Time is running out for Oregon to stem the "overwhelming" problem of alcohol and drug abuse, according to a government report.

The report, prepared by the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs, provides an overview of alcohol and drug treatment programs in Oregon and recommendations for the 2007-2009 legislative session.

"The data show that time is running out for Oregon to act," said Council Chair Ann Uhler, of Tigard. "For example, foster care has increased by 45 percent over the past four years due to a huge increase in drug- and alcohol-related arrests."

VANCOUVER, Wash.—With an eye on startups and established companies looking to expand their product lines, services and target markets, Black Entrepreneurs of Clark County will present "Generating and Marketing Profitable Ideas" at its free monthly session, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, at the Jim Parsley Community Center, 4100 Plomondon St. in Vancouver.

WASHINGTON—Senior executives at Fannie Mae manipulated accounting to collect millions of dollars in undeserved bonuses and to deceive investors, a federal report charged Tuesday. The government-sponsored mortgage company was fined $400 million.

The blistering report by the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, the result of an extensive three-year investigation, was issued as Fannie Mae struggled to emerge from an $11 billion accounting scandal.

Lt. Col. William Holloman III, USAF (Ret.)

Visitors to the Museum of Flight over Memorial Day weekend, May 27 through 29, will have the rare opportunity to view a Boeing B-17 bomber up close and meet local members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen of World War II — the contingent of African American aviators who won wide acclaim during the war.

Federal officials have approved two requests from the state that will improve access to health care for more than 30,000 children enrolled in the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Another 8,800 of Oregon's poorest adults enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan Standard benefit package also will benefit.

"When more of our citizens have health insurance, health care is more affordable for all of us," said Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

A new peace park on the east side of the Steel Bridge will be dedicated on Memorial Day by Mayor Tom Potter and Veterans for Peace.

Ceremonies will begin at noon Monday, May 29, in the Rose Quarter Memorial Coliseum, where the World War II and Korean War memorials are located. Another ceremony will be at the Portland Memorial Peace Park, corner of North Interstate Avenue and Oregon Street.

Richard Howard, Father, Musician, Poet, Dies at 74Portland resident Richard Howard passed away at…

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This year's Art Hop on Alberta will buzz with art events — from visual displays to performances — for a complete weekend.
The festival, themed "Art of Surprise/Surprise of Art," runs Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21. Festivities kick off both days at 10 a.m. and run into the evening. The fair takes place along Northeast Alberta Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 31st Avenue, making it one of the longest street fairs in Oregon.

This year's festival, put on by Northeast Alberta's local business owners and artists, features four stages of music, international and city-sponsored art retrospectives, strolling performers, food vendors, gallery and street art sales and more.

Government leaders with "green" agendas hope to see King County become the first in the nation to join a national market for buying and selling credits to help curb global warming.

County Executive Ron Sims is pushing for the county to join the Chicago Climate Exchange, a market in which the commodity is the reduction of greenhouse gases. He also pushed for a county government commitment to reduce its production of gases that aggravate climate change.

"Global warming ... affects our economy, the way we live, the future and the future of our children," county Councilor Larry Phillips said at a meeting with Sims on Monday. "King County has the chance to lead the way to effective solutions." The proposal would make King the first county to join the exchange, also called CCX.