Aaron Mesh

Portland

Willamette Week managing editor. Not untrue and not unkind. I left this website. Find me in the newspaper. Email: amesh at wweek dot com

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Articles

PPS Superintendent Says Rebuilt High Schools Could Have Several Uses

2 weeks ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

In this month’s election, Portland Public Schools officials will ask voters to spend up to $1.15 million to rebuild three high schools amid declining enrollment. But in an interview with WW’s editorial board last week, PPS Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong offered a surprising contingency plan if enrollment doesn’t rebound: Those high schools could also be used as elementary and middle schools.
Why Herman Greene Supports the School Bond but Questions Its Spending

3 weeks ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

Herman Greene has plenty to say about the school bond. In May, he’s up for reelection to the Portland Public Schools Board. On that same ballot, voters must decide whether to approve a $1.83 billion school bond to finance curriculum, technology and deferred maintenance. But Greene has taken issue with the biggest expense driving the bond: $1.15 billion to rebuild Cleveland, Ida B. Wells and Jefferson high schools.
Bill Cracking Down on Illicit Massage Businesses Passes the Oregon House

3 weeks ago | wweek.com | Sophie Peel |Aaron Mesh

The Oregon House today by a 51-to-2 vote passed a bill aimed at cracking down on illicit massage businesses. House Bill 3189-A, sponsored by state Rep. Thuy Tran (D-Portland) and state Sen.
Carolanne Fry Launched the Pickets Outside Tesla and Has No Plans to Stop

4 weeks ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

The longest-running Portland protest of the Trump administration has marked its 10th week outside the South Waterfront auto lot selling the Cybertrucks made by Elon Musk, who is culling federal workers through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency. The demonstrators gather each Monday outside the Old Spaghetti Factory, then tromp up a hill to wave signs at traffic passing the Tesla dealership.
Kotek Replaces Leader of Oregon State Hospital in Wake of March Patient Death

1 month ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

Gov. Tina Kotek announced late Friday a shakeup in the leadership of the Oregon State Hospital as that facility deals with the fallout from a patient death in March. In a statement released shortly before 9 pm Friday, Kotek revealed that she had accepted the resignation of the hospital’s chief medical officer and interim superintendent, Dr. Sara Walker.
The Drive to Seattle Is About to Lose Its Most Annoying Feature

1 month ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

For decades, urbanites driving Interstate 5 between Portland and Seattle had two reliable means of staying awake: the free coffee at Washington state rest areas, and a large billboard from which Uncle Sam delivered messages guaranteed to angry up the blood. The drive is about to get a little sleepier. The Seattle Times reports that the Napavine property holding the billboard is for sale, and the sellers aren’t seeking to preserve Uncle Sam.
Multnomah County DA Nathan Vasquez Sends Society Hotel Case to Washington County

1 month ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez has asked his counterpart in Washington County to handle the prosecution of two people who allegedly vandalized and tried to break into the Society Hotel. The co-owner of that Old Town boutique hotel, Jessie Burke, was Vasquez’s campaign manager in his successful run for DA last year.
An Oregon Lobbying Firm Adds Tesla to Its Client Roster

1 month ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

A well-regarded Oregon lobbying firm added the electric car manufacturer Tesla to its client roster last October, raising questions how the advocates will balance Elon Musk’s interests with those of the local governments the firm also represents in the state Capitol. WHAT HAPPENED: On Oct. 29, one week before Election Day, state records show three lobbyists with CFM Advocates informed the Oregon Government Ethics Commission of a new client: Tesla Inc.
County Homeless Services Director Abruptly Retiring

1 month ago | wweek.com | Anthony Effinger |Aaron Mesh

The director of Multnomah County’s embattled Homeless Services Department is retiring, County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson announced this morning. Dan Field has led the office, until recently called the Joint Office of Homeless Services, since 2023. (It’s overseen by the county but funded in tandem with Portland City Hall.) His last day is June 16, and Deputy Director Anna Plumb will assume the role of interim director, the county said.
Portland Lawyer Again Files Ballot Initiative That Would Make County Pay Crime Victims

1 month ago | wweek.com | Aaron Mesh

Portland lawyer John DiLorenzo has filed a new version of a ballot initiative that would require Multnomah County to pay up to $2,500 to any victim of a person or property crime. The ballot initiative petition, filed March 4, is the fourth version DiLorenzo has filed since October. Two of them were rejected by the county elections director for not meeting legal standards.