The Spokane Valley
News Herald... subscribe |
2003
year in review
(part 1)
This is the first of a two-part look at the noteworthy news and happenings
of 2003. |
2003
year in review
(part 2)
This is the second of a two-part look at the noteworthy news and happenings
of 2003. |
Fire
service election likely April 27
It's not often that voters are asked to go to the polls to keep the
status quo, but that's exactly what could happen April 27. The City
Council has eyed that date as the probable election day when voters
will be asked to annex to Fire District 1 to continue business as
usual in Spokane Valley. |
Race
is on: teams vying for top spots
CV girls, U-Hi boys have division leads. Wide open is the best way
to describe varsity basketball races in the Greater Spokane League
a little more than a third of the way through the 2003-04 season. |
County nixes
$1 million road cut
A request by the city of Spokane Valley to cut $1 million off of their
contract with Spokane County for road maintenance was sidelined by
county commissioners last week. |
Library
contract a step closer
A few criticisms aside, the Spokane Valley City Council inched closer
Tuesday to signing a contract with the Spokane County Library District
for 2004. The council mulled over a pair of options proposed by the
district; both would cost the city about $2.1 million. |
Liberty
Lake citizen group paves way for trail
Life is good for walkers, joggers and bicyclists in the city of Liberty
Lake and the surrounding area. With a comprehensive network of well-groomed
trails and walkways, the community has made a mark as one of the most
pedestrian-friendly environments in the state. |
Spokane
Valley Community Center hit with holiday help requests
The family was not unlike scores of others who have come seeking help
at the Spokane Valley Community Center. A mother and father - both
working - arrived at the center faced with the challenge of providing
Christmas for their children. |
Central
Valley School District names Pearson superintendent
The Central Valley School District board of directors decided to stay
in-house by selecting Mike Pearson as its permanent superintendent
at its Monday night meeting. |
Lady
Scotties earn victories over VC, Lakeside
Girls Basketball: Freeman rebounded from a 74-67 opening-game
loss at Almira/Coulee-Hartline on Friday to ease past visiting Valley
Christian 66-36 last Saturday in girls basketball. |
Scotties
stop ACH, Valley Christian, Lakeside
Boys Basketball: Freeman took advantage of 31 turnovers by
Valley Christian to top the Panthers 59-50 in boys basketball last
Saturday at Freeman. |
Fire
district tested in plane crash response
Fire District 9 firefighters faced a number of challenges when they
responded to the crash of an Ameriflite cargo plane in the hills north
of the Valley last Saturday morning. |
City
of Spokane Valley petitions Liberty Lake comp plan
The city of Spokane Valley has a beef with their neighbors to the
east, and it has officials in Liberty Lake stewing. |
West Valley,
Central Valley boys win openers
Central Valley and West Valley tipped off Greater Spokane League play
with Tuesday victories while East Valley and University suffered opening-night
losses. |
West
Valley, Central Valley boys teams coming off 16-3 GSL marks
It's a good year
to be young...West Valley and Central Valley boys hoop teams are coming
off excellent seasons, and the Eagles and Bears look to continue their
winning ways. |
CVSD
scheduling debate strikes emotional chord
Erik Ohlund has
yet to pick out his cap and gown for next spring's U-Hi commencement
exercises - but that doesn't mean he won't be moving on with the class
of 2004. |
Operation
of senior center to stay same
The city of Spokane Valley won't be making any big changes to the
way things operate at the senior center - at least for now. |
Liberty
Lake council approves assumption ordinance
The Liberty Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to
assume control of the area's sewer and water district Tuesday night
- but not before a round of spirited debate |
4-A Volleyball
Championship tournament results
University High School won one match and lost two in the Lady Titans'
first-ever appearance in WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington 4-A Volleyball
Championship tournament last weekend at the Everett Regional Events
Center. |
Towns
reject police dispatch charges
Mayors of two Spokane County towns that have their own police forces
have rejected county efforts to collect fees for police dispatch services.
Instead, they offered a compromise. |
CV board hears
pleas, shaves budget
Following an emotional litany of pleas from parents, staff and students
representing programs from fifth-grade strings to middle-school counseling,
Central Valley School District Board President Craig Holmes summed
up the challenge of trimming next year's budget. |
Lady
Titans earn first-ever berth in state tourney
Facing elimination from the GSL/Big 9 4A Regional Volleyball Tournament
at Moses Lake after a first-round loss last weekend, the Lady Titans
earned back-to-back wins and qualified for the state tournament Friday
and Saturday at the Regional Events Center in Everett. |
Washington Home
Sales Surge While Affordability Declines
The median sales price for an existing home in Washington was $208,000
during the third quarter, 8.6 percent higher than last year. |
City's sales
tax numbers on track
Ken Thompson, the city's inaugural finance director, was greeted with
news of a sales tax shortfall. The problem was that many businesses
within city limits were not punching in the city's code when registering
a sale. Instead, the money was being routed to Spokane County. |
Nov. 4th election
results
Close races in Liberty Lake and Fire District 1. It's going down to
the wire for a pair of Valley-area campaigns. |
U-High girls
qualify for cross-country state meet
The University High School girls cross country team, in addition to
one member of the boys squad, qualified for the state meet in Pasco
during the GSL/Big 9 Regional meet last Saturday at the Deer Park
Golf Course. |
Movin'
on up: Sports complex progressing
Sitting on just over an acre of land, the 56,120 square foot structure
will feature five full length basketball courts, 10 volleyball courts
and seating for over 2,000 spectators. |
Nov.
4 election something for all
The Nov. 4 general election is the political equivalent of a pot of
jambalaya - it's got a little of everything tossed in it. |
CV
superintendent search local, cost-effective
The net being thrown out to catch the next superintendent for the
Central Valley School District will look a little different this time
around. |
Valley
harriers prepare for cold regional meet Saturday
High school cross country teams from University, West Valley and Central
Valley will compete in regional meets Saturday at Deer Park Golf Course,
as well as individuals from East Valley. |
Senior Center
dries out after flood
Despite some dour predictions, the Spokane Valley Senior Center reopened
for operations Tuesday after being closed last week due to damage
caused by flooding. |
No-shoot
zone partially shot down
No one on the county board of commissioners wanted to come right out
and bar shooting on land where the residents wanted it. They also
didn't want to disappoint those who signed petitions to establish
the area on Tower Mountain as a no-shoot zone. |
Library
services to be studied
The Spokane Valley City Council closed the book on library service
for 2004. The city will contract for service with the Spokane County
Library District through next year, but study will begin on other
possible options. |
U-Hi spikers
savor GSL win over Ferris
The fourth game of Tuesday night's University-Ferris GSL volleyball
match magnified the character of the Lady Titans. U-Hi fought off
match points five times in the game, pulling it out and eventually
winning in a five-set marathon. |
Millwood
to seek new police bid
Alarmed with drastically rising costs of county police protection
in their town, Millwood officials are going out to see if there is
another way to do it cheaper. |
Fire
districts to serve city in 2004
The city of Spokane Valley will continue its fire service status quo
for one more year. At Tuesday night's regular meeting, the City Council
unanimously agreed to continue its relationship with Fire Districts
1, 8 and 9 through 2004. |
EV's 34-20
win over CV was the first over the Bears in 31 years
Last Friday, Scott Campbell had just another day at the office. With
lots of help from his co-workers, Campbell rushed for 270 yards and
led the Knights to a 34-22 victory over homestanding Central Valley.
|
City to sell
bonds for road repairs
Call it a 2-for-1 special. With a plan already in place to sell $7
million in bonds to go toward the construction of the CenterPlace
community center at Mirabeau Point, the Spokane Valley City Council
has decided to go further with an extra $2.3 million for street repairs.
|
Liberty
Lake presents assumption ordinance, offers a compromise
Ordinance No. 120 made a relatively quiet debut at the Liberty Lake
City Council meeting Tuesday night. |
From cops to SCRAPS,
county rethinks role
The Spokane County Animal Control has been renamed Spokane County
Regional Animal Protection Services. |
Oliver North
to spur Rotary program
Members of the Spokane Valley Rotary Club are hoping Oliver North
can help them have a resounding impact on the lives of low-income
kids. |
Health
board shake-up draws mixed reviews
Nothing appeared out of the ordinary at last week's Spokane Regional
Health District board meeting. The only difference came when it was
time to vote. |
Valleyfest
celebrates growth in leaps and bounds
After pulling off the most elaborate Valleyfest in the 14-year history
of the event, Chairperson Peggy Doering will be back at it in less
than two weeks, planning next year's bash. |
New junk car
law hits the streets
It didn't turn over the first time, but it's now running just fine.
A law that would enable junk vehicles to be towed from Spokane Valley
homes was unanimously passed by the council Tuesday night. |
West Valley tech
levy, juvenile tax both pass
A request to continue a technology levy - which failed in March by
seven votes - came away a 68-percent winner in the West Valley School
District. The measure won by a tally of 2,406 votes to 1,147. |
Council
weighs senior center operation options
Does building a new senior center necessarily mean a new way of doing
business? That's the question on the minds of the members of the Spokane
Valley City Council. |
Liberty
Lake works to launch municipal library
Last week, the Liberty Lake City Council held a public meeting to
discuss the details of the town's new library. The council decided
in July to forego an agreement with the Spokane County Library District
and fund and manage a library of its own. |
Project
Access launches new era of medical care
It seemed appropriate that the movers and shakers in the Spokane medical
community would gather under a tent on a hot, sweltering day to celebrate
the launch of Project Access. After all, the innovative program -
designed to provide medical coverage for the uninsured - is all about
supplying ample protection. |
City
to take control of parks, pools
After months of
legal wrangling, the Spokane Valley City Council voted Tuesday night
to accept 11 parks along with the Spokane Valley Senior Center, Opportunity
Township Hall and Western Dance Center. The city also accepted three
pools: Terrace View, Park and Mission. |
Council
to settle lodging tax debate
It's a classic case of chicken or the egg. Or, as it happens, marketing
or the event. The Spokane Valley City Council will decide next Tuesday
how to divvy up approximately $200,000 in lodging tax reimbursement.
|
Voters
to weigh in on WV levy, juvenile facilities tax
For citizens, it means 10 cents out of every $100. For Rand Young,
it means much more. The administrator for Spokane County Juvenile
Court is anxiously anticipating the outcome of a vote to renew the
imposition of a one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax - the benefits go
toward maintaining juvenile detention facilities and jails. |
Council
will support Splash-Down sale
On Tuesday, the Spokane Valley City Council agreed to support a 20-year
lease with two couples - Jeff and Debbie Weisen along with Dave and
Debbie Finney- who plan to buy the popular summertime attraction.
"We want this to be the place where everybody in the Valley will go,"
Debbie Weisen told the council. |
Remodeled
schools ready for students
Adams and McDonald elementary schools both underwent extensive facelifts
thanks to a $9.3 million construction project. The funding came from
a $78 million bond passed in 1998. |
Council
will support Splash-Down sale
On Tuesday, the Spokane Valley City Council agreed to support
a 20-year lease with two couples - Jeff and Debbie Weisen along
with Dave and Debbie Finney- who plan to buy the popular summertime
attraction. "We want this to be the place where everybody in
the Valley will go," Debbie Weisen told the council. |
Remodeled
schools ready for students
Adams and McDonald elementary schools both underwent extensive
facelifts thanks to a $9.3 million construction project. The
funding came from a $78 million bond passed in 1998. |
Fate of joint
sewer rests with Spokane
The Spokane Valley City Council agreed Tuesday night it is still
willing to enter into a regional wastewater treatment agreement
with the city of Spokane and county governments. |
Long
stresses exactness, accountability on board
This article is the first in a series of profiles on the three
candidates running for position No. 3 on the Central Valley
School District board of directors. |
Council
OKs to move CenterPlace forward
"The public has given us a mandate. We, as a council, have not
come up with this on our own." Steve Taylor. Despite
a price tag of nearly $400,000 a year to keep the building open,
the Spokane Valley Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to progress on
work of the CenterPlace community center at Mirabeau Point. |
Water
safety laws OK'd
Spokane Valley's waterways might be good places to float your
boat - just do it under 50 mph in designated areas. The Spokane
Valley City Council unanimously approved a water safety ordinance
Tuesday night that will match county rules to the letter. |
Disincorporation
interest slows down
The mood was reminiscent of a halftime pep talk with Sally Jackson
assuming the role of a coach in full-scale motivational mode.
The Citizens for Disincorporation met in a basement room at
the Valley Library last week - on the docket was a new game
plan designed to ultimately dislodge the city of Spokane Valley.
|
Development
director looks to city's future
In her new role, Marina Sukup will direct the course of a city
seeking to establish its own aesthetic identity. She takes notes
of issues like how many trees are planted in parking lots and
is critical of certain commercial areas which feature "acres
and acres of uninterrupted asphalt." |
Council
hopes to reduce CenterPlace costs
As Spokane Valley City Council members prodded and picked at
the high start-up and operating costs of the planned CenterPlace
community center at Mirabeau Point, Mercier wanted to make sure
they realized even the smallest change at this point could have
big impacts. |
Parks
department expands recreational options in new city
Despite a staff comprised of only three full-time workers, the
city of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department is making
a resounding splash this |
Council
learns possible costs of Mirabeau
Spokane Valley Council Member Dick Denenny called it one of
the costs of government. Greg Bever, one of Mirabeau Point's
trustees and longtime proponent of the project, said he never
thought the project would make money. |
Council
floats possible water safety ordinance
Summer's more than half over, but the city of Spokane Valley
has yet to nail down a water safety ordinance. That could soon
change, as Tuesday the City Council looked at drafting rules
already in place in Spokane County. |
City tries
to get handle on sales tax
It is a number vital to the prosperity of the city of Spokane
Valley. The digits - 3213 - are not spectacular in themselves,
but to City Manager David Mercier, they represent a code that
all merchants within city limits should know by heart. |
Charity
golf tourney more than just day on links
Doug Kelley of Avista Utilities Corp. uses the term "co-opetition"
when describing how local energy companies are rallying to the
cause of customers in need. That collaborative spirit will be
on display at Liberty Lake's Meadowwood Golf Course on Thursday,
July 17, as the Spokane Valley Community Center sponsors its
fifth annual charity golf tournament. |
Police adopt
team approach to traffic
Every week, Sgt. Martin O'Leary of the city of Spokane Valley
Police Department tracks the top 10 trouble spots on city roads.
The Valley traffic hall of shame includes areas like.....(continue
reading) |
City
looks for spots on area boards, committees
The city of Spokane Valley is beginning to throw its weight
around. With a population base of over 80,000, the state's newest
- and eighth largest - city is gradually gaining representation
on some of the most influential boards and commissions in the
area. |
Former
landfill holds up parks transfer
An old dump may be all that's holding up Spokane Valley from
assuming ownership of county parks within city limits. As short
as 15 months ago, county officials were laughing about the future
of Buttercup Park. |
Olsen
goes to trial, wife swears he's innocent
While a Spokane Valley man accused of possessing a deadly poison
goes to trial this week, his wife is convinced he wasn't trying
to kill her or anyone else. |
Sports
facility breaks ground Monday
Game, set, match. It's official. Sport USA, a 56,000-square-foot
indoor sports facility will be built in the Spokane Valley beginning
with a ground-breaking ceremony Monday morning. Sports USA,
a $2.8 to $3.5 million nonprofit basketball and volleyball complex,
is expected to be constructed over the next seven months on
a five-acre parcel north of Interstate 90, between the Central
Valley School District Building and the Barker Road overpass.
|
County
settles lawsuit, won similar case
As Spokane County commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize an
$875,000 settlement for a Spokane Valley couplet-related death,
it's possible they were thinking of a similar court case two
years ago the county won. |
Staged
attack gauges emergency readiness
It was a typical Saturday afternoon in the neighborhood around
West Valley High School. Residents leisurely tended to their
yards and shared some smalltalk, basking in the early summer
sunshine. Then the SWAT team showed up on the front lawn.
|
Proposed
junk vehicle law motors on
The keys are in the ignition, and the Spokane Valley City Council
is ready to put its foot to the gas. Only this time, it will
yield to community concerns on junk vehicle restrictions before
moving forward. |
Road
plan talks lead to couplet criticism
A public hearing Tuesday on the Spokane Valley six-year road
plan led to open season on the Sprague/Appleway couplet. In
the end, the Spokane Valley City Council approved the plan -
which is described as a "fluid" document that can be changed
at the whim of the council |
East
Valley budget cuts create counseling void
Christina Falsetto is the parent of a third-grade student at
Trent Elementary. Last Thursday night, she went searching for
answers concerning the fate of the counseling program in the
East Valley School District. |
Disincorporation
movement targets August deadline
This summer, Nancy Moore is getting to know her neighbors. Canvassing
one of 28 sections in the city of Spokane Valley, Moore has
been trying to gather signatures to support the dissolution
of a city she never wanted. |
University
becomes first east side softball team to win state 4A title
The Lady Titans of University High School (29-2) became the
first large classification team east of the Cascades to win
a Washington state softball championship when they defeated
perennial power Prairie of Vancouver, 3-0, in the title match
at Tacoma. The tournament started in the 1980s, beginning with
slow pitch and continuing with fast pitch softball's conception
in 1992. |
Mission
Pool will have to last a little longer
The Spokane Valley City Council doesn't appear ready just yet
to dive into plans to build a new pool or aquatics center at
Mission Park. As the three Valley pools prepare for a June 23
opening, Bill Hutsinpiller, interim parks director, told the
council that another three years of use might be possible at
the Mission Pool site, which had been targeted for closure by
Spokane County prior to incorporation. |
Valley
council parks junk car law for now
If the Spokane Valley City Council was wondering what would
drive more people to one of its meetings, it didn't need to
look any further than a proposed restrictions on junk vehicles.
|
Future
of DARE program remains in doubt
They have become a familiar sight on roads throughout Spokane
County - black vans with splashy white and yellow writing on
each side, signifying the official logo of the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program, also known as DARE. |
Council
gets look at road plan
This year, Spokane County remains in the driver's seat. In 2004,
though, the city of Spokane Valley will get behind the wheel
to keep road improvement projects in motion. On Tuesday, the
Spokane Valley City Council got its first look at a proposed
six-year transportation improvement program to start in 2004.
|
Liberty
Lake sewer district responds to city's assumption plans
The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District had its turn in the
spotlight Monday evening. District officials - as well as residents
from areas surrounding the lake - took full advantage of the
opportunity to support the case for maintaining control of the
area's most visible utility. |
City,
county at crossroads over street services
The city of Spokane Valley has reached a fork in the road when
it comes to street maintenance - and how to pay for it. At issue
is the transfer of road upkeep from Spokane County to the new
city. |
Emergency
communications measure may go to voters
It's pretty basic: Call 9-1-1. Wait for help. It's a pretty
good system, too - as long as everything is working. Therein
lies the problem, says Sheriff Mark Sterk. The sheriff outlined
a need to improve the county's aging, decrepit emergency communications
network. |
Junk auto
policy gears up for city
Everyone has one. A neighbor. With a broken-down car. That sits
in front of his house. And sits. And sits.
Well, the Spokane Valley City Council is hoping to do something
about it. And soon. |
New city
staff bonds to streamline building process
Business comes in waves in the city of Spokane Valley's building
department. The office in the back portion of City Hall - which
also serves as the entrance way to the planning division, public
works and engineering - has been an increasingly popular stop
since the city incorporated over a month ago. |
Innovative
health-care program targets uninsured
Selinger is medical director of Project Access, an innovative
program designed to offer health care to residents of Spokane
County without medical insurance.The Spokane County Medical
Society has hopes of initiating Project Access this fall. |
Council
interested in regional treatment plant
When it comes to wastewater, nothing is clear. The future of
a new wastewater treatment facility just got murkier, as the
Spokane Valley City Council informally agreed Tuesday to look
into the possibility of building a regional facility owned in
part by the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley along with
Spokane County. |
CV Superintendent
Stanley to step down
Central Valley School District Superintendent Wally Stanley
is known for his humility and understated demeanor. So, it was
no surprise when the district's leading man introduced his letter
of retirement as an afterthought in front of a packed meeting
room Tuesday afternoon at CV district headquarters. |
West Valley
levy passes this time around
A blitz of phone calls and quick explanations helped West Valley
School District pass its maintenance and operations levy by
nearly a 74-percent margin Tuesday. |
Council
reluctantly agrees to animal control contract
In the end, the council's bark proved to be worse than its bite.
Despite reservations about cost, the Spokane Valley City Council
unanimously agreed Tuesday to allow Spokane County to provide
animal control services through the end of 2004. |
Mercier
named Spokane Valley city manager
After more than 60 applicants, a dozen interviews, five meet-and-greets
and six contract drafts, the city of Spokane Valley has come
up with one qualified city manager: 53-year-old David Mercier.
|
Farm
life still alive and kicking in new city
Neil and Nina Simpson's property once reverberated with the
sounds of scurrying chickens, restless rabbits and a pair of
Arabian horses that roamed freely in the two-acre plot of land
behind their Victorian-style home. |
West Valley
to try again Tuesday
There have been some phone calls. And a few face-to-face chats.
Signs, signs and more signs. A few students have even been convinced
to register to vote. All this for want of a maintenance and
operations levy. |
Search
narrows for city manager
Between 80 and 100 residents showed up Saturday to meet and
greet the top five candidates for the job of city manager of
the Spokane Valley. |
Jackson
forges on, eyes vote deadline
Sally Jackson can trace her genealogy back to pioneers who first
settled the Spokane Valley. |
|
 Spokane
Valley celebrates first week as a new city.
It started with balloons, cake and a sweaty, standing-room-only
crowd. It will end with interviews for a city manager.
Welcome
to the city of Spokane Valley, Washington
|
Council
close to parks, animal control deals
An unlicensed dog running loose through a Valley park could
experience the ultimate in freedom these days. That's because,
officially, animal control and parks are now a city of Spokane
Valley problem. |
City
officially open for business Monday
A talent show. The mayor's ball. An official ribbon-cutting
at City Hall. The central event that unites them - the official
incorporation date of the city of Spokane Valley - Monday, March
31, 2003. |
City
to net $3.4 million surplus at year's end
Not bad for a beginner. That was the consensus of the Spokane
Valley City Council after it got its first eyeful of the proposed
city budget Tuesday. |
WV,
CV regroup after vote failures
There is an unusual amount of activity in the West Valley School
District office these days. School officials are already gearing
up for another run at a levy that would provide 20 percent of
the overall budget. |
Big
plans continue to shape up for celebration
If you haven't already, better secure that tux rental. About
200 tickets have already sold for the Mayor's Ball - touted
as "the event for spring" - leaving 300 available for the March
29 black-tie-optional affair. |
City
plans big party
You know the old joke about the guy who threw a party, and no
one came?
Well, it was starting to look like the Spokane Valley might
have an incorporation celebration with no one to throw it. |
Fire
levy finishes strong, West Valley's just shy
A
Spokane Valley fire levy was easily passed by voters Tuesday,
but officials in the West Valley and Central Valley school districts
will try to figure out where they went wrong. |
Council
passes moratorium on adult businesses
The Spokane
Valley City Council is trying to get a leg up on the adult entertainment
industry. In its regular meeting Tuesday, the council unanimously
voted to establish a moratorium on applications for permits
for new adult bookstores and exotic dance clubs that will remain
in force until the new city is officially incorporated. |
City,
county forces unite to improve Valley roads
The city
of Spokane Valley is rapidly developing a reputation for responsive
service. Take the example of the resident who called City Hall
recently with a complaint about a pothole. |
Council
passes interim budget
What if you threw a party - and no one came? Or, in the case
of the Spokane Valley City Council, what if you held your first
public hearing - and not a single person had a thing to say?
|
School
districts target absentee voters
It should come as no surprise, then, that the latest trend in
stress reduction is voting from home. |
Firefighter
remembers astronaut as easygoing, friendly
Michael Anderson
may have belonged to the earth, but his passion lie beyond -
in the vast universe which he would ultimately explore as an
American astronaut. |
Township
Hall could house museum
The new Valley city may be still be over two months away from
its official incorporation date, but its history has been years
in the making. |
City
looking to start first planning commission
Got a hankering for a good rezone case? Endless debates that
center around acreage for single-family home properties get
your blood going? |
|
