Adam Shanks

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News >  Local Government

New Spokane wastewater treatment system named in honor of man who helped build it

UPDATED: Wed., June 16, 2021

It’s not a grandiose mountain, a bustling avenue or a downtown skyscraper.

News >  Local Government

‘I assume it’s race’: Departing Spokane homelessness leader Cupid Alexander alleges prejudicial treatment by city administrator

UPDATED: Wed., June 16, 2021

High-ranking city official Cupid Alexander excoriated City Administrator Johnnie Perkins in an email on Wednesday, directly accusing Perkins of mistreating him because he is Black.

News >  Local Government

The new flag is now flying at Spokane City Hall

UPDATED: Tue., June 15, 2021

Spokane’s new flag was hoisted at City Hall for the first time on Tuesday.

News >  Spokane

Pinball price tag dropping: City Council votes to repeal annual ‘amusement devices’ fee

Tue., June 15, 2021

For a pinball player, the price of a round is measured in quarters.

News >  Spokane

Cupid Alexander, the city of Spokane’s leader on housing, homelessness resigns

UPDATED: Mon., June 14, 2021

The leader of Spokane’s housing and homeless services programs will leave his post after less than a year, roiling an administration struggling to retain the employees assigned to its homelessness response.

News >  Local Government

Spokane’s homeless shelter system is evolving, but can it keep up with the need?

Sun., June 13, 2021

With the immediate pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic slowly receding, city officials are focusing on a long-term plans for homeless services in Spokane.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Burning of Pride flag denounced at Central Washington University

UPDATED: Fri., June 11, 2021

Central Washington University leaders quickly condemned the theft and burning of an LGBTQ Pride flag on Thursday.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane City Council ponders policy on downtown security team’s bulletproof vests

UPDATED: Thu., June 10, 2021

Aiming to balance approachability and personal safety, city leaders are scrutinizing the bulletproof vests worn by the Downtown Spokane Partnership’s security teams.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council withdraws mayor’s COVID-19 state of emergency; administration calls action ‘premature’

UPDATED: Wed., June 9, 2021

Deeming it redundant and no longer necessary, the Spokane City Council terminated Mayor Nadine Woodward’s local coronavirus state of emergency on Monday.

News >  Health

Vaccine clinics at Spokane fire stations draw modest numbers, big praise

UPDATED: Wed., June 9, 2021

It’s like eating an elephant one bite at a time.

News >  Local Government

New electric vehicles are coming to Spokane after the city council approved leases for them

UPDATED: Tue., June 8, 2021

The city of Spokane will dip its toe a bit further into the world of electric vehicles.

A&E >  Entertainment

Tickets for Pavilion concerts at Riverfront Park this summer include hefty ‘convenience’ fees

UPDATED: Mon., June 7, 2021

The definition of “convenience” is in the eye of the ticket holder. A ticket to see Death Cab for Cutie in concert at Riverfront Park’s U.S. Pavilion this summer will cost a Ben Gibbard fan $49.50 – before fees.

News

Spokane Police Department backs off request for more gun money

UPDATED: Tue., June 8, 2021

The Spokane Police Department wanted to increase its spending on new handguns – and its request was poised to prompt an examination of its practices in disposing of used ones.

News >  Local Government

Some Spokane leaders call for improved collaboration in spending ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ relief money

UPDATED: Fri., June 4, 2021

It’s what elected officials have described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

News >  Local Government

With new state guidelines, Spokane opts to reopen splash pads

UPDATED: Thu., June 3, 2021

Almost on cue with the record-high heat smothering Spokane, the city announced plans to reopen splash pads this summer.

News >  K-12 education

Secret life of Timberlake High senior: Setters races sprint cars on weekends nearly half the year

Thu., June 3, 2021

James Setters is graduating high school with a list of accolades and trophies that the majority of his Timberlake High School classmates are likely unaware of.

News

Spokane rushes rental assistance as eviction deadline looms

Thu., June 3, 2021

With the threat of evictions looming, the city of Spokane has opened $6 million of rental assistance for people still struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  Local Government

Spokane city council still undecided on future meeting format as Washington’s reopening looms

Wed., June 2, 2021

Although Washington state is slated for a full reopening on June 30, the format of future Spokane City Council meetings remains uncertain.

News >  Health

Spokane Fire Department to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics starting today

Wed., June 2, 2021

The city of Spokane is joining the community COVID-19 vaccination effort.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

After scrutiny sparked by controversial use of Spokane police dog, data show K-9 unit showing more restraint

Tue., June 1, 2021

When police were alerted to a man armed with a 6-foot-long stick who threatened passersby, Spokane Police Officer Todd Belitz and his K-9 partner Zeus were called to the scene.

News >  Local Government

Spokane’s ‘community conversation’ on police reform is beginning a year after protests

UPDATED: Sun., May 30, 2021

Shielded from the eye of public scrutiny, city leaders have quietly begun closed-door discussions about policing in Spokane.

News >  Local Government

Spokane weighing how to use $84 million in COVID-19 stimulus money

UPDATED: Fri., May 28, 2021

City of Spokane officials are weighing how to spend $84 million in federal COVID-19 stimulus money and, so far, have reduced the strategy to 4 R’s.

News >  Local Government

Water your lawn every other day to save money? Spokane officials plan to pitch idea to ratepayers

UPDATED: Wed., May 26, 2021

It’s more of a nudge than a mandate.

Inslee tours new Hope House, Catalyst buildings in Spokane

UPDATED: Tue., May 25, 2021

As Gov. Jay Inslee walked through the apartments above the Hope House women’s shelter on Tuesday, he asked if the facility would be the perfect landing spot for a patient discharged from Eastern State Hospital.

News

City to begin delivery of larger recycling carts

Tue., May 25, 2021

With every-other-week recycling in full swing, the city will begin to deliver larger 96-gallon blue carts to those who requested them in June.