This is just a reminder that there is a public meeting tonight on the draft master plan for the Appleway Trail proposed for the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way south of Sprague Ave. The vacant land is owned by Spokane County, which has agreed to let the city develop a trail on the property. The trail would run from University Road to Evergreen Road.

The city collected comments at a previous public meeting where people identified what kind of amenities they would like, such as benches, play areas, trees and possibly community gardens. Those comments have been used to create the draft plan that will be presented tonight from 4 to 6 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place.

Former Spokane Valley Mayor Mike DeVleming pauses during an interview on March 8, at Vera Water and Power. DeVleming was Spokane Valley’s first mayor and led the new city council in marathon meetings as they put the city together from the ground up. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

There is a lot of news packed into today's Valley Voice, so let's get going. The city of Spokane Valley is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend and there's a story on the city's early history that includes the city's first mayor and a current city councilman who spent his evenings and weekends trying to get incorporation on the balllot.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on a very lengthy East Valley School District meeting on K-8 education this week. Parents and teachers packed the meeting room and many gave their opinions on how the district should proceed.

The Spokane Valley City Council had several highlights this week. They appointed a new planning commissioner, signed a new City Hall lease that will save the city more than $73,000 the first year and awarded the first street preservation contract of the season.

There was also a big turn out for the city's public meeting on the proposed Appleway Trail that would run between University Road and Evergreen along the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way. The trail received an enthusiastic response.

Correspondent Cindy Hval has a story on the recent Celebrating Salish Conference, which brought together people involved in keeping the Salish language alive. The language is spoken by several Native American tribes, including the Kalispel Tribe.

The stretch of undeveloped land south of Sprague Avenue frontage, east of University Road, is an old railroad right-of-way that the city of Spokane Valley would like to turn into a community trail for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Reporter Mike Prager has some information in his Getting There column today on the proposed Appleway Trail through the heart of Spokane Valley. The city is holding a meeting next Monday to get input on the trail, which would follow the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way between University Road and Evergreen. A section of the trail has already been built from Tschirley Road to the eastern city limits. Read his story here for more details.