Oregon is rolling out a new earthquake detection system, OPB’s Kristian Foden-Vencil reports. If the big one hits, this might give us a couple minutes heads up, which could prove vital. Portland Art Museum is showing of Hillsboro-based Lakita’s artwork later this year, with pieces from Oscar-nominated films like Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings. Claymation fans should keep that in mind for October until May of 2017, according to Mike Rogoway of Oregon Live. Black Tri-Met riders face penalties six times higher than other riders for similar offenses, Lee van der Voo reports, digging into an in-depth analysis of incidents for Investigate West. Did you know Hillsboro has a symphony? They’re playing a bunch of Western-inspired pieces on[…]
There are eleven candidates running for four positions on the Hillsboro School Board, but after the April 6 candidate forum hosted by 350pdx did not make it easier to differentiate between their positions. The ten candidates present (Jennifer Brandse did not attend) appeared collegial and largely agreed with one another during the panel. At one moment, Monte Akers (incumbent) raised a yellow “agree” sign while his opponent, Martin Granum, was speaking. Few questions brought sharply different answers from candidates. They’re all concerned about the projected budget shortfall next year. They spoke in favor of a proposed bond and of partnering with businesses and non-profit organizations in the community. They all mentioned protecting classrooms and students from any cuts they need[…]
Oregon lawmakers are considering a family leave bill, which could require companies to contribute to a fund offering up to 12 weeks off a year for unplanned family leave, Chris Lehman of OPB reports. Over at Stratechery, Ben Thompson has an interesting take on Intel’s acquisition of MobilEye, and what it could mean for Hillsboro’s biggest employer. Basically, companies like Intel have a chance to make a lot of money on self-driving cars if they position themselves well. School districts all over the state are going to have to make up for a budget shortfall, OPB’s Rob Manning reports. Hillsboro shortfall will be $9 million, and the school board is considering bigger class sizes and a shorter school year. It’s[…]
City council was back to normal this week, with a meeting focused less on lightning-rod national issues and more on things like public art, students, and real estate development. No Hillsboro citizen felt the need to offer a public comment, and the meeting wrapped up in just 45 minutes—much shorter than the 4 hour marathon two weeks ago, when Mayor Steve Calloway declared Hillsboro a sanctuary city. The bulk of the session was devoted to a presentation by the city’s Youth Advisory Council, who spoke about their recent trip to Washington D.C. where they visited museums, met with politicians, and spoke with other youth advisors from around the country. I enjoyed meeting with the Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council today! Thank you[…]
The March 14 Hillsboro School board meeting was standing room only. In addition to the blue Hilhi shirts worn in support of Adam Reese, which have become standard at recent meetings, a group of students and families from the Brookwood Elementary School STEAM club were present to present their windmill projects. Another group of students and parents were present to represent the Chicas Youth Development Program. Public comment was again dominated by students and parents speaking on behalf of former Hilhi football and wrestling coach Adam Reese. They asserted that the issue is now a Level 3 grievance and would be coming before the school board. Members of the school board reiterated that they do not hire or fire coaches[…]
Your regional headlines to start the week off: Someone stole a street cleaner outside a Hillsboro WinCo over the weekend, and tried to make a break for it. No, seriously: police deployed spikes to stop the thing. Hillsboro Police Department Mayor Steve Calloway talked to Oregon Public Radio after last week’s sanctuary city vote. Here’s the audio; it’s worth a listen: Or listen in Spanish, if you prefer: Oregon’s two biggest colleges could see double-digit tuition increases. Andrew Theen/Oregonian Ballots could become free to mail, as Oregon legislators contemplate buying postage in bulk. Ballots currently require a stamp, though in recent elections the US Postal Service delivered unstamped ballots and charged the state retroactively. Gordon Friedman/Oregonian Here’s a fascinating map[…]
Hillsboro publicly declared itself a sanctuary city last night as Mayor Steve Callaway cast a dramatic tie-breaking vote. The vote followed over three hours of public comment, and was the nail-biting conclusion to months of activism and debate in Oregon’s fifth-largest city. Councillors Kyle Allen, Anthony Martin, and Olivia Alcaire all backed the declaration; Darell Lumaco, Rick Van Beveren, and Fred Nachtigal all voted against. The mayor, who only votes in the event of a tie, voted for the measure, making Hillsboro the latest Oregon city to publicly declare itself a sanctuary city. After 3-3 vote from council, Mayor @SteveCallaway2 votes in favor of making Hillsboro a sanctuary city. pic.twitter.com/KxPKutZY7c — Claudia Ramos (@ClauRamosNews) March 8, 2017 Oregon law already[…]
Pro-immigrant activists are getting ready for Hillsboro’s sanctuary vote next week. Travis Loose/Hillsboro Tribune Meanwhile, in Portland, Undocumented immigrants protested right outside ICE offices. Casey Parks/Oregonian “Jaime Miranda saw business cut in half at M&M Marketplace, his Latino-themed bazaar in Hillsboro, after a 2008 state law required proof of citizenship to get a license.” Adiel Kaplan/InvestigateWest TriMet has a plan to subsidize fare for low-income riders, giving 50 percent off day passes and 72 percent off monthly passes. If implemented, the discounted rate would be available to households that make up to twice the federal poverty rate: $23,760 for one person or $48,600 for a family of four. The agency wants $11 million a year to implement the plan, potentially[…]
Supporters of Adam Reese, the former Hillsboro High School (Hilhi) football and wrestling coach, made up the bulk of public comments at Hillsboro School board meetings tonight, despite the board stating that board members cannot discuss personnel matters publicly. Reese was placed on administrative leave in October, but continues to teach at Hilhi. Three parents and one student expressed their support for Reese, and their frustration with the decision-making process, which has now lasted for nearly five months. One mother wore a blue “We Stand With Reese” t-shirt. Another parent suggested the board spend more time on working to improve test scores and less time investigating coaches. Board members do not respond during public comment. At the end of the[…]
Plenty of regional and state news have impacts in Hillsboro, so we’ve going to start rounding up stories from other publications we think readers will find interesting. Here’s the first issue. Oregon schools will continue to protect transgender students, despite Trump’s recent changes to Federal policy. Casey Parks/Oregonian Latinos are statistically more likely to get pulled over than white people in Oregon, even when you account for immigration status. Kate Willson/Pamplin Media The Oregon government found $200 million under the couch’s cushions (or the economy is growing faster than expected, whatever.) Chris Lehman/OPB Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, a Republican, says there’s no voter fraud in Oregon, despite what certain presidents might say. Laura Klinkner/OPB TriMet had no policy[…]