During auditions for “I Hate Hamlet,” fight coordinator Brian Rempel, left, and Ignite! Community Theatre’s artistic director, Scott Finlayson cross swords, while Richard Donnelly waits to audition for the role of John Barrymore. “I Hate Hamlet” opens April 12. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

I'm bringing everyone the highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice a day late this week. I took yesterday off to spend a little quality time with my comfy recliner and my lap cat.

The city of Spokane Valley hosted a public meeting last week to talk about a proposed stormwater project planned for this summer in the Valleyview neighborhood. There has been problems with runoff on the west side of Dickey Road washing out some areas and flooding a street. The city plans to install underground piping to take the runoff down the street to a swale it will built on land it owns on 11th Avenue.

Correspondent Jill Barville wrote a story on the new home of Ignite! Community Theatre. The group is now putting on performances in the Spokane Valley Partners building. Correspondent Valerie Putnam reports that the city of Millwood is on solid financial footing thanks to increases in water rates and not spending as much as budgeted in some areas.

Reporter Nicole Hensley reports that the Central Valley School District is looking as new textbooks for history, civics, psychology and sociology classes. The books the district currently uses haven't been updated since the 1990's. Some students and their parents are helping evaluate possible textbooks.

Joshua Bailey, 5, enjoys a kiwi during lunch with fellow kindergartners on Wednesday at Broadway Elementary in Spokane Valley. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

There is a strange, golden orb in the sky on this Monday morning. While we are enjoying some sunshine, check out some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on an experiment in Central Valley schools to serve lunch to half-day kindergartners. It's being tried at Broadway Elementary, where 72 percent of students quality for free or reduced price lunches.

Valleyfest organizers are once again waiting to see if they will receive lodging tax funding from the city of Spokane Valley. For the second year in a row the organization was not recommended to receive any by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.

Correspondent Valerie Putnam has a story on the discussion at the recent Millwood City Council meeting over the public access requirement for properies on the shore of the Spokane River under the state-mandated update of their Shoreline Management Program.

The town of Fairfield is looking for donations of personal hygiene items for gift baskets for local teens. There is still a week to make a donation. SCRAPS is also looking for donations as it hosts several adoption events and fund raisers during December.  

Collette Bise, who raises Angus beef on a farm near Newman Lake, nuzzles Fluffy, one of the farm cats, Nov. 16. Her dog, Tibby, was shot and killed nearby on Oct. 25. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Good Thursday morning everyone. It's time for some highlights from Today's Valley Voice. First up is a sad story by correspondent Cindy Hval about a family dog shot by a poacher new Newman Lake. The dog was killed at the same time as a fawn on private property that was liberally posted with “No Hunting” signs. The dog's owner heard her dying yelps. Both the property owner and the Humane Society are offering rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a report on higher than expected enrollment in the Central Valley and West Valley school districts. The Spokane Valley Fire Department is working to put togetther a history wall in its new Administration Building.

Correspondend Stefanie Pettit has a column about Bing Crosby's history in Spokane before he left law school to persue a Hollywood career. It's an interesting look at his early life.

Katie McLaughlin hands a treat to a Husky-mix at SCRAPS. She is a student in East Valley's STAR program, which partners with several businesses in the area that invite students to work during the afternoons to gain some experience. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

It's time to put the leftover Halloween candy down and take a look at some highlights from today's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger spoke to East Valley students participating in the school district's Success Toward Responsibility program, which helps disabled students transition to adulthood. Two of the students have been getting volunteer experience at the SCRAPS shelter.

Lisa also has details on the second annual Central Valley School District report card. Superintendent Ben Small is leading several Community Connection events at local school to talk about the report card with the public. A list of the presentation locations and times is included with the story.

The Spokane Valley City Council approved the 2013 budget without fanfare during Tuesday's council meeting. They also heard details of several events planned to celebrate the city's 10th anniversary in 2013.

West Valley City School students, including Jaymee Finke, left, and Lacey Marrow, right, prepare for the school’s haunted house this Friday and Saturday. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Happy Thursday, everyone. Is anyone getting some snow? Before we start thinking about winter, though, we have to tackle Halloween. The students at West Valley's City School are putting on their annual haunted house this weekend. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has details on “Outbreak: Rise of the Zombie Hunters.”

The women of Millwood Presbyterian Church are preparing for their 25th annual bazaar this weekend. They have made almost everything that will be for sale. The bazaar is somewhat unique in that it doesn't allow outside vendors. The proceeds from the sale benefit local charities.

The Spokane Valley City Council is discussing whether to change the setback and building height requirements for multi-family housing that sits next to single family homes. The Central Valley School District is discussing whether to sell 23 acres of land in Liberty Lake that it isn't using to the city of Liberty Lake for $10. No, that isn't a typo. The city could use the space for playfields and if the district wants the land back in the future it can buy it back for the same price. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for the district's next board meeting on Nov. 13.

Spokane Valley Councilman Ben Wick, his wife Danica and daughter Sabriel, 3 months, arrive at the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum for the celebration of the centennial of its building, the former Opportunity Township Hall, last Thursday. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

There are a lot of good stories to be had in today's Valley Voice, so let's get started. Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by the 100th anniversary celebration of Opportunity Township Hall last week. The Hall now houses the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. The museum is also getting ready to host its annual history tour on Oct. 6.

The construction of the Spokane Valley Fire Department's Station 6 has hit another snag. Representatives of the department say there have been numerous design problems that have led to delays and construction is reaching a critical point. If the alsphalt isn't put in before it gets too cold the department can't move in.

The Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday to not raise 2013 property taxes by the allowed 1 percent, saying this just isn't the time to raise taxes even though the vote means residential property owners will only save 76 cents per year.

The Central Valley School District is taking a look at whether it should continue it's pay-to-play policy, Lisa reports. The school board is taking a look at how much playing sports costs and whether the fees have impacted how many students sign up.

The Rev. Linda Bartholomew, the new priest at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, poses for a photo Wednesday at the church. SR photo/Tyler Tjomlsand

It's a smokey Monday morning out there, so let's stay inside with a cup of coffee and take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by the Valley HUB Sports Center as its prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The center struggled for years, but is now operating in the black and hosts a wide variety of activities and events.

The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection has a new priest-in-charge, the Rev. Linda Bartholomew. She came to Spokane Valley after eight years in New York City and says she has already fallen in love with the area. Two elementary schools in the Central Valley district, Adams and Progress elementary schools, recently got a visit from Ronald McDonald himself to recognize their donations of pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House and Lisa was there to write about it.

This week's story on calls received by the Spokane Valley Fire Department includes a rather spectacular picture from the department of an abondoned farm house burning down in a 12 acre brush fire off Harvard Road.   

Remembering the fallen, looking toward the future: The Spokane Valley Fire Department continued its tradition Tuesday of honoring the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by dedicating buildings under construction. Members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department honor guard, including, from left, Greg Bennett, fire inspector, Dave Vegele, engineer/paramedic, and Michael Fields, firefighter, participated in Tuesday morning’s flag raising at Station 6. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

There's a bunch of news packed into today's Valley Voice. Local 876 of the International Association of Fire Fighters has filed a challenge to the voter registration of Spokane Valley Fire Department commissioner Monte Nesbitt. Nesbitt, who has announced he will resign at the end of the year, said he now lives in Cheney but remains registered to vote in Spokane Valley.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has some student numbers for the Central Valley School District, which has a lot more students in the classrooms than it expected. They've had to get a little creative at some schools to handle it. The Spokane Valley City Council had another review of the proposed 2013 budget and expressed some hestitation about some changes, including how street preservation is funded and how much of an ending fund balance to have.

A thief in Liberty Lake who went as far as removing tires and wheels in preparation for making off with them apparently changed his or her mind and left them behind, along with a message written in dust on a car window. The thief was uncommonly organized and tidy.

After receiving a delivery of 30 children’s bicycles from the Bike Hub, Micah Reed, 10, and other Broadway Elementary School students test out the bikes during Central Valley School District’s Elementary Bicycle Safety Program at Broadway, Aug. 30. The school’s PE teacher, Katie Ferris, secured a grant for $6,100 from SpokeFest to purchase the bikes. SR photo/Dan Pelle

I'm pretty sure it's Monday again, though my internal calendar will be off all week since I worked yesterday. Now that we've shaken off the Monday morning cobwebs through generous amounts of coffee, it's time to take a look at Saturday's Valley Voice.

The city of Spokane Valley has a new public works director, Eric Guth. He'll probably be able to handle complaints about potholes and snow plowing easily, since his last job saw him dodging rocket attacks in Afghanistan.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger checked out a bicycle safety program offered by Central Valley School District. The district got a grant from SpokeFest to buy 30 bikes and helmets and will visit every fourth and fifth grade class this year.

The Spokane Valley City Council had a lenghty discussion on a proposed one percent property tax increase in 2013 that would cost each homeowner $1.20 per year. Several council members are against it, so it looks like at some point there will be a vote on whether to approve the increase.

The Spokane Valley Fire Deparment is looking over its proposed 2013 budget, which is projected to be lower than the 2012. That's in large part because there are no construction projects planned for next year. Employees will get small raises after agreeing to a wage freeze in 2012.

Rob Bockemuehl cleans around a water valve as a road grader prepares the intersection of 24th Avenue and Evergreen Road for paving, Aug. 27. SR photo/Dane Pelle.

Today may be the first day of school for many, but it is also the day to get caught up on some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Some major Spokane Valley road construction projects are wrapping up, much to the relief of drivers. There are still a few small projects coming up, but none will last longer than two weeks.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by the groundbreaking for the new Spokane Valley Tech skills center in the old Rite Aid at University and Sprague. The building was purchased by the Central Valley School District for a new skills center, but it will also be used by the West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts.

The annual Valleyfest event is fast approaching and there are several new things coming during this year's three day festival. The new items include discounts and coupons at local businesses, a new walk benefitting Down Syndrome research and Babyfest.

Lauren Brown, 13, checks out a helium balloon during a STEM Academy summer school session on June 27 at Central Valley High School. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

Happy 5th of July. I hope everyone has recovered from last night's festivities enough to check out some highlights from today's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a couple good stories. The Central Valley School District is offering summer school classes focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics (STEM). Last week students did experiments with helium-filled Mylar balloons.

Lisa also visited Wheeler's Farm Market and Fresh Start Produce in Otis Orchards as she continues her tour of fruit stands in the Spokane Valley area.The provide local produce and other items to hungry shoppers.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission last week gave their recommendation of approval to the goals and policies of the Shoreline Master Program. The commission had been reviewing the goals and policies for months. They now go to the City Council for approval.  

A camera mounted near the roofline (upper right) of a Central Valley School District bus is part of a system that will record when motorists pass the bus when the stop arm is deployed as part of a trial run of the new technology. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's another Thursday, which means it is time for some Valley Voice highlights. All drivers have to keep an eye out for school buses, but now some of them will be keeping an eye on you. The Central Valley School District is particpating in a test program and has installed cameras on three school buses. The cameras will record drivers who illegally pass a bus while it is stopped with its red lights flashing. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the program here.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a special meeting this week to talk about members recusing themselves, the Open Public Meetings Act and the public records act. A facilitator called in to lead the meeting suggested several additions to the commission's policies and procedures.

The Spokane Valley City Council also had a meeting, where neighbors asked council members to reject a zone change that would allow an apartment complex in their single family home neighborhood. Reporter Pia Hallenberg recently talked to three Spokane Valley sisters who stared the Spokane Garden Expo, and it all started when they began planting their yard for their cats. The Expo is this weekend and will include 60 plant vendors and more than 300 businesses.

East Valley’s Farm to School project leader Lynette Romney stands on the porch of a shed at East Valley Farms on Tuesday. The project, which sits next to East Valley Middle School and East Valley High School, is on a Bonneville Power easement. The community garden is the work of service clubs, school kids, farmers and others who want to participate. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

There are two interesting school stories in today's Valley Voice from reporter Lisa Leinberger. The Central Valley School District is moving forward with plans to open a new Skills Center at Sprague and University that will be called Spokane Valley Tech. The board voted this week to set aside earnest money for the building that currently houses West Valley's Contract Based Education.

East Valley is ramping up its Farm to School project that is in a field between the middle school and high school on Wellesley Ave. The farm will grow beans for Second Harvest and an acre is set aside for the community. A plowing day is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Spokane Valley City Council agreed Tuesday to adopt changes to the sign code proposed by a sign company representative. The council is scheduled to have a final vote on the sign code changes on April 24. Correspondent Cindy Hval has another one of her touching Love Stories today about a couple who met later in life and became best friends before marrying.

Senior Jake Hochberg leads an experienced pitching staff at Central Valley. Hochberg has split a pair of decisions in CV’s first four games. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's Monday and it's not raining. Everyone cross your fingers that this will last at least a little while. Meanwhile, it's time to take a look at Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a profile on Gene Sementi, who is stepping up to become West Valley's superintendent. He has worked with the district for many years as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent.

The Spokane Valley City Council discussed how much of the city's year-end balance to commit to street preservation on Tuesday. It was a split decision, with four of the seven council members favoring taking $2 million. That would leave $26 million, which the council has previously identified as the minimum amount it wants left over.

Correspondent Steve Christilaw spoke to the coach of the Central Valley High School baseball team, who is dealing with a soggy start to his season. The field is soaking wet and pitchers haven't been able to get much practice time on the mound.

Rina Clark, right, a West Valley Outdoor Learning Center raptor volunteer, introduces Ava McLeod to Willie the barn owl, Friday. SR photo/Dan Pelle

We start today look's at the Valley Voice with two great stories by reporter Lisa Leinberger. She visited with an autistic volunteer, Ava McLeod, who works with the birds at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. McLeod knows several bird calls now and has handled some of the birds.

Lisa's second story on the Central Valley School District will impact the entire Spokane Valley area. The Central Valley board has agreed to purchase the morner Rite Aid building at Sprague and University to expnd the Skills Center program. The West Valley Contract Based Education currently fills half the building and will remain there. The Skills Center classes offered there would also be open to students in the West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts.

The Spokane Valley City Council had another discussion on the gateway sign proposed at Appleway and Thierman as they fine tuned the plan for the site. The Spokane Valley Fire Department is mulling over their options after construction bids for a new Station 6 came in over the estimated cost of $1.3 million. The lowest bid was $1.5 million and others went as high as $1.8 million.

A community forum to discuss the qualifications wanted for the new University High School principal will take place tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the school library, 12420 E. 32nd Ave. Those attending will have the chance to fill out a questionnaire about what characteristics they want the new principal to have and what challenges are facing the school.

Current princopal Daryl Hart has announced that he will retire at the end of the school year.

West Valley junior Jacque Swanson, left, and senior Linda Juitt have helped open Inspire, a clothing store for lower-income and budget-minded students. As a part of their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America program, they’ve opened the in-school store two days a week. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak

School and city news dominated the Saturday Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger weighed in with a story on longtime Central Valley board member Cynthia McMullen, who has retired after 24 years. Lisa also met up with a few high school girls who have set up a store at West Valley High School called Inspire. The store is there to sell designer clothes for prices low enough that all students can afford them.

The Spokane Valley City Council had a lengthy discussion last week on the speed limit on Mission Ave. between Flora and Barker. No decision was made, but they did agree to move forward on a vote this month to consider whether the limit should be changed from 35 miles per hour. The council also heard a report on the Shoreline Management Program, which is currently stalled. A new plan must be approved by 2013.

In more school news, correspondent Steve Christilaw had a story about new West Valley High School wrestling coach Mike Bundy. Last year he was the assistant wrestling coach at Central Valley High School.

It's an annual tradition to go grocery shopping the weekend before Thanksgiving and find Central Valley School District students there asking for food donations for their annual Fill the Bus food drive. Saturday is the seventh annual drive and 100 students are expected to be in position from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students will be collecting turkeys, gravy, stuffing, canned vegetables, soups, peanut butter and more. The donations will be passed along to the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank.

Participating stores include the Fred Meyer at Sullivan and Sprague, the Liberty Lake Safeway, the Safeway at Sprague and Evergreen, the Trading Company at Sprague and McDonald and the Albertson's on 32nd Ave. Click here for more details on which schools will be staffing each store.

Trail developer Mark Pinch stops to enjoy the view from the top of the 552-acre Saltese Uplands, an area of Liberty Lake that was recently purchased through Spokane County’s Conservation Futures program. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak

One of the highlights in today's Valley Voice is a story by correspondent Jill Barville on the new Saltese Uplands natural area. Spokane County is working to buy the 552 acre property south of Liberty Lake off Henry Road as part of the Conservation Futures program. A trailhead will be built on Henry Road next year and hikers and bikers will be able to enjoy a network of seven miles of trails.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a report on enrollment in the Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts. Most of them have larger numbers of students, but enrollment at East Valley's Continuous Curriculum School took a huge jump. This week the Spokane Valley City Council debated the need for a facility to precess water and debris removed from the city's numerous drywells. A decision on whether to apply for a grant for the project will likely be made at the Nov. 15 council meeting.

Reporter Pia Hallenberg has a touching story on Libby McGrory, who has battled breast cancer four times. She recently participated in a 200-mile fundraising bike ride called the “Tour de Pink” in California.

The Valley crew has been hard at work this week getting everything ready for Thursday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger checked in the local school districts (East Valley, West Valley, Central Valley and Freeman) to see how district enrollment is doing. We'll have a story on the new Saltese natural area and a report on Tuesday's Spokane Valley City Council meeting. There was a lengthy discussion on stormwater projects that are eligible for grant money. There were a bunch of other topics covered, but those will have to wait until Saturday's Valley Voice. Don't forget to pick up your paper in the morning to check out the stories.