COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A city patrol officer who posted online a series of homemade videos disparaging Blacks, Jews, Cubans and illegal immigrants was hired despite a review board's refusal to recommend her application.
According to a review of documents by The Columbus Dispatch, the board characterized Susan Purtee as undependable ...

Brya and Jade Patterson warm up for the 2007 African American Health Coalition's Wellness Within REACH Walk on Aug. 18. This year's event marked the fifth annual celebration of health, music, food and fun.

If 27-year-old Cyreena Boston wins the Democratic nomination for Oregon House District 45, she will be on a fast track to entering the Oregon House as its youngest member and probably the only African American state representative.
Boston already has secured support from some big name players in Oregon politics, who say she has a solid track record of advocacy, a mature grasp of community and state issues and the ability to ....

Immigrants arrive in Portland from all over the world. They speak hundreds of different languages and they arrive in the United States for all kinds of reasons. Documented or not – immigrants are as varied as the rest of us.
Critics of immigration make a mistake when they portray immigrants and refugees as a single monotone group that drains community resources and has little to offer in return, said Kayse Jama, director of the Center for Intercultural Organizing. The facts show otherwise ...

Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers says he won't run in 2008 for a fourth term as the state's top lawyer.
The 67-year-old Democrat cites his age as a key factor in his decision, noting that he would be into his 70s during a fourth term. He says the Oregon Department of Justice, which he oversees, deserves fresh leadership as well ...

23 - STORYTIME. Two-year-olds (with adult) enjoy interactive stories songs and games that encourage language skills. 4-4:30 p.m. Northwest Library, 2300 N.W. Thurman St.

24 - HAZARDOUS WASTE. Dispose of your household's toxic trash and learn about safer alternatives. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Deer Creek Elementary, 16155 S.W. 131st Ave., Tigard

The University of Oregon's plan to build a new basketball arena moved a giant step forward Monday when Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and his wife, Penny, pledged $100 million to the university, the largest philanthropic gift in school history.
The money is not targeted specifically for an arena, university officials said. Rather, it will create the Oregon Athletics Legacy Fund, which will help support all athletic programs.
But indirectly, officials said, the donation will boost the university's effort to replace aging McArthur Court with a new arena near the eastern edge of campus ...

The work of some of the Pacific Northwest's most talented independent producers will be showcased over four nights on "Oregon Lens," a yearly special on Oregon Public Broadcasting now in its ninth season. Tune in to the stations of OPB TV at 10 p.m. Aug 27 through 30 to see a diversity of work from these producers.
"I'm always excited about the opportunity to share the incredible work of these independent filmmakers," said Steve Amen, executive producer and host. "Their subject matter may be diverse, but they all share a passion for filmmaking."

Sejhe Jackson, 2, wears his honorary Junior Police Badge at the 11th annual Central Area Community Festival. Seattle Police Officers Eugene Foster and Tim Fields represented the Seattle Police Department at an informational booth at the festival. The annual event featured numerous com   munity organizations, crafts, games and entertainment for the entire family.

SEATTLE — A coalition of teachers, parents, community groups and school districts will argue in King County Superior Court this week that the state has not been spending enough on public education and should be required to totally revamp the way it pays for schools.
The state will argue at the hearing scheduled for Friday morning before Superior Court Judge Paris K. Kallas that it has met the requirements stemming from a similar lawsuit 30 years ago and the court should not allow this case to derail Washington's reform efforts ...