Murder Hornets + Campaign Finance Rules + Healthcare Help

It's Saturday, people, and you know what that means! You do, right? I was hoping someone could tell me. No? Oh, well, then just let me talk about today.

First, today's weather: It's a day of sun today, hot, hot sun, with a high of 86. Wow, I guess we're still in summer.

Here are the top stories today in Portland:

1. Murder hornets have been found in Washington, and now Oregon is on the look out. Officials with the Washington State Department of Agriculture eradicated the nest Wednesday in a continuing effort to keep the species not native to the Northwest from establishing a foothold here. Now, officials with the WSDA, ODA and U.S. Department of Agriculture were watching one of the hornets that had been earlier tagged with a tracking device. (KATU)
2. In the efforts to make political campaigns more fair, Multnomah County voters overwhelmingly approved political spending caps. There was a push back by defenders of Oregon’s notoriously permissive free speech laws. In an Aug. 23 ruling, Multnomah County Circuit Judge Erich Bloch found that a 2016 ballot measure does not fall afoul of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Willamette Week)
3. Despite warning from the FDA about using the drug ivermectin to treat COVID, some Oregon physicians are still prescribing it. This puts many pharmacists in a bind as to what to do when presented with a prescription for the drug. The Oregon Board of Pharmacy sent an update earlier this month to members that mentioned that ivermectin has not yet been proven safe and effective against COVID-19, but also that "pharmacists receiving prescriptions for ivermectin for the treatment or prevention COVID-19 should use their professional judgment in determining whether to fill them."(KPTV)
4. The recent COVID surge has overloaded the healthcare system with patients, but Oregon may be getting some outside help. The state has finalized contracts with two different companies, a medical staffing company called Jogan Health Solutions and AMN Healthcare, to send workers to health care facilities across the state but particularly in Central and Southern Oregon where the hospitalization rates are nearly outpacing the number of beds available and personnel to staff them. (KGW)
5. It was just yesterday that I reported on the upcoming decision to approve or deny the Land Use Compatibility Statement for Zenith Energy. The actual decision wasn't expected until the end of the month, but it seems that the city has just decided to deny the LUCS for Zenith. Now Portland waits to see if Zenith will launch an appeal in response to the denial. (Portland Mercury)

Today in Portland

• The Rosewood Initiative of outer SE Portland is holding a Social Service Fair today. There will be school backpacks for kids, food from Su Casa and Nelly's Taqueria, free books and more. There will even be a COVID-19 vaccination station where participants can get $100 for receiving their first dose. 12:00 - 5:00 PM.
• All you home cooks out there may want to know about the Fat& Flavor book launch event going on today at Tendue in SE Portland. In addition to the cook book itself, and getting it signed, there will be food and drink and prize giveaways. Masks will be required for entry into the building. 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
• Brooklyn Gardens final HOORAH of 2021 is this Saturday August 28th! Don't miss out on live music by Jobe Woosley & Co, Killer Burger, draft cocktails and beer! Stop by with the family for some great food and beverages, and stay for the live music by Jobe Woosley & Co. 5:00 - 8:00 PM.
• Local PDX makers come together and share their crafts with you at Ardent Makers Market in SE Portland! From matching pet and people items, to pottery, to vintage items. Don’t forget about the food. There will be coffee, elephant ears, and amazing burgers. 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• I guess it's a shopping Saturday, because there will be a Summer Artist's Market going on at True North Studios in NE Portland. Come peruse work by amazing local artists, enter the raffle, snap a photo in front of their photo booth! They’ll also have live screen printing by Halftone PDX, so snag yourself a brand-new badass t-shirt! 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Portland Patch Notebook

• Portland, Oregon: "Hey PDX! The Portland Marathon (@pdxmarathon) is seeking additional volunteers for the race on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Although individuals are welcome, the race is most in need of groups. Volunteer groups will be compensated for..." (Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "This is the last weekend to tickle the ivories in the great outdoors before @pianopushpay wraps up for 2021. Visit these upcycled old pianos, transformed by local artists, all across Portland before they retire to PDX schools and comm..." (Instagram)
• Just to remind people when the dream of the 90's was still alive in Portland. Is it still alive? I'm sure it is for some of us. (YouTube)
• Making a Sense of Place is a series of short videos put out by The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy focused on growth and change in different large metropolitan areas. Portland: Quest for the Livable City explores innovation and conflict surrounding growth and land use regulations in Portland, Oregon. (YouTube)
• For those of you into antique and collectable weapons, you may be interested in the Oregon Arms Collectors Gun Show. Oregon Arms Collectors, Inc. is a non-profit, Mutual Benefit Organization, which exists to bring its membership together to further the collection, preservation, historical education, fellowship, and enjoyment of arms and related accouterments and memorabilia. It's going on this weekend at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport in NE Portland. (Craig's List)

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Have an awesome day, Portland, and a fantastic weekend. You're all part of what makes this place wonderful and I love you for it. You're all a big part of the reason I write this newsletter. And the reason I'll be back next week to tell you all about this beautiful city of Portland. If you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Reach out anytime to portland@patch.com.