(PORTLAND, Ore.) Hello Portlanders! It's Wednesday, May 17 - Here's your daily round up of all the news happening in the City of Roses.
1. Goose Hollow apartment building a 'total loss,' residents displaced after massive fire
Officials are continuing to investigate the source of a massive fire at an apartment building on Southwest 14th Avenue and Taylor Street on Tuesday morning. Fire crews say the Goose Hollow building is a “total loss” and remains at risk of collapsing, leaving its residents without a home.
“I just lost everything I own, and I have nowhere to go and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” John Judge, a now-displaced resident, told KOIN.
The four-story building, built in 1910, held approximately 60 apartments. Firefighters believe everyone was able to make it out using ladders attached to fire escapes. At least one firefighter was injured by a glass window and another was hospitalized with cardiac issues and high blood pressure.
Portland Fire & Rescue crews will continue to monitor any additional flareups. Officials said structural engineers will be out Wednesday to determine what remains may need to be demolished.
The American Red Cross was on site to help those displaced with immediate needs, including water, snacks, diapers and more. Volunteers will also help with longer-term plans for residents.
2. Trail Blazers land No. 3 pick in NBA draft lottery
On Tuesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers moved up in the NBA draft lottery, landing the No. 3 overall pick. Unfortunately, the team wasn’t lucky enough to get the No. 1 pick, which would’ve given Portland the opportunity to draft Victor Wembanyama, who’s being hailed as one of the most talented prospects in NBA history.
But the move into the Top 3 still gives the Blazers the opportunity to choose between drafting one of the other top prospects - G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller are the other players projected to be drafted in the first three - or use the pick in a deal to bring a star player to Portland to pair with Damian Lillard. Lillard has been vocal about wanting an improved roster.
“[The third pick] is significant,” Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said. “There’s going to be some really good players at three that could be great for us or somebody else, depending on how we approach this draft.”
3. Increased water levels causing frequent downtown bridge lifts
Starting Wednesday morning, the Broadway, Burnside, Morrison and Hawthorne bridges will be subject to more frequent bridge lifts due to high river levels. Multnomah County will be staffing all the bridges all hours and days until water levels go down, which could be early next week. Drivers, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians should expect delays when using the bridges.
Heavy mountain snow melt has raised the levels of many rivers across the Pacific Northwest. When river levels rise, some boats that may not normally need a bridge lift will need extra clearance. For more information on Multnomah County bridges, visit multco.us/bridges.
More Portland News:
- Portland temps heat up Wednesday to near 90 under sunny skies
- 81-year-old woman killed in Tigard crash; driver facing manslaughter charge
- Multnomah County voters overwhelmingly oppose new tax to fund eviction defense
- Wildfire victims’ lawyers rest their case in $1.6 billion class action suit against PacifiCorp
- Hawthorne, Morrison bridges to close for Rose Festival fireworks show
Comments / 2