Sorted by date Results 376 - 400 of 565
SPOKANE VALLEY – The Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network, or WHEN, Purple Ribbon Banquet unfolded Sunday, March 10, at the Center Place Regional Event Center, highlighted by a keynote speaker from Airway Heights. The gala event focused on helping lift Spokane County residents out of abusive and addictive lifestyles. Despite facing health challenges, Jacob Powers’ message resonated through his wife Kim Powers, who delivered a poignant speech on his behalf. Drawing parallels between brokenness and resilience, she urged atte...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — A local couple has been arrested on charges they abused a 7-year-old boy. Marie L. Collins, 29, and Jared E. Reeves, 32, were booked into the Spokane County Jail on March 6, records show. They are facing charges of child assault, criminal mistreatment and unlawful imprisonment. Their arrest stems from an investigation into child abuse initiated in January., records show Law enforcement launched the investigation after receiving alarming information from a staff member at Sacred Heart Medical Center. A state C...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Alan D. Kintner, aged 68, found himself in handcuffs following the development of probable cause implicating him in a recent burglary at a residence near West Crosscut Road and North Monroe Road on March 10. According to statements from the victim and property owner, she had permitted Kintner to reside in a camper on her property for several months. However, Kintner was forbidden from entering the victim’s residence. On February 21, when she returned to the property, she witnessed Kintner exiting her res...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — Proposed changes to the equipment surplus process were at the forefront of discussions during a recent City Council meeting. Council members highlighted the need for streamlining procedures to improve efficiency and transparency. Public Works Director Kevin Anderson outlined the rationale behind the proposed changes, stating: “Our current process for surplussing city equipment is convoluted and inefficient, particularly for low-value items. “We’re proposing a $25,000 limit to expedite the process and ensure b...
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE – The International Women's Day Incentive flight took off bright and early at 9:00 a.m. March 8, heading towards Northern California for a quick refuel. Guiding the journey was a KC-135 jet, with Christina May leading the charge as the spokeswoman for the day. "It's all about celebrating the invaluable contributions women make to the Air Force," May expressed warmly. Among the remarkable women aboard was Kortney James, a proud member of the SERE t...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – A local man who provided babysitting services has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison in connection with multiple child molestation cases. Ronald R. Trujillo, 60, was sentenced last week in Spokane County Superior Court to 100 months in prison following his acceptance of a plea deal and admission of guilt to four counts of child molestation, court records show. The investigation into Trujillo’s actions commenced in January 2022 after a child under his care revealed they had been subjected to...
MEDICAL LAKE - Mayor Terri Cooper has declared her candidacy for Congress. The 62-year-old. Cooper's announcement came during the Spokane County Republican Convention on Saturday, where she outlined her vision for addressing issues facing the district. With Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers opting not to seek reelection, Cooper joins a competitive field of Republican candidates vying for the vacant seat. Among them are Spokane City Councilman Jonathan Bingle, Spokane County...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A recent city council meeting turned into a heated debate over the alleged disclosure of information discussed during an executive session. The focus of the discussion revolved around Councilman Al Merkel's statements regarding the purchase of land, sparking accusations of breaching confidentiality and violating procedural norms. The controversy unfolded during the council meeting held on March 5, following a Nextdoor post by Councilmember Merkel that suggested the purchase of land had been discussed and d...
MEDICAL LAKE — A former Martin Hall Juvenile Corrections Facility employee is being held in the Spokane County Jail after allegedly raping a juvenile inmate. Antwon D. Jones, 40, is being held on $150,000 bail, charged with third-degree child molestation, first-degree custody sex misconduct-incarcerated. and two counts of third-degree child rape, jail records show. He was arrested Feb. 29. Martin Hall, 201 Pine St., houses juvenile offenders from across Northeast Washington, including Cheney, Medical Lake and Airway H...
ROSALIA – The winds of change are blowing across the region, with multiple developers pushing for prime agricultural land to become home to wind turbines. And the push for the rural skyscrapers, which can rise to a height of more than 500 feet above the ground - the blades can reach to nearly 700 feet - has area residents, farmers and local leaders concerned the winds are blowing the wrong kind of change into their communities. Around the region, multiple companies are a...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – The city Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve plans for the expansion of the West Prairie Mobile Home Park to provide water services there. During a recent City Council meeting, discussions centered around applying for feasibility grants to support the construction and infrastructure necessary for expanding the mobile home park. With 137 mobile homes under consideration, the project aims to address public health and safety concerns while providing a...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – By a 6-1 vote, with one abstention, the City Council recently adopted recommendations for city improvements. In addition, the council initiated long-term planning efforts aimed at enhancing community infrastructure and services. During a council meeting, city manager Albert Tripp presented a comprehensive 10-year improvement plan focused on addressing current challenges and preparing for future growth. The plan includes short-term goals to be achieved w...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Prepare for an evening of empowerment at the annual Purple Ribbon Banquet on Sunday, March 10. Starting at 5 p.m., the event hosted by the Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network, promises a blend of live and silent auctions, complemented by a light meal. It takes place at the Center Place Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place. The network is dedicated to fostering healing and empowerment across Spokane County. Its mission extends to individuals, fam...
SPANGLE – Liberty High School’s Civics team is on the rise, making waves as they advance to the state Knowledge Bowl championship in Wenatchee. With their recent victory at the regionals, the team is poised to showcase their knowledge on government and general content against schools from across the state. Susan Mattoon, grandmother to two Liberty students, expressed her admiration for the team’s dedication and intelligence. “They are asked a bunch of questions about the gov...
CHENEY – At the recent school board meeting held on February 14, the Cheney School District delved into the intricate landscape of school choice, highlighting the options available to families within and outside the district. The presentation, spearheaded by Kelly Niccolls, the director of teaching, shed light on the fact that while there are currently 102 out-of-district students attending Cheney Schools, there are 523 in district students opting out of attending. Within the district, 523 students spanning from k...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Deputies rushed to respond to a local store in the 16200 block of E. Broadway Avenue. The disturbance involved a suspect driving a forklift straight into the store’s glass doors, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The culprit behind the chaos was identified as 54-year-old Matthew D. Fischer. Eyewitnesses recounted the incident, detailing how Fischer commandeered a store forklift from the garden center area. He maneuvered the vehicle, elevating its forks to chest/shoulder height before plowing it into...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The city is set to embark on a transformative project aimed at revamping the U.S. Highway 2 corridor between Lundstrom and Lawson streets. Planner Heather Trautman said the plans promise to reshape the community’s central business district. The initiative — which encompasses planning, designing and engineering efforts — seeks to enhance safety and functionality for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit-users along a one-mile stretch of the highway. With roots in the 2017 U.S. 2 Corridor and 2021 Downtow...
MEDICAL LAKE – The Council unanimously approved the extension of the city’s contract with Barr-tech at a meeting Feb. 20. City Finance Director Koss Ronholt presented the terms of the contract to the council. “Barr-tech is contracted for bio-solids,” he said. “This is a valuable contract.” He informed the council that there is no automatic renewal of the contract, which was originally established in 2010, and then renewed Dec. 31, 2015, for three additional five-year terms. “It’s time to extend the contract again,” he said...
MEDICAL LAKE – The council discussed the continuation of the contract with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) at the meeting on February 20. Sonny Weathers, the city manager, said that the 2020 contract is current, and that there’s an 180 day written notice required to terminate the contract. Citizen complaints will all be handled within five business days, and annual performance and service utilization is provided. The purpose of the contract is licensing dog and cat control behavior, impounding, and...
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Proposed changes to the city’s human resources department were a focal point of discussion at the recent Airway Heights City Council meeting held on February 26. Stanley Schubert, the finance director, highlighted the agreement reached on a 3.75% cost of living increase, which had been introduced the previous week. Albert Tripp, the city manager, expressed concern about the departure of the human resources specialist. “We’re asking for a one-time increase for a period of one month,” he explained, citing a...
MEDICAL LAKE – City Administrator Sonny Weathers unveiled the city’s new strategic planning initiative at the Feb. 20 council meeting. The initiative aims to streamline the city’s efforts and objectives into clear and actionable strategies, as outlined by Weathers during his presentation. “This serves to consolidate the city’s measures in clearly defined terms,” Weathers said, highlighting the strategic plan as a roadmap towards enhancing the community while fostering increased public trust and confidence in city governance....
AIRWAY HEIGHTS – During a Feb. 26 meeting, the council discussed the water system challenges faced by residents of West Plains Village Mobile Home Park. “West Plains Village has experienced a decline in groundwater availability over time, coupled with the pressing issue of PFAS contamination,” said Christa Connoly, owner and operator of West Plains Village. “We’ve had to use our emergency backup for additional water usage and have installed water heaters on all usage points. We’re positive for PFAS, currently hovering ri...
CHENEY – The Cheney Community Clothing Exchange, nestled between the Community Cupboard and the Cheney Outreach Center, has extended its hours to accommodate the increasing needs of the community. Exchange Director Connie Oakes shared insights into the evolving landscape of their services during a recent visit. "We serve all of Cheney Schools, all the people in Cheney. Some people come from Sprague and Spangle" Oakes said. "I accept everyone here." Entirely reliant on the gene...
OLYMPIA – The House Housing Committee has moved forward two bills introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, aiming to bolster home ownership and streamline property leasing in Washington. The committee approved Senate Bill 5792, which seeks to facilitate the construction of smaller condominium buildings, excluding those with 12 or fewer units and no more than three stories high from the definition of “multiunit residential building,” provided one story is designated for a...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The preservation of the Snake River dams has been solidified as a key item on the legislative agenda for the city council. The move comes amidst ongoing debate and litigation surrounding the dams’ future and their environmental impact. Chelsea Martin, Government Relations and Communications Coordinator at Modern Electric Water Co., emphasized the importance of maintaining affordable electricity costs for the region. “Our goal is to keep electricity costs low,...
