City considers cost of animal control

The Cheney City Council received an update from police Chief Jeff Sale Tuesday night regarding how much it would cost the city to take over animal control.

Sale said that the startup costs to the city would be about $105,000 to pay for a full-time employee, vehicles, uniforms and other equipment. The city would also have to enter into a separate contract to board stray or dangerous animals or build its own kennels.

Cheney currently contracts services through the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service for around $20,000 a year, Sale said.

Sale said he looked into these costs at the council’s request a few months back. The figures were for information purposes only and no action was taken.

The council was also introduced to five new resident firefighters by Chief Mike Winters.

“They are all very valuable members of the department,” Winters told the council.

Downtown

Club sponsors wood arts contest

The local chapter of the Hoo Hoo Club, one of the world’s oldest service organizations, is sponsoring a woodworking contest for high school students. Club member Jack Eskeberg said the contest is “an attempt to reintroduce the wood arts back into the schools.”

The 40-year-old contest includes categories in small, medium and large furniture projects as well as specialty items. The group will also host a luncheon and award prizes to students for entries in each category. Last year’s competition generated 60 items.

The public is invited to view the entries in the lobby of the Bank of America, 601 W. Riverside Ave., Monday through next Thursday.

Cliff/Cannon

Ronald McDonald House seeks help

The Ronald McDonald House of Spokane, 1015 W. Fifth Ave., is in need of volunteers to answer phones, help with light housekeeping, and assist staff and guests.

Volunteers must commit to eight hours or more per month for six months and be at least 18 years old. Interested persons must pass a Washington State Patrol background check.

To volunteer and for more information, call Debbie at (509) 624-0500 or e-mail debbief@rmhspokane.org.

East Central

Rally banishes boredom

The Discovery School, 323 S. Grant St., will host the Anti-Boredom Rally on June 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., to celebrate the grand opening of the Bob Evans Fine Arts Center.

Charlie Schmidt, local artist and an art teacher at the Discovery School, will do art with participants of the rally.

The event will also include a barbecue, a bounce castle and a car show.

For more information, call Bethany Vergara at (509) 838-0606 or visit www.discovery-school.org.