http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/index.php Portland and surrounding area community news and information http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338073191053200 2010-09-01 15:38:51 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338073191053200 en-us I just wanted to thank everyone in the community for donating to the annual “Fill the Boot” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this year. The fundraising event occurred on Saturday, Aug. 14, where several members from the Scappoose Fire District were asking the community ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338059424013800 2010-09-01 15:36:34 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338059424013800 en-us The U.S. Department of Treasury has approved plans submitted by Oregon Housing and Community Services for Oregon to receive $138 million dollars in funds to assist families hardest hit by unemployment and the threat of foreclosure on their homes. OHCS will be implementing the program by year ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338030683145800 2010-09-01 15:31:46 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338030683145800 en-us A 380-acre expansion of Scappoose’s Urban Growth Boundary will be considered by the Scappoose Planning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. To justify this expansion, consultants (paid for by a major Portland developer who recently bought the land to be included) say ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338004015170600 2010-09-01 00:00:00 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128338004015170600 en-us The Columbia Health District has rightly decided to place an initiative aimed at scuttling plans for construction of a small hospital out to voters in November, though a compelling case could be made that the initiative should have been placed on the ballot sooner. In fact, the initiative’s ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284284767423500 2010-08-26 10:14:07 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284284767423500 en-us Family wage jobs like those offered by heavy equipment producer Caterpillar Inc. are getting hard to land for major ports and industrial parks nationwide. According to a report in the WSJ (Aug 13). Texas just scored a coup by offering Caterpillar 320 acres in land, 3 million bucks and tax breaks ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284274401534500 2010-08-26 10:12:24 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284274401534500 en-us I just can’t believe it! State workers get paid for Black Friday (The Oregonian, Aug. 7, 2010) in lieu of cost of living raises. Stop it! Wake up! The gravy train has stopped running! People are losing their jobs and the ones keeping theirs are taking cuts in pay and health benefits to keep ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284256119539800 2010-08-26 10:09:21 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128284256119539800 en-us There’s an imbedded cultural resistance toward recognizing cheerleading as anything other than a sideline activity intended to bolster the esteem of more historical athletic figures, such as football and basketball players. And that’s a problem. It’s a problem because it ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128216940659647400 2010-08-18 00:00:00 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128216940659647400 en-us St. Helens School District welcomes our students, staff and parents to the 2010-2011 school year. Each new school year is a renewal of our commitment to the teaching and learning for all students. As superintendent, it is a priority to visit the schools and classrooms and observe the students ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128216897415245500 2010-08-18 15:02:54 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128216897415245500 en-us Having been relentlessly steeped in recession-era drum-beating for the last two years, it came as a surprise to learn the Oregon Department of Human Services has recently rolled out a plan allowing cash payouts on the Oregon Trail food stamp system. We know as well as anybody the many stories of ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156576543648600 2010-08-11 15:29:25 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156576543648600 en-us Why drive to Portland? I just saw “Sound of Music” in St. Helens. This group is so talented and professional. This includes the orchestra and everyone who helps put on the show. I have seen many of their plays. If you do not go, you are really missing out. – Cheryl Werings, ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156569292004600 2010-08-11 15:28:12 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156569292004600 en-us Do you or your children benefit or participate in any of the following activities: recreation center at the Petersen gym, Kiwanis basketball, Boy or Cub Scouts, Share and Care Food Baskets at Christmas, Easter Egg Hunt, Women’s Resource Center, Amani Center, Grant Watts or Warren Elementary ... http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156550939590300 2010-08-11 15:25:09 http://www.spotlightnews.net/opinion/story.php?story_id=128156550939590300 en-us To Our Community, The new Otto Petersen Elementary School is an investment in our children’s education and our collective future. This building is safer and far more energy-efficient than the one it replaces. It has flexible learning spaces, current technology, improved lighting, and many ...