Pia Hallenberg

All Stories

Blowing the whistle blows his mind

Mon., March 7, 2016

Spokane Valley is known for its many train crossings and driving through the city one quickly learns to avoid the most congested areas. But what about those train horns?

News >  Voices

Spokane Valley council looking to create separate police oversight board

Wed., March 2, 2016

Spokane Valley is beginning a discussion of a Valley-only police oversight committee.

News >  Voices

Council gives up Valley’s portion of CDBG funds

Wed., March 2, 2016

The Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday evening to send a letter to Spokane County Board of Commissioners asking to rescind the Valley’s part of the federal Community Development Block Grant monies allotted to Spokane County for 2016.

News >  Business

Two auto parts retailers getting set to open new stores in Spokane Valley

Wed., March 2, 2016

Napa Auto Parts is constructing a new store on East Sprague in Spokane Valley; O’Reilly Auto Parts is getting ready to open a new store a few blocks to the east.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Valley leaders say they want to stick with sheriff contract for policing

Fri., Feb. 26, 2016

Spokane Valley’s mayor stood with Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich Friday to declare that the city won’t set up its own police department, despite persistent rumors to the contrary. Joining the sheriff and Mayor Rod Higgins for the announcement was Spokane Valley Police Chief Rick VanLeuven.

News >  Spokane

Spokane Valley mayor: Public meetings law wasn’t broken in city manager’s firing

Wed., Feb. 24, 2016

Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins on Wednesday defended the way City Manager Mike Jackson was fired the previous night, saying the state’s open-meetings law wasn’t broken.

News >  Voices

Spokane Valley city hall plans move forward

Wed., Feb. 24, 2016

In a unanimous vote, the Spokane Valley City Council allowed interim city manager Mark Calhoun to move forward with the plans for a new city hall by putting them out for bid as soon as possible.

News >  Voices

Spokane Valley makes it easier to watch council meetings online, but says no thanks to live TV

Wed., Feb. 24, 2016

Spokane Valley council meetings stream live online but city is not pursuing live broadcast

News >  Voices

‘Urgent’ letter brought forth with no advance notice sets off council debate

Wed., Feb. 24, 2016

Small Spokane Valley Carnhope Irrigation District set to possibly benefit from easier water rights regulations and CDBG grant.

News >  Spokane

City Manager Mike Jackson asked to resign by Spokane Valley council

Tue., Feb. 23, 2016

Spokane Valley Deputy Mayor Arne Woodard’s announcement that City Manager Mike Jackson had been asked to resign “in the best interest of the city” was met with a loud boo from the audience that packed Spokane Valley’s city council chambers Tuesday evening.

Should Spokane Valley reject federal funds?

Mon., Feb. 22, 2016

Spokane Valley city councilman Ed Pace wrote on his Facebook page on Feb. 19 that he will not vote for "being a whore for federal funds."

News >  Voices

Pace’s request sets off lengthy review of Spokane Valley police

Wed., Feb. 17, 2016

Spokane Valley councilman Ed Pace says did not intend to start a lengthy official investigation when he sent a query to city staff about alleged surveillance by the Spokane Valley Police Department last summer.

News >  Voices

Valley may pass on grant funds for sidewalk

Wed., Feb. 17, 2016

Neighbors protesting Blake Road sidewalk may change city’s mind

News >  Voices

Spokane Valley councilman asks fellow members to follow rules of governance

Wed., Feb. 10, 2016

Chuck Hafner called on his fellow Spokane Valley City Council members to follow the governance manual at Tuesday’s meeeting.

News >  Voices

Scope of initiatives limited in Spokane Valley

Wed., Feb. 10, 2016

Spokane Valley does have initiative process, but it’s rarely used.

News >  Voices

Spokane County pot dispensary owner says new rules unfair

Wed., Feb. 10, 2016

New state medical marijuana rules will force some dispensaries to close when they take effect in July.

News >  Voices

Spokane Valley council mulls regional sportsplex idea

Wed., Feb. 10, 2016

Proposed downtown Spokane sportplex may bring new softball facility to Spokane Valley

News >  Spokane

In the age of Twitter, reader boards still bring a smile

Mon., Feb. 8, 2016

The reader board that always makes you chuckle is a challenge for those who write the jokes.

News >  Spokane

Student group upset Gonzaga won’t allow the public to attend Dinesh D’Souza talk

Thu., Feb. 4, 2016

Gonzaga University limits access to presentation by conservative pundit Dinesh D’Souza.

News >  Voices

Valley council passes resolution about transgender access to bathrooms

Thu., Feb. 4, 2016

The Spokane Valley City Council on Tuesday evening approved a resolution asking the state to repeal the bathroom access rules for transgendered people that were recently issued by the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

Bathroom rules moving on to the Senate

Thu., Feb. 4, 2016

Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said he's received more contacts on this issue than other.

News >  Voices

Tree company helps Spokane Valley woman who couldn’t afford to clear windstorm debris

Wed., Feb. 3, 2016

Spokane Valley widow gets help clearing tree left by November windstorm off her house

Monday morning with the Valley Mayor

Mon., Feb. 1, 2016

Here are a few notes from my meeting with Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins this morning.

Bathroom bill moves to Senate hearing

Thu., Jan. 28, 2016

The issue of transgender people's access to bath- and locker rooms based on identity rather than biological sex - which was hotly debates at the council meeting Tuesday - will be heard by the Senate.

News >  Voices

Dreams come true at Valley eatery

Wed., Jan. 27, 2016

Spokane Valley cafe offers crepes, scones and Thai food lunches.