Nursing school to break ground

Ground is expected to be broken today on a $34 million nursing school in Spokane, a project intended to help address a shortage of nurses when it opens in 2008.

The new Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing building will cover 87,000 square feet on the Riverpoint campus. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to start at noon at the site of the new building, next to the Health Sciences Building.

Several university officials and local representatives are expected to attend, WSU said in a news release.

The current college is located near Spokane Falls Community College. At its new location, it can serve as a regional center for education and research and will be closer to downtown medical services, WSU said. It will be able to educate more than 500 students on site, as well as others through distance programs.

– Shawn Vestal

Washington state

Last batch of ballots to be mailed today

The last of the ballots being mailed in Washington state must be taken to the U.S. Postal Service today and they should arrive by early next week.

Registered voters who don’t receive their ballot by the middle of the week should contact their county elections office to request a replacement, elections officials said.

Residents who haven’t registered but want to vote in the Nov. 7 election can still sign up through Monday, but they must go to an elections office during regular business hours to register in person.

Here are some opportunities to see candidates for various offices:

Today

“7 p.m. Televised forum for judicial candidates, on KSPS-TV, Channel 7.

“9 p.m. Televised forum for Spokane County District Court candidates, sponsored by the Spokane League of Women Voters. Cable Channel 5.

Saturday

“6:30 p.m. Televised congressional debate between Republican incumbent Cathy McMorris and Democratic challenger Peter Goldmark, recorded live on Thursday. KREM-TV, Channel 2.

– Jim Camden

Post Falls

Cemetery requests decoration removal

Post Falls is preparing Evergreen Cemetery for winter and is asking lot owners to remove all seasonal decorations or items by Nov. 12.

The day after Veterans Day, crews will begin winter preparations and discard any temporary displays that may constitute a problem during winter weather.

Evergreen Cemetery, 2834 N. Spokane St., is open around the clock to accommodate those needing to remove decorations.

For more information, call the Post Falls Parks and Recreation Department at (208) 773-0539.

– Erica Curless