No! It's Superman William Oliver Philips Nichols, 4, who is getting ready to leap the tallest building in a single bound at the Garfield Community Center Campus Creepy Crawl Friday, Oct. 24. The Halloween event included a haunted house, a variety of fun games and lots of candy and prizes....Click here to read about Halloween Treats in Columbia City

Next week's general election is expected to have the highest turnout on record for King County. Officials are already testing voting machines and making final preparations to ensure the process runs smoothly.
King County conducted logic and accuracy tests during the week of Oct. 13 on machines used to count and record votes at the polls.
On Oct. 31, the county will perform similar tests on the equipment used to count absentee ballots. Officials said once the tests are completed, the machines are locked in a secure location until the morning of Nov. 4.
"We have conducted 21 successful elections and implemented more than 300 reforms since 2005, and we are ready for the November election," said Elections Director Sherril Huff in a statement. "While many of the improvements will go unnoticed, voters should remain confident in the open, transparent and accessible environment that has been created as a result."
"It is a standard pre-election test to ensure that the equipment is calibrated and working," said Bobbie Egan, communications manager for King County Elections. "So far we haven't had a problem."....

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The Skanner News Group this week unveils a special community service project to help law enforcement officials find tips on unsolved murders in the Portland area. Just click this button on our home page ....

Catharine Blaine K-8, Madison Middle School, Salmon Bay School, Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School, have been named as five of the 98 "Schools of Distinction" by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for dramatic improvements in student reading and mathematics over the past several years....

Multnomah County today advised voters that Friday, October, 31 should be considered the last day for voters in Multnomah County to rely on timely USPS delivery of ballots in time for the presidential election. Ballots must be received by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4 to be counted. Postmarks do not count....

A Benefit for Dante....
Eyewitness History Election Watch...
Voters League Dinner...
Dr. Cornel West Speaks...

The Josiah Hill Clinic won a $210,950 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for outreach campaigns and healthy environment checkups. They will work with their partner organizations on issues such as reducing toxins, environmentally friendly "green" business practices, and green alternatives for maintenance and building....

A Women for Obama gathering welcomed U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, last week at the home of Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler and his wife Katrina Wheeler. Pelosi was in town to galvanize support for the presidential candidate.
Photo by Julie Keefe

In Mexico, Nov. 1 – Dia de los Muertos – is a daylong celebration and remembrance of loved ones who have passed away. Special displays are built with candles and sweets and photos of the departed ones.
In North and Northeast Portland several special events are planned around the Day of the Dead, but there's a family that helps the entire community cope – and also commemorate – every man, woman and child who departs this world, every day of the year....