Owner of North Portland newspaper charged with making threats in Alabama

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — The owner of a North Portland newspaper is currently in federal custody in Alabama jail after reportedly making multiple threats of violence to churches and individuals in the Mobile area.

Court documents state that, in one instance back in November, Richard Colvin called a Methodist church, threatening to kidnap, cage and rape her.

Colvin made his first court appearance in Alabama federal court on June 12, but was arraigned on July 3, entering a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The documents further state that Colvin has “a long-standing history of documented mental illness,” with his family and other members of his immediate circle corroborating that history.

Colvin is the owner of the St. Johns Review, a community paper which has published a weekly or month print edition for nearly 120 years.

The paper’s director, Anisha Scanlon, told KOIN 6 News that, given the current situation, the ownership is working on being transferred to her.

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