Public hearings end for land-use plan

Spokane Valley’s final public hearing on the new comprehensive land-use plan also proved to be a one of the most vocal.

A dozen people took the microphone Tuesday night to address a range of topics, including the fate of individual parcels and creating rules that would allow lots big enough to keep horses in the Ponderosa neighborhood.

Many in the crowd of 30 to 40 were from Greenacres, who recently bombarded the city with letters and e-mails about a map in the plan that shows East Montgomery Drive becoming a collector arterial instead of a residential street.

In exchanges with the council that grew testy at times, residents said they didn’t want future City Council members to widen the street based on the plan’s recommendations. Council members said any road project would involve public input, and a collector arterial is not as wide as some of the residents thought.

The hearing was left open for written comments until the April 25 meeting when the council is set to vote on the plan.

– Peter Barnes

Spokane

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.

– Associated Press