Bill taps experts for classrooms
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a plan Wednesday to help lure experts in key fields out of business offices and into high school classrooms.
The American Competitiveness Amendment, sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Wash., authorizes grants to bolster training programs for teachers of Advanced Placement courses. The measure also authorizes grants to recruit individuals to work as adjunct instructors of math, science and foreign languages.
“We need to tap the resource of current and retiring science and math professionals that have both content mastery and the practical experience to serve as effective teachers,” McMorris said in a speech on the House floor.
The grants would use existing funds and require recipients to match federal money. McMorris’ office said the amount for grants would be up to the U.S. education secretary.
The amendment passed 293-134; a vote on the full bill is expected today.
– Andrew Eder
Bonner County, Idaho
Shopper reports seeing missing woman
Posters of a missing Priest River woman were distributed in Lewiston this week after a shopper reported seeing her at a Lewiston Safeway store.
A customer told authorities he recalled seeing Christine Marie Lott in the meat aisle at the store. Bonner County sheriff’s Lt. Gary Johnston said he wasn’t able to confirm the woman was Lott because of problems with the store’s video surveillance tapes.
The mother of three was featured Sunday in The Spokesman-Review in a story on missing persons in North Idaho. Lott, who would now be 35, was reportedly last seen at Mitchell’s IGA store in Priest River on March 25, 2004. She is 5 feet 2, weighs 110 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Johnston at the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 263-8417, ext. 203.
– Taryn Brodwater
Spokane
Habitat for Humanity delivers 150th home
Habitat for Humanity-Spokane celebrated the dedication of its 150th home Wednesday by handing over the keys of a new home to a family.
More than 60 Bank of America volunteers have been working side-by-side with the Matt and Tracy Tiwebemal family on the North Cochran Street home since October, said Dennis Reed, community relations director for Habitat for Humanity-Spokane. The house was designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.
The family will purchase their home with a no-interest loan from Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, Reed said. The three-bedroom home cost about $72,000 to build, including land. The house is sold to the family at cost, with a monthly mortgage payment of about $325.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner