Opportunity Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Laurie Spence and students dance the Dabke, a traditional Lebanese dance, during International Day on Wednesday in Spokane Valley. The five-step dance is often performed at weddings. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Good Monday morning, everyone. It sounds like we need to get our dose of sunshine in today before the clouds come back for the rest of the week. Meanwhile, we have some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by Opportunity Elementary School last week when they were celebrating International Day. Students learned about the culture of various countries and tried samples of traditional foods.

If your usual driving route includes Pines Road, you have probably already noticed that it is under construction. The Washington Department of Transportation is grinding and repaving the road, which is known as Highway 27 south of 16th Avenue. The repaving will be done between 32nd Avene and Montgomery Drive. There will be patching and crack sealing between Montgomery and Trent. Construction and lane restrictions will be during the overnight hours beginning at 7 p.m.

Lisa also has a story on University High School principal Alan Robbins, who just finished his first year on the job. He has spent a lot of his time getting to know the district and his students.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich reassured Rockford residents last week that he won't abandon them even though the town hasn't paid the bill for its law enforcement services contract. The town is still trying to come up with the money to pay the $32,000 bill.

Correspondent Valerie Putnam has a report from Millwood, where the town council talked about a water line running underneath property recently vacated for a Millwood Presbyterian Church construction project. There are also parking improvements coming to Buckeye Ave. between Argonne and Vista roads.

The shoreline reinforcement project at a Newman Lake cabin stops the shore from disappearing under it, as seen Tuesday. The Spokane County Conservation District secured a grant to lay “bio logs” of coconut husks wrapped in netting and plant willow trees and other waterside species to create a root matrix that will stabilize the shoreline. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

There are some good stories in today's Valley Voice on everything from erosion control to an entry in the East Farms Diary. A property owner on Newman Lake has teamed up with the Spokane County Conservation District for an erosion control project on their shrinking beach. The addition of power boats to the lake has led to larger wakes, which has washed away 30 feet of beach in the last 15 years.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger spent the day at East Farms STEAM Magnet School recently as students made presentations on projects they have been working on this trimester. Their efforts ranged from watermelon plants to a helicopter mockup.

Half of the Liberty Lake Police Department is now wearing body cameras and recording all their interactions with the public. Wearing the cameras is voluntary and five members of the department have signed on, including the police chief.

The Spokane Valley City Council doesn't seem very happy with changes to the lodging tax rules. A new state law removes the final decision making on who is awarded money and how much from the city council and gives it to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The council has no power to change the awards set by the committee.

Gretchen DeRusha, left, models one of her own wigs for the five Locks of Love donors in a fourth-grade class Thursday at South Pines Elementary. DeRusha, a cancer patient in remission, is a retired school district speech and language pathologist and she presented the girls with certificates for their generosity. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Good Monday morning, everyone. It's time to put out noses to the grindstone again and also time to take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Kids, take notice. Spokane Valley pools open for the season this weekend and Splash Down begins daily operations this week.

Last week Ponderosa resident Chris Desborough returned from a 500 mile bike ride to Canada and back to raise money for Spokane County Fire District 8. A team of firefighters and paramedics saved his life in 2010 when his heart stopped beating and he's had a defibrillator and pacemaker in his chest ever since. He was back at work the day after his five day marathon ride, though he said he wasn't sitting down much.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger recently talked to a group of students at South Pines Elementary who donated their hair through the Locks of Love program. One of the girls was inspired to donate because of a neighbor who was diagnosed with cancer. Several of her friends have also donated.

SCRAPS will host an open house at 10 a.m. Saturday at what will be the new regional animal shelter once remodeling is complete. The building is located at 6815 E. Trent. There will be animals avaiable for adoption as well as entertainment, face painting, raffles and more.

Good news! It's almost Friday. The arrival of Thursday, of course, means from Valley Voice highlights. This week photographer Colin Mulvany took some fabulous photos of high-angle rope rescue training put on by the Spokane Valley Fire Department. Deputy Chief Andy Hail volunteered to be “rescued” from a water tower and be lowered 200 feet to the ground in a gurney.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on West Valley High School student Tonya Lewis. Her iPod photo titled “Pathway to Happiness” won first place in the landscape category of the Photographic Society of America's international photo contest.

Spokane County recently submitted a 100-year flood plain map of the Saltese Flats area to the Federal Emergency Management Agency so the county can move forward with a project to rechannel runoff from Mica Peak to restore wetlands. The County submitted the map without the participation of the city of Spokane Valley, which is involved because any floodwaters from the flats would end up inside city limits. The city has concerns about some of the data included in the county's analysis.

East Valley High School student Sierra Nalder, in black, acts the part of drunken driver while she looks at a bloody mock crash on Thursday on the road outside the school. The mock crash, staged in front of the student body with firefighters, law enforcement and even funeral home personnel, illustrated the consequences of drinking and driving. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Happy Monday, everyone. After a too short weekend, we're all back again to take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. First up is a story a mentioned last week on the recent mock crash at East Valley High School. It was an emotional experience for some as they watched fellow students act out the aftermath of a drunk driving accident. Copious amounts of fake blood was used to set the scene.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger talked to the Horizon Middle School Math is Cool team after they recently won the state championship. Correspondent Valerie Putnam has a rundown of the farmers markets in the Spokane Valley area, including the new Veradale Farmers Market.

The town of Liberty Lake will host its huge annual community garage sale on Saturday, so be prepared for heavy traffic and scarce parking. After Wednesday you can find a map of participating sales at www.libertylakesplash.com/yardsales.

Wayne McKnight, the athletic director at West Valley High School, stands under the historic entryway that was salvaged from the old building and built into the new West Valley campus May 16. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

I'm sorry I'm so late in posting some highlights from today's Valley Voice, but I spent all morning out at a mock crash at East Valley High School and have been furiously typing ever since. (Look for that story in Saturday's Valley Voice.) For today we have a nice package from reporter Lisa Leinberger, who profiled three retiring school teachers.

The featured teachers are: Wayne McKnight of West Valley High School, who has been with the district for 39 years and is now the athletic director; Marla Pflanz of East Valley High School, who founded the Strolling Strings during her 35 year career; and Kim Wellington of Central Valley High School, who started out teaching shop 35 years ago.

The city of Spokane Valley took in a $3 million budget surplus at the end of 2012. Sales tax revenue was up and expenses were down. No decision has been made yet what to do with the money and the city's finance director said he doesn't expect a repeat of the windfall at the end of this year.

Broadway Elementary School students extend hands for high-fives from from Swoop, the Eastern Washington University mascot during an assembly, May 17 in the school gym. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Well, here we are on a Tuesday that feels like a Monday. I've successfully moved my base of operations across the room and am all set to go, so let's take a look at our packed Saturday Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger wrote a story on Broadway Elementary students, who won a contest to have the Eastern Washington University mascot Swoop visit their school. The entry was a last minute decision, but the kids enjoyed the visit.

Three draft designs for the expansion of Balfour Park were presented to the community during a recent public meeting. The majority of people seemed to favor the design that put an angled library on the southwest corner of the property at Sprague and Herarld. Spokane Valley is developing the site in partnership with the Spokane County Library District.

Filing week is over and there are some heated races coming up. Controversies in Latah and Rockford have brought out more than the usual number of candidates. Every Spokane Valley City Council seat will be contested this fall.

A preliminary design for the Appleway Trail was presented at a recent public meeting to get input on planned features. The city has no construction money for the project and is creating a design so the project will be ready to go. At a recent meeting the Spokane Valley City Council heard details on several proposed comprehensive plan amendments.

The town council in Rockford recently took the unusual step of cutting their own pay to save money. They are down to one full-time employee and other changes are likely in the future.

Liberty High School student Kylee Hodgson makes potato soup in the culinary arts class at the NEWTECH Skills Center. She has attended class there for the past two years. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Where has all the time gone. I looked up and realized it's after 3 p.m. and I've been so busy writing that I forgot to post the highlights from today's Valley Voice. As I said yesterday, today is our annual graduation section. In the Valley Voice you'll find lists of graduating seniors at every high school in the Valley area. A small army of reporters and correspondents have also put together profiles of outstanding graduates from every school.

Rather than try to list them all, just click here to read these stories from the Valley and all over Spokane County. Fair warning: some may require a ready box of tissues.

Spokane Valley firefighter Paul Turcotte carries an enlarged photograph that represents a shooting victim as rescue crews participate in a mass casualty training exercise Wednesday at the department’s old administration building. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Good Monday morning, everyone. As another week starts, we've got some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. The Spokane Valley Fire Department has started using a new triage system for mass casualty events and tested it in training last week. Pediatric patients are now evaluated differently and colored tags are tied onto vitctim's limbs to identify their condition.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has details on the new home of the Liberty Lake Community Theatre. The group started five years ago and has been bouncing from location to locations, even rehearsing in  private homes.

Correspondent Jennifer LaRue has a story on Martina Whelshula, executive director of the youth rehabilitation facility Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations in Spokane Valley. she was recently named a health champion by the Washington State Public Health Association.

Correspondent Valerie Putnam has a report from Millwood, where finishing touches are being put on a plan to install a sidewalk on the north side of Buckeye Ave. between Argonne and Vista roads. The project will be completed before school starts in the fall.

Andrea Gasser, a Central Valley High School junior, represents Israel at the International Economic Summit on Tuesday at the school. Students from CV and East Valley High School came together to display their research about the culture and economy of various countries around the world. Wearing a costume of some kind and serving a traditional food was optional. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Happy Thursday, everyone, though I confess I thought today should be Friday. But since it's not Friday yet, it's time for some Valley Voice highlights. Reporter Lisa Leinberger recently stopped by an economic summit hosted by the marketing classes at Central Valley High School and East Valley High School. The students researched different countries and then presented what they learned during the summit. Some students went as far as wearing traditional costumes or bringing food samples.

The Spokane Valley City Council is preparing to make changes to the 2013 budget to pay for several new projects. They are providing funding for new carpet in City Hall, a yearlong advertising campaign, designing the Appleway Trail, developing the Balfour Park expansion and buying business route signs.

Lisa also has a story on the University of Idaho's performance group called DancersDrummersDreamers, which is performing at University High School Friday. The performance will include students from the high school.

East Valley Middle School eighth-graders Austin Prochnow, 14, left, and Anthony Huck, 14, use lathes to chisel and sand tulipwood into parts to make fountain pens on May 7. Students have been making the wooden pens to give to veterans who plan to take the Honor Flight. Above, one of the pens. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

I'm back and have successfully weeded through the hundreds of emails that awaited me when I arrived back at work this morning. Now it's time to bring you some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. This one is the Lisa Leinberger edition, since she put in a lot of hard work filling the section while I was gone.

Lisa's first story is on an after school program through East Valley Middle School that allows students to make hand crafted pens to be given to local veterans. The students get a chance to practice their skills while also presenting gifts to World War II veterans who are traveling on Honor Flights to see the WW II memorial in Washington, D.C.

Lisa has two stories out of the West Valley School District. The school board gave a thumbs down on three new names suggested for Contract Based Education. Everyone agrees that the alternative high school needs a new name but no decision has been made yet. The district also is set to host its 12th annual Community Block Party on Tuesday. This year Centennial Middle School Principal Karen Bromps will be in the dunk tank.

This weekend is the sixth annual Eastern Washington Farm Heritage Show put on by the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. Visitors can learn about Spokane Valley's history and check out hands-on exhibits.

Members of Episcopal Church of the Resurrection from left, Alan Terry, Jerry Combs, Karen St. Clair and Jackie Woolf work together to build raised beds at the church on Sunday. SR photo/Kathy Plonka

While it is not quite Friday yet, it is time for some highlights from today's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on Valley Christian School moving to a four day school week in the fall. Fridays will become a day with optional extra programs that students can sign up for at no extra charge.

The congregation of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection had a work day Sunday to start building 20 new raised garden beds that will be available to the community. The church is also taking steps to revive an old orchard behind the church that has been neglected for decades.

Valleyfest was one of several organizations to recently receive funding from the Spokane Parks Foundation. Reporter Pia Hallenger has the story here. Lisa also has a story on the final play of the year at Central Valley High School, “The Outsiders.” 

WVHS sprinter-jumper Terrynce Duke runs through block starts Wednesday at the school. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

All I have to say is that Monday came much too early this week. With that said, let's move forward with some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the Central Valley School District's new computer system that allows students and parents to check progress online. The new software also means that teachers don't have to hand schedule students anymore.

The city of Spokane Valley held a public meeting last week to go over a planned stormwater improvement project on 14th Avenue between Carnahan Road and Custer Street. The project is expected to be completed this summer and should end the frequest flooding and erosion after heavy rains.

Correspondent Steve Christilaw has a story on West Valley senior Terrynce Duke, who is becoming a standout track athlete after years of playing football and basketball.

East Valley Middle School student Max Thrasher, center, hands a rock to Avista biologist Tim Vore to help weigh down a plastic mesh box containing trout eggs Friday, in the Spokane River at Mirabeau. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Unfortunately it's not Friday yet, but it is Thursday and that means highlights from today's Valley Voice. A big crowd packed the Spokane Valley Library basement meeting room to give their input on what features should be included in the expansion of Balfour Park. The city purchased property across from the old University City Mall last year to expand the park and partner with the Spokane County Library District to place a new library branch there.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger caught up with East Valley Middle School students who are doing a unique science project in the Spokane River. They are placing trout eggs in the river to hatch. When they grow large enough they'll be relocated to Liberty Lake.

Lisa also has a follow up story on the famous crossing guard cat at Broadway Elementary School. The students call him Kudo, but it turns out that his name is really Uno. Uno the cat also has a history in Browne's Addition in Spokane, where he would invite himeself into apartments and receive gifts of tuna from his adoring fans.

John Rice, 15, acts out an improvisation scene with Tori Heischel during a creative writing exercise designed to show how characters influence story on Tuesday at RiverCity Leadership Academy in the West Valley School District. RiverCity will close at the end of the school year. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

Good Monday morning, everyone. You may have noticed that I ducked out of the office on Friday and didn't post on the blog, but I'm back now with some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Anyone who drives down Sullivan Road will notice that a construction project has begun north of the Spokane River to Trent. Over the next six weeks or so northbound and southbound traffic will be limited to one lane each direction, so be prepared if you need to head that way.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger had a story on West Valley's RiverCity Academy, which is closing for good at the end of the current school year. Enrollment at the project-based school is down to 17 and the students will go to other alternative schools in the area.

Lisa also had a story on a driving tour of the Lake Saltese area organized by the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum. The tour, which was held over the weekend, visited several historical sites in the area. The former Lake Saltese was drained in 1894 to create the Morrison Ranch.

A big crowd turned out for last week's meeting on whether or not there should be an I-90 overpass at University Road. Several neighborhood residents were there to speak out against doing such a project while others were in favor of at least a pedestrian/cyclist overpass. Right now no construction project is planned, the city is doing a study on whether an overpass is needed.

Circus worker Daniel Green laces up the big tent Monday in the parking lot of the Spokane Valley Mall. The Shrine Circus, in its 59th year in Spokane, opens today. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

We've got some great stuff for you in today's Valley Voice. Fans of Rusty's Produce on East Sprague take note: Rusty is back. He's something of a Spokane Valley institution, having run his fruit stand since 1984. When his tent didn't go up last year, customers wondered what had happened. Now Rusty Keele is back under the tent after being treated for cancer last year.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on a tent of a different sort - a circus tent. The El Katif Shriners are bringing the Zerbini Family Circus to the Spokane Valley Mall this week. Circus performances have already begun and will continue through Sunday. Check her story for times. The performances include tigers, horses, elephants, clowns and acrobatic acts.

Lisa also has a story on the Eagle for a Day program at West Valley High School. Students at the school spend a day hosting eighth graders from Centennial Middle School and West Valley City School. The program gives middle schoolers a chance to get a first look at the school before they arrive for classes.

This week the Spokane Valley City Council discussed plans to expand Balfour Park and build a Spokane County Library District branch on land across from the old University City Mall. There is a public meeting scheduled to get input on what people want to see in the new park on Monday.

Central Valley High School biology teacher Phil Plesek, center, talks about DNA with a group of Evergreen Middle School eighth-graders Wednesday at Spokane Valley Tech. Eighth-graders from Spokane Valley schools have been taking tours of the tech education center where career and science-oriented classes are available. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Good Monday morning everyone. I'm fairly certain it's still spring, but that wind is making for a chilly day today. While we wait for it to warm back up again, we can take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story about Evergreen Middle School students who visited Spokane Valley Tech to learn about the career and technical education classes and programs it offers.There's an open house coming up this week for students who are interested in attending.

Newman Lake Fire and Rescue is looking at using volunteers and a temporary help to replace a retiring deputy chief. The issue will likely be discussed again during the district's regular fire commissioner meeting tonight. Spokane County Fire District 8 got some input from citizens last week after hosting a series of public meetings on the district's strategic plan. Residents offered suggestions on how the district can improve as well as identifying what the district does well. 

The Millwood City Council approved its draft Shoreline Master Program, according to a story by correspondent Valerie Putnam. The council made changes to the section that governs public shoreline access on private land. The council also awarded contracts for an irrigation project and resurfacing the city tennis courts.  

John Loucks, a board member with the Christian Conference Center, walks through a sanctuary overlooking Liberty Lake, near the historic Zephyr Lodge. The property may be put up for sale. SR photo/Dan Pelle

You can't go wrong with a cute cat and we've got one for you in today's Valley Voice. The students and staff at Broadway Elementary call the black and white cat Kudo, though apparently that isn't really his name. The cat lives near the school and appears twice a day to help the crossing guards as children cross the busy street. He's often out there waiting before the crossing guards get there.

The historic Zephyr Lodge on the shore of Liberty Lake may go up for sale soon. It's owned by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and there isn't enough money to run and maintain the 52 acre property that also includes a softball field, volleyball court, trails and and outdoor chapel.

The city of Spokane Valley is prepariing to adopt new maximum exemption levels that will reduce the number of proposed building projects that have to go through a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The new maximum will sharply increse the number of multi-family units allowed before a SEPA review is triggered.

Michelle Schimmels, special education teacher at McDonald Elementary School, works with first-grade student Cooper Brummett during recess March 29. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Good Monday morning everyone. Let's start off the week by taking a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story in McDonald Elementary School special education teacher Michelle Schimmels, who recently received a Meritorious Service Award from the Central Valley School District after seven different people nominated her. She works with high needs children and was lauded for having a way of understanding what the children need.

Community gardens are booming in Liberty Lake. The city recently finished adding 12 raised garden beds to its garden at the arboretum. There are also 11 raised beds at Rocky Hill Park and demand has been high. The city provides everything except the seeds.

The Spokane Valley City Council had a special meeting last week with Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers. They used their time to lobby for help in getting the final bit of funding to replace the west Sullivan Bridge and to ask about moving the Bridging the Valley railroad overpass projects back to the forefront.

Making a scene: Quinn Johnson, who plays Bobby Strong, and Shelby Horton, who plays Hope, in the University High School drama department production of “Urinetown” perform a scene during a dress rehearsal March 29 at U-Hi. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

I was driving home yesterday when I realized I hadn't posted highlights from that day's Valley Voice. Whoops. So here we are with an entry in the “better late than never” category. The city of Spokane Valley is looking at changes to several law enforcement related contracts it has with Spokane County. Both jurisdictions are interested in making changes that will save the city money.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the University High School production of “Urinetown” that opens on April 11. She also has a story on the National Geographic Bee at Pacific Lutheran University that will include several local students, including two from Spokane Valley.

Lisa did triple duty and also has a story on longtime Inland Northwest Blood Center volunteer Ernie Dieterich, who died recently. If you donated blood at the organizations' mobile donor coach, you might have seen him. He would drive the coach, hand out juice and do whatever else was needed.