Jonathan Brunt

A plan to build a science museum at Riverfront Park is facing renewed scrutiny after the nonprofit group raising money for the project missed a May fundraising deadline by more than $3 million. The deadline for Mobius Spokane to collect $14 million was set in 2006 by the Spokane Park Board. The resolution approved by the board said Mobius' lease of parkland on the north bank of the Spokane River would be invalidated if the goal wasn't met. The north bank property off Washington Street is where Mobius had hoped to open a science center in 2010.

A hastily built wall of sandbags gave Mary Faulhaber hope Thursday that she'll make it through the weekend without her Peaceful Valley home flooding. "The neighborhood really rallied," said Faulhaber's daughter, Deanna Smulan, explaining that friends, neighbors and others spent a couple of hours laying the sandbags Wednesday evening. "The response has just been overwhelming."

The run-down raceway purchased by Spokane County likely can reopen this year, with some paint, elbow grease and safety improvements. That's the initial conclusion of three consultants hired by the county to determine what work can be done quickly – and at what cost – to allow an opening this summer. Although the specific cost still is being tabulated, earlier estimates indicate it could be at least half a million dollars in the first year.

A few weeks ago Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich got a cell phone call at home from a woman in her 80s. She told the sheriff that her friend was in a domestic violence dispute, but two calls to 911 came up with messages that all lines were busy.

A small fire caused the power to Spokane Arena's main scoreboard to be cut during the Spokane Chiefs championship series hockey game Monday night. The fire – a small flame with minimal smoke – started in wiring along a rail used to move the scoreboard, Spokane Fire Lt. Bill Schaich said.

Last year, Spokane sent more than 50,000 tons of garbage to a landfill more than 200 miles away because there wasn't room to burn it in the city's trash incinerator. Meanwhile, curbside recycling service in Spokane and the urbanized parts of Spokane County accepts fewer materials than programs serving the largest five cities in Washington.

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich says he can support building a new lockup next door to the Spokane County Jail. But Knezovich said this week that his support is dependent on county commissioners committing to set aside other adjacent land for additional expansion, which could happen sometime around 2035.