New PF school to open in fall

It’s down to final details for West Ridge Elementary School.

Shortly after school lets out in June, the school district plans to begin setting up Post Falls’ newest elementary school for the 400 students expected this fall.

Despite rising construction costs, Elementary Programs Director Barney Brewton said the district was able to stay within the project’s $8 million budget by eliminating two classrooms from the school.

Still, the school is expected to have a capacity of 500 students, he said.

Mandy Surratt-Florin has been selected as the school’s principal. Surratt-Florin has been with the district since 1980 and has been principal of Mullan Trail Elementary for the past six years.

Most students who attend the new school will be coming from Mullan Trail and Seltice elementary schools, Brewton said.

A book drive is under way to help stock the shelves of the new school’s library.

All Post Falls elementary schools are participating. Collection boxes are set up at Prairie View, Mullan Trail, Seltice and Ponderosa elementary schools as well as various locations throughout the community.

Art show opens

The Timberlake Creates Art Show opens Saturday with a reception from 4 to 5 p.m. at Timberlake High School.

A slide show featuring more than 50 pieces entered in the competition will be shown during the reception. The contest was open to students and adults throughout the community.

Following the reception, the public is invited to view the art at area businesses including Miller’s Food City, 4th & Maine Pizza, Hideaway Cafe, Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant, The Emily Rose Cafe, Inland Northwest Bank and Spirit Lake Books.

Seven pieces entered in the Spirit Lake Heritage category – a special category created for this year’s Spirit Lake Centennial celebration – will be displayed at the Spirit Lake Library.

An oil painting by the late Don Ealy, a Spirit Lake artist, will be featured as part of the Heritage exhibit.

The artwork will be on display through June 6.