Region in brief: Human rights panel may include teens

Up to three teenagers would be able to serve on the city’s Human Rights Commission under rules that will be considered by the Spokane City Council next week.

The commission’s focus changed under legislation approved early last year from investigating specific allegations of human rights abuses to educating the public, gathering data and giving the public a place to air concerns. The commission membership also was reduced from 15 to nine.

“It has been somewhat dormant after the ordinance was changed,” Mayor Mary Verner said in an interview last week. “My hope then is that in getting some young people involved that they will be more proactive and push the organization to come back together again and be present in our community.”

Each of the three council districts is entitled to three members. Under the proposal, up to one member from each district would be allowed to be a minor at least 16 years old.

Anyone interested in serving on the commission can call Verner’s office at (509) 625-6250.

Jonathan Brunt

Dreamliner makes stop in Spokane

A Boeing 787 touched down at Spokane International Airport briefly Monday, airport spokesman Todd Woodard said.

The plane, one of two Dreamliners Boeing Co. is flight testing, touched down around 12:30 p.m., taxied back to the head of the runway and took off, he said.

The plane was probably on the ground for about 10 minutes, Woodard said.

He said other new Boeing planes have landed in Spokane, notably a 777, which workers at the Triumph Composites plant were allowed to tour.

Boeing was the original owner of the composites plant.

Bert Caldwell

‘Deadliest Catch’ star suffers stroke

SEATTLE – The Seattle-based captain of the “Deadliest Catch” fishing vessel Cornelia Marie has been flown to Anchorage after suffering a stroke while the boat was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska.

According to the vessel’s Web site, Capt. Phil Harris was stricken Friday night.

Harris was flown to Anchorage and underwent surgery over the weekend. His sons Josh and Jake joined him there.

The Web site account says it may be some time before “anything substantial” is known about Harris’ condition.

The Discovery Channel reality show depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska.

The Web site reports a family friend, Derek Ray, has flown to St. Paul to take over the role of relief skipper for the rest of the opilio crab season.

Associated Press