In brief: State auctioning off seized antlers online

Nearly a thousand antlers seized from poachers over the past decade by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife can be purchased during an online auction under way through June 5.

The auction is a great opportunity for people to own trophy elk, deer and moose racks, said Mike Cenci, the agency’s deputy chief of enforcement.

“Unfortunately, this auction also highlights the fact that poaching is a serious problem in Washington,” Ceni said. “Poachers steal directly from citizens and disadvantage hunters … the vast majority of which follow the law.”

Funds from the antler auction will be used to fight poaching, including offering rewards to people who report poaching incidents that lead to convictions.

For more information, visit www.publicsurplus.com and search under Washington state auctions.

GU hosting forum on toxins in Spokane River

A two-day workshop on toxins in the Spokane River will be held June 5 and 6 at Gonzaga University School of Law.

The workshop will bring together regulators, experts and interested stakeholders to begin to identify and quantify the sources of PCBs and dioxins in the river and begin to develop a plan for reducing their levels.

Advance registration is $55, with payment required by Tuesday at www.brown papertickets.com/event/243975. Registration covers lunches both days. Late registration or registration at the door is $65.

More information about the Spokane River Regional Toxics Task Force is available at www.SRRTTF.org.

Memorial Day affects offices, services

The following offices and services will be affected Monday by the Memorial Day holiday:

• City, county, state and federal offices will be closed.

• Garbage pickup will be one day late all week.

• Post offices will be closed.

• Most banks will be closed.

• STA buses operate on the holiday schedule, which is the same as the Sunday schedule.

• Parking meters don’t have to be plugged Monday.

Gonzaga receives science studies grant

Gonzaga University has received a second grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support the Spokane school’s science curriculum.

The newest grant, for $1.2 million, begins in September as Gonzaga’s first grant from the institute expires. The grant will be used to further the work Gonzaga already has done to provide research opportunities for undergraduates, increase diversity among science students and offer scientific study programs for area high-school students, according to a news release.

Gonzaga is one of 47 small colleges and universities to receive a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The Chevy Chase, Md.-based nonprofit provides grants that support biomedical research and science education.