🌱 Ross Island Creates Toxic Problems + Explosives Fall From Sky

It's Thursday, my friends, and a First Thursday at that. And that just makes me happy. Art, music, fun; it's like Portland distilled down to its essense. But listen to me go on, let me just tell you about today.

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First, today's weather:

Oh, pure bliss, a cloudy day! A mostly cloudy day with a high of 78.

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Here are the top five stories today in Portland:

1. Would you like to buy a house in SE Portland? Occupants included, price VERY negotiable. The owner of a home in Southeast Portland is trying to sell the property but says that he can't — ever since some strangers moved in and refused to leave. The homeowner didn't want to talk with KGW on camera for fear of retaliation from those living at the property. Over the phone, he claimed that when he asked them to leave this winter, the squatters beat him up — sending him to the hospital. He hasn't been back since, but still pays $1,500 a month for his mortgage. (KGW.com)
2. If you enjoy having fun on the Willamette River, Ross Island causes a bit of a problem. Officials say the inlet at the south end of the island called Toe Island Cove hosts the greatest concentration of occupied and derelict vessels in Portland. Most are temporary homes. Others look like garbage barges, their accumulations of furniture, clothing, bicycles and piles of trash overflowing into the water. The vessels often sink in navigable waters, imperiling other boats and threatening to leak fuel and other toxic substances into the drink. (Willamette Week)
3. If you're walking through South Portland, beware of falling explosives. South Portland residents say someone, or a group of people, is dropping explosives from a high-rise apartment complex, endangering people below. These neighbors now want the person to be immediately evicted. They say it's happening at The Ardea Apartments on the South Waterfront. Neighbors think the explosives are M80s, which are illegal unless you have a specific permit or license. The ATF says they can cause hand and eye damage. (KATU)
4. Who are you voting for, Dan? Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan recently made the maximum political contribution to the campaign of Jo Ann Hardesty, a fellow city council member with whom he has sometimes clashed over major policy — and also to her opponent in November's runoff. In a statement Tuesday, Ryan offered little explanation for the dual donations, their timing or whether he ultimately favored one candidate over the other. (OregonLive)
5. Speaking of political contributions, Nick Kristof has donated his remaining political cash. The longtime New York Times columnist abandoned that prestigious post last year in order to attempt a run at the state's highest elected office. But with the campaign cut short by residency requirements in Oregon's constitution, Kristof revealed Monday he's headed back to the Times. After reimbursing himself for a little over $2,000 for personal expenses, Kristof donated $990,000 to a new political action committee called Oregon Strong. (OPB)

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Today in Portland:

• Join Anne, Dawn, Katy and Michael at Bye and Bye in NE Portland for a celebration of summer in the city. They'll have a raffle with a few items including build your own KI Doni or LimiLite chair and one yard of Pallas Textile of your choice with all proceeds going to World Central Kitchen. WCK provides meals to people that need them most worldwide. 4 - 7 p.m.
• It's another First Thursday in downtown Portland! City blocks are closed off in NW Portland on 13th street between Hoyt and Kearney. The gallery showcases original, hand-made artwork by local area artists. So, come on down and experience this Portland tradition. 5 - 10 p.m.
• It's a night of music at No Fun in SE Portland. Not one, not two, but three bands will be playing. The line-up includes Ray Ramano, Holy Catholic Social Club and Dellow. Cheap drinks!! The best sandwiches!!! Live Music! Showtime is 7 p.m.
• There will be a beer tasting at Uptown Beer CO. in SW Portland. They will be presenting the beers of Fracture Brewing! Meet the team, talk about beer, and most importantly, sample the entire Fracture Brewing lineup. 6 - 8 p.m.
• Step into the spotlight as Sneaker Week PDX kicks off its inaugural opening party at Jupiter NEXT on East Burnside! The Sneaker Week Kick-Off Art Show is offering you and your crew a peek behind the lens with an immersive conjunction of art, industry, and sneaker culture. 7 - 10 p.m.

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From my notebook:

• If you're interested in helping the Portland Street Response Team, they're looking for volunteers to help steer how the city deals with mental health and substance abuse crises. Portland Street Response needs to fill five vacant positions on their community advisory board this year. The city says these roles will "provide input to programmatic policy decisions that will further the development and sustained growth of Portland Street Response." (KATU)
• Portland has seen unprecedented violence in the past few years. Oregonian reporter Savannah Eadens explores the area of Milton & 82nd, dubbed Portland's deadliest block. It's a microcosm for the issues Portland faces: drug dealing & addiction, sex trafficking, property crime, gun violence and homelessness. (YouTube)
• If you've had trouble getting your pet to the vet, the Oregon Humane Society would like to help. They are offering clinics through the month of August. These clinics are meant to help pet owners who need routine care for their pets or who are struggling to find a veterinary clinic that is accepting new patients. The clinics will be held for both dogs and cats. The cat clinics will take place on August 6 and 20. The dog clinics will be on August 13 and 27. Owners must register their pets online in advance. (KOIN)
• There will be a gun control measure on the ballot this November. It is Oregon Measure 114, Changes to Firearm Ownership and Purchase Requirements Initiative. Measure 114 would enact a law outlining a procedure to apply for a permit to purchase a firearm. Permits would be issued by local law enforcement. Applicants would need to pay a fee, submit a photo ID, be fingerprinted, complete approved safety training, pass a criminal background check, and not be prohibited from possessing firearms. (Ballotpedia)
• For the first time in nearly a decade, a major bike race is coming to downtown Portland — and we have the mayor's office to thank for it. The Portland Criterium is set for August 20th and organizers say they are being welcomed with open arms by City Hall and Mayor Ted Wheeler. Why is the mayor so excited about a bike race? It's a key part of their efforts to activate downtown and bring people back to the businesses and attractions many have given up on after years of crime concerns, negative media coverage, protests and the pandemic. (Bike Portland)
• In the future, scaling the icy summit of Mt. Hood might not only take guts, gear and determination — it could also require a permit. The U.S. Forest Service and Mt Hood National Forest announced Tuesday that they're seeking feedback on a draft proposal to implement fees for certain day use areas, camping spots and for a permit to summit Mt. Hood. The changes would require anyone who plans to climb above 9,500 feet to have a permit. A two-day permit would cost $20 or an annual pass would cost $100. (KOIN)

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Have fun today, everyone. In this town, that shouldn't be hard at all. I'll be checking out some art at First Thursday tonight, but I promise, I'll be back tomorrow with 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