Donations needed for kids’ programs

Donations of cash and food are needed so local police officers and firefighters can sponsor needy children through their annual “Holidays and Heroes” programs.

Local emergency responders will volunteer their time to take children in Spokane County, Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Rathdrum shopping on Dec. 14. The children will be picked up in a patrol car and taken to either the Spokane Valley or Post Falls Wal-Mart to pick out Christmas presents for themselves and their families. The kids will also get a visit with Santa at the Greyhound Park and a large food basket to take home.

Participating organizations include the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, Rathdrum Police Department, Spirit Lake Police Department and the Idaho State Patrol.

Cash and food donations can be dropped off at any of the agencies listed above. For more information contact the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at (208) 769-2363.

Nina Culver

French honored for transit work

Spokane City Councilman Al French has been rewarded for his work on public transit.

French was honored as the “Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member” by the American Public Transportation Association on Oct. 7 in San Diego.

In Jan. 2003, only a few months after voters rejected increased sales taxes for the Spokane Transit Authority, French became chairman of the STA board.

In a statement printed by the association, STA CEO Susan Meyer said French’s leadership helped the agency regain trust. Voters approved a permanent sales tax for transit earlier this year.

Staff reports

West Hills

Auction benefits academy efforts

“Building Dreams, Building the Future,” Cornerstone Christian Academy’s second annual auction, will be held on Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. at Life Center, 1202 N. Government Way.

A silent auction will include sporting event tickets and vacations. A sit-down Italian dinner and live auction will follow the silent auction.

Tickets are $20 per person or $125 for tables of eight. Tickets can be purchased at the school.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit community outreach programs and the building fund for the school.

Call Kim Richards at 835-1235 or e-mail krichards@ cchristianacademy.com for more information.

Nevada / Lidgerwood

Trunk-or-Treat set for Friday

The third annual Trunk-or-Treat will be Friday, hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, at the Northtown branch, 544 E. Providence Ave., from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Kids of all ages can trick or treat from the trunks of cars, participate in a costume contest, a cupcake walk, and a haunted house, for only $1.

For more information call 489-0741.

Spokane

School officials will take questions live

Where does the money go? Where’s it come from? What are kids learning these days?

Whatever the question about Spokane Public Schools, constituents are invited to ask it tonight, during an hourlong public television broadcast.

“Educating Spokane,” which airs at 7 p.m. on KSPS channel 7, will feature district Superintendent Nancy Stowell and members of the school board.

Viewers should call 354-7711 during the broadcast.

Dan Hansen