Legionnaire's Disease Outbreak+Record Breaking Heat+Power Outage

Hi-Dilly-Ho, peeps! Blessed Friday is here! Let's see what the end of the week brings.

Weather

Summer hotness begins with a nearly cloudless sky and a high temp of 94. Keep to the shade, my friends.

Top news stories for Portland

1. Residents of a North Portland apartment building are still getting sick and health officials don't know why. 13 residents of Rosemont Court have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease, one of whom has died, yet the source of the infection has remained unresolved. (KGW)
2. PDX is getting big bucks from the federal government. As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Federal Aviation Administration is receiving an $8 billion emergency grant, $72 million of which is going to Portland International Airport. Ka-Ching! (KOIN)
3. With record breaking temperatures on the horizon for Portland, Multnomah County is opening cooling centers at the Oregon Convention Center, Sunrise Center and a county-owned building in Arbor Lodge. They will be open from 1 to 9 PM, starting today, Friday, June 25, and stay open until, at least, Monday. Transportation assistance will also be available. (Portland Mercury)
4. A car accident in Southeast Portland left thousands without power yesterday. A driver crashed into a power pole along SE 122nd, just south of Halsey, cutting the power to approximately 3000 Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers. (KATU)
5. The Oregon Legislature is considering a bill that would ease the tax burden of employers. House Bill 3389 would eliminate or defer employers' 2021 taxes caused by unemployment insurance. Lawmakers believe that employers shouldn't have to pay higher taxes because of public health closures beyond their control. (OPB)

Today's events for Portland

1. The Original Practice Shakespeare Fest will be presenting a free play in Lents Park, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." Audience members are welcome to arrive during the hour before the performance to watch the pregame fight and dance rehearsals. 7:00 PM.
2. For those of you who have ever wondered what wine goes best with bacon, Hip Chicks Do Wine has your back. They'll be presenting an assortment of bacon-centric appetizers, paired with four of their wines. Reservations are preferred. Starts at 2:00 PM.
3. As the culminating event for the Vanport Mosaic Festival, We, The People Weekend will be held in the North Park Blocks. Gather for live music, performances, vendors, the History is Now pop-up exhibit and a Zine Machine offering free memory activism resources. Starts at 10:00 AM and goes through the weekend.
4. The zine, This House of Mine, will be featuring Selfie bot portraits in Peninsula Park, along with a free zine giveaway. I can't say I know exactly what all of that means, but that's part of the randomness I love about Portland. (Selfie Bot Portraits)
5. A summer kick off party, Reconnect, is happening in North Portland. Enjoy penthouse views while experiencing live performances from IZZY-BM and Benzo Lenoir. Food and drink specials, as well as a sushi buffet. Proof of vaccination required. Get your tickets online. 8:30 PM to 1:30 AM.

Portland Patch Notebook

1. Artist and filmmaker Ashley Song Mellinger presents Summerfield Estates, a choose-your-own-adventure sci-fi tale of a secret agent who wakes up in a retirement home and doesn't know how she got there. This theatrical event is held online and is the final offering from the PCS Remix: Original Works series. Live performances presented via Zoom. Multiple times from June 25th through the 27th. (Portland Center Stage)
2. Kickstand Comedy has been organizing free, live comedy shows in Laurelhurst Park every other Friday. I can't believe I didn't know about this sooner or I would've told you already. My bad! Anyway, the next one should be the first Friday of July, so consider yourself notified (Kickstand Comedy)

From our sponsors – thanks for supporting local news

Featured event

• June 25th: Free Estate Planning & Living Trust Workshop Live Q&A Friday 3PM
• June 28th: Our blood supply is running on empty and our community needs YOU

That's your Friday, ladies and gentlemen. Make the most of it and I'll be back tomorrow to do what I love the most. Talk about my favorite city, Portland.