Emry Dinman

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News >  Local Government

Woodward addresses new challenger for Spokane mayor seat, lauds accomplishments of first term

UPDATED: Thu., March 2, 2023

In front of a group of reporters Thursday afternoon, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward lauded the accomplishments of her first term and addressed a new challenger hoping to take her job.

News >  Local Government

Lisa Brown announces bid to become mayor of Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., March 2, 2023

The decision of former state Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown to run for mayor promises to energize the race to lead Spokane.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council approves tax incentive to turn downtown parking lots into housing

UPDATED: Thu., March 2, 2023

While some doubt that the incentive is enough to actually lead to surface parking lots being developed into affordable housing, proponents say the ordinance is a needed step in the right direction.

News >  Local Government

Customers must pay Spokane water service charge, whether they’re using it or not

UPDATED: Wed., March 1, 2023

As of Wednesday, everyone must pay a basic service charge if they have access to the City of Spokane’s water, whether they’re currently using it or not.

News >  Local Government

Bloomsday 2023: Theme, poster and other details of annual race announced

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 28, 2023

Even with snowstorms bringing a late-season chill to the region, organizers of the 2023 Bloomsday race are looking ahead to a lively spring.

News >  Local Government

Slate of controversial renter protections passed by Spokane City Council

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 28, 2023

After months of debate, the Spokane City Council has passed a bevy of controversial rental reforms to provide greater protections for tenants and increase enforcement of substandard housing.

News >  Local Government

After months of delay and edits, landlord-tenant reform package comes before Spokane City Council

Mon., Feb. 27, 2023

As the Spokane City Council prepares to vote Monday evening on a controversial package of landlord-tenant reforms, after two deferrals and months of negotiations and stakeholder engagement, lawmakers are working down to the wire to hash out final details.

News >  Local Government

Getting There: Looking ahead to North Spokane Corridor construction in 2023

Mon., Feb. 27, 2023

The first new drivable link of the north-south freeway since 2012 is set to be completed this fall, and construction on the bridge spanning the Spokane River near Spokane Community College is getting underway this spring. 

News >  Local Government

Kim Plese, former business owner, announces bid for Spokane City Council President

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 22, 2023

Plese was the owner and operator of Plese Printing and Marketing for 32 years, before selling the business last year to focus on her campaign for the county commission. She ran as a Republican, losing to Democrat Chris Jordan. 

News >  Local Government

Spokane restarts search for civil rights director after applicant withdraws

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 21, 2023

More than five years after Spokane’s Office of Civil Rights was first conceived, and more a year-long hiring process for that office’s director, it seemed that the city had finally found its candidate.But within days, the candidate, whose name city officials declined to disclose because her employer did not know she was seeking another job, had rescinded her application. By Feb. 7, the job had been posted again.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council inserts itself into future labor negotiations

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 20, 2023

The Spokane City Council doesn’t want any more surprises during labor negotiations.

News >  Local Government

Getting There: Section of Ash Street to become two-way using property taxes spurred by development

Mon., Feb. 20, 2023

A small section of one-way roadway in Spokane is about to become two-way. Again.Two blocks of Ash Street between Broadway and Dean avenues will be converted from a southbound one-way to a two-way street after a unanimous vote by the Spokane City Council on Monday, Feb. 13.

News >  Local Government

Mobile surveillance system coming soon to Spokane

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 17, 2023

Spokane will be watching.The Spokane City Council on Monday approved the one-year lease of a mobile camera and security system that will be placed by the police department in crime hot spots around the city.

News >  Local Government

Camp Hope population continues to shrink

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 15, 2023

The population of Camp Hope continues to shrink, and may soon pass into the double-digits, according to a recently released census.

News >  Local Government

I-90 to close again this weekend to finish removal of Magnolia Street pedestrian bridge

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 15, 2023

The state Department of Transportation will close Interstate 90 again this weekend in Spokane to finish demolition of the Magnolia Street pedestrian bridge.

News >  Washington

How prepared are Washington’s buildings for a big earthquake?

Wed., Feb. 15, 2023

In the span of nine hours on Feb. 6, 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria, killing tens of thousands and flattening some newer buildings that were supposedly built to modern U.S. standards.

News >  Washington

How prepared is Spokane for a big earthquake?

Wed., Feb. 15, 2023

Many of Spokane’s buildings, particularly the ones made of brick, are not built to withstand a strong earthquake.

News >  Local Government

Away for the winter? Spokane residents may soon have to pay for water, whether or not it’s being used

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 13, 2023

Spokane residents who leave for warmer climes during the winter may soon start having to pay for their water services, whether or not they’re being used.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council mulls tax incentive to turn downtown parking into housing

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 14, 2023

Spokane needs more housing, especially affordable units. Could it fill some of that need by encouraging developers to convert downtown parking lots into new homes?

News >  Local Government

Getting There: Pedestrians, drivers, and water – Spokane looks ahead to construction projects worth $100M in 2023

Mon., Feb. 13, 2023

There is $100 million worth of construction planned for Spokane’s infrastructure once the weather warms. Some of that entails finishing projects started in 2022, like completing the concrete roads on Thor and Freya streets, but the bulk are entirely new projects.

News >  Local Government

I-90 to close through much of Spokane Saturday night for bridge demolition

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 10, 2023

Drivers should expect serious delays and detours on and around Interstate 90 through Spokane from Saturday night into Sunday morning, as crews work to remove a deteriorating pedestrian bridge over the highway.

News >  Local Government

A new City Hall? Spokane City Council mulls future of aging, costly building

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 9, 2023

For a while now, the Spokane City Council has proposed buying a 252,000-square-foot campus on East Sprague Avenue, owned by Premera Blue Cross, to be the new home of the city’s municipal court.But could the campus also become a cheaper home for City Hall?

News >  Local Government

Getting There: Emergency closure of crumbling Magnolia Street pedestrian bridge frustrates some

Mon., Feb. 6, 2023

Early Wednesday morning, citing concerns about corrosion and structural deficiency, the state closed the bridge to pedestrians. The center span of the bridge will be lifted and removed late Saturday night, and I-90 will be closed in the area during the deconstruction.

News >  Spokane

Tuscan Ridge back on the market after unsuccessful auction

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 2, 2023

Tuscan Ridge is back on the market.

News >  Spokane

Country superstar Chris Stapleton to perform the Spokane Arena on June 15

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 2, 2023

Kentucky-born country music superstar Chris Stapleton will be coming to the Spokane Arena on June 15, part of the seventh leg of his All-American Road Show tour.Tickets officially go on sale Friday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m., though Stapleton’s fan club and Citi cardholders will have early access to tickets and VIP packages during a pre-sale starting Tuesday at 10 a.m.