Bill would protect churches from government closure
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 10 months AGO
OLYMPIA — A bill introduced in the state House of Representatives would prevent the state government from closing churches and other religious institutions, according to a statement from Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen.
House Bill 1154 would clarify that no emergency proclamation or similar executive order could close religious institutions protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 11, of the Washington State Constitution, according to the statement.
"Freedom of religion and freedom of conscience are the most precious rights that free people have,” Walsh wrote in the statement. “They are protected in principle by our constitutions, the highest laws in the land. But they also must be protected in practice. Overreaching politicians and their bureaucratic agents must never order churches closed and dictate how many people can worship or how a minister, rabbi, imam, or church conducts their services.
The 105-day legislative session convened Monday.
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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.