Coast biz roundup
Vacation rentals face woes in Gearhart; hospitality businesses sprout in Cannon Beach.
Portland Parks & Recreation offers $1 rent at Ankeny Square
Businesses and organizations can apply to rent retail space in the North Park Blocks for $1 per year for up to two years.
Blount approves merger deal despite lawsuit
A pair of New York private equity firms acquired the Milwaukie-based manufacturer in a $855 million deal, despite pending litigation.
Housing activists interrupt Multnomah County Commission meeting
Approximately 100 demonstrators decried high rents and demanded a freeze on no-cause evictions outside the Multnomah County building Thursday.
DEA to decide on marijuana reschedule
FORTUNE: The Drug Enforcement Administration announced it would decide on rescheduling marijuana’s drug category “in the first half of 2016.”
Whole Foods to launch low-price grocery chain
THE WASHINGTON POST: The new 365 low-price Whole Foods grocery chain will launch May 25 in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
City of Bend to sell Juniper Water
Bend City Council voted Wednesday to sell Juniper Water to Roats and Avion.
EPA stalls Superfund plan until May
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency delayed the release of the Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup plan until the first week of May.
New entity gives regulators power against air polluters
Cleaner Air Oregon broadens pollution assessments beyond a business’ equipment and emissions.
Tech roundup
Intel employee headcount reaches an all-time high; Puppet Labs changes its name and hires a new executive; and Portland startup Rezella modifies peer-to-peer commerce.