Community debates future of 'Last Thursday'

Submitted by Anita Kissée on Tue, 2010-02-09 00:25

Concerned residents packed the Acadian Ballroom Monday to meet with city officials and hammer out a solution to the neighborhood’s popular, but controversial, Last Thursday art festival.

Just over ten years ago Last Thursday started as a quaint, quirky art walk but now it draws thousands of people to Northeast Alberta. But with all those people came all kinds of problems including, an out-of-control crowd that forced the city to shut down 15 blocks of Alberta, protests, public urination, and a lack of parking.

For the city, the cost of the festival during the summer months began to exceed $10,000 to keep the peace. So to some, it’s become “Worst Thursday”.

The large and rowdy crowds - plus the expense - have put the future of the festival in doubt and forced City Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Mayor Sam Adams to bring the neighborhood together to work out a solution in an effort to keep the event alive but manageable.

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Future of 'Last Thursday' topic of meeting

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Mon, 2010-02-08 13:53

Officials are meeting Monday night to discuss the future of Last Thursday on Northeast Alberta Street.

The event attracts thousands of people every year during the summer months but in recent years the city had to pay the bill for shutting down 15 blocks to accommodate everyone. So now the city has to decide if it wants to keep Last Thursday going by making significant changes or shut it down completely.

Monday night's meeting will take public opinions. It's being held at the Acadian Ballroom on Alberta from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Want to go solar?

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Sun, 2010-02-07 08:00

There's a new program called 'Solarize Northeast' aimed at helping you figure out how to make solar energy a part of your life. Click here for details.

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Urban dogs on search for 9 year old

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Sat, 2010-02-06 14:00

NORTHEAST PORTLAND – A 9-year-old girl was reported missing, and police combed Northeast 42nd Avenue and Northeast Killingsworth Street Saturday morning looking for anyone who may have seen her.

UPDATE: Lillian has been found at a friend's house and is being returned home. "She is safe and uninjured," reports a Portland Police release.

Lillian was describes as about 4 feet tall and thin, with straight black hair to her shoulder and brown eyes.  She was last seen wearing blue jeans with purple trim, a white backless summer shirt, a purple sweater, a pink knee length coat with fur on the sleeves and hood and a black backpack.

The search effort convened at the Portland Community College parking lot near the area. Urban search dogs were used. As such, police had asked that citizens "minimize scent contamination of the surrounding neighborhoods."

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Portland Seafood and Wine Festival

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Sat, 2010-02-06 08:00

Get a taste of some of Oregon's best seafood and wine selections at the Oregon Convention Center.

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Suspect arrested in Key Bank robbery

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Fri, 2010-02-05 15:38

PORTLAND, Ore. - Police have a suspect in custody after a local Key Bank was robbed Thursday afternoon.

The robbery happened at the Key Bank at 1205 N.E. 102nd Avenue in the Gateway area.

Michael K. Foley was arrested near the Gateway Transit Center and is now lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges related to the robbery.

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Saltzman wants shooting testimony

Submitted by Associated Press on Fri, 2010-02-05 15:17

Photo caption: The late Aaron Marcell Campbell watches over the hospital bed of his late brother Timothy Douglass in this family photo.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The city police commissioner says he wants grand jury testimony in a police shooting death to be made public.

Commissioner Dan Saltzman urged Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk to take the unusual step so the public can hear the complete facts about the shooting death of a Portland man, Aaron Campbell.

"I realize there is nothing we can do to ease the pain that his death is causing his family, his friends and our community," Saltzman wrote to Schrunk in a letter Wednesday.

"That being said, I believe that the community deserves a public and thorough airing of the facts surrounding his death," Saltzman wrote.

Last Friday night, Campbell was shot once in the back by Officer Ronald Frashour, who fired a rifle at him in the parking lot of an apartment building.

Police had been called to the apartments to check on the welfare of Campbell, his girlfriend and three children after being told Campbell was suicidal and armed.

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Local college students visit KATU

Submitted by Dave Salesky on Fri, 2010-02-05 11:24

KATU got a live audence for our evening shows on Thursday - 40 students from WSU Vancouver, PCC & CCC. Kinda cool working in front of a live crowd.

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Huber's steps up to help FolkTime

Submitted by KATU Communitie... on Fri, 2010-02-05 08:00

Huber's will be donating 50 percent of their sales on Fat Tuesday to a local non-profit that helps those living with mental illness.

FolkTime, Inc., with locations on Northeast Couch and in Clackamas, has served the community for 22 years.

"I'm pleased to support a program that I have seen work and know is needed," Huber's co-owner James Louie said in a press release announcing the event.

The event at Huber's will run all day on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Reservations are recommended.

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Future of Grant High a big concern

Submitted by KATU.com Staff on Thu, 2010-02-04 12:39

PORTLAND, Ore. - Hundreds of parents and students from Northeast Portland gathered together Wednesday evening to talk about the future of Grant High School.

Many are concerned that the school could face closure or dramatic changes in the current curriculum to become a focus school. Portland Public Schools is proposing a redesign of high schools in the city and some feel Grant is vulnerable because of its location, socio-economics and the high cost to repair current buildings.

"We're just asking the school district to make sure every decision they make is a well thought-out one," said Grant High School PTA President Scott Overton.

On Monday, School Superintendent Carole Smith will address the school board on the high school redesign system.

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