Candidates forum tonight
Candidates for two Spokane County commissioner positions will answer questions tonight at Liberty Lake.
The forum will focus on issues of special interest in that community, but all county residents are welcome to attend and submit questions, according to the sponsoring Liberty Lake Property Owners Association.
Association board member Paul Humphreys said the forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. He said all four candidates – incumbents Todd Mielke and Mark Richard and challengers Kim Thorburn and Brian Sayrs – plan to participate.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District office, 22510 E. Mission Ave.
John Craig
Central Valley
Flu vaccination clinic today
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends that all children older than six months get flu shots.
With that in mind, the University Elementary Parent- Teacher Association is working with Flu Busters and Novartis Vaccines to host an on-site vaccination clinic. Flu shots will be given by health professionals from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the school, 1613 S. University.
The cost of each shot is $30. Medicaid and Medicare Part B will be accepted. The clinic is open to students, staff, parents and community members. Call 228-4664 for more information.
Nina Culver
Spokane County
SCLD branches closed Friday
All branches of the Spokane County Library District will be closed Friday for staff training.
District officials say regular hours will resume on Saturday.
From staff reports
Spokane Valley
Free blood-lead screenings today
Free blood-lead screening for children is being offered today at the Spokane Valley Community Center, 10814 E. Broadway Ave., from 8 to 11 a.m.
The screening event is part of a project by the Lands Council, Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs and city of Spokane to build awareness of the risk of childhood lead poisoning and to determine if lead pollution is getting picked up by children who might be exposed to lead hazards.
This week is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Lead in children can cause lower IQs, behavior problems, learning and developmental disabilities, brain damage, anemia and even death, according to a press release from the Lands Council.
Older homes in the Spokane area likely have lead paint coatings that pre-date a 1978 ban on lead in paint. Mining pollution in the Spokane River and industrial contamination are other possible sources where children might have contact with lead.
Mike Prager
Downtown
Ice Palace hours announced
Riverfront Park has announced its seasonal hours and is open for business.
The Ice Palace opened Wednesday and will be open through March 1, 2009. Visit www.spokaneriver frontpark.com for information on hours, lessons, day or season passes, and drop-in hockey.
For the Halloween season, Riverfront Park’s new feature is the Riverfront Fright Haunted Pavilion. It will be open through Nov. 1. Visit the Park’s Web site for details.
Movies at the IMAX change as new movies arrive and others continue to play. For show times and information, visit www.spokaneriverfront park.com/imax.php.
The Carrousel’s daily hours are noon to 5 p.m.
The Spokane Falls Skyride is open Fridays through Sundays during the winter from noon to 5 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Spokane Public Schools holidays.
Spokane
Autism Center receives donation
The Northwest Autism Center was recently presented with a $3,500 donation from Trading Company Stores.
Tom Sherry’s Seasonings are manufactured and distributed by the stores and all proceeds are donated to the Spokane-based charity. Sherry is the chief meteorologist for KREM 2 News.
Trading Company Stores, locally owned and operated by Paul Matejovsky and Gary Morgan, raised the money when they partnered with Double R Ranch Beef at a barbecue at the Sprague Trading Company Store, and at a Washington State University Cougar tailgate at the Latah Creek Trading Company Store. The money raised from the seasonings in the stores was also included in the donated amount.