In brief: Sheriff’s Office warns of mail theft

SPOKANE COUNTY – The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous reports of mail theft in the southern parts of Spokane County.

Deputy Craig Chamberlin wrote in a news release that it appears mail thieves open the mail right there, often searching through Christmas cards for cash.

Packages delivered on residents’ front porches are also a prime target.

The Sheriff’s Office urges residents to be home or set up alternative package delivery to avoid leaving packages unattended outside, Chamberlin wrote.

City of Spokane will pick up discarded Christmas trees

SPOKANE – The city of Spokane will pick up Christmas trees as part of ordinary garbage collection between Dec. 30 and Jan. 17. Trees must be free of decorations and left 3 feet away from any refuse cart on the regular garbage collection day. Trees taller than 6 feet should be cut in half.

Christmas trees may also be dumped at the Waste-to-Energy Plant, 2900 S. Geiger Blvd.; the Spokane Valley Transfer Station, 3941 N. Sullivan Road; and at the North Side Transfer Station, 22123 Elk-Chattaroy Road. There is a $5 charge for dumping a tree at a these facilities. Trees are composted.

Also, many local groups such as Scouts and school groups chip or recycle trees for a small fee as fundraisers.

New Year’s holiday affects services, but park attractions will be open

SPOKANE – There is no Spokane City Council meeting Monday. Regular meetings will resume Jan. 6 with a briefing session at 3:30 p.m. and the legislative session starting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

Because of the New Year’s Day holiday:

• Parking meters do not have to be plugged Wednesday.

• Spokane Municipal Court will be closed Wednesday.

• Spokane Public Library branches will be closed Wednesday, and the Shadle and South Hill libraries will close two hours early at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

• There is no garbage pickup Wednesday, and pickup will be a day late the rest of the week.

• The Waste-to-Energy Plant and transfer stations are closed Wednesday but open all other days from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Riverfront Park attractions will be open – check spokaneriverfrontpark.com for hours and ticket prices.

• The Imax Theatre features a free holiday film festival daily through Sunday, showing “Arthur Christmas” at 11 a.m., Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” at 1 p.m., “Elf” at 3 p.m. and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at 5 p.m. Food donations to Second Harvest Food Bank are requested at all shows.

First Night Spokane will close certain streets downtown Tuesday

DOWNTOWN – Some downtown streets will be closed Tuesday for First Night Spokane.

Streets closed 7 a.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday: Howard Street from Main Avenue to Spokane Falls Boulevard and Wall Street from Main Avenue to Spokane Falls Boulevard. Spokane Falls Boulevard will be closed from Stevens Street to Post Street from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cars parked in this area on Spokane Falls Boulevard will be towed.

At 6 p.m., these streets will also be closed for the parade: Spokane Falls Boulevard from Bernard Street to Stevens Street, and Washington Street from Main Avenue to North River Drive.