Bloglander

Federal government shutdown, Spokane edition — What would happen to Spokanites if the federal government shuts down tomorrow night? Apparently, not much. (KREM)

House budget passes committee — Which means the Democrats plan — $4.4 billion in cuts, $35 million for a medical school in Spokane, etc. — is getting that much closer to reality. (SR)

Enough boring budget blather, let's talk snow! — It snowed (or rather "graupeled") last night in some parts of town, such as way north of Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. (SR) 

State says yes, feds say no — To medical marijuana dispensaries. The landlords of the 40 dispensaries in Spokane received a note from U.S. attorney Michael Ormsby yesterday, telling them to close the shops' doors or face hefty criminal charges. (KXLY) 

Another quake hits Japan — With a 7.1 magnitude. A tsunami alert has been issued, but the effects of the quake are still unknown. (Atlantic Wire) 

U.S. Attorney Michael Ormsby sent letters to dozens of local property owners today, warning them that the medical marijuana dispensaries on their properties were illegal and that they could face criminal penalties if they allow the dispensaries to remain open.

"Drug traffickers cannot hide behind the law by simply claiming they are medical marijuana stores," Ormsby said in a statement. "We are preparing for quick and direct action against the operators of the stores."

The statement said there were more than 40 dispensaries in Spokane County, many of them "close to schools, parks and playgrounds where children are often present."

Thomas Rice, an assistant U.S. attorney in the office, said he wouldn't comment beyond the press release but said the office, and therefore the federal government, was serious in its threats.

Surisa Arispe, co-owner of Spokane Indicare, says she takes the threat seriously but thought its main goal was "just to scare us."

The letter says property owners have 30 days "to ensure that your property is not being used to facilitate drug trafficking in violation of Federal law." Within that time, legislators in Olympia might have finished hammering out a law explicitly allowing dispensaries to exist.  

C.I. Shenanigan's, in downtown Spokane, serves up happy hour from 3-6 pm and 9 pm-close. Specials include: half price appetizers, $2 and $4 glasses of beer, $4 glasses of wine and $3 wells drinks.

Casa Lopez, in Moscow, welcomes happy hour all day. Specials include: 2 for 1 margaritas. 

Charley's, in downtown Spokane, celebrates happy hour from 4-7 pm. Specials include: $2.50 wells drinks, $2.50 domestics, discounted appetizers and $5 root beer floats.

Dave's, in Spokane Valley, welcomes happy hour from 2-4 pm. Specials include: $2.50 wells, domestics, and beer.

D'Mouse Trap, in Coeur d'Alene, serves up happy hour from 4-6 pm. Specials include: $.25 cents off domestics and drafts.

With Arne Woodard, consider her expectations fulfilled.

Like councilman Dean Grafos and former councilman Bob McCaslin, Arne Woodward is experienced in real estate. He's the president of Woodard Properties and Investments.

But perhaps more importantly, Woodard was one of only two planning commissioners (of seven) to vote for the Spokane Valley City Council's effort to dismantle the Sprague Appleway Revitalization Plan that specifically zoned parts of the valley in an attempt to improve the economy and drive businesses to a denser city center.

 "It was great for San Francisco, but not for Spokane Valley," Woodard says. "I wanted to get rid of it. Waaay too burdensome in regulation."

A few other tidbits to illuminate the sort of council member Woodard might be:

• Woodard was also one of only two planning commissioners to support Catholic Charities' rezoning proposal near St. John Vianney church's parking lot. The neighborhood — worried about traffic, parking, and real estate values — opposed the rezoning.

• Bill Gothmann, the one remaining council member against the destruction of SARP, voted against Woodard's election. Instead, Gothmann voted for Ben Wick, an applicant who believed SARP should be modified, instead of eliminated completely.  

• Woodard identifies himself as "extremely conservative… and proud of it too." He says his wife goes further, calling him a radical conservative. Today, he says there isn't a true conservative on the national scene. They're too willing to compromise. "They're just as willing to pass unemployment [benefits] and social programs [as Democrats.]"

Safety nets are needed, he says, but the number of people on food stamps is "ridiculous."

The role of government? "Stay out of people's lives so they can make things happen," Woodard says. It's been proved time and time again, he says, that if you reduce regulation and keep taxes to a minimum, businesses will thrive.

• "I'm in the wrong generation," says Woodard. "I should have been a settler. I would have come West." He says his values are about family, country, and God — and not necessarily in that order.

• Woodard knows the Valley well. After all, he's lived in the Valley his entire life and raised seven kids there, and they all went to Valley schools.

• Woodard gave the Valley City Council a "B" average for their performance last year. He believes the Valley needs to simplify its permit codes to make it easier for businesses, reduce regulations, and continue to reduce property taxes.

• Woodard will have to run for office this November is he wants to keep this job. No word yet who plans to run against him.

Bob McCaslin's seat remains open.

Until now, nationally-renowned DJ James Pants has been Whitworth University's big name musician alumnus.

But now, “Friday,” the work of James Pants' one-time classmate, Patrice Wilson, has far exceeded Pants' cultural ubiquity.

Patrice is the one who wrote the lyrics and produced the video to the sudden silly musical sensation from Rebecca Black — with lines like “Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday / Today is Friday, Friday”

“The lyrics are so simple people think it might be cheesy,” Wilson says. (His inspiration, he adds, comes from working late Thursday into Friday morning.)

Back in 2001, Wilson was studying business and singing Ludacris songs in the Seeley G. Mudd Chapel during Whitworth's Gospel Explosion. But later he moved to Los Angeles and started the ARK Music Factory, with a unique business model: Singers pay anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 dollars, and Wilson writes them a song, creates a high-def music video, and promotes it.

“Friday,” was his first megahit. It became an internet meme, with more than 84 million views on You Tube. It reached number one on Billboard's Heatseeker song list. It has spawned death metal and Bob Dylan covers, Conan O'Brien parodies, and an elaborate Late Night with Jimmy Fallon number featuring Taylor Hicks, Stephen Colbert, The Roots, and the Knicks City Dancers.

At the end of the month, Wilson says he'll visit Spokane to hold auditions.

“I've had people suggest I make a song about Monday, and I think I'm going to take them up on that,” Wilson says.

The fatal shooting last August of a Spokane Valley pastor and commercial greenhouse operator by a Spokane County sheriff's deputy is still reverberating.

Prosecutor Steve Tucker cleared Deputy Brian Hirzel of criminal charges Jan. 21, in the shooting of Pastor Wayne Scott Creach.

But the Sheriff opened an internal review of Hirzel's actions the next day, and the Creach family has helped draft two pieces of proposed legislation that have been circulated in Olympia.

Greg Conner, of the sheriff's Office of Professional Standards, and Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich say the internal review will be completed at the end of May. Some components of the review, such as the Force Review Panel, have been completed but neither Conner nor Knezovich will reveal its findings.

"I don't want to piece-meal this thing," Knezovich says.

Both also say Hirzel has not yet been interviewed as part of the internal review.

Meanwhile, the Puyallup-based Freedom Restoration Project has presented two potential bills to legislators arising out of the Creach shooting. One would remove the need to prove "malice" or "bad faith" to obtain a conviction of a law enforcement officer in an unjustified homicide.

The second bill would affirm state law does not allow local police the use of unmarked cars. Sen. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, has expressed interest in reviewing this, says Kevin Schmadeka of the Freedom Restoration Project.

Any action taken on either bill will come next session, Schmadeka says.

Slummin' at the Rid — Spokane city officials gave the what-for to the Ridpath's numerous owners yesterday, telling them to clean that deteriorating old hotel up, board windows, scrub graffiti, etc. Or else they'll turn into a parking lot! (SR)

Eleven life sentences, two death sentences — That's the new total for Joseph Duncan, a serial killer apprehended in North Idaho in 2005. Duncan received two additional life sentences yesterday, stemming from the 1997 murder of a ten year old boy. (KREM)

We recognize same sex marriage! — Washington doesn't allow it. But at least it recognizes that other states allow it. That's something... right? (KXLY) 

What to do with a government shutdown — With Friday's deadline coming, many are expecting the U.S. government to temporarily shutter its windows. But the world probably won't end! Here's how it will affect YOU. (Atlantic Wire) 

Bazillons of cuts! — The Washington state House released its budget yesterday, proposing $4.4 billion in cuts and privatizing liquor sales. Less government, more liquor: A drunken anarchist's wet dream. (KREM)

One mid-sized city seeking cheap yet ethical contractor — The Spokane City Council approved new rules for its contractors last night. Now, instead of simply being the lowest bidder, contractors must show they are in compliance with safety, environmental, labor and other rules. Is that George McGrath I hear grumbling from the fifth row? (SR) 

Idahoans do ride bikes! — The Post Falls City COuncil will make some decisions this evening concerning its planned $725,000 bike trail. I know. Who knew they allowed bikes in Idaho? (CDA Press) 

Shut it down! No, wait, don't! — Obama and the GOP continue to threaten/dare each other to do the same thing: shut down the government. Quit being teases, you guys, and seal the deal already! We know you love each other. (Daily Beast) 

Peace and justice, secured — Hundreds turned out for the NAACP Demand Justice and Peace March in downtown Spokane yesterday. A bunch of cops were also there, making sure the gathering wasn't a repeat of January's Martin Luther King Day parade, when a bomb was found in a backpack. (KREM)

Creach's sons fight for gun rights — The sons of slain pastor, Wayne Scott Creach, are taking their fight to Olympia, where they hope to strengthen laws to prevent incidents like the one that left their father dead. Wayne Creach was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy after he approached an unmarked patrol car with a gun last fall. (SR)

Nine lives and nine years — Nine years after disappearing, a cat found near Felts Field has been returned to its original owners. (KXLY) 

Boehner vs. Cantor — GOP eats itself to please the Tea Party. Democrats stand idly by. (Atlantic Wire)