Kalispels honored for philanthropy
A Seattle nonprofit recently named the Kalispel Tribe of Indians philanthropists of the year for “their outstanding commitment to investing in the community.”
The nonprofit Potlatch Fund, which aims to expand philanthropy among American Indian tribes in the Northwest, cited the tribe for contributing more than $700,000 to over 200 nonprofits last year. The tribe, based in Usk, Wash., has more than 400 members; it owns the Northern Quest Casino just west of Spokane.
The contributions supported cultural causes, social services, education and health care, according to a news release from the Potlatch Fund, which held its awards ceremony Nov. 15 in Seattle.
Bonner County
Truck’s trailer breaks loose, strikes car
A fishtailing trailer broke loose from a pickup and struck a car on Highway 95 near Sagle, Idaho, on Saturday, causing the car to roll and sending its three occupants to the hospital, according to the Idaho State Police.
Alan Gibson, 51, of Sagle, was driving southbound in a 1986 Dodge truck when his trailer broke loose as Ruby Wheeler, 41, was driving northbound at milepost 468. Wheeler pulled her 2004 Kia Sedona to the shoulder, but the trailer struck her and she drove off the road and rolled her car, according to the ISP.
Wheeler and two passengers, whose names weren’t released, were taken to Bonner General Hospital, where Wheeler was listed in stable condition.
OLYMPIA
State evaluating four-day work week
The state Department of Community Trade and Economic Development says it should have some information next month on whether a four-day week for some workers is saving money.
The agency’s Olympia headquarters switched to the shortened week in October as Gov. Chris Gregoire asked agencies to save money.
A spokesman for the Office of Financial Management, Glenn Kuper, told the Olympian that working four 10-hour days is popular among workers.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Heidi Audette, says the shift to four-day weeks has gone smoothly, without much feedback from the public.
SEATTLE
Washington’s fast passenger ferries sold
Washington state has finally sold two fast ferries that were taken out of service by legislators after they were embroiled in a lawsuit.
A California transportation authority has agreed to buy the Chinook and Snohomish, Washington State Ferries’ two fastest passenger ferries, for $4 million. The district plans to put them into service on San Francisco Bay.
The vessels cost $19.6 million to build. State Transportation Department officials had hoped to get $9 million for them.
The deal comes after months of attempts by Washington state officials to sell the vessels, including two unsuccessful tries on eBay.
The two catamaran-hull ferries were built in Anacortes in 1998 and 1999 and placed on the Seattle-Bremerton run, where they cruised at speeds of close to 45 mph.
They were shut down after beach landowners sued, saying there was damage from the vessels’ wakes. After the state settled the case, legislators ordered the state ferry system out of the foot-ferry business because of the high cost of the service.
From staff and wire reports