Empire Health to hold public forums on future
Empire Health Services officials will hold five public forums to discuss the future of the hospital system that includes Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center.
Jeff A. Nelson, chief executive officer of Empire, will host sessions on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Empire officials have announced they’re seeking investors or buyers for the nonprofit hospital system that has rebounded from a $36 million shortfall in 2004.
Among those considered is Community Health Systems Inc. of Franklin, Tenn., the largest for-profit hospital system in the country. Empire officials confirmed this week that Community Health is among several potential partners.
If Empire is sold to a for-profit system, it would trigger state rules governing hospital conversions and spark an unprecedented change in the Spokane medical community.
Members of the public are invited to the following forums:
“ 6 p.m. Monday, NorthTown Mall, 4750 N. Division, Spokane, on the first floor between the west entrance and Macy’s.
“ Noon Tuesday, Valley Hospital’s Health and Education Center, 12606 E. Mission, Spokane Valley.
“ 6 p.m. Tuesday, Deaconess Health and Education Center, 910 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane.
“ Noon Wednesday, Deaconess Health and Education Center.
“ 6 p.m. Wednesday, Spokane Valley Mall, 14700 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley.
– JoNel Aleccia
Spokane Valley
Woman killed in crash in Valley identified
The woman killed in a Thursday afternoon crash in Spokane Valley has been identified as 71-year-old Shirley J. Sutton.
Sutton and her husband, 77-year-old James D. Sutton, were broadsided in their small car shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday by a large pickup on Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley. James Sutton remains in critical condition.
The wreck closed all westbound lanes of Sprague for more than two hours as investigators just west of the Sullivan Road intersection examined the wreckage, which spread more than 100 feet beyond the point of impact.
“The two vehicles apparently got locked together and went down the road a fair distance before coming apart,” said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane Valley police spokesman.
None of the three people in the pickup was injured.
Because the crash killed someone, a homicide investigation will take place before citations are issued or blame for the accident is assigned, Reagan said.
– Staff reports
Fairchild Air Force Base
Brush fire contained in about an hour
A 15-acre brush fire on Fairchild Air Force Base was contained in a little more than an hour Friday.
Survival School activities accidentally started the fire about 10:45 a.m. Friday, according to a base press release. The Fairchild Fire Department contained the blaze by noon.
No one was injured, and no buildings on the base were damaged. Smoke lingered in the area throughout the afternoon.
– Staff reports