Marks’ condition listed as critical
Gypsy leader Jimmy Marks, whose family won a $1.43 million settlement against the city of Spokane almost 10 years ago, is in critical condition in Sacred Heart Medical Center, a nursing supervisor confirmed Saturday evening.
Marks and members of his family sued the city after police raids on his home and that of his father, Grover Marks, in 1986. Officers looking for stolen property seized $1.6 million in cash and $500,000 in jewelry. Instead of searching the four people under investigation, police searched more than two dozen members of the family. A Superior Court judge later ruled the searches were illegal and dismissed charges against Marks, his wife, and his parents.
After years of litigation, a settlement was reached. Anger over the case led to a Gypsy curse being placed on the city. “The curse has worked well,” Marks said in 2005.
– Staff reports
Road closure clogs state park entry
A failed irrigation line has caused an emergency road closure at Riverside State Park.
Aubrey L. White Parkway – from Rifle Club Road all the way to the entrance to the Bowl and Pitcher area – will be closed indefinitely, at least until the damage can be assessed Monday, according to Ranger Gary Vierra.
“It’s extremely unsafe,” he said. “The road is impassable.”
Even pedestrians and cyclists should stay away from the area, Vierra stressed.
An irrigation line blew out late Saturday morning, flooding the gravel hillside and causing the 80-foot-tall bank to become unstable, he said. Crews from both the city of Spokane, which maintains the road, and Washington State Parks are working together to fix the problem.
For more information, call Riverside State Park’s headquarters at (509) 465-5064.
– Staff reports
SANDPOINT
Sailboats to get first pick of slips
The Sandpoint City Council has voted to give sailboat owners the first shot at choosing half of the 110 slips at a publicly owned marina on Lake Pend Oreille.
Owners of motorboats will get to select from the remaining half at Windbag Marina.
The marina has traditionally offered slips on a first-come, first-served basis when they become available. But the Sandpoint Sailing Association requested the change, noting the marina is good for sailboats that need deep water because of their keels.
The association holds weekly races and is involved in other activities.
The council approved the change on Wednesday with a 3-2 vote. Councilwoman Helen Newton favored the old method.
“Preference for one boat over another should not be a way to manage boats,” said Newton, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported. “Windbag is very important to the community and for all types of boats, which are increasing. We need to treat everyone equally.”
She said the city should consider increasing rental fees, because they are lower than those charged by private marinas in the area.
– Associated Press