Hello Beaverton. It looks like the weather’s getting better and the clouds are moving on. The news today is a mix of things, from what some people are earning to a new bakery returning to its Beaverton roots. I’m Merlin Douglass, your guest curator, and here’s what’s going on this morning.
First, today’s weather:
There’s a chance of rain but look at the temperature! High: 69 Low: 51
Here are the top stories in Beaverton today:
- A report by the Oregonian identifying the 20 highest paid employees of Washington County in 2021 names County Administrator Tanya Ange, who oversees most county staff and operations, as the employee making the most at $267,800 gross. Other high earners include senior and deputy district attorneys, Sheriff Patrick Garret and specific jail personnel. In all, 580 county employees made at least $100,000 in gross salary last year, while the median income for Washington County residents is just over $85,000, according to 2019 data. (OregonLive; subscription required)
- Sadly, the body of the former mayor of Cornelius, Ralph Brown, 77, has likely been found in a submerged vehicle at Rogers Landing in Newberg. Brown, who disappeared a year ago almost to the day, had memory issues and may have had trouble finding his way home. Yamhill and Washington County sheriff’s offices confirm the car in which the body was found was Brown’s. (KATU)
- In a bit of good news, the Beaverton non-profit HOPE (Honoring Our Precious Elders) is connecting volunteers with older people who need help with their yard work. The foundation was established in 2018 by Vietnamese immigrant Hen Truong, who came to this country when he was 10 and never knew his own grandparents. He says that, in a way, the yard work is almost a side product as “we’re trying to help elders who feel isolated and make them feel connected.” (OregonLive)
- A Washington County farm made famous in the television show “Little People, Big World” is for sale. The 16-acre farm near Hillsboro is listed for $4 million and includes a 5,373 square foot farmhouse and a 3,594 square foot barn, a swimming pool and a six-car garage. Owner Matt Roloff says he wants to “move to the next season of life.” (Portland Business Journal)
- In critically delicious news, local New Orleans-style bakery, NOLA, is coming to Beaverton Town Square May 22. They will serve their signature pastries, doughnuts and beignets and promise a whole new menu for this, their third store (the other two are located in Lake Oswego and Portland’s Pearl). It’s a coming home story as they started their business at the Beaverton Farmers Market in 2015. (Newsbreak)
Today in Beaverton: