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

In brief: Riverfront Park’s Imax open for half of the year

The Imax theater at Riverfront Park will be open for only six months.

The Spokane Park Board on Thursday voted unanimously to close the theater after Dec. 31.

It will open in the spring for six months. Park officials estimated that shortening the schedule would save about $90,000.

The city’s Imax theater, which opened in 1978, has struggled to cover its costs since the nearby AMC Theatres at River Park Square opened an Imax theater and Imax stopped allowing the city to show first-run Hollywood films.

The Park Board will be considering the theater’s future this year as it finalizes a long-term plan for the park.

Jonathan Brunt

Fertilization bill passes Senate unanimously

A bill that would provide in-vitro fertilization coverage through the Department of Veterans Affairs unanimously passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvement Act of 2012 would provide more reproductive services to veterans who have suffered catastrophic injuries.

The bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Patty Murray, will now move on to the House of Representatives, where Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., has introduced a companion version of the bill.

The bill also would create a pilot program to provide child care to veterans seeking counseling at the VA’s Vet Centers as well as fund research on the long-term medical needs of veterans with reproductive injuries.

The average cost of IVF is $12,000 to $15,000.

Chelsea Bannach

Alleged drug house busted Thursday

Spokane police arrested several people at an alleged drug house in northeast Spokane on Thursday.

Kim Thomas, neighborhood resource officer, received numerous complaints of alleged drug activity at 2128 E. Diamond Ave. Investigators purchased methamphetamine and heroin from the residence over the course of several weeks, police said.

A search warrant was executed Thursday afternoon and detectives seized evidence “consistent with the use and sales of heroin and meth,” Sgt. John Roys said in a news release.

Audrey A. Andress, 31, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a building for drug purposes, a Class C felony. Ashley L. Sullivan, 27, was arrested on an unrelated warrant. Three other adults were released without charges.

Chelsea Bannach