Lisa Leinberger

Lisa Leinberger covers Spokane Valley schools and nonprofit agencies for the Voices neighborhood sections.

Contact Lisa

Email: lisal@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5449
Fax: 509-459-5482

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Recent stories by Lisa

Overseas aim inspires grad from Cheney

May 23, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S4 Sitting and talking to Sarah Oakes, 17, of Cheney High School, you notice she is engaging and smart, quick with a smile and excited about her future. What you might …
Riverside graduate inspired by friends, school, family

May 23, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S10 Justin Norwood, 17, is graduating from Riverside High School next month and plans to attend Washington State University next year to study engineering. After that, he wants to get a …
Son inspired Riverside Achievement’s McWold to work for diploma

May 23, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S10 When Charli McWold, 19, graduates from Riverside Achievement Center next month, her 2-year-old son, Joseph Nelsen, will be there to cheer for her. McWold started high school in Wilbur, Wash., …
Theater troupe has a home at last

May 18, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The Liberty Lake Community Theatre has a place to call home. After five years – and more than a dozen plays – the theater has its own stage at 22910 …
Project teaches students about global affairs

May 16, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Courtney Owens, a junior at Central Valley High School, can tell you the leader of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan. The country’s largest export is oil, and they have a 63.9 … 1
UI puts dream to beat, steering away from traditional recital

May 16, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V4 It began 22 years ago as a way for performing arts students at the University of Idaho to transform a traditional recital. “Music recitals irritated me to death,” said Diane …
Artist receiving Capitol honor

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V2 Kaitlyn Sabie, a junior at East Valley High School, has won first place, Judges Award and the Washington State Governor’s Award at the OSPI All-State High School Art Show for …
Board rejects top three proposed names for CBE

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Students at Contract Based Education in the West Valley School District will have to wait to learn what their school will be called in the future as the school board …
Celebrating our ag roots

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The annual Eastern Washington Farm Heritage Show is a favorite for Spokane Valley Heritage Museum executive director Jayne Singleton. “This used to be an agricultural community,” she said.
Homemade smoker causes fire

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V2 A homeowner in the 4300 block of North Martinson Road was smoking a whole pig in a homemade smoker Saturday at 10:39 p.m. when the inside of the device became …
The write stuff

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The pens have been carefully made: A small block of tulipwood is placed in a lathe, where it is coaxed into shape. The wood is then sanded, sealed, polished and … 3
WV says thank you with block party

May 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The 12th annual Valley Community Block Party will give students a chance to shine. Musicians in the district – elementary and middle school orchestra students, the Centennial Middle School jazz …
Golf cart joyride in Liberty Lake park cut short

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V2 Liberty Lake police had a fairly quiet week from April 29 through Monday, with 27 incidents. On April 29, officers responded to a report of two juveniles recklessly driving a …
‘Once Upon a Mattress’ adds music to classic fairy tale

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V8 The classic tale of “The Princess and the Pea” receives a twist in the musical “Once Upon a Mattress,” presented by the drama department at West Valley High School. In …
Spokane Valley City Council considers farmers market

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The Spokane Valley City Council met during a study session Tuesday to discuss whether or not a farmers market would be a feasible project on the land the city purchased …
West Valley band to showcase talent at Shock game

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Most high school marching bands are used to performing during the halftime show of high school football games. West Valley High School’s marching band will take that to a new …
Freeman FBLA students qualify for nationals

May 4, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V2 The Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Freeman High School competed in the 2013 State FBLA competition in Spokane from April 25 through 27. The school sent 21 students …
Seth Woodard Elementary gets new playground set

May 4, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Like ants on an anthill, children at Seth Woodard Elementary School have been swarming the new playground equipment. “I think of it as the most funnest new playground I’ve ever …
Spokane Valley Partners community garden could open soon

May 4, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 At Spokane Valley Partners, plans are in the works to finally start its own community garden. Modern Electric has donated the use of about 2.4 acres behind the south parking … 1
‘The Outsiders’ opens at Central Valley High

May 2, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V2 The drama department at Central Valley High School is capping its 2012-13 season with “The Outsiders,” based on the classic novel by S.E. Hinton. The story follows Ponyboy, a member …