Given the events in the news today, kids (and parents) may need a bit of holiday cheer. Spokane Valley Fire Department crews will be helping Santa make his rounds in several Spokane Valley neighborhoods over the next week. While the firefighters will do their best to keep Santa on schedule, sometimes the sleigh breaks down or Rudolph gets sick. He usually starts his rounds at 6 p.m. 

Tonight Santa will be in the area south of 16th Avenue, north of 32nd Avenue, east of Dishman-Mica Road and west of Pines Road. Saturday: the area south of 16th Avenue, north of 32nd Avenue, east of Evergreen Road and west of Chapman Road (Saltese area). Sunday: the area south of Wellesley Ave., north of Trent, east of Evergreen and west of Flora Road. Friday, Dec. 21: the area south of Euclid Ave., north of Mission Ave., east of Flora Road and west of Harvard Road.

Additional dates and locations may be scheduled, but that's all there is for right now.

On another note, I'll be away from the blog next week and won't be around to post. Happy holidays, everyone.