Newsroom revisits stories of 2024

Published 12:52 pm Monday, December 23, 2024

The editor of the Portland Tribune went through the last 12 months of news stories. The following are the stories with the most impact for the most Portlanders.

January

Fire closes all businesses at popular Portland Mercado

All businesses at the popular Portland Mercado food cart pod and business hub were closed by a two-alarm fire that broke out on the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Portland Mercado is an economic development initiative of the Hacienda CDC social service agency. It opened in 2015 and focuses on Latin American cuisine, community, and culture. Businesses include eight food carts, seven indoor businesses, and four service professionals.

No one was injured.

Jim Redden

Pocket-size ice rink proves very popular in downtown Portland

Skaters were shuffling and sliding around the crowded, mini ice-rink at a modest pace. The few who weren’t wobbly on their feet searched for clear lines, but everyone seemed in a good mood, smiling and respecting each other’s personal space.

This is Portland Winter Ice Rink, an 80×50-foot ice rink in a white tent, on a parking lot next to the Morrison Bridge. It remained open through Jan. 28.

It has opened again for the 2024 holiday season.

Joseph Gallivan

Iconic bookstore, Powell’s, settles labor dispute

One of the most popular bookstores on Earth, Powell’s, reached a labor agreement with its employee union after months of tension.

Bookstore workers went on strike on Labor Day 2023, hitting the company hard at the point of sale after complaining of being underpaid. Stores had to close for the day.

Powell’s said in a statement that the new contract “significantly increases employee wages and benefits, while allowing Powell’s Books to remain competitive and continue to serve the community of Portland into the future.”

The current contract took effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and expire on March 31, 2028.

Joseph Gallivan

Portland Fire & Rescue responds to soaring downtown drug overdoses

Portland Fire & Rescue launched a downtown Alternative Overdose Response initiative on Jan. 16 because of the large number of drug overdoses there.

The new program utilizes a two-person Community Health Assess and Treat response vehicle based out of Station 1 in Old Town.

PF&R responded to nearly 7,000 overdose calls in 2023, with one-third of those from Station 1 that only serves a portion of the downtown core.

Jim Redden

Four men die of hypothermia

Between Jan. 12 and 16, four hypothermia deaths were reported in Multnomah County during an ice storm.

Twelve warming shelters were opened for Multnomah County residents fleeing snowy streets and homes that had lost electricity.

Anna Del Savio

Find further stories throughout the A Section.