Fire District 8 is hosting an open house this weekend for Fire Service Day. The event features fun family activities as well demonstrations and station tours. 

Smokey the Bear will be there to say hi to the kids and the station will be doing two auto extraction demonstrations as well as fire extinguisher demonstrations. Firefighters and EMTs will be teaching CPR classes throughout the day. David's Pizza will be serving lunch from 11am-1pm. 

The open house will be held at Station 81, located at 6117 S. Palouse Highway, just east of the intersection of 57th and the Palouse Highway. Station 81 serves Moran Prairie, Glenrose, Valley View Hills, Hangman Hills, the Ridge at Hangman and Browns Mountain. 

Fire District 8 Open House, Saturday, May 11th, 10:00am-2:00pm.

There is a big push underway to provide all-day kindergarten at every Spokane public school, a plan which deviates from the normal half day program for kindergarteners.

While the district cites educational and social benefits from full-days some parents are still skeptical at the concept, which is not new. In fact, of the Spokane school district's 34 elementary schools 15 are already operating with all-day kindergarten, and they're eying seven more to be added to that list by fall.

"Research shows that a full-day kindergarten program provides students a great start to their elementary school experience," Linda McDermott, ex-Dir of Finance for Spokane Public Schools, said.

Spokane Public Schools argues all-day kindergarten better prepares five and six-year-olds for first grade and beyond. They have plenty of parents on their side.

"I think it's important for our kids to have education, the more education they get the better off they are in the long run," Jennifer Ferguson.

Every year the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane serves over 700 families from around the region. With the Adopt-A-Room program local businesses can help make their stay a little more comfortable.

The Ronald McDonald House provides an escape for families while their children receive medical care at local hospitals. The only requirement to stay is that you have to have traveled more than 40 miles from home. Residence is free of charge. Adopt-A-Room helps make the stay free for families, and helps make those room feel a little more like home.

Ferrante's Marketplace Cafe has sponsored Room 16 since 2011. To help fund the room adoption all the profits at the cafe from today and tomorrow will go to the Ronald McDonald House. Tony Ferrante owns the cafe along with his wife Bobbie, and says it feels great to know that they are helping families and children.