Community Corner
🌱Hillsboro Man Gives Up Guns + Murray Scholls Book Swap
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Beaverton.
Hi Beaverton! Today there's so much going on. A father gives his guns to police after events at the school in Texas, Washington County is the only place in Oregon where there are more homeless people in shelters than are on the streets, and a Beaverton mom became a KATU Everyday Hero by feeding thousands during the pandemic. I'm going to hook you up with the schedule of events at the Memorial Day American Legion Ceremonies in Veterans Memorial Park. I'm Merlin Douglass, your guest curator. Let's get started, shall we?
First, today's weather:
Cloudy, showers around; cool. High: 60 Low: 48.
Here are the top stories in Beaverton today:
- Ben Beers was sickened by the killings last Tuesday at the Uvalde school shooting of 19 children, so he surrendered his guns on Wednesday. His personal arsenal included two AR -15s and a nine-millimeter handgun, which he released to Hillsboro police. Although Beers, 37, says he has had guns all his life, the events at the Robb Elementary School convinced him that the right thing to do was to get rid of them. Hear him explain his reasoning in his TikTok video. (KGW)
- Washington County has decided that when the contract with Metro West ambulance service expires, the county will not renew it. Washington County Board Chair Kathryn Harrington said that the contract is outdated, and a new contract will allow the county to demand technological and service upgrades from its ambulance service. Metro West is welcome to apply along with other local ambulance services when the county opens bids next July and will continue to provide service to the county through the current contract. (Hillsboro News Times; click here if you have a subscription, click here to read using your Washington County Library card)
- Washington County is the only place in Oregon right now that has more homeless people in shelters than on the streets. Although the numbers absolutely underrepresent the actual number of people without housing, the number of individuals without housing reported in Washington County was 808, with 227 unsheltered people, 496 people in shelters and 85 in transitional housing, according to this year's 'point in time' count. The bad news is that homeless in Washington County is up from the 716 individuals counted in 2021. (Beaverton Valley Times; if you have a subscription click here; to read using your Washington County library card click here)
- Xavier Rodriguez, the 18-year-old driver of the car that killed two student passengers and injured two more and a sheriff's deputy, was indicted for manslaughter after being released from the hospital Friday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges after his arrest. He is being held in Washington County jail on $1.25 million bail. (KATU)
- This is the time of year when road construction might interrupt your right of passage — if you get my drift. Beginning June 1, a whole bunch of improvements are going in at southwest 209th near south Hillsboro between Alexander Street and Kinnaman Road. The northern intersection at 209th and TV Highway will be shut down for 30 days, and the southern one between 209th, TV Highway and Industrial Way will be rerouted for 120 days. (Hillsboro News Times; if you have a subscription click here; to read using your Washington County Library card click here)
Today in Beaverton:
- The AARP is hosting a Memorial Day motorcycle ride today at the Crescent Grove Cemetery, 9925 SW Greenburg Road in Tigard, near Washington Square. Kickstands up at 10:00 A.M. A list of requirements to ride is available at the link.
- The Apple Store in Washington Square is hosting an art lab for kids called Make Your Own Emoji from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Kids get hands-on training drawing faces and colorful objects electronically. Devices are supplied. Register using the link.
- Take the kids to see the "Suessical Jr.", a story narrated by the Cat in the Hat, at the Sherwood Center for the Arts, 22689 SW Pine in Sherwood at 3:00 P.M. $15 is the standard ticket price with $12 tickets for students, seniors, children or military if you purchase tickets online at the link. Tickets are $18 if purchased at the door.
- If you could use some new books to read, head over to the Murray Scholls branch of the library, 11200 SW Murray Scholls Place, and be part of the book swap from 4:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Books donated for this express purpose will be available to take home books and books for all age groups will be represented. Everyone is welcome and this event is free.
From my notebook:
- Find out about all the amazing and cool volunteer jobs there are with local nonprofits and community groups at the upcoming Volunteer Fair coming up on June 11. If you've ever wanted to mentor kids, assist in a community library, serve in the arts community and so very much more, here's a chance to find out more about it. The Volunteer Fair will be at the main library.
- Hurray for the heroes such as a Beaverton mom and this week's KATU's Everyday Hero, Rathana Soenneker. When the pandemic put a stop to her catering business, she turned her talents to feeding teachers, volunteers, families, grocery store workers, anyone really she could find who looked like they could use a good meal. Soenneker estimates she fed about 3,500 people during the pandemic, a feat she says she did as a way to give back to her community. (KMTR)
- Here is a link to the schedule of events planned for Memorial Day at the Beaverton Veteran's Memorial Park at Watson and 7th. After a welcome by Steven Gerber, Commander of Post #124 there will be a Call to Colors. The event will include two flyovers, and Mayor Beaty will deliver the proclamation.
You're all caught up for today. We're off `til Tuesday. Have an excellent couple days in the meantime.
— Merlin Douglass
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Beaverton Daily? Contact me at ash.the.copyartist@gmail.com.