In brief: Day care legislation makes comeback
Legislation that would regulate home day care centers in Idaho is on the move again, but with changes that make it easier to avoid state licensing.
Among the amendments approved Monday by the state House was one that would require state licensing only for those caring for seven or more unrelated children. The previous version of the bill would require licenses for those caring for four or more unrelated children.
Although the amendments water down the measure, Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene, called it a step in the right direction.
“It will nonetheless make significant progress to protect the safety of those children,” said Sayler, who has tried for five years to get Idaho lawmakers to approve minimum safety and other regulations for day care operators.
The bill passed the Senate on March 12 by a 30-5 vote but got hung up in the House Health and Welfare Committee.
Spokane Valley
Six boxer puppies rescued from blaze
Firefighters rescued six boxer puppies Monday from a burning Spokane Valley duplex.
Spokane Valley fire crews responded to 10703 E. Nora Ave. about 2:30 p.m., after a fire was reported in the kitchen in one unit of a duplex. Officials said the fire was started by a pan of oil left unattended on a stove.
Firefighters located the fire in the kitchen area, and quickly extinguished the blaze. The family’s pets, including the 3-day-old puppies, were inside the burning duplex but were brought to safety.
The fire caused extensive damage, leaving the residents homeless, fire officials said. The residents had homeowners insurance, and the American Red Cross was providing assistance, fire officials said.
Spokane
Hillyard celebrating finalist nomination
Residents are invited Wednesday to celebrate Hillyard’s nomination for national Neighborhood of the Year.
The northeast Spokane community was nominated as a finalist for the Neighborhoods USA annual award.
The celebration, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook St., will include pizza and refreshments.
The winner will be announced May 22. Each finalist will have the chance to present a neighborhood project to the NUSA board May 20-23, at the organization’s national conference, being held in Spokane this year.
Kootenai County
Silverwood season starts Saturday
Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho will open Saturday.
Now in its 22nd season, the attraction north of Coeur d’Alene will be open weekends only in May. Daily operations will begin May 30, and the Boulder Beach water park will open June 6.
Silverwood marks the 10th anniversary of Tremors, its wooden roller coaster, this weekend with a discounted price of $19.99 general admission for all ages, saving adults $21. The park has not raised its prices for the new season. The last price increase came last August.
For information, go to silverwoodthemepark.com or call (208) 684-3400, ext. 167.
Region
Seeking thoughts on Obama so far
Wednesday marks President Barack Obama’s 100th day in office.
We’d like you to tell us whether you’ve changed your mind about him.
Keep it clean and under 100 words, and we’ll print the best responses on Wednesday; the rest will be collected online.
E-mail responses before 3 p.m. today to breakingnews@ spokesman.com.