🌱 Rental Relocation Assistance + Portland Police Slow To File Charges

Ah, Saturday. The first true weekend day. We've got Portlanders facing mass evictions, it's HOT MOMsoon Season and National Cheeseburger Day is coming. I think this weekend will do. Let's get our Portland on.

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First, today's weather:

It's a cloudy, cloudy day with a high of 71. Delightful!

Here are the top five stories in Portland today:

1. With the possible rent hike of up to 14.6% looming in the future, there is some help that renters may wish to consider. According to the Portland Housing Bureau, those who live in Portland can request mandatory renter relocation assistance if their rent goes up by more than 10% in 2023. It would require a landlord to help pay for moving expenses. The amount they would have to pay depends on the unit size. There are some important exceptions to be aware of. (KGW.com)
2. Earlier, I wrote about a man in southeast Portland seen on dashcam video throwing objects at cars as he passed by on a bike. People in that area say they believe the man was cited by police, but not arrested. Why not? Because of COVID-19 restrictions. When asked, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said the list of bookable offenses has been updated since 2020, adding that ultimately, it’s up to an officer to decide what a person is charged with. (KPTV)
3. Commissioner Carmen Rubio will propose changes to the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, the $300 million pot of discretionary cash that has drawn criticism for lax due diligence in its grant process and poor measurement of its performance as it distributes money for climate projects aimed at disadvantaged communities. The PCEF has been subject to criticism since its infancy — including an audit earlier this spring that found PCEF failed to adequately track, measure and report its performance. (Willamette Week)
4. Residents of a transitional housing complex are facing a mass eviction after rental assistance funding has ended from the State of Oregon. Many people relied on emergency rental assistance, a program that ended in the summer, and the funding along with it is drying up. Thirty-one residents of Argyle Gardens are receiving a non-payment eviction in the complex. (KOIN.com)
5. Wait, are the Portland Police being accused of being slow? New records obtained by OPB through a public records appeal show police collected significant evidence at the scene of a crime that pointed to a clear suspect just days after the homicide. Portland police spoke to the main suspect, Christopher Knipe, in the days after the killing of Sean Kealiher, a well-known anti-fascist activist. They also had likely obtained surveillance footage implicating Knipe more than two years before officers arrested him on Aug. 4. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Today in Portland:

• Meet Oregon's best new local food and beverage innovators at the Oregon Angel Food Grand Finale & Marketplace at the Redd on Salmon Street. Oregon Angel Food (affectionately known as OregonAF) is so named because one company will be selected for angel investment ("Shark Tank" style) by a group of local investors at the end of the program. 1 - 6 p.m.
• It's HOT MOMsoon Season: A Jinkx Monsoon Tribute Show at Rainbow City! This is a night of celebration, drag and cabaret-esque variety performances, fundraising for the Ali Forney Center, which provides resources for LGBTQ youth. Shows are at 9 and 10:30 p.m.
• 503 Distilling and Ruse Brewing are hosting an End of Summer Block Party! 503 Cocktails, Ruse Brewing Craft Beer will have live music featuring Golden Promise, food from Holy Trinity BBQ and Island Nectar Shaved Ice, craft vendors, live tattoos and games. Bring a chair and enjoy the festivities. 1 - 8 p.m.
• Do you like birds? How about birds of prey? There are going to be live birds of prey featured at Paxton Gate PDX! Swing by to learn about and observe these beautifully majestic birds in-person with special guest, John the Falconer! A $5 donation is suggested to hold a bird. All donations will benefit the Portland Audubon. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• It's the Festival of Nations today in SE Portland! Festival of Nations celebrates and embraces the diversity of Division Midway district while experiencing the best of East Portland’s multicultural community and businesses. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From my notebook:

• Portland Audubon: "The City of Portland has proclaimed today as "Lights Out Portland Night." Thanks to the city for recognizing how important it is for the health of people and wildlife to reduce light pollution." (Portland Audubon via Instagram)
• Hey, food lovers, Sunday is National Cheeseburger Day! Of course, you have to be a meat eater to celebrate. Wait, with all the meat substitutes, maybe you don't. The great thing about National Cheeseburger Day is that it can unite all of us – even the vegans, the lactose-intolerant and the gluten-free have cheeseburger options in Portland – for a singular purpose: Eating something that almost definitely comes with a side of fries. (The Oregonian)
• When winemakers, critics and vineyard workers talk about wine, they’ll often talk about terroir — the way the climate, soil and environmental conditions of a place impact the flavor of wine grapes. Now, Oregon brewers are starting to say the same thing about hops. (Eater PDX)
• I've got some bad news for you, cat lovers. Purrington’s Cat Lounge, the cat café that’s been giving feline lovers a place to sip and snuggle since 2015, announced Wednesday that it will close in November. The owners would like someone to take over the business, so, if you're interested, let them know. (KOIN)
• I've included a number pieces discussing Oregon's controversial drug law, Measure 110, and support for it has often sounded shaky. A recent poll, however, has shown strong statewide support. Oregonians overwhelmingly voted 'yes' on Measure 110 to decriminalize the use of small amounts of hard drugs and open up money for addiction treatment. Two years later, those same supporters are pleading for patience while high-profile critics and opponents are already wanting to repeal the law. (KATU)
• Walking is big in Portland. Not only are there numerous hiking trails nearby, but the city itself is also highly walkable. One trail that combines all of that is the 4T Trail. After being closed for the pandemic, the Portland Aerial Tram is back open to the public. That means all segments of the 4T trail – tram, trolley, train and trail – are open to travel. (KGW via YouTube)

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Thanks for reading, Portland. You're the reason that I scour all my sources to find out all I can about what's going on in Portland and tell you all about it. I hope your weekend is awesome and I hope to come on back next week so I can tell you even 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