🌱 HS Students Create Nonprofit + $9M Funding For 5 Park Projects

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Portland Patch newsletter — here to impart everything you need to know about what's happening in the community today.

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But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Plenty of sun. High: 84 Low: 54.
• Sunday: Plenty of sun. High: 86 Low: 58.

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From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Portland:

1. Anisha Dasgupta and Shomik Sen, two rising seniors at Jesuit High School, founded YourTechQ, a nonprofit organization that offers workshops to elderly communities, helping them navigate technology in an ever-evolving world. Starting in March 2022, they have partnered with over a dozen communities in the Portland metro area, providing presentations on basic phone usage and introducing helpful apps. Their mission is to continue giving back to the community through technology support, even as they pursue careers in engineering and data science beyond high school. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. Metro has allocated nearly $9 million to fund five park improvement projects focused on community access to nature. The projects, submitted by Portland Parks and Recreation and the City of Wilsonville, were approved through the Local Share program, part of the 2019 parks and nature bond. These projects aim to connect communities to nature, meet criteria such as community engagement, climate change resilience, and advancing racial equity, and include improvements to Hoyt Arboretum, lighting upgrades in Portland parks, trail enhancements at Rose City Golf Course, replacement of a wooden boardwalk at Whitaker Ponds Natural Area, and the purchase of land for Frog Pond West in Wilsonville. (Metro newsfeed)
3. A fight that took place in January in a Portland apartment building is now being investigated as a homicide after one involved, 68-year-old Thomas O'Cain, died in the hospital from his injuries. The police have identified another person involved in the fight and have forwarded the case to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office for potential charges. The Portland Police's Homicide Unit has been working on the case for several months and is urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. (KATU)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Portland:

Saturday, July 1

• Community Garden Volunteer Day At Native American Youth and Family Center (10:00 AM)
• Summer Fest Picnic In The Park At Fort Vancouver Historic Preserve, Vancouver, WA (11:00 AM)
• Waterfront Blues Festival At Tom McCall Waterfront Park (11:00 AM)
• Vintage Wine Tasting With Dusky Goose At Vino Veritas Wine Bar And Bottle Shop (1:00 PM)

Sunday, July 2

• Portland Craft Beer Festival At The Fields Neighborhood Park (12:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• As July begins in Portland, the city is bracing for a summer heatwave that could bring near record-breaking temperatures by the Fourth of July. With highs expected to reach the mid to upper 90s, it is important to take precautions such as staying hydrated, taking breaks from the heat, and checking on those who are sensitive to high temperatures. The current record for the hottest Fourth of July in Portland, set in 1972 at 99 degrees, is in jeopardy of being broken after more than 50 years. (KOIN.com)
• Starting on Jul. 21, a three-quarter-mile stretch of northbound OR 217 will be reduced to one lane for 11 days as part of the Highway 217 Auxiliary Lane Project. Two ramp closures will also be in effect during this period, with detour routes provided. The construction aims to alleviate congestion and enhance merging capabilities when the auxiliary lane opens in 2025. (iHeart)
• The Waterfront Blues Festival and 10 Barrel Brewery have collaborated to create the Barrel of Blues Pale Ale, which will debut at the festival this weekend along the Willamette River. Brew Master Maddy McCarthy describes the pale ale as a refreshing and approachable beer, combining old-school and new-school hops to create a pine-forward flavor with a hint of citrus. Festival attendees can enjoy the beer on tap during the Jul. 1-4 event, and it will also be available at 10 Barrel's pub in Portland. (KOIN.com)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll catch up with you soon with your next update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.