A celebration of life is planned Saturday, July 30 for Yashanee Vaughn. Just 14 years old when her life was stolen away, those who knew her say the pretty Helensview High School student had a big smile and a heart to match.  Family, friends and supporters of the family, will gather to remember Yashanee at 1p.m. at City Bible Church, Rocky Butte Campus, 9200 N.E. Fremont St. A reception will follow.

If a TriMet fare inspector caught you riding the Max train without a ticket any time during the last five years, your punishment likely was a warning. But from now on, even if you're a first-time offender, you risk a fine of at least $175.

Billie Dean Dixon (Woods), known for her love of Christmas and having the largest tree possible fit into her living room, lost her battle with cancer on Monday, July 19.  Viewing is Wednesday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ross Hollywood Funeral Chapel. Funeral services are Thursday, July 28, at 11 a.m. at the Life Change Christian Center, 3536 N Williams Ave.

Two thousand turned out for the East Portland Exposition July 23-24, held at Southeast Powell. Billed as the largest multicultural event in Portland.

Portlander Teressa Raiford and friends' group Facebook page, "40 Days of Common Unity," is a fountain of information about Portland-area community organizing and local political issues.

Federal officials this morning announced they're carving out the first three weeks of August for public testimony on their civil rights investigation of the Portland Police.

Math is not only good for you, but it's fun – and a free summer tutoring program for kids aged first through fourth grade aims to unlock the doors of knowledge for as many people as are willing to step through.

Boosting a new effort in equity in construction contracting in the Portland metro area, the National Association of Minority Contractors' Oregon chapter this week announced attorney Melvin Oden-Orr is its first-ever executive director.

We at The Skanner News are interested in compiling as much input as we can from the African and African American communities on bicycling culture in general and the Williams Street bike corridor development plans in particular.

The remains found on Rocky Butte last week are definitely those of missing teen Yashawnee Vaughn, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner says she died from a gunshot to the head.