🌱 Power Outages + Record Homicides + SE House Fire

Portland OR

25 October, 2021

2:02 PM

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Welcome to another fine week in Portland! And Happy National Pumpkin Day, while we're at it. It's a perfect time to celebrate the beautiful gourd that symbolizes autumn. So stop carving that jack-o-lantern and put down your pumpkin spice latte and let's talk about what's going on today. First, today's weather: Cloudy all day with on and off rain and a high of 56 to bring us the classic Portland day for fall. Here are the top stories in Portland today: In an unprecedented move, the Portland City Council unanimously approved changes earlier this month to its bereavement leave policy that advocates say puts Portland on the cutting edge of abortion-rights legislation. Under the new policy, city employees will be able to take up to three days of bereavement leave if they've had a miscarriage, stillbirth or any other type of pregnancy loss. The policy states that this includes abortion "irrespective of whether deemed medically necessary."(OPB News) High winds downed trees and power lines alike to leave over 25,000 Portland General Electric customers without power. Pacific Power reported more than 4,000 customers had lost power in Portland. (Portland Patch)I'm sorry to say that it's official. Portland has finally surpassed 70 homicides, breaking the record number set in 1987. A double homicide in Old Town over the weekend placed the year's current total at 72 killed. This past weekend itself was violent, with Portland police addressing 19 separate shooting incidents throughout the city. (KGW)Wow, the police have been busy! Portland police recovered 44 stolen cars in three days earlier this week as car thefts rise citywide. Portland police data shows 77% of stolen vehicles are recovered within 30 days, with 89% recovered year-to-date. Police said those statistics give them hope. (KGW)A fire in SE Portland over the weekend destroyed one house and damaged two others. Portland Fire & Rescue responded to the house in the 2800 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard just after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday. When firefighters arrived, they found it heavily involved with fire and boarded up. A second alarm was called to put out the fire. PF&R said the house is a total loss. (KPTV) Today's Portland Daily is brought to you by GoodRx, a Patch Brand Partner. Recognizing the early signs of the common cold is important in helping prevent yourself and others from getting sick. Here's what you need to know about the causes of the common cold, its symptoms and how you can combat this seasonal malady. Today in Portland: Don't think gulls are exciting? You may change your mind after the virtual class Gulls in Winter presented by the Audubon Society of Portland. This class will introduce you to the regularly occurring species, showing you how to differentiate each one by size, shape, and plumage. 6:00 - 7:00 PM.Rock out to a night of hardcore punk at Mano Oculta tonight in SE Portland. Brought to you by the Brightside Social Club, it's a sound fury line up with Jawstruck, By All Means, Outta Pocket, Flash Back and Furnace. Get your tickets on line. Proof of vaccination and masks required. 7:30 - 10:00 PM.Indie rock band The World is a Beautiful Place and I am No Longer Afraid to Die will be playing tonight at the Hawthorne Theater in SE Portland. Joining them will be Bent Knee and State Faults. Tickets available online. Show is at 8:00 PM.Get your tango on at Shabu Studios in NE Portland with its Tuesday Night Tango Practica. Proof of vaccination and masks required. Tickets available online. 7:30 - 9:30 PM.Keep the Halloween spirit flowing at the Hollywood Theater this evening with its screening of classic grindhouse movie Deep Red. A man witnesses the bizarre murder of a famous psychic at the hands of mysterious black-gloved killer. He teams up with a reporter to find the culprit, and they must evade numerous attempts on their lives by the elusive killer hellbent on keeping a dark secret buried. Show time is 7:30 PM. Portland Patch Notebook With Halloween on the way, why not capitalize on it? That's why this Haunted Blood Drive is a great idea. Hosted by The Twin Team: Real Estate. Real Simple, and being held at the Rogue Eastside Pub on Wednesday, Oct. 27th, you can help others by donating and help yourself to a fine adult beverage. If you are donating, remember to bring a photo ID and call in advance to reserve a time slot. 1:00 - 6:00 PM.The holidays don't end with Halloween. Portland's Milagro theater company will host a bike tour Saturday to explore nine Día de los Muertos altars this weekend. The free event is a Day of the Dead celebration open to all. The holiday originated in Mexico and takes place Nov. 1-2 to celebrate loved ones who have died. (Oregonian)I'm going to keep bringing the Halloween with a Creature Feature! Creature Skateboards that is. Maybe it's the kids who keep filming themselves, day after day, doing skateboard tricks outside my house, but Portland seems like a skateboard kind of city to me. These dudes are here to prove it. (YouTube) People of North Portland rejoice! Local favorite The Waypost has returned, bringing tacos and margaritas to Portland. A North Williams' low-key neighborhood bar for 15 years, it shut down during the pandemic. But now it's back and serving up tinga and pastor tacos, as well as infused tequilas such as orange-peppercorn, hibiscus, habanero-lime and toasted coconut pineapple. (Willamette Week) From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: Add your business here Events: Save 15 Percent On Boo-tiful Flowers This Halloween! (October 31) Add your event Pumpkins, creatures and Halloween! I'm going to keep bringing it until the month is over. Stay spooky Portland and meet me back here tomorrow for more tales of Stumptown. If you're into 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? Email me at [email protected].