Traffic restrictions tonight for fireworks

There will be traffic restrictions and road closures in Liberty Lake tonight as Pavillion Park fills in anticipation of a free concert and fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Beginning at 8 p.m. Molter Road will be closed from Boone to Country Vista Drive and Country Vista Drive will be closed between Molter and Wright. Flaggers will be in place to divert traffic.

The closures will last until approximately 10:30 p.m. In addition, the Pavillion Park parking lot will be limited to handicap and senior citizen parking. Mitchell Court will be closed to all parking. A shuttle bus will bring people to the park from the Liberty Lake Elementary School parking lot at 23606 E. Boone Ave.

The restrictions are in place because the large number of pedestrians block vehicle traffic on Molter and Country Vista, said Sgt. Clint Gibson of the Liberty Lake Police Department. “We did this last year and it worked out great,” he said. “Traffic empties out quicker with this set up.”

Nina Culver

Insurance chief to speak at forum

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce will feature Mike Kreidler, the Washington Insurance Commissioner, as the guest speaker at the Issues Forum luncheon that will be held on July 13 at the Mirabeau Park Hotel1100 N. Sullivan Road, 11:30 a.m.

Kreidler will discuss his proposal for guaranteed health benefits. The Issues Forum is a quarterly luncheon program devoted to a topic of business interest. The event is offered for the benefit of Spokane Valley Chamber members but the general public is invited to attend.

Cost of the luncheon is $25 per person. Reservations are required.

For reservations and more information call (509) 924-4994 or visit www.spokanevalley chamber.org.

Spokane Valley stays at No. 7

According to population estimates released recently by the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Spokane Valley’s population stands at 89,440.

With an increase of about .6 percent over its 2008 population of 88,920, Spokane Valley retains its position as the seventh largest city in the state. Statewide, population growth over the last year was 1.2 percent.

For more information regarding the 2009 OFM population estimates visit http://www.ofm.wa.gov/ pop/estimates.asp.