Adam Shanks

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News >  Spokane

City scrounges for funding promised to two affordable housing projects

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 21, 2020

After learning that The Carlyle and Home Yard Cottages are ineligible for the funding they were promised last year, the city was left scrambling to find $280,000 to help fund their operation for the next two years.

News >  Spokane

‘Here’s the problem’: Body cameras show how police navigate Church at Planned Parenthood

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 18, 2020

Spokane Police body camera footage, posted online Sunday, shows how officers interpreted the city’s laws against excessive noise as scores of protesters gathered outside Planned Parenthood last summer.

News >  Spokane

‘As for what we need?’ Housing, services and support, say those experiencing homelessness in Spokane

Sun., Feb. 16, 2020

Spokane’s new mayor, Nadine Woodward, has pledged to embark on a new approach to homelessness that will begin with the formation of a work group. In anticipation of that community discussion, The Spokesman-Review reached out directly to people who have experienced homelessness here to learn what barriers they face and what solutions they have to offer.

News >  Spokane

With downtown library set to temporarily close, officials celebrate its future

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 14, 2020

City leaders gathered at the downtown library on Friday to celebrate its looming transformation into a modern community pillar that melds the offerings of a traditional public library with future-focused amenities.

News >  Spokane

Northwest Room materials to be housed at Gonzaga during library closure

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 14, 2020

As the Spokane Public Library prepares to close its flagship downtown building for a substantial renovation project that will last two years, the unique and delicate items of the Northwest Room have been packed away.

News >  Spokane

As tenants, landlords tackle housing laws behind closed doors, councilman Michael Cathcart calls for transparency

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 13, 2020

City leaders have convened a group of landlords and tenants to forge a compromise on a controversial slate of new housing laws. But, thus far, the group is meeting behind closed doors.

News >  Spokane

Spokane City Council shelves proposal that would have erased trash bills for homeless shelters

Thu., Feb. 13, 2020

Spokane City Councilwoman Kate Burke thought she had solved a major funding challenge when she introduced a bill that would erase trash bills for homeless shelters. But the logistical and legal challenges to implementing Burke’s proposal, introduced late last year, proved too substantial to overcome. Early this month, the bill was shelved indefinitely. And Burke is frustrated.

News >  Spokane

With continued investment in Cannon Street warming center, city could use it permanently

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 10, 2020

The city will invest in security upgrades at its Cannon Street warming center as officials consider plans for the building’s ultimate use as a permanent shelter.

News >  Spokane

City adds MLK Jr. to renamed East Central Community Center

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 10, 2020

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to rename the East Central Community Center as the Martin Luther King Jr. Center at East Central.

News >  Spokane

Homelessness, housing needs at center of Woodward’s 2020 plans

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 7, 2020

Mayor Nadine Woodward pledged Friday to provide a “path toward self-sufficiency” for the homeless while addressing the concerns of downtown businesses and residents affected by its side effects.

News >  Spokane

Premera hires former Mayor David Condon for VP role in Spokane

Thu., Feb. 6, 2020

Premera Blue Cross has tapped former Spokane Mayor David Condon to lead its expansion in Eastern Washington.

News >  Spokane

Amid unspecific threats, police presence boosted at Spokane City Council meetings

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

In response to unspecified threats, there has been an increased police presence at recent Spokane City Council meetings.

News >  Spokane

Contract negotiated in private between Spokane and prosecutors approved; Cathcart cries foul

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

The city has signed its first new contract with a union since voters approved a charter amendment requiring collective bargaining negotiations be held in public view. But the contract was negotiated in private, and the amendment’s sponsor, Councilman Michael Cathcart, is none too pleased.

News >  Spokane

Council holds off on Mosquito noise machine ban

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

The Spokane City Council once again balked Monday on a proposal to ban devices that emit high-pitched noises to disperse young and homeless people from areas near downtown businesses.

News >  Spokane

Why not both? Community center proposal would honor MLK, keep East Central in name

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

A long debate over the name of the East Central Community Center will wait at least another week to be resolved, but a compromise could be within reach.

News >  Spokane

Proposed law aims to reduce impact of Planned Parenthood protests in Spokane

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 4, 2020

Councilwoman Lori Kinnear introduced a new law Monday that she said aims to respect free speech and the protesters’ right to their opinion, while ensuring their chorus of objection does not intrude on the services inside the health care facility’s walls.

News >  Spokane

Spokane City Council to vote on revised ban on high-pitched devices designed to drive away homeless

Mon., Feb. 3, 2020

After minor revisions, the Spokane City Council will vote Monday on a bill drafted by Councilwoman Kate Burke that would outlaw the use of the Mosquito, which emits a high-pitched noise meant to deter loitering and unsavory behavior.

News >  Spokane

Cities on the presidential campaign trail, including Spokane, left to foot the bill

Sun., Feb. 2, 2020

Presidential candidates could very well swing through Spokane ahead of the 2020 election, and the city of Spokane will likely bear the burden of providing security for their events.

News >  Spokane

Debate over renaming East Central Community Center after King is complex

Sat., Feb. 1, 2020

A proposal to rename a community center in the Spokane’s historical epicenter of racial diversity after Martin Luther King, Jr., continues to be divisive, even within the marginalized community representative of those King worked to empower.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Car crashes into North Spokane home, driver suffers minor injuries

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

A woman suffered minor injuries when her car crashed into a house on North Calispel Street on Friday morning.

News >  Spokane

Winds as gusty as 50 mph will bring winter temperatures back to Spokane on Saturday

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

Gusts are expected to peak above 45 mph in some areas west of Spokane, including Ritzville, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service. In Spokane, gusts are expected to reach 35 to 40 miles per hour.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Police investigate death of woman found in burning car on South Hill

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

One woman is dead following a vehicle fire near 27th Avenue and Fiske Street. The Spokane Police Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident, which officers responded to shortly after 9 p.m. on Thursday.

News >  Spokane

Volunteers work to find homeless during Point in Time Count

Fri., Jan. 31, 2020

Volunteers with the city’s Point in Time Count, the annual one-week survey of the homeless population, have spent the last week conducting outreach to those experiencing homelessness.

News >  Spokane

City passes new rules regarding hydrants after Hillyard water contamination

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 29, 2020

In response to an accident that shot hydroseeding materials into Hillyard residents’ water last summer, the Spokane City Council adopted a new set of regulations for use of fire hydrants on Monday.

News >  Spokane

Spokane City Council overrides Condon’s final veto

UPDATED: Tue., Jan. 28, 2020

The City Council will vote to override the former Mayor David Condon’s veto of their revisions to the Salary Review Commission.