West Central center honored for work in drug prevention

Rick Harris, program director of the West Central Community Center, recently accepted the Washington State Exemplary Substance Abuse Prevention Award on behalf of the center, presented at the state prevention conference in Yakima.

The Department of Social and Health Service’s Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse presented the award based on program content, evaluation component, collaboration with other agencies, parental letters of support and the time the program has been offered and been successful.

According to Harris, “the keys to any successful, healthy youth development program is to be able to offer services long term, and more importantly having positive role models for the children to learn from and connect to.”

West Central’s youth substance abuse prevention program has been offered for 14 consecutive years with the support of Spokane County Community Services department. Some of the funds used to operate the program come from the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse. West Central and Emerson Garfield neighborhoods and Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

“It is a great honor for the program to be chosen for this award. To truly make a difference in a child’s life you have to be patient, caring and keep trying no matter what the child’s behavior is like.

“The best part about working with the kids is when they come back when they are older and want to volunteer or just stop in to see us. That’s how we know we impacted them in a positive way,” said Harris.

Improvements may save homeowners money

Fire District 4 has made significant improvements in the fire insurance classification or grade for its nonincorporated areas effective Dec. 1.

The district has improved from a Class 7 to a Class 5 for structures within five miles of a fire station. In 2003, the district improved the city of Deer Park from a Class 5 to a Class 4.

This means that homeowners within five miles of a District 4 fire station should realize a savings on fire insurance. This can vary based on a customer’s insurance company and personal factors, including previous fire losses.

A survey of insurance companies done by District 4 found that owners of a residence valued at $100,000 could save up to $40 a year on homeowner’s insurance and possibly $115 a year on a $300,000 residence.

The survey also found that some insurance companies don’t subscribe to the agency (Washington Survey and Rating Bureau) that assigns the grade, and those companies may not give any cost reduction.

Homeowners in District 4 should contact their individual insurance company to determine if they qualify for a reduction.

Fire District 4 includes: Station 41, Deer Park; Station 42, Chattaroy; Station 43, Elk; Station 44, Colbert; Station 45, Wildrose; Station 46, Riverside; Station 47, Green Bluff; Station 48, Mt. Spokane; and Station 49, Wayside.

Tree removal under way

If you notice trees being removed from neighborhood parks, don’t worry. It’s just the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department’s urban forestry staff removing dead, dying and damaged trees.

Between now and the end of January trees will be removed from Audubon, Manito, Comstock, High Bridge, Hamblen, High Drive, Upper Lincoln, Riverfront, Palisades/Rimrock, and Whittier parks and on Hatch Road near Blackwood.

Meetings

•The Northwest Neighborhood Association has canceled its December meeting and will next meet Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at Audubon Park United Methodist, 3908 N. Driscoll Blvd..

•The Chief Garry Park Neighborhood Council will meet at 7 tonight at Stevens School, 1717 E. Sinto Ave.

•The Hillyard Neighborhood Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St.