2024 June Current

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COMELLA
NEW

RIVER CROSSING

Community Catalyst –Comella leads innovative Millwood Impact

Brandon Comella didn’t major in engineering at Whitworth University but the structural grid he designed and built in starting a unique nonprofit has provided a level of structural support that rivals any building in Spokane County.

In August 2019, Comella received news that Millwood Impact had been approved as a 501c3 nonprofit. After over a dozen years as youth director at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church (MCPC), Comella was ready to set out on a new path with an ambitious vision to “address unmet essential needs for the health and well-being of kids and families in the Millwood and West Valley community.”

Millwood Impact premiered in February 2020, just a month before the COVID-19 pandemic altered the daily routine for the entire community. Comella pivoted quickly, understanding the organization’s after-school program would need to pause. Millwood Impact quickly focused on food security, working with seven West Valley schools on the Bite2GO weekend food program and partnering with Second Harvest on weekly food distribution in the church parking lot.

These days, the after-school program, called STAR Club, is thriving. Students in grades 3-5 at Orchard Center and Ness Elementary benefit from mentoring twice a week, emphasizing support, encouragement and positive connections. A survey of parents with kids in the program found 90 percent felt their children were more secure since being enrolled in STAR Club.

A new program called Garden Club will teach kids basic gardening skills with the Millwood Community Pumpkin Patch serving as the outdoor classroom. Meanwhile, the focus on food security that defined Millwood Impact in the early days has continued with a monthly “Millwood Meal” that strengthens community ties. Local businesses have stepped up to provide snacks to West Valley schools and a food distribution partnership with Women and Children’s Free Restaurant provides 150 meals twice a month to local families in need.

Comella said Millwood Impact boils down to “just caring for people.”

“This means a wider net for more people,” he said. “We have more access to volunteers and funding.”

Comella said the opening of a community center at MCPC eight years ago created more space for after-school programming and called attention to the need of a

separate cause to support kids who were showing up in droves at the new space.

Comella brought a diverse but relevant background to his new role, including four years as a golf coach at West Valley High School and service on the WVSD Truancy Board as well as the district’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Comella grew up in Sherwood, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. He enjoyed the outdoors with his family and participated in sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and golf. In high school, he volunteered through his church to help with a middle school youth group and was part of service trips to Mexico.

“Eighty percent of the kids we worked with did not come from the church,” Comella recalled.

When Comella showed up at Whitworth as a freshman, it was the first time he’d set foot on campus. He majored in theology and minored in philosophy and later earned his

certificate of ministry. By Comella’s senior year, he was dating his future wife, Anna. The couple wed in 2006 and are parents to two children.

While at Whitworth, Comella volunteered with the Mead School District and began to see the variety of struggles faced by middle school and high school students. His experience carried over when Goodwin named Comella MCPC youth director at the age of 23.

Shirene Young, who spent 30 years with Inland Empire Paper Co., said Comella brings a humble approach to his role as executive director, welcoming outside opinions and seeking input on best practices.

“Brandon brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to helping people,” Young said. “He’s worked tirelessly every day, going back the early days when funding was especially a challenge.”

Young points to a new venture known as Millwood Impact Cooperative that has includes partners like the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center, local businesses, WVSD and the Hutton Settlement in an effort to “involve the broader West Valley network in creating a healthier community.”

Comella said he has received inquiries from two communities about creating their own versions of Millwood Impact. For now, the original version is working on generating increased interest, support and volunteer participation. For more information, go to www. millwoodimpact.org.

Q: When you were growing up, did you go out of your way to help kids your age who may have been struggling socially, academically or any other areas?

A: I would say yes. My last three years of high school I was a volunteer leader with my church middle school youth group. From an early age I remember being curious about others who were struggling in one form or another.

• JUNE 2024 2 The Current
Photo by Craig Howard Brandon Comella is the founder and executive director of Millwood Impact, a West-Valley based nonprofit that provides support for at-risk kids as well as a food resources for families in need. A Whitworth University grad, Comella served as the youth director at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church for over a dozen years before starting Millwood Impact in
early 2020.
See COMELLA, Page 5
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COMELLA

Continued from page 2

Q: It seems like you had a fairly stable, predictable home life as a child and adolescent. For kids that don’t necessarily have that, what are some supplemental approaches to support that can make a difference?

A: One motto we have at Millwood Impact is that “Everyone has a story.” It’s easy to judge someone by their actions or the way they might look. But until you have taken the time to hear their story, you should hold off on those judgments. Being present and being willing to listen ask questions is important. I, for sure, had a stable upbringing and I changed a lot in many perspectives after hearing the stories of the youth I was connected with.

Q: Kids don’t always talk about what’s missing in their lives or challenges they may be facing in or outside of the classroom. How do you address that with a program like Millwood Impact and what have you seen happen when that communication is consistent?

A: The key factor that makes our after-school program different than others is that our focus is relationship building. We think that academics, positive behavior changes, good social connections come when the student feels safe and secure. We find, train and equip adults who live or work in our community to show up and be present with the kids at STAR Club. This focus creates many safe adults that the students feel connected to and feel OK to communicate with.

Q: Not to say that an idea like Millwood Impact couldn’t be successful in other communities but what is it about the West Valley community that has served as a uniquely effective incubator?

A: I think there are two main factors in the fast success that Millwood Impact has had in such a short amount of time. First is that Millwood and the West Valley community have a “small town” feel. Many generations live in West Valley and I have found that many who graduate and move away, tend to come back at some point. Secondly, I have earned trust in the community. Since I worked for over 12 years at Millwood Presbyterian

Church, I was extremely involved in the schools, coached golf at West Valley High School and sat on a number of boards.

Q: Can you talk about the pivoting you and Millwood Impact undertook after COVID-19 set down just a month after you launched the program?

A: Our mission is essentially to “address unmet needs in the Millwood and West Valley community.” So, even though we had started the after-school programs previous to me officially starting Millwood Impact, once Covid hit, we weren’t able to continue with those. Thankfully our mission was perfect for meeting other needs during that time, so we shifted to food security. We helped seven West Valley Schools with their Bite2Go weekend food program, worked with Second Harvest and had weekly food delivery out of the church parking lot for 10 months and connected with the schools to try and find other needs in the community that we could help with.

Q: You just passed the fouryear anniversary of Millwood Impact. Have things gone the way you expected or hoped they would so far?

A: There have for sure been some highs and lows over the last four years but, overall, I have felt like things have exceeded my expectations. I truly feel like this nonprofit has made an impact in this community and benefited a lot of individuals and families. I am extremely excited for us to continue to grow and live out our mission, continuing to address unmet needs in this community.

Q: Finally, it’s clear that Millwood Impact is doing critical work and making a real difference but what can we do as a community to step up our efforts in supporting other at-risk kids outside of your program?

A: If we as a community can learn that everyone has a story and that every action that a kid does is because of something else going on in their life, it’s going to make a difference. If we could just take a little more time and be slower to judge, be more patient and ask good questions, we can learn more and be a more cohesive and connected community as a whole.

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The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources. Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

2024 April Theft Hotspots

Spokane Valley Districts

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

June is National Safety Awareness Month

With the hope of nicer weather comes an increase of activities that raise a variety of safety concerns. As you go enjoy the warm weather please use the following safety tips

1. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration is another safety concern during the summer months. Be sure to drink enough liquids throughout the day, as our bodies can lose a lot of water through perspiration when it gets hot out, or activity increases.

2. Protect your skin: Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going out. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Limit sun exposure, when possible, during peak intensity hours. Stay in the shade whenever possible.

3. Swim Smart: Remember to always have adult supervision for children. Whether they’re in the pool or playing in the sand at the seashore, having someone who can help, should an emergency arise, is essential. Wear life jackets when applicable.

4. Sports Safety: Not only can injuries happen, but heat exhaustion and dehydration can happen more often in the summer months. It helps to be conditioned to the activities in which we’re preparing to engage. Warm up, stretch, gear up, go with a buddy, and remember to cool down and stretch afterwards.

5. Prepare and emergency weather kit: Summer is known for its long days, but it’s also a prime time for severe weather like thunderstorms or hurricanes. Heavy area storms can easily knock out power and scatter debris, making it difficult to travel outside the home for necessities. Ensure you have a full emergency kit ready to go with nonperishable food, flashlights, water, a

• JUNE 2024 6 The Current Introducing the
! ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ! 3 7 3 2 5 6 4 2 4 3 4 3 2 5 3 2 6 4 3 8 8 2 2 3 3 2 5 3 2 2 SC08 SC09 SV03 SC10 SV06 SV02 SC07 SV05 SV04 SV01 Millwood Liberty Lake Spokane Spokane R ve L ber y Lake Dosse Reservo r Quinnamose Creek Chester Cree k Spokane R ver Saltese Creek Argonne McDonald Cataldo Sprague 32nd Havana Knox 37th Sullivan Harvard Saltese 40th 24th Park Valleyway Adams Molter Evergreen Mission University 8th M u a n 2nd P a o u s e Carnahan Country Vista 4th Pines Sharp Montgomery Maringo Barker 16th Campbell Bowdish Libert y Lake Broadway 3rd Farr Blake Marietta Fancher Upriver Rutter App eway 17th Dishman Mica Liberty Kramer Va eySprings Wellesley Trent Lynden Forker Bigelow G u ch Flora Euclid 25th Girard Thierman Progress Frederick Glenrose Madison 57th Michigan Hartson McKinzie 44th Henry Yardley Dickey Glenn Herald 29th Belle Terre Indiana Schafe r 27 Bettman Columb a Francis Empire Vista RailroadKildea Joseph M rabeau River Buckeye 31st Simpson Marcus Fancher Frontage Kenney Gilbert Thorpe Sands Chapman Linke Garland Saltese Lake Rodeo Nora / 0 1 2 0.5 Miles Legend >15 ! ( 11-15 ! 6-10 ! 2-5 ! = 1 Incidents Within 1/4 Mile Sparse Dense Hotspots Published Date: 5/8/2024 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area. Spokane Valley Districts 2024 April Malicious Mischief Hotspots ! ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ( ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ( ! 3 2 42 2 8 2 4 12 3 9 4 6 3 2 3 2 11 16 2 3 4 2 13 4 16 4 4 14 2 20 2 2 2 2 2 2 SC08 SC09 SV03 SC10 SV06 SV02 SC07 SV05 SV04 SV01 Millwood Liberty Lake Spokane Spokane R ver Liberty Lake Dosser Reservo r Quinnamose Creek ChesterCreek Spokane River Saltese Creek Argonne McDonald Cataldo Sprague 32nd Havana Knox 37th Sullivan Harvard Saltese 40th 24th Park Valleyway Adams Molter Evergreen Mission University 8th M u l a n 2nd P a o u s e Carnahan Country Vista 4th Pines Sharp Montgomery Maringo Barker 16th Campbell Bowdish Libert y Lake Broadway 3rd Farr Blake Marietta Fancher Upriver Rutter Appleway 17th Dishman Mica Liberty Kramer Val eySprings Wellesley Trent Lynden Forker Bigelow Gulch Flora Euclid 25th Girard Thierman Progress Frederick Glenrose Madison 57th Michigan Hartson McKinzie 44th Henry Yardley Dickey Cement Glenn Herald 29th Belle Terre Indiana Schafe r 27 Bettman Columbia Francis Empire Vista RailroadKildea Joseph Mirabeau River Buckeye 31st Simpson Marcus Fancher Frontage Kenney Gilbert Thorpe Sands Chapman Linke Garland Saltese Lake Rodeo Nora / 0 1 2 0.5 Miles Legend >15 ! ( 11-15 ! 6-10 ! ( 2-5 ! = 1 Incidents Within 1/4 Mile Sparse Dense Hotspots Published Date: 5/8/2024 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area.
Safety Awareness Channel

first aid kit, extra medications, etc. to see you through an emergency situation.

6. Be a Defensive Driver: Every summer, more drivers hit the road for vacations. When driving, put your cell phone away and keep your eyes on the road. If you’re tired, pull over for a nap since drowsy driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. And don’t drink with under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

7. Use insect repellent: Protect yourself from diseases spread by mosquitos and ticks. In addition to bug spray you can also minimize bug bites by discarding standing water in your yard, wearing long sleeve clothing, and use mosquito netting.

8. Picnic with care: Make sure to cook food the same day to limit the amount of time bacteria has to grow in it. Viruses and bacteria are the most common culprits of food poisoning, which can at times lead to a hospital visit. To practice the safety steps clean, separate, cook, and chill.

9. Watch your grill: As the summer months encourage outdoor time, firing up the grill becomes part of life. Only grill outdoors, keep kids and pets away, keep grill clean of excess grease and fat. Never leave a grill unattended.

10. Remember bikes are vehicles: Biking is great exercise and summer months give ample opportunity to be out. Ensure you know the rules of the road before heading out for a ride, and stay in designated areas. Wear a helmet and reflective gear so motorists see you.

11. Be on Fire watch: Remember that burning in Spokane Valley Fire Department service area for disposal purposes is never allowed. For more information go to https://www. spokanevalleyfire.com/fire-life-

2024 April Burglary Hotspots

The Current JUNE 2024 • 7 ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2 2 2 4 2 2 2 4 2 2 SC08 SC09 SV03 SC10 SV06 SV02 SC07 SV05 SV04 SV01 Millwood Liberty Lake Spokane Spokane River L ber y Lake Dosser Reservo r Quinnamose Creek ChesterCreek Spokane River Saltese Creek Argonne McDonald Cataldo Sprague 32nd Havana Knox 37th Sullivan Harvard Saltese 40th 24th Park Valleyway Adams Molter Evergreen Mission University 8th M u l a n 2nd P a o u s e Carnahan Country Vista 4th Pines Sharp Montgomery Maringo Barker 16th Campbell Bowdish Libert y Lake Broadway 3rd Farr Blake Marietta Fancher Upriver Rutter Appleway 17th Dishman Mica Liberty Kramer Val eySprings Wellesley Trent Lynden Forker Bigelow Gulch Flora Euclid 25th Girard Thierman Progress Frederick Glenrose Madison 57th Michigan McKinzie 44th Henry Yardley Dickey Cement Glenn Herald 29th Belle Terre Indiana Schafe r 27 Bettman Columbia Francis Empire Vista RailroadKildea Joseph Mirabeau River Buckeye 31st Simpson Marcus Fancher Frontage Kenney Gilbert Thorpe Sands Chapman Linke Garland Saltese Lake Rodeo Nora / 0 1 2 0.5 Miles Legend >15 ! ( 11-15 ! 6-10 ! ( 2-5 ! = 1 Incidents Within 1/4 Mile Sparse Dense Hotspots Published Date: 5/8/2024 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area. Spokane Valley Districts 2024 April Vehicle Theft Hotspots ! ( ! ( ! ! ! ! ( ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 10 2 2 2 4 3 2 3 5 2 3 9 2 SC08 SC09 SV03 SC10 SV06 SV02 SC07 SV05 SV04 SV01 Millwood Liberty Lake Spokane Spokane R ver L berty Lake Dosser Reservoir Quinnamose Creek ChesterCreek Spokane River Saltese Creek Argonne McDonald Cataldo Sprague 32nd Havana Knox 37th Sullivan Harvard Saltese 40th 24th Park Valleyway Adams Molter Evergreen Mission University 8th M u l a n 2nd P a o u s e Carnahan Country Vista 4th Pines Sharp Montgomery Maringo Barker 16th Campbell Bowdish Libert y Lake Broadway 3rd Farr Blake Marietta Fancher Upriver Rutter Appleway 17th Dishman Mica Liberty Kramer Val eySprings Wellesley Trent Lynden Forker Bigelow Gulch Flora Euclid 25th Girard Thierman Progress Frederick Glenrose Madison 57th Michigan Hartson McKinzie 44th Henry Yardley Dickey Cement Glenn Herald 29th Belle Terre Indiana Schafe r 27 Bettman Columbia Francis Empire Vista RailroadKildea Joseph Mirabeau River Buckeye 31st Simpson Marcus Fancher Frontage Kenney Gilbert Thorpe Sands Chapman Linke Garland Saltese Lake Rodeo Nora Legend / 0 1 2 0.5 Miles >15 ! 11-15 ! 6-10 ! 2-5 ! = 1 Incidents Within 1/4 Mile Sparse Dense Hotspots Published Date: 5/8/2024 Prepared by Spokane County Sheriff's RIG 9 Unit Incident counts summarizes the events within 1/4 of a mile of each other. The heat map shows the density of events within the area. Spokane Valley
Districts

NEWS

Council hires Frontier Behavioral Health as homeless services provider

Spokane Valley has agreed to a contract with Frontier Behavioral Health to provide homeless and housing services in the city beginning July, 2024 and running through June, 2025.

In an administrative report at the council’s May 21 meeting, city staff said Frontier was one of two area homeless and housing services providers to respond to a city request for proposal in March, with the other respondent being the Salvation Army. Spokane Valley issued the request after the previous homeless services provider Partners Inland NW — formerly known as Spokane Valley Partners — notified city staff it could no longer handle homeless issues due to other program and service needs.

Frontier’s proposed services bid of $200,419 is higher than the Salvation Army’s proposal of $148,587. City staff told the council both organizations went through a thorough review process, including in-person interviews, and the recommendation made by the city’s newly created interim Homeless and Housing Assistance Act task force to hire Frontier was also partly based on other factors — including an existing relationship between Frontier and the Spokane Valley Police Department.

It was a decision that did not sit well with Councilman Al Merkel, who accused city staff of engaging in an unfair and uneven review process. Merkel did acknowledge the merits of the services being provided.

“This is a need, not a want,” he added.

Homeless and housing services in Spokane Valley were previously addressed at the county level, with Partners Inland NW receiving funding in 2022 and a $186,644 contract in 2023. In an effort to keep funding and resources local to Spokane Valley — and get out ahead of efforts launched in summer 2023 to address homelessness and housing needs through a regional consortium — the council passed a resolution in August 2023 to assume control of its share of revenue from

county document recording fees.

According to a staff report, document revenues for 2024 are projected at $290,000, and approximately $300,000 in 2025.

The state law allowing Spokane Valley to do this also required it set up a homeless task force to develop a five-year homeless housing plan and guidelines for things such as emergency shelters, shortterm housing needs, temporary encampments, supportive housing for chronically homeless persons and long-term housing. The City Council passed a resolution creating an interim task force composed of seven members in September 2023, with Mayor Pam Haley appointing the members.

Frontier will continue the model established by Partners Inland NW where outreach staff accompany a Spokane Valley police officer, funded by the city, when responding to homeless complaints and provide abilities to access social services with the goal of getting the individuals into housing.

Homeless and Housing Coordinator Erik Robinson told the council Frontier already has staff working in Spokane Valley, and fields a group of 10 outreach staff who would be able to facilitate the city’s program. Where Partners Inland NW utilized two workers, Frontier would hire 1.5 full time equivalent staff and a supervisor to provide about six hours per week as part of their contract. Robinson said factors contributing to Frontier’s selection included their ability access mental health resources, established funding streams and social services such as helping with back rent.

Spokane Valley Police Department Homeless Outreach Officer Josh Pratt said he has been working with Frontier Behavioral Health staff for about six months, with the goal of providing services that are “Valley specific.” Pratt said Frontier helps homeless individuals by paying for travel to social security offices, standing in line with them to help with paperwork as well as other everyday needs such as bus passes, cellphones and minute cards, adding he speaks with someone from Frontier on average of 4-5 times

a week.

“It’s been a very good relationship up to this point,” he said.

Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger asked if Frontier would be providing support to individuals after placing to prevent future homelessness. Robinson said that type of follow up was outside the scope of the contract.

“We do know how to connect people to resources that can (provide prevention assistance),” Robinson said, noting Family Promise is one such organization.

Merkel questioned whether or not other applicants understood the proposal process thoroughly, particularly when it came to the type of model the city was looking for, noting he had received an email from one applicant stating the RFP was “vague” and they weren’t certain what the city was looking for.

Robinson said he hadn’t heard of anyone on the team receiving “feedback” from applicants about the RFP, adding the city was looking for a model similar to what it is using now, which is two individuals assisting Officer Pratt.

Merkel also read off the list of evaluation criteria listed in the RFP, noting while some of the items were similar, there were some items, such as budget, that were not listed.

“It just makes me wonder if our evaluations were substantially different than what we asked for,” he added. “I don’t see how that could really be a fair process.”

“I think that one of the things we were aiming for was rather than copying the RFP essentially and putting that in our evaluation forms we tried to consolidate and condense what was in the RFP,” Robinson said. “So, budget — what does it cost? What are you offering for the amount of money that you are asking for? What are your rates of indirect costs? We didn’t list one of those, but that’s what we considered under budget, but it wasn’t necessarily spelled out.”

Merkel said he understood how that was useful for the city, but not others.

“We’re setting a moving bar for the people who are applying for this, and it’s supposed to be a transparent process,” he said, wondering how many other organizations might have applied if the city had been more specific in what was being sought.

Merkel added he had submitted some suggestions regarding the RFP process, but doubted they were seen. City Manager John Hohman said they did indeed receive the councilman’s suggestions, with the team incorporating some they thought were useful and discarding the rest.

Hohman added in listening to the discussion and presentation from staff that it was “very clear” what the city was looking for and what the evaluation criteria would be.

“We have very responsive proposals that came in, and went through the process of going through the task force,” Hohman said. “I think you’ve heard a lot of why the task force recommended the way that they did tonight.”

“I think that the other thing that the task force looked at was the relationship that we already have (with Frontier),” Haley added. “They already know the clients that they’ll be working with because they’ve already been working with them. That was something that we talked about at the task force quite a bit.”

Haley also added that the differences in the proposals might be in the understanding. Anyone who provides these types of services — including Frontier and the Salvation Army — knows what is meant by certain requirements and therefore those don’t need to be spelled out.

Merkel said he had “strong reactions” to these comments and still didn’t believe the city’s process was open and fair. He said the city should strongly look at whether or not there is a protest process for RFPs.

Haley sought to clarify the process more, noting Merkel was “totally wrong.” She said that one of the reasons why people perhaps trusted Frontier more was they had seen past results, “good things happen” from the organization’s efforts.

“I don’t blame anybody for wanting results,” she said. “That’s what this is all about, right?”

Merkel was still clearly not in agreement, as throughout Haley’s comments he could be seen shaking his head.

Council approved the contract with Frontier Behavioral Health by a 6-1 vote at their May 28 meeting, Merkel voting no and noting he had no problems with Frontier, just the process with which the city made the selection.

• JUNE 2024 8 The Current

Valley Council approves budget amendment, projects, land use changes

Spending, construction and land uses were a few of the items addressed by the Spokane Valley City Council during meetings in May.

Budget amendment

At its May 21 meeting, council held a public hearing and unanimously approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s 2024 budget. The amendment affects revenues and expenses in 12 city funds, reflecting a revenue increase of almost $8.49 million and expenditures increase of just over $17.2 million.

Largest of the expenses was an increase to the general fund of just over $4.96 million. Much of that was accounted for by $3.131 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funding the city has received and is using on a variety of service contracts.

“Those are our estimates right now on what we think are going to be paid out on those contracts,” Finance Director Chelsie Taylor told the council.

Councilwoman Laura Padden asked how much of the General Fund expenses were recurring and how much were non-recurring. Taylor estimated $3.5 million in non-recurring and $1.35 million in recurring expenses.

Another large item was a $4.4 million revenue increase and parallel expenses bump in the Economic Development Capital Projects Fund. The revenue increase corresponded to a $4.4 million transfer out of funds from the Hotel/Motel Tax – Tourism Facilities Fund to the Economic Development fund to pay for construction of the first portion of the city’s cross country course off Flora Road north of the Spokane

River.

The amendment also reflects an over $1.39 million revenue increase and subsequent decrease in expenses in the Transportation Benefit District Funds. Taylor said the fund is new and has been created to house revenue from the city’s $20 car tab fee passed in late 2023. The expenses reflect a transfer out of those funds to the Street Operation and Maintenance Fund to pay for street maintenance work.

Councilman Al Merkel ticked off a list of items that included $711,000 for parks, $270,000 for a new traffic signal division and the almost $1.4 million car tab fees as areas he felt were unnecessary spending. Merkel, while indicating he would vote yes on this amendment, said the city shouldn’t be spending any more money until it had addressed the “number one need going forward” of fully funding increases to public safety, particularly police staffing.

“We’re spending a lot on things that are wants, not needs,” Merkel said.

Sprague, Bowdish projects approved

At its May 7 meeting, council approved a $3 million contract with Halme Construction, Inc. for work on the Sprague Avenue Stormwater and Multi-Modal Project. The project addresses contamination of the city’s sole source of drinking water — the Spokane Valley / Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer — through treatment of stormwater runoff in the section of Sprague between South University and South Herald roads.

The project will provide stormwater treatment by building bio-infiltration swales along this stretch of roadway. Because of existing underground utilities, limited right-of-way access and existing street trees, to construct the swales the city will reduce Sprague from five lanes to three, removing the north and south outside lanes.

The project includes a new, signalized pedestrian crossing from City Hall to the remodeled Balfour Park and the new Spokane Valley Library branch, a “highperformance” Spokane Transit Authority bus stop, new ADAcompliant curbs and ramps, See SV COUNCIL, Page 30

Celebrate Your Grad!

The Current JUNE 2024 • 9 NEWS 11 am till 10 pm Fri - Sat 11 am till 11 pm 1400 N Meadowwood Ln • Liberty L ake 509-891-7790 View menu at WhiteHouseGrill.com COME SHARE A WITHMEALUS! Spokane 2525 E 29th Ave, Suite 1B Spokane, WA 99223 (509) 535-4864 Operating Hours Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 11am-5pm North Spokane 9706 N. Newport Hwy, Ste. 29 Spokane, WA 99218 (509) 204-5435 New Summer Hours Mon-Sat 10am-8pm Sun 10am-5pm Gluten Free Option Available! purchase of $25 or more Expires 6/30/2024. Limit one (1) coupon per guest. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Valid only at the Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery(ies) listed. Valid only on baked goods; not valid on retail items. Must be claimed in bakery during normal business hours. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with any other offer. Discounts applied before tax. Coupon may not be reproduced, transferred or sold. Internet distribution strictly prohibited. No cash value. For Bakery Use Only

Congratulations Graduating Class of 2024

Dominic Abrams • Ayden Ackerly • William Adamson • Elizabeth Aguilar-Gomez • Genavee Aguon • Amira Al-Hamadani

• Carter Albertson • Salina Alexander

• Bryce Amouroux • Lucas Anderson • Rebekah Anderton • Lucine Atamian • Connor Babbitt • Birdie Bachman • Aaron Bailey • Thomas Barmer • Desiree Barter

• Izeah Barth • Ethan Bauer • Marissa Baum • Zoey Baxter • Jacob Bellar • Caytlyn Bindrum • Adrianna Bittman

• Madelyn Blackhart • Hayden Blake • Natalie Blue • Ayliana Blum • Zackery

Borthwick • Tyra Bowdon • Italia Bradford

• Devonte Bragg • Gabriella Brown • Rhegan Browne • Rori Brunt • Porter Burgoyne • Ethan Bush • Kali Byczek

• Ashley Canez • Luke Carlon • Jazmin Carlson • Zachary Cash • Kaylee Chapin

• Jonah Chapman • Kay Clark • Isabella Collier • Irie Cook • Bailey Couey • Sage Cramer • Jackson Croshaw • Dakota Crowe • Carson Dahl • Kora Daines • Amanda Davis • Moni Davis • Riley Davis

• Mark Davydenko • Levi Decker • Grace Dierks • Preston Do • Quan Do • MaryLu Duarte • Samantha Dumaw • Edith Dunn

• Nathan Edvalson • Gabrielle Espinoza

• Landon Essl • Bryn Etzel • Christian Evans • Vivian Evans • Kaiden Everett • Zakiyius Fairchild • Deakin Fenton • Melia Ferraro • Brody Foeller • Christy Folsom • James Folsom • Isabella Fontana • Taylor Foss • Elijah Foster • Ava Fotheringham

• Reagan Frates • Quinlan Frei • Trevor Gailley • Cooper Gallegos • Ava Gannon • Olivia Geldien • Cheyanne Germano • Reagan Gibbons • Michael Gmeiner • Paige Gonzalez • Andrew Gray • Emma Groff • Sequoia Guesford • Pedro Guevara Camacho • Abella Gutierrez • Jacob Gutierrez • Rebecca Gutierrez • Brandon Gutzwiler • Gabriella Haigh • Andrew Haney • Ethan Hansen • Alexa Harnett • Kaelynn Harrington • Gabe HaslettConley • Lucy He • Amelia Hendricks • Aliese Henneberg • Diego Hernandez De Los Santos • Juilian Herrera • Dakota Hibdon • Emma Hilbrich • Trevor Hollen • Hunter Holman • Lauren Huettl • Latrell

Central Valley High School

June 8, 8:30 AM

McCarthey Stadium at Gonzaga University 801 N. Cincinnati St

Hughes-Farmer • Willow Huguenin • Daniel Imes • Olivia Ingersoll • Darren Jack • Emilia Jacob • Paris Johns • Sarah Johns • MariaJose Jolon • Abby Jones • Aeson Jordan • Apostolos Karatzas • Peyton Keck • Corina Kidwell • Olivia Kneese • Leo Knight • Nolan Koch • Alysia Kostecka • Adullah Kourma • Ruvim Kravtsov • Cade Krestian • Liliana Kubas • Gustavo Landa-Perea • Gavin Lang • Kalem Lang • Jason Lankford • Alivia Lanphere • Tanner Laramie • Owen Larson • Addison Lathan • Julia LaVelle • Carson Layden • Tanner LeBaron • Alicea Lemley • Jaycee Liu • Takamasa Loeak • Adriana Lopez • Maddox Lopez • Trevor Lougy • Widjine Louis Juste • Jobie Lynch • Sadie Macdonald • Ryan Mack • Reese Mackie • Erin Madrian • Terran Manson • Jaelyn Marsh • Arianna Martinez • Clover Mayer-McLaughlin • Declan McCandless • Kimberly McCartney

Lucille Beadle • Kenneth Blycker

• Emma McCombs • Molly McGovern • Connor McKerrow • Elias McKinney • Norah McLaughlin • Bryson McMahon • Zoe McManus • Lucas McReynolds • Uriel Menez Carpinteyro • Lilian Miller • Nevaeh Miller • Vivian Miller • Dax MirabelliMarvel • Mason Molnar • Caleb Monrroy • Alexis Mooney • Isaac Moore • Sofia

Morales • Cole Mortensen • Tyler Moua • Nathaniel Mourning • Branden Munn • Jeff Muriuki • Dana Nguyen • Jacob Nicholls • Aiden Nichols • Lily Nielsen • Cole Nix • Danielle Njagi • Lindsey Noakes • Jocelyn Nostrant • Wren Olson • Leslie Orellana • Paige Overly • Kaidyn Owen • Kaleigh Oyler • Neal Pan • Caden Paske • Hayden Paventy • Elianna Peck • Paul Phillips • Ezekiel Pimms • Hayden Pixler • Taylor

Portugal • Nathaniel Poshusta • Brianna Potack • Jody Potratz • Cyan Powell • Blake Preugschat • Marilyn Price • Kaden Pulliam • Ralin Purnell • Curtis Radasa • Sasha Rassley • Hannah Reed-Clark • Bo Reisenauer • Isaiah Rivera • Carlie Ritzius

• Ashton Robinson • Gerardo Rosas • Caden Salter • Savana Sandall • Trey Schmaltz • Alex Schneidmiller • Allie Scott • Finn Scott • Breauna Serbantez • Dibas Shah • Trishna Shah • Kalle Shelby • Carson Shields • Makenna Shields • Andy Shumway • Mackenzie Siguaw • Jackson Sipes • Elliot Small • Canyon Smith • Danner Smith • Emma Smith • Katherine Snell • Lauren Sprunk • William Stacey • Michael Stenfors • Kiara Stevens • Tessa Stockman • Tanner Stretch • Kevin Suncin

• Grace Surina • Valentina Susina • Caden Taggart • Carter Tanner • Daphne Tanner • Aidan Thach • Payton Theis • Lauren Thuo • Keyrose Tibon • Dominic Tisdale • Megan Tomlinson • Hadley Treadwell • Darren Triber • Jackson Tucker • Bennett Tyler • Hailey Ulrick • Dennis Ulyanchuk • Jaydin Van Winkle • Aly Vanderpool • Makena VanEtten • Riley Vanhouten • Tyson Vargas • Mia Vigil • Isaac Warnick • Kyler Wasley • Max Wehunt • Alex White

• Piper Wilcox • Austin Wildman • Mason Wilkinson • Aiden Winings • Ayden Wood

• Ruby Rie Yamagishi • Reagan Young • Bianca Zeman

Spokane Valley Tech

June 9, 6 PM

Ridgeline High School Theatre

20150 E Country Vista Dr

• Karis Bokma • Alicia Brooks •

Morgan Cavanagh • Jacob Cloward

• Kaelan Conroy • Sabrie Culver •

Sara Cunningham • Nicholas Danzer

• Jakihas Davis • Peter Erickson •

Nicholas Espana • Morgan Facer •

Aiden Hall • Austin Hania • Quinn

Henderson • Aidan Hoag • Walker

• Christian Sander • Logan Schreifer

• Egan Scofield • Caine Sonko • Aster

Spessard-Auckerman • Abigail Staneart

• Jordyn Stuart • Ethan Swatzell • Tobi Townley • Mathew Wasson • Vincent Westerlund-Floyd • Bradyn White-Hall

Jones • Logan Kennedy • Daniel Kuropatko • Chance Lalonde • Alexander Madden • Jaxon Mcarthur • James Mcconnell • Logan Mcmaster • Lucy Moore • Isaac Parker • Logan Roal

• JUNE 2024 10 The Current

East Valley Parent Partnership

Adrian Brake • Iliana Christensen • Nadia Christensen • Ariana Dow • Ian Drysdale • Owen Drysdale • Clair Gauger • Davyn Gertsch • Joseph Graybill • Kevin Mcintosh • Samantha Mottern • Romen Rolls • Kaleb Schimke

Abby Aldrich • Olivia Amen • Hunter Anderson • Madisyn Anker • Nicole Armellino • Jonathan Arquitt • Yaretzi Arroyo • Jon Baxter • Bentley Beal • Juniper Beason • Milana Belavus • Jack Belfry • Christopher Bertholic • Ryan Bickle • Levi Bocook • Janessa Brandvold • Bella Bridges • Deja Bromley • Donavan Brown • Micah Burkhart • Haili Byers • Corey Cargill • Jaysen Carter • Tenzin Carter • Tynan Carter • Antonio Christensen • Isabella Clemons • Ethan Cloud • Marleen Cristales • Andrew Crossley • Landon Darden • Kaiden Davis • Marissa Day • Melanie Day • Aiden Deaton • Jarrett Dickinson • Jersey Dorian • Amira Drake • Sabine Edal • Sativa Edwards • Holley Eller • Macie Enevold • Gabriel Erickson • Daniel Escobar • Isabella Escobar • Ryan Ferris • Jinx Flores-Navarrete • Emilee Foster • Gavin Froehlich • Jake Gallagher • Brandon Garvin • Carmen Garzon Alonso • Alonie Goodteacher • Victoria Gotishan • Brayden Governale • Lujain Hameed • Jack Hanson • Vaughn Harbison • Nehemiah Harry • Jazmin Hassett • Kaitlynn Hathaway • Blake Hayes • Olivia Henderson • Serenity Hendricks • Lakhya Higgelke-Mcqueen • Rory Hodgen • Logan Hofstee • Rachel Holloway • Sage Holmes • April Honer • Maliah Horsley •

East Valley High School

June 10, 6:30 PM

Breyona Hutchison • Anakin Johnson • Gavin Keeney • Payten Kintner-Burkhart • Kellen Kirby • Adam Kirk • Ranson Labin • Tayla Lanphere • Raleigh Larkin • Jarett Larsen • Keira Larson • Auston Lavasseur • Madeleine Leppert • Cassandra Lim • Chalee Lor • Austin Manley • Monte Marchand • Cian Marcy • Lilly Marko • Payton Marks • Riley Marquette • Maniajah Martin • Mercy Mata’U • Luna Mattke • Conner Mcgiveran • Lawron Mckinzy-Welch • Esperanza MendozaMattozzi • Ajay Miller • Amelia Miller • Juan Morales • Rylan Napier • Evelina Nasco • Titan Nesbitt • Grant Newby • Linh Ngo • Jadyn Nolen • Josue Padilla Espinoza • Mercedes Palmen • Marissa

Adian Al-Ameri • Naynay Alvarez • Zay Baker • Daniela Barahas • AJ Belton • Randal Bergman • Emily Bieber • Camille

Bise • Timothy Blackwood • Devynn Blake • Ivan Blakslee • Jessica Bliss • Edyn Boyd • Nathan Bryan • Jared Bucceri • Maggie Bush

• Grace Buterbaugh • Shayla Candelaria • Serenity Churchill • Jalaina Clinton Brown

• Matthew Cooper • Aryana Crane • Ryan

Crews • Greyson Dawson • Alicio Dominguez

• Mia Donais • Emika Dzyuba • Isaiah Elliott

• Metaya Eveland • Mariana Figueroa • Madison Fitzpatrick • Gavin Fredeen • Ryan

Friedman • Allana Galan • Kaleese Gassman

East Valley Online

Titus Anderson • Alix Bedow • Tayten Blackwell • Maksim Borodin • Brady Boykin • Antonio Christensen • Gabriel Gibbs • Adelyn Gothmann • Calvin Griswold • Jordan Hall • Duke Hanson • Ryan Honaker • Jasper Jakobsen • David Layne • Gemma Martin • Quinn Mckinney • Alexis Murphy • Lillyanne Turk • Beau Wallace • Brayden Windhorst • Logan Zitek

Paschall • Kathleen Payne • Quentin Payne • Eric Perekopsky • Daniela Perez • Avy Phillpot • Devin Pierce • Ryan Pierce • David Powers

• Kammron Ralston • Kimberly Ramirez • Arwen Ray • Lavina Redthunder • Caitlyn Rew • Malachi Richardson • Ari Ringsbye • Broden Rogers • Cadince Schertenleib • Cassie Scoles • Jack Selby • Samuel Shevchenko • Jayden Shull • Jamison Smith • Tavionna Smith • Berlyn Stern • Bella Stoner • Jacee Stutsman • Brayden Sullivan • Lily Sullivan • Katarina Sund • Nathanael James Tan • Shylar Thompson • Julina Tibon • Ben Tiffany • Graceann Trudel • Meagan Trusty • Chase Vanderostyne • Kenneth Vanderpool • Andy Vann • Alex Vaughn • Izabella Venziano • Lucas Vinyard • Daniel Vurno • Ryne Wagemann • Maggie Walker • Skyler WernerAshpaugh • Bryson White • Luca White • Kendall Wilkes • Jayden Wilkinson • Inara Wilson • Venjamin Wright • Donavan Wycoff • Tyler (Vi) Yost • Jeremy Young • Tatyana Zdanevskaia • Isabella Zhuk

June 5, 6:00 PM Fox Theater 1001 W

• Rose Gibbs • Jeffrey Gore • Kilyn Grass • Sarah Green • Alexandria Gudgel • William Hall • Destini Harris • Addy Hinnenkamp • Sarah Hobbs • Cora Hohnstein • Ava Hough

• Taylor Ivanoff • Dawson Jacobs • Reece

Jones • Skyler Jones • James Joseph • Dirk Karnitz • Owen Keevy • Zoe Killinger • Aubreanna Lehto • Myranda Lloyd •

Annabelle Marie • Joseph Markel • Marcus “JR” Marteze Trotter • Alexander Mitchell • Cole Mitchell • Cherokee Monnin • Aaron Muglia • Brooklynn Nelsen • Clate O’Neal • Gregory Olson • Coda Ostrander • Blake Peterson • Kaden Petree • Maddy Pittman • Abigail Poland • R’Nazsha Pullom • Era Raber • Cherysh Rice • Nevaeh Robinson • Haidee Rodriguez-Cortez • Ryver Rose • Cole Rutherford • Logan S. • Felicity S. • Chloe Samek • Rebecca Schmaltz • Allie Schnakenberg • Justin Scott • Brayton Scribner • Thomas Seavello • Mia Smith • Brock Surlow • Jenessa Taylor • Airiann Terpko • Natalie Thomas • Zay Thomas • Lainee Trujillo • Kay Trukositz • Juna Tulensa • Samantha Vazquez • Ophelia Wagner • Jordan Wanberg • Zachary Weakly • Ashley Webb • Makenna Webb • Maxwell Wehunt • Sincere Whitright • Dylan Williams • Lynzy Wyatt

The Current JUNE 2024 • 11
Hills
Dishman
High School
Ave.
Sprague
Spokane, WA 99210
The Podium, 511 Joe Albi Wy, Spokane WA 99201

Freeman High School

June 8th, 1pm

Freeman High School

West Valley High School

June 7th, 6:30 PM

The Podium, 511 Joe Albi Wy, Spokane WA 99201

Davyd Abdullaiev • Brooklynn Adamson

• Nicole Aley • Rylan Allen • Kyndra Anderson • Nolan Askew • Madison Babcock • Levi Barham • Ian Barsness

• Devlin Beamis • Rhyis Beech-Scott

• Tony Belko • Adahlia Betts • Conner Borum • Kaleb Borum • Angel Bristlin

• Adonis Brown • Alexis Brown • Tyler Brustkern • Tresa Bunch • Kristen Casilac • Spencer Cerenzia • Brayden Chase • Madyson Clardy • Joshua Clark

• Ella Clutter • Aidan Cousins • Zachary Covington • Ashlynn Cox • Zayne Cox • Toni Culp • Paul Currie • Harley Davis • Chloe Deharo • Donald Deline • Benjamin Dexter • Madison Draper • Keenan Dunfield • Kyla Duvanich • Preston Engeland • Derek Esvelt • Shawna Evans

• Kristen Farrell • Kayla Flock • Jaiden Foland • Jane Freedland • Benjamin Fried

• Madison Gardner • Esmond Gibbs • Toby Graham • Kylie Graupner • Jaedyn Green • Elijah Gunning • Tyler Guzman

• Aneti Hakizamungu • Brody Hart • Garret Hawvermale • Ellora Hebner •

Ethan Aldendorf • Logan Allen • Nicholas Baker • Jesse Barthuly • Ethan Bowen • Hannah Burgan • Kamyn Claunch • Brandon

Cochran • Brooklynn Cook • Dallin Cotton

• Easton Crites • Ethan Denmark • Megan

Flaig • Kharee Folsom • Sage Gilbert • Lucas

Giusti • Makenzie Goode • Judah Gray • Ethan

Hernandez • Mari Hirayama • Halie Howard

• Haylee Hueser-Neeson • Sarah Jensen •

Sophia Jensen • Corbin Johnson • Duncan

Jordan • Karina Kopets • Lena Kopp • Baird

Leavy • Dennis Mackleit • Vance Mangelson • Elle Marshall • Michael Mccormick • Nicklaus

Mclaughlin • Peter Minick • Chloe Myers • Lilly

Alexander Hein • Landon Herrmann • Isabel Hilsabeck • Grace Hitt • Jacob Hitt

• Abigail Hogberg • Joslynn Holloway

• Jayme Horn • Ashton Hoskinson • Savannah Huffman • Noah Hunt • Camille Huntley • Shylee Joe • Jordan Johnston

• Kaylee Jolly • Joseph Karnitz • Lucas Kendall • Austin Kessler • Colton Kjelland

• Cohen Kreider • Tony Lachenmaier • Autumn Lashley • Dylan Leblanc • Tate Lejameyer • Matthew Liang • Michael Liberg • Nathan Lincks • Gavin Lindor • Aubrey Lobdell • Mason Lochten • Henry Lohstroh • John Macall • Chloe Matteson

• Verity Mcblair • Marie Mcculloch • Brennan Mccurdy • Bridey Mcfarland

• Lance Mcglothin • Mason Mcintyre • Willow Mclaughlin • Neena Mcmanigal

• Tyler Mcmichael • Jamie Mcmurtery • Yordi Melendez Acosta • Gavin Miller • Tyson Mogan • Amaya Monteon • Ricardo Morales • Parker Munns • Thong Nguyen • Kaydence Nixon • Andrew O’Neal • Easton O’Neal • Maliya Olson • Kelsey Orlando • Brycen Palmer • Bryndel Pargman • Emily Pence • Cyler Petruso

• Esther Pokhodun • Ryan Powers • Lily Raczykowski • Miriam Ramirez Castillo • Brenley Ramsey • Sophia Raskell • Rogyn Reeves • Benjamin Reid • Craig Reid • Noah Reid • Aiden Rose • Shayla Rustad

• Matthew Sanders • London Sargent • Mckenzie Sargent • Alexandrea Schaffer

• Chloe Schuman • Janeille Scott • Caitlin

Shimabukuro • Conner Shipman • Kaden Silva • Keason Silva • Mylie Silver • Tamia Skinner • Mercedes Smelik • Danielle Smith • Ethan Smith • Jasiah Taitt • Anastacia Thompson • Alexander Tinelli

• Titus Tinsley Logan • Jenna Tomalo

• Jakob Underwood • Logan Utecht • Daphne Van Wey • Paula Vargas Arenas

• Dina Vasyukhnevich • Olivia Vlasman

• Heroshi Votava • Paw Wah • Kevin

Waligora • Sean Way • Lucas Weinstock Jr • Isabella Wessner • Parker Williams

• Quincy Williamson • Genesis Willis • Isaiah Wilson • Lydia Wilson • Aidan Wolfe • Destiny Young

Nelson • Jonah Orndorff • Hailey Pierson

• Barrett Poulsen • Aspen Racicot • Bodie

Ramsey • Zane Redding • Luca Risse • Kanoa

Rogan • Malia Sandborn • Charlie Schafer

• Katherine Schneider • Jared Seal • Ava

Semprimoznik • Chase Smith • Emily Thieren

• Elana Thompson • Ian Watson • Elise Watts

• Luke Whitaker • Joshua Wigen • Draesyn

Williams • Raven Wright

Mica

June 6, 6:30 PM Ridgeline High School Theatre

20150 E Country Vista Dr

Annie Anderson • Whitley Anderson • Savannah Beason • Jacob Bollman • Jayelynn Bonner • Ashton Briggs • David Brogdon • Jameson Carr • Aundrea

Copeland • Angelina Cortez • Trevor Davis • Jade Deel • Guinevere Durrant • Shea-Lea

Flowers • Jayce Gibbs • Jasmine Glessner • Josie Godwin • Issy Hance • Aaron Hook • Connar Houdashelt • Tyler Jackson • Kate Kauffman • Avurie Kopp • Tanner Lish • Nichi Lopes • Ren Luckey • Madelyn Lutes • Indigo Marvin • Kaida Mittler • Talon Mork • Kayleah Richey • Ana-Jean Robinson • Tiago Rosen • Destin Slocum • Alexa Southerly • Sage Streifel • Katelyn Thoren • Isaiah Vick • Olivia Wahl • Brittany Weeks • Kiersten Zarcone

Valley Christian School

Justin Abdallah • Katie Bellus • Mia Carrano

• Bella Clark • Lauren Fields • Caleb Fine • Ruby Floch • Jacoby Hansen • Jacob Hecker

• Simon Hill • Liliya Hopson • Megan Hopson

• Daylene Isley • Eliana Jeffrey • Tatiana

Kutsar • Nathan Moore • Noah Rose • Ariahna Thomas • Carilynn White

• JUNE 2024 12 The Current
Peak High School

London Aaron • Makena Ailie • Hadil Al Zaki • Conner Albrecht • Jason Albrecht

• Antonio Allen • Kason Amity • Ashton Anderson • Shiloh Angel • Isaac Anjolok

• Brisa Aragonocampo • Oryan Arquette

• William Arquette • Ryan Atkinson • Carson Avery • Oswaldo Avila • Caden Awbery • Emma Ayers • Jordan Bailey • Moses Bane • Esmeray Basden • Summer Bates • Icesis Bauer • Issabelle Beach • Mykenzi Beckley • Lauren Berry • Rachelle Bird • Justin Bishop • Jayden Bisquera • Alexis Blahuczyn • Natalie Blair • Aaron Boden • Ryan Boland • Lynneigh Bradley

• Alexis Broden • Cooper Brummett • Brooke Brunett • Talynn Bruno • David Bucklin • Connor Bush • Brandon Butler

• Landon Caldwell • Lainey Calvary • Aubree Carpenter • Isaac Carpinteyro

• Olivia Cassie • Benjamin Caulford • Gideon Chagnon • Haylee Chandler • Zita Chapman • Gabriella Charbonneau • Mercedes Chitwood • Callie Christensen • Lindsey Church • Angela Ciferri • Isabella Claeson • Luke Clarke • Chase Comella • Dominic Comer • Luke Conrad • Matthew Conrad • Jordan Cook • Connor Cormier • Naomi Cornett • Tiana Corson • Alexandra Coursey • Wyatt Crosby • Gravis Cruz

• Hayden Dahlstrom • Taylor Daines

• Devony Damiano • Andrea Daniel • Mackenzie Davis • Marissa Deonier • Fern

Depew • Haley Develbiss • Wyatt Develbiss

• Noah Diaz • Logan Dingfield • Talan Dunbar • Avery Dunham • Andrew Eaton • Tayler Elliott • Samuel Emtman • Isabella Eva • Ty Felker • Jett Fernandez • Allie Ferrin • Ashley Fierst • Eden Finley • Gavin Fishburn • Cohen Fisher • Matthew Fisher • Seth Fitzgerald • Kereena Flaherty • Mya Fleck-Glander • Kaydence Forth • Addison Fountain • Nicholas Franklin • Astrid Froge • Kendyll Fry • Jayna Fuher • Rachel Gadd

• Gavin Geiger • Robert Gilholm • Talisa Gilrein • Donovan Giusti • Brayden Godfrey

• Mackenzie Goodwin • William Gooler

• Colby Gorrell • Madalynn Gregerson • Karen Gronenthal • Mckenzie Hagen • Mason Hatch • Carlee Hegsted • Gabriel Heimbigner • Allison Hendricks • Elsie Hess

• Nyla Hess • Jeffrey Higham • Andrew Hoadley • Braylen Hoagland • Emily Hoffman • Zachary Hogsett-Aurand • Coral Horst • Josie Horton • Jaymes Hoskins • Kaidyn Howard • Avery Hudson • Clarissa Hughes • Sarah Impecoven • Jaydin Ingalls • Yuka Ishibashi • Daylene Isley • Audra Isnhower • Daniel Ivory • Victoria Javier • Julianna Jeross • Emilee Johnson • Emily Johnson • Daniel Jones • Laina Jones • Rayne Jones • Zavier Jones • Issabelle

UniversitySchoolHigh

Saturday June 8, 12 PM McCarthey Athletic Center, Gonzaga University, 801 N. Cincinnati Street

Joplin • Charles Jordan • Julianna Joy • Chanler Kaelin • Shadae Kennedy • Alexis Kerker • Miklos Kicska • Cadence KingBooth • Alexandria Kinley • Tiffany Knapp • Mallory Knutson • Roman Korneichuk • Riley Krumbah • Jacob Kushnerchuk • Owen Lakey • Jared Lambright • Olivia Lease • Dylan Lee • Isabella Lefler • Claudia Lemus • Jayden Lindquist • Tanner Lindsey • Natalie Lingow • Ella Lippoldt • Jasmine Lopez • Kaitlyn Loss • Gabriel Lowman • Dominick Lucas • Matthew Mallonee • Maliyah Mann • Audrey Marcel • Britney Marshall • Bryce Martin • Franky Martinez • Jeremiah Matheny • Liam Mathews • Jad Mawas • Cameron Mayfield • Tayvin Mcdonald • Sabina Mcleod • Anna Mcmulkin • Madeline Meeker • Diego Mejia • Jacob Meldrum • Audrey Micek • Makena Milam White • Jacob Miles • Austin Mindermann • Sarah Mindermann • Maddilyn Miner • Angil Minnihan • Susana Minor • Alex Mirelez • Ayce Mondragon • Justus Moody • Brandon Moore • Nick Morgan • Abby Moua • Chloe Myers • Marissa Naone • Abigail Nelson • Dmytro Nikitenko • Irene Nixon • Logan Noble • Iain O’Quinn • Emily “Bo” Oien • Bjorn Olson • Elizabeth Ophardt • David Osborn • Lillian Pasco • Dominic Pendergrass

• Bethany Peters • Ellery Peterson • Gisel Piedra • Braxton Powell • Anna QuinteroCastaneda • Tyson Quirk • Kaden RandolphLuedke • Kane Rider • Aubrey Roberts • Grace Roberts • Melea Robinson • Waylon Romero • Braeden Rowland • Shania RuckerPorter • Karyna Ryzhkova • Arian Sabawon

• Anthony Sale • Jonathan Sanchez • Ryker

Sanders • Jeremy Sannicolas • Emma Satran • Michael Scalf • David Schulz • Brayden Schwab • Adam Sessions • Savana

Severson • Oliver Sherette • Aryanna Sherwin • Logan Sherwood • Ericka Shores • Ryan Shumway • Cooper Sides • Natalie Singer • Shane Skidmore • Makayla Skinner

• Madeleine Smart • Jayden Smith • Kyle

Smith • Peyton Smith • Savanna Smith

• Jackson Smitham • Kai Solis • Hailey

Sorrell • Samuel Spedick • Avery Spiering • Esperanza Sprague • Riley Staton-Pruchnic

• Tyler Stavenjord • Grant Stephens • Salome Stetten Pigasse • Everett Stinson

• Sierrah Stone • Rebekka Swim • Aaron Tarbart • Adonyah Thurman • Logan Tibbetts • Jasmine Titsworth • Patricia Torchio • Paul Torman • Logan Trautman • Katie Travis • Jake Trefry • Jordyn Turner • Pearl Turner • Cade Ueland • Isaiah Uzeta

• Isabella Valdez • Amelia Valenzuela • Dominick Victor • Annaliese Vogel • Haley Walker • Tristin Walker • Jayden Walsh • Alyssa Ward • Drake Ward • Ella Ward • Braelynn Ware • Samuel Wasley • Abigaile Watkins • Hailey Weddington • Hailee White

• David Whiteman • Delaney Williams

• Sebastian Williams • Sydney Wilson

• Emma Wineinger • Emelya Wiykovics

• Caleb Wolcott • Allen Wolfe • Richard Wolfe • Myles Wyatt • Clara Yang • Kaspar Yoshihara • Abigail Zachary • Marcus Zielfelder

The Oaks Classical Christian Academy

Friday June 14, 1 PM

Rebekah Bursese • Isabella Carter • Noah Clark • Kathryn Deruyter • Jason Fox • Amelia Garriques • Izak Hall • Lucy Jones • Morgan Kahabka • Ethan King • Micah Lundberg • Josten Mceachran • Courtney Nelson • Ethan Reade • Isaac Rickert • Olivia Schnell

• Samuel Schurter • Mingmei Szymanowski

• Matthew Tallman • Gwenyth Tate • Almar Tishenko • Caleb Van Horn • Davy Williams

The Current JUNE 2024 • 13
• JUNE 2024 14 The Current You Can Read The Greater Spokane Valley Current Online! Follow Us on Facebook To See it First! www.facebook.com/SpokaneValleyCurrent

Student of the Month

You could say Braeden Rowland found his leadership niche at University High School. The senior served as ASB president this year after being ASB Spirit coordinator last year. As ASB president, Rowland coordinated a variety of activities and community outreach events such as a sock drive that benefited the CVSD Student and Family Engagement (SAFE) Center’s “Gifts of Hope” program. Rowland participated in Jazz Choir and the Drama Department, as an actor and student stage manager. He was a student liaison with the CVSD School Board and also served on the district’s Student Advisory Council and was the student representative on the Strategic Planning Committee. Rowland was one of five recipients of a leadership award from the Washington Association of School Administrators. He maintains a 3.91 grade point average. Rowland will continue his academic pursuits at Western Washington University.

Athlete of the Month

When Addy MacArthur went through two major knee surgeries before her freshman year at University High, the likelihood of a state championship in any sport seemed remote. Now a junior, MacArthur is the winner of three state titles – two in the discus and one in the shotput. She won her first gold medal last year in the discus and was runner-up in the shotput. Last month, she swept the 3A discus and shotput at the state meet in Tacoma. “It was nice to see all the hard work pay off,” she said. MacArthur was part of a U-Hi girls’ squad that placed eighth among 3A schools. MacArthur went undefeated in her signature events in the Greater Spokane League season. In the classroom, she maintains a 3.95 grade point average. She has received recruiting inquiries from Princeton, Miami and Washington State.

Citizen of the Month

Katie Louie is recognized as a dynamic leader at Central Valley High School. The Bothell native began the school year as interim principal and moved into the permanent role in March. Louie took seven months off last year to support her husband through a significant health challenge from which he recovered. The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce named Louie Educator of the Year in CVSD, noting she “has stepped into multiple leadership roles and is known for her decisive and energetic leadership which has significantly improved school culture and community engagement.” She also served as principal of Spokane Valley Tech. Louie has a degree in math from Washington State University and a master’s in leadership from City University. She is a multiple winner of the district’s Meritorious Service Award and is nationally board certified in adolescent and young adult mathematics.

The Current JUNE 2024 • 15 Come visit your spokane valley neighborhood FinanCial Center loCated at 615 n sullivan road 800-233-2328
thanks you For all you do in our Community brought to you by
Federally insured by NCUA becu.org/community Not for Profit = More for People See what banking is like when people come first. All Pacific NW residents are eligible to join.
Members Michael F., Matt N., & Christa S.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY EVENTS

June 1 | Spokane Humane Society’s 21st Annual Parade of Paws – 9 am - 12 pm Brought to you by VCA Animal Hospitals– a paw-some outdoor community event that’s all about fundraising for our furry friends! https:// spokanehumanesociety.org/ pop2024/ or email Kristi Soto at kristi@spokanehumanesociety.org.

June 1-2 | The Farm hicks Vintage & Handmade Fair – Saturday 9 am - 6 pm, Sunday 9 am - 4 pm. We’re pulling together our freshest ideas, best vintage finds and handmade goods, and gathering at the Spokane, Washington Fairgrounds June 1 & 2, 2024 where you can shop from hundreds of spaces set up like little shops created by gatherers, makers, and vintage sellers. Make your plans, tell your friends, and set your plans! Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 4572 E Broadway Ave, Spokane, WA 99212

June 7-8| Annual OPC Church

Rummage Sale – 8 pm - 3 pm 202 N Pines, Spokane Valley $2/ bag sale starts Sat at noon – enter in back of the church; clothes, shoes, furniture, collectables, tools, garden, sports, electronics, kitchen, décor, holiday, books home@ opportunitypresbyterian.org

June 13 | Car Show – 4 pm - 7 pm Come enjoy Eric Etzel’s Car show at Zips Drive in! $20 registration fee. All proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels of Greater Spokane County. We look forward to seeing you there. 5901 E Trent Ave, Spokane, WA 99212-1211, United States

June 16 | Father’s Day Car Show –7:30 am - 1:30 pm featuring classic cars and hot rods from all around the Northwest. Bring the family and enjoy food trucks, bouncy houses, raffles, and more! Don’t miss out on the chance to rev-up your Father’s Day with your family and friends. 1831 S Barker Rd, Greenacres, WA, United States, Washington 99016

RECURRING

ACT 2 Senior Classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire, though there is no age limit. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc. spokane.edu.

Spokane Bicycle Club | 6 to 8 p.m., weekly on Thursday evenings, Spokane Valley Library, 22 N Herald Rd, Spokane Valley. Meeting places, routes, and ride leaders change from week to week, a tailgate party typically follows each ride. All are welcome. For more, call Dave at 509.868.5984.

Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursday of the month, Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. All are welcome. For more, call Dave Sorg at 509.868-5984.

Café Card Club | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford. Play pinochle, cribbage, or hearts. For more, call 951-7039 or email onsacredgrounsrising@gmail.com.

Catholic Singles Mingle | Meeting times and locations vary. This group, with no dues, is for single adults of all ages. More at www.meetup. com/Catholic-Singles-Mingle.

Grange Meeting | 2:00 p.m., third Sunday of the month, TriCommunity Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more, call 509.385.4082.

Men’s Weekly Bible Study | 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. The men’s weekly Bible Study meets in the Reception Hall with different members sharing in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. More at www.

millwoodpc.org.

Rockford Crochet Class | 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. Free classes. We have crocheters, knitters, embroidery, quilting and needlepoint. Come and share what you are doing. For more, call 2913722.

Rockford Historical Society | 11:30 a.m. second Friday of the month (February to November), The Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. For more, call 291-3193.

Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards, and Spokane Valley. Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. More at scld.org.

Spokane Valley Eagles | 16801 E. Sprague Ave. Lunch served Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dinner served Fridays 5:30 p.m. More at www.foe3433.com.

Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MondayFriday 10814 E. Broadway Ave. No appointment necessary. For questions and info, call 509-927-1153

Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft. Participants can access a comprehensive library, engage experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at svqgspokane.com.

Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Activities include bridge, billiards, book club, Red Hat Ladies, Mahjongg, ACT II classes, foot care, Medicare assistance,

monthly excursions to Northern Quest Casino, Meals on Wheels location and more. Annual dues are $25/single or $45/couple. For more, call 509-926-1937 or visit spokanevalleyseniorcenter.org.

MUSIC & THE ARTS

June 21 - July 7 | Spokane Valley Theatre “South Pacific” – Go to https://www.svsummertheatre. com/upcoming for show times and ticket options

RECURRING

Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 509-8666354.

HEALTH & RECREATION

Various Days |Spokane Indians – Go to https://www.milb.com/ spokaneto get the game scedule for this season.

June 7 |YMCA Healthy Kids Day – 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, JOIN US for an evening of healthy, fun activities that celebrate kids being kids! We’ll have community organizations with booths, games, prizes, face painting, a bouncy house and MORE!

• FREE and open to the public

• The first 250 kids get a FREE t-shirt

June 22 | YMCA Adventure Run –8 am - 11 am,For little kids to adults that like adventure! An obstacle course that will challenge your body, coordination, and endurance, all while having fun! You can run the course as many times as you

• JUNE 2024 16 The Current

COMMUNITY

want during your 30 min heat. Please wear closed-toe athletic shoes. Members $15 | Community Members $20 For more information and to register: https://ymcainw. org/events/adventure-run/ RECURRING

Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines, Spokane Valley. Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon/ Alateen family groups can help. For more, call 509-456-2125.

Decreasing Anger Group |The Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors. For more, call at 509-444-8387 to make an intake appointment.

Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11:30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. For more, call Steve at 893-4746.

Fly Tying Group | 9 to 11 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Veterans, Active Buty, Reserves, and Guard are welcome! For more, call 509-444-8387.

GriefShare Support Group | The ONE Church, east entrance, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley. join at any time. Designed to help cope with loss, whether recent or years ago. For more, 509-926-3254

HUB Sports Center | 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Various activities and events occur throughout the week including:

• Pickleball drop-in: 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. $5.50/ person online $7/at the door.

• Classes including Kenpo Karate, Homeschool PE and Fit for YOUR Life. See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.

Mindful Music & Movement | 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102, Otis Orchards. For adults desiring a distanced social experience that is designed to support emotional well-being, gentle physical movement, cognitive support, and enhanced communication in

a fun and relaxed way. $10 per person per class. For more, visit willowsongmusictherapy.com or call 509-592-7875.

CIVIC & BUSINESS

RECURRING

Central Valley School Board | 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, EVSD administration building, 2218 N. Molter Rd, Liberty Lake.

East Valley School Board | 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 3830 N Sullivan Rd.

West Valley School Board | 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, WVSD administration building, 3219 N Argonne Rd

Spokane Valley City Council | Regular meetings held Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave.

Millwood City Council | Regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave.

Spokane Flag Museum | Sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Fairmount Memorial Association, details the rich history of the American flag, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. For more, call Stan 509-842-4740 or visit fairmountmemorial.com/southpines-cemetery.

Spokane Valley Kiwanis | 12 p.m. Tuesdays. Shari’s Restaurant, 320 N Sullivan Rd. More at spokanevalleykiwanis.net.

Greater Spokane Valley Rotary | Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Darcy’s, 10502 E. Sprague Ave. More at svrotary.org.

Submit items for The Current Community Calendar by the 10th of the previous month by emailing editor@ valleycurrent.com. Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.

FOOD & DRINK CELEBRATION

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The Current JUNE 2024 • 21 www.scld.org Enjoy summer adventures & engaging events • Mobius Mobile Planetarium • EnviroKids Club Wednesdays • HOOT Show: A Hawk & Owl Outreach Talk Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge June 17–August 31 Kids who sign up can get a new book to keep, while supplies last. SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT Sign up at scld.beanstack.org/reader365 FOR STUDENTS THAT LEAD THE WAY THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE Call today for a tour at 509-922-7818 or visit us at www.pioneerschool.com Grades pre-K-5 Find us on NOW ENROLLING Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade FOR STUDENTS THAT LEAD THE WAY THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE Call today for a tour at 509-922-7818 or visit us at www.pioneerschool.com Grades pre-K-5 Find us on NOW ENROLLING Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Servinghighlycapablestudentssince1980.Offeringtopic-centered, smallclassesandoutdoorlearningexcursionsatareasonableprice. Contact us at office@pioneerschool.com 618 N Sullivan Road

The Crest

About and for Spokane Valley area seniors

Farmers Market season begins

The Farmers Markets are back in local neighborhoods, much to the delight of fresh fruit and produce aficionados who spent the winter skeptically eyeing the offerings at grocery stores.

In addition to fresh meat, baked goods, produce and fruit, Farmers Markets also include a variety of crafts, flowers, beer, honey, mushrooms and other products. Food trucks are also on the menu, along with live music.

The Liberty Lake Farmers Market opened in mid-May, gathering dozens of vendors in the Town Square Park at 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday. The market is larger than ever this year, with 95 vendors signed up. That includes a new bread vendor, a potter and a farm specializing in microgreens.

“We’ve got new food vendors coming,” said board president Holli Parker. “We’ve got some great food. We still have the yummy crepe café, we still have the hot dogs.”

The market has come a long way since it launched in 2002 with only eight vendors. Not all 95 vendors are there each week because some are only part time, but people can expect a great selection every weekend, Parker said. There were 75 there on opening day. “It’s so nice, especially on the first day, to see people you haven’t seen all winter,” she said.

People don’t just drop in, shop, and then leave, Parker said. Often they will bring a blanket so they can buy lunch and eat it on the grass before doing their shopping. People will also find that the farmers and other vendors are willing to talk about their products with shoppers. There’s also space for games and activities for the kids. “We are known for the community,” she said. “That’s what we love. We want you to come shop and hang out with your neighbors.”

Parker said all the farmers who were there last year have returned. Vendors include Botanica Tea, Birdies Pie Shop, Scone Ranger, Liberty Cider, North Idaho Suds, Pacific Produce, Lisa’s Desserts, Indian Creek Bee Farm, St. Florian Soap, Malted Mutt, BeeSpoke Balms, Browning Beef, Family Fungi and Queens Peony Farm. A full list is available on the market’s Facebook page.

Some layout adjustments were made to fit everyone into the space, Parker said. “The space is looking very good,” she said. “I love that we have the green trees and the sidewalks.”

As the market continues to expand and the city eventually develops Town Square Park, changes could come in the future, Parker said, though she hopes the market will be able to call the park home for quite some time. “The city has a plan to develop the rest of the field,” she said. “We would love to be in consideration with that.”

The Spokane Valley Farmers Market will kick off its sixth season on June 7, hosted every Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. The theme of opening day is “Goonies,” which is celebrating its 36th anniversary this year, and pirate costumes are welcome.

There are nearly 20 new vendors coming this season, said market manager Katy Lee. Some of the vendors are parttime and will not be there every week. “We have an array of 100 vendors that are participating,” she said. “That’s what keeps it exciting and fresh.”

Among the new vendors is Bake My Day, several crafters and a farm offering microgreens. “We’re getting some farms and wineries from the Palouse,” Lee said. “It’s fun to get different people come in.”

Each week there is live music, food trucks and free activities for children. Lee said the market partners with the Greater Spokane Food Truck Association to get food trucks for the market, particularly for Food Truck Night held on the last Friday of June, July and August, when an additional eight trucks come for an expanded food experience.

This year the market will once

again be in partnership with the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce to host a youth entrepreneur day featuring 20 young businessmen and women. The youth will be ranked on how well they interact with customers and how well they market their products, Lee said. For the rest of the season, one of those entrepreneur’s will be featured at each week’s market.

“Really the goal is just to get young people out in the business world,” Lee said.

Vendors include Lucky Lady Bread Co., Makana Farms, Elixir Sauce Co., BeeSpoke Balms, Bath by Bex and Mushrooms Plus. Food trucks expected at the Food Truck Friday events include One Night Stand BBQ, Camargo Shaved Ice, Skewers, Crepe Café, Woodard FF Doughnuts, Mixed Plate and Mary Lou’s.

Local Farmers Markets have agreements in place with SNAP and WIC. Through the SNAP program, shoppers can use their EBT cards for eligible food items and get a market match for any amount spent up to $40. Usually, WIC offers special coupons for farmers markets but new this year is the option for WIC recipients to use their electronic cards to purchase eligible items with their monthly allotment for fruits and vegetables.

It's also not unusual for markets to host special events. The Spokane Valley market is planning a Harry Potter Day on July 26, where the market will become Diagon Alley. The Liberty Lake market will put on its popular Pie Festival on August 10.

“We can’t wait to meet you at market and feel the goodness that this has become,” Lee said.

Parker said a farmers market is a great spot to find fresh food. “If’ you’ve never come to market, give it a shot,” she said.

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CV to MLB

If a time capsule is ever compiled to commemorate baseball in the Inland Northwest, there is little doubt that Harry Amend would be well-represented.

Years from now, when the container is unearthed, onlookers will find Amend’s weathered cleats from his days as a crafty left-hander for Central Valley High School, a sun-worn, sky-blue cap that Amend donned as head coach of CV’s 1974 state runner-up club and the dignified watch he received as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies after they captured the National League pennant in 1993.

For his part, Amend is humble and honest about his legacy on the local diamond, starting with his pedigree as a player.

“I didn’t throw very hard but I had a breaking ball and could locate my pitches,” Amend said. “As a hitter, I had no power but I was very competitive.”

Amend didn’t break into the starting nine at CV until halfway through his junior year. By his senior season, he was the number one starter and played first base, hitting .421 in the old City League that featured six schools from Spokane along with CV and U-Hi.

“I wasn’t recruited out of high school,” said Amend, who graduated from CV in 1964. “But I was determined to go to the University of Washington. I knew I wanted to be a ballplayer or a doctor.”

Before he became a Husky, Amend found success as a student-athlete at Whitman College in Walla Walla. He quickly established himself as the top pitcher for a program that had never finished above .500. In his second year, Amend was one of the catalysts who led Whitman to its first non-losing season.

Amend landed at Montlake shortly after, earning a chance as a preferred walk-on with the UW baseball squad managed by former Major Leaguer Ken Lehman who pitched for the Phillies, Brooklyn Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.

ended up starting several non-conference games and wrapped up his college career on the mound against the University of Southern California.

After graduating with a degree in Zoology and a varsity baseball letter in 1968, Amend realized military service might be next. The Vietnam War was front and center in the national consciousness and Amend was in the thick of the draftage demographic – until his physical revealed a scar from a major knee surgery the previous year.

“The doctor said I was 4-F (unfit for military service),” Amend said.

It was Bill Ames Sr., then principal at Central Valley, who gave Amend his first break in the teaching/coaching world. When Amend was at Eastern Washington College, earning his teaching certificate, he student-taught at CV and served as an assistant on the baseball squad. By the spring of 1970, the former Bears’ southpaw was acting skipper of

Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.

Al Falkner, a senior pitcher on the 1970 team, said Amend was “a great gift to all of his players.”

“He had a way of instilling confidence that helped you go above and beyond what you thought you were capable of doing,” said Falkner who, like many of Amend’s former players, still keeps in touch with his old coach.

Amend led CV to the most successful campaign in school history four years after the 1970 season. Propelled by the arm of senior pitcher Lance Woodruff, the Bears stunned undefeated Kamiakin in the 1974 state bracket before falling to Lakes in the championship. The following year, Amend’s club placed third.

“One thing that was consistent is we always had good kids at CV,” Amend said. “I really believed in the value of what a positive team experience could be.”

A man of faith, Amend also helped

Amend’s 2021 book, “Building Strong Human Bridges: Ten Tools for Success” shares his insights on leadership and providing life-changing support.

Amend kept one foot in the baseball world for two decades as a regional scout with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was hired a month after the Phillies defeated the Kansas City Royals in the 1980 World Series and worked for the club until 1999. He was initially tasked with scouting Eastern Washington and North Idaho and later took on Montana. His scouting duties over the years would expand to other areas across the West Coast.

The Philles signed CV grad Kevin Stocker while Amend was scouting the Inland Northwest. The durable shortstop would go on to start for Philadelphia’s 1993 National League championship team and play eight years in the majors with three teams.

Stocker said Amend emphasized character as much as skill in the players he scouted, adding that he sensed the fellow CV alum “was always in my corner.”

“He was focused on what kind of human being I was going to be,” Stocker says.

Amend will occasionally run into old friends from his scouting past when he attends a college or high school baseball game. The profession has changed drastically from the time he started with a notebook, pen and fold-up road map.

“You talk about a different game, there’s hardly any paperwork,” Amend said. “Scouts can track things like spin rate and the angle of a break all on their cell phone.”

These days, as a doting grandpa, Amend doesn’t worry about filing a scouting report when he roots for his grandkids on the baseball or softball diamond. Harry and his wife Sandy have been married 54 years and have three kids and nine grandchildren.

Former players like Falkner say they are grateful to be part of Amend’s extended family.

“Wherever Harry went, he made things better,” Falkner said.

Contributed photo Harry Amend led Central Valley to a second-place state finish in 1974 as head coach. A 1964 CV grad, Amend played baseball at Whitman College and the University of Washington and worked as a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1980 to 1999.
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Dementia Friends library programs help to create dementia friendly communities

As a society, the way we talk about someone with dementia is quite different than the way we talk about someone with cancer or heart disease, for example. There is significant stigma surrounding dementia and memory loss.

Dementia is an umbrella term for diseases that affect memory and other thinking abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies, and frontotemporal dementia also have significant impacts on people’s lives.

However, it is possible to have a full, meaningful life with dementia. In fact, I’ve heard several people say that dementia has had some positive changes for their loved ones, such as a reduction in anxiety or more interest in spending time with loved

Summer Reading kicks off with great activities, events and a reading challenge

Summer Reading events and activities have the theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Visit any SCLD location to explore summer reading challenges with great books on library shelves as well as programs and events for all ages.

Library summer adventures and engaging events include the “Mobius Mobile Planetarium,” “EnviroKids Club Wednesdays” with hands-on science activities led by educators, “LEGO Free Play,” “Minion Mania: Crafts & Activities,” and the “HOOT Show: A Hawk & Owl Outreach Talk” with the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center.

“Camp Read-a-Rama” returns to Spokane Valley Library (22 N

LIBRARY

ones. And most people living with dementia do not live in a long-term care facility.

At Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, our main messages around dementia are: It’s possible to live a full life with dementia, it’s best to get an early diagnosis, and there are several ways you can reduce your own risk of dementia.

One way to help others and yourself is to become a Dementia Friend! We are offering “Dementia Friends Information Sessions” at many SCLD libraries between now and the end of the year.

During this information session, we discuss and learn more about dementia, what it’s like to live with dementia, and actions you can take to support people living with dementia in your community. If you are wondering if someone you care about might be showing signs of dementia, this session provides you with helpful information about that as well.

You can attend an information session at Otis Orchards Library (22324 E Wellesley Ave) on Wednesday, June 5, and at Spokane Valley Library (22 N Herald Rd)

Herald Rd) for two sessions in July, and “Campamento de verano en la biblioteca / Summer Library Camp in Spanish” returns in August, also at Spokane Valley Library.

Enjoy nature, stories, and songs at “Family Storytime in the Park” at three Spokane Valley parks.

Teens can get adventurous during “Making Snacks from Around the World,” “Creative Cosplay: Mask Construction,” “Video Boot Camp,” and an “Improv Class” with Blue Door Theater, all at Spokane Valley Library.

You’ll also find things to do this summer for adults, including gardening, hiking, creative programs, and informational sessions. Learn more about these and other summer library programs and activities by picking up your copy of “Engage” at the library or viewing the digital version at www. scld.org/engage.

Something everyone is encouraged to do this summer is the Online Summer Reading Challenge with Beanstack, June 17–August 31.

Adults, teens, and families

on Tuesday, June 11, both at 6:30 pm. Additional sessions in July through September are available at both locations as well as at Argonne Library (4322 N Argonne Rd).

If you’re an unpaid or professional caregiver, a case manager, or other medical professional, then “Dementia Caregivers Professional Training” is geared for you. This training provides in-depth exploration of topics, such as effective communication strategies, understanding and responding to dementia behaviors, a strengths-based approach to dementia behaviors, and emergency situations. This session takes place at Otis Orchards Library on Thursday, June 13, and at Spokane Valley Library on Thursday, June 20, both at 1 pm.

If a dementia friendly community is important to you, then you can learn how to lead informational sessions to help inform others during our “Dementia Friends Champion Training” at Spokane Valley Library in September.

To see all Dementia Friends sessions and find one that’s right for you, visit www.scld.org/dementiasessions.

with kids of all ages can track their summer reading, earn badges, and enter to win binoculars. Reach your summer reading goals, try new things, and explore your community with library challenges.

Kids and teens, ages 5–17, who register for summer reading with Beanstack, can choose a book to keep, while supplies last. Books can be picked up at your library and are provided courtesy of the Library Foundation of Spokane County through the generous support of community donations to Library Giving Day, which took place earlier this year.

Everyone who registers for summer reading and reads at least 600 minutes during the challenge receives a Certificate of Achievement as well as bragging rights. Parents can register kids under one login, keeping it simple to track minutes for everyone in the family.

By reading and tracking your minutes, you also help the library reach its community reading goal this summer. Sign up on Beanstack by visiting https://scld.beanstack. org/reader365.

Enjoy summer adventures & engaging events

• Mobius Mobile Planetarium

• EnviroKids Club Wednesdays

• LEGO Free Play

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The Current JUNE 2024 • 27
SPOKANE COUNT Y LIBRARY DISTRICT www.scld.org

New sensors expand Spokane’s air quality information

Spokane County residents now have new equipment with which to measure air quality — and just in time for the annual wildfire smoke season.

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology, Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency has installed 11 new SensWa air quality monitors at various locations. Three of these are in Spokane Valley at East Valley High School, West Valley High School and Trent Elementary School, with the rest located throughout Spokane. The new devices will fill in alongside Spokane Regional Clean Air’s existing network of

Environmental Protection Agency regulatory monitors measuring particulate matter of 10 microns (PM10) and 2.5 microns PM2.5). It’s part of a project created by the state Climate Commitment Act (CCA) to address air quality in “overburdened communities.”

Mark Rowe, air quality monitoring manager for Spokane Regional Clean Air, said the new monitors also provide a way to measure the effectiveness of the EPA monitors while giving a better idea on how pollution levels vary in the community.

“These kind of fill in some of those gaps in between and give a better idea of PM,” Rowe said while standing next to the sensor at Trent Elementary School. “They’re a denser network of stations and provide a more localized reading near them.”

Using definitions from the CCA and the Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL) — both passed by the Legislature in 2021 — the DOE has identified 16 overburdened communities in Washington. Overburdened as defined under HEAL points to communities with significant groups of “vulnerable

populations,” meaning groups “that are more likely to be at higher risk for poor health outcomes in response to environmental harms.”

Unemployment, high housing and transportation costs, lack of nutritional sources and adequate health care along with low birth weights and higher rates of hospitalization are just some of the factors defining vulnerable populations. Also included are racial and ethnic minorities, low-income populations, populations impacted disproportionately by environmental harms and populations of workers experiencing environmental harms.

“We identified places highly impacted by criteria of air pollution using a combination of existing air quality data, demographic and health data and input from residents and community organizations,” DOE Eastern Regional Office Communications Manager Stephanie May said about identifying overburdened communities.

Of those 16, nine are east of the Cascade Mountains. Besides Spokane and Spokane Valley, they include the Wenatchee area, Yakima Valley area, Tri-Cities to Wallula, Mattawa, Ellensburg, George and West Grant County.

The sensors, built at DOE headquarters in Lacey, Wash. for about $300 — compared to the $25,000 for EPA devices — are weather-proof boxes about 6 inches square. Each contains two identical sensing elements, a cellular phone modem and a sensor measuring temperature and relative humidity.

Rowe said a small inlet on the underside of the box allows air into the device, while ultraviolet ports on the front enable sunlight to strike the sensors. The sensors measure how sunlight is scattered by smoke, and upload the data wirelessly to Lacey.

There, automated programs analyze the data for air quality information as well as accuracy. There are also staff members such as a quality assurance specialist and an air sensors calibration and repair specialist reviewing the data.

“They are able to see issues that might be missed by our automated data screening rules,” May said. “They also do some further analysis to track sensor performance over time and other metrics.”

The data is used to calculate the AQI — air quality index. AQI is a national standard designed to inform

people whether the air quality in their region is healthy or unhealthy.

PM2.5 is a measurement of particles of 2.5 microns in diameter — smaller than a single strand of human hair — in the air. These particles are contained in smoke of any kind as well as emissions from gasoline and diesel-powered engines that if inhaled, penetrate deep into the lungs where they damage delicate tissue.

The data from Lacey is uploaded to EPA’s national AirNow network, which is where Spokane Regional Clean Air receives its information. Rowe said that information is updated hourly, and hopes the new sensors may enable them to improve that to updates every 10 minutes.

Spokane Regional Clean Air Communications / Outreach Manager Lisa Woodard said PM isn’t the only thing monitored. Ozone, a harmful chemical released when sunlight interacts with various organic compounds, is also a concern.

“When it’s not wildfire season, ozone is our biggest pollutant,” Woodard said, adding the agency’s website displays the area’s predominant pollutant.

The new sensors at Trent Elementary and East Valley High School have already proved valuable to officials at the East Valley School District. Neale Rasmussen, executive director of business services, said the monitors have provided a more enhanced, localized view of air quality essential to planning a variety of outdoor activities from sports to recess.

“Even without wildfires, we have kids with respiratory conditions we need to monitor, something we do on a student by student basis,” he said. The SensWA devices also come just in time for Spokane Regional Clean Air’s annual “Smoke Ready” week in early June. While exact dates weren’t confirmed at press time, Woodard said the information provided will be similar as in past years but updated, beginning with defining wildfire smoke and the public health hazards it poses.

Also included is information on how to stay informed on air quality, ways of reducing exposure during heavy smoke events and additional methods of reducing smoke indoors. All of this information is available on the agency’s website, spokanecleanair.org.

• JUNE 2024 28 The Current
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dedicated bicycle lane, traffic signal improvements and new pavement. Council voted 5-1 to approve the contract, with Merkel — a staunch opponent of the project since joining council in January — voting no.

At its April 30 meeting, council unanimously approved a bid award to Liberty Concrete LLC for the Bowdish Road Improvements Project. Liberty was the lowest of six bidders at $3,046,112.70 for the project that features work on Bowdish from East 12th to East 22th avenues including road widening and new asphalt, new sidewalk on the east side of the road, bicycle path, stormwater infrastructure improvements, improved lighting and a traffic circle at Bowdish and 16th Avenue.

The engineering estimate for the project was $3,559,362, with the city budgeting over $4.12 million for the work. Besides city money, funding for the project includes a $1.55 million grant from the state’s Safe Routes to Schools Program.

Land use changes approved

Alson on April 30, council approved the first reading of a pair of ordinances amending the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning maps. The amendments change the land use designation and zoning of 49.2 acres of multi-family residential property at 4418 E. 8th Street to 44 acres mixed use and 5.2 acres single-family residential property.

The property was purchased seven years ago by the Spokane Conservation District, and has been used for excavation and storage. The District has enhanced the forested parts of the property and built offices to support their operations. The land use and zoning changes will allow them to further pursue plans to use the property for additional economic purposes.

Second and final readings of both ordinances were approved by council at its May 7 meeting.

At the May 14 meeting, council approved the first reading of an ordinance vacating the south portions of Girard Road and Lily Road south of Boone Avenue and

north of Interstate 90 in order to enable expansion of a nearby business. Approximately 4,800 square feet of Girard and 5,700 square feet of Lily would be vacated. Both are dead-end streets due to construction of the interstate in the 1950s.

James Boon, LLC — owning land to the south of both streets — and Avodah, LLC — owning land west of Lily — requested the vacation for use by a landscaping materials business. City formulas put compensation for the vacation at $1,092.

Council subsequently approved the second and final reading of the ordinance at its May 21 meeting. Grants sought for Balfour Park Phase 2

At the April 30 meeting, council passed a resolution authorizing Parks and Recreation Department staff to apply for a Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) grant to help with Phase 2 of construction at the city’s Balfour Park on Sprague across from City Hall. Recreation Director John Botelli said the two grants would enable completion of the park’s signature playground and splashpad, which were the next two highest ranked features citizen’s indicated in surveys they wished to see at the park.

The city is seeking $2 million in state grant funding for the $4 million Phase 2, which would also include features such as soccer and pickleball courts, a mini-soccer pitch and outdoor amphitheater. Botelli said they have a “competitive, solid” application.

“We’ll put in our best effort and see where we stand,” he added.

Hearing Examiner to handle council investigations

Finally, at the April 30 meeting, council also approved the second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code to allow the Hearing Examiner to preside over investigation hearings into council member misconduct as provided for by the recently approved updates to the council’s Governance Manual. The newly added Section 5 provides standards of council conduct, and enables the Hearing Examiner to investigate and present to the council for action violations of those standards.

• JUNE 2024 30 The Current
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Central Valley integrates college program into high school campus

This fall, incoming freshmen at University High School will be able to enter a program that allows them to earn an associate’s degree by their senior year without ever leaving their high school.

A collaboration between the Central Valley School District, Community Colleges of Spokane and Eastern Washington University, the 4-year program will give students an Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement degree that will allow them to enter a 4-year college as a junior. Previous options, such as Running Start, required students to attend classes on a college campus.

Central Valley Superintendent said the idea came up last fall when he was having coffee with SCC Chancellor Kevin Brockbank. “We started to play around with the idea,” he said.

Spokane Community College is the accrediting agency for the program, which is based heavily on the College in the High School program already offered at Eastern Washington University to give college credit for high school classes. As part of that program, faculty at Eastern Washington University have already checked the credentials of each teacher leading a College in High School class and approved their syllabi to make sure the high school classes are equivalent to a college level course. For example, a junior in the AA program is required to take AP U.S. History. The class is the equivalent to History 111 at EWU or History 136 at SCC.

“That’s how come we needed the three legs of this, Eastern, SCC and Central Valley,” Parker said.

Several of the classes are online, taught by SCC faculty, but almost all of them can be taken from University High School teachers in the school. This allows students to stay in their school and have the full high school experience, Parker said, including joining clubs and playing in sports.

The program starts slow in a student’s freshman year, which includes basic classes such as English, science, math and world languages. There is only one class that is taken for college credit. Similarly, in a student’s sophomore year, only one college level class is required. This allows students to get their feet wet and dabble in college

level courses to determine if the program is a good fit, Parker said.

“If it’s not for them, we can get them back on a regular high school track quickly,” he said.

In a student’s junior and senior year in the new program, nearly all the classes are college level. While ideally a student would join the program in their freshman year, it would be easy enough to jump into the program during a student’s sophomore or junior years because there would only be one or two classes to make up, Parker said.

“It uses the existing system, it allows all these on ramps,” he said. “We’ve just mapped it starting in the ninth grade.”

The benefit to getting an AA degree instead of taking AP classes for college credit is that Washington State public colleges are required to accept the degree instead of a student having to quibble with colleges over whether each AP class will be accepted, Parker said.

Administrators met with eighth graders who will attend University High School in the fall and about 50 expressed interest in the AA program, Parker said, though he doesn’t know how many will actually sign up. “We had parent meetings already and there is definitely interest out there,” he said. “This is going to be gradual, we anticipate.”

This is the pilot year of the program before it expands to Central Valley High School and Ridgeline High School in 2025. “University High School made the most sense,” Parker said. “U-High already had a ton of AP classes and a ton of teachers certified in the program.”

In the 2023-2024 school year, Central Valley will have paid an estimated $2.6 million for students to attend Running Start classes at EWU or SCC. However, if students enroll in the new program, the district will be able to save money by using classes it already offers by teachers who are already hired, Parker said. It will also save families money by giving them the equivalent of two years of college education for free, he said.

When students enroll in Running Start, they are responsible for getting transportation to classes at either EWU or SCC, which can be a barrier for some students. The new AA program will allow those students to get a jump on their college classes while still attending their neighborhood school, Parker said. However, there are no plans to end the Running Start program, he said.

“If they still want to do that, they can,” he said.

As the AA program expands, Parker said he expects it to look slightly different at each school based on which teachers are certified into the program. At that time, it will be possible for students to choice into the school that offers the program that best fits their needs, he said.

More information on the program is available at www.cvsd.org.

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