News Briefs

Spokane District Library announcement

SPOKANE – The Spokane County Library District has announced Beanstack’s 5th Annual Winter Reading Challenge, “Read for a Better World.”

A press release from the district said, “A New Year’s resolution of reading more can make a better you. Even reading for just 20 minutes a day can reduce stress levels, improve your memory, and help us all be more empathetic.”

The library invites readers to sign up through links on their website, and those participants can also track their reading through the Beanstack Tracker app for mobile devices.

The challenge is open to readers of all ages, and people can read whatever books they want.

The press release also states, “During January, you’ll have access to selected eBooks from Lerner Publishing, available exclusively through the #WinterRead2022 challenge. That means you will have instant access with no holds, wait times, or borrowing limits.”

Participating schools and libraries can win prizes such as book collections, signed books, and virtual author visits from Lerner Publishing.

Railroad track causes traffic delays:

CHENEY - On December 31, drivers in Cheney needed to use caution when crossing the railroad tracks along the intersection of Betz Road and Highway 904.

A section of the metal rail had dislodged and was sticking up into the road causing a traffic hazard, and had the potential to significantly damage a passing vehicle.

A definitive reasoning was not immediately known, although officials said two possible reasons could have caused the damage. Either the material was worn down, and the cold temperatures caused it to break. A plow blade could have also clipped the track at some point and lifted it out of the road.

Police managed traffic while crews worked to fix the track for several hours.