TriMet police force drops to 19 cops as MCSO preps for helm March 09 2021
Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese will take command of TriMet s contracted police force under new agreement.
The number of armed cops patrolling bus stops and train cars across the region has dropped to a 25-year low as the Multnomah County sheriff prepares to take charge of the shrinking regional police force next month.
TriMet s Transit Police is budgeted for 51 sworn officers, on paper at least. But the actual staffing count for 2021 is just 19 officers the lowest amount since 1994 officials said at a Multnomah County board briefing on March 9.
Senator Chuck Riley proposes westward MAX expansion to Cornelius and Forest Grove.
For more than 15 years now, state Sen. Chuck Riley has been pushing for an extension of the Metro area s regional light rail system beyond Hillsboro to Cornelius and Forest Grove.
Why?
When asked that same question during a conversation with the District 15 Democratic representative this past Monday, Feb. 8, the veteran legislator responded rather simply: Why not?
Riley introduced Senate Bill 308, which directs TriMet to study the feasibility of extending the light rail system westward to Forest Grove, on Jan. 11.
It was in 2005 that the senator first broached the possibility when he was in the House and was asked to support a similar bill for what became the MAX Green Line to the Clackamas Town Center.
TriMet appoints interim general manager
TriMet has appointed its current chief operating officer as its interim general manager.
The regional transit agency s Board of Directors appointed Sam Desue, Jr. to temporarily succeed Doug Kelsey at its Feb. 24 meeting. Desue will become the interim general manager after Kelsey retires when his contract expires on March 6. I am honored to serve as TriMet s interim General Manager and I look forward to aiding the agency and the region as we continue to move through this pandemic, said Desue. Forward momentum and leadership will be critical during this time of transition, and I will bring a community-driven and consensus-building focus.
Expect a cold Valentine s Day in the Portland area February 14 2021
UPDATE: An ice storm warning is in effect for the Portland area through 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15.
Weather in the Portland metropolitan area is not expected to receive much love on Valentine s Day.
Severe weather with temperatures below or only slightly above freezing is expected to continue through Sunday, Feb. 14 with more snow and freezing rain possible in the afternoon. The State of Emergency declared by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Saturday remains in effect, with temperatures not expected to rise much above freezing until Monday morning, at the earliest.