Local Girl returns home and joins the news – Meet KREMs newest
Afternoon Anchor
Sydnee Scofield
By Ben Wick Splash Publisher
Sydnee Scofield grew up in Liberty Lake graduating from Central Valley High School before moving away to pursue college and her career, has recently returned home and taken to the airways as KREM 2 News’ newest evening anchor.
From a young age Sydnee knew she wanted to be a reporter. Remembering the time she attended Greenacres Middle School and was a part of the school’s morning announcements closed circuit TV program.
After high school, Sydnee attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. “It was either going to be Washington State University or Arizona State University and I wanted to take the leap,” said Scofield.
After college Scofield got her first television debut in Reno, Nevada getting an anchor and reporter position with Nevada KOLO. From there she made her way back to the pacific northwest taking a position with KHQ in Spokane as our local reporter and weather girl. “I didn’t know much about weather but was excited for the opportunity” explained Scofield.
Recalling one of her most memorable stories was a story about her mom “I wrote a piece about the 1st Dominoe Kidney
DOCKSIDE
Transplant at Sacred Heart.” [A process where a patient that needs a transplant finds a donor willing to donate but which doesn’t match their type agrees to donate if a match is found for that particular patient]. “My mom was able to receive the kidney she needed and got to meet the donor afterwards.” Scofield received an Edward R Murrow award for Excellence for her writing of the story.
From Spokane Sydnee went on to Colorado working for KRDO and became a crime reporter. “I didn’t have a preference on reporting subjects but crime made me feel like I could make a difference” noted Scofield.
While in Colorado Sydnee worked on a series of cold case stories. “I remembering a specific story involving a 14 or 15 year old teen who’s dad had passed away a year later. Unfortunately, the dad was still paying for his daughters
tombstone so when he passed there wasn’t anyone to make the payments and the company had repossessed the tombstone,” explained Scofield. “Luckily through the story we were able to raise the funds needed to purchase another stone and one year after the story they were able to resolve the case.”
I like to share stories and let people know that their loved ones matter said Scofield.
While Sydnee isn’t one to bring up her accolades Sydnee received an Emmy Award for highlighting the local impact of the war in Ukraine. “Hearing the news that Russa had invaded Ukraine, I reached out to the local Ukrainian community to get their reaction and was able to interview a lady who’s dad was still in Kiev, during the facetime call you could hear the bombs falling in the back ground and she wasn’t sure if that
was going to be the last time she was going to be able to see her dad”
“My goal is to do stories that I am proud of, that’s enough for me.”
While the communications and television industries are changing, Sydnees advice for those interested in going into the field. “Be flexible, the field is changing rapidly with technology but there are many adventures and opportunities, you have to find ways to reach people.”
At KREM Sydnee is excited to tell stories, in long form, and looks forward to being very hands on and collaborating on the news. “If you have a story idea, please feel free to reach out to me at sscofield@krem.com.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about being back home?
A: Spending time with family! I’ve spent most of my career away from them, so getting to see them all the time in this new chapter feels like such a gift.
Q: Has there been any surprises since you announced you were returning to Spokane?
A: I couldn’t believe how many people I heard from! People from all chapters of my life took the time to reach out and welcome me home. It meant a lot to me to hear from my teachers, old friends, distant family members, friends of my parents - it was really special.
Q: Is this where you envisioned yourself 10 or 15 years after high school?
A: Not exactly. To be completely candid, I thought for sure I’d be married with kids at this point in my life. Sometimes life turns out differently that you planned, and that’s okay! I am living my lifelong dream of being a broadcaster. I think a younger version of myself would be really excited to know I’m an Emmy-award winning
Contributed Photo Sydnee Scofield was born and raised in Liberty Lake graduating from Central Valley High School before moving away to chase her dreams of being a TV Journalist. Sydnee has recently returned home and has is the newest KREM night time news anchor.
Central Valley School District (CVSD) is connecting with our Central Valley community through this monthly Link.
Listening to our community...
CVSD is listening to feedback on our school calendar designed to support academic pacing and student wellbeing. A recent survey of parents, students and staff showed 73–84% satisfaction—affirming our direction.
Overall satisfaction ran high across all three groups. Parents reported 73.5% overall satisfaction, with 73.8% positive about the start of the year
Students were similarly positive (74% satisfied overall; 78% positive start).
Staff expressed the strongest approval (79% overall; 84.6% positive start). First quarter breaks drew favorable ratings from parents (76.2%), students (84%) and staff (83.4%).
Parents commented about conference scheduling, childcare/working-parent impacts and clarity around late starts and holidays. Students appreciated periodic breaks to “reset” and noted pacing around AP/test prep.
Midwinter break is February 16-20 and both the HUB Sports Center and Valley Boys and Girls Club are offering programs for children to participate during break. See: www.cvsd.org/AfterSchool
Planning ahead for what’s next
The district will do a quick check in again on February 23, following the new midwinter break, then use this input to fine tune the 2026-2027 calendar. Once adopted by the School Board, it will be communicated out.
For more info: www.cvsd.org/BalancedCalendar
CVSD is making the grade...
Check out our 2025 District Report Card to our community with progress toward our Strategic Roadmap goals and the State of the District data. View the full report at: www.cvsd.org/ReportCard
A few noteworthy notes:
!Graduating on time–93.3% rate remains higher than the state (82.8%) and national averages.
!Improved academics–students perform better than state averages on all required assessments.
!Providing opportunities–over 20,000 participants in after-school programs.
!Creating possibilities–91 students participate in the new AA degree in the HS program.
!Traversing technology–over 500 students participate in online and blended learning opportunities through our virtual programs.
!Delivering on the Capital Improvements Levy promise–on/below budget and five years ahead of schedule.
!Strong financial track record–18 consecutive years of no state accountability audit findings and Moody’s Investors Service assigned the district an “Aa3” credit rating, citing improved financial stability
LL City Council discusses Tree Removal
By Nina Culver Splash contributor
Neighborhood objection to the removal of 51 black locust trees on East Sprague next to the Liberty Lake Golf Course came too late, with several residents speaking at the January 20 city council meeting. The tree removal project, which is being completed by Spokane County, started the next day.
A memorandum of understanding about the project was approved by the city council at the January 6 council meeting. The MOU was originally on the consent agenda, which is usually passed without discussion, but was removed at the request of councilman Dan Dunne so the council could discuss it.
Public Works Director Ben Turner said no one knows for sure when the trees were planted, but it's estimated that they were planted sometime in the 1960s. In recent years the trees have begun dying, Turner said. Dead branches overhang the road and a walking path. “They’ve been a safety hazard since 2010,” he said.
Some large dead branches came down in a recent windstorm, landing on a walking path underneath the trees and damaging the golf course fence.
Last summer the city hired an arborist to evaluate the trees. The city went to Spokane County and asked for the trees to be trimmed to remove the deadwood, but the County instead decided to remove the trees. Part of the reason for the County’s removal decision is the city’s plan to remove the trees during a road widening project for that stretch of Sprague Avenue planned for 2030.
Once that widening project is complete, new trees will be planted, Turner said. “It’s important to note the trees will be replaced,” he said.
The council voted January 6 to move forward with the tree removal and to contribute $30,000 of the total cost of $71,400.
However, many residents were apparently unaware of the project until it was detailed in a Spokesman-Review article on January 16.
Resident Kathy Olson said at the January 20 council meeting that she often walks along that stretch of Sprague Avenue. She urged the council to trim the trees instead of removing them “We feel the plants are very much alive,” she said.
Another resident said he worries that if the trees are removed, errant golf balls will hit his house and cause his insurance rates to go up.
Marguerite Conlon said she lives across the street from the trees. “It protects my house from the golf course and the golf balls,” she said. “I do not think they’re dying."
She said she’s upset that a representative of Spokane County told her the project was a “done deal” when she called. “This decision was made without thought,” she said. “This decision was made without allowing us to be a part of that decision.”
Two days later, the city posted a lengthy explanation about the project on the city web site and also made several posts on Facebook.
In other business on January 6, newly elected council members Arlene Fisher, Rick Klinger, Hugh Severs and Summer Darrow took the oath of office, which was administered by Spokane County District Court Judge Richard Leland.
The council also discussed whether or not to accept a $15,000 donation from Pawpular Companions to build a Rainbow Bridge project at Rocky Hill Park. The multi-colored bridge arching over a dry rock bed would then be used for people to hang tags memorializing their pets.
Councilman Severs expressed concern that it appeared that people would be required to purchase memorial tags from Pawpular Companions instead of using their own. “I want to make sure if it's a gift to the city it’s open to all citizens,” he said.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Jen Camp said she wasn’t sure. “Those are details we haven’t worked out,” she said.
“I think it’s a wonderful project,” Severs said. “It sounds fantastic. I’m concerned that there’s a tie to one business. I just want to make sure that’s ironed out.”
Fisher and Darrow also expressed similar concerns and Darrow said people should be able to hang a tag they have saved instead of purchasing a new one. The majority of the council voted to defer a decision until more information was available.
At the January 20 meeting, Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission member Nancy Hill apologized for the incomplete information previously presented. “We may not have fleshed out all the details,” she said. “I do apologize. We were so excited.”
The proposed donation and project will be back before the council at the February 3 meeting.
In other business on January 20,
Councilman Dan Dunne was elected mayor pro-tem. Council members Annie Kurtz and Hugh Severs were also nominated and there were two rounds of voting before Dunne was elected. He received yes votes from Kurtz, Dunn, Severs and Darrow.
The council heard a report from the Spokane Transit Authority on their new 10-year strategic plan called Connect 2035. The plan includes the construction of a new Park and Ride facility on Appleway Avenue in Liberty Lake, which will be added to Route 9. STA also plans to add more bus shelters and benches throughout its system.
Police Chief Damon Simmons and a representative from the company Verkada made a presentation about the proposed purchase of cameras to be installed in city parks.
“We have multiple camera systems in our parks right now,” he said. “They’re obsolete. They don’t work.”
Simmons said he did months of research on different camera systems and met with several potential vendors before selecting Verkada. Grace Rapaski, an account manager with Verkada, said the cameras are plug and play and only need power and internet access. “We’re easy, we’re smart and we’re scaleable,” she said.
The cameras can be controlled remotely and can be programmed to send alerts for certain types of activity. Simmons said he has tested three cameras, each of which has four lenses that cover a full 360 degrees. The cameras are mounted on light poles, high off the ground. Simmons said he would like enough to cover the parking lots and play areas of all city parks.
Dunne questioned the security of the camera feeds and asked if the videos generated would be subject to public records requests. “Are we ready to redact and get those out?” he said.
“Records requests are the last thing I’m worried about,” Simmons said. “I’m worried about the safety of the people using the parks.”
Having new cameras installed will allow officers to check the parks for after hours activity remotely, Simmons said. “Right now we have to drive from park to park to park to check,” he said.
Simmons said the cameras he has been testing have already made a difference, particularly in Town Square Park. “They solved a lot of problems for us,” he said. “It’s crystal clear at night.”
The camera proposal will come back before the council for approval at a future meeting.
Council maintains FLOCK Camera system
By Nina Culver Splash contributor
The Liberty Lake City Council hesitated in January when asked to approve an expense of just under $65,000 to maintain the 19 Flock cameras that are in place around the city, but voted to approve the expense after Liberty Lake Police Chief Damon Simmons reassured them that the cameras would not be accessed by the federal government for immigration enforcement.
The expense was originally on the consent agenda at the January 6 city council meeting. The consent agenda usually passes without discussion, but councilwoman Linda Ball asked that it be removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
Resident Lynn Atkins also expressed concern about the city’s use of Flock cameras, which scan the license plates of cars that drive by. Atkins said she’d heard that some federal agencies were misusing the system without the knowledge of local police departments and was concerned about the security of the system.
“Your concerns are legitimate concerns,” Simmons said.
Simmons said he’d read the recent University of Washington report that said the U.S. Border Patrol appeared to have “back door” access to Flock data. “It’s my opinion that there are some things in that study that aren’t entirely accurate,” he said.
Flock cameras are a helpful tool for the police department, Simmons said. It captures only vehicle license plates and a photo of the vehicle. It does not identify who is driving. He said. “It doesn’t detect people,” he said. “You can stand in front of one of the cameras all day long and it won’t take your picture.”
By the end of November, the Flock system had scanned over 1 million unique license plates, Simmons said. Police can either flag a license plate for the system to
look for or search by license plate or vehicle description.
“It gives us real time investigative leads,” Simmons said. “Flock cameras act as a deterrent. Our clearance rates have increased exponentially.”
Simmons said police departments in Washington are prevented by law from being involved in immigration enforcement, which is a civil issue rather than criminal. The cameras are only used in criminal investigations, he said. “It’s not used for immigration or traffic enforcement,” he said.
The system logs the date and time of any search in addition to what cameras were accessed, who accessed them and for what reason.
Agencies are required to put in an explanation for why the information is needed, usually providing a description of an ongoing criminal case as well as a case number, Simmons said.
“We monitor that,” he said. “I conduct an audit every month on internal use and use by other agencies. It’s easily traceable.”
The data collected is maintained by the city, not a third party, Simmons said. There is two-part authentication required to sign into the system.
In the past various federal agencies have accessed the cameras for criminal investigations, but Simmons said he revoked all federal access after hearing reports that the Flock system was possibly being used in some areas for immigration
enforcement.
Still, Simmons said he hasn’t found any evidence that his department’s cameras were accessed inappropriately. “I don’t believe that’s ever happened with us,” he said. “I don’t believe our cameras were ever used for immigration services.”
Simmons said the Flock cameras are a crucial tool and urged the council to keep funding the system. “If you eliminate that tool from our toolbox, it will have a significant effect on public safety,” he said.
Ball said that 16 states currently have laws regulating the use of license plate recognition cameras. She noted that the Washington State Legislature recently introduced a bill that would require police departments with Flock cameras to delete the data, with some exceptions, after 72 hours. Currently photos taken by the system that are not downloaded are deleted after 30 days.
In a separate interview, Simmons gave more detailed information on the benefits of the Flock system. If a vehicle associated with a wanted person or a crime is entered into the system and then scanned by a camera, officers get real time alerts on their phones and computers, Simmons said.
The city has been using the cameras since 2023 and the first successful case came quickly. A vehicle hit a curb and damaged the fence at a local golf course, causing $20,000 in damage. The new Flock
system was used to identify the semi that did the damage. “They had been up for less than an hour,” he said.
The Flock cameras have led to 24 arrests as well as the recovery of eight stolen vehicles and six stolen license plates. It has also flagged cars involved in a missing persons case, allowing officers to contact those people.
Simmons said a woman was hiking in the Mackenzie Natural Area in June of 2023 when she reported an attempted rape. She was able to give a description of the vehicle the man was driving and that description was entered into the Flock system.
“That’s how we located that suspect,” Simmons said. “We also used our Flock cameras to show his predatory nature. He had been in that area a week, looking for a victim.”
Last summer police were looking for a car associated with some juvenile runaways and the car was identified on a Flock camera. “I located them and stopped them,” Simmons said. “It was a car full of juveniles. They had just stolen a ton of alcohol, so we got that back.”
Simmons said it’s not unusual for Liberty Lake’s cameras to be accessed by other law enforcement agencies in Spokane County and across the state. Cameras were recently accessed by police in SeaTac working on a human trafficking case and police in Mill Creek looking for a burglary suspect. But the cameras are only accessed for specific photos taken of specified vehicles, Simmons said. “They’re not willy nilly just looking at our cameras,” he said. Such shared use is important because criminals don’t stay in one place, Simmons said. “Crooks travel,” he said. “When you talk about public safety, geographical boundaries don’t mean anything. It’s essential in law enforcement that we’re able to communicate and share resources.”
Simmons remains vigilant about checking to see who is requesting data from his cameras. “I audit that,” he said. “I was doing it once a month, but since it’s become an issue, sometimes I do it once a week.”
The city council voted unanimously to spend the money to maintain the Flock camera system for the year.
The Lookout
Molter Road’s medians are getting xeriscaped
The more open view that travelers have been seeing of Molter Road along Liberty Lake Elementary School and Pavillion Park is going to remain that way.
After removing several dead and declining purple leaf plum trees from the Molter medians a year ago, the city has decided not to replant those medians with grass and ornamental trees – an option that would require substantial water and ongoing maintenance for the new plantings to remain healthy.
Instead, the medians are going to be xeriscaped – a landscaping practice that uses drought-resistant plants with a rock garden look. This method will reduce irrigation in those lane divider areas. The middle of Molter started to get this revised appearance when the
City’s 25th birthday to be celebrated with “Founders and Fireworks”
2026 is both the 25th birthday of the City of Liberty and the 250th birthday of the United States of America. With only a zero marking the difference between those two celebratory milestones, the city will be combining its usual Barefoot in the Park activities into what will be a much more expanded 4th of July event this year at Pavillion Park.
This year’s special “Founders and Fireworks” celebration will start early in the afternoon on July 4. For 2026, that day will feature many of the attractions that in previous years have been part of August’s Barefoot in the Park – including bands, the car show, kids activities, and all-ages
decorative rocks began filling the medians during the end of 2025.
Since the medians are near a school zone and public park, the city’s decision to not replant trees there will also maintain more open visibility on the road for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. This spring, lower-growing vegetation will be added there that will help maintain clear sightlines, improve visibility at crossings, and support overall traffic safety for those attending the school or visiting the park.
Said Dan Maus, the city’s horticulture division supervisor: “The new xeriscaped median will showcase native plants with seasonal color and visual interest, while reducing water use, lowering maintenance cost, and supporting pollinators. Over time, this approach creates a safer, more sustainable streetscape that reflects the city’s commitment to conservation, fiscal responsibility, and community safety.”
Feb. 27 is the deadline for your Community Satisfaction Survey
The deadline to contribute your responses to the Liberty Lake’s 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey is coming up on Friday, Feb. 27. Surveys completed by the end of that day will also be included in a random drawing to win one of five free passes for an hour of time on the indoor simulators at Trailhead Golf course.
The Community Satisfaction Survey is used to measure resident sentiment on priorities connected to Liberty Lake’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. This third annual survey gives
games. There will also be special commemorations recognizing the city’s and the nation’s birthdays. The evening will end with an expanded fireworks show.
Put a star on your calendar for July 4, and watch for further details about “Founders and Fireworks” later in the spring!
Officer Mahoney joins the LLPD
The City of Liberty Lake’s first new employee of 2026 is Officer Jill Mahoney, who was sworn in as the latest addition to the Liberty Lake Police Department on Jan. 5.
residents the chance to provide their feedback on topics such as their use and ratings of city services, their quality of life in Liberty Lake, and the priorities they could like to see pursued by the city’s government.
Invitation cards were mailed out in mid-January, and –for this year’s edition of the third annual survey – those invitations were expanded to try to reach nearly every residential household within the Liberty Lake city limits. Those needing assistance with the online survey can get help by visiting with one of the staff members at the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. If you have further questions about the survey – including help on call City Hall at 509-755-6700.
Officer Mahoney joins the LLPD from Colorado’s City of Boulder Police Department, where she began her career in law enforcement in 2021. She served multiple roles there, including service as a field training officer, SWAT negotiator, recruitment officer, and crime scene investigator.
Mahoney was previously involved in collegiate coaching at Western Colorado University, Southern Utah University, and the University of Colorado. She earned an associate degree from Cloud County Community College in Kansas, and attended Grand Canyon University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in educational administration.
Introducing the Safety Awareness Channel
LLPD Crime Analysis
Property Crimes Calls for Service: 18
Police Report - Dec. 2025
Splash news sources
VEHICLE RECOVERY
• 2025-88013223: On 12/8, a male was contacted at the 76 Station after Flock alerted the vehicle he was driving was stolen. He gave a false name initially but was eventually identified by CDA PD and confirmed by fingerprints. He
was arrested without further incident.
• 2025-88013593: On 12/21, officers recovered a stolen Toyota Scion and arrested the driver for Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle. The vehicle was initially detected by a Flock camera and located in Yoke’s grocery store parking lot. The driver claimed he was unaware it had been stolen.
VEHICLE PROWL
• 2025-88013219: On 12/9,
LLPD Crime Analysis
Traffic Stops: 139 / Citations Issued: 20
$15,000 in tools was stolen from a work van that was parked at Christian Brothers Automotive. Security footage is possibly available.
• 2025-88013364: On 12/15, two vehicles had windows smashed while parked at Tire Rama, unknown if any items were taken. No security footage was available.
THEFT
• 2025-88013554: On 12/19, this unidentified male stole a propane tank ($90) and shop vacuum ($35) from the patio area of Barlow’s Restaurant. The suspects conducted surveillance of the location before returning to commit the theft, and the incident was captured on the business’s security cameras.
• 2025-88013596: On 12/21, an unknown white male suspect stole approximately $100 worth of food items after being partially stopped by a store employee who recovered $25 worth of merchandise. The employee indicated he could recognize the suspect if seen again.
There were multiple reports of people attempting to steal packages off the residential porches. Officers continued to make proactive contacts with any suspicious vehicles seen throughout the community that may be looking for easy targets. The Liberty Lake Police Department would also like to remind everyone to be vigilant when securing your homes and automobiles. Several vehicles and homes that have been reported as being stolen or burglarized in recent cases have been left unsecure.
SAFETY CHANNEL
Total Calls for Service: 833
SCOFIELD
Continued from page 2
journalist anchoring the evening news in my hometown!
Q: You mentioned your dad passed away just before you made your television debut, how has that impacted your life?
A: I grew up watching the news with my dad, it’s part of why I chose to pursue this career. He passed away while I was in college, just a few months before I went on air for the first time. Every accomplishment since he passed feels a little bittersweet. I keep a picture of him on my desk at work and hope I make him proud every time I go on the air. I feel very lucky I got to be his daughter.
There seems to be a lot of mistrust in media currently, having worked in National news as well as local news, what do you see as your role at KREM as a local news anchor? (I technically haven’t worked in national news, but I’ve collaborated with the national networks in my previous roles.)
I understand some of the mistrust on a national level, but locally, the folks you see on the news are your neighbors. We care about our communities just like you do. We’re not here to push agendas, we’re here to keep you informed about everything you need to know in the Inland Northwest. If we’re not covering something that you think is important, please reach out to us.
Q: Do you have any advice for youth that might be interested in pursuing a career in Television or news?
Though broadcast journalism is changing every day, the foundation of what we do will always be critical. If you like storytelling and keeping people informed, it’s worth looking into this career! It definitely has its challenging days, but I’ve always found this work to be extremely rewarding. I’m also always happy to help out students who are interested in broadcast news! I was fortunate to have a lot of help over the years and would love to help out others who are thinking about pursuing this career.
LLPD restarts its K9 program thanks to help from the Community
By Nina Culver Splash contributor
The Liberty Lake Police Department hired another new officer at the end of last year, but this one has four feet, fur and answers to Maverick.
Police Chief Damon Simmons said he did extensive research before deciding to get a patrol
dog for the department, including talking to other agencies and dog handlers in the area. Simmons said he worked extensively with the K9 coordinators with the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
“This was a two year process,” he said. “It’s such an extensive program to plan and implement. They were so helpful in helping us decide to do the program.”
As a smaller police department, his agency often has had to rely on larger agencies for resources such as a K9, Simmons said. In recent years he’s been pushing for the department to get its own traffic investigators, forensic technicians and drone operators. “We need to be more self-sufficient,” he said. “We need to have resources in house.”
One specific incident helped Simmons decide to get a dog for the department. Liberty Lake officers responded to a call and were searching for a
violent suspect. A search of the area didn’t locate him. The department requested a K9 from the Sheriff’s Office to help with the search, but none was available.
While officers were still on scene at the original call location, an officer happened to look down and see part of an arm under a parked trailer.
“The suspect wasn’t gone,” Simmons said. “He was hiding under a trailer for an hour and a half while they were there. That’s what sealed the deal.”
Photo by Nina Culver Liberty Lake Police Officer Jordan Tuttle and his new K9, Maverick. Tuttle and Maverick have completed 9 months of training and certification in order to restore Liberty Lakes K9 program and are ready to serve.
COVER STORY
Before launching the program, however, Simmons had to find someone willing to take on the job of dog handler. He thought of Jordan Tuttle, who was born and raised in Liberty Lake. Tuttle worked in Benton County for five years, first as a corrections officer and then on patrol with the Sheriff’s Office. When Tuttle was hired in Liberty Lake in 2023, he was asked what his career goals were. Tuttle responded that he wanted to be a K9 handler.
At the time, the Liberty Lake Police Department didn’t have a K9 program, but Tuttle said Simmons asked him if he was still interested about a year and a half ago. “I didn’t ask my wife, I just said yes,” he said.
Putting a K9 program together from scratch took time. Last summer, Tuttle went to North Carolina, where he picked up Maverick, a purebred German Shepherd. The two attended ten weeks of training together, putting in 950 hours as Maverick learned to be a patrol dog as well as a drug detection dog. When they returned, however, there was more training to be done. The duo attended a 12-week training school through the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
listen to you.”
Tuttle usually works the night shift and he said there’s plenty of down time to work on training with Maverick. “This town shuts down around midnight,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of criminal activity. It’s a slower pace for us to build a better team and a better department.”
But that down time can also be a struggle. In his first month on the job, Maverick didn’t have a single tracking or apprehension call. “He loves to work,” Tuttle said. “I have to find other things to keep him occupied. Overall, it’s good and it’s challenging.”
Once things settle down for the night, Tuttle and Maverick will often head to a park or a local school and practice tracking or just play fetch. Tuttle said the tracking drills are helping him learn how Maverick works and how to read his body language.
and he saw her and within 30 seconds he was leaning against her looking for pets,” he said.
Maverick’s evening routine includes saying goodbye to each family member before he and Tuttle go off to work. “He loves that little bit of affection before work,” he said.
The department had to get a lot of specialized equipment for Maverick and put new equipment in Tuttle’s SUV. In addition to the button that opens the back door, there are perforated window shields in place to prevent people from trying to stick their hands inside the car. There are heat alarms in the car that sound when the temperature inside gets to 82 degrees. If that happens, the windows go down, the air conditioning comes on and a back seat fan is also activated.
in order to become certified to work in Washington State.
Maverick’s current certification is only in tracking and apprehension. They will go back later to be certified to do drug detection work in Washington State, Tuttle said.
Tuttle said his mother reports that he first said he wanted to be a police officer when he was 6.
It seemed only natural, since his grandfather was a game warden, his great-grandfather had been a state trooper and two uncles were also in law enforcement.
Tuttle said he likes working with a partner who doesn’t argue with you in the car, doesn’t complain about the music you pick and doesn’t care where you go to dinner. On a more serious note, Tuttle said he likes having backup available instantly if he needs it.
“There’s somebody in my back seat to help me,” he said.
Being a dog handler is a lot of work, but Tuttle said he knew what he was signing up for. “It’s a lot more dedication,” he said. “My work goes home with me at night and I’m on call 24/7. It’s a challenge every day. You’re taking a tool with a mind of its own and trying to get him to
Though he’s not currently certified for drug detection, Tuttle said he does some training in that area as well. “We do some training occasionally just to keep him fresh,” he said.
Maverick is learning Tuttle’s cues as well. The dog knows that if Tuttle gets out the 30-foot long leash, he’ll be tracking, but if Tuttle grabs the short leash, he’ll be doing apprehension work. “Him and I have special cues to help him look for what I need him to look for,” Tuttle said.
Tuttle wears a button on his uniform that he can press to open the back door of his car, releasing Maverick. “He’s trained to come to me first before he does anything else,” he said.
The duo often train with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office dog handlers so Maverick can train with a bite suit.
Off duty, Maverick lives in a special kennel at Tuttle’s house. Tuttle and his wife have four children ranging in age from 10 to 3 and Maverick was introduced to them carefully, Tuttle said. “He integrated with my family very slowly,” he said.
However, it was apparently love at first sight for Maverick and Tuttle’s wife. “She saw him
Everything about the car is designed for Maverick’s comfort. “This is his car,” Tuttle said. “That’s why his name is on it. I’m just the chauffeur.”
There are also two specialized first aid kits in the car, as well as a stab-proof vest for Maverick that was donated by Pawpular Companions. The company has also donated toys and other items, Tuttle said. “Pawpular Companions has been a huge helper and advocate for us,” he said.
The start up costs for the K9 program were about $56,000, said Simmons. That includes a little over $13,000 for the car modifications, $3,800 for a kennel and $17,500 for Maverick himself. The department also purchased a bite suit and other equipment. The annual budget is $16,500 a year, which is mostly for food and veterinary care. Simmons said he hopes to be able to get donations to lower that cost even further.
“K9 programs tend to run themselves,” he said. “People love dogs. We get a lot of donations.”
Meanwhile, Tuttle is grateful that he was able to attain his goal of being a K9 handler. “It’s been a very great blessing,” he said. “I’m learning a lot with him.”
Photo by Nina Culver Stab-proof vest for Maverick was donated by Pawpular Companions who is also donating all of Mavericks Food and toys.
Student of the Month
Joel Carver is a dedicated senior at Ridgeline High School, maintaining an impressive 3.84 GPA while excelling as a varsity football cornerback—a sport he has played since seventh grade. Beyond athletics, Joel makes a positive impact by participating in the Special Olympics Unified sports teams, where he helps students with intellectual disabilities train and compete, including two years on the Unified Basketball team and involvement with the founding of the Unified Track and Field team. Inspired by his mother and encouraged by friends, Joel embraced the Special Olympics Unified Sports program, demonstrating his commitment to inclusivity and leadership. As a National Honor Society member, Joel has also achieved academic distinction. After graduation, he plans to attend the University of Idaho to study Forestry and hopes to join the university’s fire resident program, living alongside the volunteer fire department while preparing for a career as a firefighter. Ultimately, Joel aspires to serve his community as a Spokane Valley Fire Fighter.
Athlete of the Month
Ridgeline senior Madi Crowley has made an impressive mark as the Center for her basketball team, recently becoming the school’s first female athlete to reach 1,000 career points. Madi’s passion for basketball started in third grade and grew stronger by seventh grade. Over the past several years, she has excelled with the NW Blazers club team, traveling across the East Coast for tournaments each summer. Beyond athletics, Madi is actively involved in Ridgeline’s Key Club, Link Crew, and National Honor Society, and she loves giving back by volunteering at youth basketball camps and coaching a third-grade team. She also enjoys helping with school events like the Father Daughter Dance and Trunk or Treat. Her dedication and hard work led to her being recruited by the Michigan State University Crew Team during a basketball tournament, and she’s excited to join their program next year, having fallen in love with the coaches and campus community.
Citizen of the Month
Jacqueline Barnard, the owner of River City Pizza, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her business. She holds a BS in Communications from the University of Idaho and a Master’s in Business from the University of Phoenix. After graduating, she gained valuable professional experience at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and as Development Coordinator for Washington State University. In 2016, Jacqueline fulfilled her dream of becoming a business owner by purchasing River City Pizza. She is also deeply involved in her community, volunteering at her children’s school, previously serving on the PTSA board, and hosting fun pizza-making field trips for kids. With the support of her husband Phillip, Jacqueline has helped River City Pizza grow, recently opening a fifth location on 16th in Spokane Valley. The business also proudly serves customers in Post Falls, Cour D’Alene, Otis Orchards, and east Spokane Valley.
By John McCallum Splash contributor
Boys basketball
Falcons winter sports action continues
The Falcons are tied with Cheney at 2-3 for sixth in the GSL overall and fourth among 3A classification teams. Ridgeline is 6-10 overall with four games remaining as of Jan. 27, including games against University on Jan. 30 and the regular-season finale at home against Central Valley on Feb. 6, both tied atop the GSL 3A standings at 4-2, 11-5.
Girls basketball
Gymnastics
Led by returning All-GSL senior post Madilyn Crowley, the Ridgeline girls are sitting atop the GSL 3A standings at 4-1, 12-4 overall — third behind 4A Mead (50, 13-2) and unbeaten, third-ranked Gonzaga Prep (5-0, 15-0). Three of the Falcons four final games could likely factor into how they finish the regular season, beginning with a Jan. 27 road game against the Panthers and a Jan. 30 home game with University, who is a half-game behind at 4-2, 11-5.
Ridgeline finished the regular season at home against sixthplace CV on Feb. 6. The Falcons were ranked 12th as of Jan. 28 in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s 3A RPI poll.
Sophomore Kalie Hirshfield placed third in all-around competition with a score of 101.575 at the first GSL meet held Dec. 17 at Central Valley High School. No other results were available at press time.
Wrestling
The Falcons are 3-4 in GSL action as of Jan. 27. No specific individual results were available at press time.
Photo by fuehrphotographylibertylake
Right: Freshman point guard, Gigi Wimberley.
Unified! –Falcons Special Olympics teams excel with student support
By John McCallum
Splash contributor
When Nick Jennings made his first 3-point basket against North Central, the roar from students and fans inside the Ridgeline High School gym was almost deafening.
As the senior ran down the court pumping his arms after making his second and third 3s, the sound was even louder.
Jennings is one of 23 players on the Falcons’ Unified Sports team — a program that began roughly the same time the high school opened in September, 2021. Grady Emmmerson, Ridgeline Assistant Principal for Athletics and Activities, said former teacher Miranda DePriest was the impetus in getting the Unified Sports program up and running at the school.
“Everything was new to us then,” Emmerson said. “Our philosophy is, ‘Let’s make it work until it doesn’t.’”
DePriest teamed with fellow special education teacher Danae Unland to start the program. Initially, it met as a club in a classroom for activities, facing challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic such as mask requirements and distance restrictions. As these eased, Unland said they “branched out into doing sports as soon as we could.”
DePriest left the school to focus more time on family, leading to Unland taking on leadership.
“Jesse (Ridgeline Principal Hardt) kind of inherited me,” Unland said, adding with a laugh that “My request during
the interview was I get to run Unified, not the other way around.”
Integrating inclusion
Unland is very familiar with the Unified Sports Program, having brothers participating in it at Central Valley High School. Started in 1989 when Special Olympics made it a global program, Unified Sports gained significant momentum in United States schools in 2008 when Special Olympics launched “Project Unify,” now known as Unified Champion Schools.
Unified Sports is built on the concept of “integrated sports” first introduced by Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1983. The program blends individuals with disabilities and individuals without on teams to encourage participation and foster inclusion.
The “Resource Guide for Administering Special Olympics Unified Sports at the High School Interscholastic Level” sets a number of guidelines for schools developing their programs. Created by Special Olympics and the National Federation of State High School Associations, the guidelines begin by requiring teams be “administered and supported in a similar fashion as other interscholastic sports team.”
That guideline was evident at Ridgeline’s Jan. 9 games with visiting Cheney and North Central — an evening that also honored the team’s eight seniors. Parents and fans took up about two-thirds of the eastside bleachers, while a small but boisterous group of 50-60 students cheered from the westside student section, with cheerleaders and the band pumping up the energy.
At halftime of both Falcons games, the Ridgeline dance team performed several routines.
Unland said in the beginning attendance was light, but over time, as more students heard of the teams and the school highlighted their achievements, attendance grew. That support is what Unified Sports players like Jennings, Ryan Myers, Evan
House and Brody Blanton said they love about the program.
“Which is my plan all along, to get people to show up before the game starts,” Myers said with a smile in a Jan. 27 interview with all four.
“Well, Mr. Popular, you certainly did it,” Unland teased him.
Athletes and partners, leaders and mentors
There are three levels of Unified Sports: recreation, developmental and competitive. Each have different requirements and rules, with recreational more informal and less adherent to a sport’s rules while competitive is more intense.
Ridgeline is a Unified Champion School, which Unland said is in-between developmental and competitive, blending aspects of both. How those are applied often depends upon the sport.
Teams are composed of roughly equal numbers of athletes — those with disabilities — and partners — those without.
Ridgeline’s basketball roster has 11 athletes and 12 partners. House, who is a partner, said game lineups consist of two partners assisting three athletes. Partners can pass and rebound, but don’t shoot, while athletes do all three.
“Partners help coordinate things, like with the defense,” House said.
Unland said partners also act as leaders and mentors, focusing on inclusion and being peers to the athletes.
“I’ve been so blessed and lucky to have great partners,” she said. “They have to learn how to tell kids what to do, to direct them while letting them be more independent and gain that confidence.”
It’s part of another Unified guideline that specifies all teammates be “meaningfully involved in training and competition and have the opportunity to contribute.” Unland said not all athletes need the same level of support, with some such as Jennings, Myers
Photo by John McCallum Ryan Myers (left) watches as Nick Jennings gets off the first of his three 3-point baskets during the Jan. 9 game with visiting North Central.
and Blanton also serving as partners to assist other athletes.
Besides regular games, the Unified Sports basketball and track and field teams practice once a week with games every two weeks while bowling in the fall practicing weekly and competing in tournaments. Blanton said practices include fundamental drills and making improvements on things seen during games.
“I will say we have improved a lot from our practices,” Blanton said, with Unland nodding in agreement. “It helps us get into a mindset where we don’t even think about what we’re doing during games.”
Support and having fun
Blanton, House, Jennings and Myers each had different reasons for getting involved in Unified Sports, but also similar motivations. All of them said they enjoyed the community support and involvement, and that competing in the sports was fun.
Blanton said he always wanted to compete in sports, but brain surgery in 2019 left him with very restricted movement on his right side. A natural left hander, the junior said he joined the Unified team for track in 2025, and has since added basketball.
“The guys are really fun to be around and talk to on the bench,” Blanton said, adding he often passes up shooting so others can do so. “It gives me an opportunity to tell myself it’s not just about me, it’s about your whole team, make sure you get everybody involved.”
Also a junior, House said he wanted to play football but his parents wouldn’t let him. He turned to club soccer, and after hearing about Unified Sports as a freshman during Spanish class, decided to give it a try.
“I thought it would be fun to get some extra touches in,” he said. “First day I was there, I saw this man (pointing to Jennings) and knew this was for me.”
Both Jennings and Myers started in Unified Sports thanks for friends or family. Jennings said he started as a freshman
SPORTS
after a friend of his who was a senior athlete urged him to join. He also competes on the bowling team (high game 222) but loves basketball.
“All day long,” Jennings said, adding he’s developed his 3-point shooting prowess by watching NBA players.
“Nick is going to be the next Steph Curry,” Blanton said, referencing the Golden State Warriors star.
Myers started in Unified as a sophomore in 2023, and enjoys bowling as well as basketball. At competition this fall, he bowled over 200 and won a silver medal.
“I qualified to go to state, which is good,” he said. “First time ever going to state.”
Unland added Ridgeline had a girl win gold and qualify, but was unable to send athletes to state because of logistics.
Competition and experience Ridgeline’s Unified basketball
team is currently 6-3-1 in Greater Spokane League competition — a record that speaks highly of the team’s development and about local competition. It’s also something that points to the GSL and area schools adhering to the program’s guidelines for “genuine competition and experience” and competing against other Unified teams.
Emmerson said originally, Unified Sports in the area was somewhat of a “patch work” of programs. A couple of years ago, schools began asking each other who was involved in the program and in which sports they were participating. GSL officials and school athletic directors began coordinating their participation, adding it to regular agendas and thereby leading to a “unified” approach, creating actual seasons, schedules and guidelines.
Emmerson said one of the toughest aspects of developing the league Unified program was
working with Special Olympics, mainly surrounding the application of specific sports’ rules, how those rules are applied and the various levels of each school’s programs. Special Olympics provided a flow chart that helped the league and schools understand and better design their programs.
“Consistency breeds popularity,” Emmerson said. “Everybody knows what to expect.”
Emmerson, who has a son who participated in Unified Sports, said this has led to a good balance between practices, games and student involvement. It’s also created competition that highlights what is “pure” about sports for everyone — players, students and fans.
“It’s probably one of the most fun I have in watching an event,” Emmerson said. “Seeing happiness and the face of the kids, and it’s both teams.”
Photos by John McCallum Ridgeline’s Unified team was cheered on at their Jan. 9 games with Cheney and North Central with a good student section, cheerleaders, band and a performance by the school’s dance team.
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Spokane County removes trees to address safety concerns and future of Sprague Avenue
By Ben Turner, Public Works Director Guest contributor
Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your concerns regarding the recent removal of the black locust trees along Sprague Avenue that Spokane County began on Jan. 21. We recognize that these trees have been part of the neighborhood landscape for many decades and that many of you have strong personal memories and connections to this area. We sincerely understand that seeing longstanding trees removed can be upsetting, especially when it feels unexpected or when there has not been an opportunity for dialogue.
The City does not take the removal of mature trees lightly. In this case, the action was driven first and foremost by public safety concerns. Following up on citizen complaints, the city arborist inspected the black locust trees located in the public right-of-way adjacent to Liberty Lake Golf Course and identified significant hazardous deadwood in the canopies of many trees. Several of these dead limbs were overhanging the roadway and pedestrian
Of
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areas, creating a real risk to drivers, cyclists, and people walking along Sprague Avenue, particularly during periods of high wind.
Following this inspection, city code enforcement staff issued a letter to the property owner, Spokane County Parks, Recreation and Golf, to address deadwood 3 inches and larger that may pose a threat to public safety. From there, Spokane County staff consulted with its Risk Management Division and a certified arborist contractor to evaluate pruning or removal options. Due to similar cost and timing of future road plans, it was ultimately decided best to remove the trees as a collaborative effort between the City of Liberty Lake and Spokane County. This approach provides a permanent safety solution and avoids repeated future closures, disruptions, and costs associated with ongoing trimming.
This timing aligns with the City’s planned reconstruction of Sprague Avenue in the 2030 timeframe. That project will replace one of the most deteriorated roadway sections in the city and install new stormwater infrastructure. Unfortunately, the existing black locust trees would need to be removed for that construction due to the extent of root disturbance required for the new roadway and stormwater swales. Removing the trees in advance allows the work to be completed more efficiently and safely when that project begins.
We also want to share that this work is part of a broader plan to improve the corridor for the long term. As part of the future Sprague Avenue project, new street trees will be planted along the entire north side of the roadway from Molter Road to the city boundary. These trees will be selected and placed to thrive in the new environment and provide lasting canopy and beauty for the neighborhood.
In addition, working within the existing footprint, Spokane County will be increasing the height of the netting at the golf course driving range this year to further protect nearby homes from errant golf balls.
We regret that many residents of the area may have felt upset about not being consulted earlier in this process. While the trees are located within the public right-of-way and required action by the property owners to address immediate safety hazards, we acknowledge that earlier communication could have helped better prepare the community for this change. The public’s feedback is important to us, and we are committed to improving how we communicate about projects that affect neighborhood character and quality of life.
Thank you again for reaching out and for your care for this community. If you have additional questions or would like more information about the upcoming roadway improvements and tree replanting plans, please do not hesitate to contact us.
$2,100,000
