Week in Review
Libraries are supposed to be quiet places, not silent. But all may soon be still in three of Spokane’s six libraries. Faced with draconian budget cuts, staff have recommended that the library board consider closing the Hillyard, Indian Trail and East Side branches. The board may also eliminate an outreach program that circulates about 4,500 books a month to seniors living in retirement centers. “I think, frankly, the citizens of Spokane are going to be up in arms over this, and I can understand why,” said one trustee. But there are few alternatives for making an expected $1.2 million cut from the $7.5 million library budget. Libraries aren’t alone in facing cutbacks due to slumping city tax collections – due partly to anti-tax initiatives approved by state voters in recent years – and rising costs for everything from employee health care to keeping inmates locked up. As many as 100 positions could be lost from the police and fire departments, for instance, and funding may be reduced for pools, senior centers and recreation programs.
MONDAY
• An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 non-residents have established limited liability corporations in Montana so they can buy RVs there, the Associated Press reports. Montana has no sales tax and requires only that outsiders make their purchases through business entities. But the owners can face penalties if they’re caught by authorities in their own states, where they avoid paying taxes on the rigs.
• Volunteers working with veterinarians trapped and sterilized 54 feral cats Sunday, for later re-release. The goal of the Humane Society project is to reduce the uncounted population of feral cats throughout Spokane County.
TUESDAY
• The Spokane City Council has endorsed a $117 million street repair measure. Voters will be asked Nov. 2 to approve the property tax measure, which calls for the sale of bonds to raise the money for 10 years worth of improvements.
• Three cars were wrecked and three people injured when a couple allegedly stole an idling 1980 Plymouth Volare, then led police on a chase. The man was later arrested but the woman was treated for injuries and released.
WEDNESDAY
• About 350 people were drawn to an auction of household items at the Lincoln County home where a state worker was murdered. Ralph H. Benson, who was convicted of the 2002 murder, died in prison last month while serving a 32-year term. Benson’s sons, who live in Arizona, are asking $500,000 for the home, a former Air Force missile silo that sits on 21 acres.
• The daughter of a man who died after being hit by a pickup wants the driver convicted. Kiel Adonis Ganoung, 79, allegedly had been drinking before he climbed behind the wheel. Ganoung, whose daughter has publicly apologized to the victim’s family, was charged with vehicular assault. But that was before the victim died.
THURSDAY
• More than a dozen suspected gang members and their associates from California were arrested by federal agents in Spokane for allegedly selling or possessing crack cocaine. Workers at a neighboring day-care center, who have watched drug deals outside the business, watched the arrests.
• A citizens’ effort to limit Greenacres development to no more than 3 1/2 houses per acre – instead of six – has suffered a setback. The Spokane Valley planning commission issued a tie vote on the matter, which amounts to a rejection. The City Council could reverse the decision, but proponents aren’t hopeful.
FRIDAY
• Due to a nationwide shortage, the Spokane Regional Health District has received only half the flu vaccine it requested. The Panhandle Health District also has an inadequate supply. Both districts are limiting shots to those at highest risk of dying from influenza.
• Businessman Duane Hagadone wants to build an addition across the street from the existing Coeur d’Alene Resort. And he wants the city to convert two blocks of busy Sherman Avenue to green space where Hagadone Corp. would maintain a botanical garden. Hagadone says he’ll take his new development to Spokane if it’s rejected by the Coeur d’Alene City Council.• Since 1980, the Rev. Alfred Carroll has helped Amerasian teens – those fathered by U.S. servicemen serving in Asia – come to Spokane for a chance at a better life. Carroll, a Jesuit priest at Gonzaga University, was honored at a reunion of some of the people he’s helped.
•.Area pet shelters are seeing record numbers of dogs and cats this year. Spokane County Regional Animal Care and Protection expects to see 7,000 animals this year.
COMING UP
Who’s on the Lord’s side in the upcoming election? And whose side would the Lord take? Read Tuesday about a Whitworth College debate on the topic.