🌱 Illegal Street Racing Arrests + Portland Protected From Heat

Hey, Portland, what's happening? Oh, wait, It's MY job to tell you what's happening! Ok, here's everything I know about today.

First, today's weather:

It'll be a cloudy day with a high of 70. I don't think there'll be rain, but it is technically still spring in Portland, so I guarantee nothing.

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Here are the top five stories today in Portland:

1. This is why we can't have nice things, Portland. The newly renovated Phoenix Pharmacy Building has been burglarized. Matt Froman is considered a local hero in the Foster-Powell neighborhood for taking the old Phoenix Pharmacy building, which had sat vacant for 20 years, and bringing it back to life. To get past the locked doors, the burglar busted through every single wall to steal from the small businesses. (KOIN.com)
2. Multiple arrests have been made in connection to the illegal street racing that closed several Portland streets. Chief Lovell said enforcement means carrying out street racing missions. He was with officers Sunday night as they carried one of these missions. Officers arrested or cited seven people and impounded their vehicles. Officers also seized a gun during the mission. "It's a big safety concern for people," Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said. "During these events, people are struck by vehicles. Vehicles crash. Pedestrians are injured. We want to make sure we're doing everything we can from an enforcement standpoint to address it." (KGW)
3. Business owners and city leaders came together in Portland's Old Town on Monday to look at progress made over the last few months and the work still needed in that neighborhood. Mayor Ted Wheeler said he recognizes the community is still facing hurdles. "We’re also stepping up our block-by-block public safety solutions here in Old Town as well. I don’t think any one of those solutions alone is going to make a difference, but I think collectively it will definitely help," Wheeler said. (KATU)
4. The trial of Nancy Brophy has ended as she is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her husband. Prosecutors said Brophy fatally shot Dan Brophy, 63, inside the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute where he worked in 2018 because she stood to gain financially from his life insurance payout. The case drew national attention because of an essay that she had penned years earlier, but the piece was not permitted as evidence at trial. That essay? "How to Murder Your Husband." (OPB)
5. You may want to think twice before complaining about the rainy June we've been having. The same weather pattern that has brought the rain is also protecting the Pacific Northwest from the brutal heat that is endangering much of the U.S. That being said, if we combine the rain fall for April, May and June, we've had a cumulative rainfall of over 12 inches. By comparison, the average for that time period is just 7 inches. And with snow levels around 4,500 feet as of Monday morning, there's still snow piling up on the roof of Timberline lodge. (KOIN)

Today in Portland:

• Local fast-food chain Burgerville invites the community to meet the ranchers behind some of its most popular burgers. Country Natural Beef (CNB) ranchers will be at various Portland and Vancouver Burgerville locations for the “Ranchers in Restaurants” event. CNB has supported Burgerville in its mission by being a source of pasture raised beef, free of antibiotics and added growth hormones. 2 - 5 p.m.
• Test your brain power at Von Ebert Brewing and their Trivia Tuesday! They'll have some awesome beer swag for the winners. The second category will be all about Von Ebert so study up! Plus, the winning team gets to pick the first category for the following week! 7 - 9 p.m.
• At Story Party you will hear true dating stories that will make you feel better because let’s be honest, it could be worse. Hosted by Curious Comedy Theater in NE Portland. Wanna share your story? Write your dating story on our confession slips. They'll read a few and you can make the audience laugh at your dating pain. Get your tickets online. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• The Star Theater in downtown Portland is having a Pride kick Off Party celebrating a QUEER collective of live music, drag, vendors and more! Live music from Ashleigh Spencer and Baby Spit. Drag hosted by: Henny la' Jade and Amy Ta' Kill. Tickets available online. Doors open at 7 p.m.
• Jared Griffin, Albert Nicholas, Lindsie Feathers, Kendall Lujan and Alder Brook will be sharing the stage for a night of Americana and Country at The Starday Tavern. Songwriter in the round style. Join them for songs, stories and laughs. 9 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Travel Portland: "With all this rain lately, hot noodle soup slurping season has been officially extended! #ThisIsPortland 📷: @burmesedelightpdx #PDX #PDXNOW #TravelPortland #TravelOregon #PortlandOregon #HereForPortland #PDXeats #PDXfoodie #EaterPDX" (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Audubon: "Anyone who’s tried to get a glimpse of Violet-green Swallows knows it’s a rare feat to catch one sitting still enough (and close enough) to be able to admire its colorful plumage so just feast your eyes on these little beauties! These pe..." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "Beginning Thursday: Portland-based choreographer, dancer, and visual artist Takahiro Yamamoto’s new work "Opacity of Performance" premieres, marking a return to live art inside the Museum’s galleries. The commissioned dance installation ..." (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• Will Portland's iconic Shanghai Tunnels be closing to the public? The Cascade Geographic Society has been running tours of the tunnels since the early 90's, but when the pandemic hit, the tours shut down for safety reasons. Then the access points to the tunnels that the society was given permission to use via a handshake agreement were cut off. Cyndi Hubb, the president of the Cascade Geographic Society, said the current space needs city permits, safety improvements and restoration before it can open. But she added that the nonprofit is running out of money to restore the new area and expand the museum. (KGW)
• Support your local nerds at the Geek Expo going on this weekend at the Oregon Convention Center! Founded in 2016 by the husband and wife team of comic book writer Daniel Way (Deadpool, Wolverine, The Incredible Hulk, et al) and former Ubisoft community manager Kimberly Matsuzaki, GeekCraft Expo is a collection of curated, geek-themed handmade markets held throughout the year in multiple cities located across the United States...even Hawai'i! Created by nerds for nerds, GeekCraft Expo is a showcase for....well, nerds who make things! And nerds, it must be said, make the best things :) (Geek Craft Expo)

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That's your Wednesday, my friends. I hope that yours is a good day, but even if it's not, there's always another one tomorrow. And I'll be here keeping you up to date on what's happening in the big city.

— 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