David Wasson

Has the Dream of the '90s found its way to Spokane?

The plan to put more police on Spokane Valley’s streets when they’re needed most is moving forward. As expected, City Council members gave the green light Tuesday night to adding two additional deputies as part of a reorganization of the patrol division that includes creation of a fifth platoon to augment day and night shift staffing. The goal is to have more patrol deputies on the street when demand for police services tends to be highest.

A half dozen new bus shelters will be installed in Spokane Valley this summer and now it appears the Spokane Transit Authority has enough left over from a federal grant to put up five more. But there’s a catch: The city would have to acquire the easements, as well as pay for the design and construction of the 12-by-12-foot concrete pads where the additional shelters would be installed.

Spokane Valley adds more cops

Spokane Valley might be lightening up (just a bit) on pot

Growing, raising and selling your own food just got easier in Spokane. City Council members agreed Monday to lift zoning restrictions on small livestock and allow unlicensed produce stands in residential neighborhoods, a move backers hope will encourage more urban farming and sustainable lifestyles.

Spokane Valley app gets trade show rollout

A lobbying push is underway to persuade Spokane Mayor David Condon to veto a contentious anti-sprawl ordinance approved this week by a divided City Council. The Spokane Homebuilders Association, which was among several business groups that urged the measure’s defeat, is leading the drive. It would be the first veto of Condon’s term, and it’s unclear whether the City Council could muster the five votes needed to override it.

Spokane Valley took another step this week toward putting more police on the streets. City Council members want the budget scoured to find as much as $423,000 needed to pay for the proposal, which wasn’t included in Spokane Valley’s current annual spending plan that was put together last year. The plan also includes some equipment upgrades.

In a bid to curb unwanted sprawl, Spokane city leaders Monday imposed new prohibitions on extending water and sewer service to potentially contested developments outside city limits until any legal challenges are resolved. The 4-2 vote capped a marathon evening of public testimony pitting developers and business boosters against environmental activists, planners and fiscal conservatives. Councilmen Mike Allen and Mike Fagan opposed it.

Mayor Dean Grafos has thrown his support behind a $22 million library bond that would pay for two new branches in Spokane Valley and the expansion of a third near Millwood. Grafos, stressing that his personal support doesn’t constitute an official city of Spokane Valley endorsement, urged business leaders this week to consider backing the Spokane County Library District’s bond measure in next month’s special election.

City leaders want to know if government could do a better job running Spokane’s energy-producing trash incinerator. With potentially major changes coming over the next few years in how and where the region’s garbage is disposed, Spokane City Council members this week authorized a study of whether it would be more effective to operate the Waste-to-Energy Plant with city workers rather than extend the contract with Wheelabrator Technologies Inc.

Spokane Valley city leaders are open to joining the countywide garbage system but want to continue pushing forward with development of their own state-mandated plan so they can compare which is the better deal for residents. “I think the only prudent course for the city of Spokane Valley is to develop a solid waste plan and pursue it if we need it,” said Mayor Dean Grafos.

Beach volleyball enthusiasts are hoping Spokane Valley can become part of a tournament circuit. The city’s only public park that features sand volleyball courts is being studied for potential upgrades that would make it a more attractive tournament venue, which backers say could draw participants and spectators from throughout the Northwest.

Racist heckler flips off immigration activists

Spokane Valley soon will have a cheaper way to deal with stormwater sludge sucked from thousands of flood-control wells across the city. A regional processing facility pushed by Spokane Valley took a major step forward Tuesday when City Council members agreed to pay a North Idaho company nearly $842,000 to build it. S&L Underground Inc., based in Bonners Ferry, was the lowest of six bidders.

After a decade of relying on rented office space, Spokane Valley City Hall may be closer to finding a permanent home. Owners of the former University City Mall have expressed interest in selling 2.5 acres at the corner of Sprague Avenue and South Dartmouth Road, which is across from the planned Balfour Park expansion and proposed new county library branch. The property owners reportedly also are offering to make aesthetic improvements to other parts of the property, including demolition of older buildings.

Don’t bother lobbying Spokane Valley City Council members by text message or email during meetings. The city Tuesday became one of the first in the state to ban council members from using electronic messaging during council meetings, a move that backers say is designed to help ensure transparency in public debate.

Don’t bother lobbying Spokane Valley City Council members by text message or email during meetings. The city Tuesday became one of the first in the state to ban council members from using electronic messaging during council meetings, a move that backers say is designed to help ensure transparency in public debate.

Spokane Valley soon may have more police on the streets when they’re needed most. A proposed reorganization of the patrol division that includes the hiring of two additional deputies and the creation of a fifth platoon to augment staffing during the busiest hours of the day was rolled out this week for Spokane Valley City Council members.

A key portion of the planned Appleway Trail through the heart of Spokane Valley could be completed this summer. Council members want formal proposals on how much it would cost to develop a section of the old Milwaukie Railroad right of way between University and Pines roads. The former rail line is just south of Sprague Avenue and is seen by city leaders as a way to encourage people to walk or bike through one of the busiest stretches of town.

Welcome to the land of free parking

Say, "cheese" Einstein