Man faces rape charge in drugging

YAKIMA -- A 22-year-old Yakima man was charged with rape after prosecutors said a woman was drugged at a Yakima tavern Sunday.

Timothy Laplant was arraigned on one count of second-degree rape Wednesday. According to a police affidavit, the 20-year-old woman said she met Laplant at a South First Street tavern.

The woman said she stepped outside to have a smoke, then returned to finish her drink and became dizzy and nauseated. Police said Laplant's roommates said they saw him practically carrying the woman into his room.

Laplant is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Retirement home seeks pet donations

YAKIMA -- Orchard Park retirement community will accept donated items for homeless cats, dogs and other shelter animals throughout April.

Suggested items include leashes, collars, blankets, towels, bedding, toys, food, treats, litter and scoopers. Donations may be delivered between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. seven days a week. Orchard Park is at 620 N. 34th Ave.

The Humane Society will also hold a special event April 22 at Orchard Park to highlight "Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month." The event begins at 2 p.m. Experts will discuss pet care, grooming, adoptions, volunteering and what can be done to stop animal abuse.

Book programs get a boost

YAKIMA -- Eight local programs that serve low-income children got a book boost recently, thanks to a literacy program and a book store.

Yakima County First Book and Borders Books and Music joined forces to give book cards to eight local programs. Each program received cards worth $500.

Recipients are Northwest Communities Education Center, Granger; Yakama Nation Family Court, Toppenish; 21st Century Learning Center, Harrah; Kinship Navigator Program, Yakima County; Kids Inc., Yakima; Sage House, Yakima; 21st Century Learning Center, Barge-Lincoln Elementary School, Yakima; and Naches Community Coalition, Naches.

The program is a collaborative effort between First Book and Borders at the national level. The idea is to return to the community a portion of the money local customers spend on books in the form of in-store book grants to eligible programs.

Borders donated $4,000 from its sales during 2007 to the Yakima County First Book Board.

Gay rights group to host conference

The Washington state chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is hosting its Region 7 conference in Yakima on Saturday.

The group is asking for RSVPs by the end of today.

GLSEN, based in Seattle, is a national organization that aims to create a safe school environment for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The conference takes place at 223 North First St. It's open to all students, advisers, parents, counselors, friends and allies of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network. The Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth leadership organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances, or GSAs, to one another and to community resources.

The event costs $5 and includes snacks, lunch and materials. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Presenters will include representatives from Planned Parenthood of Central Washington, the American Lung Association of Central Washington, the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and GLSEN/GSA. There will also be time for training and networking.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Ken Lewis at 576-0276, ext. 2, or lewislwa@msn.com.