In brief: Officials say depot is in compliance

The Burlington Northern Santa Fe refueling depot in Huetter is in compliance with local environmental regulations.

Kootenai County commissioners Thursday voted unanimously that the massive depot met the conditions set when it was first opened in 2004.

Months after the $52 million facility was finished in 2004, a leak extended to the underlying Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The facility was also shut down by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2005 when diesel was discovered on a liner.

But there have been no accidents since then. More than 54,000 trains have been serviced since the depot opened.

49 Degrees North to open today

After collecting more snow this week, 49 Degrees North joins Lookout Pass today in an early opening.

49 Degrees North near Chewelah, Wash., will have four lifts and 31 runs open today, as well as midweek pricing, said Brad Northrup, director of sales and marketing.

He said the ski area will remain open at least through Tuesday.

Lookout Pass reopened Friday for the weekend on limited terrain.

Spokane ranks among ‘most charitable’ cities

Spokane doesn’t lack for charity, according to a national men’s magazine.

Men’s Health magazine has named Spokane the sixth “most charitable” community among 100 major U.S. cities rated in its December issue.

The magazine and Convio, a software provider for nonprofit corporations, compiled 2008 data about donations to Goodwill Industries International, the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to rank the cities in terms of philanthropy.

The top five are Madison, Wis.; Richmond, Va.; Seattle; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Austin, Texas. The least charitable were, in order of stinginess, Yonkers, N.Y.; El Paso, Texas; Newark, N.J.; Fresno, Calif.; New York City and Los Angeles.