In brief: New signal at intersection
Drivers on Broadway Avenue will soon see a new type of traffic signal as they cross Evergreen Road.
As part of a resurfacing project on Broadway last summer, the city will install a stoplight with a flashing yellow arrow for eastbound and westbound drivers at the intersection.
The flashing yellow arrow tells drivers that they can turn left as long as they yield to oncoming traffic. When it is not flashing, the yellow arrow still means the light is about to turn red.
City officials hope the change will improve traffic flow in the area.
A copy of the city’s media release with more information on the new lights is available at www.spokesmanreview .com/blogs/valley.
Missing mascot
Still no sign of Lynda Latte
Elaine Rising has little hope that she’ll ever see Lynda Latte again.
Latte, a 6-by-3 wooden beauty, was kidnapped from her home at On Sacred Grounds Coffee, Tea and Specialty Shoppe at Palouse Highway and Highway 27 in Valleyford on or about Nov. 30.
“We’ve never found her,” Rising said. “There have been no ransom demands. She was hand-crafted, very eye-catching. Someone’s probably using her for target practice or she’s in someone’s garden. It’s weird; it’s like kidnapping your own mother.”
Rising notified police when the $700 sign went missing, but officers have had no luck finding her.
Rising said that, just like in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” people have passed the hat and raised hundreds of dollars to replace Lynda Latte with a clone.
Artist Jim Lisk will design, draw, cut and paint her replacement. She’ll be unveiled at this year’s first Art and Crafters Festival, planned for July 21 in Valleyford. At that time there will be a contest to name the new lady.
If you have any information about Lynda Latte’s whereabouts, call Rising at 747-6294 or 230-7648.
Library District
Library hours to be extended
Citing strong revenues following a levy lid lift approved by voters last fall, the Spokane County Library district is adding 61 hours to the schedules of nine libraries.
Starting March 1, the Spokane Valley Library will be open an additional three hours each Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Argonne branch library, near Millwood, will add hours on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Current library hours and more information about the change are available on the district’s Web site, www.scld.org.
The library district also plans to add more books, CDs and DVDs to its collection, according to a news release.
Faster Internet connections and downloadable audio books are planned for later this year.