Northwest Notes: Oct. 11, 2013

Federal shutdown forces

change in cross country venue

SANDPOINT - The federal government shutdown's tentacles reached into the local sports scene this week, forcing the Bulldog cross country team to move the 4th annual William Johnson Sandpoint Invitational on Saturday.

The annual home meet was originally scheduled to take place at Riley Creek Campground, but because the property is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the campground has been shut down. The 5K meet will now take place at Travers Park, starting with a 1/2-mile kids race at 9 a.m.

Sandpoint will host 16 other regional schools, including Clark Fork, Priest River, Bonners Ferry, Colville, Coeur d'Alene, Coeur d'Alene Charter, Timberlake, Lakeland, Logos, Immaculate Conception Academy, Lake City, Classical Christian Academy, Kootenai, Kellogg and Post Falls.

The 5K course will start and finish at the Travers Park soccer field, with three loops going around Centennial Field and Great Northern Park as well.

The day's action starts with a free 1/2-mile kids race at 9 a.m., open to any youth sixth-grade and under, followed by the junior high girls at 9:15, the junior high boys at 9:45, the JV girls at 10:15, the JV boys at 11, the varsity girls at 11:30, the varsity boys at noon, and a free citizens 5K race open to all ages capping things off at 12:40 p.m.

Chiefs offering discount

for government workers

SPOKANE - Federal employees impacted by the government shutdown are eligible for specially priced tickets and concessions, courtesy of the Spokane Chiefs, the Spokane Arena and TicketsWest at Wednesday's home game against Swift Current.

Through Wednesday, federal workers can present a valid government or military ID in person at the Chiefs ticket office to receive a $5 ticket price for the 7 p.m. game, as well as 10 percent off all Chiefs team store merchandise. Using the same government or military ID, fans are eligible for $1 hot dogs, sodas and popcorn at select concession stands at the arena.

To receive the tickets, fans must purchase at the Chiefs ticket office located at the southeast corner of Spokane Arena between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and game days.

WSU-Oregon kickoff

set for 7 p.m. next Saturday

The Washington State at Oregon football game, set for next Saturday, will begin at 7 p.m. and televised on Fox Sports 1, the Pac-12 Conference announced.