It's not something you normally think about when it's raining hard and there's a threat of flooding but state officials want to remind folks about how important it is to secure hazardous materials so they don't make it into our waterways. Here's some information the Oregon State Fire Marshal and DEQ sent out:

Officials from the Hillsboro School District are forging ahead with plans to open an online school in September of this year.  Having a quality online learning option for students was one of a slate of priorities approved by the school board last spring.

On Jan. 10, the District named Linda Harrington, current assistant principal at Evergreen Middle School, as planning principal for the school. As planning principal, Harrington will be released half-time from her position at Evergreen to focus on bringing the learning management system online, determining which courses will be offered, and marketing the opportunity to potential students in Grades 7-12.
 

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- With the number of people living in poverty on the rise, homelessness is becoming a much larger issue. As part of Washington County Project Homeless Connect 2012, community leaders will meet with internationally renowned homeless advocate, Philip F. Mangano, on Jan. 26 at the Embassy Suites in Tigard. Vision Action Network and Westside Economic Alliance (WEA) will co-host the breakfast briefing.

Mangano is the foremost expert on the complex issue of homelessness, serving as the former Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness under both President Bush and President Obama.

Sadly, homelessness in Washington County, Oregon and the nation continues to rise.

"Homelessness is a growing problem in our community" said WEA Executive Director Jonathan Schlueter. "We can no longer ignore it or hope it simply goes away. Business and community leaders need to understand the hidden costs of homelessness, and the innovative ways we can lower these costs and reduce these problems."