News Briefs

Cheney Outreach Center launches school supply drive

While the start of school is still over a month away, parents and children are already in search of new school supplies.

Cheney’s Outreach Center is asking for donations of new and unused school supplies to help Cheney children be better prepared to learn once school begins. Whether you donate a backpack filled with needed items or give just on thing, everything helps.

Items needed can be found on specific school lists on the Cheney School District website at http://www.cheneysd.org. These include backpacks, calculators, composition books, colored pencils, scissors, red pens, college-ruled notebooks, protractors and compasses, three-ring binders, bottles of glue, pencil pouches and USB flash drives.

Also needed are two-packet folders with fasteners, wide-ruled notebook paper, fine-tip markers and washable colored markers in both broad and fine tip.

Please drop off supplies or monetary donations at Cheney Outreach, 616 Third St., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Make checks payable to Cheney Outreach Center and mail to P.O. Box 444, Cheney WA 99004.

If you need school supplies, sign up with Cheney Outreach as soon as possible. Last day to do so is July 31. Parents may ask for supplies during the school year, but will be limited to items on hand.

More information is available at (509) 235-8900.

Fire danger and fire precaution level increases in northeast Washington

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced July 10 the following changes in fire danger rating and industrial fire precaution levels (IFPL) on DNR-protected lands. 

Effective Wednesday, July 11, fire danger increased from low to moderate in Pend Oreille and Ferry counties and Stevens County outside fire districts 1 and 2. Fire danger will increase from moderate to high in Lincoln and Spokane counties and Stevens County inside fire districts 1 and 2. Fire danger remains high in Okanogan County. 

Effective Wednesday, July 11, IFPL (Industrial Fire Precaution Levels) increased to a Level 2 in zone 684. IFPL will remain a Level 1 in zones 678W, 678E, 685, 686 and 687 and 688. 

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels apply to all industrial operations that might cause a fire on or adjacent to lands protected from fire by DNR. This includes logging, road construction and other industrial operations.  

The levels are established for each of the 38 state “shutdown zones” on the basis of National Fire Danger Rating System data. There are four IFPL levels: Level 1(closed season) — fire equipment and a fire watch are required; Level 2 (partial hoot owl) — limits certain activities to between 8 p.m. – 1 p.m., fire equipment and a fire watch are required; Level 3 (partial shutdown) — prohibits some activities and limits others to between 8 p.m. – 1 p.m., fire equipment and a fire watch are required and Level 4 (general shutdown) — prohibits all activities.

Daily updates on burn restrictions and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/burn-restrictions and IFPL map at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/IFPL. 

Adult abuse continues to spike throughout Washington state

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) continues to see a sharp increase in adult abuse reports across the state. Adult Abuse Prevention Month in July is intended to raise awareness and remind everyone to remain vigilant when it comes to the health and welfare of some of Washington’s most vulnerable citizens.

According to a July 9 news release, financial exploitation is the most common type of adult abuse and the form that has seen the sharpest rise in recent years. In 2017, DSHS’ Adult Protective Services conducted 10,713 investigations related to financial exploitation, nearly double the number of investigations conducted in 2012. It now accounts for more than 25 percent of all investigations. 

Signs of financial exploitation include adding additional names on bank signature cards, unauthorized withdrawal of funds using an ATM card, abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents, bills unpaid despite having sufficient funds and forging a signature on financial transactions or for the titles of possessions.

In addition, as our state’s population of people who are older continues to increase, the potential for adult abuse increases. Anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult is encouraged to make a report at http://www.dshs.wa.gov/altas/reportadultabuse or call (866)-363-4276. You can make a report 24 hours a day, seven days a week and APS will contact you the next business day. All reports are confidential.