Watch For Santa Riding His Sleigh On Top Fire Truck

Santa Claus has made his list, checked it twice and will be handing out early gifts to Spokane Valley neighborhoods.

The jolly old fellow will be perched atop fire trucks from fire districts 1 and 9 for the next two weeks. He will be greeting families and handing out candy canes in District 1 and inviting families for hot chocolate in District 9.

Residents between Evergreen and Sullivan Roads, and 16th and 32nd Avenues will be visited by District 1’s Santa and his big, red sleigh today.

All Santa visits in District 1 will be made between 6 and 9 p.m.

Santa will cruise through neighborhoods between University and Pines and 16th and 32nd on Tuesday and between Pines and Evergreen and 16th and 32nd on Wednesday.

Santa will visit the Trentwood area on Thursday.

From Dec. 17 through Dec. 23, Santa will make nightly visits to different Valley neighborhoods.

On Dec. 17, he will be in the area bounded by University and Evergreen, and Sprague and Mission. On Dec. 18, he will visit the neighborhood between Park and Argonne, and Sprague and Mission. On Dec. 19, he will ride through neighborhoods from Park to Argonne, and Sprague to Mission.

On Dec. 20, Santa will visit neighborhoods from Evergreen to Sullivan, and Sprague to 16th. On Dec. 21, he will be in the area from Pines to Evergreen, and Sprague to 16th.

On Dec. 22, Santa will be in the neighborhoods between Sullivan and Flora, and 16th to 32nd. On Dec. 23, he will visit the area from Evergreen to Sullivan, and Sprague to Mission.

Fire District 9’s Santa Float will ride through Foothills neighborhoods on Dec. 16. Santa is scheduled to leave Station No. 96, 11019 N. Forker, at 6 p.m. and will be at Scribner and Forker by 6:15.

Santa’s firefighting sleigh will continue down Forker, hitting Foothills, Temple, Lincoln and Moffat Roads at 15 minute intervals.

Families are invited to Station No. 96 for hot chocolate and a chance to meet Santa beginning at 7:30.

Walleye plan approved

The director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has signed off on a plan to plant walleye in Liberty Lake, an official reported.

Madonna Luers of the department’s Spokane office said Bob Turner approved the plan recently.

Local biologists hope the walleye will feed on a burgeoning yellow perch population in the lake.

Native rainbow trout are having a hard time competing with the illegally introduced perch for food and habitat.

Biologists may turn some walleye loose in the lake this year and follow up with another plant in the spring.

Millwood tree board

The Millwood Urban Tree Board Steering Committee will hold a meeting Dec. 14 to continue work on the town’s public tree ordinance.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Millwood Town Hall, 9103 E. Frederick.

Yuletide with no U-turns

Anyone with a yen to see Christmas lights from a passenger’s seat can sign up for a holiday lights tour by bus. The two-hour tour starts from Centennial Middle School, on Wednesday.

Reserve your seats by calling Sue Sharpe, 922-5482. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served before the tour starts. Gather in Room 22 before boarding the bus at 5 p.m.

Spot and Santa

Spot the dog, Boots the cat and Goldie the goldfish can tell Santa Claus what they want for Christmas this weekend and next.

Santa will be on hand at Evergreen Pet Shop, 14319 E. Sprague, to listen to pets’ wishes. He’ll also pose for pictures with the animals.

Hours today and Sunday (as well as next Saturday and Sunday) are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours next Friday are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Photos will cost $6 apiece. Proceeds will be donated to the Spokane County Animal Shelter.

, DataTimes