PORTLAND-A report in this month's American Journal of Public Health finds that three properties in the central city here were once lead smelters, prompting state environmental officials to plan tests to determine health risks.

SAN FRANCISCO-With debt surpassing $9 billion, California's largest utility files for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, protecting itself from creditors while it attempts to reorganize rather than liquidate.

MADRAS, OR-Cogentrix Energy, an independent power producer headquartered in North Carolina, is proposing to build a $400 million, 980-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant 12 miles southeast of this Central Oregon city. One megawatt is enough power to support 1,000 homes.

SAN FRANCISCO-AMB revealed for the Securities and Exchange Commission this week its expected income from acquisition fees, management fees and other arrangements related to recent deals with the city and county's retirement system and the government of Singapore.

BEND, OR-Sunriver Resort LP asked for and received rules changes that prohibited development of the 376 acres immediately south of its 3,000-acre resort here. It has an option for half of the land and reportedly is seeking to option more of it.

BELLEVUE, WA-The two New York firms closed on two Eastside office buildings today for about $37 million. The acquisition is part of a $100 million, 11-property portfolio purchase from ASA Properties of Honolulu.

PORTLAND-Harsch Investment Properties' Kathleen Schultz tells GlobeSt says the state never needed to vacate the building, that the mold problem was cleaned up before long before they did move out, and that a permanent fix was completed Friday.

PORTLAND-Although no tenants have been signed, the developers say interest is strong in the 120-acre mixed-use project said to be the only development opportunity in the country offering immediate access to two interstate highways, light rail and an international airport.