Night Out parties don’t need insurance

Using a few parliamentary maneuvers Tuesday, the Spokane Valley City Council exempted National Night Out block parties from a section of the city code that requires liability insurance for gatherings on public streets.

At an earlier meeting, police Chief Cal Walker said the insurance requirement might discourage block parties, which help build a sense of community.

But the city manager and deputy city attorney raised the possibility of the city becoming legally liable for permitted events that don’t have insurance, which typically costs more than $100 per event.

So the council left the insurance requirement in a proposed amendment to the city’s special events ordinance.

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, several Council members said the insurance provision would be detrimental to National Night Out, which is Aug. 2, and three residents testified to that effect.

After considering several ways to delay a change until after next week’s block parties, the Council passed the ordinance with the insurance requirement intact. But it also passed a separate motion exempting that specific annual event from the insurance requirement.

Fire started by candle destroys Valley home

A Spokane Valley home was destroyed by fire early Tuesday, the Spokane Valley Fire Department reported.

A woman living at 18123 E. Indiana Ave. was awakened by a cat about 12:45 p.m., said Fire Investigator Clifton Mehaffey. She fled the home and called 911 from a neighbor’s home.

No injuries were reported. The cat also made it out safely, Mehaffey said.

Cause of the fire was a candle that was left burning near the home’s kitchen, Mehaffey said. Damage is estimated at $200,000.

Mehaffey said he still is investigating whether the home had a working smoke detector.

According to the Spokane County Assessor’s Office, the home was built in 1910 and is owned by Synde Johnson.

Avista warns of utility worker impersonator

Avista Utilities officials are warning that a person pretended to be an Avista worker in an attempt to enter a Spokane home.

The company advised in a press release Tuesday that people should ask for identification from anyone who says they are from Avista. If the person doesn’t have ID or is suspicious in any other way, Avista recommends calling police or offering to schedule an appointment for a later time and then calling Avista to ensure he or she is performing company business.

CdA officer honored with Purple Heart

A Coeur d’Alene police officer recovering from an almost-fatal injury received a Purple Heart in a private ceremony at the Police Department on Tuesday.

Mike Kralicek was shot in the jaw by a DUI suspect Dec. 28, 2004. Bullet fragments damaged his spinal cord, and the loss of blood caused a stroke. After awaking from a two-week coma, Kralicek has spent the past few months having his jaw rebuilt and undergoing physical and occupational therapy.

This is Kralicek’s second Purple Heart. He received his first from the Denver Police Department while he was receiving care at a local hospital noted for its rehabilitation treatment.

Four other police officers were honored at the ceremony for saving Kralicek’s life. Chief Wendy Carpenter and Kralicek presented lifesaving awards to Deputies Hank Cooper, Rich Lyon, Jack McAvoy and Sgt. Andy Boyle.

“I am convinced after talking to Kootenai Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center that this fine officer is sitting here today because of the lifesaving efforts you made at the scene,” Carpenter said to the officers at the ceremony, according to a statement released by the department. To Kralicek, she said: “You are a fighter who refuses to give up, you have a strong will, I am very proud of you, and as far as I am concerned you will always be a member of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.”

Legislation protects White Salmon River

Washington, D.C. The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation designating a 20-mile section of Washington state’s White Salmon River and one of its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic River system.

The House approved the bill earlier this month.

The bill now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign it into law.

“Preserving this popular recreational destination will be a boon for the local economy and a service for future generations to enjoy,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said in a news release.

The bill protects the upper White Salmon River and its tributary, Cascade Creek, which are within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington state’s southern Cascades.

“This wild and scenic river designation will allow fishing enthusiasts, hikers, river rafters, paddlers and sightseers to enjoy a pristine river setting,” said Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., who sponsored the House version of the bill.

Millions of anchovies stink up river banks

Seaside, Ore. Millions of dead anchovies have washed up on the banks of the Neawanna River on the northern Oregon Coast, biologists said, giving off a putrid stink of salt water, seaweed and sewage.

Biologists say such mass deaths are perfectly normal and probably caused in this case by an increased food supply, allowing a greater number of anchovies to be born.

“That’s the way nature works,” said North Coast Land Conservancy Director Neal Maine. “You get too many, then they take all the oxygen out of the water.”

Seaside Mayor Don Larson said the city is waiting for the tide to remove the bodies. Public health official Lynn McConnell said there are no known health problems from the anchovies, but advises the public to stay away from the fish if possible and wash hands after touching them.