Sorted by date Results 356 - 380 of 415
SPOKANE VALLEY — During its July 11 meeting, he City Council heard a report on Homeless Housing and Assistance funding and voted agreed to have a related resolution presented at a future meeting. Staff sought agreement on whether the council wanted staff to prepare documents to assume responsibility for recording homelessness within its boundaries, so the city could have access to a portion of recording funding. “The money that the house gave us, which we’ve been collecting now for three years, all that will disappear if we...
LIBERTY LAKE – A new officer has joined the ranks of the Liberty Lake Police Department and was introduced during the July 11 city council meeting. Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons announced new officer Kyle Fritz previously worked as a Senior Patrol Officer in Post Falls for two years. "His passion lies in the relationships he can build in the community and his affinity to serve, empower and lead those around him," Simmons said. "It's what drives him, and we would like...
SPOKANE VALLEY – One man is wanted after an attempted robbery at Banner Bank, 10 N. Argonne Road at 11:15 a.m. on July 7, 2023, according to a sheriff's office press release. Deputies responded and learned the man handed the teller a note that demanded money. According to reports the teller told him she had no money and opened the empty bank drawer. Records show the man left and was last seen going south on Argonne Road in a red SUV. A red SUV, believed to have been involved i...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A man suspected of sexual assault of a child was found dead in his residence in the 2000 block of N. Long Road after police tried contacting him at 7:30 p.m. on July 6. According to a Spokane County Sheriff’s press release deputies arrived at the residence on Long Rd. at the request of Stevens County Detectives. The were looking for a suspect who was wanted for child sexual assault, who was believed to be in the residence. A short time later, deputies heard what they believed was a single gunshot acc...
SPOKANE VALLEY - Police Chief David Ellis presented an update on the Spokane Valley police department on July 11. He also included an update on crime numbers. He brought this update to council as a first half update to see how the first half of this year compared to crime rates last year. Ellis said a lot of the crime numbers are down even with the growth of the region. “You’ll see that despite an increase in population and an increase in call volume most of our crime stats are down,” Ellis said. “This comparing the first h...
SPOKANE VALLEY — The Council voted unanimously to award funds to N.A. Degerstrom, Inc. for the Pines and Mission Intersection Improvement Project at its regular meeting on July 11. The total estimated cost of the project will be $2,207,550 and is broken down by category. Preliminary engineering expenses are $351,650, and developer contributions will be $117,507. Right-of-way construction costs will be $134,000, with other construction costs running $1,721,900. The project will add a southbound right-turn lane and provide t...
SPOKANE VALLEY — Governor Jay Inslee visited what was formerly known as “Camp Hope” and commented on the progress of the relocation and cleanup effort on June 30. At About 11:20 p.m. the Governor arrived at the site, 3298 E. Pacific Ave. Inslee met with representatives from several community outreach organizations, including Jewels Helping Hands and Compassion Addiction Treatment. Inslee said that the culmination of many months of work is due to the efforts of several organizations and people, and he commended those who w...
SPOKANE – After being arrested in connection to a shooting at the Cheney Starbucks, a teacher from East Valley High School is accused of multiple crimes. Benjamin Hill, 41, was already facing an assault charge after Spokane Police arrested him for shooting at his ex-wife’s car as she drove to work at Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. That shooting happened May 18, 2023. Court records show investigators believe it wasn’t the first time Hill tried to shoot his ex-wife. Cheney Po...
The southeast Spokane County town of Fairfield celebrated the Independence Day Holiday with a community barbecue, children's games and fireworks on Saturday, July 1. At right kids show their pride as they ride in Liberty Lake's Golf-Cart Parade on July 4....
SPOKANE VALLEY - On June 27, Spokane Valley City Council unanimously voted to continue participating in the Spokane County Urban Consortium that disperses funds to the city. The funds come in the form of Community Development Block Grants, Home Investment Partnerships and Emergency Services Grants. Councilmembers discussed possible options before electing to defer the city’s entitlement to take administrative control of the block grant funds, and continuing to remain a part...
SPOKANE VALLEY – A man was arrested for driving recklessly and being under the influence after being tracked by an air support helicopter on June 30. At approximately 11:25 pm, Spokane Valley Traffic Deputy V. McKenzie observed a dark-colored Mitsubishi pickup without a rear license plate and without lights. This was near the I-90 overpass on Sullivan according to a sheriff’s department press release. According to reports, Deputy McKinzie turned around and stopped two vehicles behind the truck at a red light, traveling sou...
COEUR D’ALENE, ID — A Spokane Valley man drowned near North Idaho College Beach on Saturday July 1 according to reports. According to a press release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Ismail Bilmece, 35, was swimming in the Spokane River and went underwater. The sheriff’s office said a marine deputy quickly found Bilmece, and first responders attempted life saving measures when he was on land. Bilmece was taken to Kootenai Health, where he was pronounced dead....
LIBERTY LAKE - The neighborhood of Alpine Shores hosted their annual parade of decorated golf carts, wagons, and marching residents on July 4. Beginning at 10 a.m. Approximately 50 decorated golf carts, owned by residents of the neighborhoods surrounding the lake, were lined up and driven around a blocked-off section of the Alpine area. "This is my favorite part of the year," one resident said. "I love this community, and the fact that we are able to come together and make...
LIBERTY LAKE — The city has seen a marked increase in the effectiveness of criminal investigation since installing the new automated license plate readers in April of 2023. The Flock cameras are part of a high-speed, computer-controlled camera system that are mounted on street poles, streetlights and overpasses. The cameras capture computer-readable images of license plates and vehicle characteristics, with recordings stored for 30 days, according to a recent press release. “This system has been a tremendous asset for us,...
SPOKANE VALLEY – The city of Spokane Valley is struggling with the ever increasing issue of homelessness, and have developed a plan of action to alleviate some of that. The Spokane Valley Homeless Action Plan is a systematic, long-term response plan that works to the explicit goal of prevent homelessness. If it cannot be prevented, the city wants to ensure it’s a rare, brief and one-time experience. The plan involves preserving funding for sustainable strategies with act...
POST FALLS, ID – A huge crowd gathered at Findlay Stadium Stateline Speedway on Saturday, June 17 to celebrate Father's Day with the third annual Fatherfest event. There were some presentations on site geared right toward the dads in the crowd, including motorcycles, car show, live music, live wrestling, food vendors and a burnout contest that was won by an 11-year-old boy from Spokane, Taz Tarr. Tarr is part of a youth racing league in the area. One of the event vendors, H...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Three people were arrested on June 19 after an incident in which the driver of a Chevy S10 pickup truck rammed police vehicles according to a recent report. The driver later identified as 29-year-old Walker G. Morgan was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for two counts of Assault 2nd Degree and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle. His total bond was set at $75,000. Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the 6200 block of E. Mallon for a reported suspicious vehicle. According to r...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Transportation is certainly a driving topic as the region grows, and during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting a public hearing was held in regard to the proposed six-year transportation improvement plan. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson went in front of the council to give a presentation about this plan which outlines 41 projects expected to take place between 2024 and 2029. The improvement projects span from major projects such as grade s...
SPOKANE VALLEY – Transportation is certainly a driving topic as the region grows, and during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting a public hearing was held in regard to the proposed six-year transportation improvement plan. Engineering Manager Adam Jackson went in front of the council to give a presentation about this plan which outlines 41 projects expected to take place between 2024 and 2029. The improvement projects span from major projects such as grade s...
OTHELLO – An illegal alien who shot and killed his son here using a firearm stolen from Spokane Valley has been sentenced in U.S. District Court. Felipe Tapia-Perez, 29, of Othello, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Senior Judge William Fremming Nielsen on June 14 in Spokane. The sentence stems from conviction of possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful alien possession of a firearm, records show. He will serve the sentence concurrently w...
SPOKANE VALLEY - Another motion passed unanimously during the June 20 Spokane Valley City Council meeting, and this was presented by Economic Development Director Mike Basinger. Basinger went to council asking for approval of a motion consideration to allow a contract with Spokane Sports on June 20. The contract is for $300,000 meant for sports recruitment and marketing according to Basinger. Basinger said if approved, the city will work with Spokane Sports to develop a scope...
First race of summer successful By Olivia Harnack Valley Herald ST. JOHN - Thirty-five sprint boats hit the water of Webb's Slough on Saturday, June 17; only three went home with checkered flags. The Hughes team out of Spokane Valley brought home silver in both the modified class and the unlimited class. The high-speed sprint boats competed in three classes – modified, 400 and unlimited – for the best time and bragging rights from the first weekend of racing in Whitman County...
SPOKANE VALLEY - With a lifelong passion for martial arts, and a drive to teach others, Adam Smith has opened his third facility for SMASH Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). He started the business and began teaching in Spokane Valley 10 years ago this July, and the facility has grown to be the training grounds over 130 consistent students. Smith also says people of all skill levels study, and he has students that want to do it for physical fitness, and others that want to be...
Spokane Valley Swimming Opportunities 2023 Summer Aquatic Programs Outdoor Swim Lessons Park Road Pool AM Session 1: June 19 - 22 & June 26 - 29 AM Session 2: July 3 - 6 & July 10 - 13, No Class 7/4 AM Session 3: July 17 - 20 & July 24 - 27 AM Session 4: July 31 - Aug 3 & Aug 7 - 10 Terrace View Pool AM Session 1: June 19 - 22 & June 26 - 29 AM Session 2: July 3 - 6 & July 10 – 13, No Class 7/4 AM Session 3: July 17 - 20 & July 24 - 27 AM Session 4: July 31 - Aug 3 & Aug 7 - 10 AM Session 5: Aug 14 - 17 & Aug 21 – 24 Val...
LIBERTY LAKE – Area residents will soon see the Pavilion Park basketball courts getting some renovations including a new mural that will be done by local artist Danielle Davis. During the June 6 regular meeting, her design was approved by city council. A committee built from members of Parks and Arts Commission, city staff and various others chose Davis' design titled "We Got This" out of 19 submissions that had been received. "I wanted to offer a more simplistic shape- and c...
