🌱 FEMA Money To Fire Department+Rene Gonzalez Faces Fine

We've got another Friday here in Portland and we're going to do it in style!

• Portland Fire & Rescue just got a huge grant from FEMA
• A Marching Band will be performing in Pioneer Square
• And Portland has been named the most beauty-obsessed state in the nation.

That's a new one on me. Let me tell you about it.

But first, today's weather:

Clouds in the morning will make way for afternoon sun and a high temp of 73.

Here are the top stories in Portland today:

1. Portland Fire and Rescue got some much needed funding from the government. PF&R announced that they received a $2.1 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The money will go entirely to Fire Station 23 near Southeast 13th and Powell Boulevard. Despite celebration over the grant, McLennen said Portland Fire & Rescue is still experiencing a staffing crisis and is down 29 frontline fire fighters from being fully staffed. (KGW.com)
2. One church's act of charity annoys other residents in an East Portland neighborhood. Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church, near 82nd Ave, has provided weekly dinners for the homeless for the past 30 years. Much of that time was also spent hosting Multnomah County’s needle exchange program for those in Montavilla. But people in the neighborhood claim that these services have attracted a large homeless encampment, an encampment that experienced gun fire just last week. (KOIN.com)
3. You might want to avoid I-84 this weekend. It will be shut down, in both directions, near the I-205 interchange. The closure will last the entire weekend, starting at 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 23. I-84 should reopen by 4:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25. Why is this happening? Tri-Met is putting in a new light rail bridge over the freeway. (KATU)
4. It looks like the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease. Especially when those squeaks are coming from a lawyer. A homeless encampment at Laurelhurst Park is set to be removed after the Portland City Attorney’s Office received a letter from Davis Wright Tremaine lawyer John DiLorenzo. The 20+ page legal document says it’s representing neighbors and that the trees above the encampment in the park aren’t safe. Specifically, on Southeast Oak Street and goes into detail about more than a dozen trees, saying an arborist report shows branches and limbs could fall off and severely hurt someone. (KPTV)
5. Rene Gonzalez, who is challenging incumbent Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty this fall, faces $77,000 in fines from the city after an elections director said he failed to report a generous — and illegal — discount on downtown office space from a wealthy supporter. Since May, Gonzalez’s campaign has paid a mere $250 a month to rent more than 3,000 square feet in a Southwest 11th Avenue office building owned by Jordan Schnitzer. (OregonLive)

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Today in Portland:

• If you find yourself downtown around noon, stop by Pioneer Courthouse Square to see the USC Trojan Marching Band perform a free pep rally. This is to warm up for the USC vs. Oregon State football game on Saturday. Enjoy the Trojan Marching Band’s trademark fight songs and modern rock hits as the Trojans prepare to take on the Beavers! Noon to 1:00 PM.
• Join artist Elizabeth Haidle for a book signing and art exhibit for Party of One at Floating World Comics. The first 10 books sold will include an original life drawing sketch. Come by the event early at 4pm and do some life drawings with Elizabeth at the Lloyd Center ice skating rink. 4:00 - 7:00 PM.
• If you're looking to dance, help the Decadent 80's break in their new space with Funk Yeah No Cover at The Republic Ming Lounge! The Republic Ming has just started doing events, so this night should be exciting. Doors open at 9:00 PM.
• I can assure you that, if you go to Kelly's Olympian tonight, there will be Men Your Mama Warned You About. Of course, they'll be backing their lead singer, Cody Weathers! Also performing will be Pope Abbey. Showtime is 10:30 PM.
• If you're a fan of Van Halen, you can't miss COMPLETELY UNCHAINED - The Ultimate Van Halen Tribute with Cellotronik! They are considered the #1 Van Halen tribute band in the country and the most authentic Tribute to The Mighty VH! Doors open at 8:00 PM.
  

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "Could the PDX Free Little Art Gallery (@PDXFlag) be more adorable? Everyone is welcome to leave a piece, take a piece and enjoy a look anytime. Find it near SE 57th Ave and Rhone St. Cheers! #ThisIsPortland 📷: @rhonestreetretreat #PDX..." (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Most of us live in Multnomah County, but how much do we know about its inner workings? If you're curious, The Multnomah County Office of Community Involvement is hosting a Get To Know Your County event next Friday, the 30th, from 11:00 AM to noon. You need to register to attend, so sign up and get involved. (Multnomah County)
• Portland is into tabletop games. We are home to several game stores, such as Guardian Games and Red Castle, we have pubs based around them, like Mox Boarding House, and a number of Portland establishments have game nights. We even have a number of game creators. Check out these local makers who are hoping you'll give one of their games a try on your next game night. (Portland Monthly)
• Portland, you're so vain! Or at least we are according to the website Styleseat. They've just proclaimed us the Most Beauty-Obsessed City in America. You might want to recheck your data, Styleseat. (Styleseat)
• The Wedge is coming back to Portland! This Saturday, The Wedge, a farmers market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything that goes with it, will be at Alder Block. Sample and purchase local, artisan cheese, specialty foods, wine, spirits, and cider. (The Wedge Portland)
• Do you like gin? Did you know that Portland is home to the distillery of one of the highest rated gins in the country? Listen to Ryan Reynolds discuss Aviation Gin. (YouTube)

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And that, my friends, is your Friday. Meet me back here tomorrow, so I can give you the low down on the weekend. Now, let me send you off with some Completely Unchained.

— 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