Jonathan Brunt

Health officials announced Wednesday night that a Spokane man likely has contracted the swine influenza virus that has caused widespread concern and warnings of a pandemic across the globe. They also confirmed that five other Washington residents – all from the West side of the state – also likely have the virus.

Spokane is well behind most Washington cities in the hours of operation at its libraries. That service level will fall even further if the Spokane Public Library is forced to ax 4 percent of its budget – as is under consideration by city leaders.

A rental home that neighbors said has been a source of problems for more than a decade burst into flames Friday night in the West Central neighborhood. Firefighters spotted items that caused crews to suspect the house may have been converted into a toxic meth lab.

As city leaders contemplate budget cuts and potential layoffs because of the ailing economy, some of Spokane’s highest-paid employees are poised to receive increases in their total compensation of about 5 percent annually over the next four years. The proposed contract with the Spokane Association of Fire Officers, which represents a dozen employees, will be considered Monday by the City Council.

As city leaders contemplate budget cuts and potential layoffs because of the ailing economy, some of Spokane’s highest-paid employees are poised to receive increases in their total compensation of about 5 percent annually over the next four years.

It’s a showdown for the right to sit down. The Spokane Transit Authority board on Thursday rejected a $38,000 contract to replace some of the bus benches ordered removed by the city of Spokane because they violate the city’s sign regulations.

Spokane leaders have three weeks to decide the future of the downtown YMCA or risk forfeiting $1 million. The Spokane Park Board put the money down on the Y, which is surrounded by Riverfront Park, in 2006 in an effort to prevent private development on the land. To avoid losing the down payment, the Spokane City Council must come up with the remaining $4.4 million by May 4.

In a time of economic hardship, a message of hope will be prominent this morning in Easter sermons across the Inland Northwest, several Christian ministers said Saturday. “I am going to be talking about the hard times that people are facing, but my focus is going to be more on turning to God to have your needs met,” said Dan Chance, who will be giving his first Easter sermon as lead pastor of Solid Rock Church in Post Falls.

The Spokane Police Department’s battered reputation may have hurt the city’s ability to win public support for new taxes, some elected leaders say. Earlier this month, voters rejected an $18.5 million property tax, most of which would have paid for a new police evidence building. The measure received 51 percent support but needed a 60 percent supermajority.

A deal that would pay off the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department’s $4.3 million obligation to finish buying the downtown YMCA appears to have the City Council support it needs to move ahead. Earlier this week, a divided Spokane County Commission agreed to use Conservation Futures property taxes for the land, which is surrounded by Riverfront Park and adjacent to Spokane Falls. But commissioners stipulated that that deal required the support of the Spokane City Council, which has been lukewarm or colder on the use of the county money.

Cuts, concessions and taxes. They’re all on the table as Spokane leaders face a $5.5 million budget deficit in 2010.

Spokane police could double as dog catchers under a scenario being contemplated by some city leaders. After voters this month rejected a tax that would have paid for an animal shelter, officials say they might have to abandon all but the legally required minimum levels of animal control.

Spokane police could double as dog catchers under a scenario being contemplated by at least some city leaders.

Spokane’s aggressive construction schedule for its new pools, coupled with record December snowfall, will leave the city without public outdoor pools for much, if not most, of the summer. The Spokane Park Board last year opted to move forward on its six new swimming pools at once – tearing out all five previous pools starting last fall – rather than staggering construction. That strategy appeared to pay off as the design process was ahead of schedule. Construction, however, was delayed by the harsh winter.

Mayor Mary Verner warned the Spokane City Council on Monday that the city faces a $5.5 million deficit next year. The gap is so large, she said, that the city probably can’t avoid layoffs to balance the budget in 2010.

City leaders say the River Park Square parking garage likely will not be re-inspected, despite requests by mall critics. Former Pend Oreille County Sheriff Tony Bamonte, among others, contends the garage wasn’t inspected when it was redeveloped in a complicated partnership with the city.