In brief: Health department OKs sludge disposal

Sludge from a closed uranium mine on the Spokane Indian Reservation can be disposed of in a lined tailings pond near Ford, Wash., for another two years, the Washington Department of Health has decided.

The extension will give Dawn Mining Co. more time to find disposal alternatives, said Dorothy Stoffel, a project manager at the department’s Office of Radiation Protection. The sludge from the Midnite Mine contains low levels of radioactive material and metals, but isn’t considered hazardous waste, she said.

Dawn operated the open-pit uranium mine from 1955 to 1981. Sludge is a byproduct of ongoing water treatment at the Midnite Mine.

Stoffel said the water treatment is generating much less sludge – and sludge with lower levels of radioactivity – than originally anticipated. The sludge is trucked about 20 miles to the tailings ponds at a former uranium mill near Ford. The mill site is in the process of being cleaned up. By 2010, Dawn will need an alternative disposal site.

Spokane

Free bike security for Bloomsday run

Bloomies who bike to the race can drop off their bicycles at a secure, fenced corral in Riverfront Park.

The service is sponsored for the 15th year by the Spokane Bicycle Club. Club members will watch the bikes while racers participate in Bloomsday on May 3. The service is free.

The corral is located south of the YMCA in the park, accessible from Howard Street. It’s open from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Riders are encouraged to bring a lock to secure their bike, and may leave their helmet and warm-up clothing there as well.

Kids race packets available Friday

Race-packet pickup for America’s Kids Run will be held Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Riverside room of the Spokane Convention Center.

There also will be exhibitor booths, prizes and training materials at that location, race organizers said in a press release.

The race itself – formerly called Junior Bloomsday – will take place Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium. More than 2,000 children, ages 5 through 12, are expected to participate.

For more information, visit www.americaskidsrun.org.

Car seat experts coming to Shopko

Free car seat checks will be available in north Spokane Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Experts will be at the Shopko, 9520 N. Newport Highway, checking car seats to ensure people are properly transporting children.

Spokane County was one of four counties in Washington selected to pilot a project focusing on car seat violations, Spokane police said.

Grant-funded patrols will begin this summer.

Region

Fundraising walks set for weekend

Three big fundraising walks will take place this weekend in the region:

•The March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” is raising money for programs to help mothers before, during and after pregnancy, plus for research into birth defects and babies’ health. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Gonzaga University’s Jundt Art Museum. The walk sets off at 10 a.m. For information, visit marchofdimes.com /washington.

•Take a Hike for MS will begin at Coeur d’Alene’s North Idaho College at 10 a.m. to raise funds for multiple sclerosis treatment and research. Participants can choose a 2-mile or 5.5-mile course. For information call 1-800-344-4867 or visit nationalMSsociety.org/wai.

•The CROP Hunger Walk will raise funds for programs to address hunger locally and worldwide. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. at Gonzaga’s Martin Center, with the walk setting off at 1:30 p.m. Organizers Church World Service and the Interfaith Council of the Inland Northwest suggest bringing canned food for Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest. For information call (509) 891-1045 or (509) 924-2350.

Coeur d’Alene

School district’s measure passes

With all precincts reporting, a multimillion dollar levy to fund Coeur d’Alene schools has passed.

More than 74 percent of voters had approved the $7.8 million-a-year levy, which required a simple majority to pass.

The levy will cost homeowners about 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value and will generate $1 million less than the expiring 2007 levy it replaces.

District voters have approved the two-year levies to support Coeur d’Alene schools for more than 20 years. The money funds extracurricular activities, support programs and other services not covered by state funding.

St. Maries

88 percent vote for levy

Voters in the St. Maries Joint School District approved a supplemental levy Tuesday, which will provide $767,000 for essential school programs over the next two years.

“Given these tough economic times, we are grateful for our community’s support,” said Superintendent Dave Cox.

The levy rate, approved with more than 88 percent of the vote, will remain the same as previously approved.

“If the market values stay the same it will be the same,” said Danette Cordell, district business manager.

The current rate is $1.57 per $1,000 of assessed home value.

So the owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $157 per year.

From staff reports