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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: High-tech changes in store for Bloomsday

Changes to the 36th annual Bloomsday race are mostly high-tech.

Don Kardong, founder of Bloomsday, announced Tuesday that identification chips will be attached to racers’ numbered bibs rather than laced into their shoes; each bib will include a QR code linking to that racer’s results; and the registration process will be available via smartphone.

In addition, this year’s results will include racers’ times up Doomsday Hill, along with their net time and how they stack up with others in their age category, Kardong said at a news conference. And through the use of “virtual medals,” participants will be able to share their entries and race results via social media.

The 12-kilometer race will be May 6. Printed entry forms will be available later this week, and in-person registration will begin at Sports Authority stores starting March 6. Registration costs $17 if postmarked before April 17.

Addy Hatch

County to purchase conservation parcels

Spokane County commissioners on Tuesday approved a purchase and sale agreement that will add 109 acres to the series of natural areas in the Dishman Hills south of Spokane Valley.

The purchase through the county’s Conservation Futures fund is being made in conjunction with the purchase of an adjacent pair of parcels totaling 160 acres.

Both are located east of a state Department of Natural Resources parcel of 160 acres overlooking Glenrose Prairie north of 44th Avenue at the end of Thierman Road.

Tuesday’s action involved a group of contiguous parcels, owned by John and Michael McCollum, which is immediately east of the DNR land. The sale price is $251,000.

To the east of the McCollum property is 160 acres in the Jerry Stone Estate, for which a purchase agreement was approved by the commissioners last fall contingent on the agreement for the McCollum property.

The McCollums negotiated to have a Harold McCollum lookout identified and potentially marked.

All three of the properties are part of the growing number of conservation parcels in the hills east of south Spokane and south of Spokane Valley, an area important to wildlife and recreation. The Dishman Hills Alliance and Dishman Hills Natural Area Association have been working to acquire the land and create a “Dream Trail” connecting parcels along the ridge tops.

Mike Prager