Conservation Of Big Rock Ridge Up For Public Hearing Tuesday
Spokane County commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday night on a plan to spend $1 million to purchase nearly 700 acres in the Dishman Hills.
The land, called Big Rock Ridge or the Rocks of Sharon area, would be set aside as wildlife habitat.
Half the money comes from the county’s Conservation Futures Fund, which is paid by county property owners at a rate of $6 per $100,000 of assessed value.
The other half comes in the form of a state grant.
County parks officials are negotiating with the family who owns the property but are a long way from a settlement, said Wyn Birkenthal, parks and recreation director.
The hearing will be part of the commissioners’ regular Tuesday meeting. That meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room of the public works building, 1026 W. Broadway.
Commissioners will decide after the hearing whether to allow the parks department to continue the negotiations.
Valley Center sets $65,000 goal
The Spokane Valley Center of Sharing’s annual fund raiser bolted to a start when volunteers raised more than $10,000 of the $65,000 goal during a two-hour phonathon.
The center provides food, clothing, emergency help, immunizations, nutrition counseling and senior services to the Valley’s needy. It is supported by private contributions and funding from 28 Valley churches.
Continuing the fund raiser, 20 volunteers will contact people and businesses in the Valley to request contributions. Some of the funds raised this year will be used to conduct educational training programs to help needy families become self-sufficient.
For information, or to join the center’s fund-raising team, call 927-1153.
Millwood tree meeting moved
The October meeting of the Millwood Urban Tree Board Steering Committee scheduled for Oct. 12 has been postponed.
The meeting now will be held on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at Millwood Town Hall, 9103 E. Frederick.
West named to state panel
Geralyn M. West of Liberty Lake has been named to the state Pesticide Registration Commission by Gov. Mike Lowry.
West is a sales specialist at Bayer Corp. in Spokane and has helped farmers pick out chemicals to control weeds, insects and diseases.
The 11-member commission will study and evaluate the use of pesticides in the state.
Free auto inspections
Car owners can have their vehicles inspected for free by trained mechanics at today’s Car Care Fair at University City Mall.
Students from Spokane Community College’s automotive department will inspect cars in the U-City parking lot from from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
They will check cars for worn hoses and belts, low fluid levels and leaks in the air conditioning system.
The Automotive Service Association will check all exterior head and tail lights for burned-out bulbs. They’ll replace burned-out bulbs free.
For more information, call 456-4727 or 456-3150.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Adam Lynn staff writer Staff writers Alison Boggs and Gita Sitaramiah contributed to this report.