In brief: Book drive through Friday

University Elementary and Chester Elementary are collecting books for younger children through Friday.

As part of the Success by 6 Children’s Book Drive, students are rounding up new and used books for kids up to 6 years old.

Anyone who would like can donate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday at either school. Or for pick-up, call 228-4650.

In Spokane Valley, other drop sites include Dishman Dodge, Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Barnes and Noble, Hastings and AmericanWest Bank branches.

– Peter Barnes

SPOKANE VALLEY

Chamber to host candidate school

With three seats on the Spokane Valley City Council up for election this fall, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is holding a candidate school Monday for those considering a run for office.

From 1 to 5 p.m. at the chamber office, 9507 E. Sprague Ave., participants can learn more about community issues, organizing a campaign, raising money and communicating with the public.

The cost is $20, which includes a resource notebook and refreshments. To reserve a spot, call 924-4994.

In Spokane Valley, Councilman Bill Gothmann and Steve Taylor have announced they will run for office again. Councilman Mike DeVleming has chosen not to run and, so far, no one has announced they will run for his seat or against the two incumbents.

Candidates officially can file to run for office from June 4 through 8 at the Spokane County elections office. Filing by mail begins Friday.

– Peter Barnes

Funds available for service groups

Social service and economic development organizations can apply for funding from the 2008 city of Spokane Valley budget through July 27.

Each year, the City Council appropriates a modest portion of the city’s budget to community-service oriented groups like Valleyfest, the Spokane Valley Community Center and Project Access.

For more information, visit the city’s Web site at www.spokanevalley.org.

Applications should include basic information about the organization, its background, budget, contacts, the amount requested and how it would be used. They can be sent to the Spokane Valley finance department at 11707 E. Sprague Ave., Suite 106, Spokane Valley, WA 99206.

– Peter Barnes

Post Falls

Parts of trail will close

Sections of the Centennial Trail in Post Falls will close next week for maintenance.

The targeted sections are between Highway 41 and the state border.

For more information, call Kootenai County Parks and Waterways at (208) 446-1275.

– From staff reports