Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Portland plug a looming $66.9 million budget gap?

And on the Portland Patch calendar - The Winery Comedy Tour

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hello Portland! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Portland plug a looming $66.9 million budget gap?
  • When will Portland’s Thompson Elk finally come back downtown?
  • What Chuck Lovell’s departure means for Portland’s police leadership shakeup

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Rain, heavy at times, with a high of 56 and low of 45 degrees.
  • Friday: Rather cloudy, a little rain, temps: high: 49, low: 43.
  • Saturday: Showers around in the p.m., with a high of 49 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ‘Portland is not alone': City economists project $66.9M deficit for next fiscal year (koin.com) — Portland’s General Fund is now projected to face a $66.9 million deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, more than double last year’s early forecast. City economists blame falling Business License Tax revenue, rising costs, and expiring one-time COVID-era funds, and will update the forecast again in February.
   

2. Portland's Thompson Elk Statue, damaged by 2020 protests, set to return by spring 2026 (kgw.com) — Portlanders can look forward to the Thompson Elk returning to Southwest Main Street by early spring 2026, with a fully restored fountain and new water‑saving pump system. The $2.2 million, on-budget project uses original Vermont granite, improves accessibility around Chapman and Lownsdale squares, and preserves one of the city’s oldest and most iconic pieces of public art.
   

3. Former Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell leaving city for new law enforcement job (oregonlive.com) — Portland residents are seeing another major leadership change as former Police Chief Chuck Lovell leaves the Portland Police Bureau at month’s end for a new, undisclosed local law enforcement job. Lovell, who led the bureau through 2020’s unrest and later served as assistant chief, will be replaced in his services role amid a broader reshuffling of top PPB commanders.
   

4. Portland and Multnomah County refine roadmap to tackle homelessness with new action plan (katu.com) — Portland City Council is set to vote tonight on an updated Homelessness Response System Action Plan and new performance metrics developed with Multnomah County. The plan refines goals around keeping people housed, improving safety, and speeding exits from homelessness into permanent housing. Officials also committed to regular progress and financial reports so residents can track how well the system is working.
   

5. Grocery stores without power after storm offer limited access, close early in SW Portland (kptv.com) — Power outages from Tuesday night’s storm left parts of southwest Portland without electricity Wednesday, forcing Barbur Boulevard grocery stores to limit access, close sections, or shut early. Shoppers faced dark aisles, scarce frozen and fresh food, and tricky intersections where traffic lights were out, raising safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers in the affected Portland area.
   

📸 Around Portland

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Kelly Johnson Foundation and Starting Line Youth Sports Alliance 501(c)3 Pay It Forward Initiative —Kelly Johnson Read on Patch
  • Target Corporation posted a job opening for Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T2779) in Portland. Apply here.
  • Avamere Health Services posted a job opening for Activities Assistant - Senior Living / SNF in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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