🧊 How to help local businesses recover

Worst Storm of a Generation for Trees

Tree care experts are calling the recent winter weather the worst of our lifetime. In one horrible episode, four trees fell on a single house, with a fifth taking out the owners’ car. Luckily, they and their animals survived. [Oregonian]

National Rock Climbing Rules

Rock climbers are opposing proposed federal regulations that would require permits for installing climbing bolts. After all, climbing is an approved activity in federal parks. But federal agencies say the rules will make things easier and more standardized. [OPB]

Oregon Mental Health Care All Wrong

The longtime chair of Oregon Health & Science University’s Department of Psychiatry offered a strong critique of the state’s failure on mental health care. Dr. George Keepers says Oregon would be better off with a centralized state system, like that of Massachusetts, which has superior results and lower costs. [Willamette Week]

Suspected Political Arson

This week’s news round-up includes a discussion of suspected arson: City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s car was torched, and police are investigating. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Bad Weather Hammers Local Shops, an Iconic Building Goes to Auction, and a Political Arson Investigation

In this week’s news, there was extreme weather’s devastating impact on small businesses, the possible political act of arson against Commissioner Rene Gonzalez, and yet another low moment for our city’s commercial real estate. Portland Mercury culture editor Suzette Smith discusses the news with City Cast Portland podcast host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni.