In brief: Council’s ‘Bridge’ ban draws audience’s ire

Spokane city leaders got an increasingly testy earful Monday from critics of last week’s decision to  ban “Bridge to Hookerville” from use during council meetings.

Two audience members used the term anyway while addressing council members, with one urging Council President Ben Stuckart to have him arrested so he could file suit against the city. Civic gadfly George McGrath, whose repeated use of the term is what prompted the ban, avoided using it Monday, instead calling it the $20 million footbridge to a “high prostitution activity area,” borrowing the phrase the city uses on signs posted around a section of East Sprague Avenue.

Several accused the council of trampling on their free speech rights.

Stuckart and others, however, said the term is banned from use only during council meetings when used as a derogatory reference to the East Sprague area. He said McGrath had ignored requests to stop using the term and that the law provides the council president with the ability to make sure meetings remain respectful.

David Wasson

Party bus operators must beef up control

OLYMPIA – Companies that sponsor trips on so-called party buses will have to keep a closer eye on who is drinking and make sure partiers aren’t distracting the driver.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Monday new requirements for charter and excursion carriers to have someone monitoring and controlling activities on the buses, making sure no minors are drinking and none of the passengers are interfering with the driver. Smoking must also be prohibited on the bus. If things get out of hand, the monitor is required to lock up the liquor. Violations of the alcohol provisions can result in a fine of up to $5,000.

Jim Camden

New law lets police enter car to save animal

OLYMPIA – Police and animal control officers likely will be quicker to rescue animals left in hot cars or enclosed spaces under a new law signed Monday.

Gov. Jay Inslee put his signature on a bill that allows those officials to enter a car or other space and remove an endangered animal. They could also write the animal’s owner a $125 ticket, and in extreme cases animal cruelty charges could be filed.

The law, sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, who brought his dog Waffles to the signing ceremony, also expands the laws against animal fighting and killing or stealing pets.

Jim Camden