Week in Review
Take four ballots, throw three in the recycling bin. Few Washington residents were old enough to cast ballots the last time state voters had to pick a party in the primary election. And the new system that made its premier Tuesday didn’t sit well. Voters had to make a choice from the four ballots they were handed or received in the mail: Would they use the ballot showing only Republican candidates; or the one with only Democratic candidates; or only Libertarian candidates; or only non-partisan races? No more crossing party lines to pick an R for one race and a D for another. “This just limits my choices,” grumbled one voter, speaking for many. Turnout was lower than normal as Republicans picked Cathy McMorris to run for Congress, and Democrats picked Christine Gregoire and Deborah Senn to run for governor and state attorney general, respectively. County voters approved a 0.1 sales tax increase to pay for public safety, but Valley voters rejected a $6 million bond issue to help pay for street work. Now, it’s on to the November general election, in which voters need not stick to a single political party.
MONDAY
“ The Forest Service has put on hold most major projects in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests because a federal appeals court has ruled the agency didn’t adequately analyze the impact of logging that would be used to pay for restoration work about 20 miles outside Coeur d’Alene. The ruling could have national implications.
TUESDAY
“ A team of scientists is measuring water levels in up to 300 wells that pierce the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. It’s the first phase of a study to help determine whether the aquifer is adequate to provide drinking water, economic development and recreation to a growing region, while still meeting ecological needs. The study is expected to cost $3.5 million.
“ Spokane police and gun dealers expect little effect from Monday’s expiration of the federal ban on semiautomatic assault-style weapons. But, some dealers said, there is a pent-up demand for ammunition magazines that can hold more than 10 cartridges. They, too, were banned under the 1994 law.
WEDNESDAY
“ A Spokane woman has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide for the February wreck that killed her friend. Meaghan McKinney, 19, was attempting to jump a hill while a third friend videotaped the stunt. Police estimate she was driving 60 mph in the 25 mph zone when she lost control of the car and hit a pole.
“ Sacred Heart Medical Center has opened its $100 million West Tower, with new units for surgery, neonatal intensive care and childbirth. The hospital hopes to lure some expectant mothers from its chief rival, Deaconess Medical Center, which last year delivered about 300 more babies than Sacred Heart.
“ Staff for the city of Spokane Valley have proposed a 2005 budget that calls for no new services and only a slight increase in spending. The city would not have to cut police officers, as had been feared.
“ Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is suing the state of Idaho. He claims that county clerks improperly disqualified hundreds of signatures, putting him short of the 5,016 needed to put his name on the November ballot.
THURSDAY
“ An 18-year-old woman allegedly tried to run down her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend as they stepped off a bus in Spokane Valley. The driver, who told police she’s pregnant, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder.
“ Spokane’s Franklin Elementary School has been named a national Blue Ribbon School for making big improvements on standardized tests required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
“ Spokane bartender Courtney Parks won a local singing competition, earning the right to audition for the national television program “American Idol.”
FRIDAY
“ Residents of Palouse, Wash., are mourning the death of Army Sgt. Jacob H. Demand. The 1995 graduate of Garfield-Palouse High School was shot while serving in Iraq.
“ Many of the people who worked to save bus service from massive cuts say they’re worried about recent suggestions that part of a sales tax increase for Spokane Transit Authority might be used to build a light-rail system. That was not mentioned before voters approved the 0.3 percent increase in May.
“ Davenport Hotel owner Walt Worthy thinks the entrances to Spokane look pitiful. So Worthy is spending at least $10,000 on median landscaping at the Lincoln Street off-ramp. Worthy hopes other business leaders will contribute to the cause, so all entrances from Interstate 90 will be made more attractive.
COMING UP
“ Despite the ever-rising cost of tuition and fees, most of the region’s colleges and universities are again bursting with high enrollment. Read about the trend Monday in The Spokesman-Review.