2026 May Splash by The Liberty Lake Splash

Longtime Farmers Market leader Holli Parker

Excited for Farmers Market Season

By Ben Wick Splash Publisher

With the Liberty Lake Farmers Market preparing to open for its 24th season, it has become a community staple and Holli Parker has been there since the beginning.

Recalling the early years when Parkers mom, Susan Parker, and uncle, Jim Frank, came together in 2002 to start the first Farmers Market.

“We’ve got tons of farmers, and a good area for it” said Parker.

With only six vendors in its initial year and only filling the u-shaped parking lot adjoining the Greenstone Building. The first few years Parker recalls not having a bakery at the market but stepping up to help “I would go buy the bread from the Cobblestone Bakery, at 6am in the morning and then repackaging and sell it at the market.”

“Luckily we got a bakery to come to the market so I didn’t need to do it anymore, I was getting too old to get up at 6am in the morning to go get bread.”

Parker was also the day market manager for the first couple of years. “I just made sure people knew where to setup, answer the emails, and that kind of thing,” explained Parker.

Today, Paker has passed the rains on to her son Brandon who is the market manager but remains on the market board and is responsible for Logistics and Planning says Parker.

DOCKSIDE

“I love what I do. I get to figure out where everybody is going to go and how is that going to work” explained Parker.

Parker while born in Spokane Valley, has lived in the area most of her life having only been away for a few years when she first became a teacher and got a job in the Las Vegas area before returning home in 2001.

While Parker can be found at the market most if not every Saturday, her professional career is in education. With most of her career working in the Central Valley school district and specifically for the last

20+ years at Greenacres Elementary school.

“I love it here. Its an amazing district to work in” added Parker.

As for what is new and exciting at the Farmers market this year, Parker highlights that they are already starting with 80 vendors for the season. “We have a couple of new farmers coming, we have new crafters coming, and new food people coming as well. We have a few new in every category this year” said Parker.

Another major change this year is system used to manage the market.

“For 25 years we have been doing it by hand” explained Parker. “They now have programs that help you set app maps which help you place vendors and help you organize applications. “We now have the map set up for the whole season, instead of trying to figure out who’s going to be there one week at a time”

While the market is having its first vendor meeting the first weekend in May, the market is set to open the weekend after Mothers Day. Which is a tradition back to when the market first started “My mom, owned a flower shop, and said she was willing to help but wasn’t available to start until after Mothers Day each year.”

Q: It sounds like you grew up around Flowers and the Farmers Market. What kind of influence do you think this had on you and your continued involvement in the Liberty Lake Farmers Market?

A. When my mom and uncle talked about the market, I was all for it. It something that was new, for our area, to bring to our city. Seeing how we have grown, as a market and a city has been amazing to be a part of.

Q: While community runs strong in your family, what inspired you to pursue a teaching degree?

A. I always knew I would be a teacher. I was the girl who had a school set up in her playroom and who made all the neighborhood kids be her students. I even made them perform a play one summer! I invited the parents to come and watch. I love what I do! You know you are in the right place , of work, when you can have the worst day, go home and wake up excited to go back.

Q: Ever since moving back to Liberty Lake in 2001, you have been an educator at the same school within the Central Valley School District, what has kept you at that school for more than 20 years?

A. The people I work with. I have

Contributed Photo, Greenacres Elementary School Teacher and Liberty Lake Farmers Market Leader Holli Parker enjoys helping bring community together while at work and every Saturday at the Farmers market

Valley School District (CVSD) is connecting with community through this Link.

Built for Belonging...

How students, staff and families bring inclusion at CVSD to life

In Central Valley, inclusion is more than a philosophy—it's something students and staff bring to life in meaningful, everyday ways.

At University High School, that spirit took shape when senior Camren Breeden noticed Daniel, a blind and nonverbal student, struggling to navigate the halls. Using skills from his Career and Technical Education class, Camren built a custom sensory aid that allowed Daniel to move independently. What began as a simple observation became a powerful act of empathy—one that gave Daniel greater autonomy and

reflected what his teacher called “the whole reason for inclusion.”

Across the district at Sunrise Elementary, that same commitment is opening doors in different ways. Firstgrader Remi Schreiber, who lives with cerebral palsy, uses eye-tracking technology to communicate, learn and pursue her passion for music. With the support of her teachers and specialized tools, Remi has not only learned to play the piano—she was featured in a national AT&T commercial, inspiring audiences far beyond Spokane Valley

Families play a vital role in this work, partnering closely with educators to ensure each child's needs, strengths and goals are understood and supported. Together, they help create consistent, nurturing environments where students feel safe to take courageous steps, build skills and celebrate progress.

Staff across schools collaborate to refine inclusive practices, share expertise and ensure every student has access to meaningful learning experiences. These partnerships strengthen relationships and communication and reinforce a shared commitment to student success.

Their stories may be different, but the common thread is clear

When students are supported, included and empowered, they thrive.

In CVSD, inclusion means designing environments where every student can access learning, express themselves and build independence.

Whether it's a student building a mobility device for a peer or a young musician using assistive technology to share her talents with the world, CVSD's inclusive practices are helping students see possibilities –not limitations – in themselves and each other

Special Education Families... Looking for support & tools?

Join CVSD for the... Annual Disability Resource Fair Wed., May 13, 4:30-6:00pm South Pines Elementary, 12021 E. 24th Avenue

Central

PARKER

Continued from page 2

had the distinct honor of working with a group of humans whose sole purpose is to do what is best for kids. I have learned so much, from them. #GOROADRUNNERS

Q: The farmers market has come a long way since the inaugural year of 2002. What do you remember about that first season in terms of both challenges and rewards?

A. I chuckled when I read this question. Its funny to think about that first year. We had six amazing vendors. We were lined up against the Liberty Building by the island on the east side. My memory is telling me it was raining, windy, or raining and windy for the first two months. My memory is not what it used to be, we will say the weather was unpredictable that year. The Liberty Lake, and surrounding communities were amazing! They came every Saturday. Even with the weather they would show up. As crazy as it may sound, It was fun! It has continued to be fun.

Q: It seems like folks can find a farmers market around most corners these days. What do you think sets the Liberty Lake Farmers Market apart?

A. We are so fortunate to have markets in so many neighborhoods! We have so many amazing farmers, producers and artisans in the area.

The Liberty Lake Market, from the beginning, we wanted to be a place where you could come and shop for your family, eat some amazing food while listening to music and connect with your neighbors. We want you hang out and enjoy.

Q: First your mother Susan and uncle Jim, now you and your son Brandon have been involved for many years in the market. As a resident of this community since 2001, how do you view the impact of The Farmers Market on the place you call home?

A. The market, I feel, has become a Saturday meeting point. I love watching the people walking, biking, driving to market. As you walk through you hear people laughing, catching up, enjoying. Seeing young people who have grown up coming with their parents and are now coming on their own.

Q: With the Farmers Market opening just after mothers day weekend, any insight into what we can expect this season or with the 25th anniversary of the market coming up next year, do you have any teasers for what might be in the works?

A. We have been so lucky to add new vendors each season. This year is no different. We have new farmers, crafters and food vendors. I do apologize but I have been sworn to secrecy on any plans or um not plans there may be.

City Capital Facilities Plan Stalls at Funding

By Nina Culver Splash contributor

The Liberty Lake City Council spent time in April taking a first look at a 20-year Capital Facilities Plan and how it might be funded.

There was almost immediately public concern about long discussed improvements to the Liberty Lake Police Department and the Liberty Lake Library. Both are included in the proposed plan, which identifies a 16,000 to 19,000 square foot replacement library for $14 million and a 9,000 square foot expansion of the police station for $2 million.

Lynn Atkins, a member of the Capital Facilities Plan workgroup, said during public comment the area is growing and the city must maintain its services. At this point, the city’s facilities are already lagging behind, she said.

“We need a clear understanding on how that translates into city needs,” she said. “As the city grows, these services must grow with it.”

Resident Craig Fobes said he had concerns with the plan identifying the needed library replacement at between 16,000 and 19,000 square feet. That size is based on projected growth data that is already several years old and outdated, Fobes said. He recommended that the city consider the library size based on more current population numbers.

Public Works Director Ben Turner said a large workgroup that included both city staff and members of the public met for months to discuss the CFP. “Their recommendations, their prioritization really helped significantly,” he said.

The Capital Facilities Plan identifies $131.6 million in proposed projects over the next 10 years, with amounts in 2026 dollars. The plan includes several ranked categories, with streets coming first with a proposed expenditure of $56 million. Pedestrian and bicycles improvements are ranked second, with traffic control coming in third.

The facilities category, which includes library and police station improvements, is ranked fourth with a proposed expenditure of $24 million. Park improvements are ranked fifth with $10 million in proposed improvements. The fifth category, equipment, has an estimated $14 million price tag.

Turner said much of that expense is based on the replacement cycle of the city’s police cars.

“Police are a large portion of this,” he said.

Tuner said the plan is their best attempt at anticipating the city’s needs for the next 20 years, but it’s impossible to anticipate everything. “This is a snapshot in time,” he said.

Turner addressed Fobes’ concern by stating that the proposed library square footage is not set in stone. “It came from a study,” he said. “It can change.”

Some of the projects proposed in the CFP include new traffic signals at Harvard and Wellington and Mission and Signal, as well as a roundabout at I-90 and Country Vista Drive. Turner said work is currently underway on a Parks Master Plan and there will be a need for a fourth city park.

Finance Director Kyle Dixon presented the council with information on how those projects could be funded during the second council meeting of the month. It’s difficult to take such a long-term view when a lot of future funding is unknown, he said.

“Truly, for us, it’s one year at a time,” he said. “Looking at it through a 20-year lens is eye opening. Through the lens of today, we have

no idea how we’re going to pay for this.”

Dixon said he attempted to “slice it up into little pieces” by just examining the first six years. He said that would include $22 million for transportation projects and $9.5 million for facilities, plus other projects.

Looking at capital proposals over the next six years and the city’s funding identifies a funding gap of $18.8 million, Dixon said. “There isn’t much space in the general fund to fund capital improvements,” he said.

Grant funding is not included in the revenue forecast because those are impossible to predict, Dixon said. “That will help reduce that gap, but we don’t have those yet,” he said. “We’ll have to discuss different levers we can pull to balance that out.”

A key consideration for getting more funding would be to increase revenue, Dixon said. The city has several different ways it could do that, including councilmanic and voter approved bonds, low interest loans or restarting the city’s utility tax. The city used to have a 3 percent utility tax that generated $1.2 million in annual funding for street projects. It was eliminated in 2023 in favor of a Transportation Benefit District sales tax that collects a little over $800,000 a year.

Another option would be to utilize the city’s banked property tax capacity. Cities are allowed to raise their property taxes 1 percent a year without a public vote. For the last several years, however, the Liberty Lake City Council has chosen not to raise property taxes at all and instead voted to “bank” that capacity for later use if they chose.

The city currently has about $370,000 in banked capacity it could use, Dixon said. “Banked capacity does not expire,” he said. “That’s one of the levers the city has to consider.”

The city will have to do something in order to afford all the projects identified in the 10-year Capital Facilities Plan, Dixon said. “Existing revenue and operations cannot support capital infrastructure needs,” he said.

Dixon said he hopes the council’s new finance committee will be able to examine the issue in depth and come up with suggestions. “I’m excited we have a newly formed finance committee to chew on this stuff,” he said.

E. Mission Avenue getting upgrades this spring

Edge grinding and overlay work on the section of E. Mission Avenue between E. Country Vista Drive and N. Molter Road began on April 27 and is expected to be concluded in the early part of the summer.

Mission Avenue will be getting updated curb ramps to bring them into compliance with the current standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the road will be rehabilitated to enhance driving

and biking conditions. Studies that the city conducted on this section of Mission Avenue showed that the majority of the road has had a Pavement Condition Index in the “poor” category.

Work by Inland Asphalt Company will be occurring during the daylight hours, and commuters can expect minor delays due to traffic control in the work zones. During project’s paving process, Mission Avenue will be reduced to one-way traffic and there will be temporary access adjustments for buildings along the road. Travelers are encouraged to use alternate routes until the project’s conclusion.

City’s budgeting approach earns award from Tyler Technologies

The City of Liberty Lake has been recognized with a 2026 Public Sector Excellence Award from Tyler Technologies for the strong performance the city has achieved through its prioritybased budgeting approach that was adopted more than two years ago.

Liberty Lake finance director Kyle Dixon formally accepted the award during the Tyler Connect 2026 Annual Conference that was held in April week in Las Vegas. The city was among eight winners in the Performance & Innovation category, and was among 35 recipients of a Public Sector Award at the April conference.

Major

General Sarah Zabel to speak at city’s Memorial Day Celebration

Major General Sarah Zabel will be the keynote speaker for this year’s annual Memorial Day event at Pavillion Park on Monday, May 25. The annual community program and breakfast is presented by the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club.

Zabel, who lives in Bayview, Idaho, served in the U.S. Air Force for 31 years until her retirement from the military in 2018. She worked in communications and cyber operations for the Air Force and the Dept. of Defense, and was promoted to brigadier general in 2013 and to major general in 2015.

Other scheduled participants during the program that will start at 9 a.m. that morning at the Pavillion Park stage are Mayor Cris Kaminskas, Ridgeline High School

Priority-based budgeting is a funding strategy that allocates resources by the relative importance of programs and services – an approach that aligns funding according to community

or organizational priorities, rather than through historical spending patterns.

As cited in the commendation from Tyler: “The City of Liberty Lake modernized its budgeting

senior Hunter Allen, Pastor Greg Wilt, Dr. Jared Evans, and the Fairchild Air Force Base Honor Guard.

From 8 to 10:30 a.m, the Rotary Club will serve its traditional bydonation breakfast, with proceeds benefiting Inland Northwest Honor Flight. Tony Lamana will present an update about the Northwest Honor Flight program, and Don Walker will speak on the Hometown Heroes banner displays.

The annual luminary tribute will also be set up at Pavillion Park throughout the Friday through Monday of Memorial Day weekend.

process to align investments with strategic priorities. Adoption aligned budget investments with the city’s strategic plan, documented resource allocation using return on investment reports and quadrant tools, and evaluated new requests based on return on investment.”

City administrator Mark McAvoy said: “Priority-based budgeting ensures every dollar we invest is directly aligned with Liberty Lake’s strategic priorities and the vision our community has set for its future. Think public safety, quality of life, and longterm sustainability. It gives us a disciplined, transparent way to turn that vision into action.”

Tyler Technologies is a provider of priority-based budgeting software, and is a leading provider of integrated technology services for local, state, and federal governments.

Introducing the Safety Awareness Channel

Property Crimes Calls for Service: 20

Police Report

- March 2026

Splash news sources

Significant Cases

VEHICLE THEFT

• 2026-88002225: On 3/4/2026, a vehicle was stolen from the parking lot of the Country Vista Apartments. As of 4/2/2026, it has not been recovered.

VEHICLE PROWL

• 2026-88002219: On 3/4/2026, a vehicle was prowled LLPD Crime Analysis

in the Best Western parking lot. A window was shattered to gain entry.

• 2026-93000010: On 3/9/2026, a vehicle was prowled at the Big Trout Villas. Several items were stolen, including the vehicle title.

BURGLARY

• 2026-88002481: On 3/12/2026, a bike was stolen from a victim’s garage. The garage was left open to allow a vehicle to warm up.

• 2026-88002949: Late report, victim discovered several items, including a firearm, missing from their home and believes the pet

Traﬃc Stops: 195 / Citations Issued: 12

sitter they hired is responsible. THEFT

• 2026-88002488: On 3/9/2026, an unsecured bike was stolen from outside a residence on E Riverside Ave.

• 2026-93000008: On 3/9/2026, a package was stolen from a porch on E Caufield Ave.

ARRESTS: LLPD made 10 arrests in March

• 2026-88002285: On 3/6/2026, officers responded to a crisis call stating a woman in a neighboring apartment sounded like she was in pain. A male answered the door but stepped outside to talk to officers. He was detained for hindering the investigation by preventing officers from checking on the woman. She stated he had beat her and was found to have several injuries consistent with that

claim. The male was arrested for Assault 4D.

• 2026-88002285: On 3/10/2026, a male was arrested for Possession of a Stole Vehicle and drug-related charges after officers found him passed out in a stolen Chevy Tahoe at All Sport.

• 2026-88000161: On 3/26/2026, a tip was received that a male in the area had felony warrants and would be at Liberty Creek Elementary to pick up his child. The warrants were confirmed and felony stop was conducted on his vehicle. He was arrested without incident. The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to keep your belongings secured in your homes. Items left unsecure or left inside vehicles in plain view can attract vehicle prowlers. Stay safe and take care of each other.

SAFETY CHANNEL

Total Calls for Service: 1,036

Construction Season in Full SwingAn update on some notable construction Projects across Liberty Lake

By Nina Culver Splash Contributor

Spring can also be described as construction season and as the weather warms, several large building projects are moving forward in Liberty Lake, including site work for a new apartment complex next to Ridgeline High School and the construction of a new office building and warehouse near Interstate 90.

However, there are some speed bumps emerging in one project, the plan to build a field house for the Liberty Lake Launch Academy to provide athletic facilities for the school. According to city officials, illegal work is taking place on the property and the city recently sent the school an administrative interpretation informing them that they cannot build a 285,000 multisport complex open to public use on the site because the size limit for such a building is 30,000 square feet in the M-2 Community Center Zone. The Academy filed an appeal of the decision to the city’s Hearing Examiner on April 27, the last day an appeal could be filed.

The building site was active when visited on April 23, with heavy equipment on site, dirt being moved around and a pile of tree limbs and other debris.

“There is non-permitted work being done,” said Liberty Lake Mayor Cris Kaminskas.

The city isn’t necessarily opposed to an athletic facility for the school, Kaminskas said. “We support the project,” she said. “However, we

have some challenges between what they want to do and what city code will allow.”

The conflicts center around the size of the proposed building and the fact that the applicants want to open the facility up to public use and not just limit it to school use.

The property owner is identified as Launchpad Assets LLC. The Liberty Lake Launch Academy is located at 2110 N. Molter Road and shares a building with Mode, identified on its web site as a “community hub combining workspaces, fitness studios, creative spaces, sports and educational centers.” The Liberty Lake Launch Academy is listed on the Mode web site as part of the Mode family of businesses. The Mode Sports web site references the field house as “our expansion.”

There are two parcels of vacant land totaling 3.73 acres located just to the north of the building at 2110 N. Molter Road, sandwiched in to the north by the Huntwood facility, where the field house is proposed to go. It would also utilize a portion of the 21 acres the existing building sits on.

The plan submitted to the city and available on the Liberty Lake Launch Academy web site proposes a three-story facility. The basement would include pickleball courts, wrestling mats, a soccer field, a lacrosse field, a rugby field and a climbing wall. The ground level of the facility would include four full basketball courts, two half basketball courts, 10 volleyball courts and a championship court. The top floor is envisioned as an upper viewing deck. Just one section of seating calls for 1,800 seats and there are also proposed concession areas.

The city’s Administrative Interpretation states that the proposed field house appears intended for commercial use, not just an athletic facility for a school with only 240 students. The proposed field house also does not seem to meet the definition of an accessory use, according to the Interpretation, but could be considered an accessory use if the size was limited to 30,000 square feet and it was primarily used by the school students. Anything larger would be considered a Participant and Spectator Sport Facility, which is also limited to 30,000 square feet in an M-2 zone.

The Interpretation also notes that the application calls the facility a “high performance training, competition and learning environment” designed for “tournament-caliber competition” and year-round use. A review of application materials and the various Mode web sites “reveals that Mode Sports is an intended user of the facilities to an equal or greater extent than Liberty Launch Academy,” the Interpretation reads.

The Interpretation also references statements from the web site www. modeathletes.com/facility that refers to the field house as the “ultimate destination for athletics in the Northwest” for community league and open play tournaments. It referenced daytime use by Liberty Lake Launch Academy and public use on evenings and weekends. The web page appears to have been removed.

“It is clear that Liberty Launch Academy and Mode Sports are contemplated by the Applicant to co-exist on the property for two distinctly different purposes,

and that the actual intent of the athletic facility far exceeds the school’s accessory use thereof,” the Interpretation reads.

The appeal filed by Launchpad Assets, LLC, calls the city’s decision “arbitrary, capricious and contrary to law” that is based on erroneous factual assumptions, is not supported by substantial evidence and imposes limitations on school expansion.

The appeal asks the Hearing Examiner to decide that the proposed facility, which is referred to as being 260,119 square feet, is permitted in M-2 zoning, that after-hours use of the facility by the community is a permitted accessory use and the facility should be considered an expansion of an existing school.

The appeal argues that limiting the facility to 30,000 square feet “would render the project impossible.” The building is large, it argues, because it includes an “indoor playing field for students which is approximately 95,000 square feet.” That square footage appears to refer to the soccer, lacrosse and rugby fields in the facility’s basement, which combine to offer 94,624 square feet in field space.

The appeal also argues that the field house is an expansion of the existing school use because it will be physically connected to the current school building. “Nothing in the Development Code limits the physical form, footprint or configuration of a permitted school use, nor does any provision require that a school expansion be proportional to its current enrollment.”

Representatives of Liberty Lake Launch Academy did not respond to a request for comment.

Kaminskas said the Hearing Examiner is required to schedule a hearing on the appeal within 21 days.

The other building projects in various stages of completion throughout Liberty Lake are going much smoother. Recently there has been grading on several parcels of land owned by Liberty Lake Land Co. just east of Ridgeline High School and south of Country Vista Drive. “Right now it’s just a grading permit,” said Liberty Lake’s Community Development Director, Amy Mullerleile.

COVER STORY

The southernmost part of the property is slated to become an apartment complex, Mullerleile said. The number of units is yet to be determined. “There is a specific project,” she said. “They’re working on those things. They’re still working on their layout and configuration.”

The land, along with three commercial parcels in front of Ridgeline High School and a large vacant field just across Country Vista Drive is all part of the Neighborly Ventures Binding Site Plan. The other parcels will be developed at a later date, though Mullerleile said she knows there is interest in the lots directly in front of the high school along Country Vista Drive.

The project has been through a design review and the landowners are working to combine two parcels located next to Ridgeline’s bus barn, she said. “They’re moving quickly to get this residential going,” she said. “They’re close to being able to apply for a building permit.”

A new office/warehouse building has been under construction just west of the Liberty Lake Business Park, behind the Les Schwab on Appleway Boulevard. The property is owned by Malbco Holdings LLC.

A concrete shell is up on the site and work is continuing on the 60,500 square foot building. Application materials indicated that 20 percent of the building will be used as office space and the other 80 percent will be

that Topgolf would be coming to Liberty Lake and Mullerleile said the company has identified a 26.6 acre parcel of land located between Consign Furniture and Jewelry at 21605 E. Country Vista Drive and the Kramer Parkway overpass to the west.

Mullerleile said the company likes to locate their facilities in close proximity to freeways and the parcel is right next to I-90. “They looked at a couple different sites,” she said. “That was the one they landed on.”

Mullerleile said she’s not sure when the project will begin. “They’ve applied for their building permits,” she said. “It’s still being looked at. They haven’t moved any dirt yet.”

warehouse space. “That is definitely moving forward,” Mullerleile said.

Plans for the site also call for a five-story, 100 room Home2 Suites hotel. Mullerleile said that process has not yet been started and no permits have been issued for that project.

There have been discussions for months over the possibility

She said she’s confident that Topgolf will be welcomed into the community. “We have a very golfcentric community,” she said. “It’s definitely part of the Liberty Lake identity.”

While it may seem like there are more building projects than usual, Mullerleile said it’s not really busier than normal. “Usually around this time of year we’ve got a lot of irons in the fire,” she said. “I would say big projects are probably going to be the norm for a while. It’s a desirable community and there’s vacant land available.”

Drawing courtesy of JRA Architecture and Planning / City of Liberty Lake Site Plan for the Liberty Lake Office / Warehouse and Future Hotel project north of Appleway and west of the Liberty Lake Business Park as submitted to the City.

Photo by Nina Culver

The Liberty Lake Office / Warehouse space construction project is well underway with walls up as seen from behind the Les Schwab Tire Store or from the freeway.

Empowering Women Leadership Awards to Honor Local Leaders

Splash news sources

The inaugural Empowering Women Leadership Awards will take place April 30, 2026, at the Centerplace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley. The sold-out event will recognize 350 attendees and honor women demonstrating leadership, integrity, vision, and service across five categories: Community, Government, Non-Profit, Young Professional, and Business.

Hosted by the WOMAN PANEL, Washington Policy Center (WPC),

Suzanne Schmidt, Winner 2026 Government Leader Award

Suzanne rose up in leadership within the trade industry through Associated Building and Contractors, ABC. As the executive director of ABC, Suzanne was able to see firsthand how government policies were driving up inflation and construction costs. These policies recklessly hurt efficient, responsible development. Her knowledge and conviction about what’s wrong with government led her to run for office. Once in office, she became one of the first freshmen in history to be appointed as the ranking member of Labor & Workplace Standards, Transportation Committee, Transportation Budget Cabinet, and the Education & Workforce Development Committee. During her first term in office, Suzanne’s leadership has led to 8 bills being passed. Suzanne sees that we are facing unprecedented inflation, high crime rates, and continual government overreach. This has led Suzanne to focus on lowering taxes to make life more

and WPC Young Professionals, the event will also feature a panel of prominent nonprofit leaders, including Amy Vega (Vanessa Behan), Shelly O’Quinn (INNOVIA), and Georgia Oxford (Spokane Valley Chamber).

The WOMAN PANEL, founded by Bonnie Quinn, has hosted educational and discussion-based events in Spokane for several years, focusing on key issues like business, healthcare, and public policy while encouraging open dialogue and community engagement.

Washington Policy Center, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to free-market solutions, partners on the series to promote conversation and leadership development. “We’re excited to bring together so many accomplished women and create meaningful dialogue,” said Jill Olson, WPC Young Professionals director.

Learn more at WashingtonPolicy.org or contact jolson@washingtonpolicy.org

affordable and on protecting our communities. She also works on holding the state government and the governor accountable. Suzanne leads with passion, integrity, and a genuine commitment to serve others. Her leadership reflects both strength and heart. Suzanne advocates for all of Spokane, addressing affordable building, housing, homelessness, drug use, reducing taxes, and limiting government overreach.

Jill Olson, Winner 2026 Young Professionals Leader Award

Jill Olson is currently the director of Young Professionals for the Washington Policy Center. Jill is a rockstar young professional herself, yet leads with humility and grace. She is the obvious winner of this award due to her passion for truth, freedom, and love for her community. Jill is actively involved in local nonprofits, leading other young people to care about what is important. Additionally, she also represents many local individuals running for office. Always passionate about elections, Jill puts her whole heart and energy into

Katy Bruya, Winner 2026 Business Leader Award

Katy Bruya! Katy is a wife and mother who has risen to Senior Vice President & Chief HR Officer at Washington Trust Bank. Chris Patterson, who worked with Katy stated, “Katy’s heart, drive, intelligence and love for the Spokane Region were evident to me on a daily basis. She taught me to think in many different ways to help the bigger picture here in Spokane.” The reason Katy is deserving of this award is that not only does she have integrity and conviction, but she has demonstrated service and courage in her leadership of “Hello For Good” to address the crisis in downtown Spokane.

“Hello for Good” was the first non-profit organization led by Katy, supported by community businesses, and primarily funded by Washington Trust Bank. She was willing to honestly address the crisis in downtown Spokane and go against the overwhelming narrative to speak courageously

NEWS

every campaign she works on. Thank you, Jill Olson, for all you do to support Free Market Principles in our community.

about the drug addiction crisis, crime, and the dangers to our city. Without the courage to speak truth, with compassion, there is no hope for this problem in Spokane. Thank you, Katy Bruya, for using your leadership and being the first to honestly address this devastating crisis in our community.

Christine Quinn, winner of 2026 Community Leadership Award!

Christine is a great community organizer and the founder of “SOS--Save Our Spokane” which has advocated for policies that preserve our downtown business core and addresses crime and homelessness.

“SOS--Save our Spokane” has been a voice of courage and conviction. Christine has been relentlessly seeking the truth, which has helped expose failed government policies and push others to actively petition and show up at City Council to testify and take action.

Lisa Saddler, winner of our 2026 Non-Profit Leadership Award!

Lisa is executive director of a local non-profit called Ascenda, which has little name awareness but great impact on lives in Spokane. They are providing a model that is privately funded, serving Spokane’s underprivileged, saving lives and families, and being cited as a “good neighbor” by local residents. Ascenda provides low-income housing and a structured living environment for persons recovering from drugs and alcohol. The organization assists 50-60 individuals and families with housing and other resources to fulfill its mission of providing low-income, structured housing and recovery. Privately funded, passionately managed, and under the radar in terms of name awareness, we are overjoyed to acknowledge executive director Lisa Saddler for her passion and drive to make a difference

in Spokane. Her non-profit Ascenda has been helping people go from addiction to empowerment for more than two decades.

Student of the Month

Talene Rivera, a senior at Ridgeline High School, is class valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA and top honors in world languages, including earning a 5 on the AP Scholars Exam. She is deeply involved in the arts through theatre, choir, and Poetry Slam, and demonstrates leadership as captain of both the Improv Club and the varsity Knowledge Bowl team, which placed 4th in Washington state. Beyond school, she volunteers teaching SAT prep and works with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. Talene plans to attend Reed College to study anthropology, pursue research opportunities, and work toward a PhD.

Athlete of the Month

Silas Merino, a senior at Ridgeline High School, maintains a 3.95 GPA while leading in academics, athletics, and service. He captains the varsity soccer team as goalkeeper, serves in FCA leadership, leads the Falcon Holy Club, and is a three-year National Honor Society member. Active in his community, he volunteers with youth soccer and helps a retired neighbor. After graduation, Silas plans to attend SFCC to play soccer and explore studying Theology, while continuing to grow in his Christian faith.

Citizen of the Month

Travis Scott of Liberty Lake is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and the founder of Cycling On Purpose, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the youth mental health crisis. To raise awareness, he completed an incredible 2,500-mile bike ride in 53 days from Washington to Indiana, sparking important conversations along the way. He also helped launch Liberty Lake’s first Bike Bus, connecting students in the Rocky Hill area to Liberty Creek and Liberty Lake Elementary schools. Through his work, Travis continues to inspire community connection and meaningful dialogue around mental health.

City Council finalizes Ethics Complaints, expedites logo update process, and gets update on Arts

By Nina Culver Splash contributor

A months-long investigation ended quietly during the April 21 Liberty Lake City Council meeting when the majority of the council voted to accept the hearing examiner’s decision that former council members Chris Cargill and Wendy Van Orman did not violate the city’s Code of Ethics.

issues.

Mayor Pro Tem Dan Dunne said that he would vote to accept the recommendation, but believes the city should amend its social media policies. “I believe confidently our rules and procedures need to be amended to eliminate the ability for council members to post or operate social media platforms,” he said.

Councilwoman Linda Ball said she also believes policy changes should be made and that’s why she has been pushing to update the council’s Governance Manual. “Social media needs to be addressed,” she said. “The site that this lived on still exists and it’s a very toxic place to go to.”

Four council members voted to accept the Hearing Examiner’s decision, with Ball voting no and Kurtz abstaining. Councilman Rick Klingler was absent for the April 21 meeting.

During a public comment time after the vote, former council member Jed Spencer spoke about the issue, noting the need to strike a balance between the ability of the council members to engage “versus going downhill.”

Council member Annie Kurtz submitted the complaint against Cargill and Van Orman in September 2025 regarding their use of the Liberty Lake Community Facebook page, which Van Orman was an administrator of at the time. The complaint centered on posts regarding city business that were deleted and whether those posts should be considered public records.

The city’s hearing examiner, Karl Granrath, ruled that “there is insufficient evidence in the record to support a finding of ethical violations,” according to a decision dated March 13. “After a full and thorough investigation into the particulars of this case, the Hearing Examiner can’t help but view the entirety of this process as a petty Facebook quarrel that metastasized into an enormous waste of city resources.”

He determined that only one post from Cargill could likely be considered a public record and it was available if requested by a public records request.

Granrath made several recommendations, including having council members turn off comments on social media posts that qualify as a public record. He said he believes it is “perilous” for sitting council members to moderate online discussions on city

“I’m glad the vote turned out the way I think it should have,” Spencer said. “It is a tricky situation, being an elected official.”

In other business, a representative of the city’s Community Engagement Commission presented a suggestion for a months-long process to consider changes to the city’s logo, to end with a recommendation in the fall. Mayor Cris Kaminskas said she believed the council wanted a refreshed logo ready to go for the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

“This seems like a lot,” she said. “I’m wondering if we can scale it back so it’s not so much work for you guys.”

Kaminskas said too many options and too long of a decision making process could lead to “analysis paralysis” and she believed the Parks and Arts Commission should narrow the number of options to be considered. Several council members agreed, saying they favored a leaner option.

The Council heard a report from the new director of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, Ronnie Schlabs. It included details from the shutdown of SCRAPS near the beginning of the year for a

Parvo outbreak.

Schlabs said he was notified on his first day on the job, December 10, that a dog had died from Parvo. Immediate steps were taken to clean the shelter, since the Parvo virus can live on surfaces, including clothing.

“Parvo is extremely contagious,” he said. “This virus can survive in the environment for an extremely long time.”

Dogs are vaccinated against Parvo when they come in, but it takes time to take effect and won’t reverse the illness if an animal is already sick but not showing symptoms, he said. The protocol was to shut down and isolate animals for 14 days, since the virus has up to a 14-day incubation period. On the 13th day, another dog tested positive and another 14-day quarantine was started, Schlabs said.

Overall, 10 dogs were infected and seven recovered, Schlabs said. “For a disease like Parvo, that’s a very good margin,” he said. “Luckily, the staff was on top of it. They worked extremely long hours.”

SCRAPS has since enacted a new protocol that calls for giving a Parvo test to every incoming dog that appears to be younger than six months, Schlaps said. The new protocol isn’t foolproof, however, because a dog in the early stages can still test negative, Schlapps said.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department Deputy Chief James Hayden presented the council with details on the department’s first quarter data in Liberty Lake. Overall, the department had 6,158 calls for service in the first quarter of 2026 and calls in Liberty Lake accounted for less than seven percent of that total.

“It’s been the busiest first quarter on record and the busiest March,” Hayden said.

Of the calls in Liberty Lake, most were either for ALS (advanced life support) or BLS (basic life support) calls. Automatic building alarms were in the third highest category.

Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission member Nancy Hill said her group is working on plans for public art in the new City Hall. They’ve chosen a theme of “Past, Present and Future” and are working on a call to artists.

“We wanted to keep it broad, we wanted to keep it focused on the city,” Hill said.

The commission is hoping to be able to select a variety of art, possibly including photographs, paintings and sculptures, Hill said. “It will be multiple artists,” she said. “This is a big project. We just want to get it right.”

The council also took a look at a new special events ordinance. The city now has a community events permit and the ordinance needed to be updated, said Finance Director Kyle Dixon. “We’re just doing a cleanup of the code,” he said.

Councilman Klingler said the current requirements are that people download a PDF, print it, fill it out and deliver it to City Hall. He asked if it could be made into an all digital process. “This would be an overall step up,” he said.

Dixon said the new community events permit could be made available to fill out online.

The Council voted unanimously to suspend the rules and approve a new resolution on city council rules of procedure on the first reading. The resolution allowed for the creation of city council subcommittees on public health and safety; growth, development and infrastructure; and fiscal affairs.

“I believe this is an important step in increasing efficiency,” said Dunne.

At the second meeting of the month, the council voted unanimously to approve the Mayor’s appointments to those committees. Those appointments were: council member Summer Darrow, Klingler and council member Arlene Fisher to Public Health and Safety; Ball, Dunne and Klingler to Growth, Development and Infrastructure; and council member Hugh Severs, Fisher and Darrow to Fiscal Affairs.

The city council also voted to appoint Amy Mullerleile to the position of Community Development Director, to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the cities of Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Millwood, Medical Lake and Cheney to appoint a small cities representative to the STA board of directors.

Other votes approved the acceptance of a Pavillion Park sign donated by the Liberty Lake Historical Society, a recreation agreement with Inclusa Fitness for adult recreation programming in City parks and an easement agreement with Liberty Lake Internet Portal, LLC.

Conveniently located between Coeur d’ Alene, Id and Spokane, Wa on Beck Road one mile north of I-90. (Idaho Exit 1)

By John McCallum

Splash contributor

Baseball

Falcon spring teams prepare for post season play

All results are for games, matches and meets through April 21.

At 9-3 in league, 10-5 overall, the Falcons were in second place among Greater Spokane League 3A schools, trailing league-leading University (11-1, 13-2) by two games. After opening the first several weeks of the season by alternating wins and losses, Ridgeline has ripped off five straight wins, including a 6-1 win at University April 17 before losing the rematch with the Titans on April 21, 8-3.

“We challenged ourselves early with a tough non-league schedule, making trips to the Tri-Cities and Vancouver, and that experience has helped prepare us for league play,” head coach Jeramie Maupin said. “Right now, we’re sitting in second place and playing good baseball.”

The Falcons are playing well offensively, entering late April with a 365 team batting average, scoring 124 runs. Sophomore Connor Addington is leading the team with a .591 average, followed by seniors Mikey Macall (.474, 14 runs, 18 RBI) and Caden Andreas (.467, six doubles, 20 runs and 8 RBI).

Ridgeline’s pitching staff is also doing a good job, posting a 3.20 team earned run average and allowing 52 runs over 14 games. Seniors Charlie Lynn and Ben Wartinger are leading the team on the mound, with Lynn 1-1 with a 1.75 ERA and a team-leading 22 strikeouts while Wartinger is also 1-1, 1.83 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

The Falcons have seven games remaining, beginning with a home date April 21 with the Titans and

Fastpitch softball

ending with two games against Gonzaga Prep May 1 and May 5. They also have two with fifth-place Ferris and two with winless Cheney.

“As of Monday, April 20, we control our own destiny when it comes to competing for a league title, which is exactly where we want to be,” Maupin said. “There’s still a lot of baseball left over the next couple of weeks, but this group continues to improve, compete, and take steps in the right direction every day.”

Ridgeline is in the thick of things when it comes to securing a high seed into the District 6 playoffs. The Falcons are fourth among GSL 3A schools, fifth overall at 8-5 and 9-5 on the season and have some good opportunities to move up in the standings in their remaining six games.

Ridgeline travels April 30 to face GSL second-place University (10-2, 11-3) and wraps up the regular season at home against the team ahead of them in the April 21 standings —

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The Falcon girls have had a busy slate of matches in their run towards the post season. The team finished sixth at its first GSL meet on April 1, shooting a combined 377 strokes at Esmeralda Golf Course, one stroke behind the top 3A placer Mt. Spokane.

Ridgeline was the top 3A team at the second GSL meet at Qualchan on April 13 with a 380 score. At GSL meet No. 3 on April 21 at Latah Creek they finished sixth, again, one stroke back of the Wildcats.

Junior Chloe Hamilton has been the team’s top individual golfer, finishing 10th at Esmerelda, eighth at Qualchan and tied with senior Sawyer Anderson for 16th at Latah Creek. Head coach Danny White said freshman Taylor Boast shot a personal best 96 at Latah.

The Falcons placed second behind GSL 4A Gonzaga Prep at the Eilleen Northcutt Memorial Tournament April 17 at Wandermere Golf Course.

Junior Morgan Quesnell shot a personal best 81 to lead Ridgeline, with Anderson also post a personal best 86 and Hamilton shooting and 89.

The Falcons have two more league meets, April 29 at Liberty Lake and May 4 at The Links, before District 6 competition May 11-12 at Downriver in Spokane.

“We are growing as a team and preparing for the district and state tournaments in early May,” White said.

Boys soccer

Head coach Ernie Merino’s squad is atop the GSL’s 3A classification at 3-0, 4-1-3 overall. The Falcons are fourth overall behind Mead, Gonzaga Prep and league-leading Lewis and Clark — all 4A schools.

“Our boys soccer team has started the year off promising, with a few great results and a few learning opportunities,” Merino said. “We are continuing to come together and have had great chemistry as a team.”

Junior midfielder Draeden Simatos leads the team in goals scored with five followed by junior Beckam Lopez and freshman Grayson Spinning with three each. Seniors Thatcher Hemphill and Landon Spinning along with junior Aina Tachera each have two assists.

Defensively, senior goalkeeper Silas Merino has 38 saves.

The Falcons have four games remaining, three with 4A schools LC, Mead and Ferris and one with Spokane Valley rival Central Valley, who sits in fifth-place, second in the 3A classification, at 2-3, 3-5-1 overall.

“We have built off the traditions of success from the past, but this team has been closer knit then most teams,” Merino said. “We still have a lot to do to accomplish our goals, but I am so excited for how this team is maturing and growing together in the way the play the game.”

Besides Merino, Landon Spinning and Hemphill, Ridgeline’s other seniors are Ethan Nielsen and Brody

See SPORTS SUPPLY, Page 26

Cheney (8-4).

Contributed Photo

The Ridgeline Track and Field Team ranked high at the Mooberry Relays with Falcons securing recognition in events such as Distance Medley Relay, 2nd place (Rachel Christensen, Kalia Blanchard, Emery Sevy, Gretchyn Carter) 4 x 800 relay, 2nd place (Maliah Tsuber, Mary Pollman, Erika Bell, Kalia)

Kayla Jensen 3200 meter 1st place. 4 x 400 relay 3rd place (Emery, Maliah, Gretchyn, Kalia)

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Region’s railroad heritage influenced LL development

By Karolyn Kosanke

Liberty Lake Historical Society

In the mid-1800s, the railroad industry began developing routes into the Pacific Northwest. As the railroad progressed, settlers moved into the area and led the way to economic development in the Spokane area. Interurban electric trains were developed, not only as people movers but for the transport of commercial goods.

President Abraham Lincoln signed The Railroad Act of 1862. This authorized land grants in the western United States and the issuance of 30-year government bonds to the Union Pacific, Central Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads to aid in the construction of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. Government aid took the form of land grants and subsidies. The road was to have a 400-foot right-ofway through the public domain, plus 10 sections of land for every mile of track.

Railroad expansion provided new avenues of migration. Due to the growing population, the railroads sold portions of their land to arriving settlers at a handsome profit. Land closest to the tracks drew the highest prices as farmers and ranchers wanted to locate near railway stations.

In 1881, the Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in Spokane. The company goal was to connect the Great Lakes to the Puget Sound. This was one of many railroads that would support economic

growth in mining, lumber, agriculture and population. As with many towns in the United States, it was the railroads that turned Spokane Falls (later changed to Spokane) into the center of the Inland Empire.

In 1890, Francis H. Cook owned the Spokane and Montrose Street Railway, which was Spokane’s first electric train. In 1902, he sold it to Jay Graves. Graves and his partners reorganized the Spokane and Montrose as the Spokane Traction Company in 1903.

At the same time, Idaho lumberman Frederick A. Blackwell organized the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Railway and formed a route between Spokane and Lake Coeur d’Alene. Electricity for the electric train was provided by the Washington Water Power plant at Spokane Falls. Washington Water Power supplied 22,000 volts, which were converted to 600 volts DC at the substations through the Spokane Valley to Coeur d’Alene. This railroad ran through communities such as Dishman, Opportunity, Veradale and Greenacres before reaching the Liberty Lake station and continuing on to Coeur d’Alene. By 1905, Graves and Blackwell combined forces, forming the Spokane and Inland Empire Railroad Company operating the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane under its corporate umbrella. The S&IER Co. developed properties along the line with hopes of increasing summer and holiday train riders. Beaches and amusement

parks opened on Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Liberty lakes. The trip from Spokane to Liberty Lake took 45 minutes and cost around 75 cents roundtrip.

Emmett Denison, who lived near the Liberty Lake station, met the trains with his horse-drawn stage and transported visitors to the lake for 25 cents.

Later, the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane won a Railway Mail Service contract for the railway post office service between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. In June 1907, service began with two round trips daily. Electric passenger trains also hauled a baggage and mail car. Eventually, mail cranes were installed at Millwood and Spokane Bridge for non-stop mail exchange.

As Liberty Lake developed, the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Railway agreed to build a spur line from the original Liberty Lake station on the main line and run along a two-mile stretch to the lake. Railroad officials originally turned the idea down, but as Liberty Lake became more popular to Spokane residents and the number of passengers using the Liberty Lake station grew, they agreed.

In March 1907, the Liberty Lake station was renamed Liberty Lake Junction. The spur line was laid from Liberty Lake Junction to Liberty Lake Park (presentday Alpine Shores), making a loop back to the Junction.

June 15, 1907, was opening day of the summer schedule on the Coeur d’Alene division. Three trains now ran from Spokane to Liberty Lake Junction, where passengers could now change trains and go on to Liberty Lake Park.

The Spokane Inland Empire Railroad further developed Liberty Lake Park, which was completed in 1909. Popular for picnics and gathering, the park drew a large summer crowd.

The Liberty Lake Improvement Company, a division of the Railroad headed up by Jay Graves and other Spokane businessmen, developed the park/resort for the branch line. The area “Wicomico” (the sandy strip on the west side of the lake) was promoted to support land sales. The Spokane and Inland Empire report by President Jay P. Graves informed stockholders in 1909 that the railway had developed a “first class summer resort” at Liberty Lake with the finest bathing beaches in the country, a 35-acre park, a $10,000 pavillion, bathhouses and a 500-foot pier.

Daily trains increased from 1910-1913, running every half hour on Sundays and holidays. Cars normally carried up to 60 passengers, but could carry double that

DID YOU KNOW?

• Architect Kirtland Cutter designed the depots at Hayden and Liberty Lake. The resort depots were large covered platforms, 50 feet long, to accommodate large crowds.

• Along the electric line from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene were sub-stations that housed batteries to support the train. The Coeur d’Alene sub-station is now the Human Rights Education building next to the North Idaho Museum.

• A frequency changing station that converted 4,000 volts/60 cycle to 2,200 volts/25 cycle is located on the south side of Interstate 90 near the Hamilton Street exit.

• One of the largest known crowds at the lake gathered here for the Fourth of July celebration of 1924. Of the estimated 14,000 who attended the festivities that summer day, 9,000 arrived by train.

number standing in the aisle and on the platforms. Open cars hauled even more passengers hanging onto the outside of the car.

From 1910 to 1915, Liberty Lake Park became known as “Spokane’s Inland Seashore.” The All Valley Picnics and other business picnics were hosted at the park, where guests could fish, rent swimsuits, relax and enjoy the water. The dance pavillion as well as the resorts and hotels brought entertainment to the lake.

The 1920s brought major changes to Liberty Lake. As roads for automobiles were built, passenger train travel began to decrease.

The electric railways of the Inland Empire merged in 1922, forming Spokane United Railways. This company slowly converged to bus service, ending electric rail operations into the lake in 1927 and ceasing the remainder by 1936. With the Burlington Northern Railroad merger of 1970, the old interurban system became unprofitable, and the Spokane and Inland Empire system became entirely abandoned between 1970 and 1985.

Karolyn Kosanke is a board member of the Liberty Lake Historical Society. She remembers her parents talking about riding the train from Greenacres to Liberty Lake Park to enjoy the dances, music and All Valley Picnics. “They loved the lake so much, they moved here in 1943, and I’m glad they did,” Kosanke says. Kosanke loves the lake, too: After growing up here, she moved back “home” with husband, Richard, in 2008.

Photo courtesy of the Liberty Lake Historical Society

The Liberty Lake Railroad Station, shown here circa 1907, was located in what would become Liberty Lake Park (Alpine Shores neighborhood). The park was finished in 1909.

Ridgeline Dance Team Claims 3A State Championship

By Brooke Masters Splash contributor

The Ridgeline High School Dance Team claimed the 3A State Championship this season, competing against teams from across Washington state. The team earned first place in prop, fifth in hip hop, and sixth in pom, the best finish for the program so far. For the 20 dancers on the competition roster, the title was the result of months of preparation and dedication to each other.

The team is made up of 27 dancers in all, with 20 competing at the state level. The roster spans all four grade levels and includes both boys and girls. The program offers two opportunities for students who want to be involved. The fall team performs pregame and halftime routines during football season, giving dancers a chance to represent Ridgeline at games. The competition team commits to a fuller season that runs from July through March, performing at both football and basketball games throughout the year before building toward the state championships held at the end of March.

Jackie Roberts, the head coach, described what this group of athletes means to her. Roberts said that coaching them has "truly been a dream," and she added that she is watching her dancers grow not just as athletes but as members of the community. That growth extends beyond dance skill. Roberts takes particular pride in the culture the team has built together. Despite competing in a sport where evaluation is a focal point, the team has made encouragement and mutual respect the foundation of how they operate rather than comparison among themselves. Dancers are encouraged to celebrate each other's growth, and that environment has shaped the kind of team culture that is hard to create.

The program is only three years old, but it has built an impressive

record for its age. Ridgeline has won the district championship all three years of the program's existence. In previous seasons, the team also earned second and third place finishes in hip hop at state, along with strong placements in other categories. Each season, the team selects up to three categories to compete in based on the strengths of that year's roster. The four categories available to teams are hip hop, prop, pom, and dance, which includes styles such as jazz and lyrical. The dancers have shown consistent versatility across styles, and that adaptability has been a distinguishing quality of the program since its start.

This year's championship run was not without its challenges. The prop routine, which earned first place at state, featured a racing theme built around steering wheels and flags. During the season, the team faced injuries that forced dancers to adapt while still managing the props, at times requiring individual athletes to take on additional responsibilities mid-routine to keep the transitions clean. The team also made mental preparation a core part of its

approach. Reflection and journaling became tools for working through burnout and self-doubt, helping dancers stay grounded through a long and demanding season.

At state, the competition team performed three back-to-back routines during the morning floor set, a stretch that required sustained precision and energy without much room to rest between performances. The month leading up to state had sharpened the team, and the mental preparation work they had put in throughout the season showed in how they carried themselves. The dancers arrived with a level of focus and consistency that carried through each routine. Roberts described the moment when her team took the floor as one that will stay with her. "Watching them take the floor with that level of confidence and unity was an unforgettable moment, and one of the most powerful experiences of my coaching career," she said. It was a performance that reflected everything the team had worked toward, and the first-place finish in prop was the result that followed.

The values Roberts has built

into the program run deeper than competition results. The team operates with a shared motto centered on replacing the phrase "I can't" with "not yet." The emphasis on belonging and progress shapes how dancers carry themselves both on and off the floor. Roberts reflects on her team with a sense of pride. "They are a family," she said. "They take pride in representing Ridgeline, and each year they continue to raise the standard for what this program can achieve."

As the season wraps up, Roberts hopes the broader community takes a moment to appreciate what this achievement required. The routines may look effortless, but they represent countless hours of training, conditioning, and repetition. Dance demands both physical and mental strength, and this team has shown it brings both. That combination of skill, culture, and commitment is what has defined the Ridgeline Dance Team. For a program three years into its story, a state championship is a meaningful marker of how far it has come, and a reflection of the standards the program has set for itself from the start

Photo by Roy Powell Photography,

The Ridgeline Dance Team won the 3A State Championships at the end of March competing against 22 teams at the Yakima Sundowme. The team took 1st place in props, 5th place in hip hop, and 6th place in pom

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Continued from page 20 Presho.

Tennis

The Falcon girls are 5-3 in match play this season, 3-3 in the GSL, sitting in fifth after wins over Ferris and Cheney. Ridgeline participated in the Tri-Cities Invitational on April 18 where they finished 13th out of 21 teams.

“Girls tennis is doing good,” head coach Russell Tarmann said. “We are cruising into the end of the season with Inland Empire Classic this coming weekend (April 24-25) and our final week of play before subdistricts begins May 4.”

Track and Field

Several Ridgeline boys and girls are ranked in the top five in their event among GSL athletes. For the boys, Keean Huntsinger is fourth in the 800-meter run, Reed Swain is fifth in the 100-meter dash and Gavin O’Connell is fourth in the high jump.

For the Falcon girls, senior Kali Rothrock leads the GSL in the 400 with a time of 57.17 seconds and is third in the 200. Raina Henderson is third in the 100 while Kalia Blanchard is fifth in the 800 and 1,600 and senior Gretchyn Carter is fifth in the 3,200.

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Tegan Leong is third in the 100 hurdles and fourth in the 300 hurdles. In the field events, Rothrock leads in the long and triple jumps with leaps of 17 feet, 7.75 inches and 35-08 respectively, while Makiah Frandsen is third in the long jump and Jovie Dire is fifth in the javelin.

Rothrock also leads all District 6 athletes in the 400-meters, long and triple jumps. She is third in 3A state in the long jump and fourth in the 400 and triple jump.

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WSDOT to slow traffic entering Westbound I90

By Nina Culver Splash contributor

The two westbound Interstate 90 on ramps at Harvard Road in Liberty Lake are having ramp meters installed to help make merging onto the freeway easier at peak times.

The Washington State Department of Transportation has been installing ramp meters in Spokane County for the last several years. Typically, the department looks at installing meters at on ramps that have traffic counts higher than 1,700 per hour, said WSDOT Project Engineer Haitham Hesham. “As this place we have 1,800,” he said.

At this point the ramp meters are only being installed on the westbound ramps because the traffic count on the eastbound ramp isn’t high enough. “The counts at the eastbound direction aren’t at that threshold yet,” said WSDOT Project Manager Tyler Stavnes.

Ramp meters are like stop lights at on ramps during peak travel hours, stopping traffic with red lights that flash green every few seconds to allow cars to merge onto the freeway at steady intervals. This can help eliminate traffic slowdowns on the freeway caused by too many cars trying to merge at once, like what happens at the westbound Sprague Avenue onramp every afternoon.

“You have multiple vehicles trying to merge at the same time,” said WSDOT Eastern Region spokesperson Joe McHale of what happens just after the Sprague Avenue curve every weeknight. “When the ramp is metered, only one vehicle tries to merge.”

There are two westbound I-90 on ramps in Liberty Lake, one from northbound Harvard Road and one from southbound Harvard Road, that come together and join with I-90 at the same point. The southbound ramp will have ramp meters installed on each side of the ramp and the northbound ramp will have overhead ramp meter lights.

“The reason we are adding them there is because they are close,” said Hesham.

The two ramp meters will be

synched to avoid creating a different kind of congestion at the on ramps, McHale said. “These two will talk to each other,” he said.

McHale acknowledges that some drivers find the ramp meters frustrating, but said they are effective.

The first ramp meter installed in Spokane County was at the eastbound on ramp at U.S. Highway 195 just west of downtown Spokane in 2019. Before the ramp meter was installed there was an average of 10 collisions there a year, McHale said. After the ramp meter that average dropped to 6.3 a year.

Work started on the Harvard Road on ramp project last summer and recently resumed after a winter hiatus. Pavement had to be ripped up to install detector loops to sense when cars are waiting for a green light. “We had to grind out the pavement, put the loops in and repave the ramp,” Stavnes said. “There’s a lot of electrical work and conduit and wiring to put in.”

The major step left to complete is to temporarily close the northbound Harvard Road on ramp so the overhead ramp meter lights can be installed. The installation has not yet been scheduled, but will be announced on social media and online ahead of time.

“We are almost done,” Stavnes said.

Once the nearly $800,000 project is complete and goes live, the ramp meters will be active between 6 and 9 a.m. every weekday morning. The westbound on ramps currently don’t

have a high enough traffic count in the evening to justify turning on the system, McHale said.

“A lot of people aren’t going westbound during the evening commute, they’re going eastbound,” he said.

At the same time, crews also installed two traffic cameras to add to the network of I-90 traffic cameras already in place, which can be accessed by the public through the WSDOT web site.

This project follows another WSDOT project completed in 2022 to extend the southbound Harvard Road on ramp, which was short and didn’t allow drivers enough space to accelerate in the 70 mile-per-hour zone.

“They made it easier to accelerate and merge,” Stavnes said. “It wasn’t long enough. We gave them more room to merge.”

The Harvard Road ramp meters will be the 10th and 11th in Spokane County. The other meters are in place at eastbound Walnut/Maple, eastbound Monroe Street, eastbound Browne/ Division, westbound Browne/ Division, eastbound Hamilton Street and eastbound U.S. Highway 2. There are also two ramp meters at eastbound Geiger Boulevard.

The need for all the ramp meters, including the two going in at Harvard Road, was identified in an I-90 operations study completed by WSDOT in 2018, McHale said.