In brief: Local storm damage assessed for help

Thu., Dec. 28, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

State officials are assessing damage from windstorms that hit the region two weeks ago to determine if they should ask for federal disaster money.

At the request of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, President George W. Bush declared the November floods in Western Washington a federal disaster.

A preliminary estimate is being made of damages to homes, businesses and public places to see if the Dec. 14-15 windstorms should be declared a state disaster as well, a release from the State Emergency Operations Center said.

Those affected by the storms are asked to report damages to their insurance companies and to county emergency management agencies.

Here’s a list of contacts for reporting damage for some Eastern Washington counties: Spokane, (509) 477-2204, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, leave message; Lincoln, (509) 725-9263, 8-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday; Okanogan, (509) 422-7206, 24-hour line; Pend Oreille, (509) 447-1988, 24-hour line; Adams, (509) 488-2061, 24-hour line; Garfield, (509) 843-3494, 24-hour line.

Those living in the following counties should report damage to their local emergency management office: Asotin, Benton, Ferry, Franklin, Grant, Stevens and Whitman.

– Sara Leaming

Spokane

City offers free Christmas tree disposal

Spokane city residents can dispose of their Christmas trees free of charge by taking advantage of services offered through the solid waste department.

The trees can be placed next to regular garbage containers for pickup during weekly collection in early January. All decorations must be removed, and trees taller than 6 feet must be cut in half.

Also, unflocked trees free of decorations may be taken to the waste incinerator, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd., or to transfer stations at 3941 N. Sullivan and 22123 Elk–Chattaroy Road. Trees taken directly to one of these facilities will be chipped and turned into compost. Those collected at curbside are burned at the waste–to–energy facility.

– Mike Prager

Search continues for missing volunteer

Authorities continue to search for a Spokane police volunteer who was reported missing Wednesday by his family.

George L. Kubes, 81, left for an 8 a.m. doctor’s appointment Tuesday, said Spokane police Cpl. Tom Lee. But Kubes never arrived at the VA Hospital, and he hasn’t returned to his home in the Five Mile Prairie area. He was last seen driving a red 1995 Geo Metro with Washington license plate 210 SOE.

Spokane police volunteers and officers searched the Five Mile Prairie and surrounding areas for Kubes, Lee said. Spokane Police believe Kubes may be suffering from a medical condition and do not suspect foul play.

Kubes retired from a career with BNSF Railway. He has volunteered at SPD for a little over two years, often staffing the information booth in the Public Safety Building two days a week, Lee said.

Anyone who sees Kubes is asked to call 911.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner

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