When Scott was referred to an innovative drug treatment program run by Volunteers of America, he'd just come off a five-month heroin binge. The year-old program was designed for people on parole and probation: for people like Scott, the 'frequent flyers" of the criminal justice system. Scott said he was one of the petty criminals on the Portland Police Bureau's "Dirty 30" list, and also a client of Project 57 – two programs that targeted Old Town's most prolific quality of life criminals.

While giving praise to Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer's latest plan to end racial profiling, critics still say there are issues that remain unaddressed by the police bureau. Led by members and supporters of Oregon Action, community leaders told the city council that individual police officers need to be held personally accountable, the city council needs to take a more direct responsibility for the actions of the police bureau, training must be improved and business cards should be handed out during every interaction an officer has with the public.

Determined to reduce its carbon footprint, Portland Community College plans to reward students, faculty or staff for coming up with green projects to support its environmental efforts. The innovative move will fund internships and other financial incentives for the best green ideas.

Across the Pacific Northwest, urban eaters are turning to farmers markets and exploring healthier diets this summer. In Portland, vegan chef and cookbook author Bryant Terry captured attention last weekend with cooking demonstrations and classes for kids built around his new book, "Vegan Soul Cooking," at the King Farmers Market and the downtown market at Portland State University.

In 1952, Howard Minor and his family were among the first Black families to live north of Dekum Street.
But it wasn't easy. Minor had to find a lender and a seller willing to violate the era's racist redline rules. He moved in to a nice mid-century ranch-style home on Northeast Holland Street. Nearly 60 years later, Minor -- now in his mid-'80s and unable to perform as much home maintenance as he once did – has help from volunteers from Health Net of Oregon.

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) _ An Oregon teenager working on a research project in Mount Rainier National Park spotted a rare butterfly that hadn't been seen before in the area...

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Some Oregon doctors are heading for the nation's capital with a message -- give Americans universal health care now...

Determined to reduce its carbon footprint, Portland Community College plans to reward students, faculty or staff for coming up with green projects to support its environmental efforts. The innovative move will fund internships and other financial incentives for the best green ideas...

More than 800 University of Portland freshmen from the class of 2013 braved drenching rain, Saturday Sept. 5 to complete work projects by clearing invasive plants such as English Ivy from native vegetation; plant weeding: mulch landscaping: picking up litter; painting Ockley Green school and landscaping its grounds; harvesting vegetables; planting crops; and installing tables and benches ...

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) _ From his farm northwest of Hillsboro, Dave Vanasche can see only about a half dozen houses scattered in the distance. But he can see the seeds of urban sprawl...