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

Spokane Valley

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2013

Spokane Valley man arrested by gang team

Spokane Valley resident Todd A. Sawyer, 27, was arrested at his home in the 7100 block of East Mansfield on Wednesday by the Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team, according at a Spokane Valley Police Department press release. Police received information that Sawyer may be…

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Two people were injured in a Spokane Valley fire early Friday morning. (Spokane Valley Fire)

Early morning fire injures two

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries around 1:30 a.m. today after a fire was reported at 4908 E. First in Spokane Valley. Firefighters found "flames coming out of every door and window" when they arrived, according to a Spokane Valley Fire…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 2013

Taylor Gatts, a University High School senior, launched a nonprofit organization – Kids Against Cancer – for her culminating senior project. Gatts has been raising funds for children’s cancer research, working with children with cancer and even shaved her head to donate her hair to Locks of Love. (Dan Pelle)

Today's highlights

Taylor Gatts, a University High School senior, launched a nonprofit organization – Kids Against Cancer – for her culminating senior project. Gatts has been raising funds for children’s cancer research, working with children with cancer and even shaved her head to donate her hair to…

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Spokane Valley Police Cpl. Jim Wakefield assists the manager of Poppy’s Tavern up onto a sidewalk after she had her hands bound with zip ties and was robbed Wednesday morning by an armed gunman. She freed herself from the ties after about 10 minutes. (Dan Pelle)

Poppy's Tavern robbery

Spokane Valley Police Cpl. Jim Wakefield assists the manager of Poppy’s Tavern up onto a sidewalk after she had her hands bound with zip ties and was robbed Wednesday morning by an armed gunman. She freed herself from the ties after about 10 minutes. SR…

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TUESDAY, MARCH 26, 2013

The future of Spokane Valley parks

If you missed the last public meeting on Spokane Valley's update of its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, you have one more chance. A meeting is scheuled from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. You'll be asked to give input…

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MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013

Chloe Chalfant, 13, a seventh-grader a East Farms, raises her hand during math class on March 6. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Saturday's highlights

Chloe Chalfant, 13, a seventh-grader a East Farms, raises her hand during math class on March 6. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland There was a bunch of news packed into Saturday's Valley Voice. First is a primer on your commuting routes this summer - a story outlining…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013

Jerry Kienbaum talked about collecting snowmobiles for his museum in Greenacres on Monday. (Kathy Plonka)

Today's highlights

Jerry Kienbaum talked about collecting snowmobiles for his museum in Greenacres on Monday. SR photo/Kathy Plonka The top news in today's Valley Voice is reporter Lisa Leinberger's story on the East Valley School District's continuing transition to a K-8 education model. The district has had…

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

This man is suspected of Robbing the Bank of Fairfield in Rockford on Monday, March 18, 2013.  (Photo courtesy the Spokane County Sheriff's Office)

Rockford bank robbed

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is looking for the man pictured above, who is suspected of robbing the Bank of Fairfield branch in Rockford just after noon on Monday. According to a Sheriff's Office press release, bank employees told deputies that the man handed over…

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

Thefts at trailheads on the rise

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office has issued its annual warning about people leaving valuables in their cars when parking at Centennial Trail trailheads. More people are out and about in the warmer weather, trail users and criminals alike. A Sheriff's Office press release says that…

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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2013


Lucy Tivis, 8, and Jerrol Olson, principal of Ponderosa Elementary in Spokane Valley pose for a photo at the school Wednesday. Lucy nominated Olson to be Principal on Parade, selected by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He won and, along with Lucy, will ride in the St. Patrick’s Day parade today in Spokane. (Jesse Tinsley)

Saturday's highlights

Lucy Tivis, 8, and Jerrol Olson, principal of Ponderosa Elementary in Spokane Valley pose for a photo at the school Wednesday. Lucy nominated Olson to be Principal on Parade, selected by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley Good Monday morning, everyone. As…

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FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013

Fairfield does St. Patrick's Day

If you are looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, turn your eyes to the south. The town of Fairfield will host its annual St. Paddy's Day feed Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fairfield Community Center, 304 E. Main St.…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013

Open house tonight for Argonne Road work

Spokane County engineers will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Pasadena Park Elementary School, 8508 E. Upriver Drive, to discuss upcoming projects on or near the Argonne Road corridor north of the Spokane Valley city limits. Projects to be discussed…

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Former Spokane Valley Mayor Mike DeVleming pauses during an interview on March 8, at Vera Water and Power. DeVleming was Spokane Valley’s first mayor and led the new city council in marathon meetings as they put the city together from the ground up. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Today's highlights

Former Spokane Valley Mayor Mike DeVleming pauses during an interview on March 8, at Vera Water and Power. DeVleming was Spokane Valley’s first mayor and led the new city council in marathon meetings as they put the city together from the ground up. SR photo/Tyler…

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2013

No coin toss this time

Last night the Spokane Valley City Council selected a new planning commissioner - land surveyor Michael Phillips. He was one of two people to apply for the vacant seat. The vote was nearly unanimous, so City Manager Mike Jackson didn't have to get out another…

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MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2013

Jayne Singleton, director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, is ready to open the Grand Coulee Dam and Ice Floods exhibit. The box hanging from the ceiling denotes one cubic yard. Grand Coulee Dam contains around 12 million cubic yards of concrete. (Dan Pelle)

Saturday's highlights

Jayne Singleton, director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, is ready to open the Grand Coulee Dam and Ice Floods exhibit. The box hanging from the ceiling denotes one cubic yard. Grand Coulee Dam contains around 12 million cubic yards of concrete. SR photo/Dan Pelle…

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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013

Low battery warning

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is coming out with its semi-annual warning to change the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors this weekend when the time changes. Daylight saving time starts on Sunday and replacing the batteries whenever the time changes is an…

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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

Golf carts at Painted Hills Golf Course sit locked behind a fence. (Dan Pelle)

Today's highlights

Golf carts at Painted Hills Golf Course sit locked behind a fence. SR photo/Dan Pelle There are some good stories in today's Valley Voice, topped by one that should put a few rumors zipping around to rest. The gates of Painted Hills Golf Course are…

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

State of the City speeches today

Mayor Tom Towey will give his annual State of the City speech twice today. The first run through is at noon in the second floor community room at the Spokane Valley Mall. The second round is at 6 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place.…

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TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2013

Sign code changes?

Among the topics on tonight's Spokane Valley City Council agenda is a discussion on the city's sign code, which was last changed in 2011. Recently several business owners have complained to the city that the sign regulations are negatively impacting their business. The council will…

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MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

The stretch of undeveloped land south of Sprague Avenue frontage, west of University Road, is an old railroad right-of-way that the city of Spokane Valley would like to turn into a community trail for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. (Jesse Tinsley)

New Appleway Trail coming

The stretch of undeveloped land south of Sprague Avenue frontage, east of University Road, is an old railroad right-of-way that the city of Spokane Valley would like to turn into a community trail for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley Reporter Mike Prager…

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At It’s a Soccer Life in Spokane Valley, the Spokane Shadow U13 team practices Monday. The soccer center has an enclosed turf field and a smaller futsal pitch. Weekdays at the center are usually filled with practices and weekends are packed with league play from morning until night. (Jesse Tinsley)

Saturday's highlights

At It’s a Soccer Life in Spokane Valley, the Spokane Shadow U13 team practices Monday. The soccer center has an enclosed turf field and a smaller futsal pitch. Weekdays at the center are usually filled with practices and weekends are packed with league play from…

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2013

Family Room Tour

Award winning musician and author Jim Gill will present a free performance of his Family Room Tour at 11 a.m. Saturday at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Gill plays the banjo and creates musical games that encourage the audience to clap, sing, dance and even…

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THURSDAY, FEB. 28, 2013

The caretakers of Saltese Cemetery are looking for missing benches that are similar to these sculpted by Concrete Works, a Spokane Valley company.

Benches stolen from Saltese Cemetery

The caretakers of Saltese Cemetery are looking for missing benches that are similar to these sculpted by Concrete Works, a Spokane Valley company. Photo courtesy of Concrete Works. Apparently two benches featuring decorative rabbits have turned up missing from the Saltese Cemetery. The benches had…

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Washington State Patrol trooper Jon McKee, left, and Airway Heights police officer Mike Suniga haul their cold bodies out of Liberty Lake on Feb. 22 after taking their 16th polar plunge of the day in support of Special Olympics Washington. (Dan Pelle)

Today's highlights

Washington State Patrol trooper Jon McKee, left, and Airway Heights police officer Mike Suniga haul their cold bodies out of Liberty Lake on Feb. 22 after taking their 16th polar plunge of the day in support of Special Olympics Washington. SR photo/Dan Pelle There's a…

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News and events in the greater Spokane Valley area.