Week in Review
George H.W. Bush was the last sitting president to visit Spokane. On Thursday, it was his son who thrilled supporters – and attracted crowds of critics – with a three-hour campaign stop that raised more than $750,000 for Rep. George Nethercutt, a U.S. Senate hopeful. Hundreds of people lined streets hoping for a glimpse of President Bush, or at least the 19-car presidential motorcade that sped him from Fairchild Air Force Base to the Ag Trade Center downtown. Inside the center, Bush spoke to a crowd of 650 donors, urging support for Republican candidates, touting his administration’s accomplishments and defending the decision to go to war in Iraq. “I like giving speeches where there are cowboy hats,” he said, noting a few wide brims in the audience. “It reminds me of home.” Democrats countered with a rally that attracted an estimated 1,500 people. Many wore T-shirts reading, “Bye, George” – a message aimed at Bush and Nethercutt both.
MONDAY
A former Chase Youth Award winner is returning to Spokane to lead a series of talks encouraging people to question what they watch on television, read in the paper and see on billboards. Mike Beegle, a film school student, says media literacy is vital to democracy.
“ Washington will begin offering Gonzaga University license plates in 2006.
TUESDAY
Scientists have released a non-native weevil into North Idaho and Eastern Washington, hoping it will devour nonnative spotted knapweed. The weed chokes out native plants and cannot be eaten by wildlife.
“ As a battleground state for November’s presidential election, Washington can expect a lot of attention from the candidates. The winning candidate will have to gain support from a majority of voters in the vast “suburban crescent” surrounding Seattle. Eastern Washington, however, consistently supports Republicans.
WEDNESDAY
A Spokane family is suing Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory and Holy Cross Cemetery because a cemetery employee buried the wrong body in their mother’s grave.
“ An elderly driver slammed her car into four people – a mother and three children – as they were using a crosswalk on Spokane’s South Hill. The mother and daughter were hospitalized; two sons were treated and released. The driver said she didn’t see the family.
“ A state agency and the Spokane Regional Health District are investigating practices at the Holy Family Medical Building because a former janitor says several clinics routinely left bags of blood-stained medical waste for janitors to put out in the regular trash. The company that manages the building and an attorney for one of the clinics said all waste is properly disposed.
“ Dave Smith will step down as West Valley School District superintendent in 2005 so he can oversee renovation of the high school. Smith expects to retire after the work is completed. The school board will discuss plans for hiring a new superintendent at its June 23 meeting.
THURSDAY
A Seattle high-rise was on the initial list of targets by 9-11 terrorists, according to a federal report. The terrorists’ original plan called for highjacking 10 planes and attacking targets on both coasts. They instead high-jacked four planes, and intentionally crashed three into buildings in New York and Washington, D.C. Passengers are credited with thwarting attempts to crash the fourth plane into yet another building.
A Spokane police officer escaped injury when an escaped inmate leading police on a high-speed chase smashed his car into the officer’s parked motorcycle. The suspect was not captured. The motorcycle’s damage was expected to keep Officer Ken Applewaite from participating in Thursday’s presidential motorcade.
FRIDAY
Someone stole two 6-foot aluminum versions of Smokey Bear from the fire-danger sign in Springdale, Wash. Anyone with information on Smokey’s whereabouts is asked to call (509)684-7474 or (509)258-4520.
“ More than 60 people have signed a petition asking that the 1952 novel, “The Natural,” be taken off the 10th-grade reading list at University High School. The book includes passages leading up to intercourse, sometimes detailing the appearance of a woman’s breasts.
“ Washington’s economy has grown at a rate of 3 percent the past five months, compared to 2 percent for the nation as a whole, the state’s top government economist says. The state has added 32,000 new jobs so far this year.
“ Chlorophyll levels, an indicator of algae growth and deteriorating water quality, have begun to increase in Lake Coeur d’Alene. When algae blooms became a problem in the 1970s, authorities cleaned up some sources of nutrients, including raw and partially treated sewage. But runoff also comes from “nonpoint” sources, like clearcuts and mines.