In brief: EV schools can pursue use of Army center
East Valley School District now has the Spokane Valley City Council’s approval to pursue a new use for the Walker Army Reserve Center on Sullivan Road that the Defense Department plans to close.
In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council said it would not object to the district’s plan to form a redevelopment authority for the site, provided that the city retains control of the underlying zoning.
When the military shutters a facility, a redevelopment authority can sometimes receive the property at a fraction of its market value.
Last month, district officials told the council they wanted to set up a redevelopment authority to take on the complex process of reviewing proposals for how to put the 9-acre center to community use.
Other entities may also vie for the space.
A similar redevelopment process is taking place for the Mann Army Reserve Center in Hillyard. Both military facilities may be closed as early as 2009 as operations are consolidated at a new center at Fairchild Air Force Base.
–Peter Barnes
Spokane
Recycling truck hits, kills teenager
A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday after being struck by a city recycling truck near the intersection of Magnesium Avenue and Nevada Street.
About 2 p.m. the truck was making a right turn onto Nevada Street with a green light when the driver felt a thud. He got out to find the teen pinned under the truck, said Spokane Police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.
The teenager, whose name was not released, was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he died.
The driver has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated, said city spokeswoman Marlene Feist. He has worked for the city since March 2006.
Police ask any witnesses to the incident to call (509) 242-TIPS.
– Christopher Rodkey
Benzel to take leave for cancer surgery
Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Brian Benzel announced Tuesday he will take medical leave in order to receive treatment for cancer.
Benzel, 59, is scheduled to undergo surgery for prostate cancer Thursday and will be on leave until June 11, a few days before the end of the year.
“This cancer was detected early, so every indication from my physician is that my recovery will be complete,” Benzel said in a letter to staff.
Benzel, who was hired in 2001, announced in February that he will step down at the end of this school year to become vice president of finance and administration at Whitworth College.
Nancy Stowell, the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, was appointed interim superintendent by the school district’s board of directors. She and administrators Mark Anderson and Barb Wright will take over during Benzel’s medical leave.
– Sara Leaming
MAC wants return of dinosaur banner
The Northwest Museum of Art and Culture wants its dinosaur banner back.
Somebody stole the 20-foot by 14-foot banner reading “A T. rex Named Sue” from the north side of the museum’s parking garage on Saturday night.
“It’s disappointing that someone would do something that stupid,” said Jill Strom, of the museum. “What is somebody going to do with 40 pounds of banner?”
It was especially disappointing that it was stolen the night before Bloomsday, when thousands raced past.
But now the museum just wants the banner back for the duration of the dinosaur exhibit. Strom asked for its return, “no questions asked.”
– Jim Kershner