Council to consider school zone on Alki

Drivers on Alki Avenue may soon face a 20-mph school zone at Broadway Elementary School.

The Spokane Valley City Council decided Tuesday night to take that up soon. They’ll also take up the matter of changing city law to address schools where flashing beacons tell drivers to slow down. Those lights are not now mentioned in city law, although they exist at two schools and are planned at a third.

But the council rejected an idea from school districts that speed limits in school zones be 20 mph during specific hours of the day – Central Valley officials suggested 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. – rather than whenever children are present. City officials said that could unnecessarily slow down traffic while children are inside schools.

– Peter Barnes

Spokane

State Patrol reviews complaint of Lynch

The Washington State Patrol confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating a citizen complaint against Spokane Deputy Mayor Jack Lynch.

Rita Amunrud filed an e-mail complaint to the Spokane Police Department that Lynch threatened her Oct. 2 as she signed up to testify at a Spokane City Council meeting.

A story about the complaint initially aired Tuesday on KREM-2 television news. The Washington State Patrol and Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession confirmed that Amunrud’s complaint is being investigated.

“It was not done with the intention of elevating it to any degree of importance, but just to ensure there was a degree of objectivity and independence,” Hession said of Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick’s decision to turn the investigation over to the State Patrol.

Amunrud said Tuesday that state police interviewed her for about three hours Monday.

Lynch said Tuesday that he was unaware of the investigation.

– Amy Cannata

Pawnshop to take sellers’ photos, prints

The only pawnshop outside city limits in Spokane County will have to take pictures or thumbprints of each customer pawning merchandise.

Spokane County commissioners made the decision Tuesday.

The action affects only Mead Pawn, 12112 N. Market St. But a similar law recently went on the books in the city of Spokane Valley, and Spokane is expected to follow.

Larry Karlson Jr., co-owner of Axel’s Pawn Shop, testified that the regulation is an unnecessary burden.

“The industry is doing a very good job of keeping the criminal element out of the pawn industry,” Karlson said.

Detective Mark Stewart said the new rules are important because of the proliferation of identity theft. Similar regulations soon will be considered for secondhand stores and antique shops.

Commissioners Todd Mielke and Mark Richard voted for the measure. Commissioner Phil Harris was absent.

– Jonathan Brunt