Traffic Safety Commission Recognizes Local Residents

Several Spokane residents and companies were honored for their efforts to reduce automobile collisions by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission of Olympia.

Linda Fralich, a volunteer member of Citizens Against Alcohol Related Traffic Accidents of Spokane, has monitored alcohol sales in the Spokane Arena. Her efforts have led to discussions and the adoption of a pro-active designated driver program for the Arena.

Safeco Insurance of Spokane, through a cooperative effort with North Central High School, purchased $1,000 of new equipment for the drivers education program which allows high school students to test their skills at handling tough driving conditions and learn a better understanding of braking devices. NC has one of the state’s top high school drive education programs.

Dianne Dougherty, a prosecutor with the Spokane Prosecuting Attorney’s office, and State Rep. Mark Sterk, a Spokane police officer, advocated for a change in vehicular homicide penalties when negligent, reckless or drunk driving causes a death. Their efforts resulted in vehicular homicide being a rated a Class C felony, and vehicular assault a Class B felony. The law changes increased fines and jail time for the crimes.

Mary Hiss and Linda Jackson, with the Spokane County Health District, developed a number of innovative pedestrian safety programs reaching more than 80,000 people including senior citizens, who were “clocked” to test their ability to cross a street in a timely manner.

Ivan Tucker, Elk, competed with his horse Scooter Dust’em at the Appaloosa World Championship Horse Show, Fort Worth, Texas. He placed in four of the five classes he entered: a world championship title in Open Figure 8 Stake Race; third in Non-Pro Camas Prairie Stumps (barrels); fifth in Open Camas Prairie Stumps (barrels); and eighth in Non-Pro Figure 8 Stake Race.

The following students received Pullman’s Lincoln Middle School’s Student of the Month honors for November: Allie Hooks, sixth grade, daughter of Jane Rosenberg and Greg Hooks; Kevin Clements, seventh grade, son of Mary Anne and Stephen Clement; and Tawsha Druffel, eighth grade, daughter of Dyane and Lee Druffel.

Two Spokane Washington State University students have earned scholarships:

Max Johnson, son of Gail and Neil Johnson, Spokane, received the $200 WSU Staff Senate Scholarship. He is a 1996 Liberty High School graduate and a freshman majoring in chemical engineering.

Justin Lundgren, son of Judy and Jim Lundgren, Spokane, received a $1,000 Claire Siler Smith Scholarship. He is a 1993 graduate of Shadle Park High School and a senior majoring in economics.

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MEMO: To tell us about your achievements and good deeds, write to Achievements, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210, or 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.