NEWS BRIEFS

Enrollment is open for Washington’s GET Program 

Olympia—The state’s GET program is now open for a new enrollment period, providing Washington families an opportunity to start saving for future college costs while their children are young. The 2018-2019 enrollment period runs through May 31, 2019. 

Since it’s opening in 1998, The Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program has distributed over $1 billion to more than 50,000 students who have used their GET accounts to attend college in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. 

As a 529 prepaid tuition program, state of Washington guarantees that a family’s GET savings will keep pace with in-state tuition and state-mandated fees. While GET account values keep pace with in-state tuition, beneficiaries have the freedom to follow their ambitions wherever they choose, as GET can be used at nearly any public or private university, community college or technical school in the country. 

The GET program is one of two college savings options offered in Washington. Washington College Savings Plans (WA529) launched the DreamAhead College Investment Plan this summer to create additional flexibility for families as they plan for the costs of college. 

GET’s website, get.wa.gov, offers details, charts, planning tools and answers for questions that families may have about the program. Accounts can be opened online, and the GET Contact Center staff is ready to help at (800) 955-2318 or [email protected].

Flu activity continues to rise in Spokane County

Flu activity continues to increase in Spokane County, claiming the life of a Spokane County adult last week — Eastern Washington’s first flu-related death this season. The unvaccinated woman was in her 70s and also had underlying health conditions.

According to a Nov. 2 news release, one other flu-related death occurred in Washington state this season, in Pierce County, as reported by Washington State Department of Health. Fourteen Spokane County residents have been hospitalized with flu this season, compared to 10 admissions during the same period last year. Flu season in Spokane County typically peaks in February.

People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and extreme fatigue (very tired).

Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the most common flu viruses. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age and older get immunized against flu. The vaccine promotes antibody protection within two weeks. 

Flu shots are available at numerous locations throughout Spokane County, including healthcare provider offices, local pharmacies and grocery stores. For more information about influenza and influenza vaccine visit cc.gov/flu or srhd.org.

Spokane Regional Health District’s website also offers comprehensive, updated information about Spokane Regional Health District and its efforts in making Spokane a safer and healthier community.

Regional Solid Waste System’s ‘Winter Schedule’ underway

The Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System will soon switch to its winter schedule at the Spokane Valley and North County Transfer Stations. Beginning last Thursday, the two transfer stations will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., seven days a week until March 31, 2019. The schedule change will not affect the city of Spokane’s Waste to Energy Facility at South Geiger Boulevard.

The North County Transfer and Recycling Station is located at 22123 N. Elk-Chattaroy Road, intersection of Elk-Chattaroy Road and Highway 2. The Spokane Valley Transfer and Recycling Station is at 3941 N. Sullivan Road, south of Trent across from the Spokane Industrial Park.

Both transfer stations and recycling centers are open seven days a week, with hazardous household waste accepted on Saturday and Sunday only.

The Waste to Energy Facility Recycling Center and Disposal Site is located at 2900 S. Geiger Boulevard, west of Spokane across from the Washington State Patrol. Its hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week for all disposal.