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.

Two year colon cancer survivor Susie Leonard Weller is celebrating life and challenging herself post-colostomy by participating in her first triathlon-the Valley Girl Triathlon. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak

Here I am with your usual dose of Thursday Valley Voice highlights, even if it is (much) later than normal. But there's no law against reading the daily paper with dinner instead of breakfast, right? Correspondent Jill Barville recently talked with Susie Leonard Weller, who is preparing to participate in the Valley Girl Triathlon Sunday in Liberty Lake. It is the colon cancer survivor's first triathlon.

Reporter Lisa Lienberger headed down to the Fairfield Library lately for a special storytime in Salish. It's part of the special summer activities being hosted by the Spokane County Library District.

The Spokane Valley City Council spent nearly two hours Tuesday talking about economic development. The council was discussing what the city can do immediately to help boost business and what can be done in the long term. Construction is coming to the Sullivan and Indiana intersection in August. There will be traffic flowing through during construction, but turning options will be limited. It sounds like it will be a bit messy, so start planning alternative routes now.

It may be hot outside but we've managed to put together a cool Valley Voice for Thursday. The Spokane County Library District's summer program recently brough in a Salish speaker from the Colville Tribe for a children's storytime in Fairfield. Reporter Lisa Leinberger headed down there to check out the program.

The Spokane Valley City Council talked economic development for nearly two hours this week and I'll have a report on their discussion. You can also get your first detailed look at the upcoming construction on the Indiana and Sullivan intersection, including which parts of the intersection will be closed when. The project is set to start Aug. 1.

Don't look for me to post links to the stories until late tomorrow, though. I'll be away from the computer most of the day and I'll be around in the late afternoon to do some posting. That is, unless I melt first.