In brief: Memorial Day will affect services

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

• Garbage won’t be collected in Spokane, Spokane County and Coeur d’Alene on Monday. Collection will take place one day later than scheduled throughout the week.

• City, county, state and federal offices will be closed, as will Spokane Public Library branches.

• Most banks will be closed.

• Idaho state liquor stores will be closed.

• Post offices will be closed and no deliveries will be made.

• Spokane parking meters will not be in operation.

• The Spokane Transit Authority will be running on Sunday hours on Memorial Day.

• Riverfront Park attractions will operate during extended hours Sunday and Monday.

Senators to visit, plug school-related bills

With the U.S. Congress recessing this week for the Memorial Day holiday, both Washington senators will be in Spokane on Tuesday to highlight projects targeting the education system.

Sen. Maria Cantwell will tour Spokane Seed Co. to tout a provision in the pending Farm Bill increasing the use of pulse crops, such as chick peas and lentils, in school lunches. If passed, the measure would authorize the Department of Agriculture to spend an additional $10 million in purchasing the crops for school lunches through 2017. In addition to making lunches healthier, Cantwell hopes to boost job growth in the food production industry statewide with the initiative.

Lincoln Heights Elementary will host Sen. Patty Murray, who visits to drum up support for a bill that would allow states to apply for federal money to create voluntary preschool programs.

Murray, a preschool teacher before entering politics, serves on the Senate committee considering the legislation.

Sheriff reiterates boating safety laws

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reminds those hitting the waterways over the holiday weekend and throughout the summer to obey boating safety laws. Reminders include:

• Law enforcement will follow a “zero tolerance” policy toward drinking and operating a vessel.

• Boats exceeding 16 feet in length must keep throwable life preservers on deck.

• Children 12 and younger must wear a life vest when a boat is in motion.

• Adults should consider wearing life vests as well, as colder water temperatures increase the risk of drowning.

A complete list of safety laws can be found at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office website.

Mother jailed for toddler smoking pot

CENTRALIA, Wash. – A Centralia mother has been sentenced to 6 months in jail for allowing her 22-month-old to smoke marijuana.

Prosecutors used a cellphone video that appeared to show 24-year-old Rachelle Braaten’s young son smoking from a bong. They do not believe the video uncovered in March was the first time he was exposed to drugs.

According to court documents, Braaten told police she felt peer pressure to let her son smoke pot.

Police found marijuana plants and some guns in the home and also arrested Braaten’s fiance.