News Briefs

Christmas tree disposal available in Cheney

If you’re a Cheney resident and you’re just now taking down your Christmas tree, the city’s Solid Waste Department would be happy to help you dispose of it.

Residents can place their discarded tree, free of all ornaments and other attachments, on the curb next to their garbage on their regular pick up day. The tree must be cut in half if less than six feet tall and third if more than that. A $3.44 pick up charge will be assessed on the residence’s next bill.

Tree sections should not be burned in fireplaces or wood stoves as dry trees are extremely flammable and burn explosively. Short pieces may be burned in outdoor fire pits as long as it has a spark arrester and there is no current burn ban in place.

State regulators: Utilities must pass federal tax cut savings on to customers 

OLYMPIA — Washington state utility regulators have directed regulated companies to track federal tax savings resulting from the passage of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to ensure those savings will benefit utility customers.

The 2017 federal tax overhaul reduced the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. State law authorizes the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to determine how much profit regulated energy, telecom, and water companies can earn and what rates those companies can charge their customers.

The reduction in the federal corporate tax rate will reduce costs for many of the UTC’s regulated companies. The commission has directed companies to report the expected revenue impacts of the tax revisions.

Customers will not see immediate bill credits or reduced rates. The utilities’ expected tax savings must be determined and reconciled with commission-set revenue requirements during regular tariff and rate case filings. Customers may see reduced rates as these proceedings go into effect.  

In Eastern Washington, Avista Utilities has a rate case pending before the commission. Tax-related changes will be incorporated into rates during its case hearing.

Sheriff’s Office offering women’s self-defense class

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is offering an introductory women’s self-defense class that will cover topics such as deterrents, avoidance and detection measures of a personal attack.

The class takes place Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Sheriff’s Training Center, 6011 N. Chase Road in Newman Lake. A morning session runs from 8 a.m. – noon with an afternoon session from 1 – 5 p.m., with all session taught by SCSO defensive tactics instructors.

The class also includes a hands-on portion where participants will learn basic self-defense maneuvers. It is open to the public for females ages 14 and up.

Registration is underway, with the class fee a non-refundable $35. Payment must be received by Jan. 17 to reserve a spot, with a check payable to the “Spokane County Sheriff’s Office” mailed to Spokane County Sheriff’s Training, Attention: Training/WSD, 6011 N. Chase Road, Newman Lake, WA 99025.

Payment can also be made via a debit/credit card link at client.pointandpay.net/web/SpokaneCoSheriffTraining.

Participants are asked to bring note taking material, water bottle and towel and wear athletic attire/shoes for the hands-on portion.

 

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