The U.S. Small Business Administration last week announced it is making low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses that have been economically impacted by severe winter storms in Oregon that occurred from Dec. 14, 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009.   The declaration covers the primary Oregon counties of Columbia, Hood River, Multnomah and Washington as well as the neighboring counties of Clackamas, Clatsop, Tillamook, Wasco and Yamhill in Oregon and Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum in Washington....

When word spread that R&B sensation Chris Brown (19) turned himself into the police after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend the reigning "Princess of Pop" Robyn Rihanna Fenty (20) no one could believe it.  After all, Chris Brown is known for his incredible talent, good looks and squeaky-clean image. He wasn't the type do such a thing. And Rihanna? She's on top of the world right now, this couldn't possibly happen to her.
Whether the allegations are true or not, we do know that Brown has a history of domestic violence in his family....

SEATTLE – Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting American children, yet it is totally preventable. Early treatment can save teeth and relieve pain. In February, Washington dentists statewide are offering free dental care to low-income children. Education and instruction is provided, with screenings, cleanings, X-rays and fillings available wherever possible, and referrals for those who need further care. Here is a partial list of free care offered ...

Despite his recently tarnished image, crooner Chris Brown is still up for an NAACP Image Award.
The 19-year-old singer, who's accused in a domestic dispute that reportedly involves pop superstar Rihanna, is in the running for outstanding male artist at the 40th annual awards, being presented Thursday night at the Shrine Auditorium and airing on Fox.
Rihanna, his longtime girlfriend, is up for outstanding female artist.
The show had no plans to address the situation, and wouldn't know whether Brown or Rihanna won until the envelope was opened during the live telecast, said a person close to the Image Awards who was not authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named....

Party officials say Zimbabwean police no longer plan treason charges against a longtime opposition politician appointed to the unity government.
Roy Bennett's Movement for Democratic Change says police had accused the deputy agriculture minister nominee of treason. The party says police said Sunday that he faces a weapons charge instead. Police have been unreachable since Bennett's arrest.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC's leader and Zimbabwe's new prime minister, called Bennett's arrest an attempt by factions in President Robert Mugabe's party to derail power sharing.
The coalition was formed after months of impasse so that rival politicians can address the nation's economic meltdown. It keeps Mugabe as president after three decades in power.
Bennett was detained by police Friday while Tsvangirai and Mugabe were presiding over the inauguration of senior Cabinet ministers. Bennett, a well-known white lawmaker fluent in the local Shona language, had his farm seized years ago....

Freedom Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption to promote and protect individual freedom, announced that it has recently filed a complaint against the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve for failing to turn over information under the Freedom of Information Act regarding the first half of the $700 billion dollar bailout. Freedom Watch's initial FOIA request sought to provide an answer as to where, exactly, the money went....

Former Skanner editor Helen Silvis brought her family to visit Portland this weekend. Her family flew all the way from their home in Edinburgh, Scotland. Pictured are Silvis, Archie Pacey, Joan Pacey, and Michael Pacey.

It was around noon on Tuesday, Feb. 10, that I checked my cell phone messages after participating in an intense executive seminar all morning. One of the messages was from Corey Ealons, director of African American media during President Obama's transition, who still works in a similar role at the White House.
Corey was asking me to call him immediately. The urgency in his voice befuddled me. After all, this was the White House calling...

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- The longtime opposition party that has joined Zimbabwe's coalition government was told Monday that a prominent member of the party would be held by police two more days without charge.
Roy Bennett was arrested three days ago. Representatives of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, had hoped to see him in court Monday....

Bellevue Community College's Black Student Union presents two acclaimed hip-hop artists, an internationally-noted hip-hop scholar and a Washington state legislator with expertise in civic responsibility and social change, in a series of four free, public Black History Month lectures.

• Mohammed Bilal,
• Boots Riley,
• State Rep. Eric Pettigrew,
• Prof. Tricia Rose