In brief: Paddling closed on section of Spokane River

WATERSPORTS – Because of higher flows through the Sullivan Road Bridge replacement zone, the Spokane River is closed to paddling use between Old Mission Avenue and Sullivan Road, the City of Spokane Valley announced Wednesday.

The closure begins two-thirds of a mile upstream of the Sullivan Road Bridge at the Old Mission Avenue access to the river and the Centennial Trail.

The Old Mission Avenue access and river takeout is off Mission Parkway just west of Flora Road.

The expanded closure area extends to 500 feet downstream (west) of the Sullivan Road Bridge construction area.

Concerns for the safety of river users due to construction-related hazards in the river, continued high water levels, and swift currents prompted the Spokane Valley City Council to approve the closure expansion.

The river immediately adjacent to the bridge construction project was originally closed on Feb. 2.

Signs posted at river access points at Stateline, Harvard Road, Barker Road, and Flora Road alert river users to the closure.

The area will remain closed to river use until further notice, city officials say.

Subscribe to receive media releases and other emailed updates on the Sullivan Road Bridge replacement project by calling 720-5411.

CdA Audubon gathers

BIRDING – The Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society will celebrate its silver anniversary with a program, prizes and dinner Sunday at the Greenbriar Inn, 315 Wallace Ave. in Coeur d’Alene. The event will benefit the club’s wildlife habitat and education projects. Tickets, $40, can be purchased through Janet Callen, jgoldfinch@roadrunner.com.

Bear group meets

LANDS – The Smokey Bear Association, a nationwide group of Smokey Bear friends, fans and collectors, will hold its national convention Monday-Wednesday April 18-20 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op will join the group for a free open house, Smokey on the Lake: a celebration of Smokey’s 72 Years of Fire Prevention, on Tuesday, 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at the resort in Bay 3. Fire prevention and wildfire-fighting information and equipment will be on display by various groups and agencies, along with a Smokey Bear photo booth and coloring contest for kids.