By FāVS News Staff
Idaho
Rexburg puts historic old seminary building up for sale for $625,000
REXBURG, Idaho — Rexburg’s Urban Renewal Agency has placed the historic Old Seminary Building at 30 North 1st West on the market with a starting bid of $625,000. Built in 1938, the building originally served as a seminary for scripture study classes for middle- and high-school students who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community members and preservation groups hope to rehabilitate the Spanish Colonial Revival landmark rather than demolish it. Proposals are due Sept. 14.
Washington State
U.S. Supreme Court to hear Washington parental-rights case involving runaway teens
The U.S. Supreme Court announced this week that it will consider arguments in International Partners for Ethical Care v. Ferguson, a case involving Washington laws governing runaway minors. On Dec. 7, the justices will consider whether parents have standing to challenge laws allowing runaway teens to receive mental health care and treatment, including gender-transition-related care, at licensed shelters without parental consent. The parents argue the laws interfere with their rights and allow the state to withhold information about their children.
Eastern Washington
Spokane library, tribe team up on salmon history exhibit
Spokane Public Library and the Spokane Tribe of Indians are opening a new exhibit at Central Library exploring the long relationship between tribal people and Spokane River salmon. “Spokane River Salmon: Past. Present. Future.” runs Sept. 19-Nov. 30 and features watercolor paintings, drawings, dioramas and replica fishing tools by Spokane Tribal artist George Hill, along with historic photos and materials from the library’s Inland Northwest Special Collections and the tribe’s Anadromous Program. The exhibit, curated by writers and historians Jack and Claire Nisbet, opens with a free reception Sept. 19 at 1 p.m., followed by public programs in October featuring Hill, Anadromous Program Manager Conor Giorgi and Jack Nisbet.
Volunteers to serve Spokane Valley cemeteries, park for 9/11 anniversary
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — More than 500 volunteers will fan out across Spokane Valley on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. to care for two historic cemeteries and a community park, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Members of the Spokane East Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with community volunteers, will complete projects at Chester Community Cemetery, Mica Cemetery and Terrace View Park as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance.
Work will include removing trees, mowing, trimming and cleaning headstones at the two cemeteries, plus spreading 30 yards of bark at Terrace View Park’s playground. “Twenty-five years after September 11, we continue to remember the lives that were lost, the courage of first responders and the remarkable spirit of unity and compassion that followed,” said Aaron Howard, president of the Spokane East Stake. The event is organized through JustServe, a church-affiliated initiative connecting volunteers with community service opportunities year-round.
Western Washington
Man sentenced to 25 years in fatal 2024 shooting outside Renton Big 5
RENTON, Wash. — Aaron Myers was sentenced Wednesday to 208 months, or about 17 years, plus eight years for firearm enhancements, for the 2024 shooting death of 17-year-old Hazrat Ali Rohani outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store. A King County jury convicted Myers, an off-duty security guard, of second-degree murder and second-degree assault in May after prosecutors said he mistook Rohani and two other teens’ BB guns for real weapons and fired 10 shots despite the boys’ attempts to explain. The judge rejected a defense request for a reduced sentence based on Myers’ PTSD diagnosis.
Rohani’s family described him in court as an aspiring surgeon who had hoped to shadow at a local medical clinic. Myers addressed the court by reading a poem he had written about grief and Rohani’s death, but did not directly apologize. Rohani’s father told reporters afterward that he felt his family had received justice.
Washington father sues Lake Washington School District over religious opt-out from LGBTQ+ lessons
KIRKLAND, Wash. — A Washington father, Konstantin Averkiev, is suing Lake Washington School District, alleging his religious rights were violated after his 10-year-old son participated in LGBTQ+-related lessons despite his request for an opt-out. Averkiev says he asked for advance notice and exemption from lessons involving LGBTQ+ topics, gender identity and gender transition. According to the lawsuit, his son’s fourth-grade class received a Pride Month lesson that included discussion of gender-change surgery. The Alliance Defending Freedom, representing Averkiev, argues the district violated his First and 14th Amendment rights. The district declined to comment to Fox News Digital, saying it follows applicable state and federal laws.
Editor’s note: This roundup was condensed from longer articles and press releases using AI tools, then edited and fact-checked by FāVS staff prior to publication.
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