Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Emphasis patrol nets 75 infractions

The Spokesman-Review

A four-hour traffic emphasis patrol held primarily in the Dishman area of Spokane Valley last week, resulted in officers issuing 75 infractions and making three arrests of drivers with suspended operator’s licenses.

The emphasis was intended to reinforce the traffic law that requires motorists to move one lane over when they encounter a stopped emergency vehicle on a multilane highway. The lane change is required only when the maneuver can be made safely.

Emergency vehicles include police cars and motorcycles, fire apparatus and ambulances. The intent of the law is to allow emergency responders to work safely along multilane roadways.

During Thursday’s event, 32 infractions were issued for failure to yield to emergency vehicles. Another 43 infractions were issued for other violations such as seatbelt, insurance and vehicle licensing issues.

Spokane

Ecology Youth Corps on roadways

Members of the Ecology Youth Corps recently began picking up litter on the roadways of Eastern Washington.

The Washington Department of Ecology has 114 teenagers, ages 14 to 17, working in two, four-week sessions.

The teenagers’ goal is to clean up more than 2,000 miles of freeway and highway in 13 Eastern Washington counties.

Teens from throughout the region applied for the annual program in April and were accepted for the $8.07 per hour jobs in a competitive process.

The focus of the Ecology Youth Corps is not just litter pickup, but also educating youth about good stewardship of the environment.

The litter crews work from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, through July 18 and again from July 22 to August 15.

Crews work in teams of five or six with an experienced adult supervisor.

The Washington Department of Ecology urges motorists to use extra caution when they see the orange “Ecology youth working” signs along state highways.

Crews will be at work on Interstate 90 west of Spokane to Vantage, SR 395 from Ritzville to Pasco and major portions of other state highways in Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Grant, Ferry, Franklin, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties.

Littering can draw fines of up to $1,025. To report litter coming from a vehicle, call (866) LITTER-1 or (866) 548-8371 toll free.

Cheney

EWU plans dental camps for teens

The Eastern Washington University Department of Dental Hygiene will host dental camps on July 18 and Aug. 1. The free camps are from 9 a.m. to noon and are for students ages 12 to 15.

The goal of the camps is to expose middle school students to career opportunities in the dental professions. Participants will spend time at the school’s simulation laboratory, a facility normally used by faculty to teach laboratory courses to dental hygiene students.

Activities include making plaster dental impressions and filling cavities using wax and plastic teeth. The kids will also work side-by-side with dental professionals and EWU dental hygiene students to learn about the importance of good oral health and the steps they need to take if they decide to pursue a career in dentistry.

The camp is sponsored by the Washington Dental Service Foundation.

Call 368-6528 for reservations and more information.

Tuition to increase at EWU

In-state undergraduate and graduate school tuition at Eastern Washington University will increase by $216 following action last week from the university’s board of trustees.

Trustees at a meeting June 26 approved the 5 percent tuition increase along with the university’s $200,800,484 operating budget for fiscal year 2009, which began July 1. Administrators noted the budget reflects that EWU is preparing for decreased state revenue and increased competition from two-year institutions that are now offering four-year degrees, according to a university press release.

The tuition increase, which includes student service and activity fees and building fees, means undergraduates who live in the state of Washington will pay $4,701 for the 2008-09 academic school year. Graduate students who live in the state will pay $6,795.

Tuition for nonresident undergraduate and graduate students will only increase in tuition due to higher student service and activity fees.

– From staff reports