A little-known group that helps law enforcement agencies gather racial information on police stops around the state is holding public hearings in Salem next week. The Law Enforcement Contacts Policy and Data Review Committee ...

For nearly 14 years now, Pastor Mary Overstreet has looked after her great-grandson Sir J. Millage. For the last few years, she and members of Powerhouse Temple church have been looking after a lot more people just like Millage – people who live with one of the disorders on the autism spectrum ...

Cousins Amaree Williams, 6, and Carmela Todd, 5, cool off in Lake Washington last Saturday, when the mercury in Seattle hit a record 91 degrees, tying a record set in 1994.

Gov. Chris Gregoire last week disclosed fines of $1 million against Countrywide Home Loans for discriminatory lending.
Countrywide must also pay more than $5 million in back assessments it owes the state.
The governor said she is seeking to revoke Countrywide's license to do business in Washington for its alleged illegal activity.
"The allegation that Countrywide preyed on minority borrowers is extremely troubling to me," Gregoire said. "And I hope to learn eventually just how much this may have contributed to foreclosures in our state."
Joining Gregoire at a press conference was Deb Bortner, director of consumer services at the Washington state Department of Financial Institutions and James Kelly, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.
"The Urban League is seeing far too many families caught up in the mortgage crisis who are being steered into bad loans," Kelly said. "Today's announcement from the governor is consistent with her message of protecting Washingtonians from national mortgage instability." ...

On July 4th, over 500 people from more than 75 countries will be sworn in as new citizens of the United States of America. They will be sworn in by U.S. District Court Judge Robert R. Beezer at the Safeco Insurance Fest"l: Naturalization Ceremony, July 4, at Seattle Center ... the largest daytime Independence Day observance in the Northwest....

In a world reliant on technology, people are increasingly using data to help explain the world around them.
Because of this new trend, research and mapping skills are necessary for civic and nonprofit groups.
In order to better serve their citizens, many are now choosing to learn this field for themselves.
Two upcoming workshops by New Urban Research, a nonprofit based in Portland, will teach participants the basic knowledge necessary for mapping and researching one's community.  The first workshop is in Olympia on ...

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services has named Troy Hutson as assistant secretary. 
Hutson joined the state's largest agency as the head of the Economic Services Administration ...

What's happening for you in your City this week? Read here a day-by-day diary of free community events to fill your spare time. For a full calendar please click on "Read the complete article" below.

Top track athletes from Special Olympics Oregon have been invited to the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene. A men's and a women's team composed of eight athletes each will put on a 100-yard-dash exhibition at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, at the Trials. Most of these athletes competed at State Summer Games June 28 and 29. Athletes throughout the Special Olympics Oregon track and field program competed for spots on these rosters. Above, Robert Neyland, of Multnomah County, fourth from left, will compete in the 100 meter sprint  on Hayward Field this weekend.

Former Blazer Antonio Harvey helps mascot Blaze plant some of the first plants in Woodlawn Park as part of the Woodlawn Children's Garden Project. Volunteers will help tend the garden which serves as an educational tool for children to learn about volunteerism, gardening, harvest and nutrition. At harvest time, volunteers will cook food from the garden's yield and serve it to the children of Woodlawn School.