In brief: Candace Mumm joins Spokane City Council

Former broadcaster Candace Mumm was sworn in Monday as Spokane’s newest council member.

She replaces Nancy McLaughlin, a conservative who was blocked by term limits from seeking re-election this fall, and is expected to give the nonpartisan council a liberal 4-3 tilt. She beat Michael Cannon, who’s active in GOP politics and was backed by Mayor David Condon.

Although new to politics, Mumm has hired former City Councilman Richard Rush to serve as her council staff assistant. Rush lost a tight re-election bid in November 2011 to Councilman Mike Allen. Both start Jan. 2.

Also on Monday, City Council members Amber Waldref and Jon Snyder were sworn in to second terms.

David Wasson

Police: Tainted meat tossed into yards

Authorities are looking for a man they say tossed balls of hamburger laced with glass over the fences of two yards in Spokane Valley last week.

The man, described as white and in his 50s by a witness, heaved the tainted meat over fences near the corner of North Vista Road and East Buckeye Avenue around 7 p.m. Thursday, according to a news release. The suspect is about 6 feet tall, weighs around 250 pounds, is bald and was wearing a gray jacket.

Nancy Hill, executive director at SCRAPS, said dogs at both homes where the meat was found were not hurt. While investigators have not determined a motive, Hill said disputes about animals should be reported to her agency.

Kip Hill

No garbage pickup, mail on Christmas

Most federal, state and local government offices will be closed Christmas, and some local offices will be closing early today.

No mail will be delivered Wednesday and no garbage will be collected. Garbage pickup resumes Thursday and will be a day late the rest of the week. Parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Christmas in downtown Spokane.

In Spokane and Post Falls, city offices will be open only until noon today. Kootenai County offices will close at 3 p.m., and closing times for Spokane County offices vary.

Banks and area malls will be closed Wednesday as well.

Amy Sisk