Kathy Mulady

1. Candace Dahlstrom is working to ensure child-safety measures are included in the Prairie Breeze and Willow Run subdivisions planned for this Five Mile wheat field. Her children are budding ballerinas Amanda, 7, and Madison, 4. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review 2. Spokane police officers Rick Albin, left, and Dan Bunn check schematic drawings for Panorama subdivision. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Almost 100 Indian Trail residents voted Tuesday to form the North Indian Trail Neighborhood Council. Councils offer neighborhoods a chance of being heard in the decision-making process. "It gives you a chance to make good decisions about what happens in your neighborhood," said Molly Myers, director of Spokane Neighborhood Services.

Sue Mauro holds a vintage Barbie still in its original box. It's just one of 1,600 dolls she has collected over the last eight years. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Parents, can you answer these questions? How tall is your 7-year-old? How much does she weigh? Where is the most recent picture of her? Project KidCare may be able to help. PostNet in the Indian Trail Shopping Center is sponsoring a Project KidCare Photo ID program Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents will be given free, standardized photographs of their children along with a KidCare ID booklet they can use to record their child's vital statistics. Project KidCare, developed by the Polaroid corporation and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, is designed to give parents a tool to help law enforcement in the search for a missing child.

No Art

Cheryl Steele, Spokane's community policing coordinator, has been cleared in the sexual harassment claim filed against her by Spokane police officer Ken Lesperance. "As far as I know, the investigation by the police department and the city indicated the claim was unfounded," Steele said. Lesperance, a former neighborhood resource officer, was reassigned earlier this month to patrol duties while the department investigated misconduct allegations against him.

They travel in packs, with their baggy jeans, loud voices, and enough energy to shame the pink Energizer bunny. Middle school students can seem intimidating. At least until you know them.

Nadia Manuylov helps new customer Joseph Wagner discover some old favorites and some new delicacies at Nezabudka. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

A moratorium on development might be the only hope for Five Mile Prairie as residents seek remedies for severe growing pains. In a first-ever town hall meeting of city and county elected officials and staff members last week, prairie neighbors outlined problems including inadequate streets, flooding and slow fire and medical response.

For 18 months, the Logan neighborhood has fought a city plan to build a truck maintenance facility in the neighborhood. Residents have written letters, spoken at council meetings, and opposed studies. Now, the debate is available on video. With the Logan Neighborhood Steering Committee's blessing, Clyde Timboe has produced a 30-minute program describing the project and its possible impact on the neighborhood.

Anyone in Spokane is eligible to produce or broadcast a program on TCI Cablevision's community access channel. The cable company offers free workshops to help beginners learn how to make their own programs, and provides the equipment and editing expertise.

Tanja Skierka's children are jolted awake in the middle of the night by the sound of heavy trucks rattling their windows. Beth Leaming complains about the stench and noise. Chris and Linda Hugo watch in shock as water ripples across the top of their son's aquarium at 2 a.m., caused by trucks rumbling outside their house.

Tim Conley is back on duty as the West Central neighborhood resource officer. Former resource officer Ken Lesperance has been reassigned to second-shift patrol duties because of several citizen complaints about his performance, according to a police department spokesman.

John Howard Brischle, owner of the farmhouse his father built in 1897-98, meets with Teresa Brum, center, and Eva Krause, who are updating the county map of historic places. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Jennifer Mason, 9, watches as Danielle Marshall, 11, blows bubbles while Joyful Noise sings "Edelweiss" during a block party at Our Place. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

It was so much fun the first time, two Spokane fire protection district commissioners have decided to do it again. James Lahde is seeking a second term as commissioner in District 4. Patrick Kennedy is running for re-election in District 9.

Spokane police officer Ken Lesperance has filed a sexual-harassment complaint against community policing coordinator Cheryl Steele. The claim was filed with the city's Human Resources Department and is under investigation by the Police Department. Lesperance didn't return phone calls, but Steele called the complaint "bizarre and sad."

1. Mark Morrell tightens bolts on a tractor used to pull the Fruit Loop Express around the orchards at Walters' Fruit Ranch. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Mel and Bonnie Walker harvest beets on their Green Bluff farm while some of their cows look for a handout. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Some North Side residents, faced with triple-size sewer bills for the next two years, or a $1,075 lump-sum payment to Spokane County, are asking "Why?" Camelot, College Place and residents in other neighborhoods are being charged for connection to the county sewer system. Most of the homes have been discharging sewage into drainfields and lagoons.

Attorneys for developer Harlan Douglass filed two claims against the city of Spokane in August. Properties in his claims are in the Calkins Addition and Indian Trail. In the first suit, Douglass says he bought 46 acres in the Calkins Addition after being told by city planners that he would be allowed to rezone the land near Kaiser Aluminum for apartments. The property was annexed into the city about four years ago.

Five North Side elementary schools will be offering satellite after-school programs again this year. The programs, geared for 6- to 10-year-olds, are funded through community development funds and are free at all schools except Bemiss.

After six weeks without a neighborhood resource officer, West Central residents told police Monday they are fed up and demand protection before criminals and hoodlums take over their streets. Spokane Police Officer Ken Lesperance was reassigned in mid-July when an investigation was launched into allegations of misconduct. Lesperance said he hasn't been told details of the complaint or investigation.

Alyssa, 5, Adam, 9, and Alexandria, 10, and Alexandria's pet kitten are all in awe of Felicia, their pet black Lab, who returned home after being stolen two months ago. She showed up just in time to deliver her 11 puppies. Photo by Kristy MacDonald/The Spokesman-Review

Spokane Hearing Examiner Greg Smith has approved two new shopping centers - with conditions - along a block of Division Street between Francis and Dalke avenues. In separate meetings with Smith, Bob Evanson of Northwest Bedding and Terence Tombari, with Tombari Enterprises, both asked for zone changes.