Rebecca White

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News >  Pacific NW

Spokane County commissioner candidates David Green, Mary Kuney differ on budget issues

UPDATED: Wed., Oct. 7, 2020

Accountants David Green and Mary Kuney are both running for county commissioner with different approaches on the budget, criminal justice and funding the Spokane Regional Health District. 

News

Women of the Year - Legacy: Diana Wilhite an influential force in Spokane Valley politics, business

UPDATED: Mon., Sept. 21, 2020

When Spokane Valley first incorporated in 2003, and dozens of candidates for the first city council came forward, Diana Wilhite noticed a troubling trend: No women declared they would run.

News

‘Grow what you want to eat’: Local gardeners focus on organization, practical planting, win new Spokane Interstate Fair garden category

Sat., Sept. 19, 2020

The winner and runner-up of the Spokane County Interstate Fair's newest category, gardening, focused on beauty and their favorite vegetables when designing their gardens.

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News >  Spokane

Porch and mini Valleyfest parade deadlines near, but organizers say they are flexible due to smoke, COVID-19 danger

Thu., Sept. 17, 2020

Participants have until this weekend to sign up for most events in the 2020 Valleyfest Parade, but will be allowed some flexibility due to smoke danger, COVID-19 restrictions and going back to school.

News

Rotary Club donates corn, funds to food bank after booth at Spokane County Fair canceled

Thu., Sept. 17, 2020

Members of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club normally would be spending the middle of September together in a booth, selling hundreds of turkey legs and corn on the cob at the Spokane County Interstate Fair.

News

County Commissioner candidates Josh Kerns, Ted Cummings agree community needs help getting through COVID-19, differ on criminal justice

UPDATED: Fri., Oct. 9, 2020

Spokane County Commissioner candidates Josh Kerns and Ted Cummings disagree on criminal justice issues and how the county should interact with unions, but have similar positions on at least one front: Both say the county should be willing to use county funds to assist people in need after federal money runs out.

News

One of just two historic covered bridges in Washington burns in Whitman County fire

Mon., Sept. 14, 2020

A 102-year-old historic covered wooden bridge outside of Colfax was destroyed Monday night in a nearly 3,000-acre fire that is still burning in Whitman County.

News >  Spokane

County seeking volunteer for law Sheriff’s Office oversight board

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 10, 2020

Spokane County is seeking a volunteer from any political party to fill a vacancy on the Civil Service Commission, an oversight board that reviews firings, discipline, qualifications and hiring practices for sheriff’s deputies.

News

County extends sewer late fee, penalty waiver until end of the year

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 8, 2020

Spokane County suspended late fees and penalties for sewer bills until the end of the year to offer relief to homeowners and businesses facing financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

Spokane County awards $2.6 million in COVID-19 aid funds to area school districts

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 8, 2020

Spokane County Commissioners unanimously voted to award $2.6 million in COVID-19 aid funds to 17 local school districts to pay for internet access, technology upgrades, PPE and staffing.

News

Wind knocks trees over in parks, into streets

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 18, 2020

While wind fueled fires, picked up dust and knocked trees into power lines though much of Eastern Washington, most of Spokane County was spared from damage.

News >  Real Estate

Fire rages through Malden, leaving much of the small farming town in ruins

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 2, 2021

Numerous buildings and homes in the town of Malden in northern Whitman County were destroyed Monday as a wildfire raged through the town.

Dust storms, hazardous conditions forces closure of I-90 and several other highways in Eastern Washington

UPDATED: Mon., Sept. 7, 2020

Blowing dust, winds and fire danger have closed roads outside of Ritzville and across the Grant County line, including Interstate 90.

News >  Spokane

Increasing property values likely will mean higher property taxes for most in Spokane County

UPDATED: Sun., Sept. 6, 2020

The demand for housing in Spokane County continues to drive property values up, which coupled with changes to the way the state funds basic education means property owners are going to be paying higher taxes next year. 

News

County to consider providing $3 million in COVID-19 aid funds to local school districts

UPDATED: Mon., Sept. 7, 2020

Spokane County may soon award the region’s school districts an estimated $3 million in COVID-19 funds to help districts provide day camps and internet access for students.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Valley leaders urge more people to apply as deadline for small business as deadline nears

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 1, 2020

The clock is running out for Spokane Valley businesses and nonprofits to apply for grants from the city to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

As college students drive up COVID-19 case counts in Pullman, Spokane County leaders wonder if we’re next

UPDATED: Tue., Sept. 1, 2020

Exploding case counts in Whitman County has Spokane County Commissioners re-considering if they should invest some CARES Act funds in local universities that are opening in-person.

News >  Spokane

Marchers in downtown Spokane protest police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 31, 2020

The Sunday protest follows weeks of marches and demonstrations this summer following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Marchers acknowledged the previous protests and urged those attending to vote in the November election. 

News >  Education

Fear of violence will keep at least 1 Black leader from weekend BLM protest; others say not protesting is more dangerous

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 31, 2020

Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Riverfront Park this weekend to protest the police shooting of a Black man in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but at least one person who planned to be there has decided not to attend over concerns that the violence that erupted in the Midwest could be repeated in Spokane.

News >  Spokane

County treasurer extends property tax deadline, calls for teacher pay cuts

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 27, 2020

Spokane County residents have an additional 60 days to pay their property taxes after the treasurer’s office announced Thursday its second extension of the year.

News >  Spokane

Despite pushback, Spokane County Commissioners approve guiding principles for criminal justice system

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 26, 2020

Spokane County Commissioners adopted a set of expansive guiding principles that promise to consider people’s race, gender and circumstances when making decisions in the criminal justice system, a statement that leaders in the Black and Indigenous community say is too broad to bring meaningful change.

News >  Spokane

After 3 decades leading Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Father Stephen Supica is retiring

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 26, 2020

When Father Stephen Supica arrived in Spokane 32 years ago to lead Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, he was an outlier in his own congregation.

News >  Spokane

Some trials will be held at Spokane County fairgrounds under plan backed by commission

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 26, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic has brought the local justice system almost to a halt, local court officials have hit upon a novel idea for getting the wheels of justice turning again: holding some trials at the Spokane County Fairgrounds & Expo Center.

News

Food favorites from the fair will be available at drive-thrus

Tue., Aug. 25, 2020

Though fair attendees won’t be able to follow the smells of kettle corn and funnel cakes to their favorite food booths as they would at a typical fair, they will be able order their favorites from their cars at both the North Idaho and Spokane Interstate fairs over the next several weeks.

Opinion >  Column

Getting There: While ridership is down, STA services won’t be cut this fall

UPDATED: Thu., Sept. 3, 2020

Spokane Transit Authority will use federal assistance and reserves to help weather the pandemic storm, but won't need to reduce services despite lagging ridership for the first part of 2020.