Treva Lind

This is the first year for a Spokane Public Schools mentoring program for female students called Ladies Investing in Noble Character. 

MultiCare updated a mask policy for its Inland Northwest facilities on Monday, when Washington state ended its mask mandate for health and long-term care facilities.

The Eastern Washington Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program says it's in dire need of new volunteers, because those ranks have shrunk significantly since the pandemic. An ombudsman provides support for residents of nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and adult family homes in Spokane County and adjoining counties of Pend Oreille, Ferry, Stevens and Whitman. 

Knit-a-thon fundraiser has teams creating blankets go to a child-centered need in the community, and people make pledges per square to benefit the school.

Come Monday, masks will be requested but not required at many health care facilities in the Spokane region.

Providence and the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine announced a partnership Tuesday that launches a pediatric residency program at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. The program will have an inaugural group of six residents begin training July 1, 2024. The WSU-sponsored program is a three-year residency. For each academic year, another six residents will be admitted for a total of 18 when all three cohorts are filled.

Since 1975, Canine Companions has placed more than 7,300 service dogs nationwide free of charge to men, women, children and veterans with disabilities. An Inland Northwest chapter is focused on recruiting more of those volunteers – especially in Spokane – as puppy raisers willing to offer care and training for about a 15 month-stint. They agree to pay for dog food, supplies and other costs during the stay.

Rich Hadley, who for 21 years led the region's business chamber now called Greater Spokane Incorporated, died on Sunday. Hadley is credited by many Spokane leaders for his vision and partnerships that created the University District and Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. A former U.S. Navy air intelligence officer during the Vietnam War, Hadley also forged a strong relationship with Air Force officials, becoming one of the region’s foremost advocates for protecting Fairchild Air Force Base and boosting its future role.

Spokane County Library District offers "Lego Stop-Motion Animation" for children ages 8-12 to learn using a free animation app for smart devices in storytelling videos of Lego characters moving, jumping and talking to each other.

More than 100 students applied for 40 seats in Eastern Washington University's new four-year nursing program's upper division classes that start in August. In 2022, the state Legislature funded $6.1 million for EWU to expand to a full four-year program. Leaders cited the need to train more nurses, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened shortages. But other issues that limit admitting more students to regional BSN programs include faculty recruitment and hospital training availability, educators say.

Local leaders also describe the same wave of reported trauma among children and adolescents as highlighted in a mid-February federal analysis showing increases in rape and sexual violence among teen girls, as well as their record levels of feeling sad or hopeless. 

A recent statewide survey found that food insecurity remains high among low-income residents as they face increased food prices and ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. University of Washington and Washington State University professors tapped more than 5,000 people, with nearly half reporting they experienced food insecurity. In Spokane County, 48% among about 400 people reported using food assistance in the past month.

Community Cancer Fund has turned assists on the basketball court into an assist for local cancer patients, by teaming up with five Gonzaga players: Rasir Bolton, Nolan Hickman, Malachi Smith, Hunter Sallis and Julian Strawther in a community pledge drive to support local cancer patients in its "CCF Assists Program." The players on Monday visited children in the pediatric cancer wing at Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, as well as touring in other pediatric units.

Dancing since age 2, Avery Denney has taken a leap closer to her goal to become a professional ballerina after receiving a first place award in January. The Rathdrum resident, 17, took the top position in a senior classical ballet division of the Youth America Grand Prix, among about 140 solos. She plans to go to the grand prix finals competition this April in Florida.

Stretches, hip openers, ball squeezes and a touch of yoga took center stage for two couples who recently took a new class at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital with an unusual name, Spinning Babies. 

More parents are struggling to find refills of Adderall and other attention-deficit disorder drugs for children with ADHD. Part of a national shortage, it's also affecting adults with ADD or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who rely on the stimulant medications to help them focus. Since fall, Adderall shortages have since caused tighter supplies among similar drugs as people seek other options, such as Ritalin and Concerta, said Dr. Brian Simmerman, a Spokane pediatrician. Parents worry that if children with ADHD run out of daily meds, they'll lose focus at school or for homework.

Mead High School cheerleaders scored big this past week, with an elite team's first-place trophy at a state championship. The program also garnered a second-place for a full-team routine.

For the 2023 Super Bowl pregame national anthem, a Navy flyover formation will feature four Navy aircraft, including two F/A-18F Super Hornets that can claim a little Spokane support. Petty Officer 1st Class Ashley Clifford, Spokane-raised, is among crew maintaining that aircraft. The F/A-18F Super Hornets are aircraft depicted in the recent "Top Gun: Maverick" movie.

As Spokane's icy conditions linger, more people get injured in slips or falls. But such accidental falls can be a year-round hazard – or fear – for older adults. It doesn't have to be that way, said Phil Helean, a coach for a free fall prevention class called A Matter of Balance. Demand has risen for more in-person classes at senior centers, churches and fire departments, but more volunteer instructors are needed. There's a Feb. 22 information session in Spokane for potential volunteers.

SCC culinary teacher Duane Sunwold knows what it's like to struggle with kidney disease while gaining weight. He nearly lost kidney function 22 years ago. He recently helped brainstorm ways doctors can talk to patients about obesity and kidney issues, among a panel of medical specialists and patients. Sunwold also shared his success story of a plant-based diet, and eventually going into remission by 2005.

Sodium can sneak up to high levels in daily eating, while stroke patients and people with kidney or heart disease are told to cut it significantly. Bland can be the result, and a grab for the salt shaker. Seeking flavor sans sodium, local culinary instructor Duane Sunwold and a former pupil partnered in 2020, and now Spokane-based Spiceology has a line of 17 salt-free herb blends, launched two years ago.

Parents can view a free online session 5:30 p.m. Tuesday that will offer tips on how to prevent youth from vaping, along with medical experts explaining the health risks from inhaling from electronic cigarettes.