O.J., we hardly knew ye.

[November 22nd, 2006] Past WW cover subject William Newton , a psychiatrist sued successfully this year by one of his patients for malpractice ("A Taste for His Own Medicine," Feb. 15, 2006), is facing new legal troubles . A $1.4 million lawsuit filed last week in Multnomah County Circuit Court by architect Vann Starr alleges that Newton encouraged Starr to abandon his career, let his house be foreclosed upon and use an array of prescription medications that wouldn't help the patient. According to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, Newton voluntary withdrew his medical license in April pending an investigation. Newton was out of town and did not return a phone message.

Stocking-stuffer shopping for your favorite Portland Public Schools administrator? Cross off Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America—and What We Can Do About It from your list. Top administrators, including Superintendent Vicki Phillips, already have copies of the Juan Williams book, courtesy of district development director John Branam. The 2006 book by Williams, an NPR senior correspondent and Fox News contributor, takes the controversial position that black Americans are largely responsible for their own failures. Phillips says in an email that "a colleague passed a copy along to me a couple of days ago, but I have not read it yet."

A group of self-styled Portland police watchdogs is rolling out a new campaign aimed at resisting "police incursion, surveillance and bullying." The group calling itself Rose City Copwatch says it's put up about 250 posters in Northeast Portland featuring a rose with one staring eye and the words, "I do not consent to a search." The purpose: to advise Portlanders that police can pat you down for weapons but need probable cause or a warrant to peek at your belongings.

The state ethics commission has dismissed a complaint filed against University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer by a UO economics professor (see "House of Gain, WW, Oct. 18, 2006). The complaint alleging Frohnmayer violated conflict-of-interest and financial disclosure rules was unanimously rejected by the state Government Standards and Practices Commission last week . Frohnmayer's reaction: "This complaint was unfounded, professionally careless and a complete waste of tax dollars and everyone's time. The Commission's action in dismissing the entire matter summarily speaks for itself."

State officials report that the investigation of two wage complaints made against Portland-based Flossin' magazine (see Murmurs, WW, Oct. 11, 2006) has been closed without penalty due to insufficient evidence. The complaints, filed with the state's Bureau of Labor and Industries by Tim Davis and "Buko," alleged that Flossin' owed them $10,500 in unpaid wages. Mag editor and chief John "Big Bubba" Washington's response to the good-news verdict: The increased visibility of Flossin' is making it a more likely target for critics.

And the winner of the "Name the Caption" contest from Nov. 8 for this photo of Lars Larson is Michael Pronold, with "It looked like a donkey." Pronold beat out 19 other entries to win gift certificates to the Equator Coffee Cafe. Congrats!

Correction: In a Murmur last week about a sexual assault lawsuit against Zach Randolph, WW incorrectly reported that the plaintiff was a stripper and exotic dancer. She is neither. WW regrets the error.

^WEB ONLY MURMUR:

Portland Development Commission executive director Bruce Warner has been on a personal leave since the Nov. 12 death of his 22-year-old son, Matthew, who committed suicide. A family-submitted obituary for Matthew Warner in the Nov. 21 Oregonian describes him as "a warm and sensitive individual who loved children and had a quick wit" and as a person who "struggled with feelings of shyness and inadequacy, even while others found him handsome, intelligent, funny and kind." Memorial services are scheduled for 4 pm Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro.