Kate Steen, nanny for twins Reed Swain, left and Harrison Swain, age 3, reads to them at the Liberty Lake Library Tuesday. When the city of Liberty Lake incorporated, it started it’s own library rather than contract with the Spokane County Library District. Now the two agencies are forming a partnership. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

Thursday is not only one day removed from Friday, it's also a Valley Voice day. As always, we have some highlights for your perusal. There is a new agreement between the Liberty Lake Library and the Spokane County Library District that allows Liberty Lake patrons to get a free non-resident library card at the county libraries. The Liberty Lake Library has given free non-resident cards to county residents for years.

Repoter Lisa Leinberger has a story about a new electronic reader board at Ness Elementary School in West Valley. The money for the sign was raised by the school's Parent Teacher Organziation over the last three years. Previously the PTO purchased playground equipment for the school.

Correspondent Jill Barville spoke the owners of Valley Produce and Supply at 32nd and Best Road. The business sells produce grown by Spokane Valley farmer Chuck Utecht and other local suppliers. Since it is almost Halloween, there are plenty of pumpkins to be had.

A wide-open garage like this one in Liberty Lake is an almost irresistible opportunity to burglars, police say. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak

There is a lot to catch up on if you missed Saturday's Valley Voice. Open garages like the one pictured above have been nothing but a free buffet for thieves in Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake. Police have arrested suspects in each city, but there are still more out there. Police are urging people to lock up.

The town of Fairfield is considering a six percent utility tax on electricity usage in order to raise money for street maintenance. A public hearing was held last week and a vote is expected by April.

Last week students from Ness Elementary helped distribute free food at Millwood Presbyterian Church. The food distribution is held every month. The Spokane Valley Fire Department also made an arrest for two recent arson fires. Anthony W. Sotin was indicted by a Federal grand jury on two counts of arson and one count of wire fraud.

Saturday's Valley Voice is going to be packed with good stuff. Even though Monday is a holiday, I plan to drop in and post some links. But if you can't wait that long, tomorrow you can check out our newly redesigned Voices web page that just pops with pictures.

The Fairfield City Council held a public hearing this week to discuss a proposal to add a 6 percent utility tax on electrical bills to help pay for street maintenance. A crowd of about 20 residents turned out, which is a large showing in a town of only 587 residents.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department arrested Anthony W. Sotin in connection with two recent arson fires. He was indicted by a Federal grand jury this week. His lengthy criminal record includes a previous conviction for arson.

Both Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake have been having problems with garage burglaries lately. Police urge people to lock up at night to foil the thieves that are apparently roaming the neighborhoods in the early morning hours looking for crimes of opportunity.

Reporter Lisa Lienberger talked to some Ness Elementary students who spent part of their day recently helping hand out food for Second Harvest at Millwood Presbyterian Church.