🌱 City Charter Challenge + More Dead From Heatwave

Hey, Portland, welcome to a whole new month! August is here, named after Emperor Augustus in 8 BC; it was originally Sextillis. Whatever you call it, I wish it didn't come with this weather. Here's what your Tuesday is like.

First, today's weather:

We're getting a few clouds and cooler weather, but that's not saying much. It's still going to be mostly sunny with a high of 87.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. Police in North Portland had a harder time than usual with a DUII arrest. At about 5:46 p.m., North Precinct officers were called out to a crash at North Houghton Street and North Haven Avenue. Officers arrived on the scene and found a 1998 Nissan Altima sedan on its top. Two adults that were in the car suffered minor injuries, while another adult and a 5-year-old child were not hurt. As they were attempting to bring one of the people involved into custody, they had to deal with two others who interfered with and threatened the officers. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. The city charter drama continues as legal arguments are heard as to the constitutionalism of the Nov. 8 general election ballot measure to change Portland’s form of government. A challenge was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court claiming it violates the Oregon Constitution’s prohibition against multiple subjects in a single measure. The Portland City Attorney’s Office responded on July 27 that the prohibition only applies to initiative petitions proposed by voters, not measures submitted by governments, such as the measure submitted by the Portland Charter Commission. (KOIN)
3. Violence continued downtown, in Portland's Old Town district, as one person was killed and at least two other people were injured following a shooting Friday night. Portland Police Officers responded at 9:31 p.m. Friday to the area of Northwest Couch Street and 5th Avenue and found two victims who appeared to have been shot. Soon after, police said a third person injured in the shooting arrived at a local hospital, transported privately, with life-threatening injuries. (KGW)
4. After the brutal heat Portland experienced, many are disappointed that Multnomah County cooling centers are closing this week. Staff with the county said they made the decision to close Sunday night due to a cooling trend in the forecast. The emergency management director tells KATU throughout the week his team communicated with other agencies and expanded capacity to prevent turning people away. The emergency management team said about 90 percent of the four open sites filled Saturday night, with about 270 people seeking relief from the heat. (KATU)
5. We went through a record-breaking heatwave last week and that's not just a figure of speech. We literally broke a heat record. Sunday marked Portland’s seventh consecutive day with recorded high temperatures at or above 95 degrees. Portland previously recorded six consecutive days with temperatures at or above 95 degrees on Aug. 11, 1981, and July 18, 1941. Portland’s temperature records go back to 1940. The heatwave had lethal consequences as officials with the Oregon Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating at least 10 deaths that they think may be tied to the heat wave. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Today in Portland:

• Enjoy a night out at the Black & Beyond the Binary Collective office. Night Out for Safety and Liberation (NOSL) is an annual event that takes place on the first Tuesday of August where we redefine and reimagine what safety means for our communities. There will be food, music and live performances. 4 - 8 p.m.
• It's another Science Pub at OMSI! This time the subject is Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Science. Join art historical novelist Stephanie Storey for an exploration of how Leonardo da Vinci’s artistic mind influenced his scientific inventions. She will also be signing her books "Oil and Marble" and "Raphael, Painter in Rome." Doors open at 6 p.m.
• B Movie Bingo is happening at the Hollywood Theater. Tonight's feature is Avenging Force! A deadly conspiracy of right-wing lunatic-fringe killers slaughtered his family and friends. Now, there's only one way for Michael Dudikoff (AMERICAN NINJA) to survive. He must unleash the power, cunning and fury of... THE AVENGING FORCE! Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
• If you want some comedy, check out Oaks Bottom Comedy Showcase at Oaks Bottom Public House. Featuring Charles Jr. and some of Portland's best comics. Showtime is 7 p.m.
• Annie Bloom's Books welcomes Oregon author Jeff Fearnside for the launch of his new book, Ships in the Desert. Jeff will be in conversation with Portland writer and Oregon poet laureate Kim Stafford. This in-store reading is first come, first served. Seating is limited. Please be mindful of any store health policies that might be in effect on the night of the reading. The reading starts at 7 p.m.

From my notebook:

• The 10th annual Catio Tour is happening next month, but you have to hurry because tickets sell out fast. The event gives cat lovers a chance to learn how to build their very own outdoor enclosures. Kohr Harlan from KOIN 6 walks us through an impressive Catio in Southwest Portland. (KOIN)
• The first debate between the leading candidates in Oregon’s gubernatorial race took place on Friday in Salem. Former House Speaker Tina Kotek is the Democratic nominee. Former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan is the Republican nominee. Former Sen. Betsy Johnson is running as a nonaffiliated candidate. If you're curious about how it went, a video of it has been posted. It's roughly 90 minutes, so consider yourself warned. (Vimeo)
• The Portland Naked Bike Ride took place on Saturday night. While you may have missed it, YouTuber flask28 heard the commotion outside their window and caught some of it on video. Here's a tiny sample of what it was like. (YouTube)
• Nicholas Kristof is returning to the New York Times after a court in February disqualified him from running for governor in Oregon. The star columnist stepped down from the Times in October and subsequently announced his run for office, which was ultimately cut short after the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that he was ineligible because he didn't meet residency requirements. He is expected to return to the Times in the fall after he completes a new book, the paper announced. (Axios)
• The Portland Adult Soapbox Derby has been doing its part to keep Portland weird since 1997 and it is returning to Mt. Tabor on Saturday, Aug. 20. If you want to know what it's like, here's a short video from the organizers. (YouTube)

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That's your Tuesday, my friends. Bask in it, because the heat is coming back this weekend. I'll be back tomorrow to get you all informed about what's happening in Portland.

— 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? Contact me at portland@patch.com