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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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News >  Washington Voices

Program hopes to reach student library users

A new program aims to keep libraries relevant to middle and high school students even if they don’t step foot inside. Spokane County Library District is handing out library cards to about 20,000 local students so they can access the district’s research database of newspaper articles, magazines and encyclopedias from home.
News >  Washington Voices

Ruling on Iron Horse Kennel license renewel expected next week

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service presented its case Wednesday before Spokane County Hearing Examiner Mike Demspey arguing against license renewal for Iron Horse Kennel in Newman Lake. The hearing was scheduled after kennel owner Wilma Turner appealed SCRAPS director Nancy Hill’s decision not to renew her dog kennel license that expired in October. Hill testified Wednesday that she based her decision on two years of inspection failures, criminal charges and probation violations.
News >  Washington Voices

Senior meals

For the week of Feb. 4-8. Monday – Option 1: Marinated beef and vegetables, rice pilaf, steamed carrots, whole grain roll, cinnamon apple slices. Option 2: Creamy dill tuna salad, steamed carrots, cinnamon apple slices.
News >  Washington Voices

Transient ignites bushes at Marriott

Spokane Valley Fire Department crews had a busy but relatively uneventful week from Jan. 24-30, responding to 240 calls. There were, however, at least two calls that raised some eyebrows. Crews were called to the Mariott Residence Inn at 15915 E. Indiana Ave. Tuesday afternoon for a reported trash fire. “A transient had started a fire to stay warm, but the fire was in the bushes of the hotel,” said assistant fire marshal Bill Clifford. “I think he was just told to be on his way.”
News >  Washington Voices

Valley museum series features talks by local historians

A new speaker series explores Spokane Valley’s history and culture as settlers founded their new homes along the Spokane River. The set of monthly presentations begins with the Jesuit missionaries, miners, fur traders and the Army following their path through the Valley in the mid-19th century.
News >  Washington Voices

Community services

Free Career Counseling and Job Search Assistance – For low-income residents of Spokane County; Work Source Spokane. Call (509) 532-3120 or visit www.workspokane.org and click on ‘Job Seekers.’ Free Counseling for Unplanned Pregnancies – With open adoption services, sponsored by Spokane Consultants in Family Living, 1623 W. Gardner Ave.; (509) 328-6274.
News >  Washington Voices

Creature Feature: Maya, a calico cat

Maya came to the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service shelter on Jan. 22. She’s an adult female long-haired calico cat who was found with no identification. Shelter workers say she’s a little shy but loves to be petted. In fact, the staff calls her a lovebug. Maya is mellow and always uses her litter box.
News >  Washington Voices

Education Notebook: NWC hosting parent preview

Northwest Christian Schools, 5104 E. Bernhill Road, will hold its annual Parent Preview Night next Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The school has programs for students from preschool through high school. During the preview night, parents will learn about the school’s Bible-integrated teaching; Advanced Placement courses; fine arts programs, including choir, band, strings, theater and art; the athletic programs; the supplemental learning lab; extended care center; available homeschool programs; and bus routes throughout the Spokane area.
News >  Washington Voices

Emerson-Garfield seeks nonprofit status

The Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council doesn’t have a bank account and can’t write a check, just like most other neighborhood councils. It also can’t receive a direct donation. That’s about to change. At a recent meeting, Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood Council in northwest Spokane decided to apply for 501(c)(3) status and become a nonprofit.
News >  Washington Voices

Employee sought in theft of company credit card

A former employee who absconded with a company credit card and a backpack abandoned in a parking lot topped the list of calls to the Liberty Lake Police Department the week of Jan. 21-28. A business in the 1600 block of North Molter Road called police on Jan. 22 to report unauthorized charges on a company credit card at the local Home Depot. The employee in possession of the card had been on vacation but didn’t come back to work as scheduled, said Police Chief Brian Asmus. The employee reportedly texted his boss and said he wasn’t coming back, Asmus said.
News >  Washington Voices

Faith Action Network to host annual legislative conference

The theme for this year’s Eastern Washington Legislative Conference is money: grace and justice. The daylong convention on Saturday features sessions on wage theft, criminal justice reform, the death penalty, environmental issues, immigration and human services. The annual conference is organized by the Faith Action Network.
News >  Washington Voices

Family calendar

Ongoing Mobius Kids Classes - Mobius Kids will be offering a variety of classes through February for youth ages 4-8. For prices, dates and registration, visit www.mobiusspokane.org. Mobius Kids Children’s Museum, 808 W. Main Ave. (509) 624-5437.
News >  Washington Voices

Five interview for vacant Spokane Valley council seat

The Spokane Valley City Council spent more than two hours Tuesday interviewing the candidates vying to fill the vacant seat created by the resignation of Councilwoman Brenda Grassel, who moved outside the city limits. Questions from council members ranged from asking why the person wanted to serve on the council to what they thought about property rights, street preservation and tax increases. The candidates all spoke of a desire to serve or give back as a motivation for seeking an appointment to the council.
News >  Washington Voices

Free tax preparation sessions at libraries

As it does every year, the Internal Revenue Service is making a push to inform people about the earned income tax credit – a program for low- and middle-income families that can result in a credit of up to $5,891. The earned income credit is refundable, meaning if it exceeds the amount of the tax owed, it can be paid out in the form of a refund. A worker must file a tax return to get the credit, though, even if no tax is owed.
Opinion >  Column

Front Porch: Mourning the loss of a neighbor

It’s like a death, really. The news that the north Spokane Fred Meyer store was closing stunned me. For more than 20 years I’ve weekly walked the store’s aisles. I’m confident I could find my way around it blindfolded.
News >  Washington Voices

In brief: Spokane seeking input for growth, development plan

SPOKANE – The city is seeking input from citizens for a review and update of its comprehensive plan, which provides guidance on all aspects of the city’s growth and development. Three public meetings are scheduled in February featuring presentations and background information on the comprehensive plan and the review process: • Council District 1 meeting is on Feb. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Northeast Youth Center, 3004 E. Queen Ave.
News >  Washington Voices

Journal can be a helpful tool for gardeners

It happens all the time. You really enjoyed a variety of corn or tomato but can’t remember its name when planting season comes around again. Or you dig into that bare spot to plant something only to find a dormant perennial or bulbs were there first. Keeping a garden journal is an easy solution for the dilemma of lost names and hidden plants. A journal can make it easy to record your successes and failures, a memory jogger for names and sources and a mapping system for garden beds to remind you where you planted.