Reward offered for recovery of road work equipment

An engineering and surveying company is offering a $500 reward for a stolen piece of equipment that helps prevent potholes.

USKH’s densometer was stolen Nov. 17 from the back of a pickup in a parking lot next to the Flour Mill and adjacent to the company offices on Mallon Avenue.

The thief used bolt cutters to take the densometer, which was in a yellow plastic container that has labels with symbols of radioactivity on the front and back.

The Troxler densometer is used to measure the density and moisture content of roadway soils. Construction crews want to make sure there is maximum density so there aren’t soft spots that cause the pavement to sink and turn into potholes.

Jeff Logan, USKH’s Pacific Northwest manager, doubts the thief knew what a densometer is.

“They probably assumed that if it’s chained, it’s valuable, and by God, I might as well take it,” Logan said.

He declined to reveal the value of the densometer but said it’s enough for the company to offer a reward.

Although the equipment has a radioactive pellet inside and is regulated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Logan said it’s no more dangerous than an X-ray machine in a dentist’s office.

The theft was reported to the commission.

Anyone with information about the densometer is asked to call USKH’s Spokane office at (509) 328-5139.

Forum invites ways to ensure future for Joe Albi Stadium

An hour-long forum to discuss income-generating ideas for Joe Albi Stadium will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Fourth Memorial Church, 2000 N. Standard.

The meeting is in basement room LL5 at Fourth Memorial.

The future of the stadium was cast in doubt this year when former Spokane Mayor Jim West proposed selling the sports complex to save money, a move that was rejected – at least temporarily – by the City Council.

The discussion will be followed by a short meeting for members of the Friends of Joe Albi.

For information contact Paul Hyndman at (509) 475-4474.

Registration deadline near for ACT exams in February

College-bound high school students wanting to take the next ACT exams have until Jan. 6 to register.

Costs for the Feb. 11 exam are $29, or $43 with the optional writing test. An additional late registration fee of $18 can be paid by Jan. 20 if the deadline is not met.

The ACT Assessment is used by colleges, along with a high school grade point average, to determine students’ readiness for college-level coursework. Students are also placed in appropriate courses based on the exams.

For information or to register, visit www.actstudent.org.

WSU pharmacy students offer help on Medicare Part D

Do the intricacies of Medicare Part D have you confused?

Beginning today, senior citizens and others who qualify for the federal drug coverage plan can get assistance sorting out their benefits from students in Washington State University’s doctor of pharmacy program.

The student volunteers will be available until Jan. 6 at WSU’s Spokane campus to review prescriptions and compare the top plans covering individuals’ current medications.

“It’s important for them to act as soon as possible to get coverage established, since their current coverage may run out at the end of December,” said Cris DuVall, organizer of the student assistance program.

DuVall said students are not selling plans and will not sign anyone up for coverage.

Clients will receive a computer printout comparing up to three different plans they can consider before deciding on a plan, DuVall said in a written statement.

Anyone interested in receiving Part D help may make an appointment by calling DuVall at (509) 389-9922. Assistance is available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the computer lab of the Health Sciences Building on the Riverpoint campus, 310 N. Riverpoint Blvd.

Clients should bring a list of current medications.

Donations at Texaco red kettles will be matched by Chevron

In the spirit of the season, Chevron Products Co. is matching donations collected by the Salvation Army at area Texaco stations.

All proceeds collected at specially marked red kettles at the stations will remain in Spokane County and go to support the Salvation Army’s six local social service programs.

Salvation Army officials said the organization’s local food bank has had a 57 percent increase in families using the service in the past year. “I’m concerned about compassion fatigue,” said Maj. Ben Markham, Spokane regional coordinator for the Salvation Army. “People have only so much they can give, and more and more people are finding themselves on the receiving end of charitable giving.”

For more information contact Christy Markham at (509) 329-2732 or Christy_Markham@usw. salvationarmy.org.