🌱PPB Releases Crime Report + More Monkeypox Surfaces In Oregon

Happy Saturday, my friends! It's the weekend proper. Time to enjoy life and have fun. Of course, I hope you're enjoying life and having fun during the weekdays, as well. Here's what's happening today.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with clouds and sun and a high of 80. Really, this is kind of perfect July weather.

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. From 2020 to 2021, Portland saw an increase in crime from shootings to car thefts, and Portlanders aren’t surprised by the numbers. The Portland Police Bureau released its annual report detailing just how much these crimes have spiked. A major point in the report includes a record number of car thefts in 2021, with 9,216 reports — up 40% over 2020. Last year also saw an increasing number of homicides, at 89 for the year. A majority of those were a result of shootings in the city, which were also up from 2020. (Fox 12 Oregon)
2. A lead victims advocate for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office has quit over what she described in a stinging resignation letter as District Attorney Mike Schmidt’s treatment of crime victims as an afterthought. Vanessa Palacio wrote that the exodus of experienced prosecutors under Schmidt’s tenure has thrust inexperienced deputy district attorneys onto cases without adequate training and oversight. (OregonLive)
3. With the Portland International Airport expanding in the last couple of years, officials hope an influx of federal funds will help the airport lower its carbon emissions. According to a press release, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Congressman Earl Blumenauer announced that PDX will be awarded $18.4 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for advances to heating and cooling systems. Officials said the improvements will “dramatically” lower energy demand by 83%. (KOIN)
4. There are now six cases of hMPXV, colloquially known as monkeypox, identified in Oregon. Dr. Tim Menza, a senior health advisor with the Oregon Health Authority, said that the latest two cases, both in Washington County, were identified Thursday morning. Health officials expect to identify potentially many more in the coming weeks. In addition to the Washington County cases, there is currently one known case in Multnomah County and three in Lane County. The good news is that hMPXV is far less contagious than COVID-19 and is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact, which is easier to avoid than, say, breathing. If the person next to you in the grocery store has the disease, they are unlikely to pass it to you. (OPB)
5. An Oregon Health Authority analysis released Thursday has found that drug overdose deaths in Oregon more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, driven largely by misuse of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Preliminary data indicate that the trend is continuing this year, officials said. The trend is prompting urgent requests for supplies of the the rescue drug naloxone that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. OHA’s Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose webpage contains naloxone frequently asked questions and a map showing Oregon pharmacies that distribute the medicine. (KATU)

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Today in Portland:

• Looking for laughs? Then go to the Funhouse Lounge for Everyone Hates You - A Comedy Roast Battle. It's Fight Club for comedians. Witness ego deaths as the best comics in Portland battle wits to see who has the most hilariously cutting insults. No topic is off limits. The audience votes the winner. It's hosted by Bryan Bixby and Tory Ward. 10 - 11:30 p.m.
• ARCOPDX, or the amplified repertory chamber orchestra, will be playing at the Waypost in North Portland. Music by Max Richter, Philip Glass, Arvo Pärt, Samuel Barber, David Baker, and Astor Piazzolla. No cover, so that's awesome. Showtime is 8 p.m.
• There's going to be some stand-up comedy at the Rose City Book Pub with Waxes Comical. Join some local comics to explore the funny view of life. Comics will do their best to keep this PG13 and fun for the whole family. Showcase hosted by Dani Schi. Featured Comics include: Heather Lou Weigler, Ian Durias, Juan Duran and Juliet Mylan. The funny starts at 7 p.m.
• If you're as into comic books as I am, you'll want to know about the Cosmic Monkey Comics Sidewalk Sale! They're cleaning out their basement and have 75 long boxes of random comics that are going to be $1 each. Saturday July 9th 11am-5pm. There will be SOOOO many Comics!!! Give in to your nerd urges! 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid present Tropitaal, their Desi-Latino Soundclash at the Goodfoot. Take the sultry vibe of the Latin American Tropics, combine with the rhythm of India ("Taal") and stir into TROPITAAL! A Desi Latino Soundclash is where the hottest club sounds from India and Latin America go head to head in an all-night dance-off of epic proportions. Tickets available online. The fun starts at 9 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Trail Blazers: "Showing love to the young fellas 🙌" (Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)
• Portland Trail Blazers: "@jwalker52 putting in work on both ends of the court 💪" (Portland Trail Blazers via Instagram)
• Travel Portland: "Your mission this summer, crush some @wailuashaveicepdx! #ThisIsPortland 📷: @from.her3 #PDX #PDXNOW #TravelPortland #TravelOregon #PortlandOregon #HereForPortland #PDXeats #EaterPDX" (Travel Portland via Instagram)
• Portland Art Museum: "🌟 If the stars align, what would you wish for? Today, the star-crossed lovers Orihime (the weaver girl) and Hikoboshi (the cowherd) will cross the Milky Way for their annual reunion. Japanese communities celebrate this cosmic encounter." (Portland Art Museum via Instagram)
• A Portland-based national community art initiative is showing the impact of gun violence through their Soul Box Project. An exhibit is on display right now in Old Town at the Historic Overland Building. In a window display, people will be able to see 40,000 individual boxes that represent someone in the country who has been killed or injured by gunfire in the first six months of this year alone. The month-long exhibit aims to engage the Old Town community that has been affected by a steep rise in gun violence over the past two years. (KPTV)

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That's your Saturday, my friends. Have an awesome weekend. Join me again next week and I'll do my part to keep you all informed about what's happening in 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