Work will close lanes on I-90

Westbound Interstate 90 will be reduced to one lane today as crews move traffic over to new concrete lanes between Sullivan and Argonne roads.

The westbound Sullivan loop on-ramp and the westbound Pines Road off-ramp will be closed today as well. Other ramps may be closed intermittently.

Crews must move the temporary traffic barrier and fix lane markings.

This is one of the final phases of the two-year project.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed in November.

Panel invites comments on Park Board budget

The finance committee of the Spokane Park Board wants to take public comment on a proposed park and recreation department budget for 2006 during a meeting on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the fifth floor conference room at City Hall.

The committee is expected to recommend a budget to the full Park Board at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, when the public can again give comment. That meeting will be broadcast live on cable channel 5.

The $14.2 million budget for park programs is expected to largely continue the same level of service as has been budgeted in 2005, officials said. The golf division budget is being considered separately during the meetings.

Columbus Day holiday to affect services

Columbus Day is Monday. Here’s how the federal holiday affects services in Spokane County.

• City governments usually in operation on Mondays will be open with the exception of Millwood and Rockford.

• County and state offices will be open.

• Federal offices will be closed.

• Schools, colleges and universities will hold classes.

• Post offices will be closed, and mail will not be delivered except to post office boxes at 902 W. Riverside Ave. and 1602 E. Sprague Ave. Mail will be collected on a regular schedule.

• Spokane County Library District libraries will operate on a normal schedule. Spokane Public Libraries will be closed as they always are on Mondays.

• Spokane Transit Authority buses will operate on a regular schedule.

• Parking meters in Spokane will not need to be fed. Meters at Eastern Washington University will be enforced.

• Trash pickup by the city of Spokane and Waste Management will be on a normal schedule.

• Most banks will be closed.

• Liquor stores will be open.

Insurance chief wants to dissolve Cascade

Olympia Washington’s insurance commissioner wants to dissolve a Bellevue-based company that was taken over by the state.

Customers of Cascade National Insurance Co. should begin trying to find replacement coverage immediately, Commissioner Mike Kreidler said Thursday.

Cascade National was forced into receivership in November 2004, and was controlled by a state agent while officials tried to find a buyer to take over operations.

A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4.