In brief: Ethanol exemption bill clears committee

The first two bills in Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s six-bill transportation funding package came up for hearings in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, and while one passed unanimously, the other stalled.

House Bill 96, to repeal the ethanol exemption, cleared the panel. The other, HB 150, to add a $20 fee to every specialty license plate, provoked an array of questions from the committee. The panel voted unanimously to hold the bill, though Chairwoman JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, said it could be reconsidered once the administration provides more information.

Otter hopes to raise gas taxes, car registration fees and …

The first two bills in Idaho Gov. Butch Otter’s six-bill transportation funding package came up for hearings in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, and while one passed unanimously, the other stalled.

House Bill 96, to repeal the ethanol exemption, cleared the panel. The other, HB 150, to add a $20 fee to every specialty license plate, provoked an array of questions from the committee. The panel voted unanimously to hold the bill, though Chairwoman JoAn Wood, R-Rigby, said it could be reconsidered once the administration provides more information.

Otter hopes to raise gas taxes, car registration fees and more to fund a big annual backlog in road maintenance in Idaho.

Spokane County

Service scheduled for cross country coach

A memorial service for the Spokane Community College cross country coach killed last week in an accident is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday.

Erik Anderson, 38, died last Thursday trying to dislodge a bowling pin in the pit behind a lane in the school’s activity center.

The service will take place at the college’s Walter S. Johnson sports center gymnasium, Building 5, 1810 N. Greene St., said Anne Tucker, a college spokeswoman. The doors will open at 3 p.m.

The service will include a slide show as well as tributes from students, family and friends, Tucker said.

A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Anderson’s name at Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Contributions can be made at any of the STCU branches or mailed to: Erik Anderson Memorial Fund, 106 W. Nora Ave., Spokane WA 99205.

Malfunction may have caused West Plains fire

An electrical malfunction may have caused a fire Monday at an unoccupied building on the West Plains.

No one was hurt in the blaze, said Spokane County Fire District No. 10 Chief Nick Scharff. The 20,000-square-foot structure was uninsured.

Fire crews responded about 6:30 a.m. to a fire alarm at 1611 S. Geiger Blvd. Smoke was coming from the attic when firefighters arrived, Scharff said. Flames were found inside.

Because of the size of the structure, additional fire crews were called in to help douse the blaze.

Geiger Boulevard was closed for about two hours because fire hoses had to be strung across the road, Scharff said.

Roof damage is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000. The building was an administrative location for AmericanWest Bank until a month ago, Scharff said.

School board to meet with public at Ferris

Residents of the Spokane Public Schools district can chat with school board members tonight at a “coffee and conversation” event at Ferris High School.

Preceding the board meeting at 7 p.m., board directors will hold a casual chat session from 6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. in the school library.

The board members are Rocco Treppiedi, president; Susan Chapin, vice president; Garret Daggett; Robert Douthitt; and Jeffrey Bierman.

Ferris High School is at 3020 E. 37th Ave.

Betsy Z. Russell Jody Lawrence-Turner Jody Lawrence-Turner Staff reports