National Drug Take Back Day

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, April 26th, 1:01 pm

On Saturday, April 27th, police departments across the region will be hosting drug collections as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration's fifth National Drug Take Back Day.

The DEA has collected over 1,000 tons of unused and expired prescription drugs over the last three years. The take back day was started to get the public more involved in the prevention of prescription drug abuse.

Unused prescription drugs in homes are considered a public health and safety concern by the DEA. According to the DEA this is because the drugs are “highly susceptible to accidental ingestion, diversion, misuse and abuse”.

A survey done by the DEA found that the majority of abuses get their prescription drugs through friends and family. Often times it's as simple as raiding the medicine cabinet. Americans currently abuse more prescription drugs than those using cocaine, hallucinogens and heroin combined.

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Hidden dangers left behind in cleaned up meth houses

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 7:26pm

It was once the scourge of our community: Meth, manufactured in backyard labs and basements across Spokane County. Law enforcement raided hundreds of labs a year in homes, hotels and apartments across the Inland Northwest. Now, many of those homes are inhabited by other people who may not know of the dangers left behind.

On 8th Avenue, just west of Spokane's Perry District, sits a boarded up white house, back about 20 yards from the street. Passing by, most people would miss it. But, you can't miss the boards on the window and the bright yellow "No Trespassing" sign on the front door. This house has been deemed uninhabitable by the Spokane Regional Health District. But, most former meth homes aren't this obvious.

From the state line to the airport and from Sprague in the Spokane Valley to the far north side, these labs were pervasive, especially around the year 2000.

"They were all over," said Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Craig Chamberlin. "We were processing between three and four labs a day."

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Leading interfaith relations speaker to visit EWU

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Thursday, April 25th, 11:44 am

Next week one of the country's leading speakers on interfaith relations will at Eastern Washington University. Chris Stedman will be reading from his new book “Faitheist” as well as hosting a workshop and lecture on interfaith relations.

The event is hosted by EWU's Compassionate Interfaith Society, a group on campus that is dedicated to religious tolerance. The group was created after student Skyler Oberst witnessed Muslim peers being harassed for their beliefs by other students.

Oberst approached a professor and a discussion panel was set up to address the religious intolerance. For Oberst the panel didn't solve the problem.

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You can take a stand against racism

Submitted by Robyn Nance, Good Morning Northwest Anchor

Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 7:32am

The YWCA of Spokane is calling on all of us to take a Stand Against Racism. One way you can do that is to attend the Y-W's event tomorrow. It's free with a light lunch (first-come-first-serve) and is designed to unite our community in a bold demonstration that delivers a clear message that racism can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

It is Friday, April 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the YWCA of Spokane, downtown Central Y at 930 N Monroe.

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Spokane streamlining mobile food business

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 6:26pm

Food trucks are all the rave in cities like Portland and Seattle while here in Spokane, interest is on the rise but the long permit process is turning some entrepreneurs away.

Right now the city is hosting an open house for current and potential food vendors to get feedback on how the process to become a vendor can be streamlined and made easier for people in the future.

In a parking space, right outside the courthouse every Tuesday, Couple of Chefs Catering cooks up a little bit of everything from burgers, sandwiches to fried Mac and Cheese.

"We decided Spokane needed another food truck," Joile Forral with Couple of Chefs said.

The interest in food trucks is growing, but getting the right permits and going through inspections takes both time and a lot of patience.

"A couple times we had the issue of asking a question and since it's such a new idea and concept people were like 'Oh, I'm not quite sure, let me ask someone else,'" Forral said.

Doug Bickford with D & D Dogs said it took him three months to get on the street grilling hot dogs.

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New program hopes to provide running shoes for local kids

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, April 23rd, 4:13 pm

Would you go for a run in flip-flops and jeans? The answer is more than likely no. Unfortunately, that is the reality for many area children participating in school running programs. A new local group is looking to fix that and needs your donations.

Michelle Neill noticed a need for running shoes while she was volunteering last fall with the cross country program at Lincoln Heights Elementary. Neill put out a request for gently used gear over Facebook. Shortly after shoes and shorts started showing up on her front door.

Soles4Youth was born and Neill, along with her friend Lesli Cleveland, wants to provide proper shoes and clothes for kids who love to run. They've partnered with Active4Youth who fund the fall and spring school running programs.

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Begging for your votes: Dancing w/Celebrities Saturday!

Submitted by Melissa Luck, Executive News Producer

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 3:45pm

Begging for your votes: Dancing w/Celebrities Saturday!

I've already begged once, but I'm not too proud to do it again. Saturday, I hit the stage at the Bing Crosby Theater for the annual CYT Dancing With Celebrities event. In my mind, I plan to cha cha my way to super stardom. In reality, I'm just really hopeful you'll take pity on me, buy a ticket and cast your vote!

Your money equals your vote. So, when you buy a ticket, you designate which dancer you're supporting. If you can't make it to the event Saturday night, you can still pledge your vote online with a donation to CYT. I promise if you vote for me, I'll try to make you proud!

Did I mention I'm going to Moonwalk?

Here's the link - and thanks!

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