Groups appeal logging Bernard Street trees

Groups trying to save trees along Spokane’s Bernard Street on Tuesday appealed a City Hall decision to log 17 of 23 trees in a pedestrian buffer strip.

The appeal is being made to the city’s Urban Forestry Committee and is being brought by four neighborhood groups, including the Cliff-Cannon and Manito/Cannon Hill neighborhood organizations.

Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession earlier this year approved removal of the 17 trees as part of reconstruction of Bernard from 14th to 29th avenues.

City officials said the tree roots would be seriously damaged by excavation but that six trees were healthy enough to warrant hand digging to save their roots.

The appellants contend the city is violating its own comprehensive land-use plan, which encourages street trees.

– Mike Prager

March to support rights of immigrants

A march to support immigrants’ rights will take place at noon Thursday at the Riverfront Park Clock Tower.

Participants will hold a rally, then walk to the U.S. Courthouse downtown to protest U.S. immigration policy.

The march is being organized by Eastern Washington University’s MEChA – Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán or “Chicano Student Movement of Azlan.”

According to its mission statement, MEChA’s goal is to promote higher education, self identity, historical and cultural knowledge that benefits and empowers the Chicano community and creates social change “through self-determined political action.”

The march is part of a nationwide movement. Earlier this week, tens of thousands of protesters in U.S. cities urged lawmakers to help an estimated 11 million immigrants settle legally in the United States.

A bill passed by the House would crack down on illegal immigrants and strengthen the nation’s border with Mexico.

A broader overhaul of immigration law stalled in the Senate last week.

– Virginia de Leon

Boise

Horse racing slated at Les Bois Park

Capitol Racing will have horse racing at Les Bois Park in Boise this summer and simulcast races for viewers outside the area.

The Sacramento, Calif., company will hold 46 races starting May 5, said general manager Alan Horowitz.

Racing will be on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 12.

The only horse races at the track last year were part of the Western Idaho Fair.

Last year’s race season was canceled after county commissioners evicted the former track operator, Lariat Productions.

The biggest change will be the simulcasting offered to other tracks and betting parlors.

“It enables us to raise purses, which benefits the horsemen,” Horowitz said. “The state also gets licensing fees. It also creates more value on winning bets that are likely to pay out more.”

– Associated Press