Thu., Feb. 7, 2013

Today’s highlights

After many years of having a nine-man police department, Liberty Lake has hired a new officer to bring the city’s ranks to 10. Officer Jeff Jones is experiencing a bit of culture shock. He went from being a deputy in rural Pend Oreille County, often driving 50 miles or more to respond to a call, to an urban environment. He’s learning the lay of the land and getting used to a new style of policing. (Colin Mulvany)

Liberty Lake Police Officer Jeff Jones. SR photo/Colin Mulvany

Another Thursday means more Valley Voice highlights to look over. The Spokane Valley City Council had to turn to a coin toss this week in selecting a new council member after three tie votes. Rod Higgins, who has served on the city's planning commission for the last year, won the toss and was sworn in as the newest council member.

There's a new police officer on patrol in Liberty Lake. Officer Jeff Jones joined the police department in January after working as a Pend Oreille County sheriff's deputy for eight years. He's adjusting to a busier pace and a much shorter distance between calls.

Reporter Nicole Hensley has a story on a flyer the Citizens for Responsible Taxation has sent out opposing the East Valley School District bond. The school district says the information on the flyer is incorrect. The group has opposed school bonds and levys throughout the county in recent years.

Posted Feb. 7, 2013, 11:04 a.m.

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