2025 June Stream

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Congrats Class of 2025 page 6

CYRUS O’LEARY’S INVESTS IN AIRWAY HEIGHTS PAGE 2

FOUNDER’S DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PAGE 8

TEAM FAIRCHILD NSAV EXERCISE PAGE 17

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• JUNE 2025

The Stream

The Water Front

Cyrus O’Leary’s Invests in community

By Ben Wick Stream Publisher

With roots back to the 1980’s, Cyrus O’Leary’s has been making pies to feed Spokane, the United States, and Canada.

While the restaurant in downtown Spokane has long been closed the manufacturing center in Airway Heights has continued and grown since its inception in 1987 and moved to its current location in 2001.

While originally started

by Cyrus Vaughn, in 2020 the company was acquired by Sara Lee Frozen Bakery. The Airway Heights location employs 125 people and is operational 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. Sara Lee Frozen Bakery has in Michigan (which also makes Cyrus O’Leary’s brand), North Carolina, and Massachusetts in addition to the Airway Heights location.

“We all succeed together or fail together,” says Reed, “We are a true leadership team.”

“We are a very family-focused, employee-engaged employer,” adds Taylor Struble, the Human Resources Manager and a part of the leadership team. “We sponsored employees who wanted to participate in Bloomsday, have nights at the Spokane Indians, and monthly cookouts at work.”

“We like to have FUN” says Reed, who points out that the facility’s priorities are “People Safety, Food Safety, and then Production of Pies.”

While newer to Cyrus O’Leary’s, Reed comes from 30+ years in the food industry and was born and raised in Oregon between Portland and Hood River. Reed spent 8 years working in coffee for

Farmer Brothers Coffee, moved to Utah to build out a facility for Garden Burger, and then most recently came from ToFurky where he worked for 10 years before relocating to Airway Heights to take on his current role as Plant Manger with Sara Lee. Reed met his wife while in high school, graduating from Molalla High School and they have 5 grown children in Oregon. “My son is the maintenance manager for a food manufacturer, my brother is plant manager for another food manufacturer.” Noting the importance of family, Reed shared that “we meet every Friday @ 7:15am via Teams.”

Reed also has a strong passion for military service, having served in the Navy Reserves for 8 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator

in the Seabees and his daughter is currently serving in the Airforce stationed at Colorado Springs, CO. Cyrus O’Leary’s has made it a priority to engage with the Airway Heights community. , having donated over 1,000 cases of pies to community groups across the region in the last year and is partnering with school groups and local sports teams interested in selling pies as a fundraiser.

Cyrus O’Leary pies can be found locally in Walmart and Yokes Foods and are sold across the United States and Canada, even as far away as Hawaii.

Employment opportunities at Cyrus O’Leary may be found at the company’s website (https:// cyruspies.com/pie-squad/) or indeed.com.

Producing 1 million pounds a month, which translates to approximately 100,000 pies in three different sizes, the Airway Heights facility is the primary manufacturing facility for the Cyrus O’Leary’s brand. Plant manager Robert Reed says that the most popular flavors are Chocolate and Coconut.

Sara Lee has shown a continued commitment to the Airway Heights facility by investing over $1.1 million in a new single serve line last year, enabling the facility to produce single serve cheesecakes.

According to Reed, Sara Lee continues to invest into the facility with plans for a new packaging line in early 2026.

Having been with the company for almost a year (started last July) Reed has brought a team leadership style to the operation.

Photo by Ben Wick Cyrus O’Leary’s Airway Heights manufacturing facility Leadership team from left to right Matt Troutt, Warehouse Manager; Taylor Struble, HR Manager; Robert Reed, Plant Manager; Emily Camp, FSQA Manager; and Austin Schatz, Operations Manager.

The Stream

JUNE 2025 • 3

4

NEWS GUARDIAN PLAN GUARDIAN PLAN GUARDIAN FURNACE PLAN GUARDIAN PLAN

• JUNE 2025

Fireworks Dominates Medical Lake City Council Agenda

The Stream

effect.

The Council approved the resolution officially submitting the advisory vote “concerning the prohibition of the sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks at all times within the medical lake city limits” according to the official city resolution. The vote is scheduled for November 4th, 2025.

ASSURANCE INSURANCE GUARDIAN PLAN GUARDAvoid a furnace breakdown with

Banner’s Guardian Plan.

IAN PLAN Includes an annual furnace checkup PLUSGUARDIAN covers cost

PLAN GUARDIAN PLAN Stream Publisher City Administrator WeathersGUARDIAN PLAN GUARDFireworks Advisory Vote reviewed the City’s cleanup day City Administrator Sonny which was a success and he thankedIAN PLAN GUARDIAN 535-1711 | 122 N. Helena | www.bannerfuel.com Weathers, updated the council on the City staff who helped out along the process of putting the Fireworks with Sunshine disposal who is the PLAN Advisory Vote on the November cities contracted garbage hauler. able to sell fireworks within the City back in April and that they are

By Ben Wick

and most parts if you need priority emergency service.

Community Cleanup Day Recap

2025 General Election ballot. In order to do so, the council must submit a resolution, resolution cover sheet, and explanatory statement, and for and against committees. Weathers clarified that while you do not need to be a registered voter to serve on the for or against committees, you do need to be a resident of the city.

Mayor Cooper reiterated that this is an advisory vote and “We proposed this as an option to get community feedback.” She continued by saying that “often times we hear from people or a room of people if they don’t like something but doesn’t always represent the whole community.”

The mayor is seeking members who would be interested in serving on the Pro and Con committees to please complete a letter of consideration before mid June with the hopes to make a recommendation on advisory committee members to the City Council for their approval at their July 1st meeting.

Administrator Weathers also highlighted that per state law that a decision to ban fireworks requires 365 days before it would go into

Weathers noted that approximately 150 customers utilized the cleanup day utilizing 6 dumpsters and 27.14 tons of debris were hauled off, which cost $2,579.39.

In an effort to find ways to improve, Weathers brought up ideas such as providing coupons to citizens giving a free dump at the Waste to Energy Plant instead of having he stationary garbage dumpsters. He also asked if they should look to expand the program into multiple days or possibly a spring and fall events?

Consensus from City Council was supportive of the event and want to continue the program.

Fireworks Contracts Re*Imagine Medical Lake Fireworks Display for June 20, 2025.

Contracting with Rocketman for public display following the first Linger at the Lake concert. Vetted and approved through FD3. Motion to approve made by Councilmember Olson, seconded by Councilmember Shaffer, carried 5-0.

The City received two Retail Fireworks permits requesting to be

of Medical Lake. Applications from Lion’s Club, which will be a stand at 111 W Brooks Road and Lifespring’s Fellowship which will be in the Lake Harvest Foods Parking log.

Council unanimously approved both contracts.

Email Archive Software City Finance Director Koss Ronholt, brought forward a request to purchase TitanHQ an email archiving software. Citing issues the city is having related to public records and the dependability of the cities current system.

City staff reviewed a number of different platforms and brought forward a contract with TitanHQ. The contract with TitanHQ is a 12 month service for 25 users and would cost the city $1,200 per year.

The Council approved the contract unanimously.

Eastern State Underground Fire

Hospital

Mayor Cooper highlighted an email she received from Eastern State Hospital that the underground fire they had been fighting for the last two years was finally extinguished

working on an official report on activities and cleanup plans.

Municipal Agreement

Court

Interlocal

The City of Medical Lake contracts with the City of Cheney for Municipal Court Services and Facilities since October 14th, 2014.

The current contract is a flat rate for court services ($60,000). The current contract expires on 12/31/2025 but has a 180 day notification requirement if the city wanted to go a different direction. Mayor Cooper and City Administrator Sonny Weathers brought up the idea of looking at alternatives.

Medical Lake Depot Lease The City Council approved a rental agreement with Martinus Rail for the cities newly acquired property located at 316 W Brooks Road also known as the Medical Lake Depot. The contract is for 8 months beginning the 4th day of June through 3rd of February with 4 monthly optional extensions and with compensation to the city being $1,500 per month. The contract was approved unanimously.

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JUNE 2025 • 5

The Stream

MLDFS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS - 2025

Community Partner Scholarships

MLDFS Scholarships

Alpha Delta Kappa-Alpha Nu Chapter Scholarship MLDFS Howard Jorgenson Memorial Brzostowski Geoscience Scholarship Scholarship Douglas Wolfe Memorial Scholarship MLDFS S.T.E.M. Scholarship Farm Salvation – 1st Place Wreath Raffle Scholarship MLDFS Principal’s Honor Roll Scholarship James Cogswell Memorial Scholarship MLDFS Honor Roll Scholarship Jorgenson Trade & Certification Scholarship MLDFS Merit Scholarship Keep It Cut Alumni Scholarship MLDFS Cardinal Courage Scholarship Keep It Cut Alumni Scholarship – Renewable MLDFS Trailblazer Scholarship Medical Lake City Employees Local #270 Scholarship MLDFS AHANA Trade/Technical/Professional Medical Lake Education Association Scholarship Medical Lake Education AssociationWendy Stewart Perry Memorial Scholarship Medical Lake Education Association-Ricky Petersen Memorial Scholarship Medical Lake High School Alumni Association Scholarship Medical Lake High School Band/Leadership Scholarship Medical Lake Kiwanis Scholarship – Community Service Medical Lake Kiwanis Scholarship – Key Club Medical Lake Kiwanis Scholarship – R.O.T.C. Medical Lake Salon – 3rd Place Wreath Raffle Scholarship Rose Fleming Memorial Scholarship Russ and Leanne Brown “Kids Are The Key” Scholarship Shirley Wiater Memorial Scholarship Whitmer-Fuller Memorial Scholarship-Renewable Wispies Beauty Salon – 2nd Place Wreath Raffle Scholarship

Justice Armstrong

Julio Arroyo

Triana Canty

Tyson Clark

Adasha Gardner

Trinity George

Lebo Holloway

Rianna Layton

Kael Pitts

Melissa Plute

$87,000 Awarded!

Rylee Bailey

Maryna Bell

Kainoa Beyer

Georgia Campbell

Shaellyn Deardorff Calli Delaughter

Kristen Dickey

Scott Ehman

Abigail Fisher

Logan Flaherty Cameron Gardner

Kailey Grant

Hazel Grubaugh

Avery Hammac

Cailee Hawkins

Ashley Heppler

Christian Hiam

Jonathon Lundberg Hannah Luzier

Ava Newsome

Nakai Ornelas

Gabriella Ornelas

Chloe Parsons

Dakotah Phillips

Trinity Shull

Madison Spring

Aidan Suddeth

Erik Work

Clinton Zimmerman

Baylee Bahr

Elizabeth Gies

Isabella Price

Cylas Puzycki

6

COVER STORY

• JUNE 2025

The Stream

Graduating Class of 2025

Patrick Abendroth • Jocelyn Acosta • Josephine Adams • Rohan Adams • Luciano Adrian Jr • Hamza Faraz Al-Amin • Nicholas Alderson • Emmett Allen • Ethlyn Aneti • Romeo Arguelles • Sofia Arjonilla • Ayden Armitage • Mia Ashcroft • Emily Axtell • Jovanna Ayala • Emma Ayers • Brayden Bahme • Lily Bare • Ashton Barnhart • Titus Barriga • Owen Barry • Jada Bascom • JonThomas Bassen-Tuter • Angela Bateman • Amelia Batty • Marcus Belarde • Mason Bennett • Blair Benton • Elsa Bertelsen • Luke Bilafer • Sarina Bludau • Maggie Boggs • Camron Bogle • Sarah Bolstad • Zachary Bowman • Arthur Boyd • Sophie Brady • Taylar Brogan • Morgen Brost • Alyssa Brown • Kaitlyn Brown • Macy Brown • Blakeley Bucklin • Broly Buhle-Williamz • Isaiah Burrell • Grayson Burton • Isiah Burton • Addysen Butikofer • Robert Butler • Regina Camacho • Jazelynn Cannon • KitanaJolie Cano • Loraiza Canoto • Kayden Carr • Dayson Carrier • Bella Carter • Liam Carver • Diego Castro, Jr • Jaymes Caswell • Aiden Celeri • Cameron Chain • Morgan Chandler • Vicky Chen • Kam Child • Ireland Chodorowski • Hazel Cindric • Madison Clark • Jada Coleman • Camden Collins • Desiree Cope • Zarai Cortez • Amadeus Countryman • Rylei Covey • Anika Cox • Lucas Cox • Jordain Crane • Jezreel Crosby • Zak Curley • Lucinda Daller • Ashley Dambacher • Claire Davis • Memphis Dawley • Nichelle DeGuzman • Falcon Denison • Matayis Deweese-Moses • Joseph Dittrich • Lee Dumlao • Tasia Dunlap • Adolfo Duran • Kale Dyer • Gwen Dykstra • Gladius Edejer • Nicole Edwards • Ronald Ensor • Jhoshua Espiritu • Jacob Estock • Jenna Farrell • Laci Fisher • Payton Flanagan • Kieran Foote • Tayra FourBear • Cameron Frenk • Kyra Gaard • Johanna Geary • Cristina Germanovich • Emma Gibbons • Lucy Gibbons • Steven Gilliland • Courtney Gilman • Gianna Gitschlag • Mary Goloborodko • Isabella Gonzalez • Jesus Gonzalez • Kashae Gonzalez • Lucy Gonzalez • Aidyn Green • Aidan Greene • Shaian Guerra • Noah Guest • Shawn Gugliuzzo • Ajjel Guist • Julian Gusler • Janine Gutierrez • Wynona Hackett • Brayden Halbrook • Connor Hall • Alexandria Halverson • Zaknafein Hammersmith • Maya Hanke • Dawes Hanson • Shelbi Hart • Wendy Hatten • Johnathan Hauf • Isabella Haun

Cheney High School • Autumn Haynes • Mackenzie Hekimian • Zachary Herring • Reece Higbee • Molly Hill • Calvin Hilton • Kennedy Himes • Julia Hirschnigg • Kimberley Hoiseth • Miles Hoover • Robyn Horvath • Connor Houge • Lauren Howe • Nathaniel Huey • Alyvia Huffman • Holland Hurd • Brooklyn Hurley • Olivia Hurley • Tristan Huse • Yuta Inoue • Goldieana Isaac • Carter Ittner • Connor Jamison • John Jangula • Jacob Jenkins • Landon Jenkins • Cameron Johnson • Jett Johnson • Teresa Johnson • Theodore Johnson-Heinze • Tycen Jonas (Walruff) • Shya Joseph • Satori Just • Timothy Kaeding, Jr • Oliver Kasparek • Frank Kearns • Chloe Kelton • Aliviah Kennedy • Meagan Kestle • Conner Kirkpatrick • Sarah Kirn • Kiah Klauss • Apollo Knight • Ryan Knight • Viktor Knighten (Gracie) • Michael Kohler • Kayelee Kohlman • Denys Kolomiyets • Bradley Koonce • Rhylee Kucirka • Daria Kulida • Yaritza LagunasGarduno • Janesign Laiso • Megan Larson • Samuel Larson • Cole Leavitt • Nicholas LeBret • Jayda Lembcke • Haven Lemire • Amara Leyva • Benjamin Limburg • Ethan Loaiza • Bailey Long • Xavier Love • Harley Luby • Kadence Lucas-Brown (Adams) • Hailey Magalsky • Damien Mager-Reeser • Cameron Maloy • Alyssa Marlow • Emalee Marrazzo • Brayden Martin • Jonah Martin • Mya Martinez • Aiden Maser • Kyra Masters • Lucas Matos • Mya Mayther • Ryley McBride • Ella McCall • Kaylub McClure • Gracie McCoy • Emily McGinnis • Ashton McGuire • Isabella McIntire • Hongyi Mei • James Memea • Kendra Mercado • Keira Messee • Taylor Meszler • Makayla Meyer Burgess • NoLaie Mikieo

• Rhiley Millen • Christine Minka • Avery Mitchell • Ella Mizzoni • Jayden Molinari • Brenden Moore • Trenton Moore • Jordan Morgan • Kylee Moseman • Taryn Mullins • Rika Narruhn • Ryanson Narruhn • Cameron Netzley • Calvin Nicholson • Owen Novelo • Drago Nozinic • Madisyn Nuner • Zachary Nunes • Sabrina Olmo • Madison Olsen • Alaynah Overman • Halle Palmer-Little • Mehtab Pamma • Alyza Parkin • Sophia Pasion • Ethan Patrick • Austin Peckham • William Pelayo-Gomez • Olivia Pepperd • Cristofer Perez Padron • Gurnihal Phagura • DiMaggio Philip • Scarlet Piercy • Maggie Poole • Megan Price • Fabian Rabey • Rylan Rajewski • Coleman Randles • Ashley Rau • Morgan Ray • Rhianna Richards • Maximilian Riggs • Makayla Ripley • Deborah River • Bailey Rivera • Ella Roberts • Owen Roberts • Josiah Robinson • Anthony Romero • Brandon Romo • Joslynn Ruddell • Haiden Ruiz • Yisel Salas Martinez • Wayne Sampang • Bode Sampson • Katelyn Scanapico • Sophia Schaefer • Zachary Schambeck • Alexis Schmeets • Frank Schmidt • Ethan Schofield • Rhilynn Scholle • Gauge Seubert • Mukul Sharma • Terrence Shiasha • Jillian Showalter • Alea Smelser-Batibure • Alma Smith • Ian Smith • Josephine Stack • Aaron Stanfield • Jakoby Stanger • Megan Stapleton • Brice Starr • Tristan Stephenson • Alexsis Stevens • Aspen Stober • Noah Story • Peyton Sulpizio • Ava Supita • Zlata Sviashchenko • Jake Swanson • Alexsandra Swenson • Kianna Sypher • Arya Syrie • Jackson Syron • Anabelle Taylor • Phoenix Terry • Mylo Thompson • Trinity Tibbetts • Kayden Tice • Brooklyn Tinagero • Diana Tomchuk • Carson Townsend • Erin Trethewy • Nikki Turbyfill • Jacob Ulrich • Nathan Utter • Sharolet Velarde • Melanie Vibbert • Allison Vold • Kaiden Vollan • Cienna Wagner • Laveena Walters • Micah Walters • Hannah Ward • Avery Warren • Morgan Weathers • Annaka West • Travis Wiedenmann • Tysen Wiedenmann • Hunter Wiese • Dezjahnna Williams • Mia Wippert • Henry Witt • Art Wojcinski • Olivia Wright • Madison Yarbrough • Destini Yoachum • Zachary Yoho • Devol Yokley-Griffin • Kanoa York-Akiu • Gavin Zacher • Israella Zetchov • Ben Zgherea

The Stream

COVER STORY

Medical Lake High School Ethan Anderson • Abbigail Aris • Justice Armstrong • Julio Arroyo • Kayley Askew • Baylee Bahr • Rylee Bailey • Sofia Barrow • Maryna Bell • Madelyn Bender-O’Connell • Kainoa Beyer • Sawa Bigsby • Tyler Brasher • Carsen Buenzli • Georgia Campbell • Triana Canty • Emma Caspary • Alex Choe • Brynn Cisewski • Tyson Clark • True Cole • Kylie Constantine • Sonja Cooper • Elizabeth Crosby • Taylor Dalbey • Shae Deardorff • Calli Delaughter • Kristen Dickey • Pekay Diluciano • Hailey Dorcheus • Silas Dutton • Scott Ehman • Shaylee Fields • Abigail Fisher • Logan Flaherty • Adasha Gardner • Alyson Gardner • Cameron Gardner • Evan Gardner • Trinity George • Brooklyn Gerry • Elizabeth Gies • Hector Gomez • Felipe Gonzalez-Naranjo • Kailey Grant • Andrew Griffey • Ezekiel Groom • John Gross • Hazel Grubaugh • Cabrini Haley-Molina • Avery Hammac • Preston Hansen • Anora Harris • Avery Harrison • Cailee Hawkins • Ashley Heppler • Christian Hiam • Khamari Hills • Lebo Holloway • Hunter Hooper • Cody Huston • Lake James • Brookelyn Jeppsen • Kyle Jones • Ian Jump • Michael Keister • Cheyenne Knapton • Ethan Knight • Jordan Knox • Rianna Layton • Christen Lederle • Jonathon Lundberg • Hannah Luzier • Alexander Marsh • Makario Mcgriff • Mason Merritt • Bekka Milender • Kayden Mindermann • Garrett Montney • Halen Nelson • Jonathan Neumann • Lynn Newman • Tysan Newman • Ava Newsome • Destiny Norman • Jaydan Normandin • Tyler Olson • Gabriella Ornelas • Nakai Ornelas • Chloe Parsons • Dakotah Phillips • Cole Pitcher • Kael Pitts • Jaidah Plaehn • Melissa Plute • Kaden Poitra • Connor Preeo • Isabella Price • Jacob Puckett • Cylas Puzycki • Isaiah Quarles • Hudson Raulston • Lillian Reynolds • Bryce Richardson • Kali Rowe • Katelyn Rupert • Xane San Agustin • Trinity Shull • Lukas Smith • Ella Snow • Madison Spring • Braden Stewart • Aiden Stich • Aidan Suddeth • Jonathan Sumerlin • Lorelei Swenson • Matthew Tanninen • Trevor Taylor • Christian Tilson • Tayden Tonasket • Kiara Vinson • Hanaylee Vontersch • Raina Wagner • Kailyn Wilder • Erik Work • Clinton Zimmerman

Three Springs High School Jonny Blimka • Cindy Bradley • Janey Carlisle • Andrew Fenner • Paige Foote • Eli Heaton • Luke Huckabee • Maxine Humphrey • Avery Hutton • Mikey Jolley • Jasman Kalous • Ahnyka Loffredi • Lydia Mcbride • Devan McDaniel • Oliver McDonald • Dylan Moree • Kaii Moultrie • Chevelle Paavola • Max Rocha • Belle Taylor • Jace VanDenElzen • Autumn Wagnon

WIN Academy Savannah Anderson • Espurr Arneson • Jay Bentley • Anderson Brock • Isiah Burton • Isaiah Comstock • Spencer Davis • Angelina Doubek • Emma Enzweiler • Addysen Esquibel • Yelyzaveta Kaban • Tomlee JJ Kenes • Kobok Lanki • Hosiah Lautiej • Kayshaun Chases Wolf Lockwood • Luke Marcellus • Dylan McHugh • Charlie Miller • Ivy Norman • Alexandra Patterson • Nelson Phillip • Lillee Rumsey • Jesus Solares • Botta Thomas • Michael Vasquez • Sicily Wilbanks

JUNE 2025 • 7 One class for students in grades 6-12, Medical Lake called “Unplugged,” explores how to screen time.

School District reduce The focus of the sessions was selected based on the weekly sessions Offers Summer offered during the school year. “A lot of it comes from the work the interns do in school,” Donnelly said.

Wellness Some classes were also requested, Program said Tawni Barlow, Director of

By Nina Culver

Stream contributor

Mental health does not take a summer vacation, which means the Medical Lake School District Community Wellness Center will continue to offer group sessions during the summer for students of all ages.

The Wellness Center usually offers classes on various subjects every Wednesday during the school year. During the summer, classes will be held on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays between June 24 and August 7.

“We offer fun and engaging therapeutic groups for students” said clinical mental health therapist Catherine Donnelly. “There’s a wide variety of groups that are free.”

The classes run for 90 minutes and are either from 10 to 11:30 a.m. or from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. One class, Wildfire Support, is available to adults as well as students in sixth grade and up on Thursdays. The sessions are designed to help those worried about fire season develop coping skills.

The available sessions include an anger management class for students in grades 1-6 called “Angry Birds,” which is designed to help students manage their anger and other strong emotions. There are also two art therapy groups as well as groups that incorporate yoga and nature to help kids manage stress. Some are open to older students only while others are targeted to elementary ages or include a wider range of ages.

Integrated Student and Community Services. “We work with parents and school counselors,” she said.

The Wellness Center is in a small building just across from the high school at 317 N. Broad. It pairs licensed mental health professionals with interns from several local colleges, including Whitworth, Gonzaga and Eastern Washington University. The interns are required to complete a certain number of supervised postgraduate hours as part of their therapist training.

The district made a push toward expanding mental health treatment in 2018 when it first partnered with Whitworth to add community classes in addition to offering mental health services to students in the schools, since mental health options in Medical Lake don’t really exist.

Recent sessions for adults have include parenting classes, suicide prevention, supporting LGBTQ+ youth and substance use.

“We run groups all year long,” said Barlow. “We’ve seen a lot of suicidal ideation in children.”

The Wellness Center sent information about the summer sessions home with students and also notified nearby school districts.

Children do not have to live inside the Medical Lake School District to attend the sessions.

“It’s not limited,” Donnelly said.

“People are welcome. If classes are full, we would prioritize those in the district.”

The summer sessions have been available for the last few years and See WELLNESS, Page 18

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• JUNE 2025

Schedule

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS: Triathlon- Waterfront Park- Saturday 6/21 1 PM (Re*Imagine Medical Lake) Softball- Water front Park- Friday 6/20 and Saturday 6/21 (City of Medical Lake) Volleyball- MLMS Fields Saturday 6/21 and Sunday 6/22 (MLHS Volleyball) Basketball- MLHS Bus Loop Saturday 6/21 (City of Medical Lake)

The Stream

STCU PARKING LOT: FOUNDER’S DAY MARKET 10 AM-4 PM BROAD STREET: Chasing Gravity Activity Center/ Obstacle Course (Chasing Gravity) Sand pile/Dig Station/ Big Trucks (DirtWorx) Big Blue Blocks (Spokane County Library District) SunWest Performance Automotive Parking Lot: Car Show

FRIDAY EVENTS: Linger at the Lake Concert Series/ Founders Day Kickoff 5 PM-10 PM OWL PARKING LOT: Bubble Station (Touchstone Realty-Angela Striker) Food Trucks - Dippin Dots • Azars • Horse Power Cafe Lego Derby Cars (Boy Scouts- Inland Northwest Council) Face Painting, live Music (Whack a Mole), Cornhole Competition Path of Hope Rescue Animals (sponsored by Clyde Gillespie- State Farm Face Painting Fireworks (Weather Permitting) are at 10 PM Additional Info: Linger at the Lake is the City of Medical Lake Summer Concert series. The initial show is put on in partnership of Re*Imagine BELL BUILDING PARKING LOT- EDUCATION CORNER Medical Lake and the City of Medical Lake Girls Scout STEM BUS hosting STEM Activity KSPS Hosting educational booth and demonstration SATURDAY: Library LINC Bus- signing up for Library Book Main Stage Schedule- Intersection of Lake and Leferve: 9:45 AM Mayor’s Address and Downtown Corridor ribbon cutting (celebrating the new sidewalks, lampposts, and ADA accessibility CELA’S CREATIVE LEARNING ACADEMY PARKING LOT/FOOD TRUCKS: improvements) Dippin Dots • Kona Ice • Azars • Flores Fruit • Tacos Tumbras 10 AM-11 AM Parade Say Cheese • Hungry Moose • Kettle Krazy • Coppertop Coffee 11 AM- 1 PM Live Music: The Kevin Shay Band FARMER’S MARKET 1 PM-2 PM Reptile Show Located on Lake Street, extending down onto Jefferson St behind the 2 PM-3:30 PM Live Music: Plaid Cat Trio main stage 9 AM- 4 PM 3 PM- 4 PM Jordan Cole of The Association Emcee: Jordan Cole for parade announcements FIRE STATION: National Anthem: Melissa Holdway SCFD3’s Member Association will be offering Otter Pops while supplies last from 12 PM-4 PM

The Stream

JUNE 2025 • 9

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• JUNE 2025

The Stream

1st & 3rd Saturday June-October 9am-1pm

(unless otherwise noted)

NEW THIS SEASON! 99022 “Market Bucks” program “Rooted” farmers market-to- table cooking competition on 8/2/25 with National Farmers Market Week Celebration Educational opportunities, kids activities, kids market

Farmers Market to Table Cooking Challenge!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 Medical Lake Farmers Market Local chefs will compete using farmers market ingredients “Kids Kitchen” with Cela’s Creative Learning Academy Demonstrations and hands-on educational opportunities Free samples (while supplies last) Prizes, more!

Much more, follow us on social media to view our full schedule!

LAKE & JEFFERSON | MEDICAL LAKE, WA

@MedicalLakeFarmersMarket | Website: MedicalLake.org

YOUTH YOUTH 18 & UNDER UNDER RIDE RIDE FREE FREE ON ON STA STA!! spokanetransit.com/youth

The Stream

NEWS

JUNE 2025 • 11

Reclaimed water pipe would also be and with multifamily housing, Airway Heights council placed on Campbell Street for 800 LF environmentally-friendly elements north of West 6th to Cleveland Park, included in rejuvenation plans for on Lawson Street for 500 LF U.S. Highway 2 and ensure Spokane considers camping ordinance, and north of West 6th to Traditions Park. Transit Authority access within oneLaying the new piping was quarter mile of multifamily and reclaimed water connections originally one contract, but because large-scale residential centers.

By John McCallum Stream contributor

A proposed ordinance dealing with unauthorized camping in the city, change orders to the 6th Avenue reclaimed water line project and greenhouse gases and vehicle emission reductions were just some of the items the Airway Heights City Council addressed in at a June 9 study session Unauthorized camping Police Department staff laid out a proposal for an ordinance creating rules and regulations dealing with unauthorized camping in the city.

AHPD Cpl. Adam Johnson said the department is seeing an increase in these types of encampments, both occupied and unoccupied, due to measures cities like Spokane and Spokane Valley have taken to eliminate such gatherings.

“We don’t really have a good camping ordinance in the city,” Johnson said.

The proposed ordinance defines camping and camping material, prohibits sleeping in certain areas such as sidewalks, doorways, streets and alleys and prohibits camping on public property. It would outline procedures to remove unoccupied and occupied campsites, how to clean up and store personal property from those sites, when to expedite camp removal and penalties.

Individuals in unoccupied campsites would have 24 hours to remove their belongings and provided instructions for how to retrieve any belongings removed during cleanup. After 24 hours, any person present at the site would be instructed to take their belongings and leave.

Camps would be inspected for any unclaimed property, with those inspections paused if hazards were found such as needles or biological waste. Eligible property such as artwork, musical instruments, personal property of sentimental value, would be placed in storage for 30 days.

Individuals in occupied campsites would be allowed to remove their belongings, with any items left behind deemed abandoned. They would also receive information on available services such as housing and shelter options.

Individuals in these campsites would be trespassed from city property. Unless subject to an existing warrant or other service, violations would be a misdemeanor, which in Washington law could result to up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Individuals would initially be cited and released. Court appearances would be in the city’s Community Court where there are options to “facilitate service opportunities.”

“They will be cited by the city, they will not be taken to jail,” Johnson said.

Council asked him where some current campsites might be in Airway Heights. Johnson said listed several locations, such as one over the June 6-8 weekend between Panda Express and Pizza Hut along with another on Ketchum.

“We get them on the west side of 6th, between the (Spokane Tribe) casino out underneath the trees,” Johnsson said, adding “They’re coming out (from Spokane).”

Council Chair Larry Bowman expressed satisfaction with the proposed ordinance, noting the ability to offer access to community services to help unhoused individuals camping on city property.

“This is a huge win for us,” he added.

Council approved by consensus to move a first reading of the proposed camping ordinance to the June 16 regular legislative meeting.

Project connects parks to reclaimed water City Council moved a pair of change orders forward to an upcoming meeting regarding connecting three northside Airway Heights parks to the city’s reclaimed water system.

The connection was part of the original reclaimed water line installation project awarded to DW Excavating and funded by a state Department of Ecology grant received in March, 2024. DW Excavating was the low bidder on the project at just short of $1.288 million.

The original project would place reclaimed water pipe along 6th Avenue from Ketchum Drive to King Street as well as placing reclaimed water lines on South Ketchum Drive for 800 lineal feet (LF) south of West 6th Avenue to Aspen Grove Park.

of scheduling requirements for the 6th Avenue Road project, Public Works Department Director Katherine Miller said Ecology agreed to split the water line work into two separate projects, the first laying the pipe along 6th and the second connecting the parks. In discussions regarding the road project, Miller said Ecology agreed to the proposed change orders.

“Now we’re putting them back together,” she said.

The total cost of the change order connecting the three parks is $695,994. It includes $560,994 for project materials and labor, $84,000 for construction administration by the city’s project consultant Century West and $51,000 for construction contingencies.

Previous change orders raised the project cost to $1,346,5009.15.

The proposed change order would increase that to $1,907,503.40.

Council agreed to move both the DW Excavating and Century West agreements forward to an upcoming meeting.

City climate planning moves to action items Planning Department Principal Planner Heather Trautman told the council that the department’s work on upgrading the city’s Comprehensive Plan to include adding climate resiliency elements was nearing completion by the end of the June. The next phase of the work involves setting greenhouse gas and vehicle emission reductions targets and strategies — work that will also require the city to apply for additional Department of Commerce grant funding from the state.

“This is all state mandated,” Trautman said. “We have to have this completed by 2026.”

The second phase of the grant would pay for the work to provide greenhouse gas emission reduction analysis, needs assessments and targets; reduction recommendations including goals, policies and strategies and vehicle miles travel reduction targets that also include goals, policies and strategies.

Some strategies discussed by city staff and the Planning Commission include incorporating pedestrian-friendly elements into required subdivision plans

Also under consideration are prioritizing location of new industrial development in areas that provide close “proximity to major transportation corridors including in the industrial sub-area and along 21st Avenue, siting near existing industrial uses where possible and cost-effective access to utilities and services.”

The city has contracted with Seattle-based Sustainable Solutions Group to help with the climate elements work in the Comprehensive Plan. The grant funding was done over two biennial budget cycles, with the city receiving $230,000 in the 2023-2025 cycle.

They are now applying for $170,000 over the 2025-2027 cycle to complete the work. Council agreed to move consideration of both action items forward to the June 16 meeting.

“Drey” Day considered In an added item to the June 9 agenda, City Manager Albert Tripp gave a presentation asking council to honor a deceased Airway Height resident for his contributions to the city and the region.

Tripp said Erica Davis, mother of Quindrey “Drey” Trevon Davis Murphy, approached staff to ask if a proclamation could be developed to honor the life and memory of her son, who passed away suddenly on Oct. 14, 2023 following a leukemia diagnosis.

Davis addressed the council about her son, who attended Cheney High School and played in the Blackhawks band. He went on to study percussion performance at Eastern Washington University, teach middle and high school band at Northwest Christian School, formerly Bartell Music Academy, as well as performing in several area musical groups in a music career that included a variety of genres such as gospel, jazz, soul, rock, and classical.

Davis asked the city to proclaim July 14, 2025 as “Drey’s Day” to honor his lifetime and lasting influence. Tripp also said they would like council to consider adding his name to a list of possible street names developers can consider when proposing new subdivisions.

Council agreed to take the issue under consideration at an upcoming council meeting.

12

• JUNE 2025

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said. other concerns, some of which could move quickly to complete planning Spokane After housing, survey fall into the mitigation funding so they can access the money before also gave priority category. One woman spoke about it goes away. “I want to be very clear County Disaster respondents to infrastructure, mitigation and finding rusty nails in the lake and that Spokane County does not have economic revitalization. Based on a couple property owners spoke those funds at this time,” he said.

Recovery initial survey responses and known about seeing a pine beetle infestation “We anticipate that we will have unmet needs, around $22 million taking root. They’ve taken up some of those funds unlocked by the Grant seeks could be earmarked for housing, residence in fire damaged trees and end of fall.” said. Hundreds of homes and residents are concerned about them “We want to get in as soon as community input Fritz other structures were lost in the spreading to healthy trees. Treating

By Nina Culver

fires.

Stream contributor

“We know there is a tremendous need to build back housing,” said Spokane County Housing and Community Development Administrator George Dahl. “We believe housing will be a big piece of this but there are other things as well.”

Spokane County has entered the community input phase in planning how to spend a $44 million Community Development Block Grant for disaster recovery for people impacted by the Gray Fire in Medical Lake and the Oregon Road Fire near Elk in 2023. The Housing and Urban Development grant was funded by the federal government in December as part of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The dozens of people gathered in the Medical Lake High School auditorium during a recent community meeting indicated overwhelmingly that housing was the number one issue, the same answer that was given during a similar community meeting held in Elk the night before. Some people who lost homes, particularly those who did not have insurance, have not yet been able to rebuild.

According to data collected by local and federal agencies, there was $26 million in personal/ real property damage to owneroccupied homes in the fires and only $3 million of that need has been met, Fritz said. That doesn’t include rental housing. The data also shows that 160 households did not have insurance.

Residents spoke about several

a pine beetle infestation can be expensive, particularly if someone owns a lot of land.

Other residents talked about concerns about stormwater being a problem in areas where vegetation and trees have burned away, leaving nothing behind to slow runoff. Fritz said maintaining a healthy forest could be funded as mitigation. “Tree planting could be involved in the process,” he said.

Cooper said that some areas need fire hydrants and new or better roads. “Mitigation means build back better,” she said.

Fritz said that given the current political climate when some grants have been rescinded by the federal government, the County is trying to

Medical Lake Mayor Terri Cooper said the information gathered will help shape the next phase of recovery by identifying high priority needs.

“It’s so important to hear from you,” she said.

Spokane County is administering the federal grant and must meet specific requirements, said Community Development Program Manager Aidan Fritz. At least 70 percent of the money must benefit low to moderate income families and at least 15 percent must go toward mitigation of future disasters, which can include removing slash piles and improving or creating evacuation routes.

The money can also be spent on urgent needs related to the fires, Fritz said. “Urgent need could become a very vital resource,” he

Photo by Nina Culver Medical Lake Mayor Terry Cooper addresses the crowd at the Spokane County Long Term Recovery Group community meeting held at Medical Lake High School on June 5th to discuss the timeline for the recent Spokane County Grant Award.

possible,” Dahl said. “There are folks up in Elk living in tents still.”

As part of a new needs assessment required as part of the grant, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will hire three case managers to work with families after July 1, when funding for the case managers previously provided through the Salvation Army will end.

The case managers will determine what needs are still unmet and help families get the resources they need, Cooper said.

“We’re hoping it will be a more robust and comprehensive program,” Cooper said. “They really are the gold standard.”

Outside of the federal HUD grant, other recovery efforts are continuing. Innovia is managing a $1.3 million Wildfire Response fund funded by the community and local businesses. The fund paid $300,000 for immediate emergency assistance, including gas cards, clothing and food. Another $40,000 was spent on a hazard tree removal project and $500,000 provided building supplies for eight volunteer-built homes.

There is still $550,000 remaining for future needs.

The Spokane Region Long Term Recovery Group, headed up by Cooper, has been working with Christian Public Service and Mennonite Disaster Services to build those 800-square foot homes for those without insurance, two in Medical Lake and six in Elk. The SRLTRG board has approved the construction of 12 more homes, Cooper said, but funding has yet to be identified. The organization will be seeking out additional grants to fund the new homes.

Information about the HUD grant efforts is available online at https:// www.spokanecounty.gov/5816/ Disaster-Recovery-Home.

JUNE 2025 • 15

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16

• JUNE 2025

Airway Heights Community opens Center for Hope

By Nina Culver

Stream contributor

Airway Heights gained a one-stop shop this spring when the Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network (WHEN) opened a new warehouse that also brings together several community programs under one roof for the first time.

WHEN is part of the West Plains Safety Alliance, a group of more than 25 business, agencies and municipalities founded by the Airway Heights Police Department in 2020. The Alliance is now a non-profit community impact organization.

Police Chief Brad Richmond said he had been aware that WHEN was looking for larger warehouse space when he decided to eat dinner at La Presa Mexican restaurant on Sunset

NEWS

Highway earlier this year. As he ate, he noticed a vacant building next door and asked restaurant owner Clint Hernandez if he knew who owned it. As it turned out, Hernandez owned it and Richmond asked if he was willing to rent it to WHEN. A deal was soon struck for below market rent.

“It’s just a great community family,” Richmond said of the Hernandez family. “They always give.”

Mable Dunbar, the founder of WHEN, said she’s grateful for the building. “Hats off to Clint for believing in our program and helping out the community,” she said.

Before moving into the new Hope Center at 13326 W. Sunset Highway, the donations WHEN had were stored at a half dozen different places. It’s much easier to have almost everything under one roof. The furniture is still stored off site. “We had people let us use their garage to store donations,” she said. “It’s very helpful because our personnel are limited. We’re not a rich organization. We rely heavily on volunteers.”

WHEN is focused on helping women and children in domestic

violence and/or sexual abuse situations. It operates a confidential safe house in Cheney and runs a food pantry just down the street at 13114 W. Sunset Highway.

Inside the Hope Center, Cleone’s Closet provides everything from clothes to furniture to housewares to those fleeing domestic violence who often have nothing more than the clothes on their backs. “A lot of the victims, they need food, they need clothing, they need furniture,” Dunbar said. “We provide all that.”

The Center also houses West Plains Victim Services and the West Plains Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program.

WHEN got its start by opening its domestic violence shelter in Cheney. Dunbar and her husband, a pastor, arrived in the area more than a decade ago. Dunbar was asked by her husband’s boss to open a faith-based shelter since she had run one in Michigan. Dunbar said she had never planned to get into shelter work but she ended up working in a domestic violence shelter as an intern when she was working toward her master’s degree in counseling psychology and "one thing led to another."

Dunbar said she noticed then

The Stream

that religion often played a role in perpetuating abuse. “I got referrals for pastor’s wives,” she said.

Many churches and pastors preach that God said women need to submit to their husbands and that divorce is not allowed, Dunbar said. She saw many women stay in abusive homes because they listened to those religious messages and some of them died, she said.

“I really became passionate about letting people know that’s not the God I serve,” she said. “Our whole goal is to let people who are religious know that domestic violence and abuse is not ordained

by God.” While the women’s shelter is faith-based, it’s non-denominational, Dunbar said. “It’s faith based, not religion based,” she said. “We don’t perpetuate or push any religion. I encourage women to seek out who God is.”

WHEN also has a donated apartment in a confidential location in Airway Heights that is meant for short-term, emergency stays of up to 30 days for someone fleeing domestic violence. That is managed by the police department, who are in charge of selecting who stays there. Richmond said his officers frequently come across victims who have nowhere to go and the apartment provides a place to stay while they figure out what is next.

“It’s crime victims mainly who are in need,” he said.

The community donates items for the food pantry and Cleone’s Closet and Amazon is also a source of many donations. WHEN is sent pallets of random boxes and volunteers open the boxes to find out what’s inside and sort them. It’s because of that generosity that WHEN needed a larger warehouse, Dunbar said. “We get tons of donations,” she said. “We did not have room to store it.”

WHEN is not allowed to sell anything that Amazon donates, Dunbar said. If WHEN is overstocked or has items its clients can’t use, occasional community giveaway days are held to distribute the items to the community for free.

The next community giveaway is set for Sunday, June 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hope Center.

Photo by Nina Culver Mabel Dunbar founder of Cleone’s Closet and WHEN (Womens Healing and Empowerment Network) is also a founding partner at the new Hope Center in Airway Heights.

The food pantry, located in a small, purple building, is open to the general public. Hours are from noon to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. The food comes from

The Stream

NEWS

Second Harvest as well as local farmers and businesses as well as the community. The small pantry has been busy, Dunbar said. “Every day we’ve been having 10 to 15 new people,” she said.

JUNE 2025 • 17

Usually between 50 and 60 people visit the pantry each day it is open, but some days have topped 70 visitors picking up food for families of all sizes. “We actually feed quite a bit of people.”

People do not need to be an Airway Heights resident to visit the pantry, Dunbar said. People are allowed to visit twice a week and Dunbar said she knows some families who come from as far away as North Idaho. While their focus is on the West Plains community, they will not turn people away, Dunbar said. Generally people are careful not to take too much and to leave some for others, she said.

“I know there are people who might abuse it, but they’re very thoughtful about one another,” she said. “That’s why I love this community.”

Photo by U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Thorn U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings perform a simulated alert response during a Nuclear Staff Assistant Visit at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 20, 2025.

The Hope Center is open by appointment. There’s a sign-up sheet at the food pantry to make an appointment to visit Cleone’s Closet in the Hope Center.

Fairchild’s fleet of KC-135 said Capt. Matthew Ramsey, 92nd Team Fairchild Stratotankers serve as a backbone LRS director of operations. “Our of that mission, providing in-flight Airmen within the 92nd LRS refueling to U.S. and allied aircraft. stand ready at a moment’s notice Richmond, who focuses on showcases The tankers extend the global reach to provide tactical and strategic community work, said he’s pleased of American airpower, helping combat logistics support. This to partner with WHEN and the readiness to deter aggression and uphold exercise strengthens integration with Hope Center. “It’s incredible the partner organizations, enhancing national security interests. things that can get done when you during NSAV Ensuring aircraft are ready to force readiness to address global don’t care who gets the credit,” he launch at a moment’s notice requires challenges effectively and safely.” said. “It is a blessing to serve out exercise From maintenance to logistics, a coordinated team effort and the here in the West Plains.”

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Airmen assigned to the 22nd, 92nd, 141st Air Refueling Wings demonstrated rapid global mobility and nuclear readiness during a Nuclear Staff Assistant Visit exercise held May 18-22 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.

The week long exercise brought evaluators from Air Mobility Command headquarters to assess Total Force readiness. Their goal: provide feedback to refine each wing’s ability to generate aircraft quickly and deliver global air refueling support under high-stakes conditions.

“Aerial refueling is at the heart of rapid global mobility,” said Col. Chad Cisewski, 92nd ARW commander.

“Our Airmen provide the fuel that keeps the mission moving, ensuring our forces can operate at full strength across the globe.”

NSAV exercise tested those moving parts across every unit.

“These exercises allow us to provide practice for all our members to quickly generate aircraft and execute an alert posture in a timely manner to provide refueling support for potential wartime priorities,” said Master Sgt. Nicholas Degenhardt, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. “We continue to ‘sharpen the spear’ of our maintenance personnel by practicing the generation build up and alert posturing.”

In addition to aircraft generation, the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron provided essential support by enabling sustained combat operations through strategic planning, transportation, fuel distribution, and supply chain management.

“Strategic deterrence is the foundation of our national security,”

every scenario relied on seamless information flow between squadrons.

“Team Fairchild continuously adapts its operational readiness to effectively support its missioncritical role in national defense and global operations,” said Cisewski.

“This exercise tested our Total Force ability to meet specific mission requirements in a time constrained and contested environment.”

The exercise provided a controlled environment for Fairchild Airmen to rehearse critical procedures, validate operational protocols, strengthen inter-squadron coordination and maintain a razor-sharp edge in support of strategic objectives. As the Air Force continues to prioritize reestablishing deterrence and matching threats to capabilities, Team Fairchild is proving they’re up to the task.

18

• JUNE 2025

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Barlow said she’s often asked by parents if they will be offered again.

Other parents have given the classes rave reviews and the students seem to like them as well, Donnelly said.

Some make plans with their friends about which classes to sign up for.

“The kids are interested and asking and engaged,” she said.

Last summer 48 students signed up for sessions. “We’re having really high numbers here compared to bigger school districts,” Donnelly said.

While some faces in the summer sessions are familiar because the student has accessed services during the school year, Barlow said there are always new students as well. “I see new faces that are not in services during the school year,” she said.

The summer program also provides a way for students to connect to other students, feel a greater sense of belonging and grow socially. The classes are focused on coping strategies, self-expression, emotional strength, connection, confidence and relaxation.

The sessions include activities and projects in addition to group discussions. Lunch and snacks are provided and all the sessions are free. Students and parents wishing to attend sessions must sign up in advance. A registration link is available via a QR code in a post on the Medical Lake School District Facebook page.

The available classes include Angry Birds, anger management, grades 1-6; Color Me Blue, selfexploration via art, grades 3-7; Chill & Chat, relaxation, grades 7-12; Resilience Rangers, games and activities, grades 3-8; Suicide Prevention, coping strategies, grades 6-8; Bounce Back Club, journaling to build confidence, grades 4-12; Feelings Detective, using games and stories to manage feelings, grades 2-5; Color Me Blue 2.0, selfexploration via art, grades 8-12; Release Your Stress, relaxation via guided imagery and yoga, grades 6-12; Mind Mavericks, games and brain challenges, grades 4-12; The Identity Project, learn about yourself via art and writing, grades 8-12; Unplugged, tech free challenges, grades 6-12; Nature Navigators, nature walks and games, grades 4-12; Wildfire Support, learning to cope with fire season anxiety, sixth gradeadult.

Call (509) 563-3133 for more information.

Ben Wick

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CONTRIBUTORS

Nina Culver, John McCallum

The West Plains Stream P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 509-242-7752 www.westplainsstream.com The Stream is published monthly by or near the 15th of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in Airway Heights, Fairchild Airforce Base, and Medical Lake area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Airway Heights, Medical Lake and the surrounding area.

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The Stream

LIBRARY

Your Library card gives you access to repair manuals for vehicles, small engines

manuals from industry experts.

Have you tried to find your vehicle’s repair manual online recently? It can be a frustrating experience. Nearly every manual is behind a paywall. In the best-case scenario, you pay $10 to download a PDF from a shady overseas website. In the worst case, you end up downloading a computer virus.

The second resource, Small Engine Repair Source (scld.org/ small-engine-repair), provides a similar level of information for motorcycles, ATVs, and even lawn mowers and snow throwers. Small Engine Repair Source is built on the full-text archive of Clymer repair manuals, the long-time leading publisher of information written for DYI mechanics. Small Engine Repair Source features clear photographs and step-bystep instructions for inspecting and

By Dana Mannino, Librarian Spokane County Library District

This is why every DIY mechanic needs a library card. Spokane County Library District (SCLD) provides free access to two online databases of repair and service

SCLD’s extensive collection of digital books keeps kids, teens reading, learning

The first is Auto Repair Source (scld.org/auto-repair).

It’s powered by the folks at MOTOR Magazine, the longtime monthly service and repair publication for auto shops and mechanics.

To use Auto Repair Source, enter your car’s make, model, and year, and then browse the category of information you need. You can use Auto Repair Source to find details and troubleshooting steps when checking engine codes. It also includes a great collection of wiring diagrams.

SPOK ANE COUNT Y LIBR ARY DISTRICT

maintaining your motorcycle. It’s also a good source of information on older models of mowers, lawn tractors, and other outdoor power equipment.

With your in-district library card, you can log in to either database from the comfort of your home. Or you can visit the library and use these resources with help from a librarian or other knowledgeable staff. The library also offers 80 pages of free printing per week. So, once you’ve found the information you need, you can print it out and take it back to your garage for reference.

LEVEL UP

at Your Library

Residents of Spokane County can sign up for a free library card by visiting scld.org/get-card or by stopping by any SCLD location, including Airway Heights, Cheney, and Medical Lake Libraries.

Don’t get stuck paying to download a computer virus.

Instead, access high quality, vetted information for your DIY project for free. All you need is your library card!

Online Summer Reading Challenge For all ages Sign up on Beanstack to:

Materials in Teachables can be found by searching with keywords,

by Common Core standards, or by selecting a specific grade level, subject, or theme. Most worksheets come with a key or explanation for adults leading the lesson or activity.

With free printing at the library, up to 80 pages per week, you can get your summer worksheets ready ahead of time.

Spokane County Library District (SCLD) has many online resources to keep your kids and teens reading and learning all summer long! Here are three you can try out at home.

TeenBookCloud (scld.org/ teenbookcloud) is great for high school students as well as teens in middle school. They can read or listen to books online with no holds and no waiting. Since everyone can read the same book at the same time, you can create a summer book club, and no one will have to track down a copy of your selected title.

For anyone looking for educational activities this summer, we have Scholastics Teachables (scld.org/teachables). This resource is filled with printable activity worksheets, games, puzzles, mini books, and more for children in preschool through grade 8. This resource is great for summer learning and also for additional athome practice or for homeschool families year-round.

Some TeenBookCloud titles are enhanced with “read along,” which are titles where the text is highlighted as the audio version plays. For struggling readers, this resource also has an extensive number of high/ low books, which are high interest titles with a lower reading level of simple vocabulary, short chapters, and captivating plots. You’ll also find graphic novels, nonfiction, and AP English/classics titles ready to

By Tammy Henry, Librarian Spokane County Library District

JUNE 2025 • 19

stream.

You may already be familiar with OverDrive (scld.overdrive. com) and its collection of eBooks and audiobooks. This collection has an extensive number of digital books for kids and teens to borrow.

You can toggle these different age groups from the main menu.

Librarian-created book lists can be found by scrolling down the home screen for each audience. Kids’ lists include audiobooks for “Family Road Trips,” “Short & Sweet” reads, and “Read-Along Adventures.”

Teen lists include “Adventure Calls,” “Clean Romance for Teens,” and “What’s Your Fandom?”

The Libby app (scld.org/ libby-app) from OverDrive makes borrowing eBooks and audiobooks on eReaders and other mobile devices easy and convenient. You can search by title or author, browse by subject, and filter by audience.

These online resources are available 24/7 to in-district card holders through SCLD’s Digital Library (scld.org/digital-library).

I encourage you to explore these great online options to keep kids and teens reading and learning this summer!

• Track your summer reading • Get a free book (kids & teens) • Reach your reading goal!

Get started at scld.beanstack.org

Summer Reading Programs Check these out!

• Ping Pong Palooza • Build Your Own Board Game • LEGO Stop-Motion Studio • Plaid Cat in Concert • Wilderness Survival See all events at scld.org/engage

scld.org

20

• JUNE 2025

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of jobs in Washington State will require education beyond high school.

We’re here to help. LaunchNW provides access to resources to make education possible.

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