Briefs September 22, 2010

Cd'A swim team suing parent

COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene Area Swim Team, Inc. is suing a parent of two of its former swimmers for defamation of character.

It's seeking an unspecified sum as the court deems fair and equitable, as well as lawyers' fees.

The suit, filed Sept. 13 in 1st District Court, names Sherry Bursch, a married woman and her two minor children, of Washington, as defendants.

It states that the defendants have engaged in a "continued and continuing course of conduct making disparaging comments" about the swim team.

The complaint alleges that the defendants disparaged the organization by stating that it "allows felons and perverts on its team and condones improper and illegal behavior of its members."

"Defendants have further posted negative comments in public forms to the same effect," it states.

C.A.S.T.'s attorney Arthur Bistline declined to comment on the case as it involves minors. Bursch could not be reached.

Tree pruning

program to start

COEUR d'ALENE - Tree fans are being sought to improve the future of young trees in public places at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at Hayden City Hall.

The "Volunteers In Pruning" program trains local tree fans to prune young trees for form and structure. It targets trees that were planted within the last three years.

A second training session will be 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Spokane County Conservation District Office. Contact: Katie (208) 415-0415 or Garth at (509) 535-7274.