(In a sappy newscaster's voice.) "It's a b-e-a-utiful day here at College Place, with clear skies and highs in the lower to mid 70's -- a fitting finale to what was Walla Walla College's first break for the season. Students are arriving by the score, and are rushing about to get situated for the ensuing quarter. The first stop is the Financial Service Office where students are served their billing plans along with bottled water to help wash it down. A seven hundred dollar down payment, and they're ready to go. Now it's off to the bookstore to spend a few more centum dinero. Other students head downtown to do some shopping. Joining me now is a freshman from Jackson CA as he stands in line at the local Walmart.

"So tell me, what is it that brings you here to Walmart? Haven't you had enough expenses for one day?"

"Yeah, well, I needed some supplies and groceries for this next quarter. That there in the basket is a new battery for my cordless phone...that'll be another $20.00."

And so the madness goes. Hundreds of dollars, sacrificed on the altar of college education. And that's the way the dollars dwindle as we find ourselves on the eve of another 16 credits. I'm Penny Les, eyewitness news."   ¶ 4:01 PM