🌱 Joey Gibson Standing Trial + Portland Gun Violence Rising

I'm back, Portland, and ready for a new week of adventure here in my favorite city. Here's what you're going to want to know.

First, today's weather:

We're heating up today, Portland, with the sun hanging out with us all day, giving us a high of 89.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. A new shelter for families experiencing homelessness is now open in NE Portland and taking referrals, including self-referrals. Family Promise of Metro East opened its doors on Sunday on NE 48th and Couch with its stated goal to keep parents and kids together as they look for more stable housing options. The new daytime shelter will allow people to do laundry, shower, get access to a computer and have a safe place to stay outside of work or school. (KOIN.com)
2. Violent crime is the story of Portland’s summer. News broadcasts and newspaper headlines are dominated by a recent pair of unprovoked attacks: the racist assault of a Japanese American family over the Fourth of July weekend, and the killing last week of an 82-year-old Oregon State University professor attacked at a bus stop. Both assaults were allegedly committed by men living on the streets. But are progressive reforms and activist politicians to blame for the latest crime wave? That question was posed by a timely report published last Tuesday by researchers at the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law. (Willamette Week)
3. More than three years after a street brawl outside a Northeast Portland bar, Patriot Prayer leader Joey Gibson is finally standing trial on a single count of felony riot for his alleged role in the incident. The May 1, 2019 street fight took place outside the Cider Riot, which is now closed. On video, Gibson and other Patriot Prayer members are seen involved in a fight that spilled into the middle of the street. Prosecutors allege Gibson taunted and threatened Antifa members in a deliberate effort to provoke a fight. (KOIN)
4. When it comes to COVID-19, Oregon has the seventh lowest death rate per capita. To date, there have been 826,600 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oregon, equal to 19,725 infections per 100,000 people — compared to 26,798 infections per 100,000 people nationwide. In Oregon, 18.2% of the population are 65 and older. Nationwide, 16.5% of the population fall into that age group. (Patch)
5. A new report released by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office shows a sharp increase in gun violence. The report gathered data from 2019-2021 and backs up what many already know. But the mayor’s office says it will help them focus resources around the areas that need it most. One revealing statistic in the report showed that Portland saw no more than 30 homicides per year from 2002 to 2018. But in 2021 it saw 88 homicides. (KPTV)

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Today in Portland:

• Get your science on at McMenamin's Kennedy School Theater with Science Pub Portland: Predicting Rivers: How We Do It – And Why It Matters. In this talk, environmental scientist Dr. Sean Fleming explores how math and physics can reveal the hidden secrets of rivers, offers insights into the deep relationships rivers have with landscapes, ecosystems, and people, and looks at the threats our rivers face and how we can protect them over the long run. Get your tickets online. Doors open at 6 p.m.
• Who says Tuesday can't be funny? Prove them all wrong by going to Mega Suki's Rootin' Tootin' Tuesday Night Comedy Hour. Headliner Sir Lance is joined by multiple-time Portland's Funniest Finalist (Helium) Dianna Potter, Portland's Whimsy-est Comic Lydia Manning, the audience-adored Juan Durran and the dirtiest pretty face to hit Portland this summer: Devi Kirsh. Doors open at 8 p.m.
• If you're in an artsy mood this afternoon, swing on by the 511 Building - Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design for the LRVS Lecture Series: Pao Houa Her. Pao Houa Her embraces photography as a language with the potential to, in her words, “tell the stories I wish to tell about geography, displacement, sexuality, and beauty.” You can join this lecture in-person or over Zoom. 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
• The Noon Tunes Summer Concert Series Presented by 101.9 KINK and The Oregonian has started in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Today, The AM (Acoustic Minds) will be performing at Noon Tunes over the lunch hour! Noon to 1 p.m.
• It's Tuesday Trivia Night at The Queen's Head in downtown Portland. Rounds include general knowledge, music, picture puzzles, and a bonus art round. All ages are welcome, though questions are catered to an adult audience of LGBTQ folks and allies. 7 - 9 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Our first half one-two punch" (Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "The landscape is a central theme in nykelle devivo’s (@nykelle_devivo) work, as are concepts of Afrofuturism and African spiritual practices. In the series “Flash of the Spirit,” they seek release from the earthly oppressions." (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• You've heard of the Shanghai Tunnels of Portland, but how much do you really know about them? The YouTube channel It's History loves to take viewers on a ride through history showing important eras in time and events that changed the world. This 15 min. video covers Portland's forgotten tunnels and trapdoors. (YouTube)
• Way back in 2004, Trimet enlisted the help of rap duo Dynamix to promote safety around TriMet light rail. This track was released to celebrate the opening of the Yellow Line. (YouTube)
• Two decades ago, when planners, elected officials and economic developers looked at this collection of working-class neighborhoods and worn-down commercial strips, they predicted Gateway would be a bustling hub of high-tech jobs and educational institutions on Portland's eastern edge. It didn't exactly work out that way. This article explores what went wrong. (The Oregonian)
• In 2019, Portland’s Rob Messell — aka The Marquis — was crowned the Air Guitar World Champion. Now Rachel Sinclair, performing this year as Hott Mess, will have the chance to become the next world champion. On Saturday night, 20 competitors took to the Air Guitar stage at Dante’s in Portland for the US championship and a berth in the world championship in Oulu, Finland on August 26. (KOIN)

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And that's that! Did you know that it's National Daiquiri Day? Not that I'm trying to influence you or anything. I just wanted to remind you of all the interesting tidbits of info I can give when I see you tomorrow to bring more news of 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