Public Periscope

Looking for a lead

The FBI is searching the Spokane area for someone who calls himself a pal of the mysterious Montanan accused of being the Unabomber. An FBI agent placed a display ad in The Spokesman-Review sports section over the weekend saying: “Will Ted’s fishing buddy please call Jeff at the station” … An FBI official said the agency is hoping to make contact with an anonymous caller who may be able to help the agency’s ongoing investigation of Ted Kaczynski. The FBI apparently became aware of the lead after the caller contacted a local television or radio station.

Warnings not so peaceful

Posters began popping up in recent weeks in Peaceful Valley by a group called the Armed Citizens Coalition, warning “criminals will be dealt with.” Charlie Greenwood, a member of the Peaceful Valley Community Center board of directors, said he thinks someone might be trying to send a warning to drug dealers and gang members … Members of the community center took down a poster outside their building. Police also have taken a copy … Source of the posters remains a mystery.

Everybody has to be somebody

Architect Glen Cloninger met with the Spokane City Council last week to talk about a public-private partnership aimed at expanding the downtown Convention Center. At Cloninger’s request, Attorney Steve Eugster also attended … “We’ve asked Steve Eugster to come here and be our critic,” Cloninger said. “Is that a new profession?” wondered Mayor Jack Geraghty … For those who don’t get the insider jokes: Eugster filed - then dropped - a lawsuit to stop a public-private partnership to expand River Park Square.

Out and about

Speaking of the city’s famous legal challenger, Eugster has been actively seeking signatures for his strong-mayor initiative. He got his first John Hancock from Councilman Chris Anderson the very night the council approved putting it on the ballot … Since then, he’s been spotted, pen and petitions in hand, at various gatherings, including the Spokane Rotary Club, the Magnuson Democratic Club and City Council study sessions.

Buyer be wary …

The city’s Weights and Measures Department recently began checking the accuracy of price scanners in hardware, grocery and general merchandise stores. Scanners are those devices that can read all those funny lines and product codes as each item zips through the checkout stand … Of the first 15 stores checked, 14 failed. In those cases, the price of more than two items out of 100 came up higher than the price marked.

Day to remember

The VA Medical Center will hold its annual remembrance for Prisoners of War on Tuesday. The ceremony, which will include ex-POWs as a special honor guard and a speech by Col. John Strube of the Survival School at Fairchild Air Force Base, begins at 2 p.m. in the Dining Center.

Whither LC?

Spokane School District officials have three meetings this week as they investigate alternatives for remodeling or replacing Lewis and Clark High School … Residents can offer input Tuesday at LC, Wednesday at Sacajawea Middle School, and Thursday at Shaw Middle School. All meetings start at 7 p.m.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope, published Mondays, is compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tuesday: Spokane hearing examiner will consider a plan by P & T Partners to build a shopping center near Regal Street and the realigned Palouse Highway. 9 a.m., 2nd Floor City Hall.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports