Kristof Vows Challenge + COVID-19 Cases Skyrocket + Kotek Leaving

Happy Friday, Hillsboro! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Rain, windy, then a shower. High: 47 Low: 37.

Here are the top stories today in Hillsboro:

1. Hillsboro Weil Arcade Fire Ruled Arson, Suspect Arrested, Charged (Hillsboro Patch)
2. Oregon COVID-19 Numbers Keep Rising Dramatically (Patch).
3. Nick Kristof Challenging Ballot Eligibility Ruling (Patch)
4. Landslide Closes I-84, ODOT Warns Conditions 'Still Unsettled' (Gresham Patch)
5. Tina Kotek Leaving Legislature To Focus On Governor Run (Patch)
6. Chance To Win Super Bowl Tickets By Donating Blood: Red Cross (Hillsboro Patch)
7. This Weekend's Hillsboro Area Events (Hillsboro Patch)
8. Hillsboro Weekend Weather Forecast (Hillsboro Patch)
9. Hillsboro Prospective Homeowners: Check Out 5 New Houses For Sale (Hillsboro Patch)
10. Hillsboro Area High School Sports Coming Up This Weekend (Hillsboro Patch)

Today's Hillsboro Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Verizon. They're building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G is going to change life for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. And thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Hillsboro!

Today in Hillsboro:

• Girls Wrestling Kelso HS Varsity Tournament (8:00 AM)
• Boys Basketball v Lakeridge - Century High School (7:00 PM)
• Girls Basketball @ Lake Oswego - Century High School (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Hillsboro Police Department: "Hillsboro Police Detectives Arrest Suspect for the Weil Arcade Fire (Photo)" (Facebook)
• Hillsboro Hops: "Be a good teammate. More than you ever have before. Look out for each other. Be kind. Be patient. Be together, on the same vine. #OneVine" (Instagram)
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce: "Support those affected by the fires by purchasing a "Heart For Hillsboro" shirt from Portland Gear. Shop now by following this link https://portlandgear.com/. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Hillsboro Community Foundation Fir..." (Facebook)
• Hillsboro Public Library: "Our art gallery is open! Stop by the Brookwood Library now through February to see PAN at 40: Printmaking from @printartsnw. This beautiful exhibit celebrates Print Arts Northwest (PAN) and their dedication to printmaking for forty years..." (Facebook)
• My Hillsboro Creates Community: "Another way to help. Let’s get out and support the many #DowntownBusinesses that are still open. For the Main St businesses directly across from the location of the fire, enter through their back doors off SE 2nd, follow the blue Main St..." (Facebook)
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce: "Puppernickel will be donating 20% of sales to the Hillsboro Community Foundation Fire Relief Fund when you shop this Saturday. Get treats, toys, and more for your pets and help those impacted by the fire at the same time." (Facebook)
• Hillsboro Parks & Recreation: "Youth Yoga classes for ages 8-12 starting next week at SHARC! Mondays, 5:30pm - Bilingual Yoga & Wednesdays, 5:30pm Youth Yoga. We'll teach your youth the foundations of yoga, equipping them to manage the stressors of daily life. Follow ..." (Facebook)
• Washington County Chamber of Commerce: "The latest updates on how you can help and how the Hillsboro community is coming together at this difficult time." (Facebook)

Loving the Hillsboro Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at colin.miner@patch.com

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Colin Miner

About me: I've been at Patch for almost 6 years after a career that had stops at The New York Times, Oregonian, Washington Post, as well as KATU, KOIN, and KGW. For the past three years I've been Patch's Manager News and Content Partnerships as well as a National Writer.