In short

U.S. Senatorial candidate forum on Wednesday

Democratic candidates for Gordon Smith’s U.S. Senate seat will participate in the last of three Vanguard-sponsored candidate forums, Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom, room 355.

The four candidates–John Frohnmayer, Jeff Merkley, Candy Neville and Steve Novick–will speak on their platforms and answer questions from the audience.

The first two Vanguard candidate forums brought candidates vying for seat one and seat two of the Portland City Council to campus.

There will be free food and beverages courtesy of the student-run Food for Thought Cafe. For additional information, contact Craig Lowrie at 503-725-4544 or at [email protected].

–The Vanguard

51 out of 71 businesses pass recent OLCC sting

Fifty-one out of 71 North Portland businesses passed an OLCC sting conducted recently to ensure alcohol was not being sold to minors. The 72 percent pass rate places Portland just below the statewide average of a 78 percent pass rate, according to an OLCC press release.

During the April 18 tests, an underage volunteer carrying their own legal identification visited various Portland establishments on the northeast and northwest side of town and attempted to purchase alcohol. Among the 20 businesses that failed were Hot Lips Pizza (721 NW Ninth Ave.), Laughing Planet Café (922 NW 21st Ave.) and House of Louie (331 NW Davis St.).

Those businesses that failed to pass the OLCC sting face penalties including fines or license suspension, and clerks who were found to be selling alcohol to minors could face criminal charges or a minimum fine of $350.

–Melinda Bardon