Homes for all three Christmas-wish dogs

The story: A few months ago, SafeHaven Humane Society told the Democrat-Herald its Christmas wish was to find homes for three longtime canine residents.

The latest: All three of the dogs have permanent homes. Rudy, a chocolate Lab/Kelpie mix, is in Southern Illinois with Desiree Hummel, a former Lebanon resident from whom he’d become separated 15 months earlier. Tiger, a Basenji/pit bull cross, has been adopted by a woman who wishes to remain anonymous but says Tiger is doing well. And Major, a golden retriever mix, is living with Albany resident Carla Paul in the Waverly Park area.

Steve Lundeberg

Lebanon schools lawsuit

The story: Rick Alexander of the Lebanon School Board filed a suit in Linn Circuit Court in late November asking for a declaratory judgment that the school board can vote not to renew Superintendent Jim Robinson’s contract without first giving him an “adverse performance evaluation.”

The latest: Alexander dismissed his action this week, saying the question became moot when board members voted 3-2 on March 3 not to renew Robinson’s contract. “Under these circumstances, I didn’t think it was necessary to devote further time or financial resources obtaining a court ruling that has been overtaken by events,” Alexander said in a written statement. Legal fees to the district on the issue totaled $3,112 as of the end of January, said Kathy Schurr, executive assistant to the superintendent. February’s bill has not yet been received.

Jennifer Moody

Crowfoot School

The story: Lebanon School Board members voted in January to demolish the former Crowfoot School, which was closed in 2002 as part of an overall district consolidation plan. District officials had estimated it would have taken about $2 million to solve problems with pipes, wiring and asbestos at the site to make it fit for occupancy again.

The latest: The district is still working on asbestos abatement. That is slated to continue probably through the end of the month, with demolition likely in April.

Jennifer Moody