Another busy week is in the books. As you relax this weekend, get caught up on all that’s happened in Hillsboro lately:

Hillsboro Fourth of July Parade to be led by former Tuality CEO Dick Stenson

Dick Stenson retired as the CEO and president of Tuality Healthcare in March, and he has transitioned nicely into a budding career as a leader of parades.

Earlier this month, Stenson took part in the Portland Rose Festival’s Grand Floral Parade as a member of the One More Time Around Again Marching Band, which was named grand marshal of the procession in celebration of the group’s 30th anniversary. And in a few weeks, Stenson himself will serve as grand marshal of the Hillsboro Rotary Club’s Fourth of July Parade.

Hillsboro will have largest ‘Passive House’ building in U.S., one of largest in world

After German physicist Wolfgang Feist founded the Passivhaus, or Passive House, Institute in the 1990s, his idea – to promote a building standard that decreases energy used for heating and cooling by up to 90 percent – spread quickly across Europe, where there were about 25,000 such structures in 2010.

The concept came more slowly to the United States. There are only about 100 Passive House projects in this country now, according to Alex Boetzel of Passive House Northwest. But in about a year, Hillsboro will have the largest Passive House structure in the nation – and one of the biggest in the world.

Hillsboro business spotlight: Orenco Station’s Fancy That expands to include event space

Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day – those are the two times a year that crowds of men rush into Lisa Komer’s store, frantically searching for gifts, she said.

Even if certain demographics only come at certain times, business has been good at Fancy That, a party supplies shop at Orenco Station. Komer recently expanded across Orenco Station Parkway to secure an event space in the Orenco Hotel, which can be used for private parties with custom decorations and amenities.

Hillsboro moves forward with ban on e-cigarettes in parks

The Hillsboro City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit electronic cigarettes in city parks on Tuesday evening, but the meeting ended with strongly worded public testimony in opposition to the ban.

The council voted 5-1 in favor of the ordinance, which will be up for a final reading on July 1. Councilor Fred Nachtigal voted against.

“I’m not convinced it’d do any harm,” Nachtigal said after the meeting of allowing e-cigarettes in parks. “I’m not convinced it’s any different than a boiling cup of tea.”

Hillsboro City Council adopts 2014-15 budget, previously passed by the budget committee

The Hillsboro City Council formally adopted a budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year on Tuesday evening. The councilors had previously approved the $445 million spending plan as members of the city’s budget committee.

There was no discussion on the motion to adopt the budget at Tuesday’s meeting.

City officials had previously described the budget as “status quo,” as it is not significantly different from the current year’s budget.

Hillsboro City Council votes to adopt new sewer, stormwater fees next year

Hillsboro utility bills are set to become more expensive next year.

The council on Tuesday evening unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance imposing new sewer and stormwater management fees, effective Jan. 1, 2015. There was no discussion on the ordinance among the councilors.

For an average single-family home, the utility bill would increase by $3.50 – $1 for stormwater management and $2.50 for sewers. Schools and businesses would pay more.

Hillsboro elementary principal resigns after allowing convicted extortionist from marijuana industry into school

A popular and respected principal in Hillsboro suddenly resigned April 30 amid an inquiry into why he allowed a convicted extortionist with claimed ties to Washington’s marijuana industry into an elementary school, under the guise of a supposed anti-bullying campaign.

Ricardo LeBlanc-Esparza has been named a principal of the year three times over his 30-plus-year career in education. He was hired in 2012 to lead W. Verne McKinney Elementary, a high-poverty school on Northwest Darnielle Street.

“He’s a stellar educator who has done remarkable work over his career, and we’re sorry to see him go,” said Steve Larson, Hillsboro’s assistant superintendent for school performance.

Though the district was concerned about who Esparza allowed into the school, Esparza quit before administrators completed their investigation and did not resign under threat of termination, Larson said. And so the question remains:

What exactly happened between Esparza and the man he allowed in the classroom, John Moreno?

And there were some community events:

• Hillsboro families, kids enjoy beautiful night and Disney movie at Pix on the Plaza (photos)
• Hillsboro residents enjoy beautiful night and Disney movie at Pix on the Plaza (photos)

What do you think? What did I miss? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

— Luke Hammill