The city of Liberty Lake will celebrate Arbor Day with its 11th annual tree planting on Friday. The tree will be planted at City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive. Everyone is invited!

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.

This is just a reminder that the Liberty Lake City Council meeting orginally scheduled for today has been postponed to Tuesday, April 9. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

But don't despair. Tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting is good to go. The highlight of the meeting should be a report on gang enforcement and property crimes as well as a discussion on proposed changes to the city's law enforcement contract. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Liam Kennedy, left, and Jaden Conwell, both 8 years old and students at Adams Elementary, read pen pal letters from schoolchildren in Ghana, Wednesday. The most recent letters included talk of Christmas activities. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

I'd wish everyone a good Monday morning, but it's no longer morning. At least it's still Monday! Once again we have some Saturday Valley Voice highlights to mention. The Spokane Valley Police Department saw great success on emphasis patrols for vehicle prowling and garage burglaries at the end of 2012. The department is currently looking for a way to keep that success going within current staffing. The effort took four officers off patrol and reassigned them for a month.

Reporter Nicole Hensley came up with a couple of great stories. Fourth graders at Adams Elementary have been sending letters to pen pals in Ghana. The students also raise money to help pay for school improvements for their pen pals, such as tables in the cafeteria and used computers. Central Valley High School basketball score keeper Bill Pierce has been inducted into the school's Hall of Fame for his three decades of service to the school.

Nichole also has a report on how the city of Liberty Lake allocated its lodging tax money.

Firefighters build steps to get a horse out of a pool in the 17000 block of East Montgomery on Dec. 18. The horse was not injured when it fell through the pool cover. Photo courtesy the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Good morning on this last day of 2012. We have some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice in case you missed them. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on Spokane Valley Heritage Museum volunteer Peggy Taylor. The museum recently threw a surprise 89th birthday party for the longtime volunteer.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department performed a unique rescue recently when a horse broke through the cover of a swimming pool. Fire crews and citizens built makeshift steps so the horse could climb out of the shallow end.

The city of Liberty Lake has decided to stick with SCRAPS for animal control services after considering switching to SpokAnimal. The city council recently approved a new contract and included funds for the contract in the 2013 budget.

Different cities are taking different directions on whether or not to have a council meeting the week of Thanksgiving. The city of Spokane Valley has cancelled its normal Tuesday meeting because of the holiday, but the city of Liberty Lake is going ahead with its council meeting. The meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall, will include a public hearing on the proposed 2013 budget. City Hall is located at 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

CV freshmen Jaimee Clark, standing at left, and Alexandra Burke, standing center, consult as they evaluate the entrepreneurial project of third-graders at Sunrise. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Welcome to a wet, windy Monday. But look on the bright side; we've got Thanksgiving to look forward to. As always we have some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on a program that teams Sunrise Elementary students with Central Valley High School DECA students to learn about running a business. The students are selling products that they made.

Sullivan Park will double in size after the construction of the new Sullivan Bridge is complete. The park will be expanded as mitigation for the portion of the park that will be used as a staging area during construction. Other improvements in that area are also planned.

The HUB Sports Center has a new after school program for Greenacres Middle School that is proving to be popular. The students get help with their homework, have a snack, listen to guest speakes and play games.

The city of Liberty Lake is taking a second look at its animal control contract with SCRAPS. Mayor Steve Peterson iswants to see if SpokAnimal can provide the city cheaper service or if the SCRAPS contract can be changed to cost the city less out of pocket.

Lisa also has a report on a Central Valley school board meeting where a decision was reached to sell land in Liberty Lake to the city of Liberty Lake for $10 so it can be used for playing fields. The district has the option to purchase the land back for the same price in the future if it needs the property.  

The Liberty Lake City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a public hearing on the city's proposed 2013 budget. If you would like to read up on the issues in advance, the budget is available at www.libertylakewa.gov. If you can't make this meeting, a second public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled during the regular council meeting on Nov. 20. Tuesday's meeting will be at City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.

Tyler Saunders, left, a senior from Mead High School, gets tips on how to safely mount a new cutting tool on a large milling machine from veteran machinist Cal Christen at Spokane Community College on Friday. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Welcome to another Monday morning. We've got several highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger recently spend another day at the East Farms STEAM Magnet School for an entry for her ongoing East Farms Diary. The school, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, had a day of hands on activities where students could do everything from making a clay pot to throwing a football.

Lisa also met up with students taking classes through the new Spokane Valley Tech skills center that is still under construction. The center is bringing together the Central Valley, West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts. The program is also open to students from other districts.

Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson recently signed up to be tested on a driving simulator that the city's insurance company brought to town. It tested the reactions of city employees to bad weather, failed brakes, blown tires and other scenarios.

Reporter Tom Clouse has a story in today's paper about the dropping violent crime rate in Spokane, Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake. The story is looking at 2011 numbers. Burglaries, however, were up across the board. So which is the safest city to live in? Liberty Lake. Read the story here for more details.

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.

Well, this isn't really a surprise. The Spokane Valley Fire Department fire marshal has issued burn restrictions for Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood. After so much hot and dry weather, it wouldn't take much to spark a wildfire. All open burning and most types of recreational fires are banned. Backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces and other patio/deck warmers are still allowed.

The burning restrictions will last until the fire danger drops. You can check out the fire department web site for more details.

Deputy Chief Larry Rider looks at the workmanship and materials inside the new Spokane Valley fire station going up in the 6300 block of East Sprague Avenue Wednesday. Station 6 will serve the area that extends west to Havana Street and east approximately 1.5 miles. It is scheduled to open in November. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

We're checking another Monday off the calendar, which means it is time to take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Construction of Spokane Valley Fire Department's Station 6 has been delayed and is now expected to be complete in mid-November. The old Station 6 was torn down in March to make way for a new building.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has information on some restructuring going on in Liberty Lake. Longtime community development director Doug Smith has “parted ways” with the city. Smith had worked for the city since 2001 and had been functioning as the city administrator.

Last week's election results showed the replacement maintenance and operations levies of Spokane County Fire District 9 and the Spokane Valley Fire Department passing easily. The levies accounted for more than half the annual budget of both organizations, so the affirmative vote comes as a relief.

Family members of a man killed in Western Washington two weeks ago found his newly purchased assault rifle missing from his Liberty Lake apartment when they arrived to pack up his belongings. Ryan Crews Mumm, 20, was reportedly attending Spokane Community College. Police are investigating the burglary. Reporter Meghann Cuniff has more details on her blog here.

This Big Trout Lodge apartment was heavily damaged in a fire allegedly set by a Spokane Shock player. SR file photo.

Players of the Spokane Shock team have spent this week moving out of the team provided apartments in the Big Trout Lodge in Liberty Lake even though their lease isn't up for another month. This comes after Shock player Kevin Ellison was arrested and charged with arson for a June 14 fire that started in his bedroom. He told investigators that he set the fire because God told him to, according to federal court documents. The team and the apartment complex managers are calling the move a mutual decision. Click here for more details.

Bobbie Beese, left, and Betsy Mott are seen in their store on Tuesday at the Corner Door Fountain and Books in Spokane Valley. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

We have another cloudy Monday morning out there, but we also have another batch of Saturday Valley Voice stories as well. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on Corner Door Fountain and Books in Millwood that is owned by three siblings. The store has an eclectic mix of art, books, gifts and more.

The Spokane Valley Business Association met last week an heard a presentation on a planned city project to add stormwater swales to Sprague Avenue between Park and Thierman Roads. Some business owners are concerned about street trees blocking their signs while others are pleased to see some green come into the neighborhood.

The Spokane County Hearing Examiner recently ruled that Liberty Lake homeowner Lloyd Herman can keep most of the improvements he made to his lakeshore property without the proper permits, but he must shrink the size of a cabana/beach house that he built. Stairs and bulkheads will be allowed to stay because they held stabilize the slope, the hearing examiner wrote.

Teacher Kathy Bodrock gives eighth-grader Blake Womble a hug on the last day of school at Bowdish Middle School. SR photo/Lisa Leinberger

Welcome to summer! We'll celebrate by taking a look at today's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by Bowdish Middle School on the last day of school. The students and teachers have a unique and fun way of saying goodbye - for the summer or forever - with their annual talent show.

Spokane Valley residents and commuters will notice that construction started on Evergreen Road today. Crews are working on the first phase between 16th and 24th Avenues. The road will be closed to all but local traffic, so plan to drive around that area. Liberty Lake Police and the Spokane County Bomb Squad had to deal with an unexploded bottle bomb made from household chemicals last week.

Young swimmers from all over the region gathered recently in Spokane for the Summer Solstice Swim Meet. Correspondent Cindy Hval attended the meet and talked to some of the swimmers. Cindy also has a column about her trials with custumer service as she upgraded her cell phone. As a recent survivor of cell phone company customer service myself, I can sympathize.

Photo courtesy the Spokane Valley Fire Department.

Third update: Shock player Kevin Ellison has been arrested on an arson charge for allegedly starting the fire that began in his bedroom. He has been suspended from the team. Check the updated story here.

Second update: Representatives of the Spokane Shock arena football team have confirmed that player Kevin Ellison is the resident who jumped from the burning building. The story is here.

Update: Fire investigators have determined that this was an arson fire, said Fire Marshal Kevin Miller. Investigators have not yet been able to interview the resident, who is still in the hospital. The fire began in the bedroom.

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A man jumped from his burning third story apartment at Big Trout Lodge in Liberty Lake early this morning and managed to escape serious injury. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhilation.

Spokane Valley Fire Department's Engine 3 was on its way to another call at 5:30 a.m. today when firefighters spotted a column of smoke coming from the apartment building, according to a press release from Capt. Pat Schaffer. They called it in and diverted to the building, where they saw flames coming from the third floor unit. Liberty Lake Police officers helped evacuate the building.

Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading from the apartment where it began. Two other apartments had some smoke damage. The damage is estimated at $50,000 and the cause is still under investigation.

Spokane County Sheriff Deputy Jay Bailey checks the boat of anglers before they launch at West Medical Lake in 2011. SR file photo.

If you are planning to head out on a local lake this weekend (like Newman Lake or Liberty Lake), you may run into a Spokane County Sheriff's Office boat safety emphasis patrol. According to a Sheriff's Office press release, deputies will have “zero tolerance” for infractions like boathing under the influence, lack of life jackets and failure to have the mandatory boating education card. They will also be looking for wake violations and noise violations.

If we get some sunny weather this weekend I'm sure some boats will be out in the water. Just keep in mind that the water is still really cold. Everyone on a boat must have a life vests and children 12 and younger must wear their life vest unless the boat is docked or anchored. Everyone have fun and stay safe this weekend.