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Good morning, Northwest.
After weeks in detention in Texas, the Crespo-Gonzalez family of Gresham is expected to return to Oregon, according to an announcement made yesterday by U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter.
OPB’s Holly Bartholomew has the latest details and spoke with Dayanny Gonzalez, the sister of the detained mother, Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo.
Also: if you’ve driven along Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Portland, you’ve likely noticed the large, brightly lit marquee spelling out “HOLLYWOOD.” “Oregon Art Beat” producer Steven Tonthat marks the Hollywood Theatre’s 100th anniversary with a special story.
Here’s your First Look at Saturday’s news.
— Winston Szeto
Yohendry De Jesus Crespo (left), Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo (right, back) and Diana Crespo (right, front) shown here in a photo provided by a friend of the family, were detained by immigration agents outside Portland Adventist Health on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
Ana Linares
Gresham family to leave Texas detention facility, Rep. Dexter announces
After three weeks in a Texas immigration detention center, an Oregon family is coming home, according to U.S. Rep Maxine Dexter, who announced the family’s release yesterday afternoon.
In a statement, the Democratic congresswoman said she is “escorting” the Crespo-Gonzalez family home to Oregon. Immigration officials detained the family of three Jan. 16 as they arrived at Portland Adventist Health seeking medical attention for their 7-year-old daughter Diana.
Dexter had attempted to gain access to the South Texas Family Residential Facility Thursday, but was unable. The statement from Dexter doesn’t disclose details of the family’s health, nor does it mention details of their return “out of respect for the family.”
The detention of Diana, her mother Darianny Liseth Gonzalez De Crespo and father Yohendry De Jesus Crespo marked one of the first known cases of an entire Oregon family being arrested by immigration officers, according to the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition. (Holly Bartholomew)
Oregon Rep. Ed Diehl, R-East Salem, attends the opening day of the legislative short session in Salem, Ore. on Feb. 2, 2026.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
3 things to know this morning
- The rules of Oregon’s House of Representatives are clear: Representatives cannot accept campaign donations during a legislative session. As he runs for governor, state Rep. Ed Diehl is doing it anyway — and more Republicans appear ready to follow suit. (Dirk VanderHart)
- The Trump administration no longer wants to appeal the decision of a federal judge in Oregon that blocked the president from deploying National Guard troops to Portland. The decision leaves in place a permanent injunction from November that blocked troops from deploying to Portland. (Conrad Wilson)
- Elected prosecutors expressed alarm after an Oregon Supreme Court decision Thursday ruled that criminal charges must be dismissed if a defendant isn’t provided an attorney, as it could result in the dismissal of more than 1,400 criminal cases. (Lauren Dake and Conrad Wilson)
Sean Barry changes the marquee of the century-old Hollywood Theatre as it glows on the evening of Feb. 4, 2026, in Portland, Ore.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Headlines from around the Northwest
- Portland’s Hollywood Theatre screens 100 years of movie magic (Steven Tonthat)
- Portland now says roughly $106M in housing funds went unspent (Alex Zielinski)
- Student-led protests against federal immigration actions continue in Portland (Elizabeth Miller)
- Springfield School Board Chair resigns, citing dysfunction, safety fears (Rebecca Hansen-White)
- EWEB Board chooses Bonneville Power Administration leader as new general manager (Rebecca Hansen-White)
- Bandon pauses new vacation rental applications for 120 days (Roman Battaglia)
- Seahawks primed for Super Bowl grudge match with Patriots (Kim Malcolm and John O’Brien)
- Grant scores 23 points to help Trail Blazers rout Grizzlies, 135-115 (Anne M. Peterson)
Sweet, smoky and spicy barbecue sauce with a side of Black history
Heather Arndt Anderson / OPB
Superabundant recipe: Sweet and spicy barbecue sauce with a touch of Black history
Barbecue isn’t typically something we think of in the Pacific Northwest, but Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching.
It’s also Black History Month, so this week’s recipe takes a trip down memory lane with a look back at Portland’s barbecue scene dating back to the 1910s.
Barbecue has a rich history in Portland, but it also has some sticky moments and many of the barbecue spots are owned and operated by white transplants.
But today, Black-owned joints like Cason’s Fine Meats and Reo’s Ribs are still alive and well. And though Campbell’s is long gone, Tory Campbell carries on the family legacy with sauces and rubs created decades ago. This recipe comes pretty close. (Heather Arndt Anderson)
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