In brief: Pair sentenced in drug robberies

Two men who robbed the same pharmacy of OxyContin were sentenced to prison this week in Spokane County Superior Court.

Judge Annette Plese sentenced Adam J. Dally, 25, to 40 months in prison and 18 to 36 months probation Friday in a plea deal for first-degree robbery and second-degree burglary. Dally robbed the Liberty Lake Walgreens at gunpoint Dec. 5 and the Walgreens at 2830 S. Grand Blvd. at gunpoint on Nov. 26.

Earlier this week, a 23-year-old man was sentenced to 14 months in prison for robbing the Grand Boulevard Walgreens on Jan. 21. Richard T. Ludvik was also given probation and ordered to undergo drug treatment.

Public defender Edward Carroll said Ludvik has a lot of support from family members, many who attended his sentencing: “He does have something to go back to.”

Meghann M. Cuniff

Bike races for kids stress safety, health

Group Health is sponsoring a series of kids’ bike races over the next three Sundays to promote bicycle safety and healthy activities.

Each event will include warm-up exercises, bike-safety checks, crafts and games. Races by age categories will take place from noon to 2:30. The event is for children 13 and younger.

The first event will be held Sunday at Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road in Liberty Lake. On Sept. 20 it will be held at Shadle Park, 4302 N. Belt St., and on Sept. 27 at Grant Park, 1015 S. Arthur St.

Staff reports

Stimulus funds help with tree-thinning

Landowners with crowded and diseased trees in Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties could get help with thinning projects through federal stimulus funds.

The Washington Department of Natural Resources has received $1.2 million for such work. The projects on private land will help reduce wildfire threats, DNR officials said. Stevens County also received $346,000 for thinning projects on state lands.

Staff reports