All articles tagged with #multnomah county
Metro's forecast indicates that economic weakness in Multnomah County will limit growth in homeless services tax collections, potentially impacting funding for local programs, with collections expected to be only slightly higher than last year after accounting for a one-time payment boost, and ongoing economic challenges may force service cuts.
Federal policy changes threaten to cut over $25 million in funding for homelessness programs in Multnomah County, risking the displacement of around 800 households, as the county prepares to seek alternative funding sources and potentially halt new housing projects amidst ongoing legal and political challenges.
Voter turnout in Oregon for the 2024 election is trailing behind previous presidential elections, with only 69% of registered voters having cast ballots so far, compared to 80% in 2016 and 82% in 2020. Multnomah County reported a 68% turnout, with a record 115,000 ballots returned on Election Day, but still falling short of past levels. Ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if received within a week, but officials are not optimistic about reaching previous turnout highs.
Nathan Vasquez, a career prosecutor, has won the race to become Multnomah County's next district attorney, defeating incumbent Mike Schmidt. Vasquez plans to focus on prosecuting homicide cases and preparing for his transition to office, which he will officially take over in January. The election results reflect voter dissatisfaction with public safety and Schmidt's management, leading to a significant shift in leadership. Vasquez aims to bring back former prosecutors and prioritize justice reform while valuing victims.
Incumbent Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt conceded to challenger Nathan Vasquez after vote counts showed Vasquez maintaining a significant lead. Key county commissioner races are also heading towards runoffs, with Sam Adams narrowly leading Jessie Burke in District 2 and Meghan Moyer and Vadim Mozyrsky likely facing off in District 1. Voter turnout is currently at 30.61%, and the $380 million Metro zoo bond measure is passing by a smaller margin in Multnomah County compared to neighboring counties.
Nathan Vasquez, the newly elected Multnomah County District Attorney, aims to address the fentanyl crisis and end open-air drug dealing as his top priorities upon taking office. Vasquez, who ran a tough-on-crime campaign, unseated incumbent Mike Schmidt in the primary election. Schmidt, known for his progressive policies, conceded and committed to a smooth transition. Vasquez emphasized his focus on crime victims and community collaboration to achieve his goals.
Nathan Vasquez, a career prosecutor, has defeated incumbent Mike Schmidt in the Multnomah County District Attorney race, securing 54% of the vote. Vasquez's campaign focused on public safety and crime victim advocacy, while Schmidt, a progressive DA, faced criticism and internal opposition. Despite Schmidt's late surge in votes, The Oregonian/OregonLive projects Vasquez's victory. Schmidt has conceded and pledged a smooth transition.
An unprecedented surge of 93,600 last-minute ballots in Multnomah County's primary election has led to a robust 35% voter turnout, but has also created uncertainty about final results. Election workers are racing to verify and tabulate the influx of ballots, with some close contests potentially remaining undecided until later in the week.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Nathan Vasquez is on track to unseat his boss, Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt, according to a map showing where each candidate performed best in the county.
Multnomah County voters rejected incumbent District Attorney Mike Schmidt in favor of his deputy district attorney, Nathan Vasquez, who secured 56% of the vote. Schmidt's progressive ideas on prosecuting crime faced criticism amidst issues of homelessness, drug use, and gun violence in the county. Vasquez, with over 20 years of prosecutorial experience, emphasized a commitment to addressing these challenges and prioritizing victim advocacy. Despite initial support, Schmidt's tenure was marked by controversy, including his decision not to prosecute low-level crimes committed during racial-justice protests. While Schmidt did not concede, political analysts indicated a clear trend favoring Vasquez's victory.
Nathan Vasquez leads in the race for Multnomah County District Attorney, potentially unseating incumbent Mike Schmidt, who has faced criticism for his progressive reforms amid rising crime rates. Vasquez, promising stricter law enforcement, has garnered 58% of the vote in early returns. Both candidates raised over $1 million in a low-turnout election.
A 61-year-old solo hiker was found dead at the base of a cliff near Horsetail Falls after she did not return from her planned hike at Oneonta Falls. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, along with other agencies, conducted a search and found her body on Saturday afternoon. The cause of death is yet to be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
Multnomah County has declared an emergency and opened severe weather shelters in anticipation of up to 3 inches of snowfall and 40 mph winds in Portland tonight, with TriMet also preparing for the storm. Following criticism for closing shelters during the previous winter storm, the county is now seeking volunteers to staff the shelters and offering free rides on TriMet buses and trains. The NWS warns of slippery road conditions and potential impacts on Thursday morning's commute, while acknowledging the difficulty of making a confident forecast.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of up to 3 inches of snow, with severe weather shelters opening Wednesday night and an additional 480 beds available. Free transportation to warming shelters will be provided, and volunteers are needed to help operate the shelters.
A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse after allegedly breaking his fiancée's neck, hiding her body in the backseat of her car, and abandoning the vehicle after crashing it into a snowbank in rural Washington. The victim, Jeannie Enyeart, 47, had gone missing from Northeast Portland on Jan. 27, 2024.