Treva Lind

Dan and Carol Taylor parked their camper van in a Green Bluff empty parking area, after visiting the store at Walters' Fruit Ranch to buy treats ahead of a one-night stay. The orchard is among more than 5,500 sites for Harvest Host, a RV membership company that coordinates brief stops at a network of farms, wineries, breweries or small businesses. Electric, water, and sewer hookups typically aren't available, but the benefit is a free night's stay. Most RVers buy products or donate at sites.

In Washington and three other states since July 1, Medicare patients with both parts A and B can talk to a dementia expert for regular video or phone chats at no cost. It includes family caregivers, often spouses or adult children of Alzheimer's patients, under a partnership of the Alzheimer's Association and Seattle-based company Rippl Care.

As '80s tunes played and people queued up at an ice cream truck, Touchmark South Hill senior living center staff began hosing water onto a 75-foot-long orange Slip ‘N Slide Thursday for a summer camp-themed afternoon. The water feature drew a lineup of seniors seeking to slide down nostalgia lane.

At Spokane Symphony's helm since 2016, Jeff vom Saal is departing to take a job as Nashville Symphony's chief operating officer. Russ Lee, former symphony board chair, will step in as interim executive director until a search for vom Saal's replacement starts later this symphony season.

Former Frontier Behavioral Health CEO Jeff Thomas built a legacy as a key architect of the region's shift to integrated mental health care, a practice that considers both physical and mental wellbeing. A year after his death from respiratory complications, both a local university scholarship and a Frontier outpatient site are being named for him.

After decades in construction, Bert Rohrbach two years ago found what he considers the right tools to help a coworker struggling with mental health. He previously lost three close coworkers who died by suicide, but he learned in recent training to notice signs, ask questions and use intervention tools – steps he wants others in the industry to learn.

North Idaho officials issued a harmful algal bloom alert on Monday for Fernan and Avondale lakes, after recent water sampling indicates the presence of toxic cyanobacteria – previously called blue-green algae. People and pets should avoid swimming or water sports in bloom areas until the advisory is lifted, as symptoms of exposure can include rashes, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing or wheezing.

Lindsey Klein felt inspired by her pediatrician, who talked directly to her during 18 years of visits. Growing up in Kent, Washington, Klein recalls how the doctor made sure she understood her health, including early severe asthma.