05/11/08 Around the Valley

Search for missing fishermen goes on

HOME VALLEY, WASH. -- Boat teams expect to return to the water today in the search for three Yakama tribal fisherman missing since Tuesday night on the Columbia River.

Gailen Espirito, James Peter Jr. and Rommel Strom were last seen when they went out Tuesday from a landing near Carson, Wash., to check their salmon nets. Their capsized boat was found in the river Wednesday.

Four boats from the Yakama Nation, Clark County and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission are expected to take part in the search today, said inter-tribal
enforcement Sgt. Mitch Hicks.

Bingo lunch a benefit for historic house

YAKIMA -- The Woman's Century Club is hosting a bingo party Tuesday.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will help underwrite operating costs of the historic George Donald House. It costs the club nearly $50,000 a year to maintain the building, which turns 100 this year.

Built in 1908, the George Donald House is on the Yakima Register of Historic Places. It was designed by architect William Henry Harrison Weatherwax and built as a residence for pioneer businessman George Donald, who paid $25,000 for its construction.

The club, located at the two-story stone Craftsman-style house since 1930, has nearly 150 members.

The bingo party begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 3:30 p.m. at the George Donald House, 304 N. Second St. in
Yakima. The $20 cost includes lunch and 10 bingo cards.

Canyon to be closed for annual bike ride

YAKIMA -- Yakima County Crimestoppers hosts its annual Your Canyon for A Day Bike Tour next Sunday.

The ride is a fundraiser for the Crimestoppers program, which offers rewards for tips in felony crimes.

The 35-mile round trip runs along State Route 821, which will be closed to through traffic. Organizers say the gentle excursion is perfect for the whole family.

The event is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration costs $25 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 18.

Concessions, event T-shirts, a bicycle raffle and bicycle maintenance will be available.

More information is available by calling Robin Karp at 248-9980, e-mailing crime.stoppers@co.yakima.wa.us or checking the Internet at www.co.yakima.wa.us/biketour.

Moms to be can get help to quit smoking

New services for pregnant women have been added to the state's free Tobacco Quit Line, the state Department of Health announced.

The tools include special materials on how to quit for expecting moms and extra follow-up calls to help pregnant women increase their chances of quitting and remaining tobacco-free after the baby is born.

Coaches also have received additional training to better understand the challenges pregnant women face when trying to quit. In Washington, more than 8,700 babies are born each year to women who smoke during their pregnancy.

According to Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, babies with moms who smoke are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and to have health problems such as ear infections and pneumonia.

The telephone numbers are 800-QUIT-NOW and, in Spanish, 877-2NO-FUME. The quit line can supply free nicotine replacement medications when appropriate and approved by the woman's physician.