Kenyan-born Peter Kithene understood tragedy by age 12. He lost both of his parents, as well as six siblings, leaving him to care for his remaining younger sister and two brothers. After witnessing these deaths – which were caused by a lack of treatment for even minor illnesses – Kithene was later inspired to found Mama Maria Kenya.

Willamette University law professor Robin Morris Collin will deliver the keynote address at The Skanner News 24th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, from 8:30am-10:30am, at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Portland.

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has fined Providence Health Plans $30,000 for mishandling nearly 7,000 claims.

REDMOND, Ore. (AP) -- The teenage jurors discussed a theft case, debating what punishment the girl should get for stealing from a local store.
One juror suggested the girl should have to write an essay ...

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland coach Nate McMillan's experiment with a three-guard starting lineup has sparked the Trail Blazers. Portland won its second consecutive game since McMillan employed a starting lineup that includes guards Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. It was Miller leading the way Sunday, as he scored 21 points to lead Portland to a 116-93 win over Minnesota.

SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle police on Saturday said they believe a man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer on Halloween night also firebombed police cruisers and other property nine days earlier ... At a news conference, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel identified 41-year-old Christopher Monfort as the man shot by police on Friday as he was sought in connection with the killing of Officer Timothy Brenton...

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Underemployment figures for Oregon suggest the state economy may be in even worse shape than indicated by a jobless rate of 11.5 percent...

The Interfaith Council of Greater Portland presents its fourth annual Festival of Faith Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. at First Unitarian Church Downtown Portland, 1011 SW 12th Ave.

Voters in Washington Tuesday rejected limits on government spending, but by Thursday morning it remained unclear whether domestic partnership rights would be expanded. The "Everything but Marriage" measure was leading by about a 51 percent margin, with many votes still yet to be counted in King County, where it was supported by a 2 to 1 margin.

The invitation to attend the White House signing event came on a Monday morning. The event was planned for Wednesday.
Kendall Clawson had less than a day to make arrangements to travel from Portland to Washington , D.C. to witness a "once in a lifetime opportunity" – the signing and commemoration of the first federal hate crimes legislation to protect people from violence based on their sexual orientation.