Grants created to get youth outside
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 3 months AGO
The state of Washington has established a grant program to get more children outside.
COURTESY PHOTO/COTTONBRO
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office will begin accepting applications Aug. 10 for grants to provide outdoor education and recreation programs for children and to build and maintain trails, boating facilities, and firearm and archery ranges.
“We’re very excited to offer all of these grants but especially the grants for getting kids outside,” said Megan Duffy, RCO’s director in the July 19 release. “Spending time outside provides so many benefits. We know it can ease stress, improve mental and physical health and even improve children’s academic performance. These grants help ensure that kids get a chance to spend time outside and receive those benefits.”
The release states that new this year is the Outdoor Learning Grants program. The Legislature provided funding to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to support kids getting outside and learning about the outside while there. The grants will cover outdoor education for kids in preschool through high school. RCO is administering the grant program jointly with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and grant awards will be made in early October for the 2022-23 school year.
“All of these grants are essential for making sure Washington remains a destination for outdoor recreation,” Duffy said in the release. “These grants are key to providing great places for people to enjoy their favorite outdoor activities and to helping Washington’s economy stay strong.”
The release states grant applications are due Sept. 1 for the Outdoor Learning Program and Nov. 1 for the other programs. RCO is offering free, online workshops to showcase these grant opportunities and explain application requirements. More information is available on RCO's web site at https://rco.wa.gov/.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.