Stories by Pia Hallenberg for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

Spokane Sikhs say they still feel safe in the wake of hate crime shooting of Sikh man in Kent

UPDATED: Mon., March 6, 2017

Sikhs in Spokane plan trip to Kent in show of support

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley sues JP Morgan Chase Bank trying to recoup expenses from nuisance ‘zombie property’

UPDATED: Sat., March 4, 2017

Squatters evicted from Spokane Valley home that was neighborhood nuisance for years.

A&E

Returned Peace Corps volunteers display art and souvenirs from their service abroad

Wed., March 1, 2017

Spokane-area returned Spokane Peace Corps volunteers share their private art collections from all over the world at exhibit on First Friday

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley city manager announced reorganization merging departments

UPDATED: Wed., March 1, 2017

The dust-up and reorganization at Spokane Valley City Hall continued Tuesday evening when City Manager Mark Calhoun introduced a plan to merge the Community Development and the Public Works departments. Calhoun said the reorganization is aimed at breaking up isolated departments and reducing bureaucracy.

News > Spokane

Central Valley graduate ‘Troyzan’ competes on ‘Survivor’ for second time

Tue., Feb. 28, 2017

Spokane Valley native Troyzan is back on “Survivor” hoping this is the time he wins $1 million

News > Voices

4th District Democrats elect 17-year-old vice chair

Wed., Feb. 22, 2017

Young Spokane Valley woman uses passion for Bernie Sanders to jump-start political career with 4th District Democrats

News > Voices

Spokane Valley gets first look at cheaper plans for the Barker Road Grade Separation – developed in 2014

Wed., Feb. 22, 2017

Cheaper plans for the Barker Road Grade Separation – developed in 2014 – were discovered at Spokane Valley City Hall and presented to the council for the first time.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley officials still not talking about why two top staffers abruptly resigned

Sat., Feb. 18, 2017

Spokane Valley top staffers agree to resign; receive more than $120,000 in severance

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley weighs funding for pothole fix

Thu., Feb. 16, 2017

Spokane Valley must decide how many potholes are too many – and how to pay for fixing its streets.

News > Spokane

The best places in Spokane to kiss your valentine

Tue., Feb. 14, 2017

It’s Valentine’s Day and you are short on cash. No need to despair, grab your sweetie and try these 15 best places to kiss in Spokane.

News > Spokane

A 51st state, called Liberty, would have political clout and an ag-based economy

Sun., Feb. 12, 2017

Even though sponsors admit the idea to create a 51st state called “Liberty” doesn’t have a chance, it’s an interesting exercise to see what such a state would look like.

News > Voices

Spokane Valley City Council to hold workshop Feb. 14 but no meeting on same day

Wed., Feb. 8, 2017

The Spokane Valley City Council meeting on Feb. 14 is canceled, because the council meets for its winter workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in council chambers on the same day.

News > Voices

Help available for seniors, disabled who can’t manage snow removal

Wed., Feb. 8, 2017

Help is available for those who can’t manage snow removal on their own.

News > Voices

Inspired by Indivisible Movement meeting in Spokane, Timothy Lape is organizing progressives in Spokane Valley

UPDATED: Tue., Feb. 7, 2017

Timothy Lape is forming a Spokane Valley chapter of the Indivisible Movement, a progressive grass-roots organization advocating resistance to President Donald Trump’s policies nationally and locally.

News > Spokane

In case you were wondering what Coeur d’Alene woman’s answer was to Super Bowl proposal…

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 6, 2017

Marc Sanchez wrote the winning letter in a contest sponsored by Jewelry Design Center and Fox KAYU to propose to his girlfriend on TV during the Super Bowl.

News > Voices

Town hall meeting in Spokane Valley touched on guns, growth and immigration

UPDATED: Wed., Feb. 1, 2017

Rep. Matt Shea makes a rare hometown appearance, answers questions at Fourth Legislative District town hall in Spokane Valley

News > Voices

Spokane Valley council debates new wording for oath of office

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 25, 2017

It was Spokane Valley resident Terry Gaston who back in September suggested that the city’s oath of office should include a pledge to follow the United States Constitution, even if it meant disobeying orders from a manager. On Tuesday evening, Gaston was back to listen to the Spokane Valley City Council’s discussion of the new wording for the oath – and he was not happy.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley public works director who led project to build new city hall resigns

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 23, 2017

Spokane Valley City Manager Mark Calhoun confirmed early Monday that Public Works Director Eric Guth and Senior Engineer and Capital Improvement Program Manager Steve Worley resigned on Friday.

News > Features

Fewer students interested in Lilac Court, but institution is changing to adapt

Sun., Jan. 22, 2017

Whatever you do next weekend at the Lilac queen coronation, do not refer to the queen or princesses as “beauty queens” because as any self-respecting “purple coater” will tell you, it’s not a beauty pageant; it’s a scholarship program.

News > Voices

Spokane Valley’s new city hall on track for September opening

Wed., Jan. 18, 2017

Spokane Valley’s new city hall is beginning to look a lot like a building – and work is going strong despite recent frigid temperatures.

News > Voices

Spokane Valley’s Laura Renz wants cities, stores to crack down on ‘impostor’ service dogs

Wed., Jan. 18, 2017

Spokane Valley’s Laura Renz is frustrated with people who put a service dog vest on their pet dog and bring it everywhere, endangering people around them.