In brief: Five hospital wards isolated for virus
Five of the 11 wards at Eastern State Hospital in Medical Lake have been isolated for more than a week after an outbreak of Norovirus, an official said Thursday.
Six cases of the contagious gastro-intestinal disorder have forced precautions that confine patients and limit visitors, said Connie Wilmot, chief operating officer.
Staff members have washed all surfaces with diluted bleach solutions and implemented stricter-than-usual hand-washing procedures.
Norovirus is a viral infection that causes sudden symptoms that usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping. Low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue are also common. Symptoms last one to two days, but people are contagious before and after the illness.
Spokane
Circus protesters arrested at arena
Spokane police arrested three people who chained themselves to the entrance of Spokane Arena in protest of Thursday night’s Ringling Bros. circus performance.
Two females and a male, in their late teens or early 20s, were arrested for trespassing after they were asked to leave several times, Officer Teresa Fuller said.
They were among about 40 demonstrators who were protesting animal cruelty as people formed into lines to see the circus. The demonstrators held signs with statements such as, “The circus is no fun for the animals.”
Names for those arrested were not immediately available. They were arrested after Spokane Arena security and Spokane police asked them to leave voluntarily so they would not be arrested, Fuller said. They stayed, chained to the door handles of one of the arena’s entrances.
“Other than having to cut them off the building, they were cooperative,” Fuller said.
Spokane Valley
Valleyfest begins three-day run
Three days of outdoor music, movies and entertainment in Spokane Valley kick off tonight with the Valleyfest Hearts of Gold parade down Sprague Avenue.
The parade takes place at 7 p.m. between Bowdish and University Roads. Other free Valleyfest events today include a performance in Mirabeau Park by the WyldStylez Dance Troupe at 8 p.m. followed by an outdoor showing of “Talladega Nights” at 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, musicians, dancers and other acts will perform in the park from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., followed by the movie “Happy Feet” at 7:30 p.m.
Other activities include free fishing for kids at Mirabeau Springs, pony rides, a car show, vendors, an art fair and art auction.
Starting at 11 a.m., Saturday, and 11:30 a.m., Sunday, competitors will throw axes, chop wood, and shimmy up poles during the logging festival.
Music and other festivities continue Sunday. For a full listing of events, visit www.valleyfest.org.
County fair drew over 235,000
The Spokane County Interstate Fair drew 235,010 people during its 10-day run, a 7 percent increase over 2006 attendance. A fair spokeswoman said pleasant weather and popular grandstand entertainment such as singers Kellie Pickler and Weird Al Yankovic helped bring in people.
Carnival sales this year were up by 10 percent, despite incidents early in the fair’s run where a bolt broke on one ride and a teenager was injured on another due to what regulators said was “rider error.”