News
How social services, tech are merging to help people on the streets
It seems there’s always “an app for that.” They range from the practical — paying for parking, communicating with friends, navigating a new area — to what some might deem absurd — an app that helps you track all the places you’ve pooped is a fine example. More and more, entrepreneurs are looking to harness…
Portlanders seek a City Hall overhaul
Deborah Harris ran for mayor of Portland because she believed African-Americans like her needed a stronger voice in city government. She saw how skyrocketing housing costs, homelessness and other issues were taking a disproportionate toll on people of color, and she thought that running for the city’s highest office was the best way – perhaps…
Portland muralist supports at-risk youths through art
Heysus is a graphic artist on the rise in Portland, a soft-spoken, thoughtful young man with a story to tell. In 2007, while at Lane Middle School, he helped paint a mural with Rodolfo “Rudy” Serna, a local artist who befriended him. Over time, a teacher-student relationship emerged and Heysus began to see his mentor…
Opinion
Street papers play vital role in refugee relief
Last year alone, more than 1.2 million refugees entered Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Many of them arrived to the doorstep of a street newspaper or magazine just like Street Roots. As a result, street papers are in a unique position to tell the human story of Europe’s refugee crisis. This was the consensus in Athens…
Watered-down promises for the Willamette River cleanup
Early this month the EPA released its draft plan to remove toxic contamination from the bottom of the Willamette River. The plan represents the culmination of 16 years of study, a federal mandate to remove toxic substances, and extensive jockeying from government agencies, polluting industries and community and environmental groups. The plan stumbled out of…
Director’s Desk: Yes for affordable homes!
With the endorsement of the City Council, Portland will see a $258 million affordable housing bond on the ballot in November. It’s a historic moment. The campaign is called Yes for Affordable Homes! The council also voted to support a 1 percent construction excise tax on all new residential and commercial development, giving Portland millions…
Vendor Profiles
SR vendor profile: Street Roots lifts his spirits
Purpose. That’s what drives Ted Jones. “Yo Street Roots! Getcha Streets Roots here! Just a dolla donation!” he bellows in a Rastafarian accent. I ask him why the accent, and he shrugs. He just likes Bob Marley, he says, very matter of fact. Ted’s jovial energy is infectious, but the Portland native hasn’t always had…
