🌱 National Guard Participate In Disaster Training + Long COVID Study

Happy Saturday, neighbors! Here's what's going on in town today.

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 49 Low: 29.

Here are the top three stories today in Spokane:

1. More than 500 Washington National Guard members will participate in a Homeland Response Force disaster-response training at the Spokane Readiness Center today. The exercise is a catastrophic event training that focuses on activities following a disaster, including search and rescue, decontamination, and medical assistance. “These exercises are necessary because when lives are at risk, we want to be ready to deploy these troops and provide assistance as quickly as possible," said Major and Adjutant General Bret Daugherty in a statement. (KREM.com)
2. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center is one of several Pacific Northwest hospitals offering 1,000 long COVID patients in the region the opportunity to participate in a science and research program seeking to find treatments and answers. The Institute for Systems Biology, a Seattle-based organization, received a federal contract to conduct the regional study. The organization is partnering with Providence hospitals throughout Washington and California to follow, test, and possibly treat long COVID patients. (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin)
3. Spokane police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who fled the scene of a crash near Lidgerwood and Empire Thursday afternoon. An officer attempted to pull the car over after the driver blew through two stop signs and then crashed into a car. The suspect hit a pole before fleeing the scene on foot. (KHQ Right Now)

Today in Spokane:

• Spokane Orchid Society Show At Community Colleges of Spokane (8:00 AM)
• Get Current with Basic Electronics At North Spokane Library (10:00 AM)
• Science from Home At North Spokane Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Come on out to the 10th Annual Spokane Bike Swap today from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Buy a new bike or sell an old one. (KREM.com)
• Pets of all sizes and makeups are waiting to meet you at a local Spokane shelter. View newborn puppies, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and snakes as you scroll through the latest roundup of animals up for adoption or foster care. (Spokane Patch)
• The 6th Annual Spokane Speed and Custom Car Show kicked off Friday, Apr. 8, and will continue through Sunday, Apr. 10 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. Check out nearly 300 custom cars, trucks, BMX bikes, and more. (KXLY Spokane)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Carla Varner