In brief: District 8 Fire Chief Bill Walkup retires
SPOKANE COUNTY – Fire Chief Bill Walkup has retired from Spokane County Fire District 8, where he had served since 2004. District 8 stretches south of the Spokane and Spokane Valley city limits.
Walkup started his 36-year firefighting career as a volunteer with District 8 in 1977. He was a battalion chief when he left District 8 in 1994 for a job as assistant chief in Spokane County Fire District 9. Later that year, he was hired as an assistant chief by the Lacey Fire Department, where he worked until coming back to District 8.
The district is now led by Acting Fire Chief Tony Nielsen while the board of fire commissioners decides how to fill the position.
Manito, Comstock to host Parkways
SOUTH HILL – Summer Parkways takes place in the Manito and Comstock neighborhoods from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
A four-mile route of city streets will be closed to motorized vehicles during that time, but open to walkers, runners and bicyclists.
The bike decorating contest is at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Manito Boulevard and Manito Place. Categories include tallest bike, most colorful bike, smallest bike, funniest bike and rider, best decorated basket, handlebars with the most bling, best illuminated bike and best adult art bike.
The event is free. Enter anywhere along the route. For more information, visit www.summerparkways.com.
Panel to address domestic violence
SOUTH PERRY DISTRICT – The Neighborhoods Matter Governance Council and the South Perry Learning Center and Neighborhood Networks are hosting a free domestic violence prevention panel from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Family Life Center, Room 211, 631 S. Richard Allen Court.
The panel includes District Court Judge Patti Connoly Walker, Spokane police Detective Stormi Koerner and Sarah Foley, outreach coordinator for the YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence program.
Panel members will answer questions and provide information on how to report domestic violence and find support for victims, as well as referrals to preventative programs.
Light dinner and child care provided. Please register by calling (509) 324-1650.
Fire District 8 board seat vacant
SPOKANE COUNTY – Spokane County Fire District 8 is accepting applications from residents interested in filling a vacant seat on the board of fire commissioners created by the resignation of Greg Hesse.
Applicants must live within the district, which stretches across the southern borders of Spokane and Spokane Valley. Those interested in the position must submit a letter of interest by 4:30 p.m. on June 21 to Commissioner Lee Boling at lboling@scfd8.org or P.O. Box 345, Valleyford, Wash., 99036-0345. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for June 26.