BoltBus Ends+Fireworks Ban Works+NE Portland Gunfire

Wow, that was a long weekend. Just the kind of thing I needed to recharge my batteries. But life in the big city never stops, so let’s dive in and see what’s going on.

First, today's weather:

A cloudy morning gives way to a sunny afternoon on this Wednesday, with a high of 82. Hoo-ray!

Here are the top stories in Portland today:

1. Did the fireworks ban work? Portland Fire and Rescue certainly thinks so. They reported that last year, they responded to 18 firework-related fires. This year, preliminary reports show only 3 fires. Nice work, Portland! (KATU)
2. There's sad news for Seattle lovers, as BoltBus, the low-cost mass transit option for travelling between Portland and Seattle, is shutting down. With Wi-Fi, ample legroom and affordable rates, BoltBus was a commuter favorite, but its owner, Greyhound, announced that it would be suspending service indefinitely. (Willamette Week)
3. Northeast Portland residents awoke to a hail of gunfire over the weekend. At first, they thought they were just fireworks, until bullets started coming through their walls. The shooting occurred at NE 7th and Wygant St. Luckily, no one was hurt, but 4 vehicles and 4 apartment building were damaged by gunfire. (KOIN)
4. People and wildlife aren't the only things taking a hit during the high temperatures that the region has been seeing. Farmers are worried, because the heat has been having a drastic effect on crops. That's bad news for Oregon since agriculture and forestry are primary drivers of its economy. (OPB)
5. In the early morning hours of the Fourth of July, a fire started at an apartment building in NE Portland. The fire at Heidi Manor Apartments, near NE 22nd and Weidler, claimed the lives of 2 people and injured many more. In all, it took 120 firefighters to put out the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown. (KGW)

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Today in Portland

1. The Neoliberal Project is back and celebrating that fact with a bike ride. The Tour De Taco Trucks is a pleasant ride along the East Esplanade and then a visit to the delicious foot carts at the Mercado in NE Portland. Reserve your spot early; the first 10 guests to RSVP will receive a complimentary T-shirt from the Center for New Liberalism. Joy!(Neoliberal Project)
2. Expert bluegrass players Whiskey Deaf are playing at Corkscrew Wine Bar tonight. Enjoy some nosh and some wine while listening to some awesome tunes in SE Portland. (Corkscrew Wine Bar)
3. Interested in growing berries in your garden? The People's Co-op is offering a Zoom workshop on fruiting crops that can Portlanders can grow in their backyard. Recipes and tips on storage is also a part of the workshop. Payment is online. Workshop from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
4. A documentary about the Sparks Brothers will be showing at Cinema 21 in NW Portland will be showing tonight. Edgar Wright's first documentary about this enigmatic pop duo features commentary by such diverse people as Flea, Beck and Neil Gaiman. 3:45 - 6:45 PM.
5. The Polka Dot concert series is continuing at Pioneer Square downtown. Today will feature a performance by Ping & Woof Opera. Who doesn't love lunch and a show? 12:00 - 1:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland 'Vaccine Fairy' Helps People Overcome Obstacles (The Lund Report)
• Portland, Oregon: "The pianos are back! These beautiful, locally painted pianos have popped up around town once again. Have you seen..." (Instagram)
• Do you love to shop at book stores? What am I saying? This is Portland, so, of course you do. Here's a list of local bookstores in Portland. Sure, Powell's is included, but this includes 10 other stores to scratch your literary itch. (Daily Hive)

Well, that's humpday in Bridge City. But the action never stops, so I'll be back tomorrow with more about what's going on around town. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Dominic Anaya

About me: Doctor, educator and now a writer/artist, I'm just chillin' in Portland, OR with my wife, our ferrets, our chickens and our goats.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Portland Daily? Email all inquiries to me at portland@patch.com.