Get snowplow news by phone, Internet

Residents who want an update on when plows will be visiting their street can call Spokane Valley’s new snowplow information line at 688-0311.

Snowplowing information is also available on the city’s Web site at www.spokanevalley.org under the “What’s New” section. Residents who want to receive updates by e-mail can visit the Web site and click on the link for “subscribe to Hot Topic community e-newsletter.”

HILLYARD

Santa brightened Christmas for 558 kids

Thanks to Clyde Decker, the Hillyard Santa, Christmas was made merrier for a lot of area children this year – 558 of them, to be exact.

“Not bad for a one-man operation,” Decker said.

A total of 218 families were helped through the Kids Christmas in Hillyard program. Adults got a sweet surprise when they came to the Bank of America lobby to choose gifts for their kids.

“I ordered 10 pounds of chocolates from Halletts,” Decker said. By the time the toy giveaway concluded on Dec. 23, he only had two chocolates left.

Decker said the community responded by donating more than $500 to the program.

“I’m pretty tired,” he said with a laugh. “But I’m pleased with how it went.”

The savvy Santa is already stockpiling toys for next year’s giveaway.