The death of a local Amazon worker

An Unexpected Cut to the I-5 Bridge Project

To address escalating costs, project administrators are now planning to shorten the light rail line over the new Columbia River I-5 bridge. The plan now calls for one stop — at the bridge — without the second stop downtown. The Vancouver City Council on Monday voted to object to the cut. [OPB]

• Key point: The light rail would be accessed by elevator, said Vancouver City Councilor Erik Paulsen, which wouldn’t connect to the bus lines in the city. “It is effectively hovering over the waterfront of downtown Vancouver,” Paulsen said. “So, no, that does not work for the City of Vancouver.”

A Worker Died at Amazon’s Troutdale Warehouse

A worker collapsed and died last week in a local Amazon warehouse. Workers shared their accounts, including that they were told to keep working for nearly two hours, before being told to go home early. Amazon says operations for the day ended "shortly after EMS arrived.” [The Western Edge]

• Related: A 2019 investigation found that the Troutdale location had the worst injury rate of 23 major distribution centers. But according to Amazon, Oregon OSHA determined the death was not work-related. [The Western Edge]

More Bagel Options

You might never have heard of these bagels. That’d make sense, because Red Hen Bagelry did a lot of wholesale business with occasional pop-ups. But now they’ve found a place to stay open for a while. Besides the standard options, Red Hen has some more unusual flavors — egg everything, black sesame chopped chocolate, za’atar, and rosemary sea salt.

• Open weekends: Red Hen Bagelry at Red Sauce Pizza, Saturday - Sunday, 7 - 11:30 a.m. (or sold out).

How To Survive Portland Pollen Season

When the pollen count was particularly high last week, I asked for your tips on how to deal with spring allergies. We got some wise suggestions from your fellow readers:

• “Take your allergy pills before bedtime as a preventative measure, because pollen is peak in the morning hours — which is why you wake up feeling so bad. My allergist instructed me to do so years ago, and it has been a lifesaver making my allergies much less nasty!” — Cooper Cheatham

• “For me, a lifelong allergy sufferer, using a Neti pot with store-bought packets and distilled water works amazingly well. I do it every morning, all year long. It works so well that I no longer have to take medicine.” — Melissa M.

• “Cover your hair with a hat, or wash your hair as soon as you come back inside.
  
  “Take your shoes, hat, & coat off at the door when you come in, and change out of the clothes you wore outside as close to the door you came in, as soon as you can. Then carefully put those clothes in the washer.
  
  “Do not go into your sleeping area until you have removed anything worn outside, and do not take anything worn outside into your sleeping area. Shower before bed, if you've been outside.
  
  “These actions will prevent you from sleeping with your allergens.” — Sandy

• “I've always had a ton of allergies. Last year, I did a series of allergy shots where the allergist at my doctor's office sent vials of increasing strength home with me and I injected myself in my belly area several times a week.
  
  “It was uncomfortable, itchy, and I often got large welts at the injection site. Oh, and it lasted a full year. [But] so far this year, I've only needed occasional eye drops and Flonase.
  
  “In years past, when I heard tree pollen counts were high, I'd think, Yeah, that sounds about right, as I sucked down snot and wiped tears from my puffy, red eyes. So far this year, it's been a world of difference. So I guess my advice is…consider asking your doctor about a yearlong series of miserable allergy shots? Or moving? When I lived in Seattle my allergies were fine. I wish I had an easier answer.” — Eric