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• JULY 2026
The Stream
The Water Front
Airway Heights City Council member and Community Connector - Casandra Quesnell By Nina Culver
Stream contributor
Casandra Quesnell is one of a few new faces on the Airway Heights City Council, having won an uncontested race for the Position 1 seat in November 2025.
Quesnell said she was surprised that she was the only one who filed for the seat. “There’s so many people out here who have so many complaints,” she said. “They want to complain about something, but they don’t want to do anything about it.” Her race was not unique. Last November, there were five Airway Heights City Council seats on the ballot. All of them only had one person file for the position. Quesnell has lived in the area off and on for decades. She first moved to Medical Lake when she was 5, then lived in Cheney and Spokane until she left for college in 2002. She attended the Eugene Bible College with thought of becoming a youth pastor, but said she became disillusioned with the idea after a few years. She came to live in Airway
Heights for three years before moving to the west side of the state, where she remained until coming back in 2019. Quesnell is a single parent to four autistic children and said she wanted to come back for the lower cost of living and extensive opportunities for outdoor activities. She held various jobs over the years, including working for Wal-Mart and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, but now deals with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. She also spends a lot of time traveling back and forth to Seattle to bring her children, who have several serious health issues, to see specialists. Still, Quesnell has tried to be as involved in the community as much as possible. A few years ago she started Girl Scout Troop 2312 for her daughters to attend.
The size of the group has ranged from 3 girls to 16 and currently sits at 5. She has also signed up for a volunteer position at her children’s school, the Spokane International Academy, which she picked because it was a good fit for her children. She and her children are also regulars at Sunset Park and it was conversations with other parents there that helped Quesnell make her decision to run for a council seat. Other parents often complain about issues in the city, but often don’t follow through by reaching out to the city or attending a council meeting to speak up, Quesnell said. “I’m not sure they understand they can show up,” she said. One of the problems people would complain about is tree roots damaging the walking path in Sunset Park. Quesnell said that since she took office she’s asked questions about it. The city is aware of the issue and has taken a few precautions, she said, but nothing is planned for the immediate future. “Ultimately there will be a redesign,” she said. “In due time, it will happen. They do what they can with what they have. It comes down to budget, it comes down to need.” Issues with the path aside, Quesnell said she and other parents love the park, particularly its central location. “It’s just a great place,” she said. “It’s the hub of the city.” Her goal is to help people have a voice, whether that’s by chatting with them in the park or the grocery store or pointing them toward someone who can help solve their issue. “A lot of people are either afraid to or don’t know how to,” she said. “I want to bridge gaps.”
Photo by Nina Culver Casandra Quesnell was elected to the Airway Heights City Council in November of 2025 and officially joined the council on January 1st of this year. Quesnell is a mother of four and came back to Airway Heights in 2019 after originally leaving for college in 2002.
Quesnell said she advocates for special needs families whenever she can. She also wants to help provide transparency See QUESNELL, Page 4
JULY 2026 • 3
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• JULY 2026
QUESNELL
Continued from page 2 on what people’s tax dollars are being spent on. She said she likes that the mayor and city council members often appear at public events and talk with the public. “Airway Heights is a very inclusive community,” she said. “This is where my kids are growing up. I want to make change.” Quesnell said she’s concerned about the groundwater contamination from PFAS “forever chemicals” that were in firefighting foam used at Fairchild Air Force Base and Spokane International Airport for decades. She used to live south of Highway 2 in the contaminated zone and said she knows people who live in the area now who buy their drinking water by the case. She’s been attempting to keep up with information coming from Fairchild and the Department of Ecology about the contamination. She also said she’s pleased
that recent growth has brought dental and medical clinics to town, which were in short supply before. “Everything is in walking distance,” she said. “It’s just a great place to be if you want access to Spokane but don’t want to be in the hustle and bustle.” The job as a city council member can be time consuming at times, but Quesnell said it’s worth it. Her term expires in 2029 and Quesnell said it’s much too early to decide if she will run again. “Only time will tell,” she said. “I definitely enjoy doing it. I enjoy being able to be that voice for the community in those walls. In the end, I don’t know what 2029 will bring.” Q: What brought Airway Heights?
you
to
A. Funny story, I moved to the West Plains at the age of 5. When given the opportunity to come back to Eastern WA, I knew I wanted to be in the West Plains. Airway Heights was the perfect option, it has basic everyday
amenities covered, and what they did not have at the time was just a short drive to Spokane away. I also wanted somewhere my kids would thrive and felt the bigger city was too much having come from SeaTac, Washington. Q: What led you to run for a City Council seat? A. Why city council? Well, after 5 years of seeing the disconnect between the community I wanted to help build that bridge and to show my kids that they too can make a difference if they put their heart and mind to it. Q: What do you see as the top two issues facing residents in Airway Heights? A. There are so many things affecting Airway Heights. One issue that keeps circling around is the water issue affecting clean water to residents on both sides of the highway. The second issue is adequate free and fair education for all children that walk through the doors of our elementary school. Q: Was there anything that
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you learned once you took office that surprised you? A. I am not easily surprised, nothing that I have learned since taking office surprises me. As a growing community we have our fair share of struggles, but they are met with enthusiasm to overcome and succeed. Q: What do you like best about serving on the City Council? A. I love being a council member because more people are bringing issues to me, and oftentimes I am able to guide them, give them answers but I will take questions and concerns to council if I am not able to answer them. Q: What are your favorite things to do in Airway Heights? A. Things we love to do is hang out at Sunset Park with friends and family all summer long. I enjoy participating in the events, from Cops, Kids and Cruisers to the Santa visits to the neighborhoods and everything in between.
The Stream
JULY 2026 • 5
NEWS
Consortium since 1988. To be eligible Hybrid Beacon at the intersection AH council to participate for federal funding of Hayford Road and 9th Avenue. from the Department of Housing and The project came about as a safety bans Urban Development (HUD) such recommendation from the recently Spokane Police Department as CDBG grants the Consortium is completed Hayford Road Safety cryptocurrency Detective Tim Schwering, who has led required to re-certify who is in the Study. “Both of the projects are being regional law enforcement’s awareness program. ATMs Tripp said most of the city’s placed in this year’s TIP because they campaign about crypto ATMs, said “$5.6 billion in losses due to virtual currency kiosks aided scams in the United States, and $141,756,936 losses in Washington alone.”
By John McCallum Stream contributor
Like other Spokane-area jurisdictions, the Airway Heights City Council has approved banning a device law enforcement have linked with some of the most financially destructive — and even deadly — scams: virtual cryptocurrency kiosks. The council voted 6-0 at their July 7 meeting to pass an ordinance adding a chapter to the city’s municipal code that defines these devices, often referred to as “cryptocurrency ATMs” and prohibits their installation in any city business. In doing so, Airway Heights follows in the footsteps of the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley who enacted ordinances in their municipal codes in June 2025 and April 2026 respectively prohibiting cryptocurrency ATM installations. “Virtual currency kiosks poise a clear and growing threat to public safety, and they’re widely used in fraud and criminal schemes and impose enforcement burdens disproportionate to the public benefit,” Airway Heights Police Department Sgt. Jake Keith said. “A consumer prohibition is a proactive protection measure.” Cryptocurrency is a form of digital money that emerged in 2009 which is not part of a centralized banking system. The kiosks look and operate like traditional physical ATMs but let the individual purchase cryptocurrency using cash or a debit card. Instead of connecting to a bank account to dispense money from a checking or savings account, virtual currency kiosks transfer cryptocurrency to a digital wallet. Because there is no centralized banking system recording the transaction, virtual currency kiosks do not require lengthy account verification, leading to anonymity that can be taken advantage of by scam, fraud and money laundering schemes. Often, scammers direct unsuspecting victims to deposit money into the scam accounts through virtual currency kiosks. In adopting the ordinance, council sited Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics from 2023 reporting
they pose a clear and growing threat to the public. The kiosks charge 10 – 30% in fees per transaction and are often used in frauds targeting elderly individuals. Schwering said he has investigated over 100 fraud cases involving crypto ATMs, with few going to trial. He also said there have been three suicides of individuals who have been taken in by these scams. “These cases are heartbreaking,” Schwering said. “It (crypto ATMs) is the nuclear option for scams.”
Violations of the Airway Heights ordinance is a Class 1 civil infraction issued to the virtual cryptocurrency kiosk operator punishable by a fine of $250, not including any other statutory assessments. Additionally, the city may cancel or revoke the business license or registration of any operator in violation of the new chapter. Councilwoman Cassandra Quesnell was excused from the meeting and not present to vote. City re-ups with county grant program Also at the July 7 meeting, council voted unanimously to remain part of the Spokane County Urban Consortium despite a lack of success in receiving grant funding through the arrangement in recent years. The last time Airway Heights received a grant through the Consortium was prior to 2013, which is when electronic records filing began. “I take it we have applied for grants but not been successful,” Councilman Bill Campbell asked City Manager Albert Tripp during discussion on the item.
previous success with grant funding through the Consortium has been for water, sewer or transportation projects. HUD and other organizations have added projects dealing with food security or homelessness as applicable for funding.
The city has the option to decline participation in the Consortium during the re-certification period, which happens every three years. Campbell asked if Airway Heights would have better luck applying for some of these grants directly, which would be through the state apparatus. “It’s hard to say,” Tripp said. “We’re really nowhere near where we can get the funds directly.” Transportation Program approved
Improvement
City Council members voted 6-0 — Councilman Campbell absence was excused — at their June 15 meeting to approve an updated list of transportation projects the city hopes to complete over the next six years. The 2027 – 2032 Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) list includes two new projects city staff believe “look to be the best candidates” for state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding. Projected for 2028, an estimated $700,000 treatment project of 21st Avenue from Craig Road to Hazelwood would stabilize the gravel along this stretch, leading to better driving conditions by reducing dust from vehicles. The other project is an estimated $400,000 installation of a Pedestrian
“That is correct,” Tripp said.
are strong candidates with TIB and TIB requires that they be included in the City’s TIP,” Public Works Director Katherine Miller wrote in her report to council.
Most of the projects on the six-year list currently lack funding, but have sources identified for future grant application efforts. Several projects approved in the last update in June 2025 and slated for 2026 have received funding but have remaining balances the city has yet to be able to determine where the funding will come from, including requirements for city matching funds. These projects include the $1 million South Hayford Road preservation project from U.S. Highway 2 to McFarlane and a $3.63 million roundabout at Craig Road and U.S. 2. The city has secured $850,000 from the Spokane Regional Transportation for the South Hayford project and $1.61 million from the Spokane Tribe of Indians for the roundabout, along with potential designation of $400,000 from the Craig Road Transportation Improvement Fund fees. A $3.89 million roundabout at U.S. 2 and Garfield slated for 2027 is fully funded through Congressionaldirected and TIB sources. A $21 million proposed pedestrian / bicycle pathway along U.S. 2 from Garfield to Hayford has received $8.05 million in funding from several sources including the Sandy Williams Foundation ($2.85 million), SRTC ($5 million) and the Spokane Transit Authority ($200,000).
From Our Farm to Your Table
Being a member of the Consortium enables Airway Heights to compete for state and federal grant funding through the power of a larger group where it might not be able to secure the same funding individually. That funding includes the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Spokane County RNER OF Homeless Housing Assistance Act O N TH E C O LO C ATE D LE FE V R E S T (HHAA) grants and Affordable LAKE AND okane wntown Sp the lesS.W. corner of in. west of Do , on Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) grants. Just 15 mLocated Meats, Pick rie te cu ar Ch The city has been a member of the
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• JULY 2026
NEWS
Airway Heights council opens investigation into Bowman complaint Stream contributor
The charges stem from a council legislative session that took place on May 20, 2024, in which the purchase of exercise equipment for the city’s Recreation Center was discussed and approved. Bynaker, who served on council from 2022 to 2026, filed the complaint with the city on June 15, 2026, and subsequently made allegations during council’s legislative session that night. At the July 6 meeting, council voted 5-0, with Bowman abstaining and Councilwoman Cassandra Quesnell absent, to hire a Spokane employment law attorney to investigate Bynaker’s complaint. They also voted unanimously to form a three-person council ad hoc committee, on the recommendation of City Attorney Dan Gibbons, to receive the investigator’s report. “They are also charged and responsible with making a recommendation and bringing that back to City Council,” City Manager Albert Tripp said in a July
“Not at this particular point,” Tripp said when asked in the interview about a time limit for completion of the investigation. In selecting the committee, members first had to be willing to serve. Bro and Councilwoman Jennifer Morton said they were able to serve.
By John McCallum
The Airway Heights City Council has opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct and violation of the oath of office made by former Councilman Hank Bynaker against current Council Chair and Councilman Larry Bowman.
The Stream
Contributed photos, Former City Council member Hank Bynaker (left) and Current City Council Chair and Councilmember Larry Bowman.
9 interview. Bynaker alleges in his complaint that during the May 20 meeting discussion on spending $7,834.97 on pieces of fitness equipment for the center, Bowman “falsified information pertaining to a ‘survey’ that he claimed to perform” at the center indicating the equipment — Forza Fitness NW LLC hoist calf raise and hoist hack squat apparatus along with additional weight plates from Life Fitness — were in demand. Council subsequently voted 4-2 to purchase the equipment despite then-Parks and Recreation Director JC Kennedy’s assertion the apparatus were not needed. Bynaker stated in his complaint that the equipment was also not budgeted for and purchased “in spite of having higher priority needs for the monies which would be drawn from the reserve fund.” Bynaker wrote that at a subsequent council meeting when asked to produce a copy of the survey, Bowman admitted he hadn’t
actually conducted one but rather “spoke with some people at the Rec. Center.” Bynaker alleges this constitutes a “serious” violation of council’s oath of office, public trust and “constitutes malfeasance in office.” Bynaker’s remedy for the allegations, if proven, is a written apology from Bowman to the council and the public and his resignation from office. At the July 6 meeting the council approved hiring attorney Andrea Asan of the Spokane firm McDermott Asan PLLC. According to her profile, Asan has over 20 years of experience in employment and labor issues, focusing on employment and personal injury litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. Tripp said Asan would be charging the city $400 on hour for her investigative work. Once the report is completed, it will be sent to the council ad hoc committee composed of council members Keri Bro, Quesnell and Bill Campbell.
Councilman Jesse Camacho said he could not serve due to his long time friendship with Bowman, something Camacho said stretched over 16 years. He said it might create a negative public impression on the council should a favorable ruling for Bowman come out of the committee with him serving as a member. “I can go with the facts all day,” Camacho said. “I’m just trying to avoid an appearance of a conflict of interest.” Bowman was elected to the City Council in 2015 and has served as Council Chair since 2022. Prior to his election he served on the Planning Commission as a commissioner and chair. The investigation is the first conducted by the city since the resignation of former Mayor Patrick Rushing in August 2015. Rushing was investigated over comments he made in July that year on Facebook about former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama that many people considered racist. The City Council voted to open an investigation into a recall petition for Rushing, receiving a letter signed by 28 of the city’s 45 employees condemning his comments. Rushing resigned on Sept. 1, 2015, citing declining health reasons. Rushing passed away in August 2021.
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Public Comments Dominate Council Meeting in Medical Lake
NEWS
JULY 2026 • 7
By Ben Wick
Stream Publisher
The Medical Lake City Council meeting on July 7, 2026 brought out the most people in a long time. Public comment was dominated by discussion of the July 4 fireworks ban. Residents expressed a range of concerns: some felt the ban was issued too late to be effective, others questioned why fireworks sales continued after the ban, and several criticized the hostile tone of social media reactions toward city leaders and fire personnel. One resident suggested allowing New Year’s fireworks as an alternative discharge date, while another raised additional concerns about backyard chickens and opposed renewal of the Martin Rail lease due to property upkeep. Council members unanimously expressed disappointment in the widespread noncompliance with the ban, citing safety risks, spot fires, and fireworks continuing well past midnight. Several apologized publicly to the fire department for the disrespect shown by some residents online. Ideas for future policy included limiting sales to the day of the holiday, increasing fines, creating a city-sponsored fireworks event, or considering a full ban if compliance remains low. Mayor Cooper emphasized that fireworks are a privilege, not a right, and warned that continued civil disobedience could lead to permanent restrictions, as has happened in other Washington communities. Fire Chief Warbach provided a detailed explanation of the ban, noting record vegetation growth combined with record-low moisture, high fire danger indices, recent regional wildfires, and weather conditions meeting the “80/20” threshold associated with catastrophic fire risk. Deputy chiefs added that multiple fires occurred in Medical Lake and surrounding areas and that insurance rates have
risen sharply since the Gray Road Fire. The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reported 862 calls on July 4, including 426 fireworks-related calls, and explained that enforcement is difficult because violations must be witnessed directly. Life-safety calls take priority, and the sheriff recommended strengthening local penalties.
modernization. Staff noted that the existing formula is outdated and does not reflect current park usage, maintenance costs, or the city’s long term vision for recreational amenities. Updating this fee will help ensure that new development contributes fairly to the expansion and upkeep of parks and open spaces.
During the workshop portion of the meeting, the council conducted an in depth review of several impact fees and continued its ongoing work on the Comprehensive Plan update. Staff explained that the fire impact fee—a charge assessed on new development to help fund fire protection infrastructure—will be temporarily discontinued. Fire District 3 must first update its capital facilities plan and methodology before the city can legally and accurately collect fees tied to future fire service needs. In contrast, the school impact fee will remain in place, as the Medical Lake School District has not yet completed its required capital plan update; once the district finishes that work, the city will revisit the fee structure to ensure it reflects current enrollment projections and facility needs. The parks impact fee is also undergoing
Looking ahead, the council discussed the possibility of establishing a transportation impact fee beginning in 2027. This fee would help fund road improvements, intersection upgrades, and multimodal infrastructure needed to support growth. Because transportation planning requires detailed modeling and coordination with regional agencies, staff recommended beginning the groundwork now so the city can adopt a well supported program next year. The council also continued its review of the Comprehensive Plan, focusing on zoning map updates, urban growth area adjustments, and development standards. Staff walked through proposed changes to residential and commercial zoning, highlighting areas where infill development could support
more efficient land use and where expansion may be necessary to meet future housing demand. The discussion included park access, walkability, and the balance between preserving community character and accommodating growth. The Comprehensive Plan steering committee requested a stronger economic development section, noting that Medical Lake would benefit from clearer strategies to attract businesses, support local employers, and diversify the tax base. They also emphasized the need for a practical action plan—a roadmap that outlines specific steps, timelines, and responsibilities to ensure the plan is implemented rather than simply adopted. The council held the first reading of Ordinance 1149, updating transportation-related standards, and advanced it to second reading. After legal clarification from the city attorney, the council reconsidered Ordinance 1147, related to specialized housing and compliance with HB 2266, passing the first reading 4–1. Several resolutions approved, including
were
See ML COUNCIL, Page 18
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COVER STORY
• JULY 2026
Candidates faceoff for vacant 6th District State Legislative Position #1 By Ben Wick
Stream publisher
Isaiah Paine
City of Spokane, and groups such as the Pipe Fitters Union. He said he believes collaboration is possible when people focus on practical issues such as housing affordability, reliable energy, and public safety. Heading into the primary, Paine said he feels good but is focused on making sure he does everything possible before Election Day. He highlighted his fundraising, doorbelling, voter outreach, and endorsements from current and former local elected officials, including the current members of the 6th Legislative District delegation. His closing message was that he understands what is at stake for families in the district, believes he is well suited for the job, and wants to stop Washington from driving families, jobs, and investment out of state. Michaela Kelso
Isaiah Paine, a republican candidate for Washington’s 6th Legislative District House seat, said he is running because he wants to help build a Washington where his four children — and other families in the district — can afford to live and want to stay. Paine works as the Public Affairs and Strategy Officer for the Home Builders Association and said he has been involved in housing policy since 2020. His background includes political science and communication studies, a nonprofit management certificate from Whitworth, prior work in Olympia as an aide to former State Representative Kevin Parker, church staff experience, and small business consulting. Paine identified affordability and taxes as the top issues he hears from voters while doorbelling. He criticized the growth of the state budget, arguing that government spending has increased without a corresponding improvement in services. He said he supports greater accountability in state government, including mandatory sunset clauses for laws and regulations so lawmakers must review whether policies are working and whether they should continue. On working across party lines, Paine pointed to his experience in housing and energy policy, including work with local governments, the
taught her how to work with people she may not personally agree with, and she emphasized that she would work across party lines to represent all constituents, not just Democrats. She said she believes Democratic policies are more beneficial, but added that she has an obligation to listen to everyone in the district regardless of how they vote. On issues, Kelso said the district faces multiple urgent challenges. She highlighted affordable housing, saying rising rents have made it difficult even for full-time workers to afford apartments. She also pointed to health care costs and insurance denials, arguing that people should not face bankruptcy or delayed treatment because of medical bills or insurance company coverage decisions. Education was another major concern; she criticized the 60% voter approval threshold for school bonds and said schools should not have to repeatedly “beg” voters for basic funding to maintain buildings, pay teachers and serve students. Kelso also raised concerns about AI datacenters, especially their potential impact on the Spokane aquifer, water quality, electricity infrastructure and residential utility rates. She said technology should be developed on local terms and should not place new burdens on residents. Jennifer Morton
Michaela Kelso, a retired U.S. Army veteran who served 23½ years, including 15 years in military intelligence, is running as a Democrat. This is Kelso’s third campaign after running in 2022 and 2024, when she sought to give voters a Democratic option in a district that leans Republican and to establish what she described as a baseline of Democratic support, around 40%. Kelso said the open seat creates a stronger opportunity this year, especially because she has name recognition from prior campaigns. Kelso believes that the district has lacked effective representation criticizing current Republican representation for failing, in her view, to pass meaningful legislation or adequately respond to local needs, including wildfire recovery. “If you’re not willing and you’re not able to work with the opposition, what good are you to us?” Kelso said. “Not at all.” Kelso said her military background
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Morton’s military service began after high school in the Army Reserve and later included the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard. She said her military career involved a wide range of roles, including civil engineering, instruction, human resources, office supervision, operations management and paralegal training. She said those experiences helped her connect with people and adapt across different responsibilities. Morton said she decided to run after being encouraged by others in state politics and after extensive conversations with family and trusted advisers. Morton hopes to bring lessons from her service at the city level to the state level. Her three stated campaign priorities are public safety, affordability and accountability. Morton identified public safety as the top issue for the district, relating it to the city’s success around officer presence, community engagement, crisis response, partnerships with the sheriff’s office, court and jail systems, and services for people experiencing homelessness or other needs. “I think once we really uncuff our law enforcement, our first responders, and we allow them to do the job that they can do so well, we as a state and in every community, will have that real sense of public safety,” Morton said. On affordability, Morton said she wants lawmakers to revisit state policies she believes have increased the cost of housing, groceries, gas, health care and other essentials. She specifically criticizes the Climate Commitment Act and said the Legislature should pause, reassess and potentially roll back policies that place financial burdens on families, businesses and communities.
Jennifer Morton, a republican candidate, described her campaign as an opportunity to continue public service at a broader level. Morton currently elected to the Airway Heights City Council works for Providence as a scheduler. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a history emphasis, a master’s in business administration, a master’s in public administration, and an associate degree through the Air Force.
Asked how she would work in a polarized political environment, Morton pointed to her life experience and resilience. She said she came to the United States from Haiti at six years old and has lived in the Spokane area for nearly 40 years. As the first in her immediate family to graduate from college, run for office and own a business, she said she has learned to find common ground even with people who strongly disagree with her. Nicolette Ocheltree Nicolette Ocheltree, a democratic candidate, said her campaign is
The Stream
COVER STORY
environmental policy. Specifically, she said the waste-to-energy plant should receive a targeted exemption from the Climate Commitment Act so it is not financially penalized while, in her view, doing something more environmentally responsible than landfilling.
rooted in her experience working inside local government, especially on housing and homelessness policy. She currently serves as the Spokane City Council’s Manager of Housing and Homelessness Initiatives, a role she described as essentially being a policy adviser on those issues. She has held that position since September 2022, after previously working as former Councilmember Jonathan Bingle’s legislative assistant. Ocheltree said she decided to run because she wanted to move from advising elected officials to being one of the people making decisions. She said her work has given her a detailed understanding of how policy is built, how community engagement should inform it and how local needs can be better represented in Olympia. She also pointed to the open 6th District seats as a rare opportunity for Eastern Washington to gain stronger representation and coordination at the state level. Asked about the district’s top issues, Ocheltree identified affordability as the overarching concern. She emphasized the need for more affordable housing, especially units affordable to households at or below 80% of area median income. She also linked housing directly to homelessness, arguing that the region’s homelessness response is fragmented and insufficiently coordinated. She cited her sister’s personal experience with eviction prevention services and the stabilization center as an example of how systems can fail people when services are not connected. Ocheltree also raised concerns about PFAS contamination, access to clean drinking water and the future of Spokane’s waste-to-energy plant. She argued that some well-intended state regulations are poorly layered, creating unintended consequences for housing affordability and
On political polarization, Ocheltree said she believes strongly in working with people she disagrees with. “I think that all of our elected officials could probably stand to get better at productively disagreeing and also teaching the community how to have productive disagreements,” she said. She described disagreement as a civic responsibility that can reveal blind spots, strengthen arguments and lead to more responsive policy. Ocheltree attended Southern Methodist University, where she double majored in film and philosophy, and later earned a Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University. She said her philosophy background helps shape how she approaches disagreement, policy analysis and complex public problems. Alan Nolan
Alan Nolan, a Republican, said his campaign is rooted in his experience on the Mead School Board, where he helped move the district from fiscal emergency to a balanced budget, updated curriculum and pursued school safety improvements. Nolan, an Air Force veteran and small business owner who works with his wife in a construction and design business, said the same issues he saw locally — financial management, accountability and policy overreach — are motivating his run for the Legislature. He said the school board experience showed him that government bodies can make measurable changes when they focus on budgets, transparency and outcomes. At the state level, Nolan identified
fiscal responsibility as the top issue facing both the 6th Legislative District and Washington as a whole. He criticized what he described as excessive state spending and tax increases in recent years, saying he does not believe residents have seen enough improvement in return. Nolan argued that the state’s budget problems, combined with new regulations and higher costs, are putting too much pressure on families and businesses. Nolan also connected those concerns to housing affordability, saying state-level regulations and restrictions are part of what is driving up costs for prospective homeowners. He said he wants to bring the same approach he has used on the school board — focusing on practical solutions, budget discipline and accountability — to Olympia, even while recognizing Republicans would likely remain in the minority. Nolan also pointed to Spokane Transit Authority Proposition 1 as a local example of what he views as poor fiscal accountability, saying he opposes renewing the tax request because he does not believe it has been justified. He said his opposition is not about being for or against transit, but about whether public agencies can show they are using taxpayer dollars responsibly. “I’m willing to talk to anybody who’s willing to look at practical solutions,” Nolan said. “I think part of the way to get to practical solutions is to step back from policy and first and foremost, try and have a discussion about what we view as the problem and what we view as a potential goal.” Sueann Davis
Sueann Davis, a Republican candidate, framed her campaign around concerns about state
JULY 2026 • 9
spending, taxation and the direction of Washington government. Davis and her husband are farmers owning a grass hay farm and a wedding venue. Davis who has long followed state politics and decided to run when the position became vacant. She said the condition of the state prompted her to step forward because the policies affecting her were also affecting others around her. She emphasizes a belief that Olympia needs a more practical approach to budgeting and that lawmakers should focus on reducing financial pressure on residents. Taxes are the top issue Davis identified for the district. She said residents are affected not by one tax alone, but by the combined burden of property taxes, rising gas taxes and costs connected to the Climate Commitment Act. She questioned where Climate Commitment Act revenue is going, argued that taxpayer money is being wasted in court fights and other state spending, and said lawmakers should review the budget to find waste wherever it exists, including in areas such as homelessness spending, and eliminate it. “I don't care where the waste is. I'm not looking to attack any person or individual or even a group. Just find the waste, cut it out, cut our taxes, give the citizens a break and balance the budget at the same time” said Davis. Davis compared Washington’s budget to Pennsylvania’s, saying Pennsylvania has more people but appears to operate with less spending. For Davis, the lesson was straightforward: state government should identify waste, reduce costs and return savings to taxpayers. When asked how she would work in an increasingly polarized political environment, Davis said she would rely on logic, common sense and conversation. She criticized Democratic control of state government, saying she does not see enough common sense or logic from Democrats in Olympia, but added that talking with people and hearing where they are coming from would be part of her approach. She acknowledged that she would be only one vote, but said she would use that vote to represent Eastern Washington.
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• JULY 2026
Candidates for the State 6th District Legislative Position #2 By Nina Culver
Stream contributor
Voters have a full menu of choices in the August primary as a Republican, Democrat and an Independent all vie to replace outgoing Sixth District State Rep. Jenny Graham, who did not file for re-election. The Sixth District includes the West Plains as well as areas to the north of Spokane. The candidates are former Spokane City Council member Jonathan Bingle, community volunteer Julia Payne and U.S. Air Force Veteran Aaron Croft. Bingle, a lifelong resident of the area, graduated from Rogers High School in 2005. He started an events business that he still owns and operates. He and his father started Genesis Church in 2007, where he was a youth pastor and then a worship pastor for 10 years. He said it was the COVID-19 pandemic that first pushed him into politics, though he initially ran for Spokane mayor in 2019. “Government went crazy and decided to shut people like me down,” he said. “My business was successful. Overnight that was all
COVER STORY
gone. It made me really angry.”
Bingle narrowly won a Spokane City Council seat in 2021 and he became known for clashing with the council’s more progressive majority. “I wanted a different perspective on the council,” he said. “We just have a bunch of activists.” Bingle lost his re-election bid in 2025. He said he turned down a position inside President Donald Trump’s administration, though he declined to identify the position. Bingle was still interested in local politics and said Graham called him to encourage him to run for her seat. “We still need people who are going to fight for freedom, fight for prosperity,” he said. The Sixth District needs someone to look out for small business owners like him, Bingle said, and he believes that high taxes are driving many businesses out of Washington State. He’s not in favor of the income tax on millionaires because he believes it will impact business owners too much and make them leave the state. “I think the income tax is the one that broke the camel’s back,” he said. He also wants to reform the education system. “They’re coming after our young kids’ minds,” he said. “They’re teaching them things in school that are just reprehensible. They’re teaching them to hate America, to hate their bodies.” Bingle also promises to work on the state’s “soft on crime” policies, permissive drug policies and the affordability crisis. He cites expensive mandates, carbon
taxes, high minimum wage and “burdensome rules” as part of the affordability problem. The Sixth District includes a mix of cities and agricultural land and Bingle said farms need to be protected. “People need to be able to do what they want with their own property,” he said. “It’s getting much more difficult to be a farm family.” Croft, who grew up in Chicago, has lived in Spokane on and off since 1999. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base from 2017 to 2020 and he and his wife retired here in 2024 after he served 22 years in the Air Force. He was a combat search and rescue helicopter pilot and, in the last three years of his career, served as Deputy Defense Attache in Bucharest. Croft said when someone first suggested he run for office, he laughed because he hadn’t had good experiences with politicians. He said his wife helped him realize that if he was unhappy with how things are going, he should do something about it. Croft said he also wants to continue his life of service. Croft said he decided to run as an Independent because he doesn’t consider himself a part of either party. While he grew up in a conservative, religious home and previously voted for Republicans, he finds himself leaning left in his policies. “What I saw in both parties was tribalism, loyalty to the party over people,” he said. “People are sick of it. They see it, they feel it, they’re frustrated with it.”
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He said serving in the military taught him that people need to be the priority, not the mission. If people feel valued and supported, they come together to complete the mission. “Loyalty to the party should not come before people,” he said. He said people complain to him about the lack of affordability for everything from health care to rent, child care and groceries. “That is what is crushing people right now,” he said. Croft said he supports House Bill 2587, which would give more funding to non-profit organizations serving the homeless population. He’s also in favor of reforms to the health care system, where too many facilities are understaffed and health care employees are overworked. Payne, who grew up in Airway Heights and graduated from Medical Lake High School, has held a variety of jobs during her life, including working as a legal secretary. She is currently on disability due to a degenerative spinal disease. In recent years Payne began getting involved in the community. She served as the vice president of the Spokane Pride board of directors, lobbied on behalf of Planned Parenthood and volunteered at the food bank run by the Spokane AIDS Network. “I just started seeing a lot of things I didn’t like,” she said. “I was raised with the old adage that if you don’t like it, do something about it.” The catalyst for her decision to run was a conversation with Graham in Olympia when Payne was there to lobby for Planned Parenthood. “I got told that Democrats wanted to murder children after they were born,” she said. Payne said she told Graham that she believed they could agree that no one wants children murdered. Planned Parenthood provides important medical services, particularly in rural areas, in addition to providing abortions, Payne said. “That statement just really spoke to me about our representation in Olympia.”
Contributed photos (Left to Right) Former Spokane City Council member Jonathan Bingle, US Air Force Veteran Aaron Croft, and Community Volunteer Julia Payne. All three faceoff on the August ballot for the Washington State 6th Legislative District Position #2 which was formerly held by Jenny Graham who chose not to seek reelection.
Payne said she’s concerned about affordability in housing and other areas. She said when she volunteered at the food bank, she met people who worked two or three jobs and still couldn’t afford groceries.
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COVER STORY
JULY 2026 • 11
created this boundary based renewal of the city’s existing Cheney Utility “We on voter precincts,” she said. “We utility tax to fund residential to get it to match with the street improvements. Voters Tax and West tried aquifer geology as we know it in approved the 4 percent utility the area.” tax in 2012 and the utility tax is She said she considers the state’s Plains Aquifer new income tax on millionaires a Though it covers a different collected on both electricity and “step in the right direction” that area, the proposed new Aquifer natural gas. needs some tweaking. “It’s going Protection Protection Area is modeled after Proposition 1 seeks to both to need amendments,” she said. the existing one and includes renew the tax and increase it to 6 Area seek “Things always do.” the same cost that has remained percent for the next 14 years. The unchanged since 1985. There are money is specifically allocated to She favors tackling the housing voter approval two different fees; one of $1.25 per maintain and repair residential affordability crisis by giving Washington’s taxes are regressive, impacting lower income residents more, and need rebalancing, Payne said.
funding to organizations who are already working to provide affordable housing, such as Habitat for Humanity. It’s clear that Washington State needs more housing, Payne said. “We literally don’t have enough places to put people, whether they can afford it or not,” she said. She’s also concerned about the arrival of AI data centers and said lawmakers need to think ahead and create strict regulations. “We don’t need to be rushing into this,” she said. “We have a beautiful aquifer. Let’s not screw that up.”
Payne also favors universal healthcare, but said it needs to be done carefully so the system isn’t overwhelmed. Bingle said he’s someone who is different from the majority of politicians in Olympia and if he’s elected he’ll continue to be a conservative voice. He points to his endorsements from Graham, former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Congressman Mike Baumgartner, Senator Jeffy Holy and State Rep. Mike Volz. “My opponents are clearly very far left Democrats,” he said. Croft said he realizes that running as an Independent puts him at a disadvantage but said that many voters are also Independents. He said he thinks he could serve as a bridge between the two parties. “Independents can make a huge difference,” he said. “How many amazing candidates have we thrown away because they didn’t have a D or an R by their name?” Payne said she has valuable experience and wants voters to have a choice on the ballot. “I’m not a politician,” she said. “I’m a mom, I’m a foster mom, I’m the daughter of veterans, I’m a disabled individual. I know what it’s like to dig for milk money in the couch cushions.”
By Nina Culver
Stream contributor
Residents living in the West Plains will see one or two measures on the August ballot depending on where they live, as the City of Cheney seeks to renew a utility tax and Spokane County proposes the create of the West Plains Aquifer Protection Area that will include Cheney, Airway Heights, Medical Lake and portions of unincorporated Spokane County. The Aquifer Protection Area was put on the ballot because some residents requested it in the wake of the PFAS chemical contamination of groundwater on the West Plains from firefighting foam used at Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane International Airport for decades, said Spokane County Water Resources Manager Amy Sumner. The residents actually requested that the County add the West Plains to the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer Protection Area that has existed since 1985 and been approved by voters three times. However, the County decided that adding the West Plains to the existing aquifer protection area would be too complex and is suggesting a new area instead, Sumner said. “We didn’t want to include something more complex into it,” she said. The West Plains also draws from different aquifers in some areas, Sumner said. “The West Plains has their own aquifer system,” she said. “It’s more complex.” When drawing the boundary for the new Aquifer Protection Area, the County paid attention to both geology and voting precinct boundaries so as to not split a precinct in half, Sumner said.
month for every drinking water hookup and $1.25 per month for every household that uses a septic system. Commercial and industrial sites and apartment complexes are charged by meter size and owners of vacant land don’t have to pay a fee at all. While the Aquifer Protection Area was requested by some vocal residents, Sumner said the Spokane County Commissioners wanted to put it on the ballot to make sure it’s something the community as a whole is in favor of. Aquifer Protection Areas are governed by state law, which also restricts what the money collected can be spent on. It can be spent on planning and infrastructure for stormwater, wastewater and drinking water as well as drinking water monitoring, public education and monitoring.
“The County hopes hoped to build robust monitoring on the West Plains,” Sumner said. “There’s not a lot of consistent monitoring in the area.” In addition to testing for PFAS, that monitoring would include declining groundwater levels and changes in water surface flows. The County would also like to use some of the funding to create and implement watershed plans for the Lower Spokane and Latah Creek watersheds, Sumner said. Some of the money will also be allocated to each of the three cities within the area to be spent on city projects relating to stormwater, wastewater and drinking water. If approved by voters, the West Plains Aquifer Protection Area will expire in 20 years unless it is renewed by voters. More information is available at www. spokanecounty.gov/West-PlainsAPA. Cheney Proposition 1 is the
streets and sidewalks and cannot be used for general expenses. Cheney Mayor Elsa Martin said the money is primarily used for maintenance like pothole repairs rather than large projects. The city has no other dedicated funding for residential street and sidewalk maintenance. “We operate very lean,” she said. “Our street department has two employees.” The city has also been using the utility tax funding to repair sidewalks and add wheelchair ramps where needed, as well as add crosswalks. “We are working our way through the city to make sure sidewalks are accessible,” she said. “We have a long way to go.” There are no plans to add more staff to the street department, Martin said, because the city wants the additional utility tax money to be spent entirely on projects. If the measure fails, the existing 4 percent residential street improvements tax will expire and the city will no longer have dedicated funding to maintain residential streets, Martin said. “This is a very specific tax,” she said. “From what I hear from residents, they want those sidewalks fixed, they want those potholes repaired. If this tax is renewed and increased, then the service we have will be maintained or improved.” Ballots will be mailed to voters soon and are due back by Aug. 4. They must be either mailed and postmarked by Aug. 4 or dropped off in ballot collection boxes at the Airway Heights Library, the Cheney Library or the Medical Lake Library. The United States Postal Service recommends that ballots be mailed at least one week before election day.
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COVER STORY
STA and SCLD Ballot Measures By Nina Culver
Current contributor
Both the Spokane Transit Authority and the Spokane County Library District have measures on the August ballot seeking funding to maintain existing services. Countywide voters will decide on whether or not to renew the STA’s 0.2% sales tax, which amounts to two cents on a $10 purchase. The tax was last approved in 2016 and is set to expire in 2028. The proposed renewal has a 20-year sunset clause, meaning it will expire in 2048. “It’s just a renewal,” said STA Chief Communications and Customer Service Officer Carly Cortright. STA is attempting to renew the sales tax early because it has been selected to receive an $82 million federal grant in 2027 for the
Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Project, which is similar to the City Line that runs between Browne’s Addition and Spokane Community College. Cortright said the Federal government wants to see 20 years of projected income before finalizing the grant, so STA officials are attempting to show that the sales tax revenue will continue.
Along with fares, sales tax revenue provides most of STA’s annual budget. It’s necessary to maintain the services STA offers, which have expanded in the last decade, Cortright said. Over the last 10 years, the agency added 35 percent more service time, most of it in the evenings and weekends. The City Line was built along with new transit centers in the West Plains, at SCC and at Mirabeau. The STA board of directors also recently approved a new mobility on demand pilot program called STA Link in the Spokane Valley and Latah Valley areas. It will allow people to request a ride on demand in an underserved area, providing curbside pickup. There are plans to expand that service if the sales tax
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renewal is approved, Cortright said. While most of the sales tax revenue would be spent on maintaining existing services, some would be spent on one-time projects, Cortright said, much like the revenue paid to build new transit centers in recent years. The organization does have a higher amount of reserves than normal and Cortright some of that will be spent on one-time projects as well. “Reserve money should never be used for ongoing expenses, because eventually it runs out,” she said. “We are planning to invest it back into the community.” If the sales tax renewal is not approved, STA would have to look at reducing services, Cortright said. Since the renewal is going on the ballot early, however, there will be time to run it again if it does fail in August, she said. More information is available online at www.spokanetransit.com/ sta-proposition-1. Meanwhile, the Spokane County Library District is asking voters to approve a levy lid lift to allow them to collect 45 cents per $1,000 in assessed home value. The district serves unincorporated Spokane County as well as the cities of Millwood, Fairfield, Cheney, Deer Park, Medical Lake, Spokane Valley and Airway Heights. There is also a mobile van that visits various locations and small towns such as Rockford, Spangle and Waverly. By law, library districts are allowed to collect up to 50 cents per $1,000 in assessed home value, said SCLD Executive Director Patrick Roewe. The last time the library district collected that much was in 2019 and the amount collected has eroded steadily since, he said. This year the district is collecting 33 cents per $1,000. “As property values rise, the rate drops,” Roewe said.
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As the rate drops, agencies are only allowed to increase their tax revenue by one percent per year, which isn’t enough to keep up with inflation. That forces libraries, fire districts and other entities that are allowed up to a certain limit to occasionally put a levy lid lift request on the ballot. Though the limit is 50 cents, the district is only asking voters
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to approve a lid lift to 45 cents per $1,000, Roewe said. “Forty-five cents should give us enough revenue,” he said. Much of the revenue would be spent on maintaining services, but Roewe said there are plans to spend some of it maintaining the district’s 11 libraries. The district recently completed a facilities assessment of their buildings and identified about $1.7 million in annual maintenance needed over the next five years. That includes new roofs, updated HVAC systems and additional security cameras, Roewe said. Another big push will be to increase the district’s digital collection. “They’re more than half our checkouts,” he said. “The demand is high.” The catch is that the library doesn’t just buy an e-book once and then keep it forever. E-books expire. Some are good for 10 checkouts, others are time limited, Roewe said. “There’s a variety of lending models out there,” he said. “Some are checkout based and some are time based.” E-books are also more expensive, Roewe said, with each e-book costing four to five times more than a physical book. But demand for the e-books is high and it’s an easy way to add new titles without having to come up with shelf space, Roewe said. The levy funding also allows the library district to provide free programs for adults, children and teens as well as other services, including the ability for people to reserve meeting rooms for free. Roewe said that in 2025, people made 9,237 meeting room reservations throughout the district. “We provide all our services at no additional costs to customers,” he said. “We want to keep everything accessible.” If the levy lid lift fails, the district would have to make cuts that could include reducing hours, closing library branches and charging for meeting room rentals, Roewe said. Several open houses are planned to provide more information about the levy lid lift. They are July 21 at the Deer Park Library, from 5 to 7 p.m. July 23 at the North Spokane Library and from 5 to 7 p.m. July 28 at the Spokane Valley Library. More information is available online at www.scld.org.
JULY 2026 • 13
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Chief Moon: The Golden Boom
By Senior Airman Morgan St Marks
Stream news sources
There was no debate, just a simple game of chance between a handful of sticks and a room full of eager, experienced boom operators. Each person made their draw, fate sealed. On the count of three, the sticks were revealed. A quick glance around the room, then down at his own hand; he had been chosen. He would be the boom operator to complete the first aerial refueling from a Boeing KC46 Pegasus. When the time came, he took his seat in the front of the aircraft. It marked more than a change in posture; it signaled a fundamental shift in the role itself as a new generation of refueling operations took shape. Unlike the KC-135 Stratotanker he was accustomed to, there was no prone position and no window beneath him. Instead, he was surrounded by screens, guiding the boom through a high-definition, threedimensional remote vision system that projected the receiver aircraft onto large displays.
by taking chances, one that began with a simple desire for change and ultimately earned Moon the title of “Golden Boom.” Initially, Moon planned to attend college after graduating from high school. However, he soon realized his top priority was to travel the world. With that realization, his path shifted from college to enlisting in the Air Force. Although his test scores qualified him for his ideal job in a helicopter, the wait for basic training was approximately eight months. Recognizing Moon’s passion for travel, his recruiter suggested he explore becoming an in-flight refueling specialist. With limited information available about the career field, Moon was hesitant. “When I went home and discussed the job with my parents, my mom mentioned that our neighbor was a boom operator and suggested I speak with her,” Moon recounted. “I didn’t know her, but I went and cold knocked on her door.”
While the job did not involve a helicopter, Moon decided that working on a fixed-wing aircraft was the next best option. That decision ultimately brought him back to his hometown, where in May 2002 he was assigned the KC-135 Stratotanker, and his duty station: Fairchild Air Force Base. In his first three years of service, during the post-9/11 era, Moon deployed frequently, spending roughly half his time overseas, often in six-month rotations. As his experience grew, so did his opportunities. Moon said he completed three temporary duty (TDY) assignments to Edwards AFB, where he augmented refueling operations for aircraft supporting test missions. Once he discovered the possibility of being assigned there full time, Moon began closely monitoring Talent Marketplace for an opening. With a small team and limited positions, opportunities were rare. “I communicated to leadership that this was something I wanted to do,” Moon said. “I was TDY when the advertisement dropped,
That moment was the culmination of a career shaped
After nearly three years at Edwards, Moon’s career took an international turn when he moved to Australia, serving as one-oftwo U.S. Airmen in the role. Years earlier, a short-term exchange program was established at Fairchild between the U.S. Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots and boom operators. “I found out the exchange was being stood up and they were looking for someone with all the experience I had, air refueling, instructor and evaluator, and additionally test experience of bringing new assets online,” Moon said. “Lo and behold, it was a number of the pilots I had known from the exchange.” Moon spent the next three years stationed at RAAF Base Amberley. Following that assignment, he applied for a position with the 418th Flight Test Squadron Detachment 1 Boeing Field. Though initially denied, his application was later approved. It was there that Moon once again found himself at the forefront of aviation history, becoming the first person to attempt, and successfully complete, aerial refueling using the KC-46. “Even though boom operator is one of the best jobs in the Air Force, I was glad I was willing to take assignments that were on that road less traveled. It opened the door to so many opportunities for me,” Moon explained. “I hope young boom operators look for other opportunities as well and then pay it forward to the next generation.”
Through the intercom, he heard the call that the receiver was approaching. His hands settled lightly onto the controls. The F-16 Fighting Falcon filled the screen, its gray fuselage sharp against the sky, the clarity almost unreal. Breathing slowly and steadily, he guided the boom forward, one deliberate movement at a time. When contact was made, fuel flowed smoothly as the two aircraft remained locked together at speed. “I was nervous, but I was also confident in my ability,” recalled retired Chief Master Sgt. Lindsay Moon, former command chief of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. “Every experience I had prior allowed me to grow and opened more doors for new opportunities.”
but my leadership saw it and told me. Their support was what really ended up getting me there.”
After 24 years of service, Moon’s career came full circle. He finished his career as the 92nd ARW command chief, the same base he began his history-making career as a brand-new Airman.
Photo by Senior Airman Morgan St Marks U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Moores, left, 97th Air Mobility Wing deputy commander, presents certificate of retirement to Chief Master Sgt. Lindsay Moon, right, former 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, June 16, 2026. Moon retired from his career in the Air Force after 24 years of service.
“I’m so impressed with what I see when I go downrange to visit our folks, or here as we execute missions and exercises. I’m ready to hand off the torch to the next generation,” Moon said. “And they’re ready to take the torch and to continue on the legacy.”
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SPOK ANE COUNT Y LIBR ARY DISTRICT
Your library has digital resources for summer trips and lifelong learning By Dana Maninno and Erin Dodge Spokane County Library District (SCLD)
Digital resources offered by your library can be enjoyed on road trips, during vacations and staycations, and when you want to take a break from the heat. We’re highlighting Libby for digital reads and Udemy for a wide variety of topics for online classes. Libby is the free reading app packed with eBooks and audiobooks that you can read on your phone, tablet, and web browser. It is the award-winning, much-loved reading app for libraries. After downloading the app to your device, the setup is fairly quick and easy with prompts to follow so you can get to reading. The app has a unified bookshelf for all your loans and holds. Push notifications on your device can be activated to send you a message so that you never miss a thing, including when your holds are available.
If you use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when driving, you and your passengers can listen to audiobooks together using Libby. Other features include tags to help you categorize books and filters to narrow down searches. For eBooks, a game-changing feature is the ability to adjust font sizes and choose from a variety of fonts, including a dyslexic font. If you notice your eyes straining when you read an eBook, try enlarging the font size, picking a different typeface, and choosing different background lighting, such as sepia. A great tip for taking Libby with you when traveling is to download eBooks and audiobooks before getting on a flight, hopping into the car, or going somewhere that may have spotty Wi-Fi. To download the Libby app, go to scld.org/libby-app. If you’re looking to use Libby in your web browser, head to libbyapp.com/library/scld. Lifelong learners and anyone seeking to learn something new will find a fantastic variety of online classes offered through Udemy, a digital resource from Gale. Udemy is a collection of video classes that you view online. You can start a class whenever you want and take as long as you need to finish it. You can even unenroll from a class at any time, and try a different one.
Courses have videos chunked into digestible topics and provide supplemental learning materials as well. Some even have quizzes so you can check your progress and review any sections that are tripping you up. The courses on Udemy are flexible. If a video is particularly challenging, there’s no rush to move on to the next one. You can pause, rewind, and watch as often as you want. Along with courses for business owners, technology learning, and professional skills, Udemy has courses for curious individuals who want to learn world languages, guitar, drawing, yoga, tennis tips, fashion design, and forensic psychology, to name a few. Classes vary in length. For example, Udemy’s sewing class has about 1.5 hours of video content. In contrast, the class on American Sign Language (ASL) includes 49 hours of video and supplemental content. You’ll find the most eclectic topics within the Personal Development section. Get started today at scld.org/ udemy. Technology can sometimes be complicated or have a feature you want to access but can’t find. So, if you want one-on-one help getting started or diving deeper into the features of Libby or Udemy, you can schedule a Book-aLibrarian session at scld.org/bal. We’re here to help!
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• The Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program, that outlines priority transportation projects through 2032. This program identifies road repairs, intersection upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and long term mobility investments the city intends to pursue, and adoption allows Medical Lake to remain eligible for state and federal transportation grants.
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• Updated the Healing Waters Strategic Plan, a guiding document for future improvements to Medical Lake’s lakes, shorelines, and recreational amenities. This plan supports environmental stewardship, public access, and long term maintenance of the city’s natural assets. • Surplus of outdated equipment, including an old generator and a 1999 Ford Explorer, allowing the city to dispose of or auction items that are no longer cost effective to maintain. In closing public comment, a resident noted that several school buildings sit on streets never formally vacated, and the city confirmed the issue is already under review.
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• Supporting the Spokane Transit Authorities Proposition 1, the August ballot proposal that would extend the 0.2% sales tax dedicated to funding transit services for another 20 years. • Extension of the Martinez Rail lease a lease agreement for a city owned building at 316 W Brooks Road. The original lease concluded in early 2026 and council approved an extension through December 31, 2026. Council members acknowledged concerns raised by residents about the property’s appearance but opted for a shorter extension than originally proposed, allowing time for continued monitoring and future reevaluation.
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The Stream
ON THAT NOTE
JULY 2026 • 19
Rocket Ice Cream brings tasty treats to Medical Lake By Nina Culver
Stream contributor
When Jennifer and Bob Maxwell started building their long, narrow building at 112 S. Lefevre Street in Medical Lake just before COVID hit, they had no firm plans for it. Now it has morphed into one of the best places to be on a warm summer day, home of the Rocket Ice Cream shop. The shop is the perfect snapshot of a small town, where entire families line up for a cone and children ride their bikes from home, pockets filled with enough change to buy a scoop of ice cream. Jennifer Maxwell said some people have become almost daily visitors. “We’ve been doing really well with it,” she said. “It’s been a lot busier than we ever thought.” Jennifer Maxwell said the couple built the building slowly. Her husband designed it and they hired a contractor to build it. “We didn’t want to pay a loan, so we took our time,” she said. She said the couple didn’t find the idea of owning and running a business daunting. They own and manage a small apartment complex, with Jennifer Maxwell doing all the painting and cleaning to save money. Her side hustle is cleaning houses before a sale and during the summer the couple used to do yard work. “We’re used to hard work,” she said. At one point, Jennifer Maxwell considered opening a craft shop. Then she considered a frozen yogurt place, but decided the machines were too expensive. The couple knew they wanted to do something, because the city passed a Vacant Properties Ordinance that fines the owners of vacant buildings downtown, many of which had been empty for years and were in disrepair. Jennifer Maxwell said they paid the fine for a year before they decided what to do with the space. “We wanted to make something out of this,” she said. “We were trying to figure out what to do with the building.” Then a friend, Connie Johns, suggested an ice cream shop. Jennifer Maxwell did some research and was hooked. The picked Oregon-based
Photo by Nina Culver Bob and Jennifer Maxwell are the owners and operators of the Rocket Ice Cream shop on Main Street in Medical Lake. Offering 16 flavors of ice cream from Cascade Glacier, a brand also found locally at Silverwood Theme Park. Cascade Glacier as her ice cream supplier because she liked the Big Dipper bar the company offered. It’s a large bar of vanilla ice cream that can be dipped into liquid chocolate or cherry sauce and then sprinkled with toppings. Maxwell said the Big Dipper has been a hit and she plans to add a butterscotch sauce to the menu later this year. “We’ve been doing really well with it,” she said. Since the shop opened in May, the couples have been learning. Jennifer Maxwell has been learning about public relations and her husband has learned to put together the perfect ice cream scoop while his wife runs the cash register. Bob Maxwell said he’s been learning how to fill cones without cracking them and what temperature is the best serving temperature for each variety of ice cream. “Things harden differently depending on the ingredients,” he said. Jennifer Maxwell said not many businesses in the area sell Cascade Glacier ice cream, though Silverwood Theme Park does. She said people who have eaten it have raved about the taste. “You can’t just buy it in the grocery store,” she said.
In addition to the Big Dipper, Rocket Ice Cream serves 16 flavors of ice cream from Cascade Glacier, including a nondairy vanilla. Maxwell said the most popular flavor is salted caramel, but there are also regional favorites such as huckleberry and classics like chocolate chip mint. There are almost as many sauces that can be drizzled on top, including chocolate, raspberry, marshmallow, Nutella, white chocolate and butterscotch. Other topping options include crushed cookies, candy, gummy bears, pretzel pieces, Fruity Pebbles and peanuts. There’s also a gluten free cone on the menu. The couple has worked hard to keep their prices reasonable. A single scoop of ice cream is $3, or you can get a double scoop for $5 or a triple for $7. The Big Dipper is $6. They also have root beer, orange and strawberry floats for $6. Bob Maxwell said he has grown to enjoy chatting with people as he scoops their ice cream. “I was on city council for years, but you open up an ice cream shop and you meet everybody in town,” he said.
The shop is open from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and from 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The schedule is designed that way because the couple run it themselves without any additional employees in an attempt to keep their overhead as low as possible. The couple is still feeling out how the business will go, but they have been encouraged by their first two months in business so far. Jennifer Maxwell said their success might be partly because there’s no other hard ice cream shop in Medical Lake or Airway Heights. She’s already making plans about how to adapt to the changing seasons. She wants to add caramel apples to the menu in the fall and hot chocolate in the winter. For now, the couple has decided to keep the shop open through December 31 and then, based on the level of winter business, decide whether to stay open year-round or close for a few months until spring arrives. “If we would have known it would be this busy, we would have opened this years ago,” her husband said. “It really is the perfect business.”
20
• JULY 2026
The Stream
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