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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Paddlers to play cards on Pend Oreille River

Poker Paddle participants stop at various points to collect cards for their poker hands by throwing darts at a board marked up with all 52 cards in a deck. The best poker hand at the end of the two-day event wins. (Amanda Smith / The Spokesman-Review)
Staff and wire reports

OUTBOATED – The 35th annual Pend Oreille River Poker Paddle, featuring nonmotorized vessels ranging from sleek kayaks to parade-float creations, is set for Aug. 13.

The event will start at 8 a.m. at Pioneer Park Campground at Newport and finish 15 miles downstream at Usk by 5 p.m.

Formerly a two-day event, the Poker Paddle participants spend a day on the river with stops at Sandy Shores, Gregg’s Addition, Ponderay Shores and Davis Road.

The first paddlers will launch at 8 a.m. with assigned start times running to 11 a.m.

At each stop, paddlers toss a dart to get a card with the goal of achieving the best poker hand to win prizes.

Grand prize is a night’s stay at the Northern Quest Hotel with dinner for two.

Register: $35, porpokerpaddle.com.

Awareness for bear spray

WILDLIFE – A new Yellowstone National Park campaign urging tourists to carry bear spray features celebrities like Bozeman climber Conrad Anker, whose feats include three Everest ascents.

Anker is shown on a poster carrying climbing ropes and bear spray. Dan Wenk, park superintendent, said that no matter who you are or what you’re doing in Yellowstone, you should carry bear spray and know how to use it.

The posters also caution tourists to make noise and hike in groups.

While bear attacks are rare, Yellowstone spokeswoman Charissa Reid said the park is trying to increase the number of tourists carrying the tool.

Last August, a lone hiker was killed by a grizzly sow with cubs. He was the ninth bear fatality in the park’s 144-year history.

Trail reopened

near Sullivan Lake

OUTGOING – The Newport-Sullivan Lake Ranger Districts have reopened Forest Service Trail 533 from Hall Mountain to Grassy Top after the trail was closed during the Grease Creek fire of last summer.

The trail is located southeast of Sullivan Lake, Washington, on the Colville National Forest.

While many of the burned area closures have been lifted, there are still roads and trails on the Colville National Forest that are closed until hazards can be mitigated, officials say.

Maps and specific descriptions of the closed areas are available at Forest Service offices or on the forests’ website.