SR Morning Headlines (3/16/05)

* Senate OKs bill on field burning: Measure defines ‘economically viable alternative’ to practice / Josh Wright , SR — I have mixed emotions on field burning because the farmers offer so much to our quality of life 50 of 52 weeks of the year. But I can’t see how someone in the path of the smoke, north of Rathdrum, can vote for this bill. Yo, Sen. Joyce Broadsword (pictured), what were you thinking?

* Chase a chance to outrun sorrows: Fans making up for lost time on game trail / Jamie Neely & Becky Nappi , SR — Neely and Nappi found a reason to play hooky from work, and the boss bankrolled them. America, whatta country.

* Defaced sign unites Spokane church: Vandalism discovered amid other incidents / Virginia de Leon , SR — Why isn’t this being investigated as a hate crime? Imagine if the target was a religious building of some faith other than Christian. Oh well, it brings more attention to the event.

* Legislators kill property-tax bills: Instead, a committee will take closer look at reform / Betsy Russell , SR — Why does House Speaker Bruce Newcomb allow Dolores Crow to chair the House Rev & Tax Committee? She’s a single-woman wrecking crew for things that are important to North Idaho.

* Spokane bridge should be open by Halloween: Monroe span under repair / Amy Cannata , SR — I’ll believe it when I see it.