In brief: Police seek help on pot discovery

Tribal police are asking for help finding those responsible for a major marijuana grow operation seized this week on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Tribal, Republic and Spokane police joined U.S. Border Patrol and FBI agents and sheriff’s deputies from three counties in an eradication effort that began Tuesday.

By Friday, authorities had recovered more than 21,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $21 million, police said. Helicopters, ATVs, K-9 and horse patrols from various agencies assisted.

Anyone with information on the operation is asked to call (509) 634-2472.

Meghann M. Cuniff

After-hours use of pools reported

Spokane’s new swimming pools are so popular that they are attracting a crowd – after the pools have closed, city parks officials said Thursday.

A Comstock Pool neighbor has reported late-night swimming nearly every day since it opened Aug. 12, said Nancy Goodspeed, parks spokeswoman.

The city has received similar reports, including from motorists, of late-night use at the other new pools, she said.

The parks department has asked its drive-by security patrols and police to keep a closer eye on the pools to stop unauthorized entries.

Neighbors can help by reporting unauthorized or illegal activity to Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Staff reports

Bus bench on Division a sample

Spokane’s first new bus bench from the city’s expected new contractor has been installed in north Spokane.

But it’s only a sample.

After a contentious battle over bus benches earlier this year, a citizens committee last month selected Creative Outdoor Advertising of Jupiter, Fla., to replace Sunset Outdoor Advertising in Spokane to run the city’s bus bench program.

A five-year contract still needs to be approved by the City Council. If that happens, Creative will have 90 days to install benches at a minimum of 200 locations.

Committee members determined Creative had the best maintenance proposal and bench design, a city news release said.

The new bench is on the northwest corner of North Division Street and Mission Avenue until Sept. 4.

Jonathan Brunt

Terriers ready for adoption

Fifteen terriers taken from a kennel in Spokane County are being put up for adoption this weekend, according to Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.

The terriers were taken as part of an investigation by the agency into animal treatment.

The dogs were undergoing health and temperament testing and were being held for evaluation until noon today, when they are expected to become available for adoption at the facility at 2521 N. Flora Road.

Staff reports