SCRAPS offering free disaster bags

Following last week’s Spokane Valley wildfire, officials from the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services are urging pet owners to get prepared now by picking up free disaster bags from area shelters.

Many Spokane Valley residents were left scrambling to find the necessary items they needed when they received word to evacuate their homes last week.

SCRAPS announced this week free pet disaster bags, provided by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, are available at all area animal shelters: SCRAPS, Spokanimal CARE, Spokane Humane Society and Pet Savers.

The bags are waterproof and contain a checklist of items needed for your pets in a disaster. There is also a brochure in the bags that gives you information on how to be prepared in an emergency to take care of your pets.

During disasters such as the fire in Spokane Valley last week, SCRAPS uses emergency funding and donations to set up and maintain emergency shelters and food for the animals. Donations are needed to replenish the funds used. Donations can be sent directly to SCRAPS at 2521 N. Flora Road, Spokane Valley, WA 99216 or online at www.spokanecounty. org/animal.

OPPORTUNITY

Fair for candidates planned

A candidates fair for Democrats entered in the Aug. 19 primary is scheduled today from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Jacksons, 11722 E. Sixth Ave. Party activist Sally Jackson said the evening will include music, food and engaging conversation.

– From staff reports

CENTRAL VALLEY

CVSD adjusts interview policy

The Central Valley School District has changed its Students Responsibilities and Rights policy that adds a new paragraph on police interviewing students over the age of 12. The policy calls for the district to make a “reasonable effort” to contact parents for consent before the interview takes place, except in circumstances where child abuse or neglect is alleged.

The policy also states that if the district is unable to contact a parent “after a reasonable time,” the interview may proceed “where in the judgment of the office an emergency exists.”

Spokane’s District 81 and the Spokane Police Department came under fire this year when parents complained that two 12-year-old girls were interviewed by police at school about their possible involvement in a vandalism incident without getting consent from their parents. The girls signed away their Miranda rights without understanding what they were doing, the parents said.

The new policy was approved at Monday’s board meeting.

– Nina Culver