🌱 First Snowfall Causes I-84 Crashes + School Budget Info Sessions

Hello, everybody! It's Tuesday in Portland and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community today.

But first, today's weather:

Low clouds. High: 43 Low: 38.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Portland:

1. The Portland metro area saw its first snow of the season on Sunday, causing a series of crashes along Interstate 84. The Portland Bureau of Transportation placed nearly 5,000 gallons of de-icer on the route Saturday evening, but it was not enough to prevent weather-related closures on Sunday after a semi-truck jackknifed on the road around 7:30 p.m. Local transportation agencies are reminding travelers to drive cautiously during inclement weather and prepare their cars with a winter weather kit. (KOIN.com)
2. Portland Public Schools will host a series of budget information sessions through January 2023. The sessions are designed to help community members learn more about the district's budget, strategic plan, and targeted investments. Franklin High School will host a session on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., and Roosevelt High School will host a session on Thursday, Jan. 5, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Click here to register. (Press Release Desk)
3. Portland native Sophia Takla leaves for Connecticut this week to compete in the 2023 Miss America competition. The 22-year-old graduate of Jesuit High School was crowned Miss Oregon in June of this year. Takla runs her own nonprofit, Operation Joy, which arranges for music to comfort sick children. She has also supported various causes including Sparrow Clubs USA and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. (Portland Tribune)

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Today in Portland:

• Toy Collection At Claremont Civic Association Fireside Room (All Day)
• Family Caregiver Support Group At Hollywood Senior Center (10:30 AM)
• Art & Anti-Semitism At Mittleman Jewish Community Center (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Plenty of pets in the Portland area are still searching for their forever homes. Click to meet Wildflower, Nellie, and the other cats and dogs up for adoption at shelters near you. (Portland Patch)
• Considering a career change? Here are the latest job openings in the Portland area. (Portland Patch)
• The Portland Art Museum will offer free admission this Sunday, Dec. 11, in celebration of its 130th birthday! Click here to reserve your ticket online beginning tomorrow, Dec. 7. (Portland Art Museum via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll see you soon.

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing associate at Lightning Media Partners. Outside of work, she enjoys constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.