Written by FāVS Staff
Sandpoint Journalist Climbs One World Trade Center to Honor 9/11 Heroes
Berit Ollestad, a Sandpoint resident and journalist, completed the challenging climb up One World Trade Center’s 102 flights of stairs — totaling 2,226 steps — to honor 9/11 heroes and veterans while raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Her efforts have generated more than $3,000 for the organization, with fundraising continuing through the end of June.
Ollestad said her work covering veterans as a journalist inspired her to take on the memorial climb, during which participants carried no personal items and focused on remembering those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. She was moved by stories shared by other climbers, many from New York and New Jersey, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to raise awareness for wounded veterans. Ollestad plans to attempt the climb again in the future and encourages continued donations to support the Wounded Warrior Project.
New Leadership Called for Spokane Valley LDS Stake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reorganized leadership for the Spokane Valley Stake on Sunday, calling Benjamin R. Brown as the new stake president after the previous presidency completed nine years of service. Brown, a 42-year-old oral and maxillofacial surgeon, will be assisted by first counselor Wesley D. Mortensen, an attorney, and second counselor Wayne T. Lamoreaux, a radiation oncologist.
The reorganization was presided over by Elder Edward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder M. Travis Wolsey, Area Seventy, at the stake center in Otis Orchards. The outgoing presidency included President Geoffrey G. Julian and counselors Kevin Q. Daines and Brett R. Larsen. The new leadership will oversee approximately 3,600 church members across 10 congregations in the geographic area, with stake presidents typically serving about nine years as unpaid lay leaders.
Appeals Court Hears Case on Religious Hiring Exemptions in Washington
According to News From the States, a federal appeals court heard arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging Washington state’s anti-discrimination law, as a Christian homeless shelter seeks the right to exclude LGBTQ+ employees from all positions. The Union Gospel Mission of Yakima argues that forcing religious organizations to hire workers who don’t share their beliefs violates the First Amendment, while the state contends the mission is trying to expand religious exemptions beyond ministerial roles. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel appeared skeptical of the state’s position, with judges questioning whether Washington’s law infringes on religious freedom.
The case represents one of three pending federal lawsuits over Washington’s 2021 Supreme Court ruling that limited religious hiring exemptions to ministerial employees only. Seattle Pacific University and World Vision are fighting similar battles, with attorneys general from 20 states backing the religious organizations and the ACLU supporting Washington state. The dispute could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where Justice Samuel Alito has previously signaled interest in reviewing the constitutionality of restricting religious organizations’ hiring autonomy.
Nazi memorabilia found at home
Federal prosecutors have charged two former military members with stealing thousands of dollars worth of equipment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord after a violent confrontation that left one person hospitalized. Charles Fields and Levi Frakes allegedly entered the Pierce County base Sunday evening, broke into a U.S. Army Ranger operations facility using bolt cutters, and attacked a witness with a hammer before fleeing with about $14,000 in government property including helmets, body armor and communications equipment.
According to the Washington State Standard, a subsequent search of the suspects’ Lacey home revealed an arsenal of 35 weapons, military-grade equipment and Nazi memorabilia throughout multiple bedrooms, according to federal court documents filed Wednesday. Investigators found items so restricted that even active-duty military personnel cannot legally possess them at home, along with flags displaying Nazi swastikas and SS bolts. One suspect told investigators the pair had been stealing and selling military property from the base for approximately two years. Both men remain in Thurston County Jail on $500,000 bail each, with federal robbery, assault and theft charges pending transfer to federal court.
Eid al-Adha Begins Today for Muslims Around the Globe
Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid al-Adha on Friday (June 6), marking one of Islam’s most significant holidays known as the “Festival of Sacrifice.” The holiday commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command, and traditionally involves morning prayers and charitable giving.
Some summaries created with help of AI. Staff still carefully edited material for content quality and publication standards.
