Legislation Would Start Work To Widen I-90
State legislators are considering a transportation bill that includes seed money to widen Interstate 90 between the Sprague and Argonne interchanges.
The House rules committee is reviewing the $152.2 million supplemental transportation budget, which includes $1 million for preliminary design work on the I-90 project.
The full House is expected to vote on the bill by Tuesday, said Brian Zylstra, a spokesman for Republican legislators.
“The House will pass it. It’s a no-brainer,” Zylstra said.
The bill then will go to the Senate for consideration.
Rep. Mark Sterk, R-Spokane Valley, hailed the seed money as a boon for Valley drivers.
“This could be great news for all the commuters and other drivers who have to put up with traffic problems every workday on this stretch of I-90,” Sterk said in a press release.
Sterk is a member of the House transportation committee, which drafted the bill.
Fellow Rep. Larry Crouse, R-Spokane Valley, agreed but added that the supplemental budget still must pass the Senate and be approved by Gov. Mike Lowry.
Additional money also would have to be secured for the nearly $13 million project.
“This is just the first step in getting this construction project up and running,” Crouse said in the release.
Town hall meetings
Crouse, Sterk and state Sen. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, will host a pair of town hall meetings next weekend.
Both meetings will be Saturday. The first is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Tri-Community Grange in Newman Lake.
The second is set for 7 p.m. at the Millwood Town Hall, 9103 E. Frederick.
The legislators will update residents about issues being considered in Olympia this session. They’ll also answer questions.
SCOPE registering bikes, meeting
To fight increasing bicycle thefts in the Spokane Valley, the University community oriented policing group is registering bicycles at its station.
Volunteers will record the bike owner’s name, address and phone number and the make, model and serial number on the bike at SCOPE (Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort) University, 10621 E. 15th. The information will be kept on file with the sheriff’s department in case the bike is lost or stolen.
“We’ve got to do something,” said SCOPE University volunteer Tom Severance, who founded the program. “We’ve got too many stolen bikes and kids don’t know their (serial) number.”
Sheriff’s deputies are urging parents to take advantage of the service.
Eventually, SCOPE Program manager Terry Carver hopes all of the Valley stations will be involved.
“I don’t know if it will solve (the problem), but it will certainly deter people,” Carver said.
For more information or to register your bike call SCOPE University at 458-2582.
SCOPE University will hold its monthly public meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. in the University High School library.
Dan Croskrey, a crime prevention practitioner, will talk about Operation I.D., marking belongings and offer other theft prevention tips.
Modern Electric meeting
Modern Electric Water Co. will hold its annual meeting Feb. 24.
Shareholders will elect two people to the board of directors and consider altering the company’s articles of incorporation.
The meeting begins at noon at the Quality Inn Valley Suites, 8923 E. Mission.
Up on the roof at St. John Vianney
Students at St. John Vianney Catholic School are seeking pledges for their Valentine’s Day Healthy Heart Fun Run. They will run laps in the school gym.
The goal for the fund-raiser is to raise $15,000 for scholarships to the school. Principal Judith Morbeck has challenged the students to reach their goal by promising to spend a day on the roof when the total reaches $15,000.
, DataTimes