Inmate, 18, found dead
An 18-year-old inmate was found dead Tuesday morning at Geiger Corrections Center.
The inmate’s name was being withheld pending notification of family, said Geiger Director Leon Long. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
Officials said the death did not appear to be a suicide, and there were no signs of foul play. The inmate was discovered about 2:40 a.m.
The inmate was booked on attempted burglary charges on Oct. 3, Long said. The inmate was in a work-release program.
Shoreline plan input sought
The city of Spokane will host a community open house Thursday to take citizen comment on an update of its thirty-year-old shoreline master plan.
The event at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt St., runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The shoreline master plan contains policies and regulations for shorelines of the Spokane River and Latah Creek inside the city. It includes building set-back standards, public access, new housing, recreation, economic development and shoreline restoration.
The state is requiring the update, which must be completed by June. The city adopted its shoreline plan in 1976 and updated it in 1982. Part of the current effort includes inventories of shoreline uses and locations where restoration is needed.
For more information, go to the city planning department Web site at spokaneplanning.org/ shoreline_update.htm.
Ex-Israeli soldiers to speak
Two former Israeli soldiers will talk about their experiences as part of the occupying forces in Hebron at a special exhibition Thursday evening in Spokane.
Dotan Greenvald and Yehuda Shaul are part of an organization called Breaking the Silence, which is touring the United States to talk about how Israeli military service has “distorted and harmed the moral values” on which those soldiers were raised. They will be joined by Judith Kolokoff, 77, of Seattle, who helped organize Jewish Voice for Peace.
The session starts at 7 p.m. at St. Ann’s Parish Hall, 2120 E. First Ave.
Downtown delays likely
Drivers may want to avoid Spokane Falls Boulevard near Division Street today.
Traffic will be reduced to one westbound lane on the west side of the intersection, and one westbound and one eastbound lane on the east side of the intersections.
Detours will be in place, but expect delays.
Diocese makes legal filing
Federal bankruptcy laws required the Catholic Diocese of Spokane to file legal actions against its parishes and schools this week, according to a lawyers involved in the case.
As the two-year anniversary of the diocese Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing looms next month, lawyers for Bishop William Skylstad acted to ward off statute-of-limitations issues by filing what are called adversary proceedings against churches and schools.
Attorney Shaun Cross called the development a “non-event” and said bankruptcy laws required the diocese to preserve all legal remedies and potential cash resources.
The court papers emphasize that the diocese made the filing “solely for the purpose of preserving whatever rights it may have.”
Such filings are rare because most bankruptcies are resolved quickly and don’t run the risk of missing the legal deadlines.
The timing is unfortunate, Cross acknowledged, as ongoing mediation between the diocese, parishes, and sex abuse victims continues.
Lawyers and others involved in the talks remain tight-lipped about progress. Next week the sides are expected to give an update on the mediation that is being overseen by a federal judge in Reno, Nev.
Gospel choir to perform
A performance by the Exceptional Praise Gospel Choir on Sunday will launch Cultural Awareness Week at Whitworth College.
Titled “The Beginning of a New Community,” the event will focus on raising awareness of race and diversity, according to a college news release.
“Our aim is to challenge students, staff and faculty to step out of their comfort zones and learn more about their neighbors here on campus, in the community and ultimately around the world,” said Delia Orosco, chairwoman of the Multicultural Advocacy Council, which is sponsoring the event Sunday through Friday.
The choir, directed by Whitworth senior Sha’Nay McQuirter, will perform in the Hixson Union Building dining hall at noon.
Shopping for charity
Several malls are hosting a private shopping event to benefit local charities.
NorthTown, Spokane Valley and Silver Lake malls are hosting Real Simple’s Festival of Giving from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 19.
Shoppers pay $5 for an evening that includes merchandise discounts, entertainment, door prizes and refreshments. Complimentary gift wrapping is provided.
Money raised is distributed among dozens of schools and charities, including Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs and Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels.
The event is sponsored by the malls, Real Simple magazine, Cotton Inc. and Bank of America.