Adam Shanks

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News >  Spokane

Woodward: Inslee wants no new cases for 3 weeks before allowing Spokane County to jump ahead

UPDATED: Wed., May 6, 2020

Inslee told Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and several local elected officials during a conference call Tuesday afternoon that he would only allow a county to move from phase one of the state’s reopening plan to phase two if it has no new cases of COVID-19 for three weeks.

News >  Spokane

PPE, please: Spokane leaders envision one-stop shop to supply businesses with masks, gloves

UPDATED: Tue., May 5, 2020

Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs wants to create a procurement system for PPE in Spokane County, offering local businesses and others a central marketplace to obtain vital equipment that will help employees and customers feel safe.

News >  Spokane

After tumultuous year, The Guardians Foundation plays key role in city shelter system

UPDATED: Tue., May 5, 2020

The Guardians scrambled last week to step in last week and oversee the Spokane’s warming center, which closed when the city allowed its contract with former operator Jewels Helping Hands to expire on April 30.

News >  Spokane

Even with budget cuts, Spokane City Council plans to hire spokesperson, citing heavy workload

UPDATED: Tue., May 5, 2020

The council is moving ahead with plans to hire its own spokesperson despite belt-tightening elsewhere in city government, with its members saying the position is vital and already accounted for in the 2020 budget.

News >  Spokane

‘Why can’t we get it right?’: After another shelter scramble, city faces criticism, moves forward

UPDATED: Fri., May 1, 2020

Mayor Nadine Woodward met with Jewels Helping Hands founder Julie Garcia on Friday morning and the two agreed on an orderly transition for the shelter’s new operator, The Guardians Foundation, which is expected to open on Saturday night.

News >  Spokane

Fund the gap: Officials call for help to meet demand at food banks

UPDATED: Thu., April 30, 2020

Meeting the surging need for food assistance in Washington state will require “all hands on deck.” That was the message from state and philanthropic leaders who, on Thursday, highlighted the gaps the state faces in funding food banks as they await federal support.

News >  Spokane

Police push homeless out of park after Spokane shelter closure raises controversy and tent city

UPDATED: Fri., May 1, 2020

The nonprofit in charge of the city’s Cannon Street warming center has refused to immediately make way for a new operator after its contract expired on Thursday.

News >  Spokane

Friends of Manito cancels spring plant sale

UPDATED: Wed., April 29, 2020

For the first time in its 25-year history, the Friends of Manito has called off its annual spring plant sale at Manito Park.

News >  Spokane

From Bernard to Wellesley, Spokane adds roads to maintenance plan in effort to boost economy

UPDATED: Wed., April 29, 2020

Looking to help jump-start an economy roiled by the coronavirus, city officials laid out plans to invest an additional $10 million in road projects on Monday.

News >  Spokane

City asks, thousands answer: Residents weigh in on COVID response

Wed., April 29, 2020

Although its results are unscientific, the survey demonstrated to city officials that the public is engaged in the COVID-19 pandemic and wants to weigh in on the path ahead, as more than 10,000 people participated in the process.

News >  Spokane

Shelter search under way in COVID-19 response

UPDATED: Mon., April 27, 2020

Regional leaders are hurriedly searching for temporary shelter space during the COVID-19 pandemic.

News >  Business

Spokane leaders ponder ways to boost business post-shutdown

UPDATED: Mon., April 27, 2020

Spokane-area leaders are working to ensure there’s help navigating what likely will be a whole new world of public health regulations once COVID-19 regulations are loosened.

News >  Spokane

Spokane City Council asks state to allow curbside cocktails during coronavirus shutdown

Mon., April 27, 2020

Multiple members of the Spokane City Council signed a letter last week asking the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to temporarily allow restaurants to sell cocktails as part of their pickup and delivery meal service.

News >  Spokane

Expecting revenue shortfall of $10M or more, city of Spokane eyes budget cuts

Sun., April 26, 2020

Spokane city leaders already have implemented a hiring freeze on nonessential positions, but they expect to make deeper cuts in anticipation of a sharp drop in revenues this year.

News >  Spokane

Rescheduled events will pack early fall in Spokane – if they happen at all

Fri., April 24, 2020

Locally and across the world, event organizers are rapidly shifting their plans amid a changing landscape of social distancing measures, pandemic projections and a stalled economy.

News >  Spokane

Spokane leaders want independent, regional plan to reopen. And they want to know if you agree.

UPDATED: Thu., April 23, 2020

The city launched a poll on Tuesday that asks Spokane residents to weigh in on the social distancing measures taken to stem the flow of the virus, and how and when they should be lifted.

News >  Spokane

Activists, experts: Climate change, like coronavirus, is existential threat

Wed., April 22, 2020

Local environmental activists and experts are pointing to – and finding hope in – the robust and immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic as analogous to the fight against climate change.

News >  Spokane

Spokane nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disabilities goes digital to continue service

Tue., April 21, 2020

Unable to provide the in-person services for adults with developmental disabilities that are a hallmark of its organization, Project id has found creative ways to engage its members online – like streaming its weekly Zumba class.

News >  Spokane

Loan program for Spokane businesses launches Wednesday

UPDATED: Mon., April 20, 2020

Small businesses in the city of Spokane will be eligible for a new loan program starting Wednesday.

News >  Spokane

“Reasonable” doubt: Landlords, tenants want clarity on new eviction order

UPDATED: Mon., April 20, 2020

Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee extended – and substantially broadened – a moratorium on evictions that he initially ordered last month.

News >  Spokane

Live from their living room to yours, CityCable 5 provides window into Spokane government

Mon., April 20, 2020

With a pandemic forcing the closure of City Hall and government boards to meet remotely, CityCable 5 has quickly adapted to new norms and become the only link between city government and the citizens it represents.

News >  Spokane

Full-time Spokane parks employees shift into new roles as other workers get furloughed

Sun., April 19, 2020

Spokane Parks and Recreation has rapidly adjusted to life during a pandemic, which has forced the closure of playgrounds, postponed outdoor concerts and postponed recreational sports leagues – all as city residents are as desperate for recreation as ever.

News >  Spokane

City, nonprofit team up on small business loans

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2020

Though the need is expected to far exceed the capacity, the city of Spokane announced a new loan program Thursday for small businesses that fall into the “gaps” in federal and state assistance.

News >  Spokane

Focus shifts to coronavirus, but hepatitis A persists in Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., April 16, 2020

Spokane Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz is concerned by the new cases of hepatitis A – a viral liver disease that can cause severe symptoms and sometimes death – among the region’s homeless.

News >  Spokane

In an effort to boost the economy, Spokane vows to continue infrastructure projects

UPDATED: Wed., April 15, 2020

Looking to inject life into an economy almost devoid of private investment, the city of Spokane will plow ahead with $80 million in construction projects this summer.