Working families who can barely stretch a paycheck to pay for rent or a mortgage may soon find help through a new policy the Portland City Council has approved for affordable housing.
The council recently adopted an ordinance that will set aside 30 percent of urban renewal funds for affordable housing. In the next five years, the city estimates the new policy will result in $125.5 million for housing for working families, people of color, seniors and those with disabilities or in recovery. The additional revenue represents more than a $10-million-a-year increase over past spending for affordable housing.
The 30 percent set-aside is the highest set-aside figure for affordable housing in the United States, said Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten, who oversees the city's Bureau of Housing and Community Development.

In a world with almost pervasive violence, event organizer and psychotherapist Paul Stretch is trying to make a difference. Along with his wife, Alicia Richards, Stretch is putting together the 11th annual Children's Peace Fair.

In an effort to boost African American student achievement and involvement, REAP, Inc., a youth development organization, hosted Challenge 2006, a day-long event with workshops , speakers and a panel discussion featuring a variety of successful African American professionals.
The voluntary, second annual African American student conference was held for students at Grant High School on Nov. 9 — a day when students at the school had the option of staying home.

Many Hats Collaboration is planning the world premiere of "Mutt" by Lava Alapai, an…

Seattle Seahawk cornerback Marcus Trufant wants to make dreams come true. That's the reason he has sponsored the Marcus Trufant Bowling and Billiards Classic three years running.

A Fort Lewis lieutenant who challenged the Bush administration's reasons for going to war in Iraq and then refused to deploy to that country will face a military trial, the Army says.
The Fort Lewis commander, Lt. Gen. James Dubik, has recommended that the Army proceed with a general court-martial against 1st Lt. Ehren Watada.
No date has been set for the trial, Fort Lewis officials said.
Hoping for resolution before the case went to trial, Watada's civilian defense attorney Eric Seitz said he met with Dubik in September and had "indirect communication" with him throughout October. Seitz's last written offer was submitted earlier this week.
"I was hopeful, given the political climate and wide dissatisfaction with this war," he said. "I don't imagine ... that the Army gains anything by really trying to seriously punish Watada."

SPOKANE —  Students who wore blackface to an off-campus party sparked an outcry that caused classes to be canceled last Thursday so Whitman College students and faculty could attend a daylong diversity symposium.
"This is a day that is dedicated to a campus-wide discussion of issues that are important to our Whitman community," the Walla Walla private school's faculty said in an e-mail to 1,450 students.

Dr. Jean-Marie Kamatali, a Rwandan native and speaker from the Scholars at Risk Network, will speak during International Education Week, sponsored by Cascadia Community College and the University of Washington Bothell.
Kamatali will discuss global human rights issues and other topics.

Seahawk cornerback Marcus Trufant aims for a strike during the Marcus Trufant Bowling and Billiards Classic, a fund-raiser to help needy children. Trufant and his family established the Trufant Family Foundation in 2003. It distributes scholarship and other financial assistance to organizations helping children.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President George W. Bush, appearing at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday…