In brief: Water line repairs to close Mission

Mission Avenue from Hamilton to Perry streets will be closed today and Thursday so that the street can be excavated for water line repair, city officials said.

Drivers will be detoured onto Indiana Avenue.

In addition, phone line work that had been planned this week on Lidgerwood Street from Rowan to North avenues is being postponed for warmer weather.

Condon weighs bid for Spokane mayor

The deputy chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers confirmed Tuesday that he is “seriously considering” running for Spokane mayor.

David Condon, 37, said he is “trying to assess” if the city needs new leadership.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m just trying to figure out if now is the time to do it,” Condon said.

With only about eight months until the general election, only incumbent Mayor Mary Verner has declared her intention to file for the position.

Condon, who also serves as McMorris Rodgers’ district director, said he would make a final decision about running for mayor this month or next.

Snow piles up south of Spokane

Pullman, Moscow, St. Maries and other locations south of Spokane were inundated with snow from a potent storm on Monday and early Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service said.

The greatest depth reported was 19 inches five miles northeast of Moscow. Another location in Latah County near Viola had 17 inches.

A resident just east of Moscow had 10.2 inches.

An amateur radio operator reported 15 inches at Pullman. Palouse had 11 inches. St. Maries came in at 10.2 inches.

The region should see a break in the snow today as milder air is brought inland from the southwest. Rain is expected at lower elevations today. Rain or snow is expected each day for the rest of the week.

Bill would remove sex crime deadline

OLYMPIA – The House voted to remove time limits on prosecuting pedophiles to allow charges to be brought long after victims become adults.

The House unanimously approved House Bill 1647, which would eliminate the statute of limitations on the most serious child sex crimes, and extend it to 10 years for certain sexual assault cases involving adult victims. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane, said the change would give closure to victims and act as a deterrent to child rapists.

Rep. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw, said he supports the change even though sex assault convictions can be difficult even when reported promptly.

The bill now moves to the Senate.