In brief: Idaho seminar covers open-government laws
A free seminar on Idaho’s open government laws for citizens, news media, public officials and their staffs takes place at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Coeur d’Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave.
The sessions will cover Idaho’s open meeting law and the public records law. Presenters include Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Deputy Attorney General Brian Kane and Spokesman-Review reporter Betsy Russell, who is the president of Idahoans for Openness in Government, a nonprofit coalition.
The event is co-sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Press and The Spokesman-Review. Please RSVP at least two days in advance by contacting Camie Wereley, 208-664-8176, ext. 2016; or cwereley@cdapress.org.
Well-Read Moose to have open house
The Well-Read Moose, an independent bookstore in Coeur d’Alene, will host an open house 4-7 p.m. Thursday.
There will be complimentary wine, hot chocolate and treats at the store, at 2048 N. Main St. in the Riverstone development.
Carol Muzik, local author of a children’s book called “Raising Lucy,” will read to kids at 4:30 p.m., followed by a showing of a DVD of her book.
In addition, a 10 percent discount will be given on books purchased that evening for Books For Tots, a children’s book drive created to collect books for underprivileged children in Kootenai County. All the books collected by Books For Tots will be given to the local chapter of Toys For Tots for distribution.
Spokane to host regional tennis playoffs
Nearly 4,000 recreational tennis players will take part in regional tournaments in Spokane next summer, part of the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Tennis Association national championships.
The competitors will play more than 2,700 matches in Spokane in July, August and September, according to the Spokane Sports Commission. Spokane is hosting five of eight sectional championships for the Pacific Northwest region of USTA, a news release said. USTA offers leagues and tournaments for recreational tennis players of all ages and ability levels.
Inslee wants to reduce new HIV cases
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee said he is committed to cutting the number of new HIV diagnoses in Washington in half by 2020.
Inslee issued an “End AIDS in Washington State” proclamation Monday that directs the state’s HIV Planning Steering Group to lead a task force to draft recommendations for a statewide plan.
More than 19,000 people in the state have been diagnosed with HIV, and more than 6,000 have died, according to the state’s Department of Health.
The number of new cases has dropped from 540 in 2008 to 470 in 2013.
E-recycling totals 250 million pounds
OLYMPIA – Washington residents have recycled more than 250 million pounds of TVs, computers and other electronics since 2009.
The Department of Ecology on Monday said the state’s E-Cycle program has kept an estimated 23 million pounds of lead out of landfills.
Many electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury.
Equipment collected through the program is taken apart, and materials such as glass, plastic, metals and toxic chemicals are separated.
Residents can take TVs, computers, monitors, DVD players, tablets and laptops to recycle for free. A 2006 state law requires electronics manufacturers to pay for the program.
Main Seattle-Everett rail line reopens
SEATTLE – The main rail line between Seattle and Everett has reopened for passenger traffic after crews cleaned up trees and debris from a weekend mudslide.
BNSF Railway spokesman Gus Melonas said a 48-hour passenger rail traffic moratorium on the rail segment ended Monday evening.
A mudslide south of Everett blocked the line Saturday evening, halting freight and passenger service.
Freight traffic has resumed. Melonas said Monday evening that Amtrak and Sounder trains have a green light to resume operations.