2025 May Splash

MAY

2025

THE

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit #010 ZIP CODE 99019

LIBERTY LAKE

FREE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Liberty Lake Events you don’t want to miss, page 10

LIBERTY LAKE HIRES CRIME ANALYST PAGE 2

SPEED CAMERA PILOT BEGINS PAGE 5

RIDGELINE SPRING SPORTS PAGE 18

2 • MAY 2025

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Nichell Sauls Joins Liberty Lake PD as office adds Crime Analyst Position

By Nina Culver

Splash Contributor

As a law enforcement crime analyst, Nichell Sauls spends her days searching databases for distinctive tattoos seen on suspects in surveillance videos or combing through cell phone tower data looking for clues she can use to identify criminals.

Sauls started work with the Liberty Lake Police Department last month and is the first analyst the department has hired. “Really at the core of it, it’s a research job,” she said. “There’s a lot of different software out there to figure out who is who.”

science and sports and wellness from American Military University.

She was living with her sister and her family in California, looking for work in spots around the country where she had Army buddies.

Her brother-in-law suggested she check out Idaho, specifically Coeur d’Alene. “One day I got in my truck and came up here,” she said.

While on that impromptu trip, Sauls interviewed for the position as the manager of a new Anytime Fitness location that was almost ready to open in Coeur d’Alene. She got the job and moved to the area

two months later.

Sauls said she liked the challenge of setting up a brand new gym and getting it running smoothly, but by the summer of 2017 she was ready for something different. She heard about a crime analyst position open at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office and applied.

“Really I was just looking for a higher paying job,” she said. “But really I was bored.”

Since then she’s spent her days pulling at threads, reading reports in an effort to find similarities in crimes that may have been committed by the same person or persons. She’s been sifting through information in attempts to identify a person or a car in an effort to identify suspects and help detectives solve crimes.

At the Sheriff’s Office, she was one

Becoming a crime analyst wasn’t on Sauls’ radar when she was growing up in Sonora, California.

A year-long study abroad program in Thailand when she was in high school sparked a desire to travel and see the world, so she joined the U.S. Army. But even then she had different plans.

“Here I’ll get a wider breadth of things,” she said.

Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons said that after some restructuring in how his officers patrol, it’s easier to collect the data that a crime analyst needs. The number of calls the department responds to each year has been rising steadily and Simmons believes an analyst will help the detectives solve crimes.

“We want to make sure we’re taking an evidence-based approach,” he said.

In addition to helping solve crimes, an analyst can help identify when and where crimes are occurring, which lets officers know if they need to change or increase their patrols in certain areas, Simmons said. “It’s a great program,” he said.

“Internally it allows us to create an intelligence network.”

Though Sauls hasn’t been there long, Simmons said she’s already making a difference. “It’s working already,” he said. “It’s given our officers much more information for our officers to work off of.”

A case Sauls has been working on since starting work in Liberty Lake is working to identify a smash and grab crew who targeted cars at parks, daycares and trailheads, smashing out car windows and stealing valuables. It’s believed that the same crew targeted Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley and Spokane as well as locations in Idaho, Sauls said.

“I had wanted to be an interpreter,” she said. “I wanted to go to language school, but I didn’t qualify.”

Instead, she was presented with a list of other options. “When they were talking about intelligence work, I thought that sounded like the next best thing,” she said.

She served in the Army for eight and a half years as an intelligence analyst. She spent much of that time stationed in Texas, with two deployments to Iraq. She served in Italy the last three years of her military service.

She left the Army in January of 2014. Initially she considered continuing to work as an analyst in the F.B.I. or other government agency, but she had no desire to live on the east coast. Instead, she pivoted and got a degree in exercise

of 9 analysts and her focus was on property crimes.

“They hit all three cities in a matter of hours over a weekend,” she said.

Photo by Nina Culver Liberty Lake adds new Crime Analyst Position hiring Nichell Sauls who joined the department back in March.

Sauls identified the date, time and location of each incident and requested data from cell phone towers in the area so she could sift through and hopefully find one or more phone numbers that were at all the different locations at the time of the crimes. There are also photos of some of the cars believed to be See SAULS, Page 4

MAY 2025 • 3

The Splash

CALL TODAY

(509) 992-1227

Scan to read the reviews

Get Fast, Reliable Plumbing &HVAC Services at Your Home Or Business

Five Star Service, Up Front Pricing, and Free Quotes!

WA General Contractor: SHAWPPHA6266 • WA Plumbing Contractor: SHAWPPH76466 • WA HVAC Contractor: SHAWPPH767OT

4 • MAY 2025

The Splash

WE TREAT EYE EMERGENCIES

SAULS

Continued from page 2 involved in the thefts.

WE PROVIDE URGENT CARE FOR EYE EMERGENCIES, INCLUDING; • • • • • •

Sudden loss of vision Foreign objects in the eye Severe eye pain Chemical burns Eye trauma Flashes of light or floaters

509.893.7574

22011 E Country Vista Dr, Suite 101

M, W & Th 8-5 • Tu 1-7 • F 8-1

A: In 2003 I had spent a year doing a study-abroad program and got the itch to see more of the world.

I had initially wanted to join the Peace Corps, but my dad suggested the military might be a better fit for me (he was right). The Army offered a variety of career options, and I thought Intelligence Analyst sounded like a fun challenge.

Accepting New Patients

Q: How did you come to work at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office after your military service?

OU

R OO

250+ TD VENDORS

NE A K SPO

FOOD

COURT

Sauls said she’s glad she ended up with a career in crime analysis.

“I didn’t know this was a thing,” she said. “It offers a lot more stability than being in the intelligence community at the federal level.”

Q: I understand you were an analyst in the U.S. Army. Why did you want to join the military and how did you end up in that specialty?

Comprehensive Eye Care for all ages | Cataract | Glaucoma Red or Dry Eyes | Specialty Contact Lenses

INDOOR &

While the crew has likely moved on, Sauls said she would like to be able to identify them. “They drive rental cars,” she said. “They work in teams. It’s a well-orchestrated operation.”

GARDEN EXPO Y 10th MA9am-5pm

MUSIC

FREE!

ADMISSION

Spokane Community College 1810 N. Greene St. spokanegardenexpo.com

E LIV

A: Following the Army, I took some time to explore other jobs, before stumbling across a job post for a Crime Analyst with Spokane County. Until I saw the post, I didn’t know there were intelligence jobs at the local level.

Q: How does your work assist detectives in solving crimes?

A: My work consists of doing a lot of research, and really digging into the things the detectives may

not have time for. I try to read every report and see if there are any threads I can pull on to identify a vehicle or a suspect.

Q: Is there a case in particular that you worked on that you think really illustrates the value of crime analysis?

A: Last year there was a repeat package thief. The various reports had been read by an analyst who noticed a pattern. We then worked together to identify the vehicle involved in the thefts and who had been driving it, by going through several calls for service and license plate cameras in the areas surrounding the thefts. The groundwork was done by the analysts prior to handing the cases over to a detective.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

A: I really enjoy the small successes, like working from surveillance images to identify a suspect or a vehicle. Most of what an analyst does isn’t splashy or glamorous. It’s the background work that helps make connections and generate potential leads.

Q: If someone is interested in becoming a crime analyst, what would you recommend they do to prepare?

A: Most analyst jobs require a degree in criminal justice, or something similar. It helps if you enjoy research and have a knack for data analysis. Several college programs work with local law enforcement agencies to offer internships for those interested in this field. I’ve known several people who have worked from within an agency, starting as a records clerk or technical assistant, before applying to be an analyst.

WORK OUT WITH US! 2638 N. WILDRYE, LIBERTY LAKE, WA 99019

www.LibertyLakeFitness.com

The Splash

State Begins Speed Camera Pilot along I90 in Liberty Lake

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

Frequent drivers of eastbound Interstate 90 between the Harvard Road exit and State Line have likely noticed two cameras perched on bright orange stands on the edge of the road. The cameras are part of a speed camera pilot project to identify speeders on the busy stretch of roadway.

Washington State Department of Transportation assistant communications manager Amy Moreno said the pilot project was requested by the Washington State Legislature as they looked for ways to reduce serious crashes caused by speeding. “In recent years we have seen an increasing number of speed related crashes,” she said. “This was their proviso. This was not requested

by WSDOT.” The Washington Department of Transportation has been working with the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to reduce the number of speed-related crashes in the state.

The pilot program is unique in that it requires two cameras spaced three miles apart. The cameras record the speed of each vehicle as it passes by and tracks the time it takes each vehicle to travel the distance between the two cameras, creating an average rate of speed. If a vehicle’s average speed is too high, the cameras will take a picture of the vehicle’s license plate.

The average speed method is much different than the usual method of using a camera to measure speed at a single point. “This is the first time this particular method has been used on a state highway,” Moreno said. “It’s heavily used in Europe.”

The section of I-90 near Liberty Lake was selected because it had at least two but no more than three lanes of traffic, had enough space between on and off ramps to get accurate data and had a history

NEWS

MAY 2025 • 5

of high-speed crashes that caused serious injury or death, Moreno said. “It’s by no means saying this is the worst spot in the state,” she said.

There were 48,121 crashes reported on state highways in 2023, according to WSDOT data. Of those, 346 fatal collisions involved the death of 392 people.

The site near Liberty Lake is one of only two in the state that are part of the pilot program, with the other being on Interstate 5 between Cook and Bow Hill roads in Skagit County. Signs warning drivers about the speed cameras have been posted at each location. The Legislature specified that it wanted a location on the east side of the state and one on the west side for the pilot project, Moreno said.

The cameras only take a picture of a vehicle’s license plate, not the driver, Moreno said. A warning letter will be sent to the registered owner of the car notifying them of the speed violation and how much a ticket could have cost them. There will be no fines issued during the pilot program, Moreno said.

“It’s not a ticket,” she said. “It’s just a courtesy.”

The warning letters will not be sent to owners of cars registered in a different state. “It will only go to Washington residents,” she said.

“It’s just a safety program.”

Residents are being asked to give the state feedback about the pilot program by visiting engage.wsdot. wa.gov/highway-speed-cameras.

Those comments, plus the data collected by the speed cameras, will be presented to legislators.

The Legislature hopes the program will encourage drivers to slow down and reduce the number of collisions, Moreno said.

“Hopefully this will save lives,” she said.

The state allocated $2 million for the pilot program to pay for purchasing the cameras, setting them up and postage to mail the warning letters. If a vehicle is photographed multiple times speeding through the pilot project area, only one letter will be sent, Moreno said. “We have a very limited budget,” she said.

Though the first camera near the Harvard Road exit is within the Liberty Lake city limits, neither the mayor nor the police chief was

Contributed Photo Apart of a State pilot program, a traffic speed camera has been deployed on west bound Interstate 90 just passed the Harvard Road Bridge. While no tickets will be issued, letters will be sent to Washington Residents who are found speeding through the corridor. The pilot program runs through late June.

notified in advance that it was being installed, said Police Chief Damon Simmons. No one has called the department to complain, but Simmons said he did get a call from someone asking what the camera was for.

There currently are not any speed cameras in the city of Liberty Lake, but Simmons said he is considering asking the City Council to install traditional speed cameras in school zones and near parks. However, the council needs to approve a city ordinance allowing the cameras first, he said.

The speed cameras on I-90 will be removed in late June, Moreno said. It will be up to state legislators to decide if they want to continue the program in some form, she said, whether that is an expansion of the pilot project, advancing to issuing tickets or not continuing the program at all.

“That’s really going to be their decision,” she said. “The future of the program is up to the Legislature.

I think a lot will have to do with what the data shows.”

Sprinkler Spruce Up Before turning your system on...

1. Turn system on slowly to avoid breaks 2. Check for broken heads and leaks — a broken one can waste 25,000 gallons in six months!

3. Consider our climate: • Spring is a rainy season (March-June) • Water between 7p and 9a to avoid evaporative losses • Turn off system during high winds • Established lawns only need 1.5” per week — www.epa.gov/watersense

www.libertylake.org

www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor/ watering_tips.html

Please direct spray on landscapes, not pavement. It helps keep things green!

6 • MAY 2025

The Splash

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Significant Cases

2025-88003748 / 2025-88003749 / 2025-88003752: VEHICLE PROWLS

LLPD Crime Analysis Traffic Stops: 250 / Citations Issued: 54

On 3/29/2025, two smash and grab vehicle prowls were reported at Rocky Hill Park and Orchard Park. Another attempted smash and grab occurred at Pavillion Park the same day. However, the suspects were unable to break the vehicle’s window and left. The suspects were driving a 2024-2025 gray Dodge Durango and a 2024-2025 silver Honda Pilot. The same vehicles were involved in similar incidents in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls.

2025-88003563: ASSAULT 2D On 3/25/2025, LLPD officers responded to an assault between juvenile brothers on N Eagle Rd. Upon arrival, the responding officer saw one brother strangling the other. The officer gave several verbal commands to stop, which were ignored. When the officer attempted to take the aggressor into custody, he lunged toward the officer and appeared to reach for the officer’s firearm. The juvenile male was taken into custody for Assault 2nd and 3rd and transported to the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center.

LLPD Crime Analysis Property Crimes Calls for Service: 24

LLPD Crime Analysis Total Calls for Service: 1,285 LLPD Crime Analysis Traffic Stops: 250 / Citations Issued: 54

2025-88003644 / 2025-88003156: MALICIOUS MISCHIEF On 3/17/2025 and 3/27/2025, property was damaged at Orchard Park. These cases are pending review of video footage to attempt to identify any suspects.

The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to keep their valuable belongings out of their vehicles at night and keep their vehicles and homes secure. As the weather gets warmer, stay aware of walkers and cyclists as you approach intersections. Remember that you must be 16 years of age and possess a valid driver's license to operate a Golf Cart within the city. You can register your cart at the Police Department and receive a copy of all the rules. Stay safe and take care of one another.

LLPD Crime Analysis Total Calls for Service: 1,285

MAY 2025 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout

May 2025

Annual Memorial Day Gathering is May 26

U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner of the 5th Congressional District is scheduled to serve as the keynote speaker for Liberty Lake’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at Pavillion Park on Monday, May 26. From 2007 to 2008 during the Iraq War, Baumgartner served as the economics officer in the Office of Joint Strategic Planning & Assessment at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, helping the Iraqi government as part of the Baghdad Security Plan.

The solemn ceremony at Pavillion Park will begin at 9 a.m. and will also feature other local speakers as well as a color guard from Fairchild Air Force Base.

The Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club will also be hosting its annual Memorial Day breakfast at the park from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Donations from the breakfast

What would you like to see in a new city library and indoor community space?

Area residents: You have an opportunity right now to give city leaders your input about possibilities for a new Liberty Lake municipal library and an indoor community gathering space.

The city has set up a survey on those topics involving just nine questions in which the public can suggest what types of activities, classes, and resources they would like to see in a new library or flexible gathering space.

This survey will remain open until May 15. Your answers will help city leaders plan and deliver the best option to meet the community’s needs and interests.

The survey is available online through links on the City of Liberty Lake homepage and on the Liberty Lake Municipal Library homepage.

Additionally, the library has a paper version of the survey for those who would prefer to offer their responses with a pen or pencil.

of pancakes, eggs, sausages, and drinks will benefit Inland Northwest Honor Flight, which provides free flights for war veterans to visit war memorials in Washington, D.C. Additionally, espresso and energy drinks will be available for purchase from Blessings & Beyond, a Spokanebased charity that provides meals and housing-related services to those in need.

The traditional luminary display will be set up for viewing at Pavillion Park throughout the weekend of Friday-Monday, May 23-26. The display will be set up to somewhat replicate the imagery of Arlington National Ceremony when viewed during the day, and at night it will be lit up to resemble a U.S. flag.

Those who are interested in assisting the Rotary Club with the Memorial Day weekend activities can call 509-703-1737.

City Council makes a shift in meeting times

The regular meetings of the Liberty Lake City Council will permanently switch to a 6 p.m. start time beginning in May. The City Council approved the change during its April 15 meeting after testing out a 6 p.m. start time for meetings as part of a 2 ½-month pilot period that began in mid-February. Up until the first part of this year, council meetings had started at 7 p.m., with occasional workshop sessions beginning at 6 p.m.

Farmer’s Market returns on May 17

The popular Liberty Lake Farmers Market opens its 2025 season of Saturday selling and socialization on May 17. The weekly operation at Town Square Park (1421 N. Meadowwood Lane) will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 11, offering a variety of locally grown and made food as well as craft items.

LIBERTY LAKE PARKS & RECREATION MASTER PLAN PARKS ENGAGEMENT KICKOFF Help shape the future of EVENTLake!

DETAILS parks and recreation in Liberty

Drop by the Trailhead Event Center’s Rotary Room on Thursday, May 22ND p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 22ND,

2025 | from on 4:00–6:00PM Drop by the Trailhead Golf Course’s Rotary Room • Trailhead Event for Center Thursday, May 22, anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

• 22302 E Country Vista Dr, weLake, launch Liberty WA 99019 •an open house-style public engagement event as •the city’s 2025 Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

LEARN MORE

At this interactive event, you’ll have the opportunity to: l Learn about the vision and goals of the plan l Discover how you can be part of the planning process l Share your ideas through interactive engagement boards l Help identify Liberty Lake’s strengths, needs, and opportunities Stay connected and get involved—visit the City’s Your input will help identify what’s working, what’s needed, website at www.libertylakewa.gov or scan the QR code and how to shape the future of Liberty Lake’s parks system!

Master Plan.

Join us in working together to create a local parks system that reflects our community’s values and serves everyone’s needs – now and for generations to come!

Circle the date:

THURSDAY, MAY 22

4:00-6:00 p.m.

TRAILHEAD GOLF COURSE ROTARY ROOM

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa

22302 E. Country Vista Drive, Liberty Lake

•

www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • MAY 2025

Council debates Winter Glow’s fate, campaigning, capital investment board

By John McCallum Splash contributor

The fate of a popular winter attraction, campaigning at city functions and establishing a capital investment board were just a few of the actions the Liberty Lake City Council dealt with at meetings in April.

Preventing Winter Glow’s fade City Administrator Mark McAvoy told council during an April 15 meeting workshop that the Winter Glow Foundation had offered to sell the displays, storage containers, associated items and name of the popular holiday light celebration to the city for $25,000. McAvoy said the foundation board cited a number of reasons for the offer, including key board members stepping away, a dwindling volunteer base, rising material costs and an uncertain renewal of a partnership with Spokane County Corrections to provide needed set up and tear down labor.

NEWS

displays. At 10 days to set up and five to tear down, Saba said the organization paid about $8,000 total for the corrections’ crews.

If the city were to take over the display, McAvoy said the costs could increase dramatically. In 2025 alone, materials and services could amount to $73,000 while labor provided by city employees could total $65,905, bringing the total to $138,905.

With increases each year, the cost to the city to manage the display could reach nearly $600,000.

“We recognize this is a popular event,” McAvoy said. “But it’s not inexpensive to produce.”

Council was receptive to the idea of taking over Winter Glow, with members proposing several ideas to pay for the attraction without using existing city funds. Councilman / Mayor Pro-tem Chris Cargill proposed setting up a special fund for the event, but wondered if it was

in the wrong spot at Orchard Park.

While saying he loved the park, he felt it would be better for the city’s economy to move it to Pavilion Park so visitors would drive through downtown and potentially utilize businesses there.

“If we put them in the River District there are only so many businesses in that area,” Cargill added.

Council members Annie Kurtz and Linda Ball expressed a desire to keep Winter Glow at Orchard Park, while looking for other funding avenues. Councilman Dan Dunne proposed downsizing the event, at least at first, to help with funding.

Parks and Recreation Director Jen Camp said Pavilion Park lacked the needed power to run the display.

In the end, McAvoy said city staff would do some research and return to council with some more ideas, while members of the Community Engagement Committee present at the April 15 meeting said they would meet to plan a potential town hall about Winter Glow later in May. “I’m interested in keeping it going,” Kurtz added. “We just need

The Splash to be creative.”

No campaigning in the booth At the April 15 meeting, council voted 4-3 to change their rules regarding staffing of the city’s information booth at the Farmers Market. The previous rule, established by a 5-2 vote at a May 16, 2023 meeting, only allowed elected officials who were running unopposed in the current election to staff the booth.

The change, passed by Councilman Mike Kennedy, Cargill, Spencer and Councilwoman Wendy Van Orman, now allows any elected official to staff the booth, even if they have an election opponent. Besides council members, individuals from the Central Valley School District Board of Directors, Friends of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library and various commissions are allowed to staff the market booth.

The booth is set up to answer residents’ questions about city activities, handout flyers about coming events and other city information materials. Surveys are also conducted at the booth, either to gather specific data for city use or for

Winter Glow Spectacular begin in 2014 at several area locations. Winter Glow 2024 President Corinne Hunt said the non-profit organization staged displays in several parks, such as Cowley Park just north of Providence Medical Center in downtown Spokane, as well as at the Interstate Fairgrounds, coming to Liberty Lake in 2019 with a display at Orchard Park in the River District.

The Orchard Park display — which runs from the last week in November through Jan. 1 — has grown in size and popularity ever since.

“It’s become so big, we are burned out,” Hunt said.

In a presentation to council, McAvoy noted under the foundation, contributions to running Winter Glow since 2022 totaled $99,635 — $92,000 coming from the city’s lodging tax fund.

Board member Mark Saba said the event benefited from labor provided by crews at Geiger Correction Center.

On average it takes about 1,770 hours — most of which are in November — to prepare and dismantle the

Photo by John McCallum One of the features of Liberty Lake’s Winter Glow Spectacular is organizer’s ability to incorporate recreational elements of Orchard Park into the presentation’s design.

The Splash

NEWS

In 2023, Spencer, Dunne, Van Orman, Kurtz and former Councilman Tom Sahlberg voted in favor of the prohibition rule. Cargill and former Mayor Pro-Tem Phil Folyer were opposed.

Investment

Advisory

Council held the first reading at the April 15 meeting of an ordinance creating a Capital Investment

ns

erv i

ces

ava ilab le.

5% off 1 paper 10% off 2 papers 20% off 3 papers

esig

“And that’s the problem I have,” he added.

The proposed board would consist of five members, one each from planning, parks and arts, community engagement commissions and the library board and an “at-large” member from the community appointed by the mayor. The proposal from the board stemmed from a March 25 council workshop on identifying funding sources and strategies as well as how best to prioritize and deliver city capital projects.

ers onl y. F ree d

Cargill, who brought the issue up at the April 15 meeting, agreed, “But that’s the point.” He said it was not members of the council who were the issue but others staffing the booth.

Summer Advertising Special Offer!

The workshop was held to explore options on producing a “more deliberate capital investment strategy to plan, fund and deliver capital improvements” between 20262040. City staff also presented for council review some improvements staff has made and are utilizing to enhance project identification and prioritization, scheduling and oversight designed to “promote efficiency, stewardship, resiliency and transparency.”

Any month(s) June - August

adv ert is

Kennedy, who made the motion to change the 2023 rule, noted the booth had been run for years without incident only to have one incident create the issue. Kurtz said nothing had changed since 2023, and that if a charge of improper campaigning occurred, the individual could file a complaint with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Advisory Board. The board will “partner with city staff to form a steering committee for developing the City's Capital Facilities Plan and recommending an annual capital budget to the City Council.”

509-242-7752

Ne w

fun.

Capital Board

MAY 2025 • 9

or advertise@libertylakesplash.com

FA R M E R S MARKET L

I

B

E

R

T

Y

L

A

K

SA VE

TH

E D

E

AT

E

JOIN US FOR A NEW SEASON OF GREAT FOOD AND PRODUCE EVERY SATURDAY 9am -1pm

SHOP | EAT | CONNECT

OPENING DAY MAY 17TH

10 • MAY 2025

COVER STORY

Spring and Summer Events return to Liberty Lake

By Ben Wick

Splash Publisher

We typically think about and give more promotion to the traditional summer events but there

are a number of events that often times get overlooked. Here is a look ahead at some of the annual events in Liberty Lake that you can be apart of which are just around the corner.

Liberty Lake Farmers Market

Beginning May 17th, the market will be open Saturdays from 9am 1pm in Town Square Park (1421 N. Meadowood Lane).

With the vision of connecting the area community with local farmers and each other The Liberty Lake Farmers market recognizes that in order to continue to be successful it will need to grow and adapt as times

The Splash change. According to their website, “As we do grow, it will be slow and steady. Our goal remains to be focused on ‘Quality’ vendors that help create and sustain the unique feel of the Liberty Lake Farmers Market. We are also committed to keeping a proper balance between farm vendors and all others. First and foremost, we are a ‘farmers’ market.”

The Liberty Lake Farmers Market was founded in 2002 by brother and sister Jim Frank and Susan Parker. With the help of a handful of volunteers and some dedicated farmers, Eight vendors began selling their goods in the parking lot of the Liberty Square building. Today, the Liberty lake Farmers Market averages 40 to 50 vendors each Saturday. It is full of wonderful produce, baked goods, eggs, meats, fish and specialty items from all around the Northwest.

Memorial Day in Liberty Lake Organized by the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club, Memorial Day Celebration will take place in Pavillion Park throughout Memorial Day weekend which is May 23rd through 26th. This years activities include: The Luminary tribute display in the park starting Friday and going through Monday.

Saturday May 24th will be an informal tribute walk, bike, run event along the Fallen Heroes Circuit Course which begins and ends at Pavillion Park. The full course is 5.75 miles and includes 5 separate stations.

The Memorial Day pancake breakfast is Monday May 26th from 8:30am to 10:30am with a program featuring a keynote speaker of Congressman Michael Baumgartner of the 5th Congressional District.

Proceeds from this event benefit Inland Northwest Honor Flight.

Liberty Lake 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament The 4th annual Liberty Lake 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament is Saturday May 31st in the STCU Corporate Parking Lot. This event is hosted by Legacy Church. The vision began in the heart of a Central Valley High School Student who wanted to create a local basketball event for students who are ready to kick off the summer in high gear!

File photo

Done in partnership with Hoopfest, Tournament Director Tyrel Derrick describes the event as a Hoopfest ‘warm up’ tournament.

“We want everyone to have fun”

The Splash

COVER STORY

says Derrick. While no current adult division, the event has divisions for youth, high school, special Olympics, and wheelchairs. There is no cap on the number of teams, the registration deadline to get guaranteed inclusion is May 16th . Last years event hosted 60 teams and seen 1,600 people noted Derrick.

“With over 40 teams already registered, we hope to increase the size of the event.”

MAY 2025 • 11

While hosted by Legacy Church, the 3 on 3 Tournament is organized as a separate non-profit organization who choses another non-profit organization to donate all proceeds from the tournament to. For 2025, all proceeds will be donated to the Union Gospel Mission (UGM).

Even if you aren’t playing on the court, spectators are always welcome and the annual Fire vs Police matchup game will continue and begins around 10:30am on Saturday May 31st.

Some parking is available in the STCU parking lot accessed from either Appleway or Mission but they ask that people please don’t park in the STCU parking lot off of Signal Drive.

Similar to Hoopfest, the event is also looking for sponsors including court sponsors to help support the event. Sponsorship deadline is also May 16th.

For more information about the event or to register your team visit https://libertylake3x3.com/ or email libertylake3on3@gmail.com Liberty Sales

Lake

Kiwanis

Yard

Happening on Saturday June 14th the Liberty Lake Yard Sales is the largest community yard sale event in the region with over two hundred yard sales happening on the same day. Rain or shine deal seekers flock to town seeking treasurers. If you have items you are looking to get rid of, considering joining the event. The Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club asks all sales to please register their sale so that they can be listed in the Official Yard Sale Guide (a special edition of the Splash dedicated to covering all things Yard Sale including the listings from each sale and maps to the neighborhoods). Registrations are $20 each with all funds going back to the Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club.

During the event food and craft vendors will be open at Pavillion

File Photo Park.

4th of July Celebration The City of Liberty Lake and the Liberty Lake Kiwanis are organizing 4th of July evening activities at Pavillion Park. A concert featuring Mac Daniels and Nujack City will be at the Pavillion Park Stage and begin around 6pm.

The City's fireworks display will be launched from the baseball fields between Liberty Creek and the Liberty Lake elementary schools.

Display will begin around 10 p.m. and can be viewed throughout the city.

There will also be a Liberty Lake Over-the-Water Fireworks show that is funded and organized by the community around the lake, time to be announced.

Earlier in the day the annual 4th of July Parade will begin at 11am at Alpine Shores (lineup is at 10am).

The annual Boat Parade will be on Wednesday July 3rd with the lineup and judging of decorated boats beginning at 5:15pm, awards and comments from the Mayor at 5:45pm, with the official Parade starting at 6pm. (Note for those interested there are cash prizes for Best Overall, Most Patriotic, Best

Themed, and Best in Show).

The Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club will also be hosting a free movie in the park at Pavillion Park on Wednesday July 3rd beginning at dusk, the movie will be Moana 2.

Movies in the Park The Liberty Lake Kiwanis Club will be hosting a series of movies in the Park at Pavillion Park on Saturdays through July and August.

The official list will be released in the June edition of the Liberty Lake Splash however the tentative dates and titles include: Moana 2 on July 3rd, Sonic 3 on July 12, The Wild Robot on July 26th, Wicked on August 9th, and Inside Out 2 on August 23rd.

Barefoot in the Park August 2nd the annual Barefoot in the Park event will be back at Pavillion Park. If you have or like classic cars, the Kiwanis Club is again organizing a Car Show that morning and will have a day full of music, vendors, and activities to come check out. More details will be forthcoming as the event gets close.

Watch upcoming editions of the Splash for more information about the event.

Shakespeare in the Park

Wednesday August 20th, live performances from the Montana Shakespeare in the Parks program comes to the Pavillion Park stage, this year production is "As You Like It".

Lud Kramer Memorial Concert The Spokane Symphony performs at the annual Lud Kramer Memorial Concert in Pavillion Park. The annual concert is named in honor of Lud Kramer, who was instrumental in first bringing the Spokane Symphony to Pavillion Park in 2001. Date to be determined.

TAC at the Lake TAC at the Lake is a small, education-based, non-profit community theatre located in Liberty Lake, committed to providing culturally enriching entertainment for all ages from Coeur d’Alene to Cheney. The center is designed to allow theatre new comers the opportunity to learn about and participate in local theatre, while also challenging theatre veterans to achieve more and to teach those with less experience.

The Spongebob Musical is their current production showing May 9-11, 15-18, 22-25. Go to https:// www.tacatthelake.com/ for tickets and information.

12 • MAY 2025

Trailhead Restaurant to Open in June

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

The city of Liberty Lake selected a Mexican-American fusion restaurant to open inside the newly constructed and expanded Trailhead Golf Course clubhouse this summer.

The restaurant, Chavelitas, is owned and operated by Vanessa Orozco.

She and her father, Tony Orozco, and other family members have run other restaurants for decades, including Casey’s Place on East Sprague and Las Chavelas in Coeur d’Alene.

The menu for Chavelitas will include sandwiches from Casey’s Place with new names and classic Mexican dishes from Las Chavelas. Orozco said she has also come up with several new fusion dishes that she’s holding close to the vest for now, though she said there will be a French dip sandwich using carne asada instead of roast beef and an Elotes (Mexican street corn) pasta salad.

“We added a lot of new items,” she

NEWS

said. “I’m mixing Mexican and American cuisine. I haven’t seen these (dishes) in this area, so I’m excited.”

People will also notice a difference in the drink menu, which features more than margaritas, wine and beer. “One of the big things we’re going to have is Mezcal,” she said. “It’s basically like a smoky tequila. We’re going to create cocktails that compliment that smoke.”

Orozco said she heard last year that the city was looking for a vendor to open a restaurant at Trailhead and jumped at the opportunity. “I used to live in Liberty Lake,” she said. “It was an end goal to have a restaurant in Liberty Lake. My dad, especially, wanted it at Trailhead.”

Orozco said she prepared a business plan and a traditional Mexican restaurant menu for her presentation to the City Council, but heard from the council that they wanted the menu to feature more American food since the previous restaurant at Trailhead was a Mexican restaurant. So she made changes to the menu and presented to the council again.

tacos and a Latin inspired charcuterie board. The menu also includes sandwiches, salads, soups, burritos, fajitas and enchiladas. There will also be vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

Though this is the first new restaurant Orozco has opened, she’s no stranger to the restaurant business. She studied human resources and international business in college and has been learning at her father’s side since she was 14.

She’s been running Las Chavelas on her own since her father retired. He worked in restaurants in Los Angeles before moving to Spokane Valley and opened his first restaurant, Burrito King, in 1988.

“I didn’t see any good Mexican food around here, so I opened one,” he said. “It was only the second Mexican restaurant in Spokane Valley.”

“The reason we have MexicanAmerican fusion is because they didn’t want another Mexican restaurant,” she said.

He would soon open additional Mexican restaurants in Sandpoint, Post Falls and Spokane Valley. He sold four of them off, keeping his location in Coeur d’Alene that is now Las Chavelas. One location that was sold in 1999 was turned into Casey’s Place, which he purchased back in 2004.

The appetizer menu includes a mix of offerings such as chicken wings, nachos,

Though Tony Orozco is technically retired, he’s been helping his daughter

(509) 252-0569

Mon - Fri: 8 am to 6 pm 22401 E Appleway Ave Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Sat: 8 am to 5 pm

The Splash as she juggles overseeing their existing restaurants, hiring new employees and preparing to remodel the space inside the Trailhead clubhouse to fit their needs.

“It is four blank walls,” she said. “We are going to have to build the kitchen, build the bar.”

Orozco said she’s been extremely busy and will remain that way until after Chavelitas is up and running. “Some days are very hard,” she said. “My phone starts at 9 o’clock in the morning.

I’m still doing the day to day. I’m always working.”

Orozco is scheduled to take possession of the restaurant space on June 1 and hopes to be open by the end of June. “It’s going to be a really unique space,” her father said.

When construction on the new clubhouse began in 2022, the city initially planned to give the restaurant contract to chef Adam Hegsted of the Eat Good Group. Liberty Lake Community Development Director Lisa Key said Hegsted defaulted on the lease agreement, which was terminated in early 2024.

“I think the issue was the cost of renovations and equipment,” she said.

The city put out a request for proposals, which generated a lot of interest. In the end, the city received three proposals and each was presented to the City Council, who was in charge of making the final selection. “The proposal from Chavelitas was the most financially beneficial to the city,” Key said.

It is up to Orozco to make all the improvements to the empty restaurant space, though the city will pay for the improvements that are a permanent part of the building, such as the hood over the stove, Key said. “They’re actually provided a tenant allowance for things that stay a part of the building,” she said.

As part of her contract with the city, Orozco is also in charge of managing the Rotary Room, a room inside the clubhouse that the public can rent for meetings and events. Orozco will offer catering for events in the Rotary Room, though people will be free to bring in an outside caterer if they wish, she said.

Both the Rotary Room and the restaurant will have access to a large deck that faces south, overlooking the 9-hole golf course. Orozco also plans to install a walk-up window for golfers.

Chavelitas will be open the same hours as the golf course which is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends.

There will be separate lunch and dinner menus, including a daily lunch special and Happy Hour specials.

MAY 2025 • 13

The Splash

5 2 20 ty Lake er Lib unity m m o

C e l a S d r a Y ay,

d r u Sat 4 1 e Jun m p 5 m a 9

REGISTER BY JUNE 1st

libertylakesplash.com/yardsales/ $20 Registration fee ensures your sale is included in the Official Guide and Interactive Map for the event, ensuring attendees find you!

14 • MAY 2025

The Splash Brought to you by

Want to sponsor this section?

Ask us how! 242-7752

About and for Liberty Lake seniors

PUZZLES

MAY 2025 • 15

The Splash

The Perfect Mothers Day Gift Spokane Valley Senior Center Gift Certificate Give the Gift of Connection This Mother’s Day! Looking for the perfect Mother's Day surprise? Treat your loved ones to a Spokane Valley Senior Center gift certificate!

Just $25 per person or $45 per couple, this thoughtful gift offers access to fun activities, friendly faces, and a welcoming community.

Stop by and see us at 2426 N Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216, or give us a call at 509-926-1937 to purchase yours today!

• Estate Planning • Probate and Trust Administration • Long-Term Care Planning • Free Initial Consultation

(509) 994-1599 • www.tate-lawoffices.com 23403 E Mission Ave, Suite 215, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

No attorney-client relationship is created by this ad, or your use of this ad. Neither your receipt of information from this ad, nor your use of this ad to contact Tate Law Offices, PLLC (hereinafter “the Firm”) or one of its lawyers creates an attorney-client relationship between you and the Firm. You will become a client of the Firm only if you sign an engagement agreement setting forth the scope of the Firm’s engagement, the fee arrangement, and other relevant matters. As a matter of policy, the Firm does not accept a new client without first investigating for possible conflicts of interests and obtaining a signed engagement letter.

Brought to you by

Want to sponsor this section?

Ask us how! 242-7752

MAY 2025 • 17

The Splash

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Making his third appearance at the state level, Ridgeline senior Krew Akins is trying something new this year. Krew has been apart of the Future Business Leaders of America Program at Ridgeline qualifying for state in graphic design category, however this year he is also pursuing the area of personal finance. Akins also branched out this year and joined the school Drama program and had roles in the recent play ‘The Plot Like Gravy Thickens’ as well as the upcoming musical ‘Cinderella’ which premiers May 1st and has shows through May 9th. Akins is also a part of the National Honor Society (NHS) and volunteers with Lifeline Children’s services an organization that helps foster kids as well as with the youth group at One Church where he attends. Getting hooked digital art after taking a graphics arts class at Ridgeline, Akins has gone on to take AP English Language as well as AP Computer Science and maintains a 4.0 GPA. After graduation, Akins plans to take a gap year to travel along the west coast to explore the beaches and costal areas before coming back to attend Eastern Washington University for graphic design.

Ridgeline senior Lilley Tripplet strives to make a positive impact on younger girls and the Ridgeline program.

Tripplet has played softball for nine years, most recently as an outfielder or center field to be more exact. She is also on the team leadership team serving as the team coordinator or director. While the team is 7 and 6 for the season so far, Tripplet says that this is the best season she has played “We are having so much fun and really bonding as a team” added Tripplet. Tripplet is ranked #1 in the Greater Spokane League in Batting Average, with an average of .659.

After graduation Tripplet hopes to take softball to the next level and while she is still evaluating schools plans to pursue a career path in law and most likely in criminal justice or criminology. In the meantime she maintains a 3.7 GPA.

While in his inaugural year as Director of the Liberty Lake 3 on 3 Tournament, Tyrel Derrick is no stranger on or off the court.

Tyrel, played basketball on the Lakeland High School team in Rathdrum then went on to play college basketball at Wheaton College before settling back home in the local area of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. His experience as a second generation head coach at Lakeland High School, and as a director of an area teams AAU program has helped him endeavor into this new adventure.

Tyrel attends Legacy Church with his wife Jaclyn and has a passion for community.

“This is more than basketball—it’s a faith-driven, community-building event hosted by Legacy Church” said Derrick. Tyrel’s day job is working as a relator for Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty licensed in Idaho.

THE

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

&

Thanks you for all you do in our community

YOUTH 18 & UNDER RIDE FREE ON STA! GET YOUR RIDER’S LICENSE CONNECT CARD TODAY

spokanetransit.com/youth

18 • MAY 2025

The Splash

Sponsored By:

www.hubsportscenter.org the GSL, and the battle is for second Falcon spring against LC.” The Falcons have also received The Falcons have been playing teams zero “We've had some really good good defensive work in the outfield well outside of league. At the Wine wins (Mt. Spokane and University) from Persais Triplett, Lilley Triplett, Valley Invitational in Walla Walla in on post but then dropped a few that we Thompson and Coder, showing on March 10, Ridgeline placed third, should have been able to win,” range and making “outstanding with senior Carolyn Rose fourth as seasons Maupin said. “We have seven games catches.” an individual.

By John McCallum Splash contributor

Baseball The Falcons are in sixth place in the Greater Spokane League’s 3A/4A division, but with seven games remaining. Ridgeline is 5-6 in the GSL — tied with Shadle Park — and 5-9 overall, but with key games against fourth-place University (8-3, 9-4) and second-place Gonzaga Prep (8-2, 10-3) remaining.

The Falcons return six letter winners and five starters from last year’s team that won the program’s first ever GSL regular season title but fell two playoff wins shy of a state appearance. Key for the team are a pair of 1st Team All-GSL juniors: Caden Andreas and Ben Wartinger.

Andreas starts at shortstop and “sets the tone for us” at the plate, head coach Jeramie Maupin said.

Wartinger is a key in the Falcons starting mound rotation as well as being “a pure hitter.”

by losing both games against Shadle and two to league-leading Central Valley.

in the league to basic hits,” she added.

left and it's going to be a fight and I have a feeling it'll come down to the day of the regular season.”

With six games remaining, Ridgeline has the opportunity to move upwards in the standings with games against U-Hi and 4A Mead. They will also be challenged by several teams chasing them such as Ferris (5-7, 6-9), Central Valley (57, 5-9) and Shadle Park (5-8).

Fastpitch softball The Falcons sit in fourth place in the GSL at 7-5, 7-6, third among 3A schools, just two games behind last year’s third-place 3A state placer University.

Ridgeline is led offensively by seniors Lilley Triplett (batting .675 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs), Dani Phillips (hitting .444) and Lily Lander (.400). Also contributing are junior Quincy Coder (.452), sophomores Ada Case (.455) and Persais Triplett (.412) and freshmen Colbie Hallett (.429) and Gianna Haiar (.483).

“Truly a team with heart and grit,” Rasmussen said. “If we continue to work hard and stay focused, we could really go far this season.”

Golf

Head coach Alyssa Rasmussen said pitchers Elli Thompson (senior) and Persais Triplett (sophomore) have been solid in the circle.

The Falcon girls are currently in third place in the GSL standings, one point behind 4A Lewis and Clark and five points behind leagueleader Gonzaga Prep, also 4A classification. In the three league matches, Ridgeline has earned 25 points with one second-place finish and two third-place finishes.

“They have really stepped up and held some of the biggest hitters

“Two matches to go,” head coach Danny White said. “G-Prep will win

Also returning are three more juniors: Mikey Macall (third base, pitcher), Charlie Lyon (pitcher, outfielder) and Nolan Wohl (catcher, third base) who is coming off of shoulder surgery at the beginning of the season.

Ridgeline captured the team championship at the Eileen Northcutt Invitational on April 18 at Wandermere Golf Course, besting 26 other teams with a combined score of 239. Rose was individual champion, shooting a PR round of 72, while sophomore Chloe Hamilton tied for fourth with a PR round of 81 and senior Kate Mulligan shot a seasonbest round of 86 for ninth.

The Falcons have two GSL matches remaining, competing at Qualchan Golf Course on April 28 and at Wandermere on May 5.

“We are the clearly best 3A team in the area, I believe, including the Tri-Cities teams,” White said.

Soccer The Falcons (4-0 GSL, 6-4-1 overall) are tied with Central Valley (4-1, 6-3) for second in the GSL with 13 points each. They will meet on April 30 when Ridgeline travels the four miles down Country Vista to Sprague to Sullivan to face the Bears.

“Coming off of our first GSL title there are a lot of expectations but also a lot of key positions to fill,” Maupin said. “We have a very talented junior class with a few seniors and underclassmen mixed in and we can do a lot of good things this year as long as we can put everything together.”

Ridgeline has posted some big wins this season, including a 7-2 win over U-Hi on April 18 and a 7-1 win over third-place Mt. Spokane (8-3, 11-3) on April 3. They’ve also been on the bottom of the rollercoaster

Ridgeline was fifth overall at the Walla Walla Invitational the next day, with Rose placing fifth.

At the Gamble Sands Invitational in Brewster on April 10, Ridgeline and Rose both placed second, with Rose also winning the Long Drive competition. Senior Reagon Rothley tied for fourth individually, shooting a new personal record round of 84.

Before that, Ridgeline faces Ferris (0-5, 1-7) on April 23, Mead (2-3, 3-6) on April 25, and wraps up the season against GSL-leader, 4A Lewis and Clark (5-0, 10-0-1) in the home finale May 2.

Photo by John McCallum The Ridgeline High School varsity girls golf teams is pictured above, left to right: Kate Mulligan, Chloe Hamilton, Reagan Rothley, Carolyn Rose, Morgan Quesnell and Sawyer Anderson.

The Falcons opened the season with a 2-1 in over G-Prep before losing their next three games, including a 2-0 non-league matchup See SPORTS, Page 26

MAY 2025 • 19

The Splash

Our Patio is OPEN!

HAPPY AND 8: HOUR 2 PM 30 PM TILL C-L5 PM Fri - Sat: 11 am till 11 pm OSE! Sun - Thurs: 11 am till 10 pm

1400 N Meadowwood Ln, Liberty Lake 509-891-7790 • WhiteHouseGrill.com

05 31 25

3X3 2025

LIBERTY LAKE #4

call to schedule

(509) 891-8000

SAVE $15 off

Oil Change

or

FREE

Trip Inspection

Please present coupon at vehicle check-in.

Not valid with any other offer or promotion. Valid at Liberty Lake only. 5/31/2025

REGISTER BY

LIBERTYLAKE3X3.COM

MAY 16TH

23819 E Appleway Ave. Liberty Lake, Wa 99019

20 • MAY 2025

The Splash

STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’ IN SPOKANE “A RUNAWAY HIT” –The Washington Post

SUMMER VBS SUMMER VBS

JULY 28th AUGUST 8THto–31st 11TH

EVENING EVENTentering FOR ALL AGES Ages 4 thru 6th MEAL: TBD DOORS OPEN: 6:15 PM EVENT: 6:30-8:15 PM

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Thank You for Your Votes!

BEST CAKES 3rd Year In a Row!

$5 OFF

Purchase of $25 or More Dust off your boots and grab your bandanas- it’s time to get your tickets to Wonder Junction! The many wonders of the West are lovely but none of these compares to the grandest wonder of all- our Savior Christ! Atjunk Wonder Junction, know In Jesus a ‘prison’ yard runweby there’s no greater joy than praising the namehis of the an evil task-master building Lord all day long. But how can yer kids do that empire of trash, a dog named if they don’t know who Jesus is or what he’s done Bulls-Eye longs to beVBS, free... for them?

In this Western-themed kids will learn all about who this amazing Jesus is.

REGISTER NOW NOW REGISTER LIBERTYLAKECHURCH.COM

LIBERTYLAKECHURCH.COM Questions? Email Email kidsrock@libertylakechurch.com elise@libertylakechurch.com

Spokane Located on the South Hill 2525 E 29th Ave, Ste 1B, Spokane, WA 99223 (509) 535-4864 North Spokane Located in Northpointe Plaza across from Target 9706 Newport Hwy, Ste 29, Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 204-5435 Expires 6/1/25. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery(ies) listed. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders.

Not valid with any other offer. Discounts applied before tax. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution For Bakery Use Only strictly prohibited. No cash value.

HISTORY

The Splash

MAY 2025 • 21

yet considerably smaller than Ron Knudsen started working for next stop would often be Rice’s Meat Liberty Lake’s large the over 40-pound one he sold the Jennings when he was around 13 Packing near Shelly Lake. I usually year before. Reporting these growing years old. He recalls pulling lots of enjoyed a free sample of their cured rich produce feats was more than “believe it or weeds for the affable man who went meats. journalism. They gave proof by his initials “J.B.” The crew spent Scotty Renfro and the Rice history features not” that the sandy soils of the Spokane substantial time tying cauliflower brothers were very friendly and area were capable of producing and cabbage as well as digging offered a great selection of quality unique roots successful crops, thus promoting the potatoes. Most of the fruit trees were

By Ross Schneidmiller Liberty Lake Historical Society

The Liberty Lake Farmers Market opens its 2025 season this month.

Our community looks forward to when the region’s farmers bring their produce to the market. The Liberty Lake area has a rich history when it comes to fresh produce and markets. However, it started with growers first.

In the fall of 1880, Stephen Liberty sold produce at the Spokane Market including cabbage, squash and apples. It had been grown here on the westside of the lake that bore his name. The Spokane Times reported the several bushels of apples he brought to market were “the prettiest apples we have seen this year.”

One of Liberty’s cabbages weighed in at 17 pounds. This was

Inland Northwest.

The judges for the Spokane Fruit Fair of 1895 awarded Roderick Mackenzie, Liberty Lake’s first hotel proprietor, second place for his Northern Spy Apple plate exhibit.

The Mackenzie Hotel, like most of Liberty Lakes first resorts, raised most of the food they served in their restaurant. Providing a true farm-totable experience for their customers.

Jennings B. Cox took a lease on the secondary property at MacKenzie Bay on Liberty Lake’s eastside. From the 1930s into the 1950s, he raised fruits and vegetables, supplying several of the produce stands that operated along Sprague Avenue, the main business corridor running through Spokane and Spokane Valley.

Longtime Liberty Lake resident

located on the hillside east of the road. Knudsen said apples, cherries and some peaches were grown.

Surface irrigation was used to water the produce and orchards.

Spring water was collected in cisterns, piped to the different locations, then gravity fed into furrows between the rows of vegetables and around trees. In addition to his wholesale business J.B. sold to the public. He did not have a stand at the farm, but customers could place an order for pick up.

Growing up at Liberty Lake in the 1960s we did not have this convenience. I remember going weekly with my mother to Renfro’s in the Spokane Valley for fruits and vegetables. Going in their walk-in coolers for a flat of berries was a respite from the hot weather. Our

products. Today’s Liberty Lake Farmers Market offers the same plus for many of us in the community who appreciate the convenience of walking or biking to the venue and visiting with our friends.

Did you know?

• At a certain point in growing his cauliflower and cabbage crop, J.B. Cox would tie the outer leaves up and over the head of the vegetable.

Doing this shading helped achieve the desired color for the produce.

• The Northern Spy Apple was discovered around 1800 in New York state. It became very popular for its juicy tart flavor and reputation as the best apple for making pies but has since fallen out of commercial favor due to its tendency to bruise easily, disease susceptibility and irregular shape.

Image courtesy of Liberty Lake Historical Society The MacKenzie Hotel orchards and fields on the westside of Liberty Lake, circa 1907. The apple overlay is the Northern Spy variety.

22 • MAY 2025

The Splash

THE SPRING MARKET IS HEATING UP $1,197,000

GOLF STRONGER. SWING PAIN-FREE.

DIN G

Don’t guess. Assess.

At BPi we evaluate your physical capabilities and identify key limitations that may be holding back your game.

PEN

DIN G

GOLD COURSE

8.17 ACRES

1113 N KING JAMES LN 5BD/4BA 4552 SF

3421 S QUINIMOSE RD 4BD/4BA 4872 SF

$947,000

$749,900

PEN

DIN G

Connor Williams, PT, DPT, CSCS Nate Delegard, PT, DPT, CSCS We specialize in golf-specific physical therapy and performance. With a TPI Level 1 Certification, we use the proven Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) screening system to assess how your body moves—and how that movement affects your swing.

$1,495,000

PEN

DIN G

GOLF COURSE

5.45 ACRES 2915 S DISHMAN MICA 5BD/4BA 5537 SF

426 N VILLAGE LN 2BD/2BA 1707 SF

PEN

$1,199,000

PEN

PEN

$474,900

DIN G

DIN G

1.54 ACRES

2.11 ACRES IN LIBERTY LAKE

14907 E AURORA LN 6BD/4BA 5064 SF

25233 E WYVERN LN

C Call all tto oB Buy uy o orr S Sell ell Pam Fredrick, Broker (509) 370-5944

pamfredrick@johnlscott.com

Trisha, Broker

For a Virtual Tour Visit: www.pamfredrick.com

(509) 370-5944

Play without pain Improve mobility and strength Improve swing mechanics Prevent injuries BioPerformance Institute 2110 N. Molter Road, Ste. 113 Liberty Lake, WA

(509) 558-8801 www.bpistrong.com

Find out what your home is worth in today’s market- Call Me! “You could use Zillow’s ‘Zestimate’ tool to get a rough idea of your home’s value, however, this is a cookie-cutter method. Call me for your free customized market analysis.”

509-903-3807 Lonnie Castillo

COMPLETE DENTAL CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY,

ALL IN ONE PLACE

UPGRADE YOUR DENTAL EXPERIENCE TVs/Headphones

Children’s Area

iPads for Check-in

Financing Options

Blankets & Neck Pillows

State-of-the-art Technology

Extended Hours (7am-6pm) Online Scheduling

Comfortable Sedation Dentistry Options

509-956-4311

300 5-STAR

REVIEWS

“

These guys and gals are pros. I've been going there for upwards of 7 years now. They always take care of me and my ridiculous schedule. I had a crown fall out over the weekend once and they took care of it early on a Saturday morning. And a special thanks to the admin team that handles my military documentation each year.

”

MARC G.

lonnie@deesrealestate.com

LIBERTYLAKEDENTIST.COM

www.deeserealestate.com

RESERVE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

The Splash

Council approves extending private/public infrastructure program

By John McCallum Splash contributor

The City Council has unanimously approved extending a program that has helped the city build infrastructure through a partnership with private developers, Spokane County and the state of Washington.

NEWS

At its April 15 meeting, council approved a resolution extending the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program for another five years.

The program, renewed every five years, was set to expire at the end of 2025. It’s renewal now aligns it with the timeframe of another program used in conjunction, the Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT), whose 25-year term expires in 2034.

The two programs combined have enabled Liberty Lake to finance over $23 million of infrastructure work since 2007, work that includes some large projects such as the construction of the Kramer Parkway Bridge over Interstate 90 and Orchard

Park in the River District.

Extension of the TIF allows the city to continue this work, with over $17.22 million in projects scheduled over the 2025 – 2027 period — including $11.54 million in work this year.

“This is a phenomenal way to kind of crowd-source public infrastructure dollars for economic development,” Liberty Lake Finance Director Kyle Dixon told the council during an April 1 meeting workshop.

According a presentation at the workshop, TIF is “public financing dedicated to infrastructure improvements designed to encourage private development and increase the

Map contributed by City of Liberty Lake The map above shows the projects that would be funded by the TIF/LIFT program from 2025 – 2027.

MAY 2025 • 23

value” of property in what’s termed an “increment area.”

Dixon said this area is also referred to, in Liberty Lake’s case, as a “revenue development area (RDA)”.

“They are the same taxing mechanism,” he added.

In 2005, Liberty Lake authorized Spokane County to recreate an RDA known as the River District RDA. The RDA includes all of the city north of I-90 as well as a section of the county north of the Spokane River, south of Euclid Avenue, west of Kramer Parkway and east of North Cavalier Road if those streets were extended across the See TIF/LIFT, Page 24

24 • MAY 2025

OPINION

Dear editor at Liberty Lake Splash,

I can't say enough good things about our Spokane County Libraries. They provide us not only with books (no small thing) but also many supplemental services like job hunting help, homework support, free Wi-Fi, programs for adults and children - all things that contribute to a well informed and responsible citizen. Besides all that, I would spend a fortune if I had to buy every book I read. I rely on our libraries for so much.

Sincerely, Nancy Sazama

www.amaculate.com

Dear Editor,

I urge support for both our vital public and academic libraries. Both are crucial for an informed and thriving community, especially facing potential funding cuts like those impacting the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Our public libraries are democratic hubs, offering free, equal access to a range of resources and providing crucial internet access for those who lack it at home, particularly in rural areas – ensuring everyone can participate in the online world for education, jobs, and connection.

Our academic libraries, the intellectual core of colleges and universities, fuel student education and faculty research by providing access to a wide spectrum of scholarly materials and perspectives.

Both public and academic libraries serve as vital safeguards for intellectual freedom. The impulse to censor materials, whether in public library collections or academic resources, is a slippery slope. While some might support removing certain content, consider that limiting access to differing viewpoints can ultimately lead to the censorship of ideas and information you value or that are critical to your understanding of the world. Opposing censorship in all libraries ensures access to a wide range of ideas and fosters critical thinking within our community and our institutions of higher learning.

Public and academic libraries are interconnected, often collaborating and sharing resources. Cuts to funding, like those affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services, threaten the essential services of both, harming our community's well-being.

As concerned citizens who value these institutions, I urge you to contact your elected officials at all levels and advocate for their adequate funding. Your voice can help ensure our libraries continue to serve our communities.

Sincerely, Brad Matthies

The Splash

TIF/LIFT

Continued from page 23 river.

TIF revenue comes from property taxes on assessed value established on a base year, which in Liberty Lake’s case is 2006.

Seventy-five percent of property taxes generated above this base rate from RDA property in Liberty Lake, Spokane County and the Spokane County Fire District goes into the fund, which carries a 20-year or $20 million term limit and is to be spent on public improvements.

In 2007, the state initiated a program where it would match local funds derived from TIFs in a “dollar for dollar” approach up to $1 million. Known as LIFT, the program initiated in 2007 with nine entities, including Liberty Lake, with contributions beginning in 2009, and is set to expire in 2034.

As examples, Dixon pointed to the $730,000 generated by the TIF in 2017. Liberty Lake provided an additional $270,000 from REET (Real Estate Excise Tax) funds to reach $1 million, and received $1 million from the state for projects. In 2024, the TIF generated revenue of $1.6 million, so the city didn’t have to dip into any of its other funds to receive the $1 million state match.

The TIF/LIFT funding is channeled to developers for their use in paying for proposed infrastructure, and once that is completed and deeded to the city, the city then seeks reimbursement.

Besides the infrastructure, Dixon said the program has led directly to the creation of 23 businesses in the city, businesses that were not there when the programs began.

“You have that proof right there, it is doing the intended outcome,” he said.

River District RDA project slated for 2025 include a $1 million extension of Kramer Parkway from the Mission Avenue roundabout north to Indiana, a

$4.8 million extension of Cataldo Avenue east paralleling the freeway to a new extension of Snoqualmie Road south from Mission, and a $2.344 million extension of Harvest Parkway south from the roundabout at Selkirk Middle School to the newly extended Cataldo.

The TIF/LIFT fund began 2025 with a $9,474,000 balance, with expected 2025 revenue to be $2.6 million, providing just over $12 million for the six scheduled projects.

While the yearend balance is expected to be $530,000, $2.8 million of expected revenue in 2026 and $3 million in 2027 will replenish the fund to enable the construction of three more projects in those years.

During council questions, Councilman Jed Spencer asked Dixon to clarify that the money collected by the program was spent on projects in the city.

Dixon affirmed this.

Councilman Dan Dunne noted the value of the program really comes from the dollar-for-dollar match from the state. He also said it was his perception that these types of infrastructure projects were often more efficiently done by private developers than through public entities.

“Is that a fair statement?” he asked.

“Certainly, absolutely,” Dixon replied.

Councilwoman Wendy Van Orman noted that she was on the “ground floor” of the TIF/LIFT program creation during her previous service on the council and as Liberty Lake mayor, that having the tool has been “phenomenal” in dealing with growth in the city.

Final approval for extending the city’s program lies with the Spokane County Board of Commissioners, who could take it up this coming May or June.

As part of its process, Liberty Lake’s council also approved a resolution establishing the projects to be funded by TIF/ LIFT in 2025 – 2027.

MAY 2025 • 25

The Splash

SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! BEFORE THE BEATLES, BEFORE THE STONES,

ROCK & ROLL WAS BORN

SVSUMMERTHEATRE.COM • BOX OFFICE: 509-368-7897 At University High School Theatre |12420 E. 32nd Ave. Spokane Valley, WA

Sponsored in part by:

DAVID AND CHRISTINA LYNCH

Now open in Liberty Lake!

21808 E INDIANA AVE LIBERTY LAKE, WA 99019

509-425-0088

$98 New Patient Special

Includes Exam, X-Rays & Consultation Not valid with insurance or any other offer. Present coupon at the appointment. Expires 5/31/24. New patients only.

Dr. Cliff Cullings, DDS

SAME DAY EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS • SEDATION AVAILABLE • INVISALIGN • ROOT CANALS & TOOTH REMOVAL KIDS OF ALL AGES WELCOME • DISCOUNTS WHEN YOU PAY SAME DAY

SA

26 • MAY 2025

The Splash THE

Love The Splash?

Support our partners.

SPORTS

The Splash is committed to serving Liberty Lake through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

E NRIC HE D LIV IN G . LA STIN G VA LUE.

THE

YO U WANT

As the weather begins to heat up, so does the track and field season.

For Ridgeline’s boys and girls, that was heralded by the opening of GSL competition on April 17, followed by the Van Kuren Invitational on April 19 in Cheney.

The Falcons played host to University and Central Valley, losing to both schools, with the girls 80-68 loss to CV the closest of the YOU LOVE day.

community

Senior Daden Lewis notched the Falcon boys lone first-place finish, winning the shot put with a toss of 49 feet, 10.75 inches. Second-place finishes went to senior Tanner Hamblin in the 200, sophomore Keenan Huntsinger in the 800, junior Jackson Huettl in the javelin and freshman Gavin O’Connell in the high jump.

Kali Rothrock highlighted the girls’ afternoon, winning the THE YOU D E SE R VE 400-meter dash in 1 minute, 1.08 seconds — a new personal record for the junior — finishing second omes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur in thed’Alene.

200 in 27.66, also a new PR and winning the long jump with Tate Law Office • Liberty Lake Family Dentistry another PR of 16-6.75. Senior Paige r eScott e n s •t o n e h oDental mes.c m JohngL. Avanta •o STA Huntsinger captured the 3,200 in 12:08.29 while junior Millie Bruck won the high jump at 4-10.

quality

THE

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

3x3 Basketball

17

Amaculate Housekeeping

Index of advertisers

Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Splash.

John L Scott - Pam Fredrick

22

Les Schwab

12

Pentagon

19

Revel

3

Shaw Plumbing and HVAC

3

Avanta Dental

13

Liberty Lake Church

20

BPI

22

Liberty Lake EyeCare Center

4

Central Valley Theatre

15

Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market

9

Simonds Dental Group

28

Christian Brothers Automotive

17

Liberty Lake Fitness

5

Spokane Transit Authority

17

City of Liberty Lake

7

Liberty Lake Kiwanis

22

Garden Expo

4

Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District 5

Spokane Valley Senior Center

13

Greenstone

24

Liberty Lake Smile Source

22

Spokane Valley Summer Theatre

21

HUB Sports Center

18

Nothing Bundt Cakes

20

Tate Law

15

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Splash’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Splash’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@libertylakesplash.com. With story ideas, contact editor@libertylakesplash.com.

At the Van Kuren, the Falcon boys placed 16th while the girls were 18th. Lewis was second in the discus and third in the shot put, setting a PR in the former of 170-01 and a season record 50-6 in the latter.

“Senior Daden Lewis is our most accomplished male thrower, and he had an outstanding day at the Van Kuren Invitational, besting his discus PR by a whopping 10 feet,” head coach Brian Spraggins said.

“Currently, he is the seventh ranked discus thrower in the state and the second ranked discus thrower in 3A.” Bruck finished third in the high jump for the girls.

Ben Wick

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

ben@libertylakesplash.com

Danica Wick

CO OWNER

danica@libertylakesplash.com

Track and Field

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Splash and its partner publications:

style

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Continued from page 18 with CV. They broke that streak with a 2-0 win over Cheney, and have won four of their last six games, the only blemishes being a 3-0 loss to 2A West Valley and tie April 19 to G-Prep.

LIBERTY LAKE

CONTRIBUTORS

Nina Culver, John McCallum, Ross Schneidmiller The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 509-242-7752 www.libertylakesplash.com The Splash is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Liberty Lake area.

Additional copies are located at drop-off locations in Liberty Lake and Otis Orchards.

The Splash is brought to you by

Wick Enterprizes Submitted materials

Publishing House

Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Splash.

Subscriptions Liberty Lake residents receive a complimentary copy each month. Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses outside of the 99019 ZIP code cost $20 for 12 issues.

Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must be

received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

Correction policy The Splash strives for accuracy in all content. Errors should be reported immediately to 509-242-7752 or by email to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

Advertising information Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 509-242-7752 for more information.

Advertising integrity Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@libertylakesplash.com. The Splash is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2025 All rights reserved. All contents of The Splash may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

The Splash

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum Presents the story behind Saltese

By Nina Culver

Splash contributor

The expansive deck at the Doris Morrison Learning Center on the edge of the restored Saltese wetlands overlooks acres of water, with the songs of numerous birds and the gentle honking of Canadian geese in the air.

As lush as the area is now, there was once a lake there that stretched for miles before it was drained so a local farmer could use the fertile lakebed to grow hay. Jayne Singleton, director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, recently gave a presentation of the history of the Saltese area to several dozen people inside the Learning Center.

“The Saltese story is a fascinating story,” Singleton said.

The original lake was named after Coeur d’Alene Tribe Chief Andrew Seltice, who lived on the west side of the lake. Living on the southern tip of the lake was one of his sub-chiefs, Quinnamose, Singleton said. In 1898, Quinnamose became the first Native American to file a homestead claim for land around the lake.

ON THAT NOTE to the lake as marshy, so it probably wasn’t deep, Singleton said.

Though the Museum houses many historical documents and photos, they only go back so far, Singleton said.

Much of what the Museum has of the Saltese area came from scrapbooks created by Doris Morrison. “We have very few of just Saltese,” she said.

“We have nothing of the lake before it was drained.”

Peter Morrison had the idea to drain the lake to grow hay, but it was not a simple task. The process to drain the lake took years. Morrison built special wooden shoes for his horses so they wouldn’t sink into the muck at the bottom of the lake, using a farming implement called the Fresno Scraper to dig ditches to drain the lake. The water was diverted to nearby Sink Lake, now called Shelley Lake.

A group of squatters took over some of the recently drained land and Peter Morrison fought their claims to the land in court for more than a decade. He died in 1923 before the case was decided in his favor.

Morrison’s goal was to grow the finest strain of Timothy hay west of the Mississippi and he succeeded, Singleton said. His hay was much sought after. Eventually, a community grew around the former lake. There were one-room schoolhouses, a pioneer cemetery and even a community newspaper for a

short time, Singleton said.

Until several years ago the land was owned by Bud Morrison, Peter Morrison’s grandson. Bud Morrison was present during Singleton’s historical presentation and filled the crowd in on the most recent history of the land.

Several years ago, Spokane County approached him about buying the former lakebed he was using to grow hay and raise cattle to restore the wetlands, he said. “That was a big deal,” he said.

Under the county’s plan, runoff from Mica Peak would be diverted back to refill the wetlands, slowing the runoff so it can help recharge the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. There were also discussions about piping reclaimed wastewater to the site, but that has not materialized.

Bud Morrison agreed to the sale, asking that the county build an interpretive center in honor of his mother, Doris Morrison, a former school teacher. He said on a recent day he watched from his home across the wetlands as numerous school buses pulled up to the Learning Center full of students who were able to spend the day learning about the wetlands and the animals that live there.

“What’s happening is the greatest education that could happen here,” he said. “I knew I did the right thing

MAY 2025 • 27

years ago. There wasn’t any more future in farming.”

The wetlands, the trails that surround it and the interpretive center are assets to the community, he said.

“The County has done everything they said they were going to do,” he said. “It’s everything we wanted. It’s really a beautiful thing.”

In addition to teaching children about the environment, the Doris Morrison Learning Center preserves the history of the area, Singleton said.

“The Saltese has come a long way, lots of development, but there’s still water,” she said. “There’s wildlife. An unbelievable number of birds have come back, including ones that have never been seen here before.”

The Doris Morrison Learning Center, located at 1330 S. Henry Road in Greenacres, is open to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The five miles of trails around the wetlands are always open.

The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, 12114 E. Sprague Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and retired military, $4 for students and free for kids under 7 and active military.

Eventually, when Quinnamose wanted to sell the land, he had to go to court to get permission to do so because of the land restrictions under the Homestead Act. After several years and a trip to the United States Supreme Court, he was granted permission to sell the land, selling it to Spokane banker M.M. Cowley, Singleton said.

Peter Morrison was a Canadian who moved to the area in the late 1800s and started buying land around Saltese Lake. An official U.S. Survey conducted in 1878 measured the lake at around 1,200 acres and 2.5 miles long and one mile wide. There’s no record of how deep the lake was, but the local Native Americans referred

Photo by Nina Culver Spokane Valley Heritage Museum President Jane Singleton presets the history of Saltese at the Museums recent event at the Doris Morrison Learning Center located on the Saltese wetlands campus.

28 • MAY 2025

The Splash

FREE In Office Teeth Whitening

Laughing Gas is Always Free

With purchase of New Patient Exam, Necessary X-rays & Recommended Cleaning. Offer expires 5/31/2025

CALL TODAY!

509-893-1119

22106 E. Country Vista Drive Suite D • Liberty Lake www.SimondsDentalGroup.com Dr. Enoch Ross • Dr. Ross Simonds • Dr. Amanda Roper

Building lasting communities for everyone to be a part of.

ENRICHED LIVING. LASTING VALUE.

New homes in Spokane, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur d’Alene. greenstonehomes.com