In brief: High-water warnings for Spokane River issued early

Officials typically issue high-water advisories for the Spokane River in March or April, but recent mild weather and the unusually early snowmelt have created dangerous water conditions well before spring arrives.

People recreating on or near the river should use extreme caution and wear life jackets, Lt. Stu Miller of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

“Obviously people are going to be flocking toward the water more,” Miller said.

They unknowingly put themselves at risk due to treacherous currents and cold water, he said. An adult in water that is 32 to 40 degrees typically will succumb to hypothermia in 15 to 30 minutes, Miller said.

The Spokane River flow below the Post Falls dam is flowing at 21,500 cubic feet per second.

The Sheriff’s Office has had reports of boaters on the river above the dam creating high wakes that are causing damage to residential properties. “As a boater, you are responsible for your wake as well as any damage that it causes,” Miller said.

County firefighter dies in Hawaii

A firefighter on vacation in Hawaii died Monday in a snorkeling accident, Spokane County Fire District 10 announced on its Facebook page.

Shane Robins, who joined the department about two years ago, was reported missing by his wife while he was snorkeling in Maui. He was found in the water several minutes later, and attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful, the district said.

Besides his wife, Robins is survived by two adult children and several grandchildren.

“He inspired many of the other students in his academy in his spirit and enthusiasm while being consistently positive – traits that he continued to demonstrate each time he was at training or on an incident,” the district’s Facebook message said.

Fire District 10 serves the West Plains.

Official suggests renaming Valley

Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard rattled an old cage at Tuesday’s City Council winter workshop when he suggested renaming Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley is in the early stages of building its first city hall, and Woodard said the right time to look at a name change is before that building goes up.

“Perhaps we should brand ourselves differently?” he asked the City Council and staff. His suggestion was met with indiscernible mumbles and a few rebranding jokes. No one on the council offered support for the idea.

Woodard made the suggestion during a brainstorming session at the end of the daylong workshop.

The City Council could adopt a resolution suggesting a new name or a group of residents could bring a petition for a new name, signed by at least 10 percent of the city’s residents to the council. Either way, a name change requires a vote of the people.

In 2003, shortly after Spokane Valley incorporated, there was a push to rename it Opportunity. Greenacres has also been brought up in the past.

Woodard did not suggest any alternative names.