In brief: GU wins trademark ruling on bar’s use of bulldog
A federal judge ruled this week that a controversial downtown bar that has since closed violated trademark law when it used a bulldog mascot similar to Gonzaga University’s in promotions.
U.S. District Court Judge Lonny Suko found in favor of the university, which sued Jamie Pendleton and The Spokane Downtown Daiquiri Factory for using likenesses of the school’s logo, mascot and nickname “Zags.” Suko found that the use of the bulldog “made commercial use of a mark that is similar enough to cause confusion in the minds of consumers.”
The finding does not require Pendleton to make a payment to the school, only that the case likely will be resolved without a jury.
The Spokane Downtown Daiquiri Factory has been closed since June, when a county judge signed an order evicting the business after allegations Pendleton hadn’t paid rent. The bar caused a stir when it opened in February with a drink on the menu called “Date Grape Kool-Aid,” which eventually was renamed amid protests.
Trucker who left foul trailer found
NAMPA, Idaho – Authorities in Idaho have found the driver thought to have abandoned a trailer containing 37,000 pounds of rotten chicken at a Western Montana truck stop.
The Nampa Police Department said the Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force in Meridian found 42-year-old Christopher Hall on Friday afternoon.
Police said the trailer might have been sitting at the Flying J Truck Stop west of Missoula for a month before it was discovered this week with rancid juices from the cargo dripping onto the pavement.
Hall apparently abandoned the load when his trucking company refused his demands for money before its delivery to Kent, Washington. He has not been charged with any crimes related to the abandoned trailer, but he was wanted for a parole violation.
The Nampa-based trucking company reported the trailer missing Aug. 27.
Brush fire quelled near homes, barns
Spokane County Fire District 8 responded to a two-alarm brush fire Friday afternoon but it is not believed to be related to a recent string of nearly 20 arson fires south of Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake.
The 12-acre Pinegate fire was reported on George Road near Pinegate Lane just after 1:30 p.m. Friday. The location is much farther west than the cluster of arson fires being investigated on the east end of District 8.
The fire was next to Heritage Arabian Farms. Two homes and numerous barns were threatened, said Guy Gifford of the Department of Natural Resources. “This is a large horse facility and there’s a lot of livestock,” Gifford said.
Crews from the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department, DNR and Spokane County Fire Districts 3 and 9 responded to help put out the fire. A helicopter made numerous water drops before the fire was declared knocked down.
“We’re not expecting it to go anywhere,” Gifford said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Food bank seeks prize, needs votes
Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest is vying for a $60,000 prize from the Wal-Mart Foundation, but needs online votes to do so.
Second Harvest is the only food bank in the state competing for a national prize. The Wal-Mart Foundation’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change” campaign will divide $3.7 million among 50 food banks.
People can cast one vote per day for Second Harvest by visiting www.walmart.com/ fighthunger. Voting ends Oct. 5.