January 27, 2021
Page 2
The
Police investigate after a driver struck and injured at least nine people, killing one woman, over a
15-block stretch of Southeast Portland Monday afternoon. Some residents on Southeast Stark who
watched the events were convinced the damage and destruction was intentional. (AP photo)
Driver Rampage Kills Woman
Witnesses suspect destruction was intentional
Residents on Southeast Stark
who watched a driver plow into
pedestrians and bicylists on the
sides of streets and sidewalks
Monday afternoon, injuring at
least nine people and killing an el-
derly woman, indicated that they
were convinced the damage and
destruction was intentional, some-
thing police now say appears to be
the case.
Police continued their inves-
tigation Tuesday along a crime
scene that spans at least 15 city
blocks, from Southeast 33rd Av-
enue to Southeast 19th Avenue,
along parts of Stark, Pine, Bel-
mont and Washington streets. The
woman who died has been identi-
fied as 77 year-old Jean Gerich of
Portland.
The suspected driver was taken
into custody almost immediately
after he crashed his vehicle and
tried to flee. Nearby residents
first cornered the motorist, keep-
ing him at bay until three police
officers arrived to tackle him to
the ground.
Detectives reported Tuesday
that they found no evidence that
this was an act of terrorism, a
bias crime or was politically mo-
tivated. But detectives said that
C ontinued on P age 12
in
Week Review
Incitment of Insurrection Impeachment Delivered
House Democrats delivered the impeachment charge of “Incitment of
insurrection” against Donald Trump to the Senate Monday, but Re-
publicans were already easing off their criticism of the former pres-
ident and shunning calls to convict him over the deadly siege Jan. 6
at the U.S. Capitol. It’s an early sign of Trump’s enduring sway over
the party.
Biden Makes New Push for Tubman on $20 Bill
President Joe Biden’s ad-
ministration
announced
Monday it plans to revital-
ize the effort to put Harriet
Tubman on the $20 bill.
“It’s important that our
notes -- our money -- re-
flect the history and di-
versity of our country, and
Harriet Tubman’s image gracing the new $20 note would certainly
reflect that,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Wheeler Pepper Sprays Man Who Would Not Back Down
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler pepper-sprayed a man who had con-
fronted him and former mayor Sam Adams as they left a restaurant
Sunday evening. Wheeler told police he was concerned for his safety
and asked the man “to back off,” telling him he had pepper spray and
that he would use it. When the man didn’t back away, Wheeler then
sprayed the man with pepper spray in the eyes.
Graduation Rates Improve; Including Black Students
Portland Public Schools have improved graduation rates, including
for Black students which had a 4.4% increase in graduating last year,
compared to one year earlier. A total of 83.7% of PPS seniors grad-
uated in 2020, more than a percentage point higher than the state-
wide rate. The graduation rate for students of color was over 75%.
Tacoma Police Car Drives Thru Crowd; Protests Break Out
Protesters in Tacoma set a large fire and damaged buildings during a
march late Sunday in response to a police officer driving his patrol car
through a crowd the day before, leaving at least two people injured.
The officer claimed he was fleeing in fear of his life. It happened near
an intersection where a crowd of pedestrians were gathered Saturday
evening for a reported street race.
New COVID-19 Strain Arrives in Oregon; Portland
Oregon Health Authority was notified on Jan. 15 that a person in
Multnomah County has tested positive with the variant COVID-19
virus strain originally detected in the United Kingdom, the first such
identification in Oregon. The individual had no known travel history.
Viruses constantly mutate, and new variants of a virus are expected
to occur over time.
Commissioner Apologizes for Offensive Social Media Posts
Clackamas County Commissioner Mark Shull publicly apologized
last week for offensive and racist social media posts. Shull, who took
office this month, has faced widespread demands that he step down
– from his fellow Clackamas County commissioners, the county sher-
iff, the county district attorney and a group of state lawmakers -- since
his remarks recently came to light.
Lovejoy Abortion Clinic Closes after 50 Years
A high-profile Portland abortion clinic, Lovejoy Surgicenter, closed
Jan. 16 after 50 years of operation, but will reopen at a new location
on March 1 under new management, according to an announcement
on its website, “We are saddened, but proud of the services we have
offered to so many people,” representatives of the clinic said.