John Stucke

Time is on your side. Registered nurses can take those words to the bank, say regional health care employers. Although jobs are fewer this year and some registered nurses in Spokane are being laid off as part of broad hospital reorganizations, the stubborn recession won’t be able to slow health care spending much longer.

In a firm yet gentle voice, Richard Danner coaxed the puppies from their cages Friday afternoon. “Come here, little one. I’ll help you,” he said. “Come on …”

Well-known Spokane physician Dr. Cheryle Hart has been reprimanded by Washington state health officials, surrendered her medical license in Montana and stopped practicing in Idaho after patient complaints about her alternative hormone therapy seminars, prescriptions and follow-up patient care. Her licensure problems dovetail with personal money problems and a recent business slowdown that Hart said she plans to remedy by finding a business partner or perhaps joining another medical practice.

Well-known Spokane physician Dr. Cheryle Hart has been reprimanded by Washington state health officials, surrendered her medical license in Montana and stopped practicing in Idaho after patient complaints about her alternative hormone therapy seminars, prescriptions and follow-up patient care.

The veterinary license of Douglas C. Mohney, a former veterinarian at the Spokane Humane Society, has been suspended by state regulators.

Even as the weather warms and summer beckons, Rich Clemson remains mired in last winter’s problems. His ire is directed at the Hartford Financial Services Group, one of the country’s largest property insurers. He says it has failed to pay up 4 1/2 months after the roof on his large commercial building, the former Spears furniture store at 1321 N. Mullan Road, collapsed under the weight of December’s epic snowfall.

Lindsay Lindberg had needed special help from the start. The infant was born in November with a heart defect that left her fatigued and unable to nurse. Her mother, Courtney Lindberg, had been filling a host of prescriptions at a Walgreens pharmacy in north Spokane.

Kootenai County reported its first probable swine flu case Thursday, a woman in her 60s who recently traveled to Texas. Idaho health officials said she is recovering from the viral infection and did not require hospitalization.

A Spokane man in his 40s is among six Washington state residents who probably have swine flu, health officials said Wednesday night. The officials have been unable to interview the man, who hasn’t returned their phone calls. They don’t know if he is married or has children in local schools.