Appeals court, in 2 to 1 split, puts hold on restraining order barring Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard Senior Circuit Judge Susan P. Graber wrote a 35-page dissent.

"The two Trump-nominated judges, Circuit Judges Bridget S. Bade and Ryan D. Nelson, ruled for the majority, with Senior Circuit Judge Susan P. Graber, nominated by former President Bill Clinton, dissenting." -- by @maxbernstein.bsky.social

Possible fixes unveiled for massive public defense backlog Public defense director Ken Sanchagrin’s memo comes as the backlog of unrepresented criminal defendants continues largely unabated in several areas of the state but particularly in Portland and Washin...

Oregon's top public defense official today sent Gov. Kotek a 38-page memo outlining not only the factors shaping Oregon's unrepresented crisis but also his ideas for possible solutions. #orpol

I don’t know Nathan Pliska but enjoyed reading about his life and accomplishments in his Sunday @oregonian.com obit. His family’s loving and generous obit ends w/a poignant message for those struggling w/substance abuse. “The absence left behind by addiction is profoundly painful.”

Emergency funding sought to reduce complaint backlog crisis at Oregon Youth Authority “How can we get these cases done fairly but also swiftly?" said Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth. “The public is a little bit frustrated that we even got here."

“What we’re trying to find out is — in the polite way of asking — how fast can we get this booger off our finger?” Rep. Paul Evans. “How can we get these cases done fairly but also swiftly?

“The public is a little bit frustrated that we even got here." #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

‘You’ll see your kids again,’ Oregon killer on the run told her. ‘Just keep driving’ So began a Eugene woman’s 2,500-mile journey alongside the stranger who kidnapped her.

“Are these your kids?” Nicholson asked, scanning the image on her phone’s screensaver.

“Yes,” she said.

“You’ll see your kids again,” he said. “Just keep driving.”

Nicholson tossed Johnson’s phone out the window, leaving her boyfriend’s texts unanswered.

Urban League of Portland taps former Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt as general counsel Mike Schmidt confirmed his new job Thursday.

Former Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt started a new job Monday: general counsel for the Urban League of Portland.

Noelle Crombie and I with the scoop.

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Cash-strapped Oregon Department of Forestry to treat employees to training session at luxury resort The three-day, two-night conference at Brasada Ranch follows the agency’s plea last month for millions in emergency funding from the Legislature to help cover costs from fighting last year’s wildfires...

The three-day, two-night event at Brasada Ranch follows the agency’s plea last month for millions in emergency funding from the Legislature to help cover costs from fighting last year’s record-breaking wildfires. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Oregon to pay up to $250,000 to consultants to defend state in prison litigation Four consultants are named in the contract, with the state agreeing to pay each an hourly rate ranging from $175 to $350.

Oregon DOC says it plans a review of its beleaguered health care system; the $250K contract signed this month, however, focuses on helping the state defend itself from legal action. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

State will pay record $2.7 million settlement in Oregon prisoner’s death from flu Michael Barton, 54, contracted the flu in January 2018 at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem and died the next month. Corrections Director Colette S. Peters apologized Tuesday to Barton’s family, ...

The payout to settle the claim by Genise's family set a new record for the Oregon Department of Corrections.

This case now ranks second:

www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10...

Record $3.5 million settlement paid to family of Oregon prisoner who died A nurse told Dominic Genise he was experiencing gas and gave him antacids, according to a lawsuit. Genise was found dead in his cell about 6:15 p.m. that day.

Dominic Genise sought medical care at the Oregon State Penitentiary infirmary for chest pain; records say the prison nurse "misread" an EKG and sent him back to his cell with antacid. Genise, who had a documented history of high blood pressure, died that day.

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Oregon prison guard kills his 16-year-old daughter, then himself, authorities say Deputies found 16-year-old Larissa Alexander lying dead near the body of her father.

Nicholas Alexander was a longtime Oregon Department of Corrections officer, state officials confirmed. He's been on leave since October.

www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/1...

"The Northwest Regional Education Service District, which contracted with Thomas DeLapp, acknowledged it never did a background check on DeLapp."

Coos County boy, 5, was on the radar of child welfare workers when he died; no arrests expected, prosecutor says Hypothermia was a “contributing cause of death,” said the Coos County district attorney.

Mom of Coos County boy who went missing & died last month had been on radar of the Department of Human Services when the child disappeared, court filings show.

The DA says he doesn't expect to file charges; hypothermia contributed to Joshua McCoy's death.

www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/1...

Man accused of Gresham killing returned to Alaska to face murder charge in presumed killing of his roommate Talks continue between prosecutors and lawyers representing Aaron Hague, 36, for a possible plea deal in the two murder cases in Alaska and Oregon.

Man accused of Gresham killing returned to Alaska to face murder charge in presumed killing of his roommate

www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/1...

Juror in Portland murder trial makes bombshell claim: Jury did own research to reach guilty verdict The highly unusual admission has led defense lawyers to seek a new trial. Jurors are typically told repeatedly not to do their own research.

After reaching a guilty verdict in the Colby Benson murder trial, Juror 35 left behind a note for the judge in the jury room:

“The State did not meet their burden of proof. We did it for them.”

Multnomah County commissioner beat out more experienced candidates to land division director job Interview panelists praised Commissioner Lori Stegmann’s leadership, but some expressed concerns that she’d struggle in the role.

“Have I managed 120 people?” she said. “No, but we have 6,000 employees at Multnomah County. I mean, I would say, in a way, I’ve managed thousands of people.”

Terrific watchdog reporting by Austin De Dios:

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

“I mean, the bylines are just bizarre because they’re on topics a) of which I have no understanding and b) I’ve been to Oregon once in my life for a very, very lovely holiday in Portland,” the United Kingdom-based writer told OPB.

A deeply unsettling read by @ryanjhaas.bsky.social:

Oregon prison medical care under renewed scrutiny as top doctor and manager placed on leave “It’s the opinion of anybody kind of in prison law right now that it’s always been bad, but it’s gotten distinctly worse in the last few years,” one advocate said.

“We would litigate the same issues,” said one lawyer, “and win again and again and again and again. … This has just been this loop for years under Dr. Roberts.”

Our look at longstanding and well-documented complaints about prison medical care in Oregon:

#orpol

Oregon’s top prison doctor placed on leave Dr. Warren Roberts oversees medical services for Oregon’s roughly 12,000 prisoners.

Two top Dept of Corrections executives overseeing medical care for Oregon’s roughly 12,000 prisoners were placed on paid leave today amid an outside inquiry into prison medical care. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/health/2024/...

Investigation into incoming Clackamas County Commissioner Melissa Fireside under review by Oregon Department of Justice Lake Oswego police first received a complaint related to Fireside on Sept. 30.

DOJ confirms it will review investigation into Melissa Fireside, Clackamas County's newly elected commissioner. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Lake Oswego home of incoming Clackamas County commissioner served with search warrant, lawyer says Court filings cite an ongoing investigation into felony theft allegations, said Melissa Fireside’s attorney, Mark Cogan.

The search warrant for Melissa Fireside's Lake O home was signed Oct. 30 & cites an ongoing investigation into aggravated identity theft and aggravated first-degree theft. Alleged victim is elderly, source says. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Another top Oregon Department of Forestry manager investigated for workplace conduct The investigation into Mike Wilson, state forests division chief for the Oregon Department of Forestry, stemmed from a complaint by a female subordinate.

A top Oregon Department of Forestry manager violated state workplace rules when he was overly familiar with a subordinate, remarked on her appearance & seemed to refer to the size of his genitals over drinks, according to an internal investigation. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/news/2024/11...

The LA lawsuit claims the younger Pitassi encouraged alcohol consumption & that he “was creating a ‘Mad Men’ type environment with a free flow of alcohol throughout the workday.”

“The branch’s monthly alcohol expense was significant, nearly $20,000,” the lawsuit alleges.

Former Pacific Office Automation workers seek over $20M more in suit alleging sex assault by longtime CEO Doug Pitassi and the Beaverton company face allegations he abused salespeople at alcohol-soaked company events.

New court filing seeks more than $20 mill from Pacific Office Automation & longtime exec Doug Pitassi - and the company is battling age discrimination claims out of its LA satellite run by Pitassi’s son.

W/ @rogoway.bsky.social

www.oregonlive.com/business/202...

Proud Boy associate gets 14 days in jail for shoving demonstrator at 2021 Oregon City clash “Just know that I have made a lot of great changes in my life in these last few months,” the former Proud Boy associate the judge during Wednesday's hearing.

Former Proud Boy associate who clashed with antifa at an Oregon City park 3 years ago sentenced Wednesday to 14 days in jail.

“It’s been a long journey since I lost my wife and I made a lot of bad decisions trying to not grieve,” Barry Johnson told the court.

www.oregonlive.com/clackamascou...

Longtime Oregon prison guard who is now accused of murder kept job after earlier gun conviction Alonzo Rowell kept his corrections officer certification and prison job even after his conviction and a determination that he engaged in “gross misconduct.”

Alonzo Rowell, 52, was investigated previously by DPSST, which found he engaged in “gross misconduct,” records show. Yet the state opted to let Rowell keep his certification & his job at Oregon's maximum security prison.

www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/1...

Oregon prison watchdog fired by Gov. Tina Kotek after rocky tenure Adrian Wulff, a former therapist at the state’s women’s prison, was hired in 2021 and reported to Gov. Tina Kotek.

Oregon's prison watchdog told his bosses this yr that the position was stressful & he worried he would be fired for asking for help.

On Friday, he was.

Gov. Tina Kotek's office said it was his failure to open prison mail that ended his career. #orpol

www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Oregon juvenile probation officer accused in killing of celebrity hairstylist in LA The high-profile case has been featured on Court TV and became the basis of a Paramount+ series, “The Monica Sementilli Affair.”

ICYMI: A juvenile probation/parole officer in Multnomah County is implicated in the killing of a celebrity hairstylist in LA. The details:

www.oregonlive.com/crime/2024/1...

Hello, BlueSky!

We have a list of all of our reporters on here as of now. You can give the list a pin to your home feed or find your favorite Oregon journalist to follow 😉

We will see you out there in the skeets!

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