Open house looks at transportation

Tue., Sept. 12, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

The city of Spokane is inviting people interested in improving transportation in downtown Spokane to an open house today at River Park Square.

The open house will run from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Kress Gallery on the mall’s third floor, behind the food court.

City transportation engineers will answer questions and gather comments on parking and pedestrians and on car and bicycle traffic downtown. More transportation open houses will be held this fall and winter.

Agency head going to Olympia

The head of the children’s services office in Spokane has been reassigned to Olympia, according to a statement from the Department of Social and Health Services.

Ken Kraft, who had served as the regional administrator for the Department of Children and Family Services since 2000, will work on “several key statewide projects,” the agency said.

Steve Wickmark, the director of field operations for the agency, said Kraft will help create a disaster plan for the Children’s Administration, according to the statement. Kraft will begin that assignment later this month.

Connie Lambert-Eckel will serve as the acting administrator until the position is filled. Kraft could not be reached for comment Monday.

Education hearing set for Wednesday

A state committee studying the education system in Washington will hold a public hearing in Spokane this week.

The Washington Learns committee, created and led by Gov. Chris Gregoire, is conducting an 18-month review of Washington’s education system, its structure and funding.

The public is invited to comment on a draft proposal based on the study from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Gonzaga University Law School’s Jundt Auditorium. Comments will be considered during the preparation of the final report, expected to be presented to the governor in November.

The Washington Learns committee comprises business, community, education, government and minority leaders. For more information, go to the Washington Learns Web site at www.washington learns.wa.gov/default.htm.

Boise

Game officers kill eight elk

State game officers Monday shot and killed eight elk they said had escaped from a private hunting reserve and posed a threat to the genetic purity of wild herds roaming the Yellowstone National Park area on the Idaho-Wyoming border.

The five cow and three young elk were the first domesticated elk killed under an emergency order issued by Idaho Gov. Jim Risch on Thursday, authorizing state agents to destroy the 75 to 160 farm-raised elk that escaped in mid-August from the Chief Joseph’s hunter’s reserve.

Compiled from staff

and wire reports

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