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.

Spokane Valley Police Cpl. Jim Wakefield assists the manager of Poppy’s Tavern up onto a sidewalk after she had her hands bound with zip ties and was robbed Wednesday morning by an armed gunman. She freed herself from the ties after about 10 minutes. SR photo/Dan Pelle

For those of you wanting more details on yesterday's armed robbery at Poppy's Tavern in Spokane Valley, reporter Tom Sowa has a story in today's paper. The manager of the bar, who has not been named by police, was reportedly tied up with zip ties before the robber made off with cash and two beers. The same woman was assaulted during a robbery at the bar in 2011. An arrest was made in that case. Click here to read Tom's story.

If you missed the last public meeting on Spokane Valley's update of its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, you have one more chance. A meeting is scheuled from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. You'll be asked to give input on what amenities should be added to current parks and where future parks should be located. If you have a yearning for a skate park or a dog park, now is the time to give the city your two cents. For more information on the master plan update, call (509) 720-5401.

Chloe Chalfant, 13, a seventh-grader a East Farms, raises her hand during math class on March 6. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

There was a bunch of news packed into Saturday's Valley Voice. First is a primer on your commuting routes this summer - a story outlining all the road construction projects coming up this year in Spokane Valley. There's also a major project planned in Liberty Lake, the installation of a roundabout at Harvard Road and Mission Ave. Major projects are also coming to Argonne Road, Sullivan Road, Pines Road and Sprague Ave.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger had a story on the SeaPerch team at North Pines Middle School. The two students built an underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV) and won a regional contest. There are a series of fundraisers planned to send the team to the National Sea Perch Challenge in Indianapolis.

Now that Lisa is back, so is the East Farms Diary. This most recent entry focuses on discipline at the K-8 school. School staff report that older students typically don't mix with younger students and when they do, the older students are on their best behavior.

A Spokane County Superior Court Judge has ruled that the Hollywood Erotic Botique location on East Sprague in Spokane Valley is a public nuisance and in violation of the city's zoning ordinance. The court case is expected to continue, however, since the attorney representing the business owner indicated he was prepared to argue that the city's ordinance was unconstitutional.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department saw a large spike in reported firefighter injuries in 2012, but it is the result of a new focus on reporting every injury, no matter how slight. The number of arsons was also up in 2012, but that blip can be traced to an arson spree last summer than involved fires in dumpsters behind businesses.

Jerry Kienbaum talked about collecting snowmobiles for his museum in Greenacres on Monday. SR photo/Kathy Plonka

The top news in today's Valley Voice is reporter Lisa Leinberger's story on the East Valley School District's continuing transition to a K-8 education model. The district has had several meetings lately and heard emotional testimony from parents. On Tuesday they voted unanimously to moved the preschool and other special programs to East Valley Middle School in the fall.

Lisa also has a story on Spokane Valley resident Jerry Kienbaum, who has spent years amassing a collection of vintage snowmobiles. He runs the Northwest Museum of Vintage Snowmobiles.

Spokane County is planning several upgrades to the Argonne Road corridor north of the Spokane Valley city limits over the next few years, replacing pavement and adding sidewalks. The only project scheduled for this year is the replacement of the Bruce Road bridge over Deadman Creeek south of Mount Spokane Park Drive.

The Spokane Valley City Council spent some time Tuesday on how to avoid a bill of over $300,000 when new limits on the number of misdemeanor cases public defenders can handle take effect in October. That amount would be the city's share of seven new attorneys Spokane County might have to hire to help with the load. The increased cost would be charged to the city every year.

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.

Last night the Spokane Valley City Council selected a new planning commissioner - land surveyor Michael Phillips. He was one of two people to apply for the vacant seat. The vote was nearly unanimous, so City Manager Mike Jackson didn't have to get out another coin to decide the issue. There were be more details on the selection in Thursday's Valley Voice.

Also in Thursday's Valley Voice, reporter Lisa Leinberger will have a report on last night's extremely lengthy East Valley School District meeting to discuss the future of K-8 schools. Lisa said the room was packed with parents, some of whom were quite emotional.

Jayne Singleton, director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, is ready to open the Grand Coulee Dam and Ice Floods exhibit. The box hanging from the ceiling denotes one cubic yard. Grand Coulee Dam contains around 12 million cubic yards of concrete. SR photo/Dan Pelle

I'm fairly certain it's Monday morning (hello, second cup of coffee), so let's look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Nichol Hensley has a story on a new exhibit at the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum that focuses on the Grand Coulee Dam and Lake Roosevelt.

Last week Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey gave his annual State of the City speech. He compared the city to the Gonzaga University men's basketball team in that they both focus on recruiting and the basics. Citizens can be proud of the city, he said.

There's a big celebration Saturday of the 10th anniversary of the incorporation of Spokane Valley. The bash at CenterPlace will feature some history from the Spokane Valley Heritage museum and local Native American tribes as well as carnival games and birthday cake.

In sports, correspondent Steve Christilaw takes a look at this year's Central Valley High School boys soccer team. There is a strong group of freshmen this year.

Mayor Tom Towey will give his annual State of the City speech twice today. The first run through is at noon in the second floor community room at the Spokane Valley Mall. The second round is at 6 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place.

There will be time for questions after each speech and the entire program is scheduled to last an hour, so you can pop over on your lunch hour if you want. Mayor Towey will be speaking about the city's focus on bringing new businesses to town and on improving city services.

If you can't make it to either one but are still interested in what the Mayor has to say, the presentation will be recorded and posted on the city's web site at www.spokanevalley.org. 

Among the topics on tonight's Spokane Valley City Council agenda is a discussion on the city's sign code, which was last changed in 2011. Recently several business owners have complained to the city that the sign regulations are negatively impacting their business. The council will discuss whether further changes to the sign code are necessary.

There are a couple of other interesting topics on the agenda, including the proposed Spokane River Public Access Plan that is being considered as part of the city's Shoreline Master Program update. The council will also talk about grant opportunities and a renegotiated City Hall lease.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. tonight at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

The stretch of undeveloped land south of Sprague Avenue frontage, east of University Road, is an old railroad right-of-way that the city of Spokane Valley would like to turn into a community trail for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Reporter Mike Prager has some information in his Getting There column today on the proposed Appleway Trail through the heart of Spokane Valley. The city is holding a meeting next Monday to get input on the trail, which would follow the old Milwaukee Railroad right of way between University Road and Evergreen. A section of the trail has already been built from Tschirley Road to the eastern city limits. Read his story here for more details.

At It’s a Soccer Life in Spokane Valley, the Spokane Shadow U13 team practices Monday. The soccer center has an enclosed turf field and a smaller futsal pitch. Weekdays at the center are usually filled with practices and weekends are packed with league play from morning until night. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's a sunny if somewhat nippy Monday morning out there, so lets take a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Correspondent Jill Barville checked out a new indoor soccer facility in the Spokane Valley Industrial Park called It's A Soccer Life. The business opened in January and hosts games and practices for area teams.

The city of Spokane Valley got some input on the future of parks in the city during a public meeting last week looking for input on the city's proposed Parks and Recreation Master Plan. A recent survey showed that local residents are most interested in urban trails, splash pads, outdoor aquatic facilities and indoor recreation facilities.

Reporter Nicole Hensley has a story on the newest West Valley School District board member Adam Mortensen, a 1997 West Valley High School graduate. Richard Chan, husband of longtime Front Porch columnist Deborah Chan, has a column about how he has been dealing with his wife's cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The Spokane Valley City Council spent more than two hours talking about the future of trash in the city during their daylong winter retreat last week. They have teamed up with Spokane County to do a study on the costs of various disposal options in the future.  

Award winning musician and author Jim Gill will present a free performance of his Family Room Tour at 11 a.m. Saturday at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Gill plays the banjo and creates musical games that encourage the audience to clap, sing, dance and even sneeze along.

Gill is a child development specialist and focuses on connections between music, literacy and early childhood development. The performance is free, so this should be a good way to get the kids out of the house and get them moving.

The caretakers of Saltese Cemetery are looking for missing benches that are similar to these sculpted by Concrete Works, a Spokane Valley company. Photo courtesy of Concrete Works.

Apparently two benches featuring decorative rabbits have turned up missing from the Saltese Cemetery. The benches had been inside a gazebo. The benches had been purchased about 10 years ago as a nod to the wild rabbits that regularly hop throughout the cemetery. Anyone who has information on where the benches are located is asked to call Mary and Bill Cabbage at (509) 926-0895. There is a reward for their return. Click here for more details.

A farm- themed play structure and a splash pad grace Greenacres Park. SR file photo.

The Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a public meeting tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, to talk about updates to its Parks and Recreation Master Plan. People are invited to come and give their input on what new parks or new elements they would like to see. This is your chance to make a pitch for a dog park, an Olympic sized swimming pool or whatever else you think is needed.  

Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey gave SCOPE a certificate of appreciation and a key to the city at last night's city council meeting as part of his monthly community recognition award program. The director of SCOPE, Rick Scott, was there to receive the award on behalf of the organization's 600 volunteers and crack a couple of jokes. The room was packed with SCOPE volunteers and Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich came out for the occasion.

You can see my story on the council meeting in Thursday's Valley Voice, which will include the SCOPE award as well as the council's discussion on this year's road construction projects.  

The city of Spokane Valley is hosting a public meeting tonight to talk about a planned stormwater project along the east side of Bittman Road and Dickey Street between 11th and 14th Avenues this summer. The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Park Place Assisted Living, 511 S. Park Road. The project calls for swales, installing underground pipes and possibly removing some landscaping in the public right of way. Call (509) 720-5013 for more details on the project.

Liberty Lake Police Officer Jeff Jones. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

Another Thursday means more Valley Voice highlights to look over. The Spokane Valley City Council had to turn to a coin toss this week in selecting a new council member after three tie votes. Rod Higgins, who has served on the city's planning commission for the last year, won the toss and was sworn in as the newest council member.

There's a new police officer on patrol in Liberty Lake. Officer Jeff Jones joined the police department in January after working as a Pend Oreille County sheriff's deputy for eight years. He's adjusting to a busier pace and a much shorter distance between calls.

Reporter Nicole Hensley has a story on a flyer the Citizens for Responsible Taxation has sent out opposing the East Valley School District bond. The school district says the information on the flyer is incorrect. The group has opposed school bonds and levys throughout the county in recent years.

Christina Humrich, Kaylie Maresh, Sarah Wu, Rachael Radavich and Janne Kaschnitter participate during class time in Company Ballet School’s old dance studio on Jan 23. An additional dance space is under construction. SR photo/Dan Pelle

We managed to pack a bunch of news into Saturday's Valley Voice, so let's get on to some highlights. Neighbors in the area of Sprague Ave. and Hodges Road are unhappy with a proposed development called Covey Glen North that would put 46 homes on 8.57 acres. They voiced their displeasure at a hearing before the Spokane Valley Hearing Examiner last week.

Correspondent Valerie Putnam has a story on the expansion of the Company Ballet School in Millwood. The school is adding new space that will be used to offer classes to adults and children. Reporter Nicole Hensley takes a look at a series of Spokane Valley history talks being offered by the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum and the Spokane Valley Library. The first talk is set for Wednesday.

Nicole also has information on a new Spokane County Library District plan to give every middle school student a library card that can be used online or at the library.

Wilma Turner, the owner of Iron Horse Kennel in Newman Lake, has appealed the decision by SCRAPS to not renew her commercial kennel license after repeated inspection failures. A hearing was held last week and there could be a recommendation as soon as this week. The Spokane County Commissioners will have the final say.