🌱Beaverton Grad Rates Decline + Help Locate Daniel Bieker

Ash DeMello
Updated ·4 min read

Morning, Beaverton! It's Friday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Patchy morning fog. High: 48 Low: 35.

Here are the top five stories today in Beaverton:

  1. Family and friends continue their search for Daniel Bieker, an avid runner from the area who has been missing since January 14. Bieker left his Raleigh Hills home on foot last week without a phone or wallet. Click the link to see a picture of Bieker and learn how you can help. (KHQ Right Now)

  2. Hear from a Beaverton daycare owner about her struggles to keep up with the demand for childcare during the pandemic. Mari Keuter, who owns Maris Little Lambs, says that inconsistent school closures are draining parental resources. Another daycare owner says he sees parents forced to take time off work in order to deal with COVID-19-related school closures. (KPTV.com)

  3. Click over to KGW.com to see if your business is eligible for pandemic relief money, distributed by the City of Beaverton. The city has around $1.8 million to disperse to help businesses with fewer than 25 employees cover expenses, such as utilities, inventory and rent.

  4. Don't be surprised to see a bigger water bill in the near future. Kelcie Grega reports that higher-than-expected costs for the Willamette Water Supply Program are set to trickle down to the ratepayers in the coming months. The project is set to serve the Tualatin Valley Water District in addition to Beaverton and Hillsboro residents. With a 4.5 percent increase in construction costs, sources say to expect a hike of about $0.45 per 100 cubic feet. (Pamplin Media Group: click here for free access via your WCCLS login or click here if you have a subscription)

  5. It's no secret that many students (and teachers) are struggling amidst the pandemic. Locally, Beaverton School District saw 2021 graduation rates decline slightly below the rate for the class of 2020. On the bright side, Jon Franco, Beaverton’s executive administrator for high schools, says the district's five-year graduation rate is the highest it's ever been — 90.48 percent. (OPB News)

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Today in Beaverton:

  • Online Dungeons and Dragons (Rime of the Frost Maiden) - Washington County Community Library Services invites teens (13-18) to join in a classic game! Register to get the link. (5:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

  • Local Singer-Songwriter Night - Head to the Walters Center in Hillsboro to see musicians Gabe Ballard, Trent Toney, Ellie Hartman and Kyndel James. $11. (7:30 PM)

  • Mech @ The Dublin Pub - Hear one of the area's favorite rock bands at 6821 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Ages 21 and over. (8:00 PM - 11:00 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Are you a super crafter? Little Little Art Company is accepting applications for new vendors. Tap the link to find out more. (Instagram)

  • Join the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce for its newest networking opportunity: Chat & Chew. Beginning January 24, the Chamber will host online lunch sessions for virtual, informal conversations every second and fourth Monday. Get the details at Instagram.

  • A Nextdoor Neighbor from the Highland neighborhood invites folks to an upcoming work party at Schiffler Park: "On Saturday, February 19 from 10 to 12:30, throw on your yardwork clothes and get digging with the Central Beaverton and Highland Neighborhood Association Committees and THPRD to leave a lasting legacy for Schiffler Park." (Nextdoor)

Loving the Beaverton Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

  • Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe

  • Get your local business listed in front of readers

  • Send me a news tip or suggestion at ash.the.copyartist@gmail.com

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Ash DeMello

About me: Check out my profile at the Beaverton Downtown Association's blog or follow me on Instagram (you'll be one of eight!).

This article originally appeared on the Beaverton Patch