Dave Smith has been hired as the new superintendent of the Newport School District. He is leaving his job as principal of Freeman High School. SR photo/Lisa Leinberger

I'm happy that it's Thursday for three reasons - it's one day closer to Friday, it's a Valley Voice Day and our 90 degree weather is supposed to come to an end this weekend. Happy day! In today's Valley Voice, reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the departure of Freeman High School Principal Dave Smith. Smith is leaving to become the superintendent of the Newport (Wash.) School District, the same district where he grew up and where his father was superintendent.

The Liberty Lake City Council is beginning its 2014 budget process. They will make some key decisions during a day-long budget retreat coming up, such as whether to continue a utility tax and whether to develop vacant land the city owns at Mission Ave. and Signal Road.

Mirabeau Point Park has been dubbed a "jewel" by an SCC earth science instructor who gave a report Tuesday to the Spokane Valley City Council on the unique geolocial features in the park.

---

---