Stories by Adam Shanks for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

Advocates rekindle calls for fluoride in Spokane’s drinking water

UPDATED: Thu., July 30, 2020

Dr. Elisabeth Warder can spot the difference between a Cheney resident and a Spokane resident by the sight of their smile.

News > Spokane

Bloomsday goes completely virtual after initial postponement

UPDATED: Wed., July 29, 2020

Some of its most loyal runners lament missing the inaugural Bloomsday in 1977. Now, they have a second chance to run a different first Bloomsday.

News

Spokane aims high to lower flow: Council urges residents, businesses to cut water use to preserve the supply

UPDATED: Mon., July 27, 2020

The Spokane City Council unanimously called Monday for the city’s businesses, residents, and institutions to reduce their water usage, in a bid to protect the water supply that lies below and the infrastructure that pumps it into thousands of Spokane homes.

News

City strikes deal for downtown parking at new police precinct

UPDATED: Mon., July 27, 2020

The new downtown police precinct on Riverside Avenue, announced earlier this year, was the culmination of clear consensus between Mayor Nadine Woodward and the Spokane City Council.

News > Spokane

From sparse fairgrounds facility to hotel, Spokane County adapts isolation protocols

UPDATED: Tue., July 28, 2020

A key component of Spokane County’s fight against COVID-19 is tucked inside a secluded section of a Spokane Valley hotel, just off Interstate 90.

News > Local Government

‘It’s not an inexpensive replacement’: City explores incentives for switch from septic tanks to sewer

Sun., July 26, 2020

About 400 relics sit beneath Spokane’s surface. But don’t go digging for them.

News > Washington

Weather Service issues fire warning for Spokane, surrounding areas

UPDATED: Fri., July 24, 2020

With rain and cooler weather just shrinking visages in summer’s rearview mirror, the National Weather Service has issued a wildfire warning for much of Spokane County and nearby counties to the south and west.

News > ID Government

Coeur d’Alene City Council will consider mask mandate if health district doesn’t impose one

UPDATED: Wed., July 22, 2020

If the Panhandle Health District fails to adopt a mask order this week, the city of Coeur d’Alene will consider action of its own.

News > Local Government

Spokane asks city residents to weigh in on coronavirus aid spending

UPDATED: Tue., July 21, 2020

With no dearth of people and organizations in need, the city of Spokane is asking residents to weigh in on how it should spend its cut of federal coronavirus aid.

News > ID Government

With COVID-19 cases climbing, North Idaho mayors decline to impose mask mandates

UPDATED: Tue., July 21, 2020

As COVID-19 continues to rapidly spread in North Idaho, elected leaders say they strongly encourage local residents to wear a mask – but stop short of demanding it.

News

Rental assistance funding increased for Spokane city residents

UPDATED: Mon., July 20, 2020

For the second time in as many weeks, the Spokane City Council approved new funding dedicated to rental assistance on Monday.

News > Spokane

City of Spokane braces for budget cuts

UPDATED: Mon., July 20, 2020

Lawmakers in the city of Spokane are working to cover a nearly $19 million budget shortfall in 2020.

News > Local Government

In COVID crisis, focus shifts from tenant protection to financial support

Mon., July 20, 2020

The Spokane City Council has put on hold policies addressing the tenant/landlord relationship, instead shifting focus to providing resources for those facing housing challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. But the work to establish new rules is continuing.

News > Local Government

Nadine Woodward details homeless services, shelter vision

Mon., July 20, 2020

The outline presented by Woodward to the Spokane City Council includes plans for regional collaboration with Spokane County and Spokane Valley. In addition to an emergency shelter, the city is looking to establish a "bridge shelter" that would require a referral and work to get people in their own housing.

News > Local Government

City of Spokane finalizing CARES Act survey

UPDATED: Thu., July 16, 2020

The city of Spokane is finalizing a survey that will gauge how residents want it to spend coronavirus aid money.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Downtown rooftop standoff leads to arrest of domestic violence suspect

UPDATED: Wed., July 15, 2020

Spokane police arrested a man accused of domestic violence Wednesday after a brief standoff on the rooftop of a downtown business.

News > Local Government

New city law will prevent hasty homeless shelter closures

UPDATED: Wed., July 15, 2020

A new law will prevent the city of Spokane from closing a homeless shelter in which beds are occupied unless it has a replacement plan or shows there is vacancy elsewhere.

News > Local Government

Stung by pandemic, Lime could get break from Spokane

UPDATED: Tue., July 14, 2020

Lime may get a free ride in Spokane.

News

Police overtime pay soars during recent protests

Tue., July 14, 2020

Local law enforcement agencies spent at least hundreds of thousands of dollars on their response to recent demonstrations in Spokane that called for the police to be defunded and an end to racial injustice.

News

City sets aside $500,000 for rent assistance

UPDATED: Tue., July 14, 2020

Up to $500,000 in assistance will soon be available to Spokane tenants struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

Council delays Mosquito ban until downtown police precinct opens

UPDATED: Mon., July 13, 2020

The Spokane City Council voted Monday to override Mayor Nadine Woodward's veto of a new law that bans the use of "Mosquito" devices – small speakers that emit a shrill, high-pitched noise meant to disperse the young and homeless from congregating or sleeping near a business.

News > Spokane

Spokane Marathon cancels 2020 race; Bloomsday, Hoopfest face hurdles

UPDATED: Fri., July 10, 2020

Organizers of major Spokane events face challenges as they navigate the public health restrictions – and participant concerns – brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.