United States Capitol. Photo: Chas Hundley
We’re launching a new weekly feature, planned to be published weekly on Tuesdays. While we are a hyperlocal news source dedicated to covering the day-to-day happenings in our little corner of the world, we’ve been asked by many readers to include more news from a larger stage as it pertains to us. This is our first stab at that. We’ll include bits of updates from our congressional delegates, town hall info, and some other items of national import, including national election news as we move into the primary season.
Have a suggestion? Send it to [email protected].
OREGON – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici will hold six town hall meetings throughout NW Oregon this and next week.
Cornelius Town Hall (Spanish Interpretation Available), Wed, Oct. 2 – 6 p.m.
Cornelius Place Library, Walters Meeting Room
1370 N Adair St., Cornelius.
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Sheridan Town Hall, Thurs, Oct. 3 – 6 p.m.
Sheridan High School, Cafeteria
433 S Bridge St., Sheridan
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Scappoose Town Hall, Fri, Oct 4 – 3 p.m.
Scappoose City Hall, Council Chambers
33568 E. Columbia Ave., Scappoose
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Portland Town Hall, Sat, Oct. 5 – 11 a.m.
Friendly House Gym
1737 NW 26th Ave, Portland
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Gearhart Town Hall, Mon, Oct. 7 – 6 p.m.
Gearhart Elementary School Cafeteria
1002 Pacific Way, Gearhart
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Beaverton Town Hall, Thurs, Oct. 10 – 6 p.m.
Conestoga Recreation Center, Gym
9985 SW 125th Ave, Beaverton
Merkley cosponsors legislation to combat e-cigarette tampering
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, joined by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), introduced legislation to set safety standards in the design of e-cigarette and vaping devices on Sept. 24.
The legislation would require the FDA to create design standards for vaping device to prevent consumers from modifying or adding substances, according to a press release from Merkley’s office.
Washington County Cooperative Library Services and the New York Times
Want to read more national news, but don’t currently subscribe to a newspaper on the national level? Card-carrying members of Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) can access the digital version of the New York Times on an unlimited basis while in a WCCLS library and on their Wifi network, such as the Banks Public Library or Forest Grove City Library.
Outside of the library, WCCLS members can get a 72 hour pass (that can be renewed an unlimited amount of times) that will work with the NYT app and their website.
Information on this county library service can be accessed by visiting https://www.wccls.org/nyt.
Impeachment process reactions
One of the most prominent news cycle items this week is the United States House of Representatives opening an impeachment inquiry, announced September 25, in the wake of a whistleblower complaint around a phone call President Donald Trump had with the president of Ukraine in July.
Oregon’s delegation have all thrown their two cents in on what’s happening, with expected results: Democrats are in support of impeachment proceedings, while Oregon’s lone Republican in the delegation is not. Statements from each:
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) “What the House of Representatives did by opening an impeachment inquiry is essential to protecting the well-being of the country.“
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) “It shouldn’t take an act of political courage to acknowledge the patently obvious fact that if a President corrupts US foreign policy to punish his political enemies and help himself politically, it’s impeachable.“
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D) “I am committed to working with the Speaker and my colleagues to advance an impeachment inquiry that will protect the American people and our national security.“
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D) “It is exciting and long overdue that the House of Representatives start acting on impeachment.“
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D) “I am in full support of a formal impeachment inquiry. The integrity of our national security and the health of our democratic republic depend on it.“
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) “…I feel an impeachment inquiry is indeed justified. Sadly, the litany of activities from this President has brought us to this juncture. No one is above the law of the land.”
Impeachment.fyi
If, like us, you’re looking for a simple summation of the happenings surrounding this process, but don’t have the time or resources to be glued to every major news outlet from the NYT to Fox News, a simple way to follow along is through impeachment.fyi, a hyper-focused site recently set up by journalist, entrepreneur, artist, journalism teacher, and independent podcaster Dan Sinker.
It’s a sparse site that has updates throughout the week, and includes links to various news publications with the most recent developments in the proceedings.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Gales Creek Journal and sister news publications the Banks Post and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
