Adam Shanks

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News >  Spokane

How will government function if elected leaders are quarantined?

UPDATED: Fri., March 13, 2020

As governments prepare for a protracted battle with coronavirus, legislators at the national and local level are considering how they can continue to function while protecting the health of their own members and the public.

News >  Spokane

Mayor Woodward urges Spokane residents to avoid crowds and remain vigilant amid coronavirus outbreak

UPDATED: Wed., March 11, 2020

The city of Spokane is not ordering cancellation of large social gatherings in the face of the rapidly escalating coronavirus outbreak.

News >  Spokane

Report: White nationalist group given grant through Spokane-based Innovia Foundation

UPDATED: Wed., March 11, 2020

A national report released Tuesday said an unidentified Spokane man donated thousands of dollars to a white nationalist group through the community’s Innovia Foundation.

News >  Spokane

City eyes increased enforcement as Lime scooters return

Tue., March 10, 2020

A Lime Scooter parked carelessly in the center of a sidewalk could soon cost its rider $15.

News >  Spokane

City prosecutor to review investigation in warming center

Mon., March 9, 2020

The Spokane Police Department's investigation into The Guardians Foundation will be forwarded to the city prosecutor's office for review.

News >  Spokane

Despite withdrawing from agreement, Spokane pledges to remain part of emergency response program

UPDATED: Fri., March 6, 2020

As city officials prepare for the potential arrival of COVID-19 in Spokane, they stressed this week that the city is still actively engaged with Greater Spokane Emergency Management, even if a written agreement formalizing that relationship no longer exists.

News >  Spokane

Stuckart to lead low-income housing organization

UPDATED: Thu., March 5, 2020

The Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium has tapped formed Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart to serve as its next executive director.

News >  Spokane

Woodward to sign health facility noise protections spurred by Planned Parenthood protests

UPDATED: Wed., March 4, 2020

Mayor Nadine Woodward plans to sign new protections for health care facilities into city law, while The Church at Planned Parenthood mulls potential litigation.

News >  Spokane

City adopts law to keep the noise down during Planned Parenthood protests

UPDATED: Mon., March 2, 2020

The Spokane City Council adopted new protections for health facilities amid pressure to dampen the loud protests outside of Planned Parenthood.

News >  Spokane

Chief Meidl defends officer’s comments about the attractiveness of women participating in Planned Parenthood protests

UPDATED: Mon., March 2, 2020

One after another, Spokane City Council members pleaded with police Chief Craig Meidl on Monday to publicly condemn his officers’ comments about the attractiveness of women at protests outside Planned Parenthood. He didn’t.

News >  Spokane

Spokane mayor meets with Planned Parenthood, opponents ahead of noise ordinance vote

Sun., March 1, 2020

Days before the Spokane City Council considers legislation that could limit the impact of protests outside Planned Parenthood, Mayor Nadine Woodward met with representatives from the health clinic and The Church at Planned Parenthood.

News >  Spokane

Where the wild things will grow: 2 acres of Manito to be coverted to natural meadowland

Sat., Feb. 29, 2020

The eastern edge of Manito Park will undergo a transformation this summer, highlighted by the conversion of two acres of grass turf into natural meadowland, all with the goal of reducing water usage at the historic park.

News >  Spokane

Former contractor of city homeless shelters says organization was falsely accused of wrongdoing

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

The Guardians Foundation is accusing the founder of Jewels Helping Hands of lying to Spokane city officials about witnessing sexual activity between patrons and employees of its warming center last winter in order to gain advantage in the competition for a city contract.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane Valley shooting victim dies

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

The victim of a shooting in Spokane Valley on Sunday has died. The 33-year-old man, who police have not identified, was shot at a home in the 11700 block of East Seventh Avenue at about 6 p.m. on Sunday, according to court documents.

News >  Spokane

City to review homeless services contracts following controversies

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 28, 2020

The city of Spokane will commission a third-party investigation of its department that oversees funding of housing and homeless services.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Firefighters extinguish apartment fire in East Central neighborhood

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 26, 2020

Spokane firefighters extinguished a fire Wednesday morning in a residence in the East Central neighborhood.

News >  Spokane

No-kill policy at SCRAPS could be codified in new contract

Wed., Feb. 26, 2020

The Spokane City Council adopted a new contract with SCRAPS on Monday that would codify its relatively new policy of operating as a no-kill shelter.

News >  Spokane

City follows through on pledge, gives affordable housing complexes $280,000

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 25, 2020

The Spokane City Council dipped into reserves Monday to fund two affordable housing projects. The council unanimously approved a two-year funding plan totaling $280,000 to support services at The Carlyle and Home Yard Cottages.

News >  Spokane

Bloomsday organizers unveil plans for colorful May race

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 26, 2020

On Wednesday, Bloomsday organizers unveiled their full plans for this year’s race, which takes place on May 3.

News >  Spokane

New cable company enters Spokane market, will invest $100 million in fiber network

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 24, 2020

The Spokane City Council unanimously approved a 10-year franchise agreement Monday with TDS Telecommunications, a Minnesota-based company that plans to bring high-speed internet and more than 100 channels of cable television to Spokane customers.

News >  Spokane

Mayor Woodward announces new downtown Spokane police precinct at Wall and Riverside

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 24, 2020

The new precinct will open inside the former Umpqua Bank Building at Riverside Avenue and Wall Street.

News >  Spokane

Spokane city leaders ask: When shelter isn’t an option, where do the homeless turn?

Mon., Feb. 24, 2020

What happens when a homeless person is tossed out of a shelter for violating the rules? Are they barred for life? Are other shelters made aware, and do they enact a ban as well? Are they offered support services?

News >  Spokane

Council to vote Monday on proposed contract with second cable provider

Sun., Feb. 23, 2020

If the Spokane City Council approves a proposed contract with TDS Telecommunications on Monday, the Wisconsin-based company could start laying a new fiber network through the city later this year.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Tribe celebrates federal compensation for damage caused by Grand Coulee Dam

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

In a ceremony mixed with joy and sadness, the Spokane Tribe of Indians on Thursday marked the adoption of federal legislation that will compensate the tribe for 2,500 acres of land lost to the dam’s floodwaters.

News >  Spokane

After hepatitis A outbreak, Health District creates job to focus on homelessness in Spokane

Thu., Feb. 20, 2020

As it attempts to respond to the region’s ongoing struggles with homelessness as a matter of public health, the Spokane Regional Health District plans to hire a homeless outreach coordinator in the coming weeks.