RIVER CROSSING
2026 Miss Spokane Valley Royal Court Selected
- Meet the ladies
By Nina Culver
Current contributor
The 2026 Miss Spokane Valley Royal Court was recently selected
after six teenagers underwent rounds of interviews, questions and speeches. Chloe Thorsheim of Valley Christian was selected as queen and her princesses are Lillie Unruh of Liberty High School and Lily Escalera Alton of Oakes Academy.
Local high school students have been selected as Miss Spokane Valley and her court off and on since the 1930s. The program was originally run by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce until it was handed off to Valleyfest more than a decade ago.
Thorsheim grew up in Spokane Valley and her school was often involved in the Valleyfest Hearts of Gold parade. “I’ve seen the princesses around over the years,” she said.
She thought the Miss Spokane Valley competition was only open to public high school students until she saw flyers appear in her school this year. She jumped at the chance of fulfilling her “little girl dream” of becoming a princess.
Thorsheim said she was in it for the fun and decided that if she didn’t become part of the Royal Court, at least she would gain
experience for job interviews. She said she looked at her interviews as having a conversation with the judges and her speech was just like any speech she might give in one of her classes at school.
Thorsheim, a sophomore who will turn 16 in May, was surprised and delighted when she was selected to be queen. “I was very surprised,” she said. “I didn’t think they would choose a sophomore as queen. I was over the moon.”
She has attended Valley Christian School since she was in kindergarten, which is almost as long as she’s been taking dance classes. She started with ballet classes when she was 3. She currently takes classes in lyrical, contemporary and jazz dance as well as musical theater at the Bleker School of Dance. She has also been a cheerleader since the seventh grade.
Her first taste of theater was when she was in fourth grade. She auditioned for a part in the spring musical, but wasn’t selected. “I was devastated,” she said.
She initially swore off theater, but decided to try again in middle school. She realized it wasn’t about getting a certain role. “Even if I don’t get what I want, I end up having so much fun anyway,” she said.
Since then she’s had roles in Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol. Her favorite role was as Beth in Little Women. “That was my favorite,” she said. “I love how kind and genuine she is.”
Thorsheim said she’s excited to be able to meet a lot of new people in her role. She also hopes to use her position to inspire young girls. “I just really want to make kids happy and show them love, genuine love,” she said. “That’s a thing that’s very depleted in our world is kindness and I just want to show that.”
Unruh said a friend told her about the Miss Spokane Valley
Photo by Ashley Hust
Left to right, are: Lillie Unruh, Princess; Chloe Thorsheim, Queen; Lily Escalera Alton, Princess. These ladies were selected at the 2026 Miss Spokane Valley Royal Court after rounds of interviews in early March.
Rally for East Valley
CVSD students star t college without leaving their HS community...
When University HS junior Carson Keeney signed up for his first collegelevel class as a freshman, he wasn’t sure he was ready
Now, he and several classmates are on track to graduate with transferable college credits — able to earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in the HS — proof that college can begin long before graduation day Through College in the High School (CiHS), students earn transferable college credit, coupled with online Running Start classes, to earn an AA degree while learning in familiar classrooms surrounded by teachers, classmates and strong support systems. Participation has grown
rapidly since Washington state made CiHS courses free to public HS students in 2023, expanding access for families.
CiHS courses take place on our campuses, taught by college-endorsed HS instructors. Students can remain fully involved in athletics, performing arts, clubs and school traditions while completing college-level coursework.
Katie and Isaac Hebden, whose three children attend UHS, say the program strengthens both academic opportunity and community connection.
“By supporting these students now, we are getting them ready for the future,” they said.
After a successful AA in the HS program launch at UHS last year, Superintendent John Parker expanded the program.
Assistant Principal Hana Miller said UHS had already been building systems focused on access, student readiness and academic support.
“ We already believed students were capable of college-level work,” Miller said. “Our job was to build the support structures so they could succeed while still experiencing high school.”
UHS Principal Rob Bartlett says the program allows students to pursue rigorous academics without sacrificing belonging.
“Students can challenge themselves academically and still be part of what makes HS meaningful,” Bartlett said. “Opportunity and connection are the foundation of Titan Pride.”
Alumni teachers Ryan Montang and Ryan Cornell now help students navigate college expectations while providing guidance along the way “ You’re signing up for a challenge,” Cornell tells students. “But if you stick with it, you gain confidence and preparation that makes college much less overwhelming.”
“ This can be a game changer for some students. Higher education becomes something they believe they can do. Or, they can opt to star t their career, right after HS.”
—Superintendent John Parker
The program expanded to Central Valley HS and Ridgeline HS this year. Students leave high school not only with college credit, but with confidence in motion—and a community cheering them on.
UHS junior Carson Keeney represents a growing number of more than 90 CVSD students earning college credit toward associate degrees.
Central Valley School District (CVSD) is connecting with community through this Link.
SV COURT
Continued from page 2
competition and she decided to apply. “I like to be involved,” she said. “I love meeting new people. It’s also a great leadership opportunity. There is a scholarship aspect to it, so that’s nice.”
Unruh said she was a little surprised at her reaction when she was selected to be a princess. “All my emotions came out,” she said. “I started to cry, actually. I was kind of embarrassed. I felt like I could breathe, honestly. It was also very exciting.”
She was born in Moses Lake and lived there until her family moved her in the sixth grade to be closer to other family members. “I probably think that was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “I really felt like it clicked and I fit in.”
Unruh has played varsity softball since the eighth grade and is in her school’s Future Farmers of America chapter. She recently qualified for state in three areas: extemporaneous speaking, parliamentary procedure and agricultural issues.
Now a junior, Unruh also wrestled her freshman and sophomore year. She said she was recruited to join by one of her friends. “She pushed me into it,” she said.
Girls being on the wrestling team isn’t as unusual as it once was, Unruh said. “It is one of the fastest growing sports in Washington, especially for girls,” she said. “It teaches you a lot of self-discipline.”
It also teaches you to depend on yourself since your teammates can’t help you during a match, she said. “Mental toughness is something you really need to have,” she said.
Unruh said she thought she did well during the Miss Spokane Valley selection process. “I was a little nervous, but I’m a very determined, hard headed and stubborn person,” she said. “I thought if I worked hard enough, I deserved it.”
Lily Escalera Alton said she just tried to be herself during the Miss
Spokane Valley selection process. “I was honestly just hoping for the best and making the most out of this opportunity,” she said. “I was really happy I got princess. I was also happy for the other princess.”
Escalera Alton said Thorsheim deserved to be selected as queen because she is an “amazing” person and very kind and loving. She does, however, feel sad for the girls who participated but were not selected. “I would just encourage them to keep stepping out of their comfort zone,” she said.
She was born in Cheney and lived there until her family moved to Spokane Valley in 2019. She once participated in a play, but discovered her interests were elsewhere. She now helps with hair and makeup before performances backstage. She sees it as helping bring the plays to life. “It’s really fun to get to see the behind the scenes,” she said.
Escalera Alton, a 17-year-old junior, is also involved in mock trial and has qualified for state this year. Mock trial is a courtroom simulation where participants play the roles of witnesses and attorneys to argue a case. She talked about her mock trial experience for the talent portion of the Miss Spokane Valley competition.
“You get to play a role,” she said. “You have to learn the case. You learn about how law works in the real world.”
She said her mock trial experience has taught her confidence and allowed her to learn how to advocate for herself and others respectfully.
She previously played volleyball, but stepped back from it this year so she could focus on her academics.
She signed up for the Miss Spokane Valley competition after a friend encouraged her, telling her she would be a good candidate. “I decided it would be a great opportunity to branch out and learn new skills,” she said.
She’s currently looking forward to fulfilling her new job as princess. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the girls and doing the parades,” she said. “It’s exciting, knowing I’m going to be the one on the float.”
Introducing the Safety Awareness Channel
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.
COMMUNITY ALERT
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police Department
Metal T.rex Statue Stolen by Unknown Suspect(s), Detectives Ask for Your Help Locating It and/or Identifying the Suspect or Suspects
Spokane County Sheriff’s Investigative Unit Detectives (SCIU) are investigating the theft of a metal T.rex dinosaur statue stolen from a decorative display in the roundabout at N. Dupont Road and N. Mellon Parkway. The replacement and repair cost is estimated at approximately $70,000.
Anyone with information about the location of this metal T. rex dinosaur statue, or who can help Investigators identify the suspect(s), is urged to call SCIU Detective N. Kauffman at 509477-3224, reference #10030824.
###
On March 8, 2026, at approximately 12:05 pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported theft of a metal T.rex dinosaur artistic statue stolen from the landscaped decorative display, located in the center of the roundabout at N. Dupont Road and N. Mellon Parkway.
Investigators learned that the custom-made metal dinosaur statue is believed to have been stolen sometime on Sunday, March 8, 2026, between 1:00 and 5:00 am.
The replacement value of this custom metal dinosaur, including associated repair costs, is approximately $70,000.
SCIU Detectives are actively investigating this theft and malicious mischief, and, due to the rarity of this artwork, they are asking for the public’s help in locating the statue and identifying the suspect(s).
Anyone with information about the location of this metal T. rex dinosaur statue or who can help Investigators identify the suspect(s) is urged to call SCIU Detective N. Kauffman at 509477-3224, reference #10030824.
SV council gets Sheriff’s Office contract cost increase presentation
By John McCallum
Current contributor
Citing building better communication and trust, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and County Commissioner Mary Brooks provided Spokane Valley City Council members with a presentation at their March 17 meeting detailing increasing costs and challenges to the Sheriff’s Office.
Those costs are showing up in Spokane Valley’s contract with the county, leading some council members to question if a better method for paying for law enforcement might be available.
Brooks acknowledged council felt they were not getting answers to questions they were asking about contract costs, and said the county was very much interested in maintaining its contract with Spokane Valley. She added not all cost increases are controlled by the county or Sheriff’s Office, with some coming from unfunded mandates by the Washington Legislature.
“We are working hard to make sure we are communicating clearly and quickly,” Brooks said.
To maintain levels of law enforcement service expected by residents requires significant investments in staff, training and technology, Nowels said. It’s something that does not come cheaply or easily.
“The citizens of Spokane Valley require law enforcement services that are transparent, responsive and community oriented,” Nowels said. “They also require law enforcement services that look forward and embrace evolving tactics and technology that prepare their public servants to protect civil rights and to counteract evolving tactics used by those committing crimes against our citizens.”
A good chunk of that is staffing.
According to Nowels’ presentation, 40 commissioned positions between SCSO, Valley police and other contract cities have been added since 2019, along with 14.5 noncommissioned civilian positions.
The Sheriff’s Office 2024 strategic plan identified staffing issues as the “#1 threat” to operations. SCSO had 50 vacant funded positions at the time, and added 20 more new positions as well.
“As we began 2026, we had every funded, commissioned FTE (fulltime equivalent) filled, to include 10 funded positions added by city of Spokane Valley on January 1, 2026,” Nowels said.
Those positions also come with salary increases negotiated by collective bargaining units. After cost-of-living adjustments of 1.25 –2% between 2022 – 2024, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association received COLAs of 10% last year and 3.25% in 2026 and 2027.
The Lieutenant and Captain Association also received a pay differential increase from 17.12% to 27.12% in 2022. Nowels said part of the reason for the increases was needing to retain officers since cities like Cheney and Airway Heights were paying more.
“We demand more of people than those cities,” he added.
The SCSO has also seen huge increases in training requirements and subsequent costs due to the
state’s Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA) which requires threeyear updates in areas such as patrol tactics and crisis intervention. There is training and periodic refresher courses in the Attorney General’s Office use of force / deescalation policies and national law enforcement standards courses.
Nowels said many of these trainings are done in-house, with qualified SCSO officers coming off patrol to get training so they can in turn provide the instruction, leading to increased overtime compensation.
Finally, there’s technology. Since 2019, the SCSO has added the use of body cameras for officers, updated less-lethal options such as Tasers and added and upgraded information management tools such as software systems and hardware.
During the comment period, City Manager John Hohman noted incidental costs not identified in the contract had come up during a workshop as a council concern. He asked if there was the possibility of negotiating a more fixed-cost contract that would address these upfront.
Brooks said that would be difficult to do as the county often doesn’t know all of these costs, particularly from the state, prior to signing a contract. Nowels agreed, adding they could make sure adequate flexibility was included in
any agreement.
“I would say at this point, you’re getting a really good deal,” Brooks said.
Councilman Al Merkel echoed Hohman’s indirect costs concerns, proposing a “settle and adjust” method to fix costs for a 10-year period then reassess anything extra incurred. After hesitancy from Brooks, Merkel proposed a shorter contract period.
“I would say no,” Brooks said, adding the current contract has a settle and adjust clause in it.
All of the parties agree to continue discussions on the Spokane Valley law enforcement contract.
Council nixes SVST center study
The council voted 6-1 at its March 17 meeting to not move forward with contracting consultants to help the city evaluate a proposed $28 million bond measure presented to council by Spokane Valley Summer Theatre. The theatre said the funding was needed to help it complete its stalled, $48 million performing arts center project near Mirabeau Point.
SVST supporters spoke for over 40 minutes during public comment at a Jan. 13 meeting, urging council to take up its bond proposal. Theatre executive director Yvonne Johnson told council they would be submitting a study by consultant Baker Tilly indicating the
organization was capable of paying back the bonds through revenue from performances and other sources, and requested the issue be added to a future council meeting for consideration.
Council gave consensus at the time to hear the formal proposal. Hohman clarified this process, which began with SVST submitting the report to city staff for review, after which the city would forward it to its bond counsel for evaluation and then bring back before council.
SVST submitted its proposal on Feb. 27. Hohman told the council at the March 17 meeting that the initial staff review led them to believe there were inconsistencies with some financial information presented, and the city needed to contract a pair of consultants to review the proposal at a total cost of $96,000.
Hohman asked the council for direction on whether or not to proceed. Only Councilman Wick indicated he would like to move forward with the consultants and hear SVST’s proposal.
Kratom banned, marijuana and battery moratoriums confirmed
At its March 3 meeting, the City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance banning the drug kratom. The first reading was approved 6-1 — Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger voting nay — at the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.
The ordinance establishes a new municipal code chapter and sets kratom sale and use as a Class 1 civil infraction with a $250 penalty for initial violation and $1,000 for each subsequent violation.
According to information from federal food and drug agencies, kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia. Consuming its leaves can cause stimulant effects at low doses and sedative effects at high doses, with potential side effects ranging from nausea and dizziness to liver damage, seizures and psychosis.
Council voted 6-1 and 5-2 at its March 17 meeting to approve resolutions reaffirming fact findings for a pair of ordinances regarding one-year moratoriums on battery energy storage systems (BESS) construction and relocations by existing marijuana retail outlets. Both original ordinances were adopted on an emergency basis at previous meetings where the “three-
touch” rule was waived — referring to the standard practice of holding an information only discussion followed by two readings of the ordinance at consecutive meetings.
A BESS is composed of groups of large, rechargeable chemical batteries, usually lithium-ion, that are equipped with power conversion and control systems and connected to the electrical grid. Because of their chemical makeup, these storage systems can present unique and difficult challenges should they catch fire.
Currently, the city has no zoning codes determining where and how these systems can be located.
The other resolution reaffirmed the earlier emergency ordinance reclassifying retail marijuana as a legal, nonconforming use in the city. The move allows the city to revisit siting regulations for marijuana retailers after recent studies suggested a link existed between positive perceptions about marijuana through retail marketing and a higher likelihood of marijuana use among adolescents.
Currently there are three marijuana outlets in Spokane Valley, one each in the Mixed Use, Regional Commercial and Industrial MixedUse zones. The ordinance allows them to continue to operate, but not relocate anywhere in the city.
Both the BESS and retail marijuana issues move to the Comprehensive Plan updating
process where they will be studied by staff, receive public input and go before the Planning Commission before possibly heading back to City Council for approvals.
Councilman Merkel voting nay on both resolutions, with Yaeger joining him on the marijuana resolution.
SeaPort Airlines brings commercial service back to Felts Field
By Nina Culver
Current contributor
Travelers wanting to take a quick flight to Seattle now have the option to do so from Felts Field, without waiting in a TSA line.
SeaPort Airlines began flying commercial flights into and out of Felts Field in early March, serving people who might want a roundtrip flight from one city to the other on the same day for a business meeting. This follows SeaPort Airlines establishing a similar commuter service between Seattle and Portland last year.
SeaPort Airlines is positioning itself as a regional airline that does not use Sea-Tac airport in Seattle.
Instead, the airline is based at Boeing Field. Most people know it as the airfield where Boeing tests its airplanes, but there is also a small public terminal, just like there is as Felts Field, said SeaPort Marketing Manager Ady Kline.
“It’s a beautiful, Art Deco design,” he said. “It’s like a little museum.”
Felts Field, a small airport alongside the Spokane River near Spokane Valley, was known as Ed Hoisington Field when it was founded nearly 100 years ago. It was used by the Washington Air National Guard beginning in 1924 and it was renamed Felts Field in 1927 in honor of James Buell Felts, an Air National Guard pilot from Spokane who died in a plane crash that year.
Kline said it doesn’t make sense to take a short flight from Sea-Tac or the Spokane International Airport, where getting though TSA will likely take longer than the flight. “If you’ve just got a 40-minute flight ahead of you, Sea-Tac just has so much weight and inconvenience,” he said. “Sea-Tac is fine if you’re having to fly to Miami.”
Traveling via SeaPort Airlines is meant to allow a quick turnover, so someone can fly to Seattle from Spokane in the morning and be home for dinner. “That kind of trip just isn’t possible with Sea-Tac,” Kline said.
Sea-Tac has outgrown shorthop travel, said SeaPort Airlines CEO Kent Craford in a press release. “SeaPort Airlines is ready to become the Pacific Northwest’s regional airline. Boeing Field based flights bring fun and ease back to air travel with a simply and vastly superior way of getting you to Portland or Spokane that saves hours per trip.”
SeaPort Airlines fly Pilatus PC12 aircraft, small turboprop planes built in Switzerland. “They’re considered the Swiss Army Knife of airplanes,” Kline said. “They’re so versatile. Our pilots love to fly them. They’re cool airplanes.”
It is the small size of the planes that exempts them from TSA regulations. When the TSA formed in 2001, what size aircraft the new rules would apply to was specified and any aircraft that seats nine people or less is exempt, Kline said.
Department of Transportation and FAA rules still apply.
“It would be a monumental task to impose TSA on all the little airplanes that fly across the country,” he said.
Since TSA regulations don’t apply, the planes can fly from small airports like Felts Field and don’t require passengers to go through TSA checks.
SeaPort Airlines was originally founded in 2008 by Craford and a business partner. The two parted ways after a year and a half, with the business partner maintaining control of the company. It was founded as a commuter airline, but the direction of the company shifted, Kline said. Instead, the company pursued rural air subsidies.
The company went bankrupt in 2016, Kline said. “It was basically completely null,” he said. “The name was available.”
Craford took over the SeaPort Airlines name and relaunched the company in 2025 as a division of the Kalinin group of regional airlines based in Juneau, Alaska, including Alaska Seaplanes and Island Air Express.
Craford wanted to return SeaPort Airlines to its regional commuter roots and started with flights between Portland and Seattle. “It went great,” Kline said. “The attention people gave it was terrific.”
Perhaps the best part of flying SeaPort Airlines is the free parking at both Felts Field and Boeing Field, Kline said. There are no lines and people only need to show up 15 or 20 minutes before their flight takes off to check in.
“People almost don’t believe us when we tell them the process,” Kline said. “The pilot comes out and gets you and off you go. There’s just no hassle. It’s easier than getting on the bus.”
SeaPort Airlines currently flies four round trips a day between Seattle and Spokane and eight round trips a day between Seattle and Portland. The Spokane flights include two in the morning and two in the evening.
The airline always has a spare plane in reserve in case of any mechanical issues, Kline said.
Contributed Photo
One of the Seaport Airlines Pilatus PC-12 aircraft infront of the terminal at Felts Field. The Pilatus PC-12 is a small turboprop plane built in Switzerland and due to its size of having nine people or less per flight is exempt from TSA regulations offering a more streamlined boarding / checkin process.
COVER STORY
“We purposely built out excess capacity,” he said. “We wanted to be maniacal about reliability.”
The airline has also started doing some charter flights, which has been customer driven and wasn’t really planned, Kline said. “We’ve had a surprising, burgeoning charter service that we haven’t really talked about,” he said.
There have already been suggestions to add flights from Portland to Spokane, Kline said. Some people are doing that informally already, flying from Portland to Seattle and then on to Spokane. “People are finding it still saves time,” he said.
It’s possible that the airline could add Portland to Spokane flights in the future, Kline said, as well as other small, regional airports. “It’s all open for discussion,” he said. “It’s all about demand.”
The airline has been pleased with the response to the new flights to and from Spokane, Kline said. “It’s been going ahead of projections,” he said. “It’s been kind of gangbusters from the start. There’s just a lot of demand for people getting back and forth from Spokane to Seattle.”
It was the Spokane International Airport, which manages Felts Field, that reached out to SeaPort Airlines and suggested the airline come to Spokane, Kline said. “We
from fresh paint and carpet in the passenger check-in area, no facility updates were needed to accommodate SeaPort’s entry into Spokane.”
There’s free parking for airline passengers right next to Felts Field’s historic terminal building at 6105 E. Rutter Ave., Toft said.
SeaPort Airlines is expected to participate in the annual Neighbor Day event at Felts Field, which is scheduled for May 30, she said.
Though flights at Felts Field have only recently started, Kline said he has noticed a difference in the clientele. Customers going from back and forth from Seattle to Portland are ninety percent business travel, but that seems to be different for Spokane, he said.
between Spokane and Portland for Gonzaga University basketball games. “We didn’t quite get it together in time,” he said.
The full SeaPort Airlines schedule operates Monday through Friday. There are no flights on Saturdays and on Sunday there are only two evening flights. The base rate is $299 each way, but prices vary depending on available specials and when the tickets are purchased. Tickets can be purchased online at https:// flyseaportair.com/#booknow.
talked about Felts Fields quite a bit,” he said.
Airline representatives visited Felts Field and did several test flights. “We were really pleased at what we found there,” he said. “It was just a perfect fit for us.”
Spokane is a natural choice to be a part of the airline’s regional network, Kline said. “Spokane is poppin’,” he said. “There’s just a lot going on in Spokane.”
The Spokane International Airport’s air service development team reached out to SeaPort Airlines, said SIA Marketing and Communications Manager Alannah Toft. “This type of engagement is pretty standard,” Toft said. “Air service development efforts focus on attracting new carriers of all sizes and expanding connectivity for our region.”
Data shows that nearly 500 passengers travel each way between Seattle and Spokane every day, Toft said, which adds up to 350,000 round trip passengers per year. The air service development team uses data like that to show the demand for services, she said.
“SeaPort’s business model is unique from other commercial carriers, which is why they are ideally suited to operate out of Felts Field,” she said. “Up until 1946, Felts Field used to be Spokane’s only commercial airport, so aside
“We think there might be stronger personal travel and leisure travel,” he said. “There’s a ton of people who live in Seattle and have secondary homes in Spokane. We’ll have to look at patterns and how they affect flights.”
As a small airline, there is flexibility, Kline said. Recently, there were discussions centered around offering special flights
It is possible to walk right up to the counter at Felts Field and purchase a same day ticket, Kline said. The counter is staffed most of the day, with a gap between shifts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The first outgoing flight of the day takes off at 7:35 a.m. and the last departure is at 7:10 p.m. “We have people there basically all day,” he said.
Since the airplanes are small, there are restrictions on luggage. Each passenger is allowed 50 pounds of luggage and if there is more than that there will be additional fees and there’s no guarantee the excess luggage will be on the same flight.
Contributed Photo
SeaPort Airlines CEO Kent Craford standing in front of one of the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft operated by the Airline in its newest offering connecting Felts Field to Boeing Field in Everett.
Contributed Photo
The FAA Tower at Felts Field. Felts Field is owned and operated by the Spokane International Airports (SIA) a Joint venture between the City of Spokane and Spokane County. It was SIA's marketing team that was acknowledged as helping recruit the new service to Felts Field.
Student of the Month
Aimee Cook is a dedicated senior at Oaks Classical Christian Academy with a 3.94 GPA who exemplifies leadership, creativity, and service. She has played volleyball for six years, and has been deeply involved in her school community through multiple leadership roles. As a member of the inaugural yearbook team, she began as a sports section designer and now oversees senior content, elementary grades, and sports. Aimee is an active participant in the school ambassadors program, where she organizes service initiatives such as concession sales and the school coffee bar. She has led impactful service projects, including the Baby Bottle Drive with Life Services of Spokane, raising funds and essential items for families in need, and she successfully revived the school’s Sugar Ministry to foster encouragement and connection among students. In addition, Aimee helped restart the school’s select choir, serves as the school’s Lilac Ambassador, was honored as the 2025 Ms. Spokane Valley through the Valleyfest Royalty program, and contributes to the Spokane County Interstate Fair Junior Advisory Board. Beyond school, she works as a childcare assistant teacher at Valley Real Life Church, further demonstrating her commitment to serving others.
After high school Aimee plans to study Kinesiology (Health Science) with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist specializing in Sports Therapy at a school in the South Eastern part of the United States.
Athlete of the Month
Jack James is a senior at The Oaks Classical Christian Academy with a strong 3.95 GPA and a well rounded record of academic, athletic, and personal achievement. He is a dedicated striker on the school soccer team, which won the league tournament in November, and his leadership and work ethic earned him recognition as the team MVP as well as selection as an All League Player and member of the All League Team. Jack has played both soccer and basketball since seventh grade and has recently expanded his discipline by beginning formal training in judo. Beyond athletics, he is known for his willingness to serve, regularly helping with school events and encouraging those around him. His senior thesis reflects his values and character, emphasizing strength guided by gentleness and faith. A committed Christian who loves Christ, Jack plans to enter the military after graduation, having signed a contract with the Army Rangers, and he aspires to continue a life of service afterward, potentially following in his father’s footsteps into firefighting or law enforcement while building a future centered on family.
Thanks you for all you do in our communiTy broughT To you by
Central Valley School District celebrates academic growth in 2025
By Brooke Masters
Splash contributor
On Jan. 29, 2026, Central Valley School District used its State of the District meeting to highlight academic growth and outlined next steps for the years ahead.
Superintendent John Parker presented the district school year report card and talked about what CVSD is focused on for the future. The district is pleased with the progress that has been made as part of the ongoing rebound from the COVID pandemic, but also noted that the work ahead will require a focus on belonging and access.
One indicator CVSD highlighted was kindergarten readiness. The district reported a 63.8% kindergarten readiness success rate on the WAKids assessment, placing Central Valley among the highestperforming districts in the state. WAKids measures early literacy and math, but it also considers social-emotional development and physical skills. Parker noted that early childhood growth often reflects support from both schools and families, and he encouraged community members to keep investing time in the youngest learners by reading to them and asking about what they are learning in the classroom.
The report card also showed a rise in on-time graduation. Central
Valley reported a 4.6% increase in its on-time graduation rate this year, a metric the district views as a key sign that students are staying on track through high school.
In addition to academics, Parker also emphasized the link between student involvement and belonging. The district highlighted increased participation in athletics and activities, along with growing interest in clubs such as debate and robotics. Parker stated, "All these different extracurricular activities are important in the big mosaic of what rounds out our kids' education."
Parker said the district is “very pleased” with state comparisons for English Language Arts, math, and science. The district’s message was not that perfection was achieved, but that the overall trend is moving in the right direction.
A major piece of Central Valley’s improvement strategy is investing in Professional Learning Communities. The district has committed to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) every Thursday morning, which provide structured time for educators to discuss strategies to best address student needs. Parker was particularly proud of the work being done on school improvement plans and the meticulous look at school data.
Looking ahead Parker outlined plans aimed at both academic opportunity and family support. One of the district’s major priorities is expanding “AA in the High School,” a program that allows students to earn an Associate of Arts degree without leaving their high school campus. For many families, the appeal is obvious: students can begin college-level work while still having the full high school experience, including sports, clubs,
and other activities.
Parker said the program is intended to reduce barriers that can make other early-college pathways hard to access. A key goal is helping students avoid the need to travel to college campuses, which can be a challenge for some students.
Central Valley is also working to make things more affordable for families, particularly related to participation fees and basic school costs. The district has allocated a $150,000 budget to reduce athletic and activity fees for students and families. Reductions include high school and middle school athletics, and the district is waiving fine arts class supply and instructional rental fees. This aligns with the district's goal of pursuing a culture of belonging and equitable opportunities.
In addition, the district is planning to budget for school supply kits to reduce family burden. Implementation is planned for next school year, pending Board approval. This would likely reduce stress for families who may be stretching dollars across multiple children.
During the Q&A portion of the State of the District, parents asked about the district’s approach to new technology. Parker addressed a question about Artificial Intelligence in the classroom and said the district is actively developing flexible guidelines so AI tools can be used safely and thoughtfully without
compromising academic integrity.
Technology also came up in discussion of the district-wide cell phone ban, which Parker described as a positive shift for classroom engagement. The ban has increased student focus and reduced the constant distraction that phones can bring into learning spaces. Parker framed this as part of a broader effort to protect instructional time and encourage face-to-face interaction.
“This is sacred time for teaching and for learning and for students and staff to be interacting with one another and I believe we are reaching that goal,” Parker said.
As the State of the District wrapped up, Parker returned to the theme of how this progress was possible through not just school, but parents and the larger community. Central Valley’s progress is not only the result of programs and policies, but of community involvement. He urged parents and caregivers to stay engaged, especially in the early years, by reading with young students and asking questions about what they are learning.
The district’s message emphasized a hopeful future, with a focus on getting students ready for further education and getting them excited about their future careers.
A recording of the full state of the district webcast can be found on the districts website at www.cvsd. org
Brought
We’re
Ages 5+ & their families
Children’s Games: Then & Now
Explore, craft, and play games that have been around since 1776.
OTIS ORCHARDS LIBRARY 22324 E Wellesley Ave Tuesday, Apr 14, 3:30–4:30pm
SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY 22 N Herald Rd Thursday, Apr 16, 3:30–4:30pm
SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Crest
About and for Spokane Valley area seniors
Millwood Community Garden continues to thrive through partnerships
By Brooke Masters
Current contributor
Located on 3800 North Argonne in Millwood, WA is the Millwood Community Garden, a space dedicated to food access, education, and connection. It is more than a place to grow fruits and vegetables. It also serves as a welcoming gathering space where neighbors can learn about gardening and share knowledge with one another. The site includes rows of garden beds, many of which are already beginning to show signs of growth.
The land is owned by Inland Empire Paper Company, which generously provides the space
and water to Millwood Impact rent-free. Millwood Impact serves as the steward of the garden and has a history of supporting the local community through programs such as Star Club. Taking on the garden is one more way the organization is working toward its mission of making healthy food more accessible to everyone in the community. The garden also partners with other organizations including Master Gardeners, Mission Meadows Community Garden, Growing Neighbors, and WSU Extension.
Jeremy Clark, the Operations Director, oversees the day-to-day work of the garden and helps support its volunteers. Clark has worked in nonprofits for more than a decade and brings both experience and passion to the role. Still, the garden’s success is a group effort. The Millwood Community Garden continues to grow through the dedication of staff, gardening partners, and volunteers who all help bring the space to life.
One of the main goals of the garden is to empower community members to grow their own food. To support that goal, the garden offers events and
classes that welcome people of all ability levels and experience backgrounds. On March 21, it hosted a Garden Connect event in partnership with Growing Neighbors, featuring a free soil blocking class taught by farmer Jack. Neighbors gathered to learn what soil blocking is, what supplies are needed, and how to get started. They also had the chance to ask questions and get guidance for their own gardening projects. The event included several large bins of free seed packets for the community. Despite a good turnout, visitors barely put a dent in the supply of seeds graciously offered.
The garden’s approach also reflects a broader commitment to sustainability and care for the land. Rather than using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical sprays, the Millwood Community Garden relies on healthy soil, compost, and consistent community stewardship to help plants thrive. That method supports not only the crops being grown, but also the surrounding environment and the people who spend time there. In a project centered on education and food access, that choice matters. It shows community members that gardening can be both productive and environmentally responsible. It also reinforces the idea that the garden is being built with longterm health in mind, for both people and the land itself.
Community members should also keep an eye out for upcoming events, including the large Plant Sale on April 25. Plant starts will be available for a suggested $5 donation, and there will be a wide selection of vegetables and flowers to choose from. It will be another opportunity for people to connect with the garden, learn more about its mission, and find out how they can volunteer.
Millwood Impact has a history of helping the community with food insecurity. In the past, the organization has partnered with Second Harvest and hosted
community food drives. A community garden can play an important role in addressing hunger at the local level. Food insecurity affects many kinds of households, including people who are working but still struggling to afford healthy meals. Local gardens like Millwood Community Garden can offer fresh fruits and vegetables to families who might be struggling with increased grocery prices. The garden also features a little free pantry stocked with both garden produce and nonperishable foods, offering another way to support neighbors in need.
Volunteers remain at the heart of the program, and more are encouraged to get involved as the garden continues to grow. Help is needed to prepare for the growing season by getting beds ready and planting crops. Readers who want to take part can sign up through Millwood Impact’s website (https:// www.millwoodimpact.org/ community-garden).
The Millwood Community Garden also has exciting plans for the future. Organizers hope to install 10 wheelchair-accessible beds, which will be built by the West Valley High shop class. This will help create more space for gardeners who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. There are also plans for a food forest, envisioned as a small ecosystem with tree canopies and a variety of plant life. Visitors will be able to walk through the space and gather herbs and berries such as raspberries and strawberries to take home.
As the Millwood Community Garden continues to grow, it is becoming much more than a place to plant vegetables. It is a space where neighbors can learn, share, and support one another. With volunteers, community partners, and future plans focused on accessibility and food access, the garden is helping cultivate a stronger and more connected Millwood.
Photo by Brook Masters
The Millwood Community Garden is a partnership between the Inland Paper Company which owns the land and Millwood Impact who is the official steward for the garden and arranges multiple other partners organizations that help achieve the mission of 'empowering community members to grow their own food'
PUZZLES
By John McCallum
Current contributor
CENTRAL VALLEY
Baseball
Valley springs sports teams swing into action
The Bears are looking to improve on last year’s third-place Greater Spokane League finish where the tied Mt. Spokane at 13-5, ending the season at 14-8 after two playoff losses at districts.
So far in 2026, that hasn’t been easy as Central Valley has opened 0-3, losing twice to Southridge of the Mid-Columbia Conference and to Idaho’s Bonney Lake.
Soccer
Fastpitch softball
The Bears finished seventh in the GSL in 2025 at 7-11, 7-15 overall with a pair of playoff losses. So far in 2026, Central Valley is finding the win column elusive, going 0-1 in GSL play and 0-3 overall.
CV is a somewhat young team with just two seniors: centerfielder Ella Bendele and leftfielder Abby Fross. Five juniors and five sophomores, along with a pair of freshmen, round out the team.
The Bears finished second in the GSL regular season but emerged as the top 3A team in the league at 6-3. Central Valley knocked off Ridgeline in the District 6 title game, earning a ninth-seed into the state tournament, losing on the road in the second round to No. 8-seeded Bellevue, finishing the season at 116.
www.hubsportscenter.org
The 2026 Bears return an experienced nucleus from last year’s team, balanced with a sizeable youth contingent of three sophomores and five freshmen. Seniors returning are midfield / forwards Dean Walton and AJ Smid along with defenders Beckham Schoenberg and Tyler Sullivan.
So far CV is off to a 1-2-1 start in nonleague action. The Bears lost their first two games to Gonzaga Prep and Ferris, rebounded for a 1-0 shutout of Ridgeline and tied Union High School from Union, Oregon southeast of LaGrande, 1-1.
EAST VALLEY
Baseball
Last year, wins were elusive for East Valley. The Knights finished the GSL 2A season at 0-18, 0-21 overall. In 2026, they’ve already bettered that mark, beginning the season at 0-2 in the GSL but 1-3 overall with a 16-6 win over Northeast A Riverside.
With no seniors on last year’s team, the Knights figure to have some experience as they return seven players — four seniors and three juniors. Seniors back are Dakota Jackson (third base), Grayson Chissus (pitcher, right field, second base), Colby Bergman (second, shortstop) and Preston Paukstis (right field, pitcher).
Returning juniors are Brady Hamlin (pitcher, second), Nathan Long (pitcher, first base) and Noah Carmargo (third, designated hitter, outfield).
Fastpitch softball
The Knights rebounded from a 6-13 record in 2024 to finish second in the GSL’s 2A division at 14-4. In district competition, second-seeded East Valley beat Clarkston 16-6 in the second round and Pullman 17-8 in the title game, but lost to Ephrata in crossover action with District 5 and a shot at state on the line, finishing with an overall record of 16-7.
This year’s team is off to a 1-2 start, but 1-0 in the GSL with an 8-5 win over Clarkston.
Soccer
The Knights placed third in the GSL’s 2A division with an 8-4 mark in 2025. Seeded third in the playoffs, they edged Rogers 1-0 in the opening round, but fell 2-0 to second-seed West Valley in the second round, ending their season at 11-7 overall.
So far, East Valley is off to a slow start in 2026. The Knights are still looking for their first win at 0-4-1, tying fellow GSL 2A foe Pullman 1-1.
UNIVERSITY
Baseball
The Titans look to improve on last year’s 3A state tournament appearance. University finished fourth in the GSL at 12-6, 16-9 overall, earning the No. 6 seed to District 6 competition where they advanced through consolations to secure the No. 3 seed to state, where they lost in the opening round at West Seattle.
So far, the Titans are off to a 1-1 start, losing the opener to MCC member Kamiakin but rebounding with a 12-1 win over Idaho’s
Contributed photo
At the Clarkston Two-Person Scramble, Melia Cerenzia and Brooke Ingram shot an impressive 66 to take home the individual title, helping lead the group to the overall team championship.
Lakeland.
University fields an experienced group from last year with seven seniors and six juniors returning. Seniors include Brandon Vazquez, Shaun Lee, Greg Stinson, Brant Trautman, Marco Longo, Owen Marshal and Elijah Williams.
Fastpitch softball
University placed third overall in the GSL at 13-5 in 2025. Earning the No. 4 seed in district competition, they were upset in their opening round game by Hermiston (Ore.), but rebounded to defeat Central Valley before ending their season at 15-8 overall with a loss to No. 3 Kennewick.
With six seniors and four juniors from last year, the Titans are an experienced team looking to make a playoff return and possibly deeper run. University has started the year 4-1, 3-0 in GSL 3A play with wins over Cheney, Gonzaga Prep and Shadle Park.
Seniors include outfielders Ava Hubble, Kai Coursey and Hayden Wheeler, third base / utility Claire Fulkerson, catcher Alaina Kudrna and pitcher / first base Berkley
Noble. Soccer
The Titans struggled on the pitch last year, losing their final eight games to finish ninth in the GSL at 2-7, 2-12-1 overall and missing the playoffs.
This year’s squad is loaded with upper classmen — four seniors and seven juniors to be exact, with three of those seniors on the defensive back line. Seniors are defenders Rylan Davidson, Karter Downie and Cole Hubble, with Kayden Nathan playing at forward.
So far the Titans are off to a slow start in nonleague action, 1-3 as of press time March 25. After losses to Ferris, Eisenhower (Yakima) and Mead, University got into the lefthand column with a 3-0 win over East Valley.
WEST VALLEY
Baseball
The Eagles went 15-3 to capture the GSL 2A regular-season title in 2025, edging rival Pullman by one game. In the playoffs, top-seeded West Valley earned a District 6 title and trip to the crossover game with
District 5 top-two teams for state where their season ended with a 2-1 loss to East Valley (Yakima), ending at 17-5 overall.
In 2026, it’s so far, so good for the Eagles to repeat those titles, and perhaps advance further in state. West Valley is off to a 3-0 start in the GSL 2A, 4-0 overall.
The Eagles have a nice balance of experience and youth, returning five seniors and five juniors from last year’s team to go with four sophomores and a pair of freshmen. Returning seniors are Ollie Spencer, Noah Clouse, Brayden Webster, Wyatt Stern and Autzen Kearsley.
Fastpitch softball
The Eagles finished the 2025 2A GSL season in fifth place at 6-12, 6-15 overall including a loss in the district playoffs to Pullman. West Valley is off to a 2-2 start in 2026, including a 2-0 start to the GSL with wins over Rogers in a doubleheader.
The Eagles have balance in their lineup with four seniors, five juniors and five sophomores to go with freshman pitcher / first base Brielle Barry. Seniors are Grace Rogers
(outfield, pitcher), Jo McCurdy (outfield, infield), Haylee Kelly (outfield) and Sabryna Pasamonte (infield, pitcher).
Soccer
The Eagles finished the 2025 GSL season in second place at 8-4. Seeded second in the playoffs, West Valley advanced to the title game where they knocked regular-season champion Pullman 2-1 in overtime.
The win earned West Valley a top-seed to crossover action with District 5, losing 3-2 to No. 3 seed Quincy and ending their season at 13-5 overall.
The Eagles return an experienced team from last year with eight seniors taking the pitch. Those seniors are defenders Hayden Carr and Kainen Jaklitsch, midfielder / defender Parker Napier and Vincent Moliterno, midfielders Nathan Jeffries, Lucas Mortensen and Cristian Calvillo-Vazquez along with midfielder / forward Aiden Sabota.
West Valley is off to a 3-2-1 start, with all three wins coming in league play.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Cultural Festival
Presented by the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Coalition
Interactive exhibits: 12–2pm
Cultural performances & martial arts demonstrations: 2–4pm
Food vendors will be at this event.
SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY 22 N Herald Rd
Saturday, Apr 25
Your support in April can help boost childhood literacy and end hunger in Spokane County
By Jane Baker and Aileen Luppert Spokane County Library District (SCLD)
For the past two years, the Library Foundation of Spokane County has successfully fundraised for Library Giving Day, focusing on giving books to kids and teens to kick off Summer Reading in Spokane County. The Library Foundation met their fundraising goal both times, and each youth who registered for SCLD’s Summer Reading Challenge could receive a new book to keep for their own.
In 2026, the Library Foundation is supporting Summer Reading again with a goal of raising $5,000. Starting on Wednesday, April 1, donations will be accepted throughout the entire month at supportscld.org.
The entirety (100%) of donations
to Library Giving Day go directly to covering the costs of providing Summer Reading books for youth ages 0–17.
By offering a book at the beginning of Summer Reading, SCLD has increased registration and participation, particularly among school-aged children. It also has incentivized readers to visit the library at the beginning of summer and continue their reading activity throughout the season.
This SCLD program encourages kids to maintain or even improve their reading skills during summer, which helps to ensure that they are ready to learn and not working to regain forgotten skills when they return to school in the fall.
If you’re passionate about reading, we hope you consider donating and helping spread the word about Library Giving Day. Donations of any size are welcome and can be made at supportscld.org.
Also in April, SCLD has teamed up for the annual spring food drive “Bites and Books—Turning the Page on Hunger” with Spokane Public Library, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, Second Harvest, USL Soccer, and KHQ.
You can bring canned or packaged non-perishable food to any library during April. Donations of peanut butter and cereal are always appreciated. Your generosity does make a difference.
Nonperishable food donations will also be collected at the Spokane Zephyr
FC soccer match at One Spokane Stadium on Sunday, April 26.
As food donations are collected, Partners INW, Second Harvest, and other local food banks will distribute food donations to communities in Spokane Valley, Millwood, Otis Orchards, and throughout Spokane County.
The USDA defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”
Feeding America estimates that 48 million people are food insecure in the US. In Spokane County, 13% of our population and 19% of our children, nearly 1 in 5 kids are food insecure. If you need help getting food for you or your family, visit Partner INW’s “Get Help” web page at partnersinw.org/ get-help.
SCLD has taken steps to help ease food insecurity in our communities. After school and during school breaks, including summer, youth ages 1 to 18 can get a free, healthy snack at Spokane Valley Library and four other SCLD libraries. You can learn more at scld. org/free-snack.
Every library in the county will be collecting food during April for the Bites and Books food drive. To help end food insecurity in your community, bring your nonperishable food items to your local library.
Love The Current? Support our partners.
The Current is committed to serving the Greater Spokane Valley area through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.
Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships withThe Current and its partner publications:
EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ben Wick ben@libertylakesplash.com
CO OWNER Danica Wick danica@libertylakesplash.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Nina Culver, Brooke Masters, John McCallum
Spokane Valley construction work picks up steam
By John McCallum
Current contributor
The Valley Current P.O. Box 363
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
www.valleycurrent.com
The Current is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Spokane Valley area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.
The Current is brought to you by
Wick Enterprizes
Publishing House
Submitted materials
Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to publisher@valleycurrent.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current.
Subscriptions
Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Current.
Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Current’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Current’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@valleycurrent.com. With story ideas, contact editor@valleycurrent.com.
Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $20 for 12 issues. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions must be received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.
Correction policy
The Current strives for accuracy in all content. Errors should be reported immediately to 509242-7752 or by email to editor@valleycurrent.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.
Advertising information
Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 509-242-7752 for more information.
Advertising integrity
Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@valleycurrent.com. The Current is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.
Copyright © 2026
All
Over $19.7 million in construction work is ramping up in Spokane Valley this spring and summer, with several large projects getting underway as well as local neighborhood work. Residents will also see one of the region’s largest and longest pursued projects beginning to come to completion — the North Spokane / U.S. 395 Corridor.
It’s work city officials must keep a watchful eye on when it comes to costs, even more so at this particularly time as ongoing national and international issues drive up construction costs. Particularly oil, with a byproduct of the substance’s refining process playing a role in the manufacturing of asphalt.
Oil-based products are also sprayed on asphalt to ensure new layers adhere properly to existing pavement. Besides fuel for machinery, it’s also a component in many other materials such as 43% of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes.
“We build contingency in our construction projects for variations from project estimates during bidding and unforeseen constructions issues,” Spokane Valley Communications Manager Jill Smith said. “To date this year, we’ve had very competitive bids.”
Smith added project staff monitor
COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE
costs and bid prices in order to determine if contingency amounts are sufficient to cover unforeseen circumstances.
Pines Road / Trent Avenue interchange
The city broke ground on its portion of this $48 million project last October. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway constructed a new mainline bridge over the river in late September, followed by a second rail line bridge at the site to handle increasing freight hauling demands.
The road project includes a new underpass at the BNSF crossing, eliminating the current street-level crossing and potential vehicle interaction with approximately 65-70 trains that cross there daily.
Pines Road and Trent Avenue will be realigned to the east, replacing the current signalized intersection with a multilane roundabout, new pedestrian facilities, lighting and stormwater improvements and a new Centennial Trail trailhead and parking.
Spokane Valley’s City Council awarded an $11.62 million contract to Active Construction, Inc. for this phase of the Pines / BNSF project. Active was the lowest responsive bidder and approximately 26% under the engineering estimate.
Work on the project will lead to lane closures both directions on Trent Avenue for the next two months. According to the project website, anticipated construction activities include a finishing pond along Empire Way, excavation of the Centennial trailhead south of Trent and, pending BNSF approval, excavation of future Pines Road on rail property.
North Spokane corridor
A project first conceived of in the mid-1940s, but not breaking ground until the early 2000s, corridor construction has been making its way steadily south — with possible completion by the early 2030s.
“I’m really excited to see this project done in our lifetimes,” Spokane Valley Councilman Ben Wick said, with a bit of sarcasm, at a March 17 council presentation by Washington State Department of Transportation officials.
According to the project website, 7 miles of the 10.5-mile, limitedaccess freeway corridor have been completed — with vehicles using the
ON THAT NOTE
portion from Wellesley Avenue to the corridor intersection with U.S. 395 north of Wandemere since November 2023.
Alexandra Proszek, WSDOT project engineer on the section bridging the Spokane River near Spokane Community College, said this $91 million portion should be completed this fall. The section between the southern portion of the crossing at Ermina south to Mission was completed in 2021.
Construction from Mission to Sprague will be done in two stages. Stage 3 work from Alki to Sprague, began last September with contractor Max J. Kuney awarded the project with a bid of almost $54.47 million. Construction of this elevated, fourlane section is expected to last through winter 2027.
Stage 2, funded at $224 million, is similar to Stage 3 and will run from Mission to Alki, with an interchange at State Route 290 / Trent Avenue that allows northbound access and southbound exit but no southbound on ramp to Interstate 90. Proszek said in an email that two bids had been received as of March 23, but no award has been made, with construction lasting through 2028 once started.
The final $305 million phase of construction, connecting the corridor to I-90, will take place in three stages and is slated to begin in summer 2027 and last through the early 2030s. The first stage features connections, improvements and ramp structures to I-90 from Freya Street east to Appleway while stage 2 features similar work west from Thor to Hamilton, with two roundabouts on Altamont on either side of the freeway.
The final stage connects the corridor from Sprague to I-90, including major work on that freeway interchange. One of the pieces is replacing of the I-90 bridge over Havanna, which Proszek said is too low and prohibits trucks from using that portion of the street.
Proszek said besides rehabilitating the freeway travel surface, the work will include raising the bridge itself by five feet, allowing trucks to pass underneath on Havana.
“That’s a big deal,” she said.
The total $1.9 billion cost is fully funded through the Connecting Washington package approved in 2015. When first plans for the project
were adopted in 1956, the total was estimated at $13 million.
South Sullivan Road Preservation
This project will remove and replace the existing pavement on south Sullivan Road from 8th Avenue to 24th Avenue, construct a sidewalk on the west side of Sullivan from 8th to 24th, install Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) infrastructure, add a pedestrian crossing south of Central Valley High School and install stormwater and complete traffic signal revisions within the project limits. The project is funded through a combination of local funds and a $3,957,000 grant from the National Highway System.
Twelve bids were received, with council awarding the project to Selland construction, lowest responsive bidder at $3,937,200, on March 3. The engineer’s estimate was for $5,144,613.
Work on this project is slated to fully commence after school is out in June.
South Barker Road
Selland was also the lowest responsive bidder among 11 contractors on this project at $1,319,735, receiving the bid award at the Feb. 3 council meeting. The project, which began March 23 and will continue through June, reconstructs Barker Road from Appleway to Sprague, widening it to three lanes and five lanes as it approaches the Appleway intersection. Included in the work are installation of bike lanes, sidewalks on both sides of Barker and stormwater infrastructure improvements.
The engineer estimate for the project was $1,962,571. The city secured over $4.25 million in funding for the project, including $3 million from the state’s Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) and $1.083 million in federal funding.
Total expenditures for the project, including construction and right-ofway acquisition, were estimated at $2.365 million.
Sprague Preservation
Part of the 2025 Capital Improvement Projects, this project was actually awarded to Inland Asphalt for $2,006,789, at the Sept. 2, 2025 council meeting, but didn’t get underway until this year due to the Local Union 302 operator’s strike that impacted construction throughout the region
The work includes updates to stormwater facilities, curb ramps, curbing realignment and pavement resurfacing on Sprague Avenue between Bowdish Road and McDonald Road. The project is funded by a combination of $1.5 million from a Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), which requires a 13.5% match funded with city pavement preservation funds and stormwater funds and a $1,347,000 National Highway System (NHS) Asset Management grant.
Other upcoming projects, local street work
Several other projects are off the drawing boards and on tap for bidding and construction later this spring and summer as the weather warms. New road surface, curb ramp installations and stormwater improvements will take place on North Sullivan from Kiernan to the Union Pacific railroad crossing while similar work along with a new water main installation and ITS system will occur on 32nd Avenue from State Route 27 to Pines Road.
Total estimated cost of both projects is $6.2 million.
An estimated $1.2 million of work on new and existing school crossings along Broadway, 32nd Avenue and Pines is also slated, with work to include new ramps, refuge island installation and crossing lighting. The city is also planning about $1.3 million in asphalt replacement and stormwater improvements to various neighborhoods as well.
“The locations for the Local Street Program are still being evaluated,” Smith said.
Balfour Park courts, play equipment soon
Finally, the city is continuing its work on Balfour Park with new sports courts slated for installation this summer along with new court lighting and a park-wide sound system. While total costs for the sports courts, which Parks Director John Botecceli said would be outfitted for basketball and pickleball, have yet to be finalized, construction and equipment is estimated at just over $952,000.
Of this, just over $652,000 is funded by the state, including $258,000 included in this year’s legislative package for the court lighting and sound system.
