Rebecca White

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News >  Spokane

Deer Park Chamber of Commerce accuses County Library District of exploiting them, library says claim is false

Sat., Aug. 22, 2020

The Deer Park Chamber of Commerce has accused the Spokane County Library District of exploiting the town to obtain a $61,000 grant. Library officials said that claim is false.

correction

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 24, 2020

A story that appeared on the front page of Friday's paper incorrectly spelled the name of Spokane Humane Society Executive Director Ed Boks and the name of the animal rescue brewery where some Humane Society animals are located. It is spelled Bark, A Rescue Pub. 

News

Pandemic bonds people with new pets

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 21, 2020

Shelter animals adopted or fostered at the beginning of the pandemic have stayed with their new families, a trend shelter leaders say they hope will continue once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

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News >  Spokane

100-year-old veteran finds way to celebrate birthday with family

Thu., Aug. 20, 2020

After months of separation and party planning, sisters Sandy Marcelli and Cris Burkhart reunited with their father for his 100th birthday.

News >  Pacific NW

Washington Supreme Court: 5 county commissioner bill is constitutional

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 21, 2020

OLYMPIA – A law that expands the number of county commissioners in Spokane from three to five is constitutional, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a unanimous decision.

News >  Religion

Without traditional events to raise cash, South Hill church gets creative

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 20, 2020

While church leaders have found ways to connect with their congregations while physically apart, some are looking to invest in long-term solutions to continue to offer virtual services, which may include expensive updates to century-old brick and stone buildings.

News >  Agriculture

That giant pumpkin in your garden could still win a Spokane County Interstate Fair ribbon as some exhibits go virtual

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 20, 2020

Though many of the familiar parts of the Spokane County Interstate Fair are canceled, the most ubiquitous event, showcasing community art, baked goods, craft projects, produce and livestock will continue online.

News

Spokane Valley small business grant program delayed until Aug. 24

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 18, 2020

Spokane Valley businesses and nonprofits that have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for aid grants starting Aug. 24 due to delays in a similar Spokane County program.

News >  Spokane

As temperatures soar, fires south of Cheney burn 200 acres, prompt evacuations

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 18, 2020

Personnel from Spokane County Fire District 3 and the state Department of Natural Resources were working to contain the fires on Monday, while a record-breaking heat wave threatened to maintain ample supplies of dry air and fuel.

News

Spokane Valley residents can expect to celebrate 2020 Valleyfest on their porch

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 14, 2020

Instead of gathering along city sidewalks to watch the annual Valleyfest Parade, residents of Spokane Valley will be able to turn their own porches into floats and attractions and Valleyfest will come to them this September.

News >  Spokane

‘The door is open’: New homeless shelter opens in Emerson/Garfield, as arena site shuts down

UPDATED: Fri., Aug. 14, 2020

The city of Spokane opened the region’s newest homeless shelter Thursday, just hours before the lease for the Spokane Arena – where more than 100 people were staying – was set to expire at midnight.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Valley residents will soon be eligible for utility, mortgage, rental assistance after city contracts with non profits to provide COVID-19 aid

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 12, 2020

The Spokane Valley City Council approved Tuesday contracts for nearly $1.4 million of its share of federal COVID-19 assistance funding to boost housing, food and utility assistance programs in the city.

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Spokane Valley-based businesses can apply for COVID-19 aid funds

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 10, 2020

Spokane Valley to consider applications for COVID-19 funding aid.

News >  Spokane

Primary shows Rep. Matt Shea remains big influence in GOP politics in Spokane Valley

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 10, 2020

While Matt Shea isn’t running for re-election, his influence can still be felt throughout Spokane Valley’s 4th Legislative District.

News >  Spokane

‘We do what we can’: Spokane churches work to keep faith communities together despite need to distance

Fri., Aug. 7, 2020

When a small group returns to Bethel African Methodist Church to resume in-person services on Sunday after weeks of holding services online, they will find a form of worship that looks different than most remember.

News >  Spokane

Spokane County commissioner, mother threatened while waving campaign signs in North Spokane

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 5, 2020

Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns and his mother were threatened by an unidentified man while sign waving on the sidewalk in north Spokane Monday.

News >  Spokane

Bob McCaslin, Rob Chase will take on Democrats in 4th; Mike Padden tops Senate primary

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 5, 2020

The first night of results show voters in the 4th Legislative District still support Republicans who have aligned themselves with controversial state Rep. Matt Shea over moderate challengers. 

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Virtual court hearings in Spokane County to expand to homeless shelters to slow no-shows

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 3, 2020

Since the start of the pandemic more people facing criminal charges are missing court hearings, but local criminal justice leaders hope to reduce those numbers by letting defendants appear in front of judges virtually from local homeless shelters and behavioral health offices.

News >  Spokane

Salvation Army looking to hire 25 people to staff new Spokane homeless shelter

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 3, 2020

The Salvation Army is hiring 25 employees to staff a new emergency homeless shelter in North Central Spokane in hopes of opening the facility by mid-August.

News >  Spokane

County, city close deal on 2 Beacon Hill properties, preserving mountain biking trails

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 3, 2020

The Spokane County and the city of Spokane agreed to purchase two parcels of land at Beacon Hill, which will protect a mountain biking trail from future development.

News >  Spokane

Commissioner French won’t push for next phase of re-opening until case counts decline

UPDATED: Wed., July 29, 2020

Spokane County Commissioner Al French said Wednesday he doesn’t plan to push the county move forward in Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan until case counts are under control, which likely won’t be for several weeks.

News

Pair of escaped local bison herded into Spokane’s Underhill Park

UPDATED: Wed., July 29, 2020

A pair of bison attracted attention Wednesday morning when they bedded down in an East Central neighborhood park.

News >  Spokane

County prosecutor pushes back on recommendation that ‘racial equity’ guide local justice system

UPDATED: Tue., July 28, 2020

Spokane County Prosecutor Larry Haskell has recommended county commissioners remove the phrase “racial equity” from a set of criminal justice goals they may adopt, over concerns the word “equity” could be used to “adjust the scales” of justice, he said Tuesday.

News

Spokane County business, non profits grant application now open

UPDATED: Mon., July 27, 2020

Businesses and nonprofits based in Spokane County have until August 10 to apply for up to a $10,000 grant in coronavirus aid funding to help them address the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  Spokane

Neighbors, developers push back on plan for new homeless shelter in Emerson/Garfield

UPDATED: Thu., July 23, 2020

As local governments move forward with plans to launch a new shelter in the Emerson/Garfield Neighborhood, it is being met with opposition from some residents who fear its impacts on area businesses and public safety .