Posted by Nina

May 15, 2012 4:38 p.m. - Updated: 4:41 p.m.

The packet for tonight's Spokane Valley City Council meeting isn't an inch thick, which bodes well for the length of the meeting. The council is set to award the bid for the Evergreen Road construction project between 16th and 32nd. There will also be discussions on what road projects to spend this year's street preservation money on and a possible change to the lease signed by Splash Down. It's a study session, so there won't be any public comment except on the lone action item to award the Evergreen bid. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Posted by Nina

May 14, 2012 9:52 a.m. - Updated: 9:52 a.m.

A 911 operator heard gunshots over an open line at about 1 a.m. Sunday when a Newman Lake homeowner reportedly shot an intruder, according to a Spokane County Sheriff's Office press release. Deputies found a the man lying at the top of a set of stairs inside the home, the release said. The man will be identified after an autopsy is completed today. An investigation is ongoing; click here for more details.

Posted by Nina

May 14, 2012 9:09 a.m. - Updated: 9:12 a.m.

A dock sits below the Coyote Rock development Tuesday. The Washington state Court of Appeals ruled that docks installed at the development were illegal. SR photo/Tyler Tjomsland

We have a ton of good stories for you in Saturday's Valley Voice, so let's get right to it. The Washington State Court of Appeals recently ruled that the docks at the Coyote Rock development are illegal after a lawsuit filed by the Department of Ecology, but the court didn't examine one of the issues presented by the DOE and the environmental groups that joined the lawsuit.

Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a great story on students at Summit School, who sent their teacher light-hearted threats in iambic pentameter to convince him to allow them to put on a shortened, clown-based version of “Hamlet.” Lisa also reported on vandalism of the sheds at the East Valley community garden. Police quickly arrested the group of teens responsible, but students were left to clean up the mess.

A goup of Girl Scouts has come through in a big way for the town of Millwood. Correspondent Valerie Putnam reported on their successful effort to raise enough money to repair the town's wading pool. The Spokane Valley City Council seems willing to explore contracting with SpokAnimal for animal control services instead of SCRAPS. City staff is still in the information collecting stage.  

Posted by Nina

May 11, 2012 9:20 a.m. - Updated: 9:20 a.m.

A Spokane Valley police officer granted the wish of a hitchhiker at Sprague and Vista late Wednesday who wanted a ride downtown after learning the man was considered an armed career criminal and had a baggie of methamphetamine in his backpack. David C. Cooke, 51, denied ownership of the baggie of drugs, but the officer still gave him a ride downtown - to the Spokane County Jail. Reporter Meghann Cuniff has more details here.

Posted by Nina

May 10, 2012 1:31 p.m. - Updated: 1:36 p.m.

Spokane Valley kayaker Steve Bailey surfs the “Sullivan Hole” on the upper Spokane River in August 2011. The wave is a Spokane low water play spot for whitewater enthusiasts. SR file photo.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission will continue its discussion on the proposed goals and policies for the Shoreline Master Program update tonight at 6 p.m. The attorneys hired by the city to counsel the city on the update of the shoreline regulations will be in attendance. There won't be a public hearing tonight, but people can come and listen to the discussion. The meeting is at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Posted by Nina

May 10, 2012 9:50 a.m. - Updated: 9:52 a.m.

A camera mounted near the roofline (upper right) of a Central Valley School District bus is part of a system that will record when motorists pass the bus when the stop arm is deployed as part of a trial run of the new technology. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley

It's another Thursday, which means it is time for some Valley Voice highlights. All drivers have to keep an eye out for school buses, but now some of them will be keeping an eye on you. The Central Valley School District is particpating in a test program and has installed cameras on three school buses. The cameras will record drivers who illegally pass a bus while it is stopped with its red lights flashing. Reporter Lisa Leinberger has a story on the program here.

The Spokane Valley Planning Commission held a special meeting this week to talk about members recusing themselves, the Open Public Meetings Act and the public records act. A facilitator called in to lead the meeting suggested several additions to the commission's policies and procedures.

The Spokane Valley City Council also had a meeting, where neighbors asked council members to reject a zone change that would allow an apartment complex in their single family home neighborhood. Reporter Pia Hallenberg recently talked to three Spokane Valley sisters who stared the Spokane Garden Expo, and it all started when they began planting their yard for their cats. The Expo is this weekend and will include 60 plant vendors and more than 300 businesses.

Posted by Nina

May 9, 2012 10:39 a.m. - Updated: 10:40 a.m.

Hot air balloons lift off from CenterPlace Event Center at dawn as part of Balloons Over Valleyfest in 2011. A balloon named “Spuds,” operated by Stephanie Hughes, of Spokane, is being filled as another lifts off toward the east. SR file photo.

According to an email I received from Valleyfest yesterday, time is running out to buy tickets for the dinner and auction Friday that benefits Valleyfest. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, and will be catered by Red Rock Catering. The items up for bid include a cruise, a Cessna 182 flight, a vation house, Mariners tickets, wine baskets, an international time share and gift certificates to local restaurants. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by calling (509) 922-3299 or visiting www.valleyfest.org.

Posted by Nina

May 8, 2012 4:53 p.m. - Updated: 5:14 p.m.

Police believe that a man who robbed the Spokane Valley Safeway on East Sprague last week may be the same man who robbed the Shadle Safeway on Monday. He is described as a white man with short hair and a medium build in his 30s. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that helps solve the robberies. Reporter Meghann Cuniff has surveillance photos of the suspect and more details here.

Posted by Nina

May 8, 2012 2:18 p.m. - Updated: 2:22 p.m.

It's been pretty quiet today and it looks like a pretty quiet meeting tonight for the Spokane Valley City Council. The council is set to discuss animal control again as they work to decide whether or not to go forward with a new regional animal shelter. Tonight is also the first reading of an ordinance with this year's comprehensive plan amendments. One or two of the proposed zoning changes is controversial, so there may be some public comment to go along with it. Tonight is a formal meeting, so there will also be time for public comment on items that aren't on the agenda. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.

Posted by Nina

May 7, 2012 11:47 a.m. - Updated: 11:49 a.m.

There will be some road work on Sprague Avenue near the new Wal-Mart under construction on the west end of town. Sprague is reduced to one lane westbound and one lane eastbout at Custer Road beginning today and going through May 19 for utility and signal work. Expect delays if you are driving through the area. Reporter Mike Prager has more information on this project here (scroll down to second item).

There is also some road work underway on University Road between Sprague Avenue to 16th Avenue beginning today. There will be curb lane closures on and off through Friday for signal upgrades. There will be flaggers and signs to direct traffic.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, there will be resurfacing work on Farr Road between Appleway Blvd. and Sprague Avenue from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. There will be flaggers and signs on site.