Obama leads by six points over Romney in Oregon
According to a poll conducted for The Oregonian, 47 percent of voters said they back President Obama, compared with the 41 percent backing Governor Romney. Obama’s lead is narrower than expected, as it is a considerably smaller percentage of votes than he received in Oregon in 2008.
The poll also reports 49 percent of voters do not support Measure 80, which would legalize marijuana use, compared with the 42 percent who do support the measure. Additionally, a majority of voters do not support Measures 82 and 83, two pro-casino measures. Fifty-two percent of voters also said that they plan to vote yes on Measure 85, which would give corporate kicker tax rebates to public schools.
The poll of 405 voters was conducted by independent polling firm Elway Research of Seattle, and has a five percent margin of error.
National organization intervenes in Happy Valley man’s deportation case
In a attempt to stop a 20-year-old Happy Valley man’s deportation, immigration advocates from around the nation assembled in Clackamas County on Monday, The Oregonian reported. Edson Barrera Gonzalez was arrested last year after giving his financially struggling parents unauthorized discounts and ringing up false returns at the Macy’s where he worked.
TriMet to increase security
In a new security initiative, TriMet has announced it will add six fare inspectors and a K-9 unit to the bus and MAX lines, according to The Oregonian. The Portland metro area transit company said it is making fare enforcement a priority, partly to increase revenue, as it has a reported $12 million deficient.
As of next week, TriMet will have 26 fare enforcers working on its bus and MAX lines.
Wife of Whitney Heichel’s accused killer files for divorce
The wife of the 25-year-old Gresham man accused of murdering Whitney Heichel filed for divorce on Friday, according to The Oregonian.
Amanda Holt, 25, had been married to Jonathon Holt for two years when he was arrested on charges of aggravated murder, kidnapping, robbery and sodomy on Oct. 19. He is currently being held in the Clackamas County jail with a scheduled trial date of Dec. 14.
Portland unsatisfied with garbage service and street maintenance
In a Portland community survey released Tuesday, Portland residents reported a dropping satisfaction with the city’s garbage service and street maintenance, The Oregonian reported.
The satisfaction rate dropped 11 points between 2011 and 2012, with the introduction of curbside composting program that dropped garbage service to every other week. The satisfaction with street maintenance also dropped from 41 percent to 33 percent in the last four years.