus company First Student, as
students, parents, and motorists alike prepare to adjust
to the ring of the class bell bringing more buses on
the road and students walking to bus stops and school.
Hamel told The Portland Observer his important
message for kids, drivers, and pedestrians alike is to
keep in mind that riding a school bus is the safest way
for children to get to and from school.
“Studies show that children who ride on a school
C ontinueD on p age 4
Inferno Erupts
from Dry Grass
Smoke, flames damage
nearby homes, businesses
A fire that erupted in dry grass late Monday afternoon at
an abandoned golf driving range on Northeast 82nd Avenue
across from Madison High School was intentionally set, fire
investigators determined Tuesday.
The inferno spread flames to homes and businesses in
the Rocky Butte area of northeast Portland, destroying at
least two commercial buildings and damaging at least two
townhomes.
The Portland Fire Bureau said they know the fire was
started by a person, but they are still investigating whether
it was malicious.
When the fire broke out about 5:20 p.m. Monday a think
column of smoke bellowed throughout the area and could
be seen for miles. It soon registered four alarms. About 120
firefighters led by Portland Fire and Rescue fought back the
flames.
Dozens of people had to evacuate their residences and
homes not impacted nearby were told to keep their win-
dows and doors closed to keep dangerous smoke at bay.
Grand Avenue Boxing Club owner Waldo Rojas believed
First Student Area Manager Mike Hamel gets the word out about school bus safety tips for students, their
parents, and motorists in preparation of the school year. He manages the bus barn at 6755 N.E. Columbia Blvd.
C ontinueD on p age 4