News briefs

Discussion about sustainable community at PSU

Representatives from Sustainable Northwest (SNW) will hold a discussion about possible collaborations and partnerships to create a sustainable community on Friday, March 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Smith Memorial Student Union, Room 296.

SNW is a nonprofit organization that aims to build stronger communities by creating economic, social and environmental sustainability within those communities.

Representatives Ryan Temple and James Honey will discuss SNW’s research, what specific areas they need assistance with, and how the community can collaborate to help them reach their goals, according to Marion Sharp, program specialist in continuing education and coordinator of the campus social sustainability group.

“We hope that some partnerships and collaborations will come out of that–they’re doing a lot for the vitality of the communities they’re working in,” Sharp said.

-Eva Schifter

Roundtable discussion with QRC, Portland Police

The Queer Resource Center and the Portland Police Bureau will hold a roundtable discussion about sexual minorities from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union Multicultural Room (Room 228) on Tuesday, March 13.

The Sexual Minorities Roundtable was established by the Police Bureau to improve relationships, respect, cooperation and crime reporting in the sexual minority community, according to Jeanette Pallori of the Police Bureau. The roundtable hopes to eliminate fear of police within the sexual minority community.

Students involved with the Queer Resource Center will participate in the discussion.

-David Holley

Gas prices expected to keep rising

Gasoline prices have jumped above $3 a gallon in some parts of California and Hawaii, and may hit that level in other parts of the country when the busy summer driving season approaches.

Crude oil, which makes up about half the price of gasoline, is trading above $60 a barrel. Higher demand, refinery maintenance and fears about springtime shortages are also driving up prices, particularly on the West Coast.

However, analysts said it’s unlikely other parts of the country would see $3 gasoline before summer without a major disruption in supply.

Average fuel prices are still below their historical highs–most of which were set in 2006–but are inching higher weeks earlier than usual.

Nationwide, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is up about 32 cents from a month ago, to $2.50, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report for Wednesday. That’s more than 55 cents shy of the all-time high recorded in September 2005, after hurricanes Katrina and Rita damaged the Gulf of Mexico refinery infrastructure.

-Jordan Robertson (AP)