Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why TriMet’s unarmed safety teams are now pushing to unionize

Make time for Kwanzaa on the Portland Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Portland? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why TriMet’s unarmed safety teams are now pushing to unionize
  • How PPS language service cuts are reshaping support for immigrant families
  • Why Portland just switched your tap water source overnight

Also on today's calendar: Dueling Piano Show and 9 more events.

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

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Nate P.!

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Rather cloudy, showers around, with a high of 51 and low of 41 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy with a few showers, temps: high: 48, low: 44.
  • Monday: Occasional afternoon rain, with a high of 52 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'We Want the Same Protections': TriMet Safety Staff Announce Union Effort (portlandmercury.com) — Workers on TriMet’s Safety Response Team, who ride Portland buses and MAX trains to de‑escalate conflicts, are launching a union drive with SEIU Local 49. They say low pay, limited benefits, and shaky support from contractor Portland Patrol, Inc. undermine both staff stability and rider safety, and they’re urging TriMet’s leadership to quietly back their push for better protections.
   

2. OPB's First Look: Portland families lament loss of language service (opb.org) — Portland families who rely on translation and interpretation help are grappling with the loss of Portland Public Schools’ in-house Language Access Services team, cut amid budget reductions. The district now contracts out language support, but many non-English-speaking families say the new system isn’t meeting their needs as they navigate schools and critical communication.
   

3. Heavy rain prompts temporary switch to groundwater for Portland's drinking water (987thebull.com) — Portland’s drinking water has temporarily switched from Bull Run to groundwater after heavy rain increased turbidity in the watershed, but officials say your tap water remains safe and meets all standards. Depending on where you live, it may take up to two weeks before you notice only groundwater at your faucet, and the Water Bureau will alert customers when Bull Run service resumes.
   

4. Portland's planned Center for Black Student Excellence draws federal discrimination complaint (oregonlive.com) — Portland Public Schools’ planned Center for Black Student Excellence is facing a federal civil-rights complaint from a national group that opposes what it calls liberal indoctrination. District leaders say the North Portland center, funded by a 2020 bond, will prioritize Black students’ needs but remain open to all children, and they pledge to respond to any U.S. Department of Education inquiry while maintaining their equity goals.
   

5. Outgoing Portland city administrator Mike Jordan reflects on first year under new government system (kgw.com) — Portland’s outgoing city administrator Mike Jordan is stepping down after steering the city through its first year under the new form of government, just as a projected $66 million budget shortfall looms. In a candid interview, he reflects on tensions in the new council structure, the city’s strained finances, and why homelessness remains such a difficult, system-level challenge for Portland and Multnomah County.
   

📸 Around Portland

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📸 Portland’s Chinatown —Nate P. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 28
  • Kwanzaa
    1217 NE Burnside Rd, Gresham
    3:30 pm
    • Saturday December 20
  • Grace O'Malley
    Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave, Portland
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Portland PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We have some amazing neighbors on here.
    You all have helped me realize there is more good then bad in the world. Yes there might be some neighbors who have negative thoughts about those… (Nextdoor Southwest Lents)
  • Updated: Aghra is now home!
    FOUND DOG - 32nd and Hawthorne please see photo below. Found an unleashed dog running on 32nd and Hawthorne. No collar. Stayed outside with them for… (Nextdoor Richmond)
  • University of Portland posted a job opening for Pilot Club Assistant in Portland. Apply here.
  • XPO Logistics, Inc. posted a job opening for Forklift Operator - FAC Shift 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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