Grace trial judge sets 2007-08 time frame
A federal judge expects parties in the W.R. Grace & Co. asbestos case to be available for trial Sept. 3, 2007, through February 2008.
U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy, of Missoula, put that time frame in an order released earlier this month. Molloy vacated the trial that was scheduled to begin in early September in the case arising from asbestos contamination that sickened hundreds of people, some fatally, in Libby, Mont. Grace’s Libby vermiculite mine, which closed in 1990, released asbestos.
Molloy said that he will set a new trial date eventually but wanted parties in the case to know of his expectation that they be available for trial a year from now.
The trial that was scheduled for this month got sidelined while appeals from federal prosecutors are pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Prosecutors are appealing Molloy’s dismissal of some key elements in their case against Grace and seven of its former managers.
The seven men and the company are accused of conspiring to conceal health risks posed by the mine.
Molloy said his expectation that the trial can take place during the five-month span beginning next September assumes the appeal will receive expedited handling.
– Associated Press
Kootenai County
Examiner recommends permit OK for church
A Kootenai County hearing examiner has recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for a church at the corner of Greensferry Road and Prairie Avenue.
John DeVries’ Wellsprings of Life Christian Fellowship is asking for the permit because the church has outgrown its tiny room above a Post Falls garage. DeVries is proposing a 15,600-square-foot building on 9 acres.
Kootenai County commissioners will have final say on the request.
Post Falls’ Immaculate Conception Catholic Church also is outgrowing its postage stamp-size lots along Interstate 90 and wants to expand, starting with a proposal to move its boys high school to the Rathdrum Prairie.
The public hearing on the Catholic church’s request was delayed until Oct. 5 because some questions remained about the proposed septic system.
The church, in which Mass is conducted in Latin, needs a conditional-use permit to build the high school on 20 acres north of Post Falls on Bodine Avenue.
The 6 p.m. hearing is at the Kootenai County Administration Building, 451 Government Way. For more information, call (208) 446-1070.
– Erica Curless
Special-needs kids day camp planned
A program for children with special needs is having a “School Day Off” day camp Oct. 6 in Coeur d’Alene.
Camp Allstars is for youth ages 4 to 10 who have developmental delays or special needs. The six-hour day camp costs $10 but some scholarships are available.
The camp, sponsored by the nonprofit Specialized Needs Recreation program, is at Winton Elementary School, 920 LaCrosse Ave.
Space is limited, so sign-up is required.
SNR also offers weekly after-school programs in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene.
For more information, call Angie Goucher at (208) 755-6781 or (208) 769-2317.
– Erica Curless