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Tag: Portland

  • Walmart Is Permanently Closing Its Last Portland Stores

    Walmart Is Permanently Closing Its Last Portland Stores

    Walmart is permanently closing its last Portland, OR stores, citing a failure to meet financial expectations.

    According to KPTV, Walmart plans to close its remaining two Portland locations in late March.

    “The decision to close these stores was made after a careful review of their overall performance. We consider many factors, including current and projected financial performance, location, population, customer needs, and the proximity of other nearby stores when making these difficult decisions. After we decide to move forward, our focus is on our associates and their transition, which is the case here,” a Walmart spokesperson said.

    While the company officially blamed “financial performance,” Walmart has been struggling with record-breaking theft. Walmart CEO Doug McMillion warned months ago that the company’s financial performance was being negatively impacted as a result.

    It’s unclear if crime was a factor in the company’s decision.

  • Portland Cracks Down on Facial Recognition

    Portland Cracks Down on Facial Recognition

    Portland has instituted a sweeping ban on facial recognition, the broadest such ban in the US.

    In the wake of privacy concerns, negative publicity, reports of bias and facial recognition being used in legally and ethically questionable ways by companies like Clearview AI, many cities have started rolling out bans. Portland’s ban is the most aggressive however, banning the technology’s use by both the government and businesses.

    The ban does make a distinction between broad facial recognition used for mass surveillance and facial authentication technology. For example, many phones use facial recognition as a security measure. These type of systems are not covered by the ban, as they are not used for broad surveillance.

    The wording of the ban seems to indicate that it is not intended as a permanent solution, but as a stop-gap measure until the technology matures and is better regulated.

    ”Existing methodologies assessing bias in Face Recognition Technologies show progress on their performance,” reads the ordinance. “However, there is still not a formal certification process available to cities that includes the full lifecycle of sensitive information collected from individuals.”

    Similarly, Portland City Council Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said:

    “I want to ban this technology until it works as intended. That is my goal.”

  • Ashley Benson Murder Suspect Arrested

    Ashley Benson’s murder shook Portland last month, but her murderer just might be behind bars now.

    Benson’s body was found in a stairwell at a DoubleTree Hotel in Northeast Portland

    Tae Bum Yoon, 27, was arrested on Wednesday under suspicion of her murder and was booked into the Justice Center Jail. He was being held without bail and was arraigned Friday afternoon in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

    Police haven’t said what connection Tae Bum Yoon had with Ashley Benson, but they have said that Benson was a victim of sex trafficking. Whether or not that has anything to do with her murder has yet to be announced.

    Benson was a 2008 graduate of Reynolds High School in Washington. She grew up in the Gresham area and later lived in the Vancouver area. Ashley had a young son and was “a good person” with a contagious laugh and she would give a person the shirt off her back, according to her good friend, Karissa Sheaffer.

    Another friend, Suzanna Mainor, said after Ashley Benson’s murder, “She was a good spirited person who loved her boy more than life itself.”

    She continued, “she was always the first one to make someone laugh when they were down and out. Whoever did this is a heartless person.”

    Hopefully, the family and friends of Ashley Benson can get some relief with the arrest of Tae Bum Yoon and some closure as the investigation into this devious crime moves forward.

    What do you think about the troubling murder of Ashley Benson and its connection to sex trafficking in America?

  • Uber Facing Lawsuit from the City of Portland, Oregon

    On-demand ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft often operate in legal grey areas, residing somewhere between illegal and kind-of legal – depending on the specific laws of the cities in which they launch. Most of the conflicts that arise between local governments and Uber have to do with current on-the-books laws regulating taxi services and the acquisition of permits. This sort of struggle is definitely not unprecedented.

    Last week, Uber launched in Portland, Oregon. This was notable because technically, Uber is illegal in Portland, Oregon. In the city, it is illegal for drivers to pick up passengers for a fee inside the city limits without proper permits – which Uber does not possess.

    Uber operates in nearby localities, which makes it an even trickier situation. Portland allows Uber drivers to operate inside the city limits, as long as they are just dropping off passengers they picked up in another city. Anyway, the city of Portland condemned Uber’s decision to begin operations and threatened fines.

    “There’s nothing sharing about this so-called ‘sharing economy’ company: They want to profit in Portland without playing by the same rules as existing cab companies,” said City Commissioner Steve Novick. “People who pick up passengers for Uber in Portland should know that they are operating illegally and could be subject to penalties. Public safety, fairness among competitors and customer service are our top priorities. Unlike permitted drivers, Uber drivers do not carry commercial insurance, putting Portland customers at great risk.”

    Fast forward a few days and the city of Portland is taking even stronger measures to stop Uber – by filing a lawsuit.

    “The lawsuit seeks declaratory relief that Uber is subject to and in violation of the City of Portland’s Private for Hire Transportation Regulations and Administrative Rules. The City’s lawsuit is asking for a declaration by the court that Uber is subject to the City’s regulations. The lawsuit also asks the Court to order Uber to stop operating in Portland until it is in compliance with the City’s safety, health and consumer protection rules,” according to a release from the city government.

    Mayor Charlie Hales says this is about both safety and fairness.

    “Our main concern is public health and safety, because the state invested in the cities the responsibility to do that,” Mayor Charlie Hales said. “Beyond that, though, is the issue of fairness. Taxi cab companies follow rules on public health and safety. So do hotels and restaurants and construction companies and scores of other service providers. Because everyone agrees: good regulations make for a safer community. Uber disagrees, so we’re seeking a court injunction.”

    Despite common legal objections and some incredibly bad PR, Uber just found itself at the end of a $1.2 billion round of funding. Uber is now valued at over $40 billion.

    Image via Uber, Facebook

  • Portland Shootout Leaves K-9 Dead, Officer Wounded

    A police dog sent after a robbery suspect was killed during a shootout in Portland, Oregon Wednesday morning, and the K-9 unit handler was wounded.

    The incident began after police observed three men exiting a uniform shop, which lead to a vehicle pursuit. The chase ended when the suspects crashed their SUV into a utility pole. The suspects and police exchanged fire, and officer Jeff Dorn was wounded in both legs. “Mick,” a dog who had recently joined the K-9 unit, was later found dead under a hedge in a yard.

    In a statement, Officer Dorn, a 16-year veteran, said that “Mick saved my life,” after the officer had told the dog to “Take that suspect!” Portland Police Chief Mike Reese said that the shootout ensued shortly after Dorn sicced Mick on the three men.

    Three suspects are now in custody, including one authorities had been tracking through southwest Portland neighborhoods for roughly three hours. That suspect was injured during the incident, and was transported to a local hospital.

    The Portland PD was initially unable to locate Mick after the shootout, and used Twitter to put the word out:

    Sadly, Mick was located with apparent gunshot wounds:

    Police dogs are specially trained for duties including searching for drugs and explosives, searching for missing people, sniffing out crime scene evidence and protecting their handlers. The most commonly used breed is the German Shepherd, although Belgian Malinois are also employed. John Reese, the protagonist in the CBS crime drama Person of Interest owns a Belgian Malinois named “Bear.”

    Police vehicles formed a procession to transport Mick across the Willamette River to an animal hospital after the shooting. Sgt. Rhonda Sandoval, an official of the Oregon Police Canine Association, commented that police dogs are trained to bond with their handlers, and that they “become part of our lives and our families.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Chicago-Portland Flight: Disruptive Man Arrested

    What is it about the Portland flights? People seem to be getting a little stir-crazy these days. Maybe cabin fever is getting to everyone and spring just needs to hurry up and arrive.

    A man on a United Airlines flight Monday decided he wanted a Jack Daniels — well, four drinks to be exact. And when he was cut off, he flipped out a bit.

    He cursed the flight attendants when they said enough was enough, refused to sit in his seat after he spilled water on it and provoked the other passengers on the plane.

    This incident comes less than a week after authorities in Portland arrested another disruptive passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight.

    After a federal complaint was filed by FBI agent Sean Hamblet, Jared McKay, 29, was arrested and appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court on a single count of interference with a flight crew.

    According to Hamblet’s affidavit, McKay was traveling from Pittsburg to Portland on Monday. On his leg from Chicago to Portland he became disruptive.

    McKay asked for four Jack Daniels from a flight attendant immediately after takeoff. The flight attendant gave him two at that point and then a bit later in the flight, she gave him two more.

    At some point during the flight, he allegedly grabbed a flight attendant’s hand, told her he loved her and promised to “show you” if she sat next to him.

    Ew!

    Flight attendants noticed McKay becoming “increasingly aggressive” about halfway through the flight after he was cut off. The flight attendants decided to give him water instead, which he spilled on his seat, according to the affidavit.

    It was at this point that McKay refused to sit down and continued to demand more Jack Daniels, the filing states.

    And it just gets worse.

    Later in the flight the man went into the lavatory. When he returned to the galley, attendants said they could smell cigarette smoke from him and from the lavatory.

    According to the affidavit, the captain of flight UA1108 told the FBI he nearly diverted the plane to Denver, but decided to continue on to Salt Lake City as an option for landing.

    But it was not needed as McKay either passed out or fell asleep.

    During questioning by the FBI, McKay apparently said that a “terrorist” had spilled water on him and that he stayed in the galley to dry himself off with napkins.

    He was released after the hearing Tuesday on conditions and is to be arraigned March 27.

    A week prior to this incident, a Southwest Airlines pilot made an emergency stop in Portland on a Seattle-to-Sacramento flight. A passenger of that flight demanded multiple glasses of wine, shouted, swore and displayed gang signs.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Fiona Apple Heckled By Fans in Portland

    Musician, Fiona Apple hasn’t had the easiest of tours so far (and her tour only started two days ago on Thursday, Oct. 3.)

    The 36-year-old singer/songwriter couldn’t simply perform for her Portland audience without them shouting hateful comments, constantly interrupting her set. According to the Oregonian, the star was visibly frustrated and bothered by the rude audience she was playing for.

    With only two songs left in her set, a woman in the audience shouted out, “Get healthy, we want to see you in 10 years!”

    In response, Apple stopped playing her piano and said, “I am healthy.” She stood up from the piano and a bunch of expletives were then thrown toward the woman who first interrupted with the rude comment directed towards Apple. Shortly after, the house lights were turned on as the audience of Portland’s Newmark Theatre shouted either in support of or against the 90’s star.

    The woman who started out with the comments was forced to leave and Apple returned to her music.

    Click here to snag tickets to Fiona Apple’s current tour.

    Watch hit song, “Criminal” below.

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Terrence Jones Arrested For Stomping On Homeless Man

    It is easy for NBA players to draw criticism. It is even easier when they do things like stomp of sleeping homeless people.

    Terrence Jones, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets, was arrested last night in Portland, OR for assaulting a homeless man sleeping in a doorway. Reportedly, Jones and his friends were leaving a nightclub when a police officer observed Jones first yelling at, and then stomping on the man’s leg.

    Jones, who struggled to find playing time last season and spent time in the NBA’s developmental league, was arrested around 2 a.m., but was later released on his own recognizance.

    Jones was a major high school star in Portland, his hometown. He lead Jefferson High School to three straight state championships and drew attention from every major collegiate program. He originally committed to the university of Washington, but later decommitted in order to play at the University of Kectucky. While at UK he played a hand in capturing the 2012 National Championship.

    Jones has had less success since being drafted 18th overall by the Houston Rockets after declaring for the NBA draft following his sophomore year. As mentioned earlier, he spent a large chunk of last season in the D-league and played in only 19 regular season games.

    Stomping of defenseless, homeless men might not affect his play, but it will definitely affect his image. Often, that is enough to cause a franchise to sever ties with a player, especially one that is not a major contributer. No official word has come from the Rockets just yet, but they cannot be happy with a player that is supposed to be a major part of their future performing such a disgusting act.

  • John McAfee Just Posted This Video Of Himself Playing Piano In The Middle Of An Airport

    McAfee antivirus founder John McAfee seems to be having a great deal of fun since he returned to the States after his highly publicized run from authorities in Belize.

    Recently, McAfee put out a funny video responding to all the emails he gets about uninstalling the software (which he no longer has anything to do with). Today, he shares video of himself playing piano in the middle of the Portland International Airport, and quite beautifully, I might add.

    Enjoy.

    John Mcafee12 minutes ago

    Someone forgot to lock the piano at PDX airport last night…

    A Morning Serenade..
    A Morning Serenade..Posted by: John McAfee , July 18, 2013

    Powered by socialditto  6 likes ·  3 comments

    Truly a man of many talents.

  • Portland Police Brake for Ducks, Even in Hot Pursuit

    This may be the most intense police pursuit you’ve ever seen. Traffic Officer Mark James of the Portland Police Bureau caught a car doing 52 in a 35, endangering the lives of every motorist on the road.

    Hot on the trail and catching up to the speeder, James hit a roadblock. Inncent lives were at stake. Of course, officers are sworn to protect and serve – even if those that need protection are on the featherier side of things.

    The violator got away. Damnit, foiled by ducks again.

    [via reddit]

  • Blazers Owner Paul Allen Wages Twitter War with Sports Columnist

    In an article on OreganLive, sportswriter John Canzano railed Trailblazers owner Paul Allen for not spending enough money on his team and generally being a bad owner. He called on Allen to make a move on whether to sell the team or commit to it fully. He opened the article with some incendiary remarks, writing “Your team stinks. Nobody wants to be your general manager. You are without a coach. Trail Blazers fans don’t appreciate or understand you. You are Paul Allen. So what do you do?”

    Allen had apparently had enough of Canzano’s criticism, tweeting the following:

    (image)@PaulGAllen
    Paul Allen    The Four Stages of reading a @JohnCanzanoBFT column on the @Pdxtrailblazers http://t.co/KAW3Msvy(image) 1 day ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    If you click on the link he provides you will see a meme (sort of) of octopi criticizing Canzano’s journalistic integrity.

    Stage 1: Uh oh, another Canzano column!
    Stage 2: Wow, even more bombastic and grandiose than usual!
    Stage 3: He’s frolicking again with unnamed sources and their murky agendas.
    Stage 4: Movin’ on … (Does his editor even bother to read these?)

    Allan has recently denied rumors that he will be selling the Trailblazers.

    (image)@PaulGAllen
    Paul Allen    It is absolutely false that I have entertained offers for @pdxtrailblazers. Unnamed sources are wrong as usual. Why don’t reporters check?(image) 21 days ago via web ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    Canzano responded with more tweets bashing the owner, and a new article criticizing Allen for not responding to the question “you in or out?”.

    Mostly, I was disappointed that in all Allen’s creative expression, the guy who nicknamed himself “Idea Man” failed to do the one thing that most of us care to know.

    You know, share an idea.

    I ask in the column: “You in or out?”

    Allen replies: “Have you seen this octopus?”

    I now realize the Blazers owner and I need couples counseling if we’re ever to communicate.

    (image)@JohnCanzanoBFT
    John Canzano    Yo @PaulGAllen … you think reading is worse than watching that product you’re schilling? Yikes.(image) 1 day ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@JohnCanzanoBFT
    John Canzano    Simple question that only @PaulGAllen can answer… are you in? Because a big number of your shareholders want to know.(image) 1 day ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

    (image)@JohnCanzanoBFT
    John Canzano    Canzano: Column on @PaulGAllen leads to Twitter lesson: ‘Beware of Angry Billionaire’ http://t.co/jcgpDQsV(image) 1 day ago via TweetDeck ·  Reply ·  Retweet ·  Favorite · powered by @socialditto

  • Portland Man Strips Naked in Airport to Protest TSA

    More news today on America’s general discontent with the TSA. A Portland man got completely naked at a TSA checkpoint, saying in the police report “he flies a lot and had disrobed as a form of protest against TSA Screeners who he felt were harassing him.”

    John E. Brennan was charged with disorderly conduct and indecent exposure at Portland International Airport. He was flying Alaska Airlines to San Jose, California.

    According to the police report, “Mr. Brennan’s actions caused two screening lanes to be closed and while some passengers covered their eyes and their children’s eyes and moved away from the screening area, others stepped out of the screening lanes to look, laugh and take photos of Mr. Brennan.”

    He is currently being held on $4,000 bond.

    Brennan’s father was interviewed by Portland’s KATU News Tuesday night, saying, “This is quite a shock. He hasn’t been under any stress that I know of. He’s never really under any stress. He works for a computer company in California. He does something with the Internet, which is just kind of mystical to me. This is quite a surprise.”

    The police report notes that he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    In a statement the TSA said: “TSA partners with the traveling public to screen all passengers safely and efficiently. When a passenger chooses to be purposefully disruptive, we notify law enforcement.”

    Brennan isn’t alone in his distaste for the TSA. People are groped and virtually disrobed by TSA officials on a daily bases, and a fed up traveler gets charged with disorderly conduct. They claim they “partner with the traveling public”. What a joke. I’m sure they would love to “partner with the traveling public”, judging by their actions.

    See these articles for more TSA lunacy:

    Woman Crying Uncontrollably While Being Frisked by the TSA (video)

    TSA Employee Exposes Serious Security Flaws

    Student’s Science Project Shuts Down Dallas Airport

    Screener Sentenced in Child Porn Case

    TSA Searches Wheelchair Bound Child

    TSA Agent Steals Money From Passenger at JFK International Airport

  • Google Tests NFC Tech, Holds Hotpot Contest In Portland

    Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is not mainstream.  Indeed, the average consumer probably hasn’t heard of it yet.  But Google’s going to give NFC and its new Hotpot service a push in Portland, encouraging local businesses and consumers to get involved.

    On the NFC end of things, the plan involves Google Places Business Kits with NFC-enabled window stickers.  These stickers, which say "Recommended on Google," are supposed to catch potential customers’ eyes.  Next, so long as an individual has a sufficiently advanced smartphone (like the new Nexus S), he or she will be able to find out more about the business by touching the phone to the sticker.

    This is perhaps a bit of a stretch; once you’re physically at a store, it doesn’t take much effort to peer inside and figure out what’s going on.  Still, we’ll see what happens.

    As for the Hotpot operation, it’s a more straightforward contest to get people using the service.  A special Hotpot Jackpot site suggested, "Enter the Hotpot Jackpot contest and get started on your chance to win: Rate the places you know on Google using Hotpot, share recommendations with your friends, earn points.  The more points you earn, the better your chances."

    Then here’s the key incentive: the top 30 raters will win dinner at a restaurant of their choice for between four and ten people, and the next 100 raters will win $100 debit cards.

    More contest details are available here if any Portland-area readers decide to participate.