😷 A sick day for an entire Oregon school district

Fines for ICE Building Owner

Two city councilors are urging the mayor to speed up the enforcement of a newly enacted rule against “the release or deposition of chemical residues or other substances beyond [a] detention facility premises.” That’s part of a new regulation that took effect Jan. 2, which allows the city to fine property owners who rent their premises to detention facilities. “We must act urgently with every tool we have,” wrote Councilors Angelita Morillo and Mitch Green in a letter to the mayor. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

• Related: Court documents confirm that ICE was planning to open a temporary holding facility in Newport, Ore., before a federal court order put that on pause. It’s still possible that ICE will return to the plan later this spring. [OPB]
• Related: A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner has provided the expert view that ICE is using excessive and indiscriminate force against protesters in Portland. Gil Kerlikowske provided his views for an ACLU-backed lawsuit filed on behalf of protesters and journalists. [Oregonian]

High School Graduation Rate Increases

In 2013, then-Gov. John Kitzhaber set a goal of a 100% high school graduation rate by 2025. The state fell far short of that; according to figures released yesterday, 83% of last year’s senior class graduated on time. It does represent a marked increase from 2013’s graduate rate of 69% but just a small increase of one percentage point since 2024. [OPB]

• Related: How Oregon’s plan for 100% high school graduation fell apart. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

Sick Day for an Entire Local School District

The winter cold and flu season seems to have hit two small local districts hard: In East Multnomah County, Corbett School District closed yesterday, citing “a significant number of student and staff absences related to illness.” In Clackamas County, Colton Elementary School opened three hours late to make time to clean the building. [KOIN]

• Related: People who went to the ER at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical on Monday (between 11:28 a.m. and 1:53 p.m.) may have been exposed to measles. It’s the fourth measles case in Oregon this year. [OPB]

The fence next to Bole Ethiopian on Northeast Alberta Street displays the creation of Saleam — “the ubiquitous northeast artist,” as reader Travis N. called him.

“Of Portland’s many amazing Ethiopian restaurants this is one of the best, and never gets the recognition they deserve!” wrote one anonymous reader.

A shoutout to the readers who identified the location: Travis N., JosB, Heidi F., Mark M., Aaron Olsen, Phil Hochstetler, and Delaney.

This week’s scavenger hunt comes from reader Terry New:

Where is this entrance?

Please click here to submit 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:

• 🪵 Gabe Smith | “Nearly four years in, Gabe has become a true staple of the ADX woodshop. Best known for his incredible wooden murals, he’s also a pro carpenter, having even used the ADX woodshop to help build his own house!! Follow Gabe for amazing wooden art and inspiring builds!" — Kelley R.
• 🎻 David Kerr Violin Shop | Creston-Kenilworth | “David Kerr Violin Shop is the BEST! Smart, nice, honest people who are quick with repairs. I love them!!” — Beverly R.
• 🍴 Frontera Sur | Buckman | “Newer spot, Mexican/Guatemalan cuisine, delicious/authentic! Mole just like my grandmas 🥹 Would love to support!” — Alina C.

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