In brief: Man reportedly trying to lure kids
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man they say has tried to lure children into his car over the past several weeks in the Mission and Broadway avenues corridor.
Deputies received six reports of the man offering rides between 7:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in his red sport utility vehicle, according to a news release. The reports have been made in the 13300 blocks of Mission and Broadway, as well as at the intersection of Mission and Adams Road.
The man is described as being in his 40s, balding with gray hair and speaking with a heavy accent. He stands about 6 feet tall and weighs between 150 pounds and 200 pounds, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies are stepping up patrols in the area in cooperation with the Central Valley School District, the news release said.
Bellingham OKs ‘Coast Salish Day’
SEATTLE – Bellingham is joining Seattle in honoring Native Americans on Columbus Day.
The City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to declare the second Monday in October “Coast Salish Day.” The proposal came from council member Roxanne Murphy, a member of the Nooksack Tribe who says Columbus Day is hurtful for many Native Americans.
The vote came just hours after Seattle Mayor Ed Murray signed a resolution declaring Indigenous People’s Day.
Murray, who invited City Council members and tribal leaders to the Monday afternoon signing ceremony, said the resolution was meant to honor the contributions of indigenous people in Seattle.
Some Italian-Americans have protested. In a full-page ad Monday in the Seattle Times they said Seattle’s vote disrespected citizens of Italian ancestry with an example of excessive political correctness.
OLYMPIA – Washington residents can expect to start seeing the state general election voters’ pamphlet in the mailbox.
The state Elections Division is putting them in the mail this week. They should arrive by Oct. 22.
The pamphlets go to 3.2 million households. There are 3.9 million registered voters in the state, so if there’s more than one voter in a household, they should share.
The guide includes information on state candidates and the three statewide initiatives: I-1351 to lower class sizes and the competing gun control measures, I-591 and I-594. It also includes advisory votes on two tax-related bills passed by the Legislature.
Californian spends big in Washington
OLYMPIA – Billionaire California environmentalist Tom Steyer has donated $250,000 to a political action committee he has formed in the state.
The $250,000 donation to NextGen Climate Action Committee was made on Friday, but didn’t post online with the state’s Public Disclosure Commission until Monday. Steyer has already given $1 million to the committee.
Last month, NextGen Climate announced it would spend money to support Democratic candidates in at least two key legislative races: one in Pierce County between Democratic Rep. Tami Green and incumbent Republican Sen. Steve O’Ban, and the other in King County between the Senate’s main Republican budget writer, Sen. Andy Hill, and Democratic challenger Matt Isenhower.
Those two races are among a handful that could decide control of the 49-member Senate, which is currently controlled by a coalition of 24 Republicans and two Democrats.