Local mom publishes book to help kids with hearing loss

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, May 24th, 3:44 pm

When Emily Mikoski's son was diagnosed with hearing loss, she set out to find a children's book that would help explain what he would be able to hear with hearing aids. After coming up short, she decided to write her own book and at the end of March she self published “Max and His Hearing Aids”.

Emily's son, Max, now four, was diagnosed with hearing loss as a newborn and has been wearing hearing aids since he was around five months old. Having never known a child with hearing aids, Emily says there was some initial uncertainty about what it would be like.

“For me it was very foreign,” says Emily, “It was very scary.”

The first hearing aids came with information pamphlets and booklets as well as book featuring an elephant who wore hearing aids. Emily says the elephant book was not only unrelated, but highly technical and difficult for a small child to understand.

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WSP holding entry-level trooper tests

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, May 24th, 11:49 am

If you're interested in a career in law enforcement, the Washington State Patrol is looking to fill some entry-level trooper positions.

WSP is hosting an entry-level test for trooper positions statewide on Saturday, June 1st, at 7:30am. Applicants will undergo a physical fitness test first and if they successfully complete that portion they will be scheduled to take the written exam later in the day.

The test will be held at the Spokane County Fire District 10 fire station at 929 S. Garfield Rd. in Airway Heights. You can find more information on hiring criteria at the WSP website http://www.wsp.wa.gov .

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Medical Lake native loses daughter in Moore tornado

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 6:00pm

Medical Lake resident Dan Strickland is in Moore, Okla. helping his sister pick up the pieces after losing her daughter, who was killed when the tornado hit Plaza Towers Elementary earlier this week.

When he arrived in Moore to help his sister, Kristi Strickland-Conatzer, and her family recover from the tornado, nothing could've prepared him for the devastation.

"It's one of the saddest things I've ever seen," he said.

He has yet to visit Plaza Towers Elementary School where his niece, Emily Conatzer, died Monday.

"It's overwhelming; I don't even know how to explain it," he said.

Strickland said Emily died along side her two best friends. The third graders were found together, holding on to each other as they had been when the tornado ripped the school apart around them.

"She was a beautiful little soul and like I said we come from a close knight family, my sister's kid, I don't have any kids, like my own kids," he said.

Emily's sister Luci was in another part of the school when the tornado hit and survived.

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Fallen airmen return home to Fairchild

Submitted by KXLY Web Staff

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 5:57pm

The Airway Heights community gathered along Highway 2 Thursday afternoon ? American flags in hand ? to welcome home two fallen airmen.

The bodies of Captain Victoria Pinckney and Tech Sergeant Herman "Tre" Mackey were returned to the base Thursday. The third airmen killed on May 3 in a KC-135 crash in Kyrgyzstan, Captain Mark Voss, went home to Texas.

At 11 a.m. the first American flag was raised along Highway 2 atop an Airway Heights Fire Department ladder truck. Soon after, more Stars and Stripes dotted the road. People were there even if they had to work, some just because and others because they know what it's like to lose someone you love.

"I've lost friends and, I don't know, that are very close to my heart," Amber Pope said.

Pope's husband is in the Navy Reserves. She wanted to be there for the airmen because, she says, they gave her that right.

"Everything they've lost, friends we'll never see again, they gave it all for us," Pope said.

She was joined by other military wives, family members, community members, police, firefighters and Airway Heights city employees.

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Safety tips for a safe drive on Memorial Day

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Thursday, May 23rd, 4:44 pm

Many families take to the open road over Memorial Day to take advantage of the long weekend and to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Idaho State Police wants to remind all drivers to remain safe.

Last year there were 129 crashes in Idaho with 81 injuries and two fatalities. Idaho State Police has provided these safety reminders which are great for both Idaho and Washington drivers:

Wear Your Seatbelts: Police in both Idaho and Washington will be strictly enforcing seat belt laws and drivers with children are reminded to make sure all children are in age appropriate safety seats and that children under 12 are in the back seat.

Designate a Driver: Nearly 30 people a day die in an alcohol related crash. Make sure to designate a driver before anyone in your party drinks.

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Wolverine Pride raises money and spirits

Submitted by Robyn Nance, Good Morning Northwest Anchor

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 11:02am

Wolverine Pride raises money and spirits

Westwood Middle School’s leadership class, Wolverine Pride, recently raised more than $1,200 dollars for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Wolverine Pride raised about one-third of the donations through a change drive at Westwood and raised the rest through various fundraising efforts, including going house to house and garnering donations from local businesses. Students took part in the Relay for Life of the West Plains on Friday, May 17. They didn't just walk, they participated in all kinds of events throughout the night such as Jazzercise, karaoke, and various field competitions. In addition, the students relayed around the track for 12 hours straight.

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Clouds Today, Rain Friday

Submitted by Mark Peterson, Anchor on Good Morning Northwest

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 8:47am

This pesky low will be on the move till Saturday and out of our area, that means a drier weekend for your Memorial Day plans. Highs in the low 60's through Friday with rain showers expected. Mid 60's Saturday and drier with better conditions Sunday and Monday.

Another round of rain moves in Tuesday and Wednesday.

A reminder from your Coast Guard and Sheriff's Marine Division, the water is dangerously cold and make sure your boat has all safety gear including whistles on all life jackets.

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