In brief: Council tables street vacation
The Spokane City Council tabled discussion of a 17-foot street vacation on Madison Street between Second and Third avenues, saying the Larry H. Miller auto dealership company pulled their proposal seeking a street vacation.
The company’s proposal would also have closed the street to vehicular traffic, which brought stiff resistance from the public during discussion of the plan last month.
Councilman Jon Snyder said the council was poised to approve the vacation but would likely have blocked the closure.
Tribe awaits action on casino by Inslee
The Spokane Tribe promises its planned West Plains casino resort will enhance the region’s existing entertainment, retail and gaming establishments but said it has yet to discuss the project at length with Gov. Jay Inslee, who has final say over whether it can move forward.
“We’re looking to complement what’s in the area rather than go head-to-head with what’s already there,” said Bill Warner, a consultant helping the tribe develop the project. “We believe the synergy of (multiple casinos) will bring more people to the area.”
The project won approval last week from the U.S. Interior Department despite aggressive opposition from Spokane County commissioners, Spokane’s business community and the nearby Northern Quest casino.
Spokane Tribal Council Chairman Rudy Peone said Inslee indicated he’ll outline his decision process and timeline after state budget negotiations are finished.
Three face charges in beating with bat
Three people suspected of beating a 15-year-old Spokane Valley boy with a baseball bat were arrested Friday evening.
Tyson N. Taylor, 22, and two unnamed juveniles face first-degree assault charges in the June 15 beating that left the boy in Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center for most of the week. Taylor is being held in the Spokane County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
A passer-by found the boy unconscious near the 600 block of North Farr Road and called 911 just before 11:30 p.m., according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Tinese Burnett said her son, whom she asked not be named, suffered a fractured skull after being struck in the forehead with a metal baseball bat. He is recovering from brain surgery and has several stitches on his left shoulder and right leg.