Washington Voices

Developers would be allowed to exceed density limits under a proposal to increase low-income housing in Spokane Valley. The plan is proposed by the city planning staff in cooperation with Northeast Washington Housing Solutions, a public agency that administers federal housing programs.

Safeco Insurance agents in the Spokane area are donating $25,000 to The Salvation Army and Second Harvest Inland Northwest. More than 70 independent agents raised the money during a summer campaign, sponsored by Safeco. The funding will help meet the increasing demands of The Salvation Army and Second Harvest. Second Harvest expects the donation made by Safeco and its Spokane-area independent agents will provide more than 100,000 meals.

For the week of Oct. 19-23 Monday – Option 1: Braised beef tips, pasta, peas and carrots, fresh fruit, rye bread, tapioca pudding. Option 2: Deli sandwich peas and carrots, fresh fruit, tapioca pudding.

U-Hi quarterback aims to finish season with wins

University High School teacher Mike Cronin, who was reprimanded earlier this year for reportedly touching a female student and a female staff member inappropriately while drunk, has been charged with driving under the influence three times since 2004 and stated in court documents that he is an alcoholic. The Central Valley School District’s investigation into Cronin’s behavior also turned up allegations by several students that he appeared to be drunk in class several times in late 2008. A local business owner also said she had barred Cronin from her store because of his drinking and harassment of female staff and customers.

The past couple of weeks has been a time of “did nots” for the Spokane Valley Fire Department. A chemical-leak scare at Honeywell Specialty Materials, 15128 E. Euclid Ave., didn’t result in injury – nor any deadly hydrogen cyanide gas. A faulty detector was suspected.

Fire District 8 – A public hearing was held on revenue sources for 2010. The 2010 budget was reviewed and commissioners approved a substantial need resolution that will allow an increase of 1 percent on existing property for the district’s regular levy and EMS levy. Four applicants have expressed interest in the vacant commissioner seat, and interviews will be conducted in November. A short executive session was held to discuss contract and personnel issues. (Source: Administrative assistant Carol Trescott) Fire District 11 (Rockford) – Commissioners discussed equipment maintenance issues. They also discussed the district’s largest fire this season, a recent five-acre timber fire east of Rockford on Jackson Road. The fire occurred on an extremely windy day, and units from Fire District 8 and the Department of Natural Resources helped knock it down. Commissioners also purchased a storage shed. (Source: Chief Stan Seehorn)

For 10-15-2009

Spokane Valley City Council members adopted a 2010 budget Tuesday and opposed a statewide initiative they felt would undermine future budgets. Both actions were unanimous despite some sympathetic rhetoric about Initiative 1033. The measure would limit spending increases to the amount of inflation plus an allowance for population growth.

Attendant Care Registry – Free service matching disabled adults and children with personal-care providers; sponsored by Coalition of Responsible Disabled; (509) 326-6355. Change Point/Displaced Homemaker Center – Ideal for women and men who are making the transition from the home to the workforce because of a separation, divorce, loss of a spouse or partner, or because a spouse or partner is unable to work. Free training is provided in computers, resume preparation, job and communication skills, and conflict resolution techniques. The Change Point/Displaced Homemaker Center program is sponsored by the Institute for Extended Learning. Call Denise McKinnon at (509) 279-6065 for more information.

The Cheney City Council will take a look at making changes to an ordinance requiring developers to put up a bond to guarantee environmental mitigation, maintenance and monitoring on new projects. The controversy began at the council meeting Tuesday night when Public Works Director Todd Ableman asked the council to approve a $5,000 line-item budget change to guarantee wetland mitigation at the new Cheney Industrial and Commerce Park. He said most developers would put up a performance bond, and in lieu of that, the city would put $5,000 from the sewer fund.

Today Spokane Valley Anime Club - For teens in grades six or above. Watch anime episodes, eat snacks and more. 4 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Looks like we are going to end the gardening season in grand style this year. Three nights of 15-degree temperatures made sure of that. It is time to dig the cannas, dahlias and begonias. While the tops will be killed by the cold, the ground should have been warm enough to protect the bulbs. After the frost, cannas and dahlias need a few more days in the ground to harden their skins and absorb moisture. Cut back the stalks to 6 inches. Gently and carefully dig around the clumps to loosen them. Lift out the cluster of dahlia tubers intact. Canna tubers tend to break, but try to lift them as large pieces. Keep any tags with the tubers.

I don’t know much about art. To be honest, most of the art in my home was purchased at craft fairs or department stores. The rest of it was created by youngsters armed with hot glue guns, old magazines and magic markers. Alas, the only prints on my walls are those left from small, sticky fingers. But I love strolling through galleries and museums and discovering more about artists and their craft. My education has thus far been a rather solitary pursuit. That’s why I was thrilled when I received a note about a new Meetup group called “For the Love of Art.”