Tough flu

season

has arrived

Grant County Health District officials said this week that the flu season has arrived early this year and it may be the worst in years.

District officials urged residents 6 months old and older to get flu shots as soon as possible.

Currently, officials stated, there is no shortage of flu vaccines, and it is readily available in clinics and pharmacies.

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If sick with flu-like symptoms, the heath district urges you to stay home for at least 24 hours. The health district gives shots Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. at its Moses Lake office for $25.

Night of 1,000 stars —

on the road

Friday night there will be 1,000 stars (badges) on Washington state roads and highways if an effort to honor law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice is successful, a press release from the Washington State Patrol said last week.

“We take time to remember their service by honoring them, with 1000 stars (badges) out protecting our families and friends,” organizers said.

These stars will be looking for impaired and aggressive drivers who are a danger to all those who use the highways and roads throughout Washington.

The event is organized locally by the Target Zero Traffic Safety Task Force, and supported by numerous law enforcement agencies.

U.S. attorney:

Pot is

illegal

Not fazed by the recent passage in Washington and Colorado of state laws legalizing marijuana, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Michael C. Ormsby issued a statement last week underscoring federal law to the contrary.

“The (Justice) Department’s responsibility to enforce the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged. Neither States nor the Executive branch can nullify a statute passed by Congress,” the statement reads. “In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance. Regardless of any changes in state law, … growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Members of the public are also advised to remember that it remains against federal law to bring any amount of marijuana onto federal property, including all federal buildings, national parks and forests, military installations, and courthouses.”

Early

deadline for

holiday Star

The Star will be coming out early due to Christmas Day landing on Tuesday.

The issue of December 26 will be out on Friday, Dec. 21.

All news and advertising should be turned into the Star by noon on Thursday, Dec. 20.

For more information call the Star office at 633.1350.