Greg Mason

All Stories

News >  Local Government

Paint your (red) wagon: Repairs to Riverfront Park’s Radio Flyer ‘going well,’ city says

Sat., June 11, 2022

So far, so good with the repairs to Riverfront Park’s iconic Radio Flyer wagon, according to Spokane Parks and Recreation.

News >  Education

Coeur d’Alene middle school apologizes for yearbook with remarks on crime, murder as part of ‘mystery theme’

UPDATED: Fri., June 10, 2022

The Coeur d’Alene School District apologized to parents after students brought home mystery-themed yearbooks Friday that asked kids what crimes they would commit and what weapon they would use.

News >  Higher education

‘A big upgrade’: Students start getting inspired as they tour new Gonzaga-UW health sciences building

UPDATED: Wed., June 8, 2022

The windows were what caught Brooke Barton’s eye first.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council adjusts fees for parades, events to recover police overtime costs

UPDATED: Wed., June 8, 2022

Historically, the city of Spokane has provided free public safety services to parades like the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade that headlines the annual Lilac Festival.

News >  Local Government

Outdoor watering restrictions take effect after Spokane City Council overrides Woodward’s veto

UPDATED: Mon., June 6, 2022

The Spokane City Council voted Monday to override Mayor Nadine Woodward’s veto of an ordinance that, effective immediately, sets limits on when people can water outdoor vegetation at certain times in the summer.

News >  Local Government

Proposed east Spokane homeless shelter faces questions with service providers, funding sustainability

UPDATED: Tue., June 7, 2022

While the city administration has a recommendation for who should operate a proposed homeless shelter on East Trent Avenue, exactly how the facility’s residents would receive key services – like mental health and drug abuse resources – is less clear.

News >  Spokane

‘Libraries are evolving’: Renovated downtown Spokane library set to reopen July 11

Sun., June 5, 2022

They’re calling it “the library of the future.”

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council to discuss operator, lease for proposed East Trent Avenue homeless shelter

Sat., June 4, 2022

The future of the city of Spokane’s proposed homeless shelter on East Trent Avenue is taking shape.

News >  Local Government

Woodward vetoes yard watering ordinance: ‘That’s not the community I want to live in’

UPDATED: Thu., June 2, 2022

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward vetoed an ordinance on Thursday that would restrict citywide residents and businesses from watering outdoor vegetation at certain hours from June through September.

News >  Local Government

Northeast Spokane development eyed as part of brownfield grant to fund environmental assessments, cleanup plans

Thu., June 2, 2022

Spokane city officials are hopeful a $500,000 federal grant will help pave the way for more jobs and housing in northeast Spokane.

News >  Education

North Idaho College names five finalists vying for president’s job

UPDATED: Wed., June 1, 2022

The search for North Idaho College’s next president is down to five candidates.

News >  Education

Surviving Spokane 101: SCC’s English as a second language classes see enrollment spike with Ukrainian, Afghani refugees

Tue., May 31, 2022

Logan Amstadter and other English as a second language faculty at Spokane Community College knew going into this year that the college needed a class dedicated to teaching adults things they should know when living in America.

News >  Local Government

Spokane Parks releases draft master plan with long-term strategies for new amenities, upgrades

UPDATED: Sun., May 29, 2022

A new community park in the North Indian Trail neighborhood.

News >  Local Government

Woodward names Lynden Smithson as interim city attorney

UPDATED: Thu., May 26, 2022

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward has tapped a longtime member of the City Prosecutor’s Office to serve as interim city attorney to replace the retiring Mike Ormsby.

News >  Local Government

Downtown Spokane parking meters get upgrades with new dual-space devices

Thu., May 26, 2022

Drivers who have parked around Spokane’s River Park Square recently may have noticed the city’s on-street meters have received an upgrade.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council adopts ordinance to ban watering lawns during peak hours in summer, fall; Woodward disapproves

UPDATED: Tue., May 24, 2022

The Spokane City Council approved new rules Monday that would prohibit people from watering their lawns at peak hours of the day from the summer into the fall.

News >  Local Government

Getting There: Spokane is taking a longer-term approach to neighborhood traffic safety

UPDATED: Mon., May 23, 2022

City officials are looking to take a longer-term approach to planning traffic calming initiatives, using four-year planning periods rather than annually. Examples of projects funded and completed through the traffic calming program include bump-outs, crosswalks and median islands.

News >  Local Government

Mike Ormsby to retire as Spokane city attorney next month

UPDATED: Sun., May 22, 2022

Mike Ormsby, who has served as Spokane's city attorney for more than five years during two administrations, will retire next month, the city announced in a release Thursday. 

News >  Local Government

Proposed ordinance would ban outdoor watering in Spokane during peak summer hours

UPDATED: Mon., May 23, 2022

Restrictions on watering lawns at certain times over the summer into early fall could become law in Spokane starting in June.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Proposal to transform former East Side Library into Spokane police precinct draws cries of ‘divisiveness’

Wed., May 18, 2022

Some Spokane city officials say neighbors are wholly supportive of turning the former East Side Library into a new police precinct.

News >  Local Government

Abandoned North Regal Street warehouse damaged by fire faces demolition

Tue., May 17, 2022

Owners of a North Regal Street warehouse destroyed by a fire in September have largely ignored orders to tear the building down, according to Spokane Code Enforcement.

News >  Local Government

Spokane City Council approves zoning change to allow shelters, ‘community services’ in heavy industrial zones

UPDATED: Mon., May 16, 2022

Homeless shelters run by public or nonprofit agencies will be allowed in heavy industrial-zoned areas of Spokane until November, at least.

News >  Education

‘An evolution for us’: Spokane Falls Community College hires new dean of diversity, equity and inclusion

Wed., May 11, 2022

The 53-year-old was most recently assistant to the vice president for equity initiatives at Boise State University. He officially starts Monday.

News >  Education

Gonzaga University’s new provost set to start in June

Sun., May 8, 2022

New York, Texas, Nebraska – and now, Spokane, Washington.

News >  Education

College graduations in Eastern Washington, North Idaho: What to know

UPDATED: Mon., May 9, 2022

Graduating pharmacy and nursing students from Washington State University’s Spokane campus were celebrated Thursday with a ceremony at the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox.