🌱 PPD Alerts Public After Eight Overdoses + Squatters Raise Havoc DT

Hello, friends! Michelle Paul here with your Tuesday edition of the Portland Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Warm with clouds and sun. High: 87 Low: 60.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 89 Low: 62.

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Here are the top three stories in Portland today:

1. The Portland Police Bureau has alerted the public to a hazardous batch of drugs circulating in the area, following eight suspected overdose deaths during the past weekend. Out of the eight cases, six are suspected to involve fentanyl, while investigations are ongoing for the remaining two. Authorities have raised concerns that individuals might be inadvertently ingesting cocaine laced with fentanyl or pure powdered fentanyl, highlighting the extreme danger associated with these drugs currently in public circulation. (KATU)
2. The iconic Mary's Club in Portland, known for its historical relevance and connections to individuals such as Courtney Love, has been overtaken by squatters. It's been suspected the individuals used power tools to gain access to the closed-off building. The building still has electricity leading those who are calling it home to bring in items like fridges and heaters. Citizens are concerned over the uptick in unhoused residents since the COVID-19 pandemic. (BPR)
3. Over the weekend the pacific northwest experienced a record-breaking heat wave. Temperatures in Portland reached 93 degrees on Saturday, breaking the previous record which was set in 1973. (ABC News)

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Today and tomorrow in Portland:

Tuesday, May 16:

• Recovery Yoga At Alano Club Of Portland (2:00 PM)
• Guardians Of The Galaxy Wine Pairings At Pairings Portland (All Day)

Wednesday, May 17:

• Music In The Garden At Portland Japanese Garden (1:15 PM)

From my notebook:

• Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated return of the iconic Portland Spring Beer and Wine Fest, taking place on Jun. 2 and 3 this summer. Don't miss this occasion to indulge in an array of local beverages and delicious food. (Beer Fests)
• Oregon Farm Link, a program by Friends of Family Farmers, is introducing a valuable resource for land seekers—the Landseeker's Flow Chart, a hyperlinked roadmap that outlines various pathways to access land. The organization has also updated its Farmer resource page with new and enhanced resources across multiple categories, including financing, food safety, racial equity in the food system, and resources tailored for BIPOC farmers. (Friends of Family Farmers via Facebook)
• In case you missed it, USA Today has named a local leather shop as offering one of the best totes bags to buy right now! The Portland Leather Goods 'Almost Perfect Leather Tote Bag' has an average rating of 4.9 stars. (USA Today)

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That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with a new update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.