A news release from the Portland Housing Bureau seeking members for a new advisory committee follows. Attention Richard W. Ellmyer, here’s your chance.

Interested in weighing in on investments of public resources in housing? Want to serve as a sounding board on significant housing policy issues? Want to be in a position to officially advise City Council and City staff on matters relating to housing issues?

The Portland Housing Bureau invites you to apply for membership on its new Portland Housing Advisory Committee. The Portland Housing Advisory Committee is a new volunteer public advisory body that will advise the Director of the Portland Housing Bureau, the Housing commissioner, and the Portland City Council on a range of housing policy and program issues.

A news Release from Portland Police Bureau about a stabbing death that occurred last night outside Paddy’s Old Irish Cafe, a lottery deli in the San Rafael Shopping Center next to WinCo Foods follows:

A note from the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s newsletter by Rebecca Geisen about the dock-less canoe launch at Northeast 165th and Airport Way in the Wilkes neighborhood of outer east Portland.

165th and Airport Way dockless canoe launch

On August 9, the Portland Water Bureau removed the boat launch at 16650 NE Airport Way due to safety concerns. The dock has been deteriorating over the years and despite regular maintenance, it is beyond repair. Regrettably, this also means that the Water Bureau’s signature event, Aquifer Adventure, will not have pirate guided canoe rides this year. The canoe dock, gazebo and signage has also fallen victim to heavy vandalism in recent months. The Portland Water Bureau is currently reviewing different options for the launch.

The Portland Water Bureau also owns and maintains a boat launch at 11198 NE Simpson. This little-known launch has also been subject to vandalism and is undergoing some repairs. If you see anything suspicious at or near either of these boat launches, please do not hesitate to call Portland Water Bureau security at 503-823-6084.

The Russell Neighborhood Association meets tonight, from 7 to 9 p.m. at University of Western States’ Hampton Hall Conference Room, 2900 N.E. 132nd Ave. The meeting notice from RNA Chair Bonny McKnight about tonight’s meeting and guest follows:

Russell Neighborhood Association is beginning a discussion which will be very important to every resident of East Portland as it grows into full urban status as part of the City of Portland, Here is why we think it is important.

Portland Police Chief Michael Reese released a statement about his evaluation of two high profile east Portland incidents.

The first—still waiting Reese’s final decision on discipline—was Officer Ronald Frashour’s shooting of Aaron Campbell, who was unarmed and appeared to be cooperating when killed at the Sandy Terrace apartments, 12800 N.E. Sandy Blvd., in January.

The second, an exoneration of Officer Chris Humphreys’ use of a beanbag shotgun against a 12-year old girl on an east Portland Max light rail platform in November. Humphreys was involved in the 2006 arrest of James Chasse Jr., a schizophrenic man who died in custody after allegedly urinating in public.

A news release from the Portland Police Bureau about a car hitting a pedestrian on Sandy Boulevard in east Portland follows. The Portland Police Major Crash Team is investigating.

“At approximately 7:30 p.m. on September 8, 2010, a 31 year-old male pedestrian was hit by a Ford Escape SUV as he crossed Northeast Sandy Boulevard. The pedestrian crossed in the 9700 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard approximately 100 feet from the nearest crosswalk.

“The driver of the SUV stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the Portland Police Major Crash Team as they investigate this accident. Both east and westbound traffic on Northeast Sandy Boulevard is blocked at this time.