BRIEFS

HIV/AIDS PROGRAM FOR PARENTS

WAITSBURG - Parents with children in grades 5-12 are invited to attend the Waitsburg School District HIV/AIDS Parent Preview Night on Thursday, Jan. 6, from 7-8 p.m. in the school library located in the Waitsburg Elementary Building at 184 Academy Street.

Following a preview of the materials, parents who wish to have their child excluded from participation in the HIV/ AIDS Prevention Program may sign a release form. State law requires that parents or guardians attend such a meeting before they can have their child or legal ward excluded from participation in the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program.

For more information, contact Dr. Carol Clarke, Superintendent/ Elementary Principal at 337-6301 or Stephanie Wooderchak, Secondary Principal at 337-6351.

COUNTY HAS CLEAN AUDIT

OLYMPIA - Walla Walla County passed its annual audit with no complications, according to a report released from the State Auditor's Office Monday.

The report contained the results of an independent accountability audit of the county from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2009.

The state evaluated internal controls and performed audit procedures on the activities of the county. They also determined whether the county complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures.

In the areas examined, the county's internal controls were adequate to safeguard public assets, the report stated. The county also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas examined.

No findings have been issued in the past two years. Over the last three audits, the state has noted efforts by county management to improve controls in areas where recommendations have been made, according to the report.

MONEY GOES TO LOCAL GROUPS

BELLEVUE, Wash. - The Puget Sound Energy Foundation announced last week that it will distribute more than $640,000 to 161 local charitable organizations throughout Washington state in 2010, directing $202,500 in December alone to 84 organizations as part of the foundation's second round of grants.

The 2010 second-round Puget Sound Energy Foundation grant recipients include the Dayton Development Task Force and the Touchet Valley Arts Council in Columbia County.

The December round of funding, the ninth since the foundation's inception in 2006, supports community programs in environmental stewardship, education, the arts and culture, with a particular emphasis on human services. Half of the grants in this round were allocated to organizations that respond to the needs of vulnerable populations.

Ranging in size from $1,000 to $25,000, the grants are awarded based on a two-tiered competitive review process to qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in Puget Sound Energy's 16-county service and broader operations area.

NEW AGENCY OPENS IN 2011

WALLA WALLA - On Dec. 30, the Walla Walla County Community Development Department will be closing its doors for the last time. The department is joining with the City of Walla Walla Development Services Department to establish a new agency.

This new agency, the Walla Walla Joint Community Development Agency, will be located at 55 Moore Street (City Service Center off 2nd Ave). The mailing address is: P.O. Box 3390, Walla Walla, WA 99362. The JCDA will be open for business January 10, 2011. For more information, call 509-524-2610.

DINE FOR CHARITY

WALLA WALLA - The Evening of Elegance event to benefit Walla Walla Community Hospice will take place Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. in the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, downtown Walla Walla.

The event includes wine and hors d'oeuvres, elegant dining, and a live and silent auction. The full auction catalog will be available for preview on the hospice website (www. wwhospice.org) beginning Feb. 9.

Cost of the evening is $90 per person. Contact Walla Walla Community Hospice at 525-5561 or e-mail to laurie@ wwhospice.org for more information or to make reservations. Reservations must be confirmed with payment by Feb. 8.