Reservists called to active duty
About 50 Army reservists from the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas have been called to active duty for possible deployment overseas.
Members with the 321st Engineer Battalion will join 350 soldiers from units in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Utah.
The unit will leave this weekend for training in California, then head to Wisconsin for more training while awaiting orders for deployment, said Maj. Hillary Luton, public affairs officer with the Reserve’s 70th Regional Readiness Command based in Seattle.
“We don’t know exactly where they will end up,” Luton said. “More than likely the deployment portion will be at least 12 months.”
The 321st is based in Boise and is responsible for minefield clearance and demolitions, among other duties. The battalion has companies in Boise and Hayden Lake, as well as a road-building company in Spokane that returned from Iraq in December.
Coeur d’Alene
Earth Day fair set at center
An Earth Day fair is planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Harding Family Center, 411 N. 15th St. in Coeur d’Alene.
The free fair includes kids’ activities, informational exhibits, live music, food and a live wolf, courtesy of Mission:Wolf and the Wolf Education and Research Center. The event will also showcase the environmental protection work of 35 local, regional and national groups, including the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, North Idaho Flycasters, Northwest EcoBuilding Guild and Project Coeur d’Alene.
The fair is organized by Earth Day Coeur d’Alene.
Cheney
Suspected mumps cases tested
The Spokane Regional Health District is investigating four possible cases of mumps in the Cheney area, a health district spokeswoman said Thursday.
“Unfortunately, we won’t know until tests come back whether it is confirmed or not,” said Julie Graham, public information officer for the health district.
A sample from one of the patients has been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will test for mumps.
Three other possible cases were reported by a health care provider, but those patients have not yet been identified by the health district.
The nation is suffering its worst mumps outbreak in 20 years. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in at least eight states. Most of those cases are in Iowa.
Out of three suspected cases of mumps in Idaho, tests have ruled out two, including one in North Idaho, said Susan Cuff, public information officer for the Panhandle Health District. Tests are pending on the other case.
Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache and swollen glands under the jaw. The disease, which can be spread by coughing and sneezing, is rarely serious but can lead to meningitis, infertility and hearing loss.
A vaccine is available at the health district offices or doctors’ offices.
Compiled from staff reports