🌱WashCo Sees Spike In Vehicle Thefts + Glencoe HS Robotics Wins Big

It's Cinco de Mayo my friends, commemorating the unexpected victory of Mexico over the army of the French Empire of Napoleon III at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It's a worthwhile time to think of our friends in Ukraine, but not before we take a look at today's news. I'm your regular guest curator and sometimes history buff, Merlin Douglass, and here's what's happening locally today.

---

First, today's weather:

Yes, yes, it was gorgeous yesterday. Today, however, it will rain. High: 56 Low: 48

---

Here are the top five stories today in Beaverton:

1. Beaverton police said they are investigating the 18-year-old driver of the Nissan involved in the crash that killed two teens and sent five people to the hospital, including sheriff's deputy, Michael Trotter, last week. At the press conference on Tuesday, Beaverton police spokesperson, Officer Matt Henderson, said the driver, who is in the hospital and who he declined to name, is a "suspect" and that the investigation is ongoing. The Washington County Major Crimes team is also involved. (OregonLive)
2. The International School of Beaverton has been named the top high school in Oregon in a new ranking appearing in U.S. News and World Report. It was the only Oregon high school to make it in the top one hundred schools nationally. The list includes over 17,800 schools around the nation, including 238 in Oregon. (Patch)
3. A new lawsuit alleges sexual abuse of a disabled man by his caregiver. The lawsuit, which doesn't name the 31-year-old Beaverton man who was abused, says that two companies, Self Determination Resources, a Beaverton non-profit, and Destination: Autonomy LLC, headquartered in Hillsboro, were responsible for the sexual abuse because they failed to adequately vet the woman hired to provide services such as grocery shopping, medication management and social integration. Beth Brownhill, who runs the Crimes Survivor Project at Disability Rights Oregon, says that more than 90% of people with developmental disabilities will be sexually assaulted. (Willamette Week)
4. Congratulations to Glencoe High School's robotics team, Shockwave, who took top honors in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, last week. The team is the first Pacific Northwest team in ten years to achieve such a high result. Co-captain, Steen South, says that ending the year in the top 1% of teams in the world is a great way to conclude his senior year in high school. (Hillsboro School District)
5. Washington County is seeing a spike in vehicle thefts, much like Portland and other cities around the country. While primarily an urban problem, Hillsboro has seen a 50% uptick in vehicle thefts since 2012. In 2010 there were 155 vehicle thefts in urban areas of Washington County, but by last year that number had jumped to 400 over a similar period. Beaverton and Tigard have seen similar increases in vehicle thefts. (Beaverton Valley Times; subscription required)

---

Today in Beaverton:

• The Beaverton area Chamber of Commerce is offering part one of two interactive in-person sessions designed to help people who want to start a new business from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. The first session will cover creating a business plan, with the second session following on May 19. The workshop is free but pre-registration is desired at www.beaverton.org/events/calendar.
• Enjoy delicious Mexican food and the sounds of traditional Mariachi bands at Choza Tacos-Y-Cantina and Bunk at the Choza Cantina at Bridgeport Village in Tigard beginning 11:00 A.M. The band Mariachi Viva Mexico will perform Musica Mexicana. There are food specials, $5 margaritas and 20 specialty beers on tap.
• The Aloha Farmers Market is opening today for its seventh season from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. The Macey Gard Band will be providing the tunes to accompany the great food, farm fresh nursery starts, kids activities and handcrafted items from local artists. Don't miss the several community service groups with booths as well, including the Tualatin Valley Fire department and the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

---

From my notebook:

• Now that the good weather is (nearly) here, have you wanted to get out and walk but you didn't want to go alone. Good news! The Cedarmilers Walking Club holds frequent walks around Beaverton, Hillsboro, Cornelius and Forest Grove and beyond. The group is a member of the American Volkssports Association and they invite everyone who is interested to join them.
• The Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue will provide you with emergency medical cards you can post on your refrigerator in case of a medical emergency in which you can't provide your health care information. The card provides responders with current medications, your doctor's name and emergency contacts. You can download a card or call to have one sent to you. (TVFR)

---

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Add your event

---

That's all I have for you today. Remember if you'd like the 1,000-plus daily readers of this news digest to know about your local business and you don't want to spend a fortune to reach them, The Patch can offer you a great advertising deal. Just ask us, we'd love to tell you all about it.

Tomorrow Ash DeMello will return bright and early with more news to help you get the most out of your day. It's been my great pleasure to spend these few minutes with you.

—Merlin Douglass

Tips, comments, advertising questions? E-mail ash.the.copyartist@gmail.com