🚓 Portland police accused of liberal bias

A Lot of Rain!

To state the obvious: Portland got a lot of rain during the atmospheric river weather conditions of earlier this week. For the first 10 days of December, Portland International Airport saw 4.77 inches of rain — just an inch shy of the total rainfall for the average December. [Oregonian]

• Related: Washington state was hit hard by flooding: 100,000 people were advised to evacuate from the Skagit Valley north of Seattle. [KUOW]

$21M Toward Rent Assistance

All three East Portland councilors have put forward a proposal to spend the unspent funds recently identified by the Portland Housing Bureau. They want it to go toward rent assistance for tenants. “Month after month, more Portlanders fall into homelessness than we can house,” Councilor Loretta Smith said. [Portland Mercury]

Suing for $10M Over PPB’s Alleged Liberal Bias

In a formal notice of a lawsuit, right-wing influencer Nick Sortor alleges that the Portland Police have “a long-standing pattern and practice of hostility toward conservative political viewpoints.” It will be a surprise if he can make that case effectively, given the hostile relationship between left-wing protesters and the police. But Sortor was arrested in October for assaulting a protester. The charges were dismissed four days later — after the DA’s office reviewed footage that ultimately showed Sortor was defending himself against protester aggression. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Providence Office Park, at Northeast Halsey Street and 45th Avenue, is home to this umbrella.

“It's where staff (or anyone) can take a break — outside under the umbrellas,” writes reader Kevin M-H.

A shoutout to Kevin M-H, as well as readers Kyenne Williams and Lisa A for correctly identifying the location.

This week’s scavenger hunt is another one courtesy of photographer Mark E. McClure:

Where’s this head?

Please click here to send me the location — and, for unofficial bonus points, anything you know about it.

If you’re new to the newsletter, there’s a scavenger hunt on Fridays. In next week’s newsletter, I’ll shout out the first 10 readers who respond correctly and reveal the answer.

📸 Want to submit a photo? Please email me a snapshot of somewhere in the Portland metro area, and we’ll consider it for an upcoming “Where Is It?” segment!

Each week, we include favorite local spots and organizations picked by City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• Firefly Lighting Design and Repair LLC | “An amazing new local lighting repair and restoration business that is affordable and very awesome!!" — Kellyjoy K.
• Lucky Horseshoe | “Southeast Portland bar and restaurant, Lucky Horseshoe, for having a great happy hour and phenomenal food every day. Well-made cocktails, professional and friendly staff who are all genuine Portlanders who love the neighbors and the people. Tucked under the marquee of the Clinton Theatre, located directly across from Magna, near Jacqueline’s, and the longtime local’s favorite, Dot’s Cafe, at Southeast 26th and Clinton." — Jessie F.
• TwentySix Cafe | “I was just listening to the coffee shop episode today while meandering about and wanted to shout out the TwentySix Cafe on Northeast 7th & Knott. Not that they really need me yelling about them, since the New York Times shouted them out a couple months ago, but they are certainly top notch. Great coffee drinks, great food, great people, TWO outdoor hangout spots as well as interior chill seating, and I would be remiss if I did not mention their always remarkable art gallery on their south wall, from which I have added a couple pieces to my own space.” — Michael B.

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!