In Brief: Carbon monoxide detectors urged
The Spokane Valley Fire Department is encouraging residents to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
According to the department, recent Home Fire Safety Visits found residences without the detectors that can warn people about the presence of the colorless, odorless gas that can kill in high amounts.
Experts recommend that carbon monoxide detectors be placed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, particularly homes that use natural gas, propane and wood burning appliances.
Anyone with questions about the detectors and how to place them can call the Spokane Valley Fire Department at (509) 892-4153.
Fire marshals issue burn ban
Spokane-region fire marshals have announced a burn ban because of hot and dry conditions that could speed wildfire growth.
Outdoor burning is banned in all of Spokane County, including the city of Spokane. Residents cannot use fire pits but they are allowed to use backyard barbecues and outdoor fireplaces as long as they have a spark arrester and a chimney.
If a barbecue or outdoor fireplace is used, it must be monitored at all times and there should be water or dirt on hand to put out the fire. Neither should be used if wind speeds are higher than 7 mph. Hot ashes should be placed in a noncombustible container, not a plastic trash can or bucket.
The burn ban will continue until further notice. Typically, burn bans are lifted once high fire danger has passed.
Dispatch center names new chief
The new Spokane Regional Emergency Communications dispatch center that officially launched on July 1 has a new executive director.
Lori Markham, who is currently the deputy director of operations at the SREC, has been selected to lead the organization. She has served in her role as deputy director for two years. She began her career as a fire communications specialist at the Combined Communications Center in 2008 and was the acting division chief for several months before taking the position of SREC deputy director.
The Combined Communications Center was created in 1998 after the Spokane County fire districts consolidated their communications systems into one. The SREC dispatch center combines fire and police dispatch services.
Markham replaces Steve Reinke, who was hired last year on a short-term contract to launch the SREC dispatch center. She will begin her role as executive director on Sept. 1.
Applications accepted for city grants
The city of Spokane is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations for grant funding to support programs and events that celebrate Spokane’s cultural communities.
The grants are intended to fund cultural festivals, art fairs, programs for culturally underrepresented populations and lectures or workshops with a cultural focus. The activities funded by the grants must be free and open to the public.
The city has $40,000 available for distribution. The events must take place between September 2019 and Aug. 31, 2020. The application deadline is Aug. 16 at 5 p.m. and the applications are available online at static.spokanecity.org/documents/mayor/cultural-
fund/cultural-fund-application-form-fillable.pdf.
Completed applications can be emailed to gochoabruck@spokanecity.org or dropped off at City Hall, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Shelter for homeless will be topic
The community is invited to a meeting to discuss a potential new homeless shelter planned at 4210 E. Sprague Ave. The city of Spokane will host the meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Project ID, 4209 E. Pacific Ave., to get input from neighbors and residents.
The city has been working to open a new shelter and is reviewing proposals from potential operators of the shelter, which is located near the city’s boundary with the city of Spokane Valley. The shelter, accommodating 120 people, would open this fall.
Eide Bailly to hold team-building fun
Employees at downtown Spokane company Eide Bailly will spend their team-building day today creating fun items to be used by the public in the downtown area.
The group will gather on Wall Street between Main and Riverside avenues from 1 to 4 p.m. today, with plans to make customized game cubes, modular patio fencing that doubles as a planter, corn hole games and painted pianos to be set on the street for people to play.
The 70 employees at Eide Bailly are partnering with the Downtown Spokane Partnership to create the items. The items will be placed in various locations downtown once they are complete.
Eide Bailly is a regional company that provides tax, accounting and business advisory services.
Providence seeks award nominations
Providence Health Care is looking for community nominations to find the next recipient of the Sister Peter Claver Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes people in the community who are known for their humanitarian work helping improve people’s lives or promoting social reform.
Sister Peter Claver ran Sacred Heart Medical Center from 1964 to 1987 and was known for her humanitarian spirit. The award named in her honor has been given out 25 times.
Nominations are due by Aug. 9 and nomination forms are available online at washington.providence.
org/events/ewa/sister-peter-claver-award. The
winner will be announced at a dinner at the Spokane Convention Center scheduled for Oct. 8.
Kids’ recycling boot camp set
The city of Spokane is inviting kids ages 8-13 to attend a Recycling Boot Camp from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Waste to Energy Facility, 2900 S. Geiger Boulevard.
The free boot camp will allow kids to tour the Waste to Energy Plant, learn how garbage trucks work and learn about recycling. They’ll even get the chance to make recycled paper.
Though the session is free, registration is required due to limited space. Parents can make a reservation for their child by calling (509) 625-6580 or sending an email to solidwaste@spokanecity.org. The deadline for registration is Monday.