In brief: Beach will close for soil cleanup

A beach along the Spokane River will be closed in late summer and fall while soil containing lead, arsenic and other metals is removed.

The site on the north shore of the river, immediately west of the Harvard Road Bridge, is one of nine shoreline areas in Washington targeted for cleanup, based on studies of mining waste in the Coeur d’Alene Basin.

Over a period of decades, heavy metals washed down from the Coeur d’Alene Mining District, settling in the upper stretches of the Spokane River. They’re hazardous to people and wildlife.

The Department of Ecology plans to replace the metals-laced soil with clean soil at the beach near Harvard Road Bridge. In some areas, the contamination will be left in place and capped with clean sand and gravel. A boat launch is also planned.

Comments on the proposed work will be accepted through May 30. For more information, call (509) 329-3415 or go to www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/ tcp/sites/harvardRoadN/ hrn_hp.htm.

Sex offenders living in area, police say

The Spokane Police Department wants to notify residents of four sex offenders who are now living in the area.

Clare A. Maynard, 57, has moved into the downtown area, said Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. Maynard was convicted in Asotin County in 2000 for unlawful imprisonment with sexual motivation of a 20-year-old man. He had a conviction in 1983 for second-degree rape of a 22-year- old woman, DeRuwe said.

Fletcher K. Moore, 49, is a transient. He was convicted of first-degree child molestation that occurred in 1995 in Snohomish County involving an 11-year-old girl. He also has a previous conviction of third-degree statutory rape, DeRuwe said.

Chris A. Silva, 33, is a transient. He was convicted for a felony indecent exposure that occurred in 2007 involving two adult women. He has previous convictions of third-degree rape and first-degree manslaughter, police said.

David W. Rice, 19, is a transient. He was convicted of first-degree rape of a child and attempted child molestation in Grant County that involved a 7-year-old boy in 2005, DeRuwe said.

For questions or concerns call the department’s Sexual Exploitation Unit at (509) 625-4244.