Sterk steps down as GOP chairman

Wed., May 3, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

Former Spokane County Sheriff Mark Sterk resigned Tuesday as chairman of the Spokane County Republican Party, citing health reasons.

Sterk told The Spokesman-Review he was suffering from high blood pressure and a medicine that adversely affected his heart.

“Based on the tests and based on the advice of a cardiologist and the insistence of my wife, we had made the decision to slow down,” Sterk said. “As a result, I had to give up my position with the party, regrettably. I really didn’t want to do that.”

Party leaders, who were notified Monday, weren’t immediately available for comment.

Sterk’s replacement can’t be named until precinct committee members are assembled in a meeting that requires at least 10 days’ notice.

Sterk resigned as sheriff March 31 to become executive director of Pinelow Park and Conference Center, a Christian camp at Deer Lake.

He said he plans to continue as camp director.

– John Craig

Spokane Valley

I-90 lane restrictions may slow traffic flow

Interstate 90 travel through the Spokane Valley may be congested today through Saturday because of lane restrictions.

The freeway will be reduced to two lanes in the vicinity of the Argonne, Pines, Evergreen and Sullivan eastbound and westbound offramps.

Construction work may also necessitate reducing eastbound traffic to one lane from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. between Park and Sullivan roads.

Also, the Pines onramp to eastbound I-90 may be closed from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

And westbound freeway traffic may be reduced to one lane Saturday near the Sullivan, Pines and Argonne interchanges.

Drivers should also be mindful of flaggers near on- and offramps along this stretch of the interstate.

– Amy Cannata

Pullman

WSU set to begin golf expansion

Washington State University plans to break ground on construction of its expanded 18-hole golf course June 8, a school official said Tuesday.

Construction was to have started earlier this spring, but every bid came in at least 20 percent over budget and forced the school to adjust the design of the course.

“It can be scoped to fit within the budget,” said Mel Taylor, director of special projects for WSU’s Office of Business Affairs. “We’re not going to build a 14-holer.”

Changes are still being made to the design, but Taylor said the school is confident enough in its ability to meet monetary requirements that it can proceed with construction.

The primary change in the redesign is a reduction in the number of bunkers; the course is still expected to have the same length and general layout.

WSU hopes to complete construction in time for the 2008 golf season.

The current nine-hole course has been closed all year anticipating the start of the $8.4 million upgrade.

– Glenn Kasses

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.