Physical therapy next for dump truck victim
The boy struck by a city dump truck recently moved to a rehabilitation center.
Zachary Donovan, 9, will undergo physical therapy at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, where he’s been since leaving Sacred Heart Medical Center last Friday, said Heath Irvine, a Spokane lawyer representing the family.
The Hutton Elementary School student suffered massive internal injuries and broken bones when the truck hit him Aug. 27 as he rode his nonmotorized scooter in front of his home near Finch Arboretum.
The boy spent time in a wheelchair last week, and doctors hope to have him on crutches soon, Irvine said. But his long-term prognosis is “still just kind of a wait-and-see kind of thing.”
Zach spoke with Sacred Heart doctors recently “and, in his own words, thanked them for saving his life,” Irvine said.
The family is waiting for the boy’s condition to improve before pursuing legal action against the city of Spokane, Irvine said.
Naked man drives by Moran Prairie school
A report of a naked man driving a silver Toyota Camry prompted a search by several sheriff’s deputies and a school resource officer around Moran Prairie Elementary School on Thursday.
The man apparently drove past the school twice just before 3 p.m. – the time school ends – and stopped his car to beckon a parent, who saw the driver was nude, said Matt Handelman, Moran Prairie principal.
Handelman called 911.
“It all happened before the kids were out of school, which is a good thing,” he said.
Spokane County sheriff’s deputies spent about an hour looking for the man, who was last seen driving on the Palouse Highway, but never found him, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Sheriff’s Office spokesman.
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Liquor store sales rise despite economy
At least one Idaho state agency appears immune to the tough economic times: The state Liquor Dispensary says booze sales are up.
“People are not going to give up certain things that give them pleasure,” said Dyke Nally, dispensary superintendent.
“They feel they deserve to still have something they enjoy that’s an affordable item.”
The dispensary, which supplies spirits to stores, restaurants and bars in the state, reported that total liquor sales statewide increased 6.5 percent from July 1 to Sept. 31 compared to the same period last year.
But in North Idaho, liquor sales at bars and lounges have remained stagnant at about $2.2 million, comparing July 1 to Sept. 31 figures to the same period last year.
Nally speculated that people are having more parties at home and not going out as much.
He said he doubts sales have increased because people are trying to drink away their troubles.
“Our sales would be up a lot more if they were doing that, considering these troubled times,” he said.