Local Government | The Spokesman-Review

Featured Stories

‘We are the soccer heartbeat of the Inland Northwest’: Officials kick off summer of celebration ahead of World Cup

Look hard enough and signs of the pending arrival of the Egyptian National team ahead of the 2026 World Cup already can be seen around town.

Latest Stories

News > Local Government

Spokane County announces new ALERT Spokane system after debilitating cyberattack last year

UPDATED: Tue., April 21, 2026

It’s getting harder to discern a scam text from a legitimate request from your local government.

News > Local Government

Tensions rise among Spokane Valley council members while discussing ice rink lease

UPDATED: Wed., April 22, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council is considering a lease for an ice rink facility after a sometimes-contentious meeting that lasted nearly four hours.

News > Local Government

Race to be Spokane County prosecutor heats up with third, Independent, candidate entering the fray

UPDATED: Mon., April 20, 2026

Another attorney with experience in the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office is hoping to take over the top spot this fall.

News > Local Government

E-bikes now welcome, with some restrictions, on Spokane County trails

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2026

Inland Northwest cyclists can now use certain electric bikes on Spokane County parklands.

News > Local Government

PFAS protection: West Plains residents to vote on tax to study and clean local groundwater

UPDATED: Wed., April 15, 2026

West Plains voters will have a say this August in whether they’d be willing to pay a fee to help clean, maintain and monitor the aquifer coursing below their feet.

News > Local Government

Spokane County purchases high priority conservation property near Beacon Hill

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2026

Mountain bikers and hikers will have additional room to roam and ride near Beacon Hill.

News > Local Government

Spokane County officials keep popular dog park up and running for another year

UPDATED: Tue., April 14, 2026

Furry residents of Spokane County’s easternmost end will have dedicated room to run for another year.

News > Local Government

Spokane Valley selects Inland Northwest Catering to fill Centerplace catering void

UPDATED: Wed., April 8, 2026

Inland Northwest Catering will be filling the void left in CenterPlace by LeCatering, whose parent company is being sued by Spokane Valley.

News > Local Government

Spokane County to consider purchasing 80 acres on Beacon Hill for conservation

UPDATED: Thu., April 9, 2026

Another pocket of wildland in a rapidly developing area of Spokane County may soon be spared from the steady spread of subdivisions.

News > Local Government

Getting There: Spokane County to set terms and conditions for e-bikes in county parks

Mon., April 6, 2026

The long arm of the law is twisting its fingers around the handlebars of electric bikes.

News > Local Government

Detention service bill to Spokane increases by $3 million amid medical, staff cost increases

Sat., April 4, 2026

Every year, the city of Spokane gets a bill from Spokane County Detention Services. According to the city, the bill for 2025 was $3 million more than anticipated.

News > Local Government

‘Never underestimate the power of being able to show up’: Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club raises $10,000 for kids

UPDATED: Fri., April 3, 2026

The Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club is providing 17,000 Paw Patrol stuffed animals to the city’s police and fire departments to hand out to kids involved in 911 calls for the fourth consecutive year.

News > Local Government

Spokane Valley sues Eat Good Group, asking for $157K

UPDATED: Wed., April 8, 2026

The city of Spokane Valley recently filed a lawsuit against Eat Good Group’s catering company, LeCatering, saying the popular restaurant company owes the city more than $157,000 and was in breach of contract for 10 months in 2025.

News > Local Government

Spokane County breaks ground on new treatment facility considered ‘beacon of hope’ in combating addiction, mental health crises

UPDATED: Thu., April 2, 2026

The Inland Northwest is closer to bolstering its services for mental health and drug addiction.

News > Local Government

Overpass may be renamed in honor of Spokane County deputy killed while helping driver last summer

UPDATED: Tue., March 31, 2026

The late Sgt. Ken Salas, and his last act of kindness, may soon be memorialized indefinitely.

News > Local Government

Spokane County adopts new charge for public to get officer body camera footage

UPDATED: Fri., March 27, 2026

YouTubers, and the rest of the public, will need to put up some money to receive body camera footage from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

News > Local Government

‘You’ll never see a bill’: Spokane County District 9 to start independent ambulance service in July

UPDATED: Thu., March 26, 2026

Three new, shiny, cherry red ambulances are purchased and awaiting service as Spokane County Fire District 9 finishes preparations to shed its contract with American Medical Response.

News > Local Government

West Plains residents may soon vote on new fee to protect area’s groundwater

UPDATED: Mon., March 23, 2026

Property owners on the West Plains may decide later this year if they will pay annual $15 fees aimed at improving water quality.

News > Local Government

Last hope lost: Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center responds to city after bond proposal is denied

UPDATED: Sat., March 21, 2026

The “last hope” for the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center was a $28 million bond that the Spokane Valley City Council declined to pursue during a meeting on Tuesday.

News > Local Government

With proliferation of websites sharing police body camera footage, Spokane County considers new records fees

UPDATED: Fri., March 20, 2026

YouTubers earning big money by posting police body camera footage may be dinged with new, higher fees in Spokane County.

Older ›