In brief: Frickle family stops carving pumpkins

OTIS ORCHARDS -The Pumpkin People are calling it quits.

The Frickle family in Otis Orchards has been carving massive amounts of pumpkins every Halloween for so long they don’t remember when they started. Every year hundreds of people would trek to the neighborhood to see dozens of intricately carved gourds. But this year the family, headed by Dan and Vicky Frickle, announced that the tradition has come to an end.

“One of our dear friends and main help in carving passed away last year, our kids are all married and have other commitments and our lives are so busy,” the couple said in a statement. “We just decided that we had done it enough.”

The Frickles also thank everyone who supported the event and donated to the different charities over the years. “People were very generous and the charities were so very grateful,” they said.

– Nina Culver

Motel tax advisory meetings set

SPOKANE VALLEY – Ways to spend Spokane Valley motel tax receipts will be discussed in a pair of public meetings next week.

City officials say the Spokane Valley Lodging Tax Advisory Committee will meet Thursday to receive proposals. Then, on Friday, the committee will discuss the proposals and choose those it will recommend to the City Council on Dec. 1.

Both committee meetings will be at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague Ave.

The money must be spent to promote tourism or improve the city’s economy.

– John Craig

Boy Scouts plan children’s hike

DISHMAN – The fourth annual Haunted Hike at Camp Caro, 625 S. Sargent Road and presented by the Boy Scouts of America Inland Northwest Council, will be Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. and next Saturday Oct. 24 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

A Kiddie Hike will be next Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. General admission is $6 per person. All Scouts in uniform are $5. For more information, contact John Eastman at j ohn@nwscouts.org.

– Valerie Putnam

Pool plans Halloween events

VALLEY MISSION PARK – Discover what is lurking in locker rooms and what is waiting to petrify those who dare to walk on the pool deck at the Spokane Valley Haunted Mission Pool. It’s geared for ages 12 and older, but open to all with parent/guardian.

The event is sponsored by the Spokane Valley Parks Department. Dates are Friday and next Saturday and Oct. 30 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person or $2 with a canned food donation. For more information, call (509) 688-0300.

– From staff reports