11-10-2024  9:35 pm   •   PDX and SEA Weather

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NORTHWEST NEWS

In Portland, Political Outsider Keith Wilson Elected Mayor After Homelessness-focused Race

Wilson, a Portland native and CEO of a trucking company, ran on an ambitious pledge to end unsheltered homelessness within a year of taking office.

‘Black Friday’ Screening Honors Black Portlanders, Encourages Sense of Belonging

The second annual event will be held Nov. 8 at the Hollywood Theatre.

Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson Wins Governor’s Race in Washington

Ferguson came to national prominence by repeatedly suing the administration of former President Donald Trump, including bringing the lawsuit that blocked Trump’s initial travel ban on citizens of several majority Muslim nations. 

African American Alliance On Homeownership Turns 25, Honors The Skanner Cofounder Bernie Foster

AAAH's executive director Cheryl Roberts recalls how the efforts of Bernie Foster led to an organization that now offers one-on-one counseling for prospective home buyers, homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention services, estate planning, assistance with down payments and more.

NEWS BRIEFS

Volunteers of America Oregon Announces Retirement CEO, Kay Toran

Toran's tenure at VOA Oregon is marked by decades of dedicated public service in the State of Oregon and unwavering commitment to...

NAACP Launches Innovative $200 Million Fund of Funds to Transform the Venture Capital Landscape

The fund will invest in fund managers and startups that are focused on closing gaps facing communities of color. ...

Legal Services Corporation Announces 2025 Grant Awards for Civil Legal Services

The grants are part of LSC's ongoing effort to support legal aid organizations in providing essential services to underserved...

Maxine Dexter Elected to Fill Earl Blumenauer's Seat

Blumenauer: “I can think of no person I would rather have take my place” ...

Dan Rayfield Elected Oregon’s Next Attorney General

Rayfield thanks AG Ellen Rosenblum and is honored "to follow her footsteps." ...

AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10

Oregon was the No. 1 team in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for the fourth straight week on Sunday as Penn State and Indiana climbed into the top five, Georgia and Miami dropped out of the top 10 and losses by four other ranked teams shuffled the rankings with a month left in the...

Man accused of stabbing at least 5 people in Seattle ordered held on [scripts/homepage/home.php]M bail

SEATTLE (AP) — A 37-year-old man who police say stabbed five people in Seattle in broad daylight Friday and possibly four others the day before made his first court appearance Saturday where a judge ordered him held on [scripts/homepage/home.php] million bail. “People who live in and travel to the...

Missouri hosts Eastern Washington following Cook's 25-point game

Eastern Washington Eagles (1-1) at Missouri Tigers (1-1) Columbia, Missouri; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Eastern Washington plays Missouri after Andrew Cook scored 25 points in Eastern Washington's 93-86 victory against the Seattle U Redhawks. Missouri...

Young returns fumble for TD with 22 seconds left to lift Missouri past Oklahoma, 30-23

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Zion Young returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining as Missouri stunned Oklahoma 30-23 on Saturday night. Triston Newson sacked Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold and knocked the ball loose. Young, a defensive end, picked it up and raced in...

OPINION

Why Not Voting Could Deprioritize Black Communities

President Biden’s Justice40 initiative ensures that 40% of federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities, addressing deep-seated inequities. ...

The Skanner News 2024 Presidential Endorsement

It will come as no surprise that we strongly endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. ...

Black Retirees Growing Older and Poorer: 2025 Social Security COLA lowest in 10 years

As Americans live longer, the ability to remain financially independent is an ongoing struggle. Especially for Black and other people of color whose lifetime incomes are often lower than that of other contemporaries, finding money to save for ‘old age’ is...

The Skanner Endorsements: Oregon State and Local Ballot Measures

Ballots are now being mailed out for this very important election. Election Day is November 5. Ballots must be received or mailed with a valid postmark by 8 p.m. Election Day. View The Skanner's ballot measure endorsements. ...

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE NEWS

Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation's largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Faced with two choices she didn't like, Suehaila Amen chose neither. Instead, the longtime Democrat from the Arab American stronghold of Dearborn, Michigan, backed a third-party candidate for president, adding her voice to a remarkable turnaround that helped...

Biden's White House invitation to Trump continues a tradition Trump shunned in 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — Before he comes back for good on Inauguration Day, Donald Trump will return to the White House briefly at the invitation of Democratic President Joe Biden, who had hoped to defeat his Republican predecessor a second time and reside there for four more years. That...

Children's book by chef Jamie Oliver is withdrawn after criticism from Indigenous Australians

LONDON (AP) — A children's book written by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been withdrawn from sale after it was criticized for causing offense to Indigenous Australians. The Guardian newspaper reported Saturday that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...

ENTERTAINMENT

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will feature Ariana Madix, T-Pain, 'Gabby’s Dollhouse' and pasta

NEW YORK (AP) — A eclectic group of stars — including reality TV's Ariana Madix, Broadway belter Idina Menzel, hip-hop's T-Pain, members of the WNBA champions New York Liberty and country duo Dan + Shay — will feature in this year's Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Music...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Nov. 10-16

Celebrity birthdays for the week of Nov. 10-16: Nov. 10: Blues singer Bobby Rush is 90. Actor Albert Hall (“Ally McBeal,” ″Beloved”) is 87. Country singer Donna Fargo is 83. Lyricist Tim Rice is 80. Actor Jack Scalia is 74. Director Roland Emmerich (“The Patriot,”...

Music Review: State Champs’ self-titled album is enjoyable, quintessential, predictable pop-punk

New York pop-punk band State Champs’ self-titled album is one fans of the genre have heard before — a band musing about awkward interactions at parties, overthinking their romantic relationships and scorning the mundane. Across 12 tracks, the album is charming, but unchallenging. ...

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

Wisconsin's high court to hear oral arguments on whether an 1849 abortion ban remains valid

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Monday on whether a law that...

'I got my life back.' Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — After working at a crowded and dangerous internment camp in Iraq, Air Force Staff Sgt....

The Singles' Day shopping festival loses its shine under China's lagging economy

HONG KONG (AP) — Merchants and consumers alike found the Singles' Day shopping festival Monday less shiny than...

Drones strike Moscow as top UK official highlights Russian casualties in Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A massive drone strike rattled Moscow and its suburbs overnight into Sunday, injuring...

The Taliban will attend a UN climate conference for the 1st time

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban will attend a U.N. climate conference for the first time since their...

More than 1,000 mariachis belt out classics like 'Cielito Lindo' in a Mexico City plaza

MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than 1,000 mariachis gathered in Mexico City’s main plaza Sunday, strumming guitars...

By The Skanner News | The Skanner News

Sustainability is a challenge for any small business. Businesses must consistently produce high-quality work over many years and leverage that work to build lasting professional relationships. Small businesses can be greatly affected by downturns in the economy, and the best ones endure through superior service and business savvy.

Brothers Concrete Cutting of Albany is an example of an Oregon small business achieving lasting success.

Since 1978, Brothers has played an important role in the construction industry as one of the only concrete-cutting firms in the state. By specializing in one narrow field of transportation construction, Brothers gained expertise beyond that of other companies. Founded by Dick Harding, a member of the Chippewa tribe, the company prides itself on employing a diverse workforce.

Because of its dedication to quality and efficiency, Brothers is trusted by many state and private construction agencies.
"Brothers has been a great company to work with," said Scott Vogl, a general superintendent for Wildish Construction. "They are consistent and reliable, and we have been able to count on them to always deliver a premium service."

Recently, the company has been working on ODOT's State Bridge Delivery Program. As a subcontractor on Bundle 101 — Mount Hood to Chemult — and Bundle 217 — Odell Creek to Crescent Creek — Brothers is performing critical work in the construction process.

Before work can begin on a highway bridge, the work zone must be separated from the roadway and prepared for demolition. This is done by cutting the concrete or asphalt that connects the highway to the bridge deck. Over years of maintenance and repairs, a highway or bridge deck may grow to a thickness of two or three feet. Brothers is one of just a few firms in the state with equipment large enough to cut through such thick material.

As a result of its work with the bridge program, Brothers has been able to expand. The projected longevity of the program has allowed the company to make long-term investments in machinery and personnel, further separating it from the competition. The saw used to cut 2-foot-deep concrete decks, for example, costs more than $20,000 — a lot of money for a small business to invest without the prospect of continued work.

Brothers also hired an additional worker to help with the new construction jobs. The company now employs 20 people and usually has two or three crews working in the field at one time.

"The bridge program has definitely sustained us," said Chris Beck, general manager of Brothers. "Over the past five years, the economy has been difficult for the company. Now, we have steady work as a subcontractor on the bridge program. It's good to have projects to count on."

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