Police Officer Kevin Schmeckpeper rides down stairs while practicing bike handling techniques at the skate park in Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake May 15. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

We are a day late doing the Saturday Valley Voice highlights because of the holiday, but they say some things get better with age, right? Yes, I think I'll go with that. Reporter Lisa Leinberger had a story on Central Valley High School students who got the opportunity to chat with scientists who are simulating manned missions to Mars.

The Spokane Valley City Council had a bit of a wild meeting last week while they were debating a controversial zone change request that would allow high density housing on a chunk of land surrounded by single family homes. They decided to hold off on a final vote, though they did approve all the other zone change requests submitted as part of the annual comprehensive plan amendments.

Genesis Church has a new home. The church, founded in 2010, is now leasing the old Good Shepherd Lutheran Church across from Central Valley High School. A trio of Liberty Lake police officers recently completed special training before they head out on bicycle patrol.

The Spokane Valley City Council is scheduled to have a final vote tonight on whether to approve several proposed zoning changes. One of the changes, which would allow a high density apartment complex on vacant land surrounded by single family homes, has been controversial. I expect a fair amount on public comment on this one tonight.

There's really not much else on the agenda tonight other than a first reading on a proposed ordinance to update the building code and a vote on whether to approve a re-negotiated contract with Splash Down. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Linda Crowe, pastor of Veradale United Church of Christ for the past 17 years, is shown outside the church on Tuesday. She is retiring. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Apparently we're back to rainy and cool Mondays now. While you enjoy your morning coffee, we've got a bunch of stories from Saturday's Valley Voice to highlight. The Rev. Linda Crowe has been the pastor at the Veradale United Church of Christ for 17 years. She retired Sunday and it was an emotional experience for Crowe and her congregation.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on East Valley High School student Emily Harris, who won a statewide art competition. Her painting, titled “My Childhood,” will hang in the Cannon Tunnel, which connects the Cannon House Office Building to the Capitol Building in Olympia.

The Liberty Lake City Council has an opening after Susan Schuler announced her resignation so she can move to New Zealand with her husband. Anyone interested in applying for the seat needs to do so by 4 p.m. on May 31. The Spokane Valley City Council had a discussion last week on what projects to fund with the street preservation money they recently set aside. There was some debate over which roads should be done first.

In other road construction news, the Sprague Avenue reconstruction project between Evergreen and Sullivan started today. The project will be completed in four phases to limit traffic impacts. Access to businesses will be maintained. The project should be done by mid-August.

Correspondent Juli Bergstrom Wasson has details on Wags to Riches dog grooming, which opened in Spokane Valley last fall. It's not just a place to go if Fido needs a bath and a trim. Owner Virginia Patton has nearly completed the requirements that will earn her the title of master groomer and she likes to do creative trimmming styles.

A dock sits below the Coyote Rock development May 8 in Spokane Valley. The Shoreline Master Program draft goals and policies includes a requirement that residential developments with more than two homes have community rather than individual docks. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

We have a nice, sunny Thursday before us, but there is still time to take a look at some highlights from today's Valley Voice. The Spokane Valley Planning Commission had a rather lengthy meeting last week to go over the draft goals and policies for the city's Shoreline Master Program update. Among the items they discussed were the policies addressing gravel mining pits and docks.

The Spokane Valley City Council also met and they approved awarding the bid for resurfacing and reconstruction work on Evergreen Road from 16th to 32nd and on 32nd between Highway 27 and Best Road. Vera Water and Power will be installing a new water line as well. Construction should start in about a month.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger spoke to 8-year-old Ansel LaPier recently. The Liberty Lake resident recently won a national award for a short film that he wrote, filmed and acted in. Correspondent Cindy Hval, who is always an expert on the emotions that make mothers tick, has a touching column today about her recent Mother's Day celebration.

The packet for tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting isn't an inch thick, which bodes well for the length of the meeting. The council is set to award the bid for the Evergreen Road construction project between 16th and 32nd. There will also be discussions on what road projects to spend this year's street preservation money on and a possible change to the lease signed by Splash Down. It's a study session, so there won't be any public comment except on the lone action item to award the Evergreen bid. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

A dock sits below the Coyote Rock development Tuesday. The Washington state Court of Appeals ruled that docks installed at the development were illegal. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

We have a ton of good stories for you in Saturday's Valley Voice, so let's get right to it. The Washington State Court of Appeals recently ruled that the docks at the Coyote Rock development are illegal after a lawsuit filed by the Department of Ecology, but the court didn't examine one of the issues presented by the DOE and the environmental groups that joined the lawsuit.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a great story on students at Summit School, who sent their teacher light-hearted threats in iambic pentameter to convince him to allow them to put on a shortened, clown-based version of “Hamlet.” Lisa also reported on vandalism of the sheds at the East Valley community garden. Police quickly arrested the group of teens responsible, but students were left to clean up the mess.

A goup of Girl Scouts has come through in a big way for the town of Millwood. Correspondent Valerie Putnam reported on their successful effort to raise enough money to repair the town's wading pool. The Spokane Valley City Council seems willing to explore contracting with SpokAnimal for animal control services instead of SCRAPS. City staff is still in the information collecting stage.  

A camera mounted near the roofline (upper right) of a Central Valley School District bus is part of a system that will record when motorists pass the bus when the stop arm is deployed as part of a trial run of the new technology. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's another Thursday, which means it is time for some Valley Voice highlights. All drivers have to keep an eye out for school buses, but now some of them will be keeping an eye on you. The Central Valley School District is particpating in a test program and has installed cameras on three school buses. The cameras will record drivers who illegally pass a bus while it is stopped with its red lights flashing. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the program here.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a special meeting this week to talk about members recusing themselves, the Open Public Meetings Act and the public records act. A facilitator called in to lead the meeting suggested several additions to the commission's policies and procedures.

The Spokane Valley City Council also had a meeting, where neighbors asked council members to reject a zone change that would allow an apartment complex in their single family home neighborhood. Reporter Pia Hallenberg recently talked to three Spokane Valley sisters who stared the Spokane Garden Expo, and it all started when they began planting their yard for their cats. The Expo is this weekend and will include 60 plant vendors and more than 300 businesses.

It's been pretty quiet today and it looks like a pretty quiet meeting tonight for the Spokane Valley City Council. The council is set to discuss animal control again as they work to decide whether or not to go forward with a new regional animal shelter. Tonight is also the first reading of an ordinance with this year's comprehensive plan amendments. One or two of the proposed zoning changes is controversial, so there may be some public comment to go along with it. Tonight is a formal meeting, so there will also be time for public comment on items that aren't on the agenda. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

The Central Valley High School Drama Department is presenting “Alice in Wonderland” today through Tuesday at 7:30 each night. Elaborate costumes and sets are featured in the production. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

First of all, I'm sorry for not being on the blog much this week. It's been busy around here. But since it's Thursday I do have some Valley Voice highlights for you. The Spokane Valley Planning Commission is having a special meeting with a facilitator Monday to “improve organizational harmony” by discussing rules and procedures. There has been a lot of discussion over a recent vote by the majority of the commission not to excuse a commissioner who recused herself from the shoreline dicussions to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.

There are some fabulous pictures to go along with reporter Lisa Leinberger's story on the Central Valley High School production of “Alice in Wonderland.” The drama opens today and will run through Tuesday. If you are in the mood for something different, the drama department at West Valley High School will present “Much Ado About Nothing” today, Friday and Saturday. Of course, you can always attend both.

The Spokane Valley City Council had some discussions this week on significantly extending the time that building applications and building permits are valid. Many on the council seemed pleased by the change, which will come back for a formal vote at a later meeting. 

Lexi Saeger is working her way toward a national competition by selling shopping bags, right, that she makes from empty pet food bags. She also made a skirt and camisole out of the bags, left, for the Future Career and Community Leaders of America competition. SR photo/Dan Pelle

The rain is back, but since it is Thursday there's a Valley Voice to take a look at over coffee since you can't look out the window and see sunshine. Reporter Lisa Leinberger attended an East Valley school board meeting this week where there was a public hearing on the district's plan to take on $6.2 million in nonvoted debt to pay for new portable classrooms at the elementary schools. The portables are needed to allow the schools to include students in grades K-8. The topic did generate some discussion.

Correspondent Cindy Hval interviewed Lexi Saeger, a student at Freeman High School, who makes clothing and shopping bags out of old pet food bags. She's been selling her shopping bags and they are available at a local store.

The Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday to name nine people to its new ad hoc economic development committee. The council also voted to pass a new sign code ordinance. This week the Spokane Valley Fire Department commissioners gave a resident an outstanding citizen award for his role in saving a woman from her burning apartment. The commissioners also voted to put a replacement maintenance and operations levy on the Aug. 7 ballot.

Tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting will include the appointments of local residents to the city's new ad hoc Economic Development Committee. The group will include two council members, three business representatives, three tourism representatives and two citizens at large. The city received 19 applications for the positions.

Other items on tonight's agenda include the second reading of a sign code ordinance and what may be a lengthy presentation of the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments for 2012. Tonight is a regular meeting, so there will be a public comment period for anything anyone wants to discuss. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Spokane Valley councilman Arne Woodard is known for his ties. Many are bright, loud and a few are a bit wild. He owns about 60 of them and since his appointment to the council last year, Woodard has tried to wear a different tie every Tuesday night. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Saturday's Valley Voice was so packed with stories that I'm really not sure how we fit them all in. Here's your chance to take a look if you missed them. Spokane Valley City Councilman Arne Woodard has been making a name for himself by wearing colorful and unusual ties to council meetings. He thinks the ties make him more approachable and they fit his sense of humor.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has several stories on local schools. The East Valley School District is considering purchasing portable classrooms for its elementary schools to create room for seventh graders. There will be a public hearing on the subject during the school board's meeting Tuesday. Lisa talked to students at University High School last week who were taking part in a distracted driving demonstration. They tried texting while driving and also driving with special goggles that simulated a drunk person's vision.

Students at University Elementary School spent some time last week planting seeds to grow in their new donated greenhouse. The students seemed happy to get out and have fun in the dirt.

Nineteen people have applied to serve on Spokane Valley's new economic development committee. The story includes a list of those who have applied. Mayor Tom Towey will make his appointment recommendations on Tuesday. Last week there was a public hearing regarding a retroactive substantial development permit being sought by a Liberty Lake homeowner for shoreline improvements that were put in without a permit. The owner, Lloyd Herman, was ordered to remove the improvements but has not done so.  

Joseph Yacker opens the front door of the new Spokane Valley Fire administration building Monday, to show the prominent display of a beam from the World Trade Center in the entryway. Yacker works with information systems in the building. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Today's Valley Voice is pretty packed with news, so you might need two cups of coffee to get through it all. The Spokane Valley Fire Department opened a new administration building for business this week. The new building, located next to Station 8, is designed to be an essential services building in a disaster. This is the same building where a piece of beam from the World Trade Center was installed during construction.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger talked to Mary Collins of Spokane Valley High School, who was recently named the 2012 Washington State Classified School Employee of the Year. The Spokane Valley City Council had a long discussion Tuesday on the merits of the regional animal shelter plan proposed by Spokane County and how much it would cost the city.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission met last week for a public hearing on the draft goals and policies of the Shoreline Master Program update. The plan, which regulates development on shorelines, is undergoing a state mandated update. There was a bit of controversy during the meeting regarding the recusal of commissioner Marcia Sands. Sands works for the Department of Ecology, which approves all shoreline plans. Four commissioners voted not to excuse Sands, who now says she is debating whether to step down from her seat on the commission.

East Valley’s Farm to School project leader Lynette Romney stands on the porch of a shed at East Valley Farms on Tuesday. The project, which sits next to East Valley Middle School and East Valley High School, is on a Bonneville Power easement. The community garden is the work of service clubs, school kids, farmers and others who want to participate. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

There are two interesting school stories in today's Valley Voice from reporter Lisa Leinberger. The Central Valley School District is moving forward with plans to open a new Skills Center at Sprague and University that will be called Spokane Valley Tech. The board voted this week to set aside earnest money for the building that currently houses West Valley's Contract Based Education.

East Valley is ramping up its Farm to School project that is in a field between the middle school and high school on Wellesley Ave. The farm will grow beans for Second Harvest and an acre is set aside for the community. A plowing day is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.

The Spokane Valley City Council agreed Tuesday to adopt changes to the sign code proposed by a sign company representative. The council is scheduled to have a final vote on the sign code changes on April 24. Correspondent Cindy Hval has another one of her touching Love Stories today about a couple who met later in life and became best friends before marrying.

The Spokane Valley City Council is set to have another discussion on the possible purchase of property at Sprague and Herald during tonight's council meeting, but no decision will be made. Parks and Recreation director Mike Stone will be presenting several options for a park on the land with and without a new library. The Spokane County Library District wants to use part of the property for a new library, but can't afford to purchase the entire site.

Other items on the agenda include the award of the bid of the Sprague Avenue reconstruction project, a motion on street preservation funding, the second reading of a special event permit ordinance and the first reading of a sign code ordinance. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague. 

This is just a reminder that there's no Spokane Valley City Council meeting this week. There isn't a Liberty Lake City Council meeting, either. So everyone stay home, rest up and we'll see you back in the council chambers next week.

Senior Jake Hochberg leads an experienced pitching staff at Central Valley. Hochberg has split a pair of decisions in CV’s first four games. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's Monday and it's not raining. Everyone cross your fingers that this will last at least a little while. Meanwhile, it's time to take a look at Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a profile on Gene Sementi, who is stepping up to become West Valley's superintendent. He has worked with the district for many years as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent.

The Spokane Valley City Council discussed how much of the city's year-end balance to commit to street preservation on Tuesday. It was a split decision, with four of the seven council members favoring taking $2 million. That would leave $26 million, which the council has previously identified as the minimum amount it wants left over.

Correspondent Steve Christilaw spoke to the coach of the Central Valley High School baseball team, who is dealing with a soggy start to his season. The field is soaking wet and pitchers haven't been able to get much practice time on the mound.

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum Executive Director Jayne Singleton highlights a photograph of Titanic's grand staircase on display in the museum's exhibit about the April 15, 1912, sinking of the ship. SR photo/Dan Pelle

Here we are, having yet another rainy day. But it's also Thursday, which means there are some great stories from the Valley Voice to read while you have your coffee. The Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday to provide $30,000 in lodging tax funding to Valleyfest. This is the second round of allocations of lodging tax money for 2012 and there was a bit of a furor when Valleyfest didn't get funded in the first round.

In other news from the city, Spokane Valley Public Works Director Neil Kersten has confirmed that he is leaving the city sometime in May. He's one of the few department heads left who has been with the city since the beginning. He'll be going back to Alaska, where all his children and grandchildren live.

The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum has opened a new exhibit on the Titanic as the 100th anniversary of the sinking approaches. The exhibit includes information on local passengers who went down with the ship.

The town of Rockford is trying again to pass a one-year replacement levy to help fund the town's fire department. The levy failed in November, though is did get 56.71 percent approval. The levy requires a 60 percent supermajority to pass. The levy, which is on the April 17 ballot, would provide nearly 40 percent of the department's annual budget.

Michele Nelson of SCRAPS checks a stray for an identification chip. SCRAPS and other area animal welfare groups will hold a pet adoption event Friday and March 31. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Goodness, what happened to the warm weather and sunshine we had yesterday? It's a dull and rainy Monday out there, the perfect time to catch up on anything you missed in Saturday's Valley Voice. The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is heading up a huge free pet adoption event this weekend. Organizers hope to find new homes for more than 200 pets.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger talked to members of the Central Valley High School Knowledge Bowl team, who apparently credit their success to their mascot, a monkey carved from a coconut named Mojo. It seems to be working; the team won the recent state competition on Marysville, Wash.

The Spokane Valley City Council had some discussions last week on sidewalk projects as part of the Safe Routes to School program. The council also talked about the city's new pavement managemet program.

This isn't in the Valley, but if you are a fan of Southern cooking and/or the South Perry neighborhood, you will want to check out Pia Hallenberg's story on a new restaurant opening there at the end of May or in early June. Called Casper Fry, the restaurant will be run by the same people behind Madeleine's. 

Rylee Walker, 17, shows some of her art work as she talks about her career goals during her senior project presentation Friday, at East Valley High School. For their senior culminating project students are required to compile a portfolio about their high school careers, a video about their lives and their plans for the year after high school. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Welcome to spring. Or is it winter? At any rate, it's Thursday and time to run down the highlights from today's Valley Voice. The Spokane Valley City Council spent some time Tuesday talking about Spokane County's new proposal for a regional animal shelter. There are a lot of questions council members want answered before they are prepared to make a decision.

Students at East Valley High School recently made their senior culminating project presentations to teachers and community volunteers. Reporter Lisa Leinberger stopped by and talked to some of the students about their plans for the future.

Correspondent Cindy Hval stopped by Spokane Falls Community College recently when they hosted Pearl Harbor suvivors who spoke to a packed room about what they saw and did that day in Hawaii. Their stories are very moving. You might need a tissue for this story. 

Joel Elgee, left, and paramedic Nick Muzik look at baby Leona, who was delivered with Muzik’s help in Liberty Lake Jan. 25. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

There are some good stories in today's Valley Voice to go with your morning coffee. The feel good story of the day is about the successful birth of a healthy baby girl who was helped into the world by a Spokane Valley Fire Department crew and an AMR abulance crew. This baby wasn't waiting around and firefighters delivered the baby in only a few minutes. The family recently stopped by Station 3 in Liberty Lake to express their gratitude.

Spokane Valley's Public Works Director Neil Kersten takes a trip to Honduras every year to help build schools. He's on the board of directors of the non-profit that does the work, Schools for the Children of the World. The Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday to exempt Spokane Valley businesses from a new state law that limited alcohol signs in windows. Two council members voted against the exemption after several citizens testified against it.

The city planning commission met recently and gave their vote of approval to rezoning property west of Conklin and a little south of Broadway to high density residential. Scores of neighbors testified against allowing apartment buildings on land surrounded by single family homes. The planning commission did recommend that the city negotiate a development agreement with the property owner that would provide larger setbacks and restrictions on height and density on some areas of the property. It will be up to the city council to make the final decision.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger spoke to a Spokesman-Review carrier who spotted and put out an early morning fire at the Brass Rail Tavern in Rosalia recently. The property owners are grateful for his help and have promised him a steak dinner.

There are only a few items on the agenda for tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting, but how long the meeting lasts depends on how much discussion there is on those items. The council is scheduled to consider the second and final reading of proposed ordinances to change the city's landscaping rules and remove restrictions on the number and size of signs advertising alcohol.

The alcohol signage ordinance attracted some negative public comments at a previous meeting, so there may be more of the same tonight. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague. See you there!

After seven years as superintendent of the West Valley School District, Polly Crowley is stepping down. She visits with Orchard Center Elementary School Principal Travis Peterson on Tuesday in Spokane Valley. SR photo/Dan Pelle

There was a good mix of stories in Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger topped off the front page with a nice profile on West Valley Superintendent Polly Crowley, who has announced her retirement at the end of the school year.

The issue that is likely to generate some debate was a discussion by the Spokane Valley City Council last week on whether they should ban curbside fundraisers such as Fill the Boot. The city currently gives out permits to local charities to do this once a year, but many groups apparently aren't following the rules and there are safety concerns.

The 2011 numbers are in for the Spokane Valley Fire Department and show an increase in arson fires and a decrease in accidental fires. The number of arson arrests are up as well and the department is proud of it's high solve rate for the criminal fires. Correspondent Valerie Putnam attended the recent Millwood City Council meeting, where they voted to change the regular meeting date and spent a lot of time discussing water rates.

Cemetery Director Richard Cesler, far right, reads the names of veterans from Washington who did not receive funeral honors. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

It's Thursday, which means another edition of the Valley Voice has hit porches across Spokane Valley. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story today on the monthly Veterans Memorial Tribute Program held at the Eastern Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake. The ceremony gives formal honors to veterans who did not receive the honors at their own funerals for whatever reason.

The Spokane Valley City Council spent a fair amount of time Tuesday complaining about a recent story and editorial on a possible conflict of interest due to the close ties some council members have to Jack Pring, the owner of property the city is considering purchasing. After their digression from the agenda, the council decided to move forward with the purchase by preparing a conceptual site plan for the property and negotiating a letter of intent to purchase.

The city recently launched new permit software that has opened up a whole new realm for how employees can track and process permits. There are also plans to open up information to the public by this summer. And if you are looking for something to do this weekend, Lisa has information on the play “Did Someone Say Murder?” being put on by the East Valley High School drama department.

The Spokane Valley City Council is in the early stages of exploring a possible joint purchase of property with the Spokane County Library District. The eight acre spot at Sprague and Herald across from the old University City Mall is owned by Jack Pring, who has close ties to six of the seven council members. An attorney from the State Auditor's Office said it is possible to complete the deal without violating conflict of interest laws, but the council will need to proceed carefully and make sure all the proper procedures are followed. Click here to read my story in today's paper.

Nick Kane and Bayley Brooks dance at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Lodge Ballroom early last month. Dance partners only since June, the pair have proved to be a quick study. SR photo/Kathy Plonka

We've got another batch of good stuff for you in today's Valley Voice. Perhaps the most touching story is by correspondent Cindy Hval, who attended a wedding recently at the Orchard Crest Retirement Community in Spokane Valley. Kent Collings, 95, and Lorraine Lanterman, 77, met at the bridge table at the retirement facility and dated for four years before tying the knot.

Rainey Coffin talked to young ballroom dancers Bayley Brooks, 14, and Nicholas Kane, 16. The two are getting ready for the 2012 USA Dance Nationals in Baltimore. The Spokane Valley City Council tackled several different subjects at this week's meeting, including alcohol advertising and lodging tax fund distribution.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department found an additional $312,000 in reserves and a contingency fund to pay for the higher than expected bid to tear down and rebuild Station 6 on the west end of town. The Liberty Lake Police Department has had some success in identifying more vehicle prowl victims and suspects after a recent surge in thefts.  

It looks like slow and steady will win the race at tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting. There are quite a few things on the agenda, but most are items the council has looked at before. There will be the second reading of an ordinance to amend the 2012 budget and the first reading of proposed ordinances that would chance the city's landscaping regulations and allow businesses to have more signs advertising alcohol.

There is one new item on the agenda that might generate some discussion. There will be a report on the second round of funding recommendations from the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. There was some consternation earlier when the majority of the committee recommended not giving any funding to Valleyfest and they have made the same recommendation in the second round. Instead they want to give almost all the money available to the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Rina Clark, right, a West Valley Outdoor Learning Center raptor volunteer, introduces Ava McLeod to Willie the barn owl, Friday. SR photo/Dan Pelle

We start today look's at the Valley Voice with two great stories by reporter Lisa Leinberger. She visited with an autistic volunteer, Ava McLeod, who works with the birds at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center. McLeod knows several bird calls now and has handled some of the birds.

Lisa's second story on the Central Valley School District will impact the entire Spokane Valley area. The Central Valley board has agreed to purchase the morner Rite Aid building at Sprague and University to expnd the Skills Center program. The West Valley Contract Based Education currently fills half the building and will remain there. The Skills Center classes offered there would also be open to students in the West Valley, East Valley and Freeman school districts.

The Spokane Valley City Council had another discussion on the gateway sign proposed at Appleway and Thierman as they fine tuned the plan for the site. The Spokane Valley Fire Department is mulling over their options after construction bids for a new Station 6 came in over the estimated cost of $1.3 million. The lowest bid was $1.5 million and others went as high as $1.8 million.

The agenda for the Spokane Valley City Council tonight is quite lengthy, but there are several “housekeeping” city code changes that will hopefully be dealt with quickly. There will be a public hearing on adding several capital projects to the 2012 budget, including a road project on South Evergreen and a gateway sign. Additional agenda items include discussions on the Parks Master Plan and alcohol advertising regulations.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague. This is a formal meeting, so there will be time for public comment on items not on the agenda.

Karen Fournier, left, and Jane Murphy of Hearth Homes stand in the living room of the newest transitional home the group will open in Spokane Valley, Thursday. Hearth Homes runs a series of homes for women with children. Fournier is the group’s executive director, and Murphy is the development director. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

Saturday's Valley Voice is chock full of news from the area and makes an excellent read over coffee (or lunch). Reporter Lisa Leinberger spoke to the founder of Hearth Homes, Karen Fournier. She runs several homes for homeless women with children and is getting ready for a ribbon cutting on another house.

The Spokane Valley City Council had its annual winter retreat last week and spent hours discussing various issues facing the city. They discussed how to pay for street preservation projects, economic development and the possible acquisition of land in partnership with the Spokane County Library District.

Correspondent Valerie Putnam attended the Millwood City Council meeting where the council discussed the possible need to raise water rates. Last week the Spokane Valley Fire Department managed to put out a chicken coop fire before any of the chickens were hurt.