Council favorable to continue televising meetings
While nothing is official yet – and the main proponent was absent on Tuesday when the discussion took place – it appears the Spokane Valley City Council may continue to support televising meetings over cable television.
Liberty Lake council hears appeal for help from HUB
Since it opened as Sports USA in 2004, few have doubted the benefits of a 66,500-square-foot multipurpose venue nestled near the western border of Liberty Lake.
Discussion on zoning gateway to SARP criticism
A discussion last week on the current status of the “gateway zone” west of Argonne quickly became another chance for critics and affected business owners to ratchet up more complaints against the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan.
City to apply for grants for new road projects
Discussion on a late addition to Tuesday night’s City Council agenda began with an apology. It ended with approval to seek grants for two big road construction projects for Spokane Valley that could begin years sooner than previously anticipated.
Millwood residents air concerns over traffic, parking
In the past, when topics like street safety and parking have generated concern in Millwood, the conversation is typically included on a monthly City Council agenda.
CVSD mulls over numbers for facilities funding
The last time a capital facilities proposal for the Central Valley School District appeared on the ballot, Mike Pearson was in the superintendent’s seat.
Experience in city management won’t be required
The next city manager of Spokane Valley will likely make less money and could have less experience – but he or she will have a college degree.
Road projects slammed at council meeting
Temperatures may have been moderate outside this week, but the heat was definitely rising inside the Spokane Valley City Council chambers on Tuesday night.
HUB officials hope nonprofit status will mean positive impact
If you were to compare the history of the HUB Sports Center to a high-profile playoff contest, the latest news from the embattled venue could be likened to a series of clutch points with the game on the line. The dilemma for HUB Executive Director Phil Champlin has to do with the final margin still being up in the air.
Vacancies on Sprague continue to worsen
A leisurely drive by the boarded-up windows and vacant storefronts reveals the obvious: Sprague Avenue isn’t exactly bustling with economic activity.
Frustrations aired at 4th District town hall meeting
Anger and disappointment – largely directed at Gov. Christine Gregoire and west side Democrats – were the big themes at last Saturday’s 4th District legislative town hall meeting at University High School.
Millwood residents air concerns about code enforcement, streets
On a day when windy conditions and road obstructions made it difficult to get through to Millwood, several residents of the city did their best to reach municipal leaders with concerns over code enforcement and street safety.
New Northwest Harvest warehouse a boon to local food distribution
If you happen to notice a bumper crop of fruits and vegetables sprouting up at local food banks these days, it probably has something to do with the new Northwest Harvest food distribution site in Spokane Valley.
Council to take steps on SARP, city manager
At next Tuesday’s study session, the Spokane Valley City Council will take some formative action on two nagging issues: the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan and the search for a new city manager.
Broadway three-lane project criticized
Work is set to begin in the next few months, but several angry citizens aired their displeasure over safety improvements to Broadway Avenue that will see the arterial reduced to three lanes between Pines and Park roads.
Green transportation themes travel beyond Earth Day
It is the utopian portrait of eco-friendly transportation in contemporary society – a hybrid bus gliding down the street, trailed by cycling commuters and smiling pedestrians striding their way to work.
Knezovich takes levelheaded approach to multi-layered agenda
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich would rather talk about his responsibilities as a steward of public safety than discuss the duties of a politician that often accompany his office like the media obligations of a high-profile head coach.
West Valley truancy board provides support for students, families
Julie Curtis has seen the discouraging statistics at school districts throughout Spokane County and the state of Washington – increasing dropout rates, troubling levels of absenteeism and a puzzling lack of resources for students who find themselves falling behind in class-time and credits.
Citizens, city collaborate on ideas for Greenacres park
As the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approaches this month, residents of the Greenacres area are hoping to celebrate a permanent green theme in the form of a new neighborhood park.
Commissioners stress jail publicity campaign
By nearly all accounts and county commissioners’ own admission, the road to building a new Spokane County Jail facility has been a long and winding one.
UW grad Prugh launches PGA career with a flourish
There was a time when Alex Prugh would step away from the golf course during the winter months and head to a nearby mountain, trading in his irons for a set of snow skis.
Snow-removal options get consideration by council
This past winter may not have been the snownanza of the last two seasons, but that doesn’t mean the city of Spokane Valley is going to get off lightly in coming years.
Liberty Lake council deliberates over road funding ideas
A few years before the vote for incorporation won at the ballot in Liberty Lake, residents of Spokane County’s easternmost community decided to start a fund dedicated to building trails.
Commissioners grant more funds for capital cases
The case against a Deer Park man accused of murdering a witness in an assault case against him continues to drain funding from Spokane County coffers
Council mulls over comp plan adjustments
While much of the talk at Spokane Valley City Hall lately has revolved around the future of the embattled Sprague/Appleway Revitalization Plan, the city’s governing board turned its attention to some different development questions at Tuesday’s study session.
Jail sites to be narrowed, prosecutor’s office critiqued
As county officials attempt to educate the public on the need for a new jail, a Utah-based consultant has expressed there needs to be more done in the prosecutor’s office to make sure charges get filed in a timely manner.
Millwood council sharpens focus on street safety
In a discussion addressing the dilemma of speeding motorists detouring down local streets, the Millwood Council decided against taking a shortcut of its own on Monday night.
ChangePoint seeks to provide direction, encouragement
Those who work and volunteer at Spokane Valley’s most visible social service agency will tell you that the mission is less about footing the bill for disadvantaged residents than getting them back on their feet.
Millwood plans more improvements for Argonne
As hundreds gathered for the inaugural 5K community run in Millwood last August celebrating the end of an extensive renovation project along Argonne Road, talk centered around new sidewalks, the quality of pavement and pedestrian-friendly intersections.
Valley to get new Wal-Mart
The long-rumored Sam’s Club, which would be located near the Spokane Valley Costco at 5601 E. Sprague, is not going to happen. Instead, expect a new Wal-mart instead.
State of County presentation focuses on moving forward
The 300 or so who attended the State of the County address at the CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley were treated to breakfast with a generous side of optimism last Friday morning.
SARP changes can’t come until 2011
On the advice of the city attorney, Spokane Valley City Council members won’t be able to make any substantive changes to the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan until next year.
Negotiations to continue on Appleway right-of-way
While the temperatures dipped back down to the normal range for this time of year throughout the Inland Northwest this past week, there was a definite thaw in the air between the Spokane County commissioners and Spokane Valley City Council.
Valley chamber launches business center in Liberty Lake
The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce will open the Valley Chamber Business Center at Liberty Lake later this month, a project designed to help area entrepreneurs kickstart projects by providing office space and resource support.
Divided council agrees to fund precinct commander
The “Positive Change” council members were positively divided Tuesday night when it came to funding a precinct commander to assist the Spokane Valley Police Chief.
Auto Row driving for upgrades along Sprague corridor
It’s an area that brings in around 20 percent of Spokane Valley’s annual sales tax revenue and is known for names like “Gus” and “Appleway,” but for representatives of Auto Row, the key word over the past several years has been “underappreciated.”
City, county ponder Milwaukee right-of-way direction
Long before there was talk of light rail and conversation about fancy terms like “multi-modal transportation,” steam-powered trains rumbled along the tracks of the old Milwaukee Railroad.
County briefs new council on wastewater progress
It would be fair to say that – with everything else involved with governing a city – having to deal with the issue of wastewater, well, stinks.
SARP overhaul could come sooner than later
Citing a “need for urgency,” the majority of the Spokane Valley City Council said they wanted to take steps to move forward with suspending the current zoning rules under the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan.
Jackson, council finalize interim city manager contract
The former Spokane Valley deputy city manager who first signed on with the city as the director of parks and recreation in 2003, Jackson will serve as the city manager for at least six months after agreeing to a formal contract this week.
Council ponders current paveback, snowplow programs
Despite the likelihood of having to dip into the city’s reserves, the Spokane Valley City Council indicated Tuesday that it would continue the current program of “curb to curb” paving of streets where sewer lines are installed.
West Valley SCOPE invested in community safety
In addition to municipal offices, a utilitarian kitchen and a garage for the Public Works department, Millwood City Hall is home to a unique group of volunteers.
Jackson to continue in city manager role
Describing him as “well qualified” but also “willing to step up,” Spokane Valley City Council members unanimously agreed for Mike Jackson to continue on as acting city manager on Tuesday night.
Millwood council reviews SVFD report card
In the parlance of fire protection, they’re known as “standards of coverage,” but for representatives of the Spokane Valley Fire Department, the annual review of agency efficiency is the equivalent of a grade on a doctoral thesis.
Meeting focuses on possibility of Valley dog park
Spokane Valley residents Gregg and Wanda Tenner have nothing but good things to say about the off-leash dog park located some 20 miles to the east of their home in the Ponderosa area.
Rocky road ahead for 2010 legislative session
It might be a good time for local 4th District legislators to pick up some suits of armor. Because, by just about any standard, the 2010 legislative session looks like it could get bloody.
Jenkins leaves legacy of leadership on Libertry Lake council
As a member of the Liberty Lake City Council for nearly seven years, Patrick Jenkins had the opportunity to be a part of the early growth and development in Spokane County’s easternmost city.
Station 10 construction to move forward
It’s taken an extra year – no thanks to the sluggish economy – but the Spokane Valley Fire Department will move forward with construction of a new fire station on East Sprague Avenue this year.
Millwood shuffles staffing duties at City Hall
Along with a jovial personality and an endearing wit, the city of Millwood lost a valuable employee when Eva Colomb passed away last September at the age of 58 from ovarian cancer.
Appleway extension will be problem for new council
After losing in the general election in November, Mayor Richard Munson said that acquiring the right-of-way for the eastern extension of Appleway Boulevard past University Road was one of his bigger regrets.
Year in Review Part 2
This is the second of a two-part look back at all the Spokane Valley notable news and events in 2009
Year in Review Part 1
This is the first of a two-part look at all the notable news and events of 2009.
TheSpokane Valley News Herald
is the City of Spokane Valley, Washington's official Newspaper.
The City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington
named the Spokane Valley News Herald as the city's "official"
newspaper. The designation means the Spokane Valley News Herald
will publish the city's legal notices on a contract basis for one
year.
