E-mail plow updates available

Spokane Valley residents can receive e-mail plowing updates as crews continue to work city streets.

To receive e-mailed updates, go to the city’s Web site and select the link to “Subscribe to Hot Topic Community Enewsletter.”

A link to the snow plowing map and priorities is on the city Web site at www.spokanevalley.org under the “What’s New” section.

For more information, call 688-0232.

Offices closed for holiday

City of Spokane Valley offices will be closed Thursday for New Year’s Day. City Hall will reopen on Friday.

Liberty Lake City Hall will be closing for the New Year’s holiday at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The office will reopen on Friday.

Keep an eye on your snow blower

The Spokane Valley Police Department is warning residents that snow blowers seem to be high on burglars’ shopping lists.

Residents who leave snow blowers running and unattended should expect an even swifter loss of their equipment. Department spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said “stolen snow blowers are now more valuable on the street than stolen Oxycontin.”

Residents should lock up their equipment when not in use.

Liberty Lake

Officers awarded for service

The Liberty Lake City Council chambers was packed with police officers at the most recent City Council meeting as police chief Brian Asmus prepared to hand out awards for superior service in 2008.

“Chief, is there anyone on the streets?” asked council member David Crump.

“No, it’s too cold,” Asmus joked.

Officer Taj Wilkerson received a certificate of appreciation for his extensive work on the city’s commercial vehicle enforcement effort and his work with the Sector program, which puts barcode scanners in police cars so officers can complete traffic stops more quickly. Detective Ray Bourgeois earned the chief’s “Pitbull Award” for his work in solving crimes. “He grabs a lead and he doesn’t let go of it,” Asmus said.

Sgt. Clint Gibson was awarded the Chief’s Award for his work supervising patrol officers. “He’s made my life 100 percent easier,” Asmus said.

Officer Darin Morgan was named Tactical Officer of the Year and the Community Service Award went to Officer Mark Van Hyning for his work with community oriented policing efforts.

Officer Erin Lance was awarded the Officer of the Year award for going the extra mile and having a large impact on crime in Liberty Lake.

“I’m very proud of all the officers,” Asmus said. “They’re the best I’ve ever worked with and I’ve been doing this for 19 years.”