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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Valley

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013

University Road at Trent closed Monday

Southbound University Road will be closed between Trent and Fairview in Spokane Valley between 9 a.m. and noon Monday for railroad crossing work. Southbound drivers will have to detour to Pines or Argonne, so plan ahead if that road is part of your normal route.

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Drug take back and shred event

The Spokane Valley Police Precinct will be hosting another prescription drug take back and shred event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also drop off over the counter medications, vitamins, ointments and inhalers. Items not accepted include needles, syringes and thermometers. People…

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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013


Special meeting in Fairfield

The Fairfield City Council is having a special meeting at 8 p.m. Friday at City Hall, 218 E. Main St. The sole purpose of the meeting is to discuss closeout options for the East Main Street rehabilitation project. Call City Hall at (509) 283-2414 for…

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East Valley Middle School student Max Thrasher, center, hands a rock to Avista biologist Tim Vore to help weigh down a plastic mesh box containing trout eggs Friday, in the Spokane River at Mirabeau. (Jesse Tinsley)

Today's highlights

East Valley Middle School student Max Thrasher, center, hands a rock to Avista biologist Tim Vore to help weigh down a plastic mesh box containing trout eggs Friday, in the Spokane River at Mirabeau. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley Unfortunately it's not Friday yet, but it is…

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2013


A rollover wreck has been reported on I-90 near the Pines exit.  (WSDOT traffic camera)

Rollover wreck snarls I-90

There's a rollover accident currently backing up traffic on eastbound I-90 near the Pines exit. Expect delays until firefighters and WSP troopers clear the scene. Photo courtesy WSDOT traffic camera. 12:15 p.m. update: The Washington State Patrol is reporting that one person is trapped inside…

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City of Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey presided over the Jan. 19 meeting.bartr@spokesman.com (J. BART RAYNIAK)

Spokane Valley Mayor to run for State Rep

Yesterday Spokane Valley Mayor Tom Towey announced that he plans to run for the Washington State House of Representatives 4th District seat currently held by longtime Republican legislator Larry Crouse. Crouse is considering retiring, which would leave the seat open. But Towey isn't alone in…

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TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2013

Dozens turn out for Balfour Park meeting

The basement meeting room at the Spokane Valley Library was packed last night as people told the city and the Spokane County Library District what they would like to see in an expanded Balfour Park. The city is partnering with the library district to expand…

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MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2013

Balfour Park meeting tonight

The city of Spokane Valley will put on a community meeting tonight to get input on the expansion of Balfour Park and the proposed new Spokane County Library District branch planned for the site at Sprague Ave. and Herald Road. After a presentation, those attending…

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John Rice, 15, acts out an improvisation scene with Tori Heischel during a creative writing exercise designed to show how characters influence story on Tuesday at RiverCity Leadership Academy in the West Valley School District. RiverCity will close at the end of the school year. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Saturday's highlights

John Rice, 15, acts out an improvisation scene with Tori Heischel during a creative writing exercise designed to show how characters influence story on Tuesday at RiverCity Leadership Academy in the West Valley School District. RiverCity will close at the end of the school year.…

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THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

Circus worker Daniel Green laces up the big tent Monday in the parking lot of the Spokane Valley Mall. The Shrine Circus, in its 59th year in Spokane, opens today. (Colin Mulvany)

Today's highlights

Circus worker Daniel Green laces up the big tent Monday in the parking lot of the Spokane Valley Mall. The Shrine Circus, in its 59th year in Spokane, opens today. SR photo/Colin Mulvany We've got some great stuff for you in today's Valley Voice. Fans…

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This vacant house at 806 N. Park Road caught fire for the fourth time on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.  (Photo courtesy the Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Vacant house burns again

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to the fourth fire to break out in a vacant house at 806 N. Park Road Wednesday night just after 8:30 p.m. The first crews on the scene found 30-foot high flames shooting out of the roof and heavy…

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2013

I-90 overpass at University Road?

The city of Spokane Valley is doing a study on whether it should put in some sort of I-90 orverpass at University Road. Residents are invited to come to a public meeting tonight to discuss whether an overpass is needed and if it should serve…

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TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2013

Food for library fines

If you have library fines piling up, the Spokane County Library District will reduce the amount you owe in exchange for donations of non-perishable food items for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Anytime through Saturday you can bring your donations to any library banch, including…

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MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013

Central Valley High School biology teacher Phil Plesek, center, talks about DNA with a group of Evergreen Middle School eighth-graders Wednesday at Spokane Valley Tech. Eighth-graders from Spokane Valley schools have been taking tours of the tech education center where career and science-oriented classes are available. (Jesse Tinsley)

Saturday's highlights

Central Valley High School biology teacher Phil Plesek, center, talks about DNA with a group of Evergreen Middle School eighth-graders Wednesday at Spokane Valley Tech. Eighth-graders from Spokane Valley schools have been taking tours of the tech education center where career and science-oriented classes are…

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FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013

Plan your driving route

There will be a bunch of road construction projects underway next week that could affect your normal driving route, so you might want to start planning alternate routes. There will be sidewalk work on 24th Avenue between Adams and Sullivan between 7 a.m. and 5…

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THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013

John Loucks, a board member with the Christian Conference Center, walks through a sanctuary overlooking Liberty Lake, near the historic Zephyr Lodge. The property may be put up for sale. (Dan Pelle)

Today's highlights

John Loucks, a board member with the Christian Conference Center, walks through a sanctuary overlooking Liberty Lake, near the historic Zephyr Lodge. The property may be put up for sale. SR photo/Dan Pelle You can't go wrong with a cute cat and we've got one…

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TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013

Road work is here

It must be spring, because road work is starting in Spokane Valley. Yesterday I drove down Pines Road and stormwater improvement work has begun near Alki. Yesterday crews were working in the southbound lanes and traffic was down to one lane. After the work is…

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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013

Michelle Schimmels, special education teacher at McDonald Elementary School, works with first-grade student Cooper Brummett during recess March 29. (Dan Pelle)

Saturday's highlights

Michelle Schimmels, special education teacher at McDonald Elementary School, works with first-grade student Cooper Brummett during recess March 29. SR photo/Dan Pelle Good Monday morning everyone. Let's start off the week by taking a look at some highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice. Reporter Lisa Leinberger…

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FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Making a scene: Quinn Johnson, who plays Bobby Strong, and Shelby Horton, who plays Hope, in the University High School drama department production of “Urinetown” perform a scene during a dress rehearsal March 29 at U-Hi. The play opens April 11. See Page 2 for details and a photo of the cast. (Colin Mulvay)

Thursday's highlights

Making a scene: Quinn Johnson, who plays Bobby Strong, and Shelby Horton, who plays Hope, in the University High School drama department production of “Urinetown” perform a scene during a dress rehearsal March 29 at U-Hi. SR photo/Colin Mulvany I was driving home yesterday when…

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THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013

Reward offered for Otis Orchards vandals

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of vandals who damaged more than 15 cars in Otis Orchards this week. Stometime between Monday night and Tueday morning, more than a dozen vehicles on or near…

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TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2013

Liberty Lake council meeting postponed

This is just a reminder that the Liberty Lake City Council meeting orginally scheduled for today has been postponed to Tuesday, April 9. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive. But don't despair. Tonight's Spokane Valley City…

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MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2013

1908: This view looks south down Pines Road toward Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley.

Pines Road in 1908

Take a look at this picture showing Pines Road (facing south) just north of what is now Sprague Ave. in 1908. You can click here to see a picture of the same view today taken by SR photographer Jesse Tinsley as part of his weekly…

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Rick Kelley is closing Kelley’s Thrift in Fairfield after 39 years in business. It’s the only grocery store between Tekoa and Spokane. When he was a student at Liberty High School he worked there as a box boy. In 1973, Kelley took over the business from his father. (Dan Pelle)

Saturday's highlights

Rick Kelley is closing Kelley’s Thrift in Fairfield after 39 years in business. It’s the only grocery store between Tekoa and Spokane. When he was a student at Liberty High School he worked there as a box boy. In 1973, Kelley took over the business…

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News and events in the greater Spokane Valley area.