News Briefs

Civility is topic of library series

The Spokane County Library District and Humanities Washington invited residents to explore questions on civil discourse and more with a four-part election-year lecture series. Featured guest speakers will explore the topics of political incivility, racism, Islam and political cartooning.

Cornell Clayton, the director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, begins the series with “Political Incivility and Polarization in America.” Eva Abram, actress, public speaker and avid lover of history, is second in the series with a discussion on “Defeating Racism Today.” 

David Fenner addresses “Islam 101: Perceptions, Misconceptions, and the 21st Century Context” on Islam. Fenner retired from the University of Washington as the assistant vice provost for International Education. The series’ final presenter is Milt Priggee, who has been drawing political cartoons since 1976, including many years at the Spokesman-Review and currently with other publications including the Cheney Free Press. Priggee explores what is considered acceptable commentary in the 21st century.

The district’s North Spokane branch at 44 E. Hawthorne Road will be the location of three of the four discussions beginning with Clayton’s talk on Thursday, April 7. Abram speaks May 12 while Fenner’s presentation on Islam takes place May 19. All begin at 7 p.m.

Priggee presents “Cartooning in the Evergreen State” at the Cheney Library Thursday, June 9 at 3 p.m. He will also be at the North Spokane Library that same day at 7 p.m., and at the Argonne branch, 4322 N. Argonne Road, June 8 at 6 p.m.

Spangle janitor is a finalist for

national award

Local elementary school janitor, Jerry Ottosen (Liberty High School in Spangle), has been named a finalist in a nationwide Janitor of the Year contest. Ottosen will compete against nine other janitors for the top honor, which earns $5,000 and the school they work at a $5,000 school “makeover” that includes products from Cintas Corporation and Rubbermaid Commercial Products. The other nine runner-ups will each receive a $500 award.

Hosted by Cintas Corporation, the Janitor of the Year Contest shines a spotlight on those who work behind the scenes year-round to make schools a clean, safe and positive place. According to a press release, polls are open now through April 15. To vote, or read more about each contestant, go to http://www.cintas.com/JOTY. Visitors can only cast one vote per day.

Ottosen was one of 630 janitors nationwide to be nominated for the award.

Sign-up for SCSO Citizens Academy open

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and Spokane Valley Police Department officials are providing citizens a glimpse into what they do by hosting a citizen’s academy this spring that focuses on officer involved shooting incidents. The academy is free, but class size is limited so save your seat by registering today.

During academy sessions, which take place Monday and Wednesday nights in April, attendees will get to ask deputies who have been there about these tragic incidents. Attendees will learn about the tools deputies carry, including live-fire demonstrations; participate in hands-on, realistic defensive tactics training, learn about the laws that govern criminal procedure and which situations justify the use of lethal force.

Academy participants will also meet and hear from the investigators that make up the Spokane Investigative Regional Response (S.I.R.R.) Team, who are the primary officer involved shooting investigators.

Classes run weekly from April 4 – 27, eight days total, from 6 – 9 p.m. The academy is held at 2302 N. Waterworks St. in Spokane. To register, call Deputy Chris Johnston at (509) 477-2592 or send an email at [email protected].