In brief: Board seeks extension to make YMCA offer
Spokane Park Board members Thursday were told that city parks officials will seek a 30-day extension to match an offer to purchase the YMCA building at Riverfront Park.
The Parks Department holds a 30-day right of first refusal to purchase the property. The 30-day period was initiated June 29 when developer Mark Pinch offered to buy the building and its 227 feet of frontage along the upper Spokane Falls to construct a 150-foot condominium tower. The offer was $5.3 million.
Park Board members on Thursday were told the department needs an additional 30 days to study a variety of contingencies contained in the purchase offer. Parks officials would have to figure out a way to raise money to make a purchase. The YMCA is seeking to co-locate with the YWCA at 930 N. Monroe St.
– Mike Prager
Police search for scam suspect
Spokane police said a woman in a grocery store parking lot in northeast Spokane attempted to scam money from a shopper Thursday morning.
The woman displayed a large amount of apparently fake money to a shopper. She said she needed to give the money away before 7 p.m. to collect an inheritance.
According to police, in similar scams, the suspects tell their victims that they must withdraw a large amount of their own money to “prove that they do not need the money.”
When the money is withdrawn, the suspects switch the fake cash with real. Police said the scam has been completed several times in Spokane and nearby areas.
Police are looking for a black female, about 50, medium build, with black curly hair.
Citizens with knowledge of this scam are asked to call police at (509) 532-9266 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
– Benjamin Shors
Coeur d’Alene
Firm to pay fine for water violation
A North Idaho construction firm, CAV OK LLC, has agreed to pay a $9,500 penalty for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
The company failed to apply for the proper storm water discharge permits, adopt a proper pollution prevention plan and monitor runoff from construction sites in Coeur d’Alene, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Storm water runoff has a significant impact on water quality, said Kim Ogle, manager of EPA’s pollution discharge compliance unit.
“We take protecting Idaho’s water quality very seriously,” she said. “Developers and construction companies need to obtain and comply with federal storm water discharge permits or face penalties.”
CAV OK LLC is based in Coeur d’Alene. State records indicate the company was formerly known as Willis-Miller LLC.
– Staff reports