Othello school levy passing in preliminary results
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Voters appear to be approving a levy for maintenance and operations for the Othello School District.
COURTESY PHOTO/GOOGLE MAPS
OTHELLO — Othello School District voters are approving a three-year educational programs and operations levy by a wide margin in preliminary results from a special election Tuesday.
In unofficial results, the levy received 559 yes votes and 336 no votes, getting approval from about 62.5% of the voters. Because it’s a school levy, the proposition required a bare majority, 50% plus one vote, to pass.
The levy will generate about $2.825 million in 2024, $3.085 million in 2025 and $3.3 million in 2026. Property owners will pay an estimated $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. That’s unchanged from the current levy. The Washington Legislature changed the way levies are funded in 2018, and $1.50 is the maximum levy amount.
The levy replaces one approved by voters in 2020.
Othello also will qualify for levy equalization funds from the state. Officially “local effort assistance,” it’s a program that provides additional funding to districts that pass a levy, but have relatively lower property values.
District superintendent Pete Perez expressed appreciation to district voters in a press release
“We want to sincerely thank our community for continuing to show support for education through the local levy,” Perez wrote. “Strong schools build strong communities, and we’re sending the right message to our students about the value of education with this election.”
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.