Latest news with #Portland-area
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon Sen. Lisa Reynolds mulls conflict of interest declaration after ethics report
Sen. Lisa Reynolds sought clarity from the state's top ethics watchdog over whether a health care bill she authored would pose a substantial conflict of interest. (Rian Dundon/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregon's statewide ethics watchdog on Thursday referred a Portland-area lawmaker to the Legislature for clarity over whether a bill she authored that could benefit her medical practice raises a substantial conflict of interest. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission said Sen. Lisa Reynolds' decisions regarding votes and bill introductions were within the purview of the Legislature and its legal counsel, according to a Thursday letter written by Susan Myers, the commission's executive director. Introduced in January, Senate Bill 28 would mandate commercial insurers reimburse independent primary care clinics at rates equal to those of clinics owned by hospital systems. In the letter, Myers said that Reynolds, D-Portland, 'would be met with a conflict of interest' unless she is able to receive a class exception. The rule is traditionally adjudicated by the commission, determining whether an official action by a public official would impact all members of a 'class,' such as business owners or members of a particular industry, equally. But it's up to the Legislature, not the Commission, to decide whether the exception applies because the matter 'relates to the performance of legislative functions,' Myers wrote. Lawmakers are allowed to cast votes and perform legislative tasks under Oregon's 'speech and debate' rules for public officials even when they do declare conflicts of interest. Reynolds told the Capital Chronicle she hasn't decided whether she will seek further advice. She said that she will consult with her staff and tends 'to err on the side of caution.' 'I'll see going forward,' she said. 'It would be interesting to note the votes I've taken. For example, the provider tax which funds Medicaid — do I have to say that's a conflict of interest because my clinic takes Medicaid? I don't think so.' The advice follows a request from the commission in a May 6 letter written by her chief of staff, Christopher McMorran, a day before the Oregon Journalism Project ran a story in which Reynolds said she was open to seeking the ethics' commissions advice and declaring a conflict of interest. McMorran sought information about potential conflicts of interest because of Reynolds' job as a primary care provider at The Children's Clinic, an independent clinic in the Portland region. 'SB 28 would likely result in a financial gain for her clinic, along with all other independent primary care clinics in the state,' he wrote to the commission. 'We are curious if her introducing, sponsoring and supporting this bill qualifies as a conflict of interest or if she would be considered a member of a class and be exempt from conflict of interest laws.' Reynolds said the advice was 'reassuring' and that she believes she would likely qualify for a class exemption. 'I'm a citizen legislator. My day job is that of a pediatrician. In fact, I was in the clinic all last weekend,' she said. 'I still see patients and I actually ran as Dr. Lisa Reynolds. I ran for office leaning into the fact that I am a physician and it informs all that I do in the Legislature.' Her legislation is currently sitting in the Joint Ways and Means Committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Mobile Anesthesia Now Expanding Availability for Dental Offices in the Portland Metro Area
Oregon-based Nightlight Anesthesia has announced mobile service availability for Portland-area dental offices SHERWOOD, OREGON - MAY 29, 2025 - Oregon-based Nightlight Anesthesia has officially announced that it will now be expanding availability of it's mobile services for dental offices in the Portland Metro area. Now, Portland Metro dental offices can take advantage of this convenient service to ensure the height of patient satisfaction, comfort, and safety. Nightlight Anesthesia brings anesthesia services to medical and dental offices and surgery centers. The company's team brings everything needed to provide quality anesthesia, including equipment, medications, and talented experts who are committed to providing the best in care. 'Whatever the needs of your facility, we make the process of providing anesthesia care for your patients smooth and stress free,' said the team at Nightlight Anesthesia. The team at Nightlight Anesthesia includes trained and expert CRNAs with decades of combined experience. Founders Brad Johnson, MN, CRNA, and Josh Dillard, MN, CRNA, are committed to providing exceptional client services and have demonstrated that through years of service. By offering mobile services, Nightlight Anesthesia makes it easy for facilities to provide world-class anesthesia for their patients. In fact, Nightlight Anesthesia has been the recipient of a long list of five-star reviews from clients. One recent client said, 'Brad and Josh have allowed me to implement anesthesia services into my dental practice with ease. They are professional, great communicators with our team, provide exceptional treatment for our patients, and are enjoyable to work with.' Nightlight Anesthesia truly helps facilities provide the best care for their patients and even offers patient papers including pre-anesthesia instructions, aftercare directions, and pediatric aftercare directions. Clients can simply scan a QR code at the Nightlight Anesthesia website to access the pre-anesthesia forms. At every step of the way, this locally owned and operated company is ensuring quality mobile anesthesia solutions for facilities across Oregon. Now, dental offices in the Portland Metro area are being serviced by Nightlight Anesthesia. This opens up a new option for trustworthy, expert anesthesia services for dentists in the surrounding areas. 'We are committed to supporting local dentists, their staff, and their patients with quality mobile anesthesia,' said Nightlight Anesthesia. Local dentists who are interested in partnering with a mobile anesthesia provider are welcome to connect with Nightlight Anesthesia to learn more. Further details, including how to contact the company, can be found at ABOUT NIGHTLIGHT ANESTHESIA Nightlight Anesthesia offers mobile anesthesia services for Oregon medical and dental offices and surgery centers. Media Contact Company Name: Nightlight Anesthesia Contact Person: Josh Dillard Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Source: Oregon Web Solutions
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Beloved' Portland outdoor store to close its doors after nearly 3 decades
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An alternative outdoor store with four Portland-area locations will be closing its doors after nearly three decades in business Deek Heykamp and Bryan Knudsen, the owners of Next Adventure, announced that the store would be closing later this year and that they would be retiring. The two childhood friends say their company 'gradually grew into a beloved Portland institution.' Over the course of its 28 years in business, Next Adventure grew to have nearly 200 employees and $24 million in annual sales at its peak. 'It has been the joy of my life to be part of such a great industry and work with our wonderful customers. While retirement sounds pretty amazing right now, I will truly miss the camaraderie and community that we have built together. Thank you, Portland, for a great run,' said Heykamp The store will hold a closing sale beginning on May 28. The sale is expected to last into the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Not enough money': Local leaders ask for urgent state funds in road maintenance
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local leaders are asking for serious state help in the form of the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package this legislative session. The mayors of Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, and Gresham joined Multnomah County Commissioner Vince Jones-Dixon Monday to urge state lawmakers to pass this transportation package. 'Bock bock, you next': Man harassing peacocks tried to murder man who confronted him They want to improve conditions they believe are dangerous for drivers and pedestrians alike, and the mayors said they need state funding to get it done. On top of that, they argued road maintenance will improve the local economy as well. 'State investments in transportation infrastructure directly support our local businesses, attract new employers, and create good paying construction and infrastructure jobs right here in east Multnomah County,' Troutdale Mayor David Ripma said. Fairview's mayor Keith Kudrna said they have plans for new developments that serve the community's needs, but without good roads they cannot get done. 'Like Sandy Boulevard, where residents at the senior manufactured home park must walk along roadside ditches to catch the bus or to cross the street at an unmarked crosswalk,' he said. 'The problem is that we do not have enough money to finish these visions.' The county's road fund pays for road maintenance, but the upcoming budget proposes cutting close to $2 million from it. Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall called that proposal unacceptable. 'There has to be an overinvestment, an oversized investment, in East County starting now,' he said. 'There has been tremendous years of underinvestment that includes transportation and these that– it's challenging for us to be able to bring our folks from poverty to prosperity. We have to make these investments. We have to.' New express routes will take Portland-area residents on day trips to the coast If they are not able to get financial help from the state in this package Stovall said they will carry on, but it will not be easy. He said roads across the county will be underprepared. 'They won't be maintained,' Stovall said. 'Will new roads and new infrastructure not be delivered? Yes, that will be the case. Will we be able to move forward as communities? Absolutely. Is it going to be more challenging? Of course. That's the critical response to the question is it will be more challenging to deliver the things that we need to deliver.' Jones-Dixon said he is definitely looking to make sure those cuts to the county's road fund are not made in the upcoming budget. And later this month the Joint Committee on Transportation is holding a public hearing for the transportation package. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Bock bock, you next': Man harassing peacocks tried to murder man who confronted him
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man will spend more than seven years in prison after he was convicted of shooting a man who confronted him while he harassed a flock of peacocks in Southeast Portland. On Sept. 29, 2023, officials said Dylan Levi Rhoads was harassing peacocks across the street of the victim's home when the victim asked him to stop. New express routes will take Portland-area residents on day trips to the coast In response, Rhoads said, 'Bock, bock, bock, you next' and 'we can bang right now.' The man went back into his house and waited for Rhoads to drive away. 'When he thought it was clear, he went back out to his car to leave and made it a couple blocks to the next intersection and saw that they were waiting for him there,' according to the Multnomah County DA's office. 'The driver shot at the victim from the driver's seat of their vehicle.' Investigators said they found five shell casings in the street and multiple bullet strikes on the car. They said the bullets 'grazed' the victim, but he was not seriously injured. Officials said it was because 'he had installed a special, heavy duty seat in his vehicle which stopped one of the bullets from hitting him.' Possible thunderstorm across Portland metro Monday Rhoads pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon, but the Multnomah County DA's office said Rhoads also resolved eight cases against him. 'This defendant had a clear pattern of escalating, dangerous, criminal behavior. And yet he was repeatedly released after being arrested for his earlier crimes,' Deputy District Attorney Eric Palmer said. 'I believe the system failed here — failed both the victims and the defendant.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
