60-year-old chimp inspired Jane Goodall, made guest appearance in the funny pages

Excitement over the arrival of a new baby elephant was dampened today as Oregon Zoo staff made the difficult decision to euthanize Coco the chimpanzee, one of the zoo’s most beloved long-term residents. 

The Metro Council has appointed residents with expertise in freight, public transit access and the needs of underserved communities to an influential transportation committee.

The council on Thursday, Nov. 29, appointed five community representatives to the Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee, a 21-member panel that advises regional policymakers on transportation projects and plans across the Portland metropolitan area.

Lockwood, a transportation engineer with a focus in livable communities, brought this idea of a pedestrian-centric city to packed audience on Nov. 28, including members of the Metro Policy Advisory Committee. Pinpointing the birth of automobiles as the negative turning point in city planning, Lockwood illustrated how cities can reclaim an environment where pedestrians and multi-modal transit options reign.

An environmental study of an abandoned industrial site near Willamette Falls didn't turn up anything to deter Metro officials studying whether to try to buy the former Blue Heron Paper Mill.

Metro has been looking at the Blue Heron site for more than a year, since the paper company declared bankruptcy, freeing up the area for possible redevelopment and public access. The property is currently held by a bankruptcy court trustee.

Newest member of zoo’s elephant herd is born at 2:17 a.m. on Nov. 30

The long wait is over. Rose-Tu, an 18-year-old Asian elephant, gave birth to a 300-pound female calf at the Oregon Zoo at 2:17 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30.

The Metro Council confirmed today the appointment of 15 representatives to serve on Metro's new Public Engagement Review Committee. The committee will meet twice a year to help guide Metro's public engagement efforts.

The Metro Council is unlikely to vote this year on a proposed finance package for construction of a hotel near the Oregon Convention Center, after the regional government's staff asked for more time to negotiate with the project's developers.

Today Metro announced its progress toward sustainability goals in internal operations. Metro’s second report shows a year of results reaching key objectives in its Sustainability Plan, highlighted with success stories and strategies for further improvement.

Oregon Zoo staff members are on alert this afternoon, as Rose-Tu is showing signs of early labor. Animal-care staff reported that the Asian elephant, now in her 22nd month of pregnancy, is showing signs of discomfort, an event that usually indicates active labor will begin within 24 hours.

Earlier this month, Metro sponsored a telephone poll of voters in the region to gauge their opinions on a possible levy. In the survey's initial question, 48 percent of respondents said they'd vote yes for a local option levy to maintain natural areas and improve water quality with annual audits. Twelve percent said they'd vote against it, and 41 percent were undecided.