In brief: More rain and snow predicted for region
Holiday travel will be wet again today and could be treacherous for drivers in higher elevations.
Snow and rain that fell over the Inland Northwest on Tuesday was expected to continue today with snow above 2,500 feet.
Meteorologists predict a total of 6 to 10 inches of new snow in the mountains. Other areas above 2,500 feet were expected to receive 1 to 2 inches. Downtown Spokane is at 1,890 feet and Spokane International Airport is at 1,998 feet.
Travel conditions remained relatively good Tuesday because most of the falling snow was melting. Mountain passes showed a mix of conditions from mostly wet on Snoqualmie and Fourth of July passes to partly snow-covered on Lookout Pass.
Fog limited visibility to as low as a quarter mile at Spokane International Airport on Tuesday, and fog was reported in areas north of Spokane.
– From staff reports
Spokane County
Burning wrapping paper, plastics bad for health
Black smoke curling up from burning wrapping paper and plastic toy containers is bad for your health.
Ron Edgar, Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority technical services chief, said plastic containers can contain cyanide or other carcinogens.
“When you burn, you don’t know just what you’re going to get, but it’s not good to breathe,” Edgar said.
He added that flames from wrapping paper tend to reach higher into the chimney, putting homes at risk for chimney fires. Beyond the hazards, he said, burning wrapping paper and packaging is illegal.
“Either recycle it – use it again next Christmas – or dispose of it in your trash,” he said.
– Laura Onstot
Swearing-in ceremony planned for Bonnie Mager
A swearing-in ceremony will be held today for Spokane County’s newest commissioner, Bonnie Mager.
The event, which is open to the public, is a precursor to her officially entering office on Jan. 1.
Mager, the former director of the Neighborhood Alliance of Spokane County, won a close election against three-term Republican incumbent Phil Harris.
The ceremony starts at 5:30 p.m. at the downtown Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main Ave.
– Jonathan Brunt
State Patrol keeps busy catching drunken drivers
Drunken drivers have kept local Washington State Patrol troopers busy so far this holiday season.
The patrols, which started on Nov. 17 and will continue into the weekend, have netted 271 DUI arrests, Trooper Jeff Sevigney said in a press release.
In that same period, troopers have responded to 906 crashes, including 26 involving impaired drivers.
Last year during the same period, troopers made 319 arrests, and investigated 828 crashes, including 35 involved DUI drivers, Sevigney said.
The WSP will fill 79 extra shifts through the weekend, focusing on speeding, aggressive driving and improper seat belt use, Sevigney said.
Partygoers should designate a driver or get a ride with a taxi or friend, Sevigney said, and anyone who sees a drunken driver should call 911.
– Thomas Clouse