Grassroots community activists are organizing events aimed at building support networks around Portland's youth. The move comes as a response to the rise in youth violence that has brought more than 30 reports of shootings this year and five teen deaths, several grassroots efforts to build community and surround teens with caring adults. 

Calling boys and girls aged 8 to 15, who are looking for fun this summer. Child Inc. is offering Quest 2011, a summer camp where they will have a great time, transportation to and from activities and opportunities to contribute based on their interests and skills, through volunteering and fundraising. 

Criminal charges against Fair are scheduled for a settlement hearing this Friday, June 3, at the Multnomah County Justice Center. Meanwhile questions about what happened to him in custody have generated an 1,151-page Oregon State Internal Excessive Force Investigation, obtained by The Skanner News.

It's that time of year again. Rose Festival season. The time of year when people from across the Portland metro region descend into downtown and pray that it doesn't rain.
So far for this weekend's big Starlight Parade, the news is looking upbeat with meteorologists predicting sunny skies across the region. This will hopefully make it a lot easier for people to bike, bus or take the train into the city center for the festivities.
The festival is running all week, with the CityFair open from June 2 to 5 in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. On June 4, the KeyBank Starlight Run will kick off at 8 p.m. at Lincoln High School (ontherunevents.com/starlight). Thirty minutes later, the PGE/SOLV Starlight Parade will begin in Downtown Portland

The Seattle Public Library board has named Marcellus Turner as its new City Librarian. Turner, who comes to the job from Jefferson County library system in Colorado, will manage a budget of $50 million and 640 employees in 26 branches.

Three events Friday and Saturday, brought together men, women and youth in a community-led campaign to stop the violence that has taken the lives of five Black teens this year. Organizers are pushing  to strengthen support networks in Portland's African American and minority communities. Advocates say the increase in shootings and the death of five teens this year are simply the most visible signs of an environment that is failing many children and teens 

While he's been retired for some time now, Jones spent a considerable amount of time serving in the U.S. Army.
Enlisting in the months prior to the outbreak of the United States' involvement in World War II, Jones said his time in the military shaped his life.
Despite mistreatment from southern White officers, having ammunition confiscated before battle and watching tons of food go to waste as Black soldiers were told their rations sank at sea, Jones says he stuck with the military.

Oregon State University's Black Student Union will be showcasing their 9th annual Divine Nine Step Show:Step Into the Bad Side at 3:30 p.m. on May 28 at Lasells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St. in Corvallis. Tickets are $6 for the public, $5 for students, and doors open at 2:30 p.m.
In addition to the step show, students will be holding a Juneteenth BBQ this Thursday, May 26 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University, 2320 NW Monroe St.

For activists around the country working to bring attention to rising asthma rates, the current state of environmental research and regulation are standing in the way of their work simply to educate local communities about the root causes of the illness.