In brief: Caregiver Conference held today at Red Lion
Millions of Americans, many unpaid, provide care to loved ones in their homes. They include spouses, siblings, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles and friends. They also include grandparents raising grandchildren.
A conference today in Spokane will draw attention to the issues and struggles they face.
Elder Services’ 7th Annual Caregiver Conference will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive.
Unpaid caregivers can attend free of charge; the fees for paid caregivers range from $15 to $25. Lunch will be provided.
Among the topics to be covered are: long-term care issues, legal challenges, recognizing and treating depression, managing pain, preventing fraud and identity theft, and remembering the value of humor.
The conference is sponsored by Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington. For information call (509) 458-7450.
– Alison Boggs
Ranch expo features wild horse adoption
Wild horses will be available for adoption at the Ride the West Horse and Ranch Expo that begins Friday in Spokane.
The U.S. Department of the Interior offers for adoption up to 9,000 wild horses each year, to prevent overgrazing on public rangelands. A preview and registration will take place Saturday, with silent-bid adoption beginning Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
The Ride the West expo, held at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, takes place Friday from 3-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It includes entertainment and horse-riding demonstrations. Tickets are $10 a day, or $8 in advance, with children 9 and under admitted free.
– Staff report
Woman charged with drunken driving
A 19-year-old woman was taken to jail on a drunken driving charge after the Saturn she was driving took out a stop sign at the corner of Maxwell Avenue and Wall Street and became wedged between a tree and a fire hydrant about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“She hit the tree pretty good,” said Spokane Police Cpl. Philip Lasswell, motioning to the car’s mangled right wheel. The woman, who’s identity was not immediately available, was attempting to turn right onto Wall from Maxwell when the car careened out of control.
No one was injured, and dozens of curious neighbors stood by watching a tow truck remove the car.
“Just some young inexperienced driver who’s gong to jail,” remarked Robyn Woodruff.
– Meghann M. Cuniff
COEUR D’ALENE
Hearing scheduled on Post Falls dam
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled a public meeting Tuesday to discuss the Post Falls dam.
The meeting runs from 5-9 p.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Police Department meeting room, 3818 Schreiber Way, in Coeur d’Alene.
As part of Avista Corp.’s federal relicensing of the Post Falls dam, the state weighs in on whether the dam meets Idaho’s water quality standards.
DEQ has issued a draft certification for the dam, available at www.deq.idaho.gov/public/ comment.cfm. Public testimony will be accepted at the meeting.
– Staff report