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SECOND GEN BUSINESS TURNS 50 YEARS OLD PAGE 2

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SUN CITY CURCH OPENS NEW PLAYGROUND PAGE 31

2

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

50 years of Jim Custer Enterprises

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

Not many businesses can mark 50 years off the calendar while still going strong, but Jim Custer Enterprises is one of the rare ones, set to open its 50th annual Fall Antique and Vintage Show at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center Oct. 4-5.

The annual shows put on every year have legions of loyal followers who turn up every year to see what’s new in the home and yard market or what finds can be found at the craft and antique shows.

“It was the show that started it all,” Cheryl Custer-Branz said of the fall antique show. “You could say it’s halfway to becoming an antique itself.”

Jim Custer first got the idea for an annual show at the fairgrounds in the mid-1970s when he was working for KZUN radio in Spokane, but then it was meant to be a year-end sale for the radio station’s advertisers. “We called it a flea market,” he said. “It was free to the public.”

After the first year, Custer and a friend who was an antique dealer collaborated to bring in antique vendors, which were housed in a separate building at the fairgrounds. “We decided we’d better charge admission,” Custer said. “If you went into the annex, it was 50 cents to see the antiques.”

Custer left his job at the radio station three years after the launch of the flea market, which ended his involvement in it. He let his new boss at Norlift know that he’d like to keep doing the antique show every year, but promised to do it on his own time. His boss gave his enthusiastic support. Three years later, Custer quit his job to make Jim Custer Enterprises his full-time job, along with help from his wife Jennifer.

The couple worked out of their home for several years. “Jennifer was always involved,” Custer said. “We started in the basement, then we concerted a bedroom into an office.”

The couple got the idea to start an arts and crafts show after Jennifer Custer visited a show at the Bozarth Mansion.

While some artists had requested to join the Custer’s annual antique show, they had turned the artists down because they wanted the antique show to remain focused on antiques. But seeing the popular arts and crafts show at Bozarth won them over.

“We stood in line, I bet, for 45 minutes,” Jennifer Custer said of the show. She came straight home and told her husband they needed to get into the arts and crafts show business. In the age before computers, the two took a road trip to find and sign up vendors for their new show.

“It was no easy feat at the start, especially for a show with no proven track record,” Custer-Branz said.

As the years went by, the Custers experimented with holding small shows at local and regional malls. “We did anything to keep alive,” Jennifer Custer said. “Then we eventually scaled back to Spokane and the Tri-Cities.”

For years now Jim Custer Enterprises has hosted a fall antique show, Christmas and Spring arts and crafts shows and the home and yard show. There are also Christmas and Spring arts and crafts shows in Pasco.

The antique show has changed over the years and now includes vintage items. It’s not as large as the other shows, Custer-Branz said. It used to

be that collectors would work with an antiques dealer, who would travel far and wide to look for items for their clients. But then Ebay was launched and people could find antiques on their own, though usually for higher prices. Now people are looking more for unique items rather than putting together collections, she said.

“Ebay shifted the antiques world,” she said.

The show still attracts a good crowd, however. “It’s eclectic,” said Clint Branz. “They’re not looking for any one thing.”

“You never know what you’re going to find,” Custer-Branz said. “Every show is different.”

As the business grew, so did the Fair and Expo Center. “The main shows, as we have them now, have always been at this facility,” Custer-Branz said.

In the early years, the Fair and Expo Center didn’t have concessions, so the Custers did it themselves. They bought hot dogs, mustard, ketchup and soda in bulk and churned out a steady stream of hot dogs in a wobbly trailer. Ice was kept in the shade of a tree, covered by a tarp. Eventually, the Fair and Expo Center started selling concessions, making the shows go more smoothly for the Custers.

Photo by Nina Culver Left to Right, Jim Custer, Jennifer Custer, Cheryl Custer-Branz, and Clint Branz.

The original and current owners of Jim Custer Enterprises celebrate their 50th anniversary and still going strong.

Jim Custer said he was often making suggestions on how the facilities could be improved or what he needed for his shows. “We have seen the fairgrounds grow because of what we needed,” Jennifer Custer said.

“We became the biggest user of the facility, because of all our shows,” Custer-Branz said.

While Custer-Branz grew up working at her family’s shows, she never planned to go into the family business. She and her husband returned to Spokane as newlyweds. He had a job but Custer-Branz was still looking for work when her parents asked if she could help them out. “The business had grown to such a degree, they needed help in the office,” she said.

She brought her computer skills to the office and everything went so well, they began adding shows in Pasco the following year. Then her husband joined the business a year after that. The two generations worked together for five years before Jim and Jennifer Custer retired in 2001.

Jim and Jennifer Custer said they’re pleased that their shows enabled quite a few of their early vendors to launch businesses. “We opened a lot of doors, which people continue to thank us for,” Custer said.

The couple both said they’re proud of how their daughter and son-in-law have run the family business since they retired. “They took it to a whole new level,” Custer said. “It’s beyond what I ever imagined.”

Q: When you were growing up, did you always plan to go into the family business?

Cheryl: No, not at all. It honestly never even crossed my mind! I was certainly involved from a young age working at the shows. My twin brother, Christopher, and I were the janitorial team back in the early days. We kept the floors and the bathrooms sparkling clean. I was in high school when I finally graduated to getting to work in the ticket booth, making change for admission, etc. It was very exciting! But then I left for college, and I was pursuing a music degree which ultimately became a journalism degree with a minor in vocal performance and I was focused on my own career. The opportunity to work with my parents happened when Clint and I moved back to Spokane after See 50 YEARS, Page 5

OCTOBER 2025 • 3

The Current

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• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

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Leadership You Can Trust

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“ Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I would be honored to have your support to lead Spokane Valley with common sense, civility and fiscal responsibility.”

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OCTOBER 2025 • 5

The Current

50 YEARS

Continued from page 2 living in California as a young married couple. I was in between jobs and they were needing extra help and ultimately I never left!

Clint: After we moved back from California, I took a management job with Chapter Eleven Restaurants as a general manager – I graduated from WSU with a degree in Hospitality Management. It never occurred to me back then that at some point, I would not only be working with my in-laws, but that Cheryl and I would eventually buy the business and run it ourselves…. and now here we are over 30 years later!

Q: Do you have a favorite event that Jim Custer Enterprises puts on?

Cheryl: I love them all because I grew up with them all and they each have their own uniqueness. That being said, the Christmas Arts & Crafts shows in particular are the most fun for me because the holiday season is so fun and joyful. It’s a blessing to be a part of creating that atmosphere for others.

Clint: Each event that we promote has its own unique personality. For me though, I really enjoy the Home & Yard Show. This show has such a huge economic impact on the local economy.

It is extremely satisfying to know that Cheryl and I have helped so many local businesses achieve some or all their annual sales goals from just this one event. For me and thousands of others, it is a fun place to dream and plan for future projects.

Q: How long does it take to put together a show behind the scenes, like the annual spring arts and crafts show?

Cheryl: We generally start working six months in advance in terms of placing exhibitors and setting the floorplan and then it all starts to build in intensity and workload the closer we get to the show taking place.

Clint: Yes to everything Cheryl said about working so far in advance with these events. While everyone is in Spring/Summer mode we are in Christmas mode and when everyone is in Christmas mode we are in Spring mode!

Q: What do you look for in a vendor for one of your shows?

Cheryl: That depends on the show.

Each event we promote has different requirements for participation and we are always striving to create a unique mix of participants. What I can tell you for sure is that we work with really good people across the board. And we have such long term relationships with so many of them that they are like

family to us.

Clint: Exactly what Cheryl said!

Q: What keeps you coming back to work show after show?

Cheryl: The people! Participants and the public alike. If you are not a people person, the consumer show business is not for you! On a day-to-day basis, I actually enjoy the challenge of all of the changes we’ve been a part of in the business. When Clint and I were first becoming the owners of the company I cut out a quote from a trade publication that said, “No public, event ever stands still, but gets either better or worse.” I taped it to the inside of my desk drawer and it’s a reminder to me to keep doing better!

Clint: All of our working relationships, whether it’s with participants, venues or the decorating team. After 30 years of promoting events, we have established some very long term relationships. These relationships are all so interconnected.

It really is like one huge family working together to ready an event for opening day.

Q: Do you have a “the show almost didn’t go on” moment (with the exception of COVID)?

Cheryl: We have two of them, both related to weather! The first was the Ice Storm of 1996 which knocked out power to the Spokane Fair & Expo Center and we didn’t know if or when the power was going to come back on for our Christmas Arts & Crafts Show.

The artists actually moved in and set up using camping lanterns and flashlights, etc. We had one hour left to go of the move in when the power came on and I can still remember everyone cheering.

We opened on time at 10am the next day.

The second was the Wind Storm in 2015 which also knocked out power to the facility during our Christmas Arts & Crafts Show. Because of upgrades to the buildings (think fire codes, etc.) we were not able to move in without power like we had done before and it did not come back on in time. So, our opening day of the show became our move in day once power was restored and the event was just a two day event that year – which was so much better than no event at all!

Clint: Like Cheryl mentioned, the 1996 Ice Storm and the 2015 wind event were very extreme cases of weather challenging our events. Over the years, some of our events have been affected by challenging weather (see snow, ice, high winds, etc.). Even then, though, we have such a loyal following that the weather generally does not deter them from coming out to support the show.

As the saying goes, the show must go on!

Celebrating 50 Years!

The

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Oct. 4 & 5, 2025

Spokane Fair and Expo Center

SATURDAY 10AM-6PM ADMISSION $8 SUNDAY 10AM-4PM FREE PARKING Tickets On Sale Now! CusterShows.com

Presented by Jim Custer Enterprises, Inc.

You areMcordiallY ARK YOUR CALENDARS invited to the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum’s 21st Annual Heritage Program Fundraiser

You are invited to the 21st Annual Heritage Program Fundraiser!

Saturday, November 8th 1pm – 3pm

Presentation: Antoine Plante, Ferryman, Guide & Witness to History Silent Auction & Raffle & History General Store Desserts & Refreshments Please support your museum by attending this fun and informational event!

When: Saturday, November 8th Presentation: Antoine Plante, Guide, Ferryman, Where: Center Place EvenWitness t Center to 262History 4 N Discovery Place Time: 1pm – 3pm Location: Center Place Event Center Cost: $25 2426 N Discovery Place Silent Auction, History Books, Raffles, Snacks and Refreshments Tickets: $25 on the museum’s website events tab or at the museum.

Tickets are available at the museum or on the website: www.spokanevalleymuseum.com

6

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

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The Current

Valley council amends tower height, some business license requirements

NEWS

OCTOBER 2025 • 7

By John McCallum Current contributor

Communication tower height, financial exemptions on business licenses for out-of-city businesses, grant funding and a project collaboration with a local water district were just some of the items Spokane Valley’s City Council dealt with in September.

Tower height ordinance approved At its Sept. 16 meeting, the City Council unanimously passed Resolution 25-013, a resolution reaffirming “Findings of Fact” adopted in Interim Ordinance 25-013 regarding height restrictions on communications towers in the city. The resolution allows Spokane Regional Emergency Communications to erect a 120-foot tower on a four-plus acre parcel of land it owns at 12809 E. Mirabeau Parkway where the agency intends to build a new call center.

The ordinance was adopted by the council at its July 29 meeting after it waived the “three-touch rule” for ordinances. Council also held a public hearing at the Sept. 16 on the issue.

The ordinance is needed because SREC’s land is located in a “Mixed Use” zone. Current city codes prohibit towers taller than 60 feet with 20 feet of antenna, but to be effective, SREC requires a 100-foot-high tower with 20 feet of antenna.

SREC’s lease on its current location in the city of Spokane is up at the end of the year, and construction on a new tower needs to begin immediately in order to continue reliable emergency communications operations once they vacate their current facility. The city of Spokane is building its own 911 call center and increasing staff to operate it sometime in 2026.

Council extends license threshold

out-of-city

The council held a first reading at its Sept. 16 meeting of a proposed ordinance raising the income threshold

Contributed photo courtesy of Google The Spokane Regional Emergency Communications facility with its 100-foot tower is shown above. The Spokane Valley City Council approved an ordinance extending its tower height limitation from 60-feet with 20-foot antenna to 100-feet with 20-foot antenna so that the SREC could proceed with building its new facility along Mirabeau Parkway. exempting out-of-city businesses from needing a city business license. The “model business license ordinance” was passed by Spokane Valley in 2018 after a state law requiring cities to adopt such licenses was passed by the Legislature in 2017.

The model included definition of “engaging in business” and an outof-city exemption for businesses or persons producing $2,000 or less in product value, gross proceeds, gross income or gross sales. In 2024, a group of Washington cities reviewed the model and recommended changes.

Spokane Valley’s ordinance raises the out-of-city threshold to $4,000, and requires an automatic adjustment for cumulative inflation every four years.

Council unanimously approved moving the ordinance to a second reading. At the Sept. 26 meeting, it unanimously adopted the ordinance.

Tourism budget plan adopted Also at the Sept. 16 meeting, council unanimously approved the city’s Tourism Promotion Area’s $1.775

million budget for 2026. The move came after the TPA Hotel Commission presented its 2026 budget to council at the Aug. 12 meeting and council review at the Sept. 2 meeting of the commission’s report on the 2024-2025 summary of revenues, expenditures and marketing initiatives.

The budget is based upon projected tourism travel to the city and historic revenue trends, with city staff estimating tourism-based revenue next year at just over $1.3 million. The budget also includes a carryover of $450,000 from 2025 revenues.

As part of the plan, staff recommended amending two consultant agreements to extend their services through 2026, utilize a portion of the TPA revenue to create and use an “Opportunity Fund” supporting events and venues generating overnight visitors and use a portion of the funding to purchase technology services providing data to assist determining the geographical reach and economic impact of events.

Staff will work with the commission

to produce a scope of services and fees and return to council for approval in October or November.

Appleway Trail, housing grants

affordable

At its Sept. 9 meeting, council approved the city’s request to apply for grant funding from the newlyestablished Washington State Department of Transportation’s Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program.

The program is named for the late Sandy Williams, a Spokane Black-community organizer and LGBTQ issues advocate who worked to reconnect her East Central neighborhood after the construction of Interstate 90 split the community in half. Williams, who is the founder of Eastern Washington's only newspaper focused on the Black community, The Black Lens, died in a float plane crash in Puget Sound on Sept. 4, 2022.

According to WSDOT, “The program honors her work to address See SV COUNCIL, Page 10

HISTORY

• OCTOBER 2025 8 Current The

The Current FEBRUARY 2015 • 21

Monuments commemorate, memorialize Valley’s history

By Jayne Singleton

SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

Historical events, places, archeological sites, markers and monuments reside in the Spokane Valley. They are all around us commemorating and memorializing events that shaped our Valley long before we made our mark on it. They speak to the progress of humanity, the taming of the Spokane River by building bridges or ferries, and to the shameful history where the bones of 800 Indian ponies

marked our Valley.

These monuments preserve our heritage. They are as sentinels stopping time with their unique story.

The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum hosts “Drive Your History Tours.” In the spring of 2015, one of the tours will be “The Monuments Tour,” which will interpret each Historic Marker in depth.

To learn more about our Spokane Valley history or these upcoming events,

check the museum’s website for dates of tours. Included on this page are four of the more prominent historic monuments dotting our Valley.

Jayne Singleton is director of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, which contributes photos and information to The Current as part of a series on Spokane Valley history. For more about this article or other aspects of our community’s heritage, visit the museum at 12114 E. Sprague Ave. or call 922-4570.

MULLAN ROAD’S INTERSECTION:

This historic monument marks the Mullan Road where it came through the Valley. It is located on the southwest corner of Sprague and Vista.

The Mullan Road was the military road from Fort Benton, Mont., to Fort Walla Walla, Wash. It was approximately 600 miles long.

WHERE PLANTE CROSSED THE RIVER:

STATE LINE SETTLEMENT: This historic marker was erected in 1946 by the Spokane Pioneer Society and others. It is located near the old visitor’s center at the state line. The marker honors the history of the area that became known as Spokane Bridge. It is where the history in this entire region began. The first store, house and post office were located here long before there was a Spokane. The land the marker claims became a crossroads of cultures. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe, fur traders, missionary priests, miners, freighters, the Army, settlers and Captain John Mullan all traveled on or near the site.

This historical marker honors Antoine Plante and can be found, fittingly enough, at Plante’s Ferry Park. Plante is considered the first permanent settler in the Spokane Valley.

He began operating a ferry to cross the Spokane River in about 1853. Some of his more famous passengers were Territorial Governor Issac Stevens and Captain John Mullan. The Mullan Road crossed the river at Plante’s Ferry.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM

HORSE SLAUGHTER REMEMBERED: Horses were valued by the

local Indian tribes as a sign of wealth, and they were also used for transportation. In 1858, as the tensions escalated between the encroaching white settlers and the Indians, Colonel George Wright was dispatched to put a stop to the Indians who were defending their ancestral lands. On the morning of Sept 9, Wright was traveling through the Spokane Valley along a route nearly paralleling Mission Avenue on his way to Cataldo Mission, when clouds of dust rose above the hills of Liberty Lake. The dust was from a large herd of horses on the move.

Several soldiers were ordered to capture the horses from the Indians. The horses numbered between 700 and 800 or more, according to eyewitness accounts. Wright determined that the horses would be killed as a means to defeat the Indians, although a number of horses were kept by the Army. The massacre of the horses took at least two days. The bones of the slaughtered horses could be seen for many decades after the slaughter. Years later, the area was referred to by the Indians as a “White Lake” because of the bleached bones visible as their ancestors came into the Valley from the hills above Liberty Lake.

OCTOBER 2025 • 9

The Current

Eat, Shop

& Be Merry

A holiday guide for the Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, and West Plains areas

Advertising options

SHARE YOUR GIFT IDEA

FREE!

at the shoppers and businesses of the Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley and The West Plains — and as a bonus we will include gift ideas as part of our story listing can’t-miss local gift ideas.

Last year we featured around 200 local small businesses!

(Restaurants, don’t feel left out. You can contribute a tantalizing menu item to be included in our article on dining out.)

Either way, submitted photos are encouraged!

“Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a special cover section that will be included in the November issue of The Stream and December issues of both The Current and The Splash. That’s right — be a part of all three publications for one price.

Distribution This guide is strategically scheduled to land November 24 and 25 — the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving and Small Business Saturday.

It will be distributed in The Splash (12,000 copies delivered to every address in Liberty Lake and available for free at more than 120 newsstands through Christmas), The Current (14,500 copies delivered to 10,000 homes in Spokane Valley and at more than 220 newsstands througout the greater Spokane Valley) as well as in The Stream (13,000 copies delivered to 10,000 homes throughout Airway Heights, Medical Lake and Fairchild Airforce Base and at more than 100 newsstands throughout the West Plains.

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Deadlines Display ad with submitted menu item or gift idea:

November 5 Display ad (submitted gift idea or menu item will be printed if space is still available):

November 11 Reserve your spot today at 509-242-7752 or danica@valleycurrent.com.

That’s a total of

39,500 copies

of this holiday guide distributed throughout the greater Valley and West Plains Areas through our alreadypopular monthly publications.

Connecting LOCAL PEOPLE with LOCAL BUSINESSES “Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a community-minded project of The Splash, The Current, and The Stream encouraging commuitiies to think local firt when spending holiday money.

www.libertylakesplash.com • www.westplainsstream.com

10

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

SV COUNCIL

Continued from page 7

historic injustices created by highway projects by funding projects that repair walking, biking, and rolling connections on current and former state highways.”

2025 City of Spokane Valley Endorsements

If successful, city staff intend to use the $200,000 in grant funding applied for to produce planning documents for the extension of the Appleway Trail between Dishman-Mica Road and Havanna Avenue. The council voted 4-2 to apply for the grant, with council members Laura Padden and Jessica Yaeger voting no.

2025 Central Valley School Board of Director Endorsements Follow Us on Facebook

Republicans of Spokane County 1 Pac P.O. Box 141675 Spokane Valley, WA 99037 Republicans of Spokane are NOT the Spokane County GOP

Council voted unanimously to partnering with a pair of area affordable housing organizations on applications for grant funding from the state Department of Commerce’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). The program provides funding for system development charges and utility improvements, with grant award sizes for the 2025-2027 funding cycle limited to $1 million. The Legislature set aside $85 million for use by the program in the two-year funding cycle.

The city will apply for $1 million with Habitat for Humanity for use with its $7.5 million, multiunit project at 2nd Avenue and Carnahan Road.

Habitat for Humanity would use the funding for utility infrastructure installation.

The city will also apply for $800,000 with Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) to use on its $23 million Broadway Senior Housing project. SNAP also intends to use the grant funding for utility infrastructure, primarily off-site water connections.

According to the staff report, the city does not incur any financial obligations in applying for the grant.

Sprague collaboration

paving,

waterline

At its Sept. 2 meeting, council unanimously voted to issue a bid award for the Sprague Avenue Preservation Project at State Route 27. Council awarded the project to Inland Asphalt, who was the lowest responsive bidder on the work at just over $2 million.

The project, with an engineering estimate of just over $2.39 million, includes stormwater system updates, curb ramps, curbing realignment and pavement resurfacing of Sprague

The Current

NEWS

between Bowdish and McDonald Road. Two grants are funding the project: a $1.5 million grant from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and a $1.347 million grant from the National Highway System Asset Management program.

The STBG requires 13.5% city matching funds, which is being paid out of the city’s Pavement Preservation and Stormwater funds. The NIH grant requires no matching funds.

Council also approved an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Spokane County Water District 3 for collaboration with the district on its Thierman Waterline project to replace a half-mile of water main between Heacox/Thierman/Broadway and Riverside/Dyer. It’s part of a multiyear project to install waterline to a connection point at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Eastern.

Analysis indicates the pavement along this section of roadway has deteriorated and the city has determined it warrants replacement, something that would be more “efficiently delivered” if done in conjunction with the district’s project.

The city partnered with the district in 2019 in a similar effort with great success.

Construction costs to the city would not exceed $750,000, with design and bidding efforts estimated at $30,000.

Solid waste contracts extended, LTAC funds sought At its Aug. 26 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved contract extensions for both solid waste collection contractors operating in the city. The extensions were for two years each, and allowed under the existing contract.

In 2018, Spokane Valley entered into a 10-year contract with WM (formerly Waste Management) for solid waste collection. WM agreed to provide curbside collection of “garbage, recyclables, and compostable materials to residents and businesses that choose to have the service provided to them.”

The contract was set to expire in 2028, but gives the city — at its option — the ability to extend the contract up to an additional two years.

Also in 2018, the council agreed to 10-year contracts with WM and Sunshine Disposal to begin providing drop-box container services for

Spokane Valley residents and businesses. The contracts provide drop-box containers for garbage from single family residences, multifamily complexes and commercial customers located within the city’s service area.

They also enable additional collection of recyclables from subscribing multifamily complexes customers that utilize drop-box container garbage service.

According to the staff report, “The drop-box container contract provides the maximum rates that the contractors can charge.” Contractors can charge lower rates, with the maximum rates adjusted annually based on 90 percent of CPI. Spokane Valley residents currently pay $24.41 monthly for 2025 residential weekly 35-gallon garbage cart and every-other-week recycling curbside collection. The rate is lower than the $27.56 service average for the region.

Finally, council approved city application to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) for $257,000 in lodging tax funds to help pay for estimated operations and maintenance costs for Spokane Valley’s new cross-country course “The Course Spokane Valley.” Rental fees for the course are expected to cover some of these expenses once the course opens, with the interim estimated costs for operations and maintenance of $257,000 paid for out of the city’s General Fund in the Parks and Recreation Department.

As the course is a tourism facility, it is eligible to receive LTAC funding.

The Spokane Valley City Council has already awarded $6.9 million in LTAC funding for course construction.

Council voted 6-1 to approve the application.

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OCTOBER 2025 • 11

EXPERIENCE. INTEGRITY. COMMITMENT.

POSITION 1 “As a lifelong Spokane Valley resident, I’ve seen our community grow and change. I’m running for City Council to ensure it remains a safe, welcoming, and affordable place to live. My top priorities are public safety, attainable housing, and strong infrastructure, the essentials that protect our quality of life. I bring decades of local roots, proven leadership, and a level-headed, independent voice and small business mind to City Hall. Together, we can keep Spokane Valley moving forward with common-sense solutions.” - Kris Pockell

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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Kristopher Pockell 115111 E. Valleyway Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

12

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

East Valley High School senior Camryn Petersen loves the outdoors and making crafts but don’t let that fool you. This high school senior maintains a 3.97 GPA and is currently taking classes including AP English, AP Government, and AP Calculus. Petersen is also a cellist playing the Cello since the 4th grade and is currently in the East Valley Orchestra and ‘Tri-M’ (a group of musicians made up of members from band, orchestra, and choir). Petersen is also active in her church attending seminary each morning before school begins and is the Young Women Secretary. Petersen is also active in sports at East Valley earning a spot on the Knight Varsity Cross Country team and is looking forward to the upcoming Track season. After graduation Petersen is exploring the idea of becoming a Veterinarian and is planning to attend either BYU Provo or Washington State University next year.

East Valley High School varsity football center and defensive tackle Baron Botello is excited about this years football team potential. “With sixteen to seventeen seniors on the team this year we should have a good chance” said Botello. Botello has been playing football since the 8th grade year. The high school senior who maintains a 3.85 GPA made the varsity wrestling team last year, wrestling at a 215 weight class. Botello also participates in a conglomerate La Cross Team made up of students from all of the Spokane Valley Schools and competes in the Idaho League.

Botello joined the La Cross team back in the 6th grade when everything shutdown due to the COVID pandemic. Remembering how it made him feel, Botello lives by the motto of inclusion “Sometimes people need an invite to join in so I make it a point to ask.” After high school Botello plans to go on to college, hoping for Boise State University and is exploring the idea of becoming a physical therapist but plans to study something in the health field.

Co-President of the Spokane Falls Daughters of the American Colonists and the Jonas Babcock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Rae Anna Victor has been a tremendous advocate for highlighting, preserving, and honoring our communities history and military service. Victor most recently advocated for the cities proclamation recognizing the week of September 17th as Constitution Week which has done for years. Victor is also the author or co-author for more than 25th books mainly focusing on historical topics and include ‘History of the Spokane Fire Department,’ Spokane County Law Enforcement,’ and ‘Century of Honor: ‘Excellence and Value in Washington State Law Enforcement’

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Special Election G u i d e 2025 OCTOBER 2025 • 13

The Current

Dear Readers: With the upcoming election heating up and the sea of political signs filling our streets, we at The Current wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some information about the candidates seeking your vote this election cycle. It had become a tradition to bring you this election guide that showcases as many

candidates as we can get to respond.

In order to give you more insight into who these people are we reached out to all of the contenders appearing on your ballot and asked them to please provide a 250-word response to the following questions (which we would publish at no cost).

1. What best qualifies you for this position?

2. What is the most important issue that

needs addressed?

Again this year we added some fun questions to also get to know more about the candidates personality!

1. What is your favorite community event?

2. What is your favorite place to volunteer?

3. What is your favorite restaurant?

While not everyone chose to respond to our request, a good number have and we hope that you find their

unedited responses helpful for your voting consideration.

For those who haven’t registered to vote or accidently lose your ballot, you can register all the way upto election day and/or get a replacement ballot in person by going to CenterPlace Regional Event Center in Spokane Valley.

Thanks for reading The Current, we hope you enjoy it!

The Current

Vote by November 4th

14

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

City of Spokane Valley council pos. 1 Where is your favorite community event?

Mike Kelly

What best qualifies you for this position?

Spokane Valley is a fastgrowing community. That growth comes with many challenges, including a shortage of money needed to pay for increased public services. For 35 years, I have worked as the controller for a public contracting construction company, working with governments at all levels. I’ve also owned and operated multiple

business, and managed both residential and commercial real estate. Consequently, I am familiar with and understand government contracting, budgets, risk management, and the need for fiscal accountability.

Further, I have spent a year and a half on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission dealing with various issues, including the City’s Comprehensive Growth Plan. I have also built many relationships through my volunteer activity with the Spokane County GOP. All this experience means I can hit the ground running as your City Councilmember, with an understanding of the issues and the challenges, as well as the ability to bring ideas and solutions to the discussion with the goal

of keeping taxes low and services high by spending wisely.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addresses?

My focus will be on the issues that citizens of the Valley have told me are important to them. Keeping property taxes from increasing and providing more police officers seem to be their greatest concern, so these will be my primary focus. In addition, cutting out wasteful spending and setting smart policy around development in the City that includes a vision for the Sprague corridor would be a priority, as would better communication and greater transparency with the taxpayers.

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am deeply rooted in Spokane Valley, having lived here for over 30 years. My qualifications for City Council stem from both my professional background and my longstanding commitment to this community. I bring a unique blend of technical expertise, business management, and practical problemsolving skills. With a decade of experience as a software engineer and three years as an engineering manager, I understand how to analyze complex systems, manage budgets, and lead teams toward solutions. Additionally, as the founder of a

small business, I know firsthand the challenges local entrepreneurs face and how city policies can help or hinder growth.

This combination of business and leadership experience equips me to make balanced, thoughtful decisions on behalf of Spokane Valley residents.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue facing Spokane Valley today is public safety. Our city is growing, but our police force has not kept pace with that growth, as shown by the results of the recent Matrix study. I believe addressing public safety must be our top priority, because it is the foundation of a strong

Kris Pockell

Candidate

Mike Kelly - Valley Fest Kris Pockell - Cops & Kids Car Show Ben Wick - Spokane County Interstate Fair Pam Haley - Crave!

Catherine Nelson - Valleyfest Laura Padden - Wreaths across American @ Pines cemetery Brad Hohn - several good car shows Shaun Culler - Spokane County Interstate Fair Shawna Beese - Good Neighbor Weekend Dan Sander - Christmas tree lighting Brandon Arthur - Spokane Fair Allen Skidmore - High School Football and Basketball games Pam Orebaugh - Labor Day Spokane Symphony in the Park Mark Bitz - Valley Fest Heart of Gold Parade Carolyn Petersen - Golden Throne and Golden Plunger Dan Hansen - Millwood Daze

Candidate

community and thriving local economy. Without a safe environment, families and businesses cannot flourish.

We must ensure we have the officers and resources necessary to protect our neighborhoods. By prioritizing public safety, we will strengthen Spokane Valley as a safe, welcoming, and prosperous place to live, work, and raise a family.

OCTOBER 2025 • 15

The Current

city of spokane valley council pos. 5 Pam Haley Incumbent

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am honored to serve as your Spokane Valley City Councilmember. I humbly ask for your vote to continue focusing on public safety, smooth roads, and bringing good paying jobs to Spokane Valley. We have completed road grade separation projects on Barker for safety and traffic concerns, yet we have more work to do. I also supported growing the Valley police force to increase

community safety. As a small business owner for 33 years, I quickly learned how to give up frills and still manage essentials while being fiscally responsible. I hold Masters Degrees in Business and Education and I have served on the Spokane Valley City Council since 2016, serving as Mayor since 2022. I believe that public service represents all the people – not championing special interests. I am passionate about the City of Spokane Valley!

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

As your voice on the Council, I will put you first.

I will continue to focus on increasing public safety and reducing government regulation and interference in our daily lives.

What best qualifies you for balanced, responsible, and

this position?

I have lived in Spokane Valley for many years and raised my children here, so I know firsthand the challenges and opportunities our community faces. As a Realtor, I have a deep understanding of the local housing market and the impact that development decisions have on our neighborhoods.

That experience gives me the tools to stand up for neighborhood integrity and to fight against the reckless push from the current council to fill our city with low-income apartment complexes that don’t reflect the needs or character of Spokane Valley. I will work to ensure that growth is

consistent with the values of the people who call this community home.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most urgent issue we face today is public safety.

Our city is currently short at least 20 police officers, and even after raising your taxes again, we will still be at least 10 officers short. This shortage is not just a statistic, it translates into slower response times, rampant property crime, and even violent crime. Residents are seeing homelessness and lawlessness return to our streets because of the misguided policies of the current council.

I believe the answer is

Ballot Drop Off Locations

Liberty Lake Library 23123 E Mission Ave Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Otis Orchards Library 22324 E Wellesley Ave Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Spokane Valley Library 22 N Herald Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Argonne Library 4322 N Argonne Rd Spokane, WA 99212

Catherine Nelson

Candidate

not simply raising taxes, but fixing our budget to prioritize public safety where it belongs, at the top. I am committed to ensuring we fund and staff our police department properly, without forcing hardworking families to shoulder more tax increases. Spokane Valley deserves leadership that protects our families, homes, and way of life.

city of spokane valley council pos 4 Ben Wick

Incumbent

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am a fourth generation Spokane Valley native, graduating from East Valley High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Eastern Washington University with minors in math, physics and communications. From there I worked in manufacturing at Goodrich Aerospace and Spokane Industries in their IT Departments gaining experience in utilizing technology and identifying and removing waste from processes as a certified LEAN practitioner.

I have started and own a small business in the community, and know what it’s like to be subject to the changing laws at the local and state levels.

I have four kids in our local schools and understand wanting to have more opportunities for them. I am also a volunteer recently serving as the president of the local Kiwanis Club giving back to help the children of our community.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

I have worked on city council long enough to know that focusing on just one issue is not sufficient for fulfilling our community needs. We need to maintain our streets, keep people safe, build the economy to keep taxes low, and support additional housing options to give people a chance at home ownership. All while having common sense and civility to uphold the office with dignity and respect. I believe we can do all of those things if we work together and would appreciate your support to do just that.

OPPONENT DROPPED OUT BUT WILL APPEAR ON BALLOT

16

• OCTOBER 2025

WVSD Dist. 1

The Current

City of Spokane Valley council pos. 7 Laura Padden

Dan Hansen

Incumbent

Incumbent

What best qualifies you for this position?

First off, I love the West Valley community, where my two children attended K-12, and where I served on the WVSD Board since December 2014 (as Board President in 2018 and 2023). Our board is dynamic and active; we don’t always agree on issues that come before us, but our disagreement is always respectful and leads to better decision-making. I’m involved at the state level as a member of the Washington State School Directors Association Legislative Committee (2015-2020; 2025), and am president of the Spokane County School Directors Association (2024-present). Prior to serving on the school board, I was an active member (and oneyear president) of the West Valley Band Boosters, and served on the Millwood Planning Commission (2010-2015). As a teen, my daughter was instrumental in helping establish the Millwood Farmers Market, and our family served as volunteers in the early years.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The biggest issues facing all school districts are meeting individual needs so each student feels embraced by their community and has the opportunity to achieve their greatest success.

At WV, we that challenge through mental health initiatives, by establishing Professional Learning Communities that draw educators together with intentionality for the betterment of every student, and through great community partnerships.

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What best qualifies you for this position?

I was raised in Spokane Valley and with my husband Mike, have raised our five sons here.

I actively volunteer at Church, donate blood, have served on multiple boards, committees and organizations including the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, my church finance committee, and previously on the

What best qualifies you for this position?

My name is Brad Hohn, and I am running for Spokane Valley City Council, Position 7. For more than 30 years, Spokane Valley has been my home.

My spouse and I have been married for 35 years, and we raised our three children here, all of whom attended Central Valley schools.

Over the past two decades, I’ve seen firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges that come with growth in our community.

I believe Spokane Valley should remain a safe, affordable, and familyfriendly place for future generations. To achieve that, we need leadership that listens, respects taxpayer dollars, and puts people above politics. That is the kind of leadership I will

Spokane Regional Law and Justice Committee.

As a Councilmember for the last 4 years, I have been a part of many notable successes - growing the police force to improve public safety, major infrastructure projects, the new cross-country course, enhancements to Balfour and Greenacres Parks, etc. In addition, I have been a member of the city contingent lobbying both in Olympia and Washington D.C. strengthening existing relationships and forging new ones. We are very fortunate to have been successful in recent years in returning tax dollars to our area for road and capital projects that benefit all.

I keep myself educated

on the issues and prepare for meetings each week.

As an advocate for conservative values, I look to find solutions in line with a philosophy of keeping government small and taxes low.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The cost of doing business continues to rise so my focus is on economic development to build a strong financial base for Spokane Valley.

This means supporting existing businesses and attracting new businesses including manufacturing, services and tourism.

With a strong economic base, we can effectively address things like crime, housing and homelessness.

bring to the council.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

My priorities are clear: • Public Safety First: Our residents deserve safe neighborhoods. I will ensure police and emergency services are fully funded through existing resources— not new taxes.

• Lower Unnecessary Taxes: Families and businesses are already burdened enough.

I will oppose tax increases and work to eliminate unnecessary costs, such as the license plate tax.

• Stop Wasteful Projects: Costly and unpopular projects like the Sprague Road Diet are not in the public’s best interest. I will stand firmly against them.

• Fiscal Responsibility:

Brad Hohn Candidate

Every decision at City Hall should serve the taxpayer.

I will bring transparency, accountability, and common-sense budgeting to city government.

I’m stepping up because Spokane Valley needs leadership grounded in real-world experience and dedicated to protecting our community’s future.

Together, we can restore fiscal discipline and keep our city safe, strong, and thriving.

OCTOBER 2025 • 17

The Current

city of millwood mayor Shaun Culler Candidate

What best qualifies you for this position?

As a third-generation Millwood resident, I’ve served on the City Council for 17 years and have acquired institutional knowledge regarding the day-to-day operations of the city, as well as the future projects the city faces.

Throughout my tenure, I made a point to show up each meeting in which we voted on an important issue and

What best qualifies you for this position?

I grew up in Millwood and have lived in this wonderful town for half a century, so my worldview is deeply rooted in this community.

I have served on the city council for over eight years (elected in 2017 and 2021).

Additionally, I earned the Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

This means I hold over 30 credits in topics such as legal issues, budgeting, land use, community, and leadership. This knowledge will be crucial as we navigate housing mandates around the Growth Management Act (GMA).

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

never abstained from such votes because the topic was unpopular or difficult. It takes a deep understanding of the issues, careful analysis of relevant law or policy, and commitment to the City to make important decisions that affect the lives of our citizens, business owners, and other Millwood stakeholders. For example, despite pushback from some, I was an early and consistent advocate of the Argonne decongestion project to add left turns, improve pedestrian/ bicycle access, and make safety improvements along Argonne.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

With inflation and costs rising across the board, the City must minimize

Millwood’s business community includes chain stores, unique local shops, pubs and cafes, service storefronts, the school district, community organizations, and home-based businesses.

All of these contribute to Millwood’s economy and deserve the city’s attention and respect.

I believe that regular and reliable communication is key to building strong relationships.

Another high priority for me is to provide an attractive, wellmaintained, and functioning infrastructure.

Businesses rely on safe water, reliable sewers, and well-maintained roads, as well as effective fire and crime protection.

They also benefit from trails, sidewalks, light post banners, nearby parks, and responsive city services.

Finally, I am excited to work with the Millwood

any tax or utility fee increases passed on to the citizens and local businesses.

Millwood is unique in that we are surrounded by Spokane Valley on three sides with little room to grow.

We can, however, foster economic development in our existing commercial zones with overly districts to encourage developers to build mixed-use properties, increasing tax receipts.

Operating and capital costs of our water system can be defrayed by wholesaling water into adjacent water systems, reducing future fee increases on our ratepayers. Together we can grow Millwood while maintaining the quiet, close-knit feel of our business district and residential neighborhoods.

Shawna Beese

Candidate

What is your favorite place to volunteer?

Mike Kelly - L’Arche of Spokane Kris Pockell - in our local schools Ben Wick - My kids’ schools Pam Haley - Project ID Catherine Nelson - Spokane County Fair Laura Padden - Donating at the Blood Bank Brad Hohn - Valleyfest Shaun Culler - Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee Shawna Beese - Millwood Impact Dan Sander- STA Brandon Arthur - accompanying my daughter on school field trips

Community Association on their Main Street Program initiative through the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation.

I believe the city has a role in collaborating with, encouraging, and supporting our business community’s efforts to both provide resources to residents and serve as an attractive destination for visitors from outside Millwood.

Allen Skidmore - University High School Pam Orebaugh - events that are related to bringing Jesus to people Mark Bitz - Local Schools Carolyn Petersen - my church’s youth group Dan Hansen - West Valley School Board

18

• OCTOBER 2025

What is your f a v o r i t e restaurant?

The Current

Cvsd director dist. 2 Brandon Arthur

What best qualifies you for this position?

I’m running because I care deeply about the future of our kids—especially since I have a child in the district myself. I believe parents should have a strong voice in education and be the ultimate decision-makers regarding their children’s health, well-being, and learning. I will ensure our resources are used wisely by thoroughly reviewing the budget, eliminating unnecessary spending, and directing funds where they

belong—helping students succeed, whether they’re high achievers or need extra support.

My experience leading and managing the finances of my real estate business has equipped me to make smart, transparent decisions that put our kids first.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Children in today’s public schools face different challenges than I did growing up. The greatest challenge for public education right now is the push to diminish parental rights in their child’s education. Parents should be well-informed and directly involved in the education and decisions made regarding their child. This specifically affects families in the Central Valley School District, as bureaucrats in Olympia are inserting themselves into policy decisions that should be made at the local level.

What best qualifies you for this position?

I want to keep Central Valley schools great! My desire to serve, 18-year history of school service, and professional expertise best qualify me for the position of Central Valley School Board Director Position 2.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Central Valley schools provided an excellent education and fantastic extracurricular experiences for my four children. I want to make sure that tradition of excellence continues.

Teachers, coaches, and administrators went above and beyond for

my children. My desire to serve builds from their example—I want to go above and beyond to help our schools and families continuously improve and thrive. From 2006 until 2024, my kids attended Chester Elementary, Horizon Middle School, and University High School.

During that time, I served our school community as a volunteer soccer coach, YMCA football coach, Math is Cool coach, Cub Scout Pack 420 volunteer, school accreditation committee parent member, and various other school and district committees, including my most recent role, in 2024, as a Senior All-Nighter fundraiser.

In my 26-year career as a Family Physician, I

Candidate

Mike Kelly - Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant Kris Pockell - Market Street Pizza Ben Wick - Arby’s Pam Haley - La Plaza de Mexico Catherine Nelson - Top of India Laura Padden - Breakfast at Old European Brad Hohn - Ferraro’s Shaun Culler - Ambrosia Bistro and Wine Bar Shawna Beese - I prioritize eating local Dan Sander - Papa Murphys Brandon Arthur - Ponderosa Grill Allen Skidmore - Hay J’s Bistro Pam Orebaugh - I love a great steak meal Mark Bitz - Our kitchen with garden ingredients Carolyn Petersen - La Lozy Dan Hansen - Ambrosia

city of millwood pos. 2 Dan Sander Candidate

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am running for re-election in order to work with our new mayor and new Council member(s) to continue to help Millwood continue to be the best community in which to live, work and play.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The priority for me is to improve communication within the community.

Allen SKidmore Candidate

have become a skilled listener, informationgatherer, and decisionmaker. These skills will be important as we face important challenges in balancing our resources and efforts to best serve everyone, from the struggling student to the thriving student, from the business community to the tax-paying retiree, and all those who live within our district.

OCTOBER 2025 • 19

The Current

cvsd director dist. 5 Pam Orebaugh

What best qualifies you for this position?

I am best qualified to retain my seat on the CVSD School board for numerous reasons.

First, I am currently in that position and have the knowledge and skills from serving.

Being on the school board is vastly different than teaching and there is a lot to learn related to laws, policies, advocacy, budget, and governance. Second,

I am a fierce advocate for our children. I believe that our district must prepare students for their dreams and to be productive members of our community.

Students must have high academic standards and supports, a vast array of course choices, and safety at school. Third, our children best succeed when the district is in partnership with their parents/families.

Our parents must be respected and encouraged to participate in their children’s education. Fourth, we must ensure that we are using taxpayer dollars wisely, while being transparent and accountable, and in a manner that best supports our kids’ education. Fifth, we must communicate and listen to our community—

from parents to staff to kids to taxpayers. I have done all these things and will continue if reelected.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

The most important issue is state overreach into our local community. This issue affects everything in our district from policies, curriculum, to finances, The state continues to make laws that take away our ability to make decisions.

This erodes trust with our community/parents and for our community/ parents to have input into our decisions. I have advocated on hard topics, like protecting girls’ spaces and parents’ rights.

What best qualifies you for this position?

I bring real-world experience, strong leadership, and a collaborative approach to help our students and schools thrive.

As CVSD’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, I draw on 11 years of classroom experience in both academic and technical education, where I’ve focused on helping students learn independently and prepare for their next step—whether that’s an apprenticeship, trade school, college, or career.

Before teaching, I was an engineer and project manager at HewlettPackard, leading global teams and managing

major projects. In both education and business, I’ve built a reputation for leadership, teamwork, creative problemsolving, and supporting colleagues—skills that directly translate to effective school board service.

As a 40-year resident, long-time school volunteer, and parent of two CVSD graduates, I will listen to students and families. Serving today’s students and keeping our schools strong requires capable board members who are focused on student success and work collaboratively with the administration and community.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Mark Bitz

incumbent

Candidate

Help our district focus on what matters m o s t — s t u d e n t success. Success means preparing students for 21st century careers while ensuring their well being and safety.

If elected, I will use strategic thinking and collaboration to prioritize actions to serve all Central Valley students, families, staff, and our community.

EVSD Director Dist. 3 Carolyn Petersen Candidate

What best qualifies you for this position?

I have skin in this game.

As a mother of 5 EVSD students (2 graduated and 3 current) I come to the EVSD School Board as an involved parent and school volunteer. I have spent countless hours in the classroom, on focus groups, on the field, at the track, and in the audience of almost all facets of our district.

I have been able to work side-by-side with teachers, school administrators, and district employees through volunteering and involvement.

I believe that we can only make our district its best by being a part of our district.

What is the most important issue that needs to be addressed?

Through of my involvement, I have witnessed our teachers work to educate our students with only half of the tools that they need. What our staff is able to do with outdated buildings and technology and equipment is astounding. The most important thing that we can do for our kids is give them facilities that give them the BEST chance for success.

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OCTOBER 2025 • 21

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• OCTOBER 2025

The Current

OCTOBER 2025 • 23

The Current

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• OCTOBER 2025

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About and for Spokane Valley area seniors

Car Show benefiting Skyway Cafe Reconstruction

By Nina Culver

it’s a 100 year old building.”

Current contributor

Melter and café co-owner John Melter, her ex-husband, are also responsible for replacing everything from the stoves to the silverware.

“We were underinsured,” Melter said. “We’re just hoping we have enough money to buy everything.

If not, it will be out of pocket.”

Sandy Melter’s phone rings dozens of times a day, all people who want to know when the beloved Skyway Café at Felts Field will reopen after it was destroyed in a fire in January.

The café, a favorite community staple for decades, was housed in a historic building owned by Spokane County. It was known for its food as well as for the historical aviation décor. The fire, which was caused by a natural gas leak coming from a cracked pipe, gutted the interior of the restaurant, destroying many of the historic photographs on the walls and the airplane models that hung from the ceiling.

The fire started in the early morning hours of January 9. The cook arrived at 4 a.m. to start preparations for breakfast. He turned on lights and equipment, then went downstairs to get food from the cooler. When he came back upstairs, the kitchen was one fire. Melter was jolted out of bed by a phone call and rushed down to the restaurant to watch the Spokane Fire Department battle the flames.

Then followed months of limbo as insurance companies surveyed the damage.

A well-attended car show was recently held at Spokane Community College to raise money to help the café reopen.

At the show, Melter was telling people that she expects the café to reopen in January. Melter had insurance on the contents of the café and Spokane County insured the building, and the dual policies caused delays initially, Melter said. The other speed bump is that repairing the building meant it was no longer grandfathered in under the previous building codes.

“We’re hoping to open January 2,” she said. “Construction is finally underway. We have to upgrade it to 2025 code. It’s really hard, because

Melter is less worried about the old photographs and other decorations that filled the cafe, which she attempted to salvage.

“We’ve saved very few,” she said.

“Pretty much 95 percent is gone. But so many people have been donating pictures and planes, I don’t think we’ll have any problems filling it up.”

She said she’s relieved that construction is finally underway at the café. “I’ve just been anxious, but now that things are on a roll, I feel like a whole building has been lifted off my shoulders,” she said.

are phenomenal.”

Payne wanted to help the café staff in some way, and settled on putting on a car show. The car club community responded, with 260 cars registered for the show. Each car paid a $20 entry fee. There was also a raffle and silent auction.

“Every dime brought in helps Skyway rebuild,” Payne said.

Dozens of people strolled through the rows of classic cars, admiring the gleaming icons from decades gone by. There were also food trucks and a t-shirt vendor to help attract people to the event.

“You’ve got to have it all to make it a good show,” Payne said.

And a good show it was. Payne said he was surprised by the turnout. “I thought we were going to do well,” he said. “I never, never envisioned this.”

Skyway Café manager Meagan Wurmnest said she is looking forward to coming back to work at the café when it reopens. She spent

her time at the car show chatting with some of her old regulars. “It’s been interesting to say the least,” she said. “There’s this reassurance that even though it’s gone now, it’s going to come back.”

Wurmnest said she’s pleased that all the employees are planning to come back. “I just think that shows commitment,” she said. “If it wasn’t a fun, exciting family-based restaurant, how easy would it be to just leave? It just shows it's more than just a restaurant.”

Melter said she’s grateful for the support of her customers and the support of everyone who turned out for the car show. “I am so blessed,” she said.

Payne said he can’t wait to go back to his favorite breakfast spot, but said he plans to stay away for the first week or two because he expects the restaurant to be overrun with people when it reopens. “It’s going to kill me to wait that long,” he said. “Every city has that one special restaurant. That’s Skyway.”

Melter said that as far as she knows, all of her employees will be returning with her. “Everybody’s been working, but they’re all coming back to me, which is amazing,” she said.

Leroy Payne, president of the Late Great Chevy Club, was a regular at the café, known for its large, hearty breakfasts. He ate there regularly and his car club, along with several others, held their meetings and luncheons there.

“I’ve been going there for the last 10 to 12 years,” he said. “The people

Photo by Nina Culver The Late Great Chevy Car Club who were regular attendees of the Skyway Cafe for their club meetings hosted a car show to raise funds to support the reconstruction of the Skyway Cafe which suffered from a fire on Jan 9th.

Over 260 cars attended raising over $5,000.

OCTOBER 2025 • 25

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www.hubsportscenter.org the Knights also blocked a Rams punt Roberts and Chloe Nelson, juniors around 23 states,” Hawley said. for another score.

Titan girls Mariah Denney and Morgan Sulpizio Roberts finished 28th overall in “Two special teams’ touchdowns along with sophomores Peyton Richter 17:40.00, with Rennaker 103rd in look to in one game are pretty unique,” Fisher and Ainsley Miller. Hawley pointed 18:35.80 and Denney 114th in 18:42.00. to former Horizon Middle School said.

The Titan girls are currently ranked runners now freshmen Ali Rennaker challenge UNIVERSITY sixth in the Sept. 22 Washington State and Hadley Wigin as key newcomers.

3A Cross Country Coaches Association Cross country Roberts has competed at state poll, two spots ahead of Mt. Spokane for GSL title, The Titan girls are bringing back a every year, placing 30th last year with and four ahead of fellow Central small but pretty experienced squad for a time of 19:11.9. She will be the Titans Valley school Ridgeline. Seattle Prep higher state the 2025 campaign. University returns No. 1 runner, with Denney No. 2 and earned the top spot. five varsity starting runners from Richter No. 3, with Nelson and Miller place in cross alla team University opened its GSL season that tied Gonzaga Prep and rounding out the top five.

Wednesday, Sept. 24. The Titans Mead for the GSL regular-season title, The team has already tasted success country finished second behind Mt. Spokane this year, with Roberts winning the 2.5- traveled to Ferris High School to take

By John McCallum Current contributor

Greater Spokane League action swings into high gear in October for all four Spokane Valley high schools. The University girls cross country team is looking to improve over last year’s coleague titles and seventh-place finish at state while the Titan football team has already doubled their win totals from a year ago.

EAST VALLEY Football The Knights are 1-2 so far and looking to at least improve on last year’s 3-7 overall mark, 1-5 and sixth in the Greater Spokane League’s 2A classification. After opening with losses to Freeman and Riverside, East Valley got into the win column on Sept. 19 with a convincing 31-3 win over North Central in GSL action.

at the District 6 championships and was seventh at the 3A state meet — the first time since 2012 the program took a girls team to Sun Willows in Pasco.

“We have a small team so we need to stay healthy to remain competitive,” head coach Todd Hawley said, adding his runners put in a lot of summer miles, some of it at elevation on Mt. Spokane.

mile senior girls race at the Highlander Invitational Sept. 13. Denney was ninth in the junior competition with Richter 14th in the sophomore field.

“We also did three-day camps with Mead and Ferris,” he added. “Summer miles bring fall smiles!”

University was invited to the 44th annual Woodbridge Invitational in Irvine, Calif. Sept. 19-20. competing in the 3-mile Rated Varsity Girls field, which Hawley said was one of two “featured races,” the Titans 19th overall among 37 teams. Great Oak High School of Temecula, Calif. won the Rated “Varsity title.

The Titans have a pretty balanced starting group with seniors Kyla

We did pretty good racing against some of the fastest athletes representing

Football The Titans are off to a 2-1 start in both the GSL and overall. After an opening loss to 4A Mead, 42-7, University reeled off wins at Central Valley, 25-17, and against Shadle Park, 61-6.

“Our win against CV was just the third time in 20 years we have beaten them and, from what I hear, the first time beating them at CV,” head coach Joe Ireland said in an email.

The Titans have already improved on last year’s 1-9 overall mark, and stand to be in a position to do even better as well as look to the future.

“We have a ton of seniors (20+), typical junior numbers, and good and talented sophomore numbers,” Ireland said. “We are starting four sophomores on varsity: Toby Thornberg, Hunter Jorgenson, Selaie Young, and Grant Petersen.

Head coach Adam Fisher is seeing signs of improvement, even in the losses. While Freeman was a lot to handle, the Knights took the visiting Rams to overtime before losing 27-21.

Against the Scotties, EV led 10-0 in the first quarter and trailed 24-16 late in the third before Freeman rattled off 17 unanswered points for the win.

Senior starters are offensively are quarterback Aiden Sautter, offensive linemen Andrew Jones, Cam Breeden, Garrett DePew and Mason Potter and tight ends Peyton Victor and Josiah Anderberg. Defensively the Titans feature linemen Jaxon Lefler and Myles Romero, backs Jaxson Bisquera and Troy Olson and linebackers Logan and Jayden Cox.

Senior quarterback Tarin Fields has thrown for three touchdowns – two to junior wide receiver Marvin ZaunaKavezeri – and rushed for two. Senior running back Casey Stephens has rushed for a pair of scores.

Senior wide receiver Connor Nicholson has caught a TD pass against Freeman and returned a kickoff 84 yards for another score against North Central. Zauna-Kaverzeri returned a kickoff for a TD against Riverside, and

on the host Saxons along with Lewis and Clark and Shadle Park. The LC girls placed third last year in District 6 competition while the Saxons were fifth.

Contributed photo Todd Hawley / University High School Despite a 9 p.m. start time, the University High School girls cross country team turned in a good showing at the Woodbridge Invitational in Irvine, Calif. on Sept.

20. The Titans finished 19th out of 37 teams from 23 states at the meet.

No other coaches responded to our request for information about their team.

Emails were sent to all four Spokane Valley high school athletics directors, who were asked to forward these to the coaches.

OCTOBER 2025 • 27

The Current

Mark Bitz l l

l l

l l l

KC Abbott Katherine Alley Barbara Asbury Alison Ashlock Sergey Avdyushkin Michal R. Bailey Jacob Ballard Jim Bauer Doug Benedict David Benner Zakariah Beyrouti Brandon Brown Lori Buratto Bill Burdick Cameron Carson Anny Case Elisa Cayce Nancy Champion Cartwright Ryan Chilson Keith Clark Lynée Clay Carrie Clifton Bret Clifton Jeanine Coghlan Haley Cooper-Scott Kyle Cross Karen Cross Dan Dunne Shawna Dunne Je�rey Ellingson Eugenie Farrow Jeanne Fightmaster Dee Finchamp Mike Fowler Dr. Clare Fowler Grace Fredeen Theresa Frost Tom Frost Greer Greenup-Cross Elizabeth Grosen Shirley Grossman Cat Hannahs Ken & Becky Hannahs Lisa Harding Gail Heck-Sweeney David Himebaugh Carrie Hoag

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“Mark Bitz is one of the best educators I’ve known in 30+ years of teaching in the Central Valley School District. If you want someone who has proven that he really cares about our schools...select Mark Bitz for Central Valley school board.”

–Kyle Schafer

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l Washington Education Association l Central Valley Education Association l Public School Employees of Washington, SEIU Local 1948

decade I’ve poured real-world experience into local classrooms—teaching elementary, middle, and high school students, coaching award-winning STEM teams, and always looking honored me as Educator of the Year, a recognition that reflects my commitment to both practical innovation and student success.

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LIBRARY

OCTOBER 2025 • 29 SPOK ANE COUNT Y LIBR ARY DISTRICT

view it online, and you can sign up at Society, and lives in Moscow, Idaho.

Discussion scld.org/humanities-wa.

Her qualitative research focuses on Sherman shares, “If you poverty and inequality, mainly in the explores social liveProfessor in a rural area and commit a crime, rural Northwest. She is the author of your social standing plays a huge role two books, “Those Who Work, Those Who Don’t: Poverty, Morality, and dynamics in your ability to recover.”

Family in Rural America” (2009) and Drawing on research from Central “Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality in rural and Eastern Washington, Sherman and the Diminishing American Dream” how the social dynamics in (2021). She also co-edited the 2017 communities, explores rural communities play an outsized volume of “Rural Poverty in the United role in how a person is treated after an States.” role in entanglement with the law. Particularly This talk is presented in partnership in small towns, where word of an arrest with The Thomas S. Foley Institute for travel fast, judgement and stigma criminalization can can undermine social relations and Public Policy and Public Service, which

By Erin Dodge Current Guest Contributor

If you’re interested in rural communities, social dynamics, and crime, then Spokane County Library District (SCLD) has a program for you.

In partnership with the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, author and professor Jennifer Sherman discusses “Bad People & Good Ol’ Boys: The Criminalization of Rural Disadvantage.”

This program for adults is offered simultaneously online and in person at North Spokane Library (44 E Hawthorne Rd) on Saturday, October 11, at 9:30am. Registration is required to

Learn to preserve veterans’ experiences at this Veterans History Project training

By Gwendolyn Haley, Librarian Spokane County Library District

Help share the legacy of our veterans, one story at a time. SCLD invites you to attend “Veterans History Project: Interview Training for Volunteers” on Friday, October 10, from 2pm to 6pm at Spokane Valley Library (22 N Herald Rd).

This free, in-person workshop is open to adults and teens age 15 and older.

Whether you are a student, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who values honoring veterans, this program offers a unique way to make a lasting contribution.

create barriers to securing work and housing. Yet those same dynamics can also give some people a pass—local reputation can make it easier for some to regain their standing in the community.

Professor Jennifer Sherman discusses additional questions about this rural dynamic: Why do we define criminality in the ways we do? Are there more effective ways to keep our communities safe and support vulnerable people?

Jennifer Sherman is a professor of sociology at Washington State University, currently serves as president of the Rural Sociological

educates citizens across the state about democratic institutions and public affairs, and is based at Washington State University. For more information, visit foley.wsu.edu.

The Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau connects you with fascinating topics both in-person and online. In towns across the state of every size, speakers present hundreds of events each year on topics such as Northwest rock n’ roll, Black activism in Washington State, turning deceased loved ones into AI, the history of our state’s iconic oysters, and much more. Learn more about Humanities Washington at humanities.org.

The goal of the Veterans History Project (VHP) is simple yet profound: to ensure that future generations can hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did, and felt during their service.

part of the permanent Library of Congress collection.

This training prepares you to take part as a volunteer in VHP, a national initiative of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

VHP preserves the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

It was founded through unanimous votes in Congress and signed into law on October 27, 2000 (Public Law 106-380).

At the VHP workshop, all necessary training materials are provided, and no prior experience is required— just an interest in listening, preserving, and connecting across generations. You’ll learn how to conduct meaningful and respectful interviews that honor veterans’ experiences with stepby-step instructions on how to capture stories that will become

The Veterans History Project accepts not only recorded interviews but also unpublished memoirs, photographs, letters, diaries, journals, twodimensional artwork, and other original documents.

This collection has received contributions from veterans from every state and U.S. territory to form an extraordinary part of our national archive.

In addition, VHP preserves oral histories of Gold Star Family members—parents, spouses, siblings, or children of service members who have died as a result of their service during wartime—ensuring that their voices are also included in this historical record. The entire VHP collection is accessible to researchers, students, and the public through loc.gov/vets

Empowered Caregiver Workshop Series

See how to navigate caring for someone with dementia while taking care of your own well-being.

Topics include: • Building a foundation • Supporting independence • Communicating effectively • Responding to dementiarelated behaviors • Exploring care and support teams Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY 22 N Herald Rd Mondays, Oct 27–Nov 24, 10–11am

By becoming part of the Veterans History Project as a volunteer, you help ensure that the sacrifices and experiences of those who served are never forgotten. scld.org

30

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• OCTOBER 2025

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Dear Editor, My name is Ben Lund, proud 37-year resident of Spokane Valley.

We as parents of Students who went to college are so appreciate and grateful for Charlie Kirk's vision to reach our children’s in ways we never could. .His example will live on. He was passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ, he cared for people on both the right and the left, he asked for clarity, and he boldly spoke the truth.

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The community deserves clarity. What exactly does this mean? Is it sincere—or more of the political theater we’ve endured for 22 months?

Let’s be clear about the facts: • CM has “punched” Spokane Valley citizens in the gut with lies, false claims and verbal attack on citizens who disagree with him. Including his coalition and followers on EN R ICH ED LIV IN G . LA STIN G VA LUE. me from Mike Dolan, Bob West, Catherine Nelson, Brad Hohn and Daryl Williams.

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NEWS

OCTOBER 2025 • 31

moment represents so much more to add to the toddler play equipment Sun City than slides and climbing structures,” and add some picnic tables, but The center opened in 2021 and he said. “It represents the heart of Knapp said for now the center will use the open space for games Church opens a playground upgrade was always our church.”

He said he hopes to be able to like soccer. “We’d like to save up on the center’s wish list, but there expanded simply wasn’t any funding for what partner with local agencies and and put in a really quality toddler Knapp calls her dream playground. community groups to expand the playground,” she said.

Washington State Senator “I don’t know if we would have use of the playground. “This space playground ever been able to do this if it wasn’t isn’t just for the children in our Leonard Christian, who attends Sun across the state for various types of projects.

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

The Sun City Child Development Center recently cut the ribbon on their new playground in a rainstorm, which didn’t deter a crowd of children in the slightest. Adults gathered under tents or umbrellas, or just braved the rain and got wet.

The center, a faith-based preschool attached to Sun City Church on East Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley, received a grant that paid for much of the project. It boasts a large play structure with two slides of different heights and difficulty levels and places to explore and climb. There are wheels to spin and megaphones to shout into and a small climbing wall for beginners to test their skills.

Two large shade umbrellas perch over the top, shielding the structure on sunny days.

for the Washington Department of Commerce grant,” she said.

Several people spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony as the rain fell and people crowded under two small tents, including Pastor Jamie Schultz. “We’re really excited to see this project come to completion,” she said.

Her husband, Pastor Danny Schulz, said the church opened the center because high quality child care was in short supply at the time.

“Honestly, I didn’t know much about the child care crisis,” he said.

“It is a lot harder than we thought it would be.”

He said he was pleased the playground was finally open. “The

child care center,” he said. “We look forward to hundreds of children who will laugh, play and grow here for decades to come.”

When it was time to cut the ribbon the rain eased, just in time for children to be invited up to help with the ribbon cutting countdown.

As the ribbon fluttered to the ground, they cheered and ran off to the play structures. Laughter and squeals filled the air as children of all ages climbed, crawled and slid on, over and through the structure.

Parents trailed behind, watching as the children played.

As nice as the new playground is, there’s still room for improvement, Knapp said. The center would like

City Church, said he was pleased to see the project completed so quickly. The funding was approved in August 2024. “I’m the one who actually recommended they apply for the grant,” he said. “I’m amazed at how quick they did this.”

He said the center was able to get donations from local businesses to help complete the project, stretching their money. “They got a lot of ground prep work as a donation,” he said. “They really multiplied the donations.”

He said he appreciates how the Sun City pastors want to make sure their building, including the playground, is used every day.

“They had a vision,” he said.

The rest of the playground includes a large open area with two large shade sails and a small toddler play structure that has a slide and a basketball hoop.

The new playground is a big step up from what the center used to have, said center director Kaileigh Knapp. It was so small the children had to come out in shifts. “There was a playground just a third of what we have,” she said. “We serve 42 kids.

Our previous playground was only rated for 15 kids. We were limited in how many we could serve.”

The old playground didn’t have any shade and sat on asphalt and bark, while the new one sits on a squishy fall protection surface covered by turf. That allowed the center to select taller playground equipment, Knapp said. The entire playground is surrounded by a chain link fence with privacy slats to block the children from view as they play.

Last year the Department of Commerce awarded Early Learning Facilities grants to three child care centers in Spokane County, including Sun City Child Development Center.

The center received $170,000, which paid for about 70 percent of the project. In total, the state awarded $7 million to 64 early learning centers

Photo by Nina Culver With the help of a $170,000 grade from the Washington State Department of Commerce the Sun City Church was able to install and upgraded playground primarily used by their Child Development Center but looks to partner with others to expand access to its use.

32

• OCTOBER 2025

The Current