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

In brief: Memories, photos sought of eruption

On Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. It sent a mushroom-shaped cloud of ash high into the sky, which drifted east and fell on the Inland Northwest.

If you were living in the region then and would like to share your memories of that day, please e-mail them to breakingnews@ spokesman.com. You’re welcome to send pictures to that e-mail address or mail them to 999 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane WA 99201.

Please write your mailing address on the back of the picture if you’d like it returned.

We’ll collect those reminiscences online and publish some in print on the 30th anniversary of the mountain’s eruption.

Staff reports

Rent help offered for recession-tied losses

City of Spokane residents adversely affected by recession-caused job losses may be eligible for rental assistance.

Using $1.5 million in Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing funds through the federal 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the city created the “Moving Forward” program.

The funds will provide help with rent or home relocation for those who have lost hours or wages, been laid off or lost business income due to closure.

The money can be used to pay for back and current rent, utility deposits, security deposits and moving costs.

For information, call (509) 455-4965 on Mondays between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., or Wednesdays between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Staff reports

Verizon landline sale advances to FCC

EVERETT – The state of Washington has approved the sale of Verizon’s landline business to Frontier Communications.

The Federal Communications Commission must also OK the deal approved Friday.

The approval comes with a number of conditions, including a requirement that the new owner not raise basic phone rates for the next three years. The agreement also includes penalties for poor service.

Last May, Verizon said it had agreed to sell 4.8 million land phone lines in 14 states, including Washington, for $8.6 billion.

The deal does not include the Verizon Wireless cell phone business.

Verizon was created in 2000 by a merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE. Verizon kept its Northwest headquarters in Everett, but that facility now goes to Frontier Communications.

Associated Press