News Briefs

Les Schwab parking project comment period opens

The Cheney Planning Department is accepting public comment on an application from Les Schwab Tires to pave the upper portion of its property at 7 Spokane St. to provide more parking.

The proposed project would remove approximately 1,575 cubic feet of fill from the site, which is mostly hard-packed gravel, and pave the area to provide better maneuverability and 32 additional parking spaces. The work will cover approximately 52 percent of the 13,500-square-foot site with impervious materials.

The Planning Department has issued a mitigated determination of non-significance along with its SEPA review. An environmental impact statement and public hearing are not required.

Public comments on the application will be accepted until 5 p.m., Sept. 15. To provide comments or obtain additional information about the project, contact Cheney Senior Planner Brett Lucas at [email protected] or at (509) 498-9240.

Labor Day 2016: Enjoy the long weekend, skip the traffic delays

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Transportation is advising motorists using state roads this Labor Day weekend to plan ahead and check for areas of congestion. While construction work is suspended over the weekend, there are areas where traffic flow might create delays due to volume, particularly along Interstate 90.

Heavier-than-normal congestion is expected on eastbound I-90 due to a lane closure for bridge painting at Vantage. No work takes place during the weekend, but the lane restriction remains in place and lengthy delays are expected during peak travel times, ranging from 20 minutes to two hours. If traveling across the bridge before 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, is not an option, drivers should consider alternate routes such as U.S. 97, Interstate 82 or State Route 24. 

In Adams County, eastbound I-90 will be reduced to one lane at Wahl Road (milepost 213) through the holiday weekend. Eastbound travelers should expect congestion and delays, particularly the afternoons of Friday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 5.

Motorists are advised to slow down, obey restrictions and stay alert when navigating congested areas. Traffic conditions can be monitored at WSDOTs mobile app, Twitter and Facebook accounts, the department’s website or by calling 511 travel information.

Options available for past-due property taxes

The Spokane County Treasurer’s Office reminds property owners that 2016 first-half property taxes were due on April 30. If unsure whether or not you have paid first-half property taxes, please check your bank records or visit our website at http://www.spokanecounty.org/treasurer.

Payments postmarked or hand-delivered after the due date accrue 1 percent interest on the full annual amount on the first of every month. In addition, a 3-percent penalty is added in June and another 8-percent penalty in December if the taxes are still unpaid.

Property owners can make payments at the Spokane County Courthouse, 1116 W. Broadway Ave., first floor; online via the website (fees apply); their bank’s bill-payer service or by mailing a check or money order to Spokane County Treasurer, P.O. Box 199, Spokane, WA 99210.

WSDOT hosts open house on U.S. 195 intersection changes

Drivers and others interested in proposed safety improvements to U.S. 195 near Spokane are invited to attend an open house Wednesday, Sept. 7. The open house takes place from 4-7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5810 S. Meadowlane Road in Spokane.

According to a news release, over the past few months, the Washington State Department of Transportation evaluated intersection-related crashes at five intersections on U.S. 195 in the Latah Valley neighborhood. As part of the study, WSDOT engineers worked with the community and the city of Spokane to develop low-cost alternatives to improve safety at these intersections. The goal is to identify intersection improvement opportunities reducing the number and severity of collisions on this section of U.S. 195. 

During the open house, WSDOT representatives will explain the potential improvements, answer questions and take suggestions from area residents, business leaders and drivers. Displays showing the possible improvements will also be available. Participants’ ideas will be used to shape the final plan for the highway.

No formal presentation is planned. Attendees are welcome to come and go at their leisure during the three-hour event.