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• JUNE 2026

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Medical Lake, where his wife would teach she and her brother basically grew up at years of marriage. Brown said she was Medical Lake at Blair Elementary on Fairchild Air Force Medical Lake High School. Their father always a positive person and always for decades. would often bring them along to games and supported him. Founder’s Day BaseWith his family growing, Brown other school events. Given that background, Headrick said her mother was the one made the switch from the classroom to it was only natural that they both became working behind the scenes to fit everything Grand Marshall administration in 1971. Brown said among teachers, Headrick said. together. “She took care of things,” she said. By Nina Culver

Stream contributor

When the Founders Day Parade winds its way through Medical Lake on Saturday, June 20, many people will recognize this year’s Grand Marshal, retired teacher and principal Russ Brown. The parade is part of the two day Founders Day event hosted by Re*Imagine Medical Lake on June 19 and 20. Brown started teaching business at Medical Lake High School in 1962, then became the assistant principal in 1971. He was the high school’s principal from 1979 until he retired in 1995. Brown, now 86, will be featured in the parade that starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, going up and down Lake Street and Grace Street between Lefevre and Prentis. There will be a main stage and an announcer at the corner of Lake and Lefevre. Parade parking will be available at Hallett Elementary and Medical Lake Middle School. Brown grew up in Spokane, graduating from North Central High School. At the time, he didn’t have a plan for the future. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” he said. “I was sitting in the living room and my mother and dad came in and said ‘What are you going to do?’” His mother told him she thought teaching might be a good fit. “I was a little outspoken,” he said. Brown thought he would go to Eastern Washington University and consider his options. When he did, teaching became a viable option. “Going to Eastern sparked my interest,” he said. He opted to teach business because that is what he knew best. “My father was in business and ran an appliance store on Garland,” Brown said. Some of his first memories of teaching have been lost to time, but Brown said he remembers being amazed once he got in front of a class full of students. After he graduated, he applied for a job in the Medical Lake School District. “It was an opportunity that I could live at home and commute with some other gentleman,” he said. He met his future wife, Leanne Lukens, at the Coeur d’Alene hydroplane races. The couple married in 1966 and settled in

the considerations was that the new job would better allow him to support his family. “I think I was ready,” he said. Brown retired in 1995 after a 34-year career, having spent all of it at Medical Lake High School. He said he was never tempted to leave the community he called home. “All my friends were there,” he said. His wife retired in 2003 and in between their new duties as grandparents, the two traveled the world, visiting Europe and taking several cruises. Both his children, Scott Brown and Kim Headrick, became teachers. Scott Brown is currently a high school principal in Cle Elum and Headrick is the superintendent of the Medical Lake School District. Brown said it was a good day when his daughter was selected to lead the district where he spent his entire professional career. “It was very proud and excited,” he said. Headrick, who was born in 1971, said

“I tell people it’s in our blood,” she said. “The four of us would just sit around and have conversations about it. It fascinated us.” Brown said his favorite part of the job was working with kids and helping point them in the right direction. He and his wife also took the unusual step of allowing several of his students to live with them temporarily over the years, mostly seniors whose families had been transferred to another military base who wanted to finish their last year of high school in Medical Lake. “They were always about taking care of kids,” his daughter said. Along the way Brown was involved in the community in other ways than through the high school. He’s a founding member of the Medical Lake Lions Club and joined the Spokane Lilac Festival Association after he retired. He was selected as president of the association in 2005 His wife Leanne died in 2022 after 56

Photo by Nina Culver Russ Brown former Medical Lake High School Principal who retired in 1995 after a 34-year career at the Medical Lake School District was selected as this years Medical Lake Founders Day Parade Grand Marshall. Brown settled in Medical Lake just after getting married in 1966 and hasn't wanted to move since.

“She made the magic happen. She made it all run.” Headrick said she’s happy that her father is being recognized in the Founders Day parade. “My dad has always known his true north and lived by that,” she said. “I think that’s what people in our community respect about him. There’s a lot of families in our community that both my mom and my dad have impacted.” Brown said he’s excited about the parade and honored to be selected as Grand Marshal. He said he’s looking forward to seeing a lot of people he knows. “I just hope the weather holds,” he said. For a full schedule of Founders Day events, including fireworks in Waterfront Park, visit https://medicallake.org/ founders-day. Q: What made you want to become a teacher? A. My mother thought it would be good for me, so then I started at Eastern Washington College. Q: Why did you decide to shift into administration? A. It was a significant pay increase, and I had a new house and a baby on the way. Q: Why did you want to be involved in additional community groups, such as the Lions Club? A. It was the proper avenue to enhance my relationship with the community. Q: What was the best part of your career in education? A. My children decided to also become educators. It is a true legacy for my late wife Leanne and I. She also taught in Medical Lake. Q: What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a teacher? A. Listen to your family and friends as they will guide you. Find a mentor to provide support. It is the hardest job you will love. Smile every day. Q: How have you kept yourself busy in retirement? A. Participated in local events like the Lilac Festival and enjoyed meeting neighbors. I participated in the activities of the city. Additionally, I served as the District 7 Director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association for over 15 years.

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The County also negotiated the The park includes a large grassy track population data and have level Spokane right of first refusal on 10 acres adjacent of service goals,” he said. “We’re area, which includes soccer goals, that can serve multiple uses. There’s to the new park so if the owner ever definitely due if not overdue.” wants to sell, the County will have the County The $7.4 million project was funded also a large parking lot with about 85 first opportunity to purchase it. Chase parking spots available. Much of the through $6.4 million in American that doesn’t mean the County park was finished last fall, but until Opens Camas Rescue Plan funding and $1 million recently it was fenced off to allow said will buy the property, but it wanted to the County’s Real Estate Excise time for the grass to grow and get preserve the right to do so. Meadow Park from Tax (REET). established. “We’re still putting the “It may never be utilized,” he said. By Nina Culver

Stream contributor

Spokane County opened a brandnew community park on the West Plains in early June, providing a whimsical playground, baseball field and room to roam to kids living in the area. Camas Meadow Park, which fills 10 acres purchased by the County in 2023, is located at 9817 W. Melville Road across from the Fairways Golf Course. The park also includes a walking path, basketball court, four pickleball courts, three picnic shelters, a small off-leash dog park and restrooms. Spokane County Parks, Recreation and Golf Director Doug Chase said the county has been eyeing that area for a while, knowing that a park would eventually be needed based on the growing population. “We

Once the land was purchased, the County held open houses and did surveys to gauge what amenities people wanted to see in the new park. “We went through quite the process,” Chase said. Local elementary students gave input on the selection of the playground equipment, which is decorated with clouds and toys that look like autumn leaves. It’s not typical of the county’s other playgrounds and required the use of a company the County hasn’t used before, Chase said.

“They have kind of a unique twist on swings and play areas,” he said. “It’s kind of a unique design theme. They really tried to dial in the input of the children.” Construction on the park began in the fall of 2024, overseen by Garco Construction.

finishing touches on now,” he said.

The largest picnic shelter is 30 feet by 34 feet and there are two smaller ones measuring at 12 feet by 12 feet. At this time the park’s picnic shelters are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not being accepted. Chase said the park’s location next to the City of Spokane’s Urban Growth Area allowed them to hook the park up to City sewer and water. That meant the entire 10-acre parcel could be devoted to park amenities instead of having to use some of the property to be a large drain field, Chase said. Chase said he’s grateful the park was able to meet the city’s criteria and hook into city systems. “It was a very nice thing for the City of Spokane to support the community,” he said. “It translates to a much nicer park.”

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“It was just something we did because we could. We’re always looking ahead to the future.”

About 50 people, including County Commissioners and other elected officials, turned out for the official ribbon cutting ceremony as children played on the playground. In comments during the ceremony, Spokane County Commissioner Al French said the county wanted to be sure the new park included sports facilities. “This 10-acre park will quickly become a hub for a variety of sports: softball, pickleball, basketball,” he said. Chase said the playground was getting used even before the official opening ceremony. “It’s been discovered,” he said. “It’s getting tremendous use. It’s a beautiful facility. I just couldn’t be more pleased with how it’s come together.”

• JUNE 2026

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NEWS

and construction is tied to revenue of the funding for that work. AH council The amendments were based on sources dedicated to public works or projected growth in the city from a capital facilities. approves Miller said the estimate was not number of land uses that are forecast to generate an additional 8,732 PM meant to be actual or conservative as nonresidential Additionally, the ordinances peak-hour trips by 2046. Airway it is based on concepts. added language specifying that Heights’ Municipal Code requires “Now we’re going to drive that conversion, for purposes of each section the fees established on a 10-year forecast number down as much as we can term “existing building” refers assuming half of the projects will be through the design process,” she a building that has received a built, leading to 4,366 additional PM added. Public Works tocertificate of occupancy at least peak trips by 2036. Craig Road/US 2 roundabout three years before applying to add building The amended changes also funding received housing units. included a list of varying TIF rates Under a headline of “Better late design Under the section regulating for different development types. than never” the City Council voted densities for additional housing units up to 50% more “than the allowed density permitted” under current densities outlined in those chapters.

By John McCallum Stream contributor

The Airway Heights City Council unanimously approved construction requirements enabling owners of nonresidential use buildings to convert them into residences. The council also at approved new traffic impact fees, a Public Works Building modernization design and grant funding for the U.S. Highway 2 corridor project. Nonresidential conversion

residential

Council approved five separate ordinances at regular meetings May 18 and June 1, along with holding a study session discussion on May 11, that allow the conversion of nonresidential buildings to residential uses in residential, commercial and mixed-use zones. The amendments are required under House Bill 1757 which was adopted this year and expands on legislation passed in 2023 to allow conversion of nonresidential buildings in order to provide more affordable housing. According to the website FastDemocracy.com, key provisions in the bill include banning restrictions on housing unit density that limit additional units within existing buildings, eliminating parking requirements for new dwelling units and easing permitting requirements for residential use of existing buildings. It also specifies that unchanged portions of existing buildings used for residential purposes are not required to meet current energy codes just because of the addition of new units, with some exceptions. Three of the five AH ordinances provided new language making conversions permitted uses in the Neighborhood Family Residential, Multi Family Residential and Commercial zones. Language in the NFR and MFR zones allowed

parking space requirements the ordinance added language that no additional off-street parking spaces would be required for nonresidential buildings converted to multifamily uses. Current codes require one parking space for a studio or onebedroom apartment and 1.5 spaces for two bedrooms or more.

Airway Heights associate planner Zachary Becker told the council during a presentation at the May 11 study session that despite the new state requirements, he could think of no examples of a current commercial building owner in the city with intents on making such a conversion. Transportation updated

impact

fees

At its May 18 meeting the council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution amending transportation impact fees (TIF) assessed by the city on new construction. The fees are one-time assessments on a project to help pay for new or expanded public capital facilities needed to support potential traffic impacts from that project. The fees cannot be used to address current transportation deficiencies such as deteriorating road conditions. Based on a traffic study analysis and industry formula, the council adopted a new base TIF rate of $3,598.06 per development unit per PM peak-hour trip, which is split 5050 between the city and developer. If applied to a 200-unit subdivision, it would mean a total TIF payment of $669,200, which would be payable over time. The original fee ordinance was adopted in 2020 and amended in 2023, but since that time the city has identified the need for 12 transportation projects totaling over $58 million that are included in its sixyear Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). The amended fees will help support just over $31.4 million

Public Works modernization study

facilities

At the May 18 meeting council unanimously approved a $525,000 appropriation for the design phase of a project to modernize the city’s Public Works Building at 12400 W. 21st Ave. The funding would be split between several funding sources, with $350,000 coming from the water and sewer funds and $175,000 from street funds, which would be further split between state gas tax revenue and Transportation Benefit District funding. The council approved a $15,000 contract with ZBA Architecture in July 2025 for a conceptual design, which Public Works Director Katherine Miller presented to council at its May 11 study session. The concept provided a rough layout of the proposed 4,000-squarefoot building interior and exterior, how it would be situated along Russell Road frontage, water, sewer and electrical connections and a rough cost estimate for design and construction — an estimate which totaled almost $2.89 million if construction got underway this year. Miller said the department has outgrown the existing building’s available space, which included converting the garage portion of the structure into office and crew space. The new building would include a secure entry, four main offices, conference room, crew room, locker and break rooms, better parking and room for expansion. If construction began in 2027 the engineering estimate would jump 5% to just over $3 million. It would compound by 5% every year, with the estimate reaching $3.464 million by 2030. “My question is can we afford to build everything at once as that is your cheapest cost,” Miller told council, adding funding for design

unanimously at the June 1 meeting to accept over $1.87 million in federal funding for its Craig Road/U.S. Highway 2 Roundabout project. The funding was originally awarded to the city on May 20, 2024, but never went to the City Council for acceptance and was only discovered after a review of the project file.

The funding was a Congressionally Directed earmark run through the Washington State Department of Transportation for the almost $3.63 million project. Acceptance by the council now allows the city to use the funds to process reimbursement requests to cover project costs. T-Mobile accepted

lease

amendment

Also, at the June 1 meeting the council unanimously approved a third amendment to an existing lease with T-Mobile for the telecommunication carrier’s use of the city’s water tower at Sunset Park. The original lease was agreed to in 1998 with amendments taking place in 2015 and 2018. The amendment increases the monthly amount T-Mobile will pay for use of the tower as a site for telecommunications equipment to $2,585.49 — doubling the previous amount of $1,238.50. The amendment also gives T-Mobile five, five-year extension terms including a 15% rent increase per term. T-Mobile’s round-the-clock access to the site is continued, and it can upgrade or add new equipment to the tower free of charge. If the lease is terminated, T-Mobile must restore areas affected by installation of its equipment to original condition, including repainting. “They were very interested in renewing the agreement with us, the city of Airway Heights,” Miller said.

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JUNE 2026 • 7

COVER STORY

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Graduating Class of 2026

Thomas Adderley • Elizabeth Albright • Brody Allaire • Althia Ankien • Jessie Anuntak • Xavier Armstrong • Daniel Arredondo • Camilla Ayers • Rachel Bae • Braylen Bagnall • Ashten BaileyKostelec • Alexander Balcom • Charice Ballard • Layla Barnhart-Shepard • Aurora Baty • Victoria Baycroft • Viktor Bazyliak • Benjamin Bean • Kimaya Begaye • Tank Best • Grayson Bingham • Kenadie Boerger • Blake Boling • Isaiah Bolinger • Savannah Born • Hayden Bowdish • Dylan Bowlby • Austin Brett • Mason Bridges • Adam Brown • Araya Burks-Jenkins • Nicholas Bush • Calvin Calendine • Ava Campbell • Noah Carlisle • Jordyn Carmain • Rachel Carpenter • Aiden Carr • Cordell Carswell • Cash Carter • Darlinson Castro-Medina • London Chaffee • Caitlyn Christiansen • Tyson Christiansen • Anthony Cochran • Dakota Collins • Nathaniel Contreras • Hayleigh Copher • Kale Cordill • Mason Coriell • Victoria Cowart • Miriam Cox • Jesse Crapo • Tyler Cross • Immanuel Cruz • Kindle Cruz-McGrew • Jazmin Cuevas • Lucas Curley • Samuel Dalton • Alayna Daul • Gracie Day • Maya DeLaCruz • Bryce DeLange • Ally Deutsch • Adalia Dieckmann • Nevaeh Dow • Mikhail Drake • Blaise DuBois • Savannah Erickson • Chloe Ervin • Tru Every • Emma Ewert • Chukwuemelie Eyimegwu • Lillian Fawbush • Taleah Findling • Aidan Fishinghawk • Kyren Fleming • Liam Frantzich • Cooper French • Autumn Gahagan • Quentin Gainer • Danica Gall • Darien GallawayMarquez • Rowan Gardner • Madilynn Garland • Devone Gaydon • Hannah Ge • Sky Gilbert • Henry Gipple • Qui’Nya Givens • Gavin Glock • Micah Gondos • Anthony Gonzalez • Dominic Gonzalez • Sir Gabriel Gonzalez • Hayden Good • Sophie Gooler-Hajek • Joel Gooley • Zion Gough • Constantine Graham • Cacee Gray • Alexander Greer • Callie Gregg • Kylen Gueck • Isaiah Guerra • Cooper Guerrero • Ethan Guske • Evelyn Haig • Jonathan Halbrook • Brayden Hall • Kainyn Hansen • Sarah Hanson • Nolan Harmon • Kyle Hathaway • Cody Hayes • Sutton Heikkila • Olivia Henderson • Jaicey Henry • Hayden Hernandez •

Cheney High School Watil Hernest • Ava Heuschkel • Ezekiel Heward • Raymond Hezkeia • Kyra Hickman • Leah Hicks • Jalisca Holmgren • Lacy Holsten • Gavin Holt • Juleon Horyst • Andrew Houndonougbo • Dylan Howerton • Arthur Huacuz • Henry Hubbs • Kaitlynn Huntsman • Alena Iarmoliuk • Madeline Isbelle • Hesston Jacobsen • Jamlina James • Micah Jeffers • Newton Jeik • Ronald Jeik • Axel Jensen • Rosann Jerilong • Eva Jones • Lainey Jongeward • Estelle Jordan • Sierra Kalaaukahi • Delia Keller • Christopher Kennedy • Khamlar Keopha • Kira Kimball-Largent • Sawyer Kissell • Mathieu paul Kohler • Aubrey Kristof • Johnny Labin • Libi Langinbollang • Julian Larcom • Aubrey Lau-Windhorst • Gold Lemman • Kailee Leonard • Larisa Lepekhina • Maelynn Leppert • Makayla Lesonik • Lauro Lewis • Emily Lienhard • Robert Little • Georgeton Lokboj • Viktor Loktev • Memory Lomae • Nora Lonam • David Lopez • Karina Lucas-Fregoso • Matthew Macomber • Cecilia Martin • Ethan Martin • Rodolfo Martinez • Shiloh Martinson • Banyan Mayo • Hudson McArthur • Lola McClure • Isaiah McCorkle • Austin McCrum • Sierra Mendoza • Patrick Messing • Brodin Miller • Dante Miller • Kody Miller • Addison Mink • Myles Moomey • Nathan Moran • Avery Morse • Bradley Moultrie • Macade Munro • Junior Narruhn • Rele Narruhn • Daylynn Newbill • Tucker Nicol • Isaiah Northrup • Sophia Oliphant • Chelsea Opiyo • Hailey Paget • Annika Palmer

• Caleb Parker • April Passey • Sofia Pastore • John Peek • Mia Pelayo • Daisa Pemble • Leah Pettet • Taylor Pettit • Jayde Phillip • Julien Phillips • Karina Piksayeva • Alexi Potter • Nathan Powell • Spencer Powell • Lilee Presson • Aubrey Quaschnick • Evelyn Quay • Alexis Rabaglia • Noah Ragaza-Bourassa • Cash Rajewski • Steven Rasmussen • Hudson Redder • Duff Reese • Natalie Richards • Lauren Ricketson • Anna Rigmaiden • Gerardo Rios Munoz • Kayla Rivera • Jhordyn Rodriguez • Mia Rodriguez • Eleanor Roewe • Fabian Romero-Garcia • Lillian Rose • Zackery Ross • Ayanna Russell • Robert Ruth • Nicol Salazar Jaimes • Christian Samson • Kiara Sandoval • Kayla Schaber • Parker Schatz • Gretchen Schmitt • Ashton Schwendiman • Jersie Sconce • Tatum Searls • Caitlin Shaffer • Adrianna Sharkey • Elijah Shelukhin • Loritha Sigrah • Avery Sikes • Kolby Simmons • Derumk Singeo • Eolt Singeo • Kaine Skipper • Liliana Slater • Malakai Slater • Vincent Smeby • Summer Smith • Justyne Sorensen • Brayden South-Bridges • Sage Spencer • Allison Stanfield • Lue Stephens • Mason Stinson • Kullen Stober • Josselyn Suksdorf • Ernie Summerfield • Lydia Swenson • Braiden Tauanuu • Juan Tercero • Kaylee Thomas • Rhiana Thompson • Terrance Thompson • William Thomsen • Haiden Thornton • Lainey Tillman • Elvis Torres • Christopher Tydingco • Sophia Vance • Jace Vega • Jonathan Vipperman • Rowen Volk • Makayla Wahl • Alexis Wallingford • Sarah Walsh • William Ward • Claire Watkins • Isabelle Weed • Serenity Wells • Wyatt Wells • Finley West • Emily Westerlund • Ashlyn Wetzler • Hailey Whitman • Michael Wiley • Anayah Williams • Alanna Willis • Savannah Willis • Chris Wilson • Na’Riyanna Wilson • Xharlie Witt • Maci Wittren • Lennon Wood • Quintin Woodcock • Liam Wynhoff • Andrii Yaremchuk • Kaley Yonker • Kolby YostWelty • Kiley Zeisler • Alexis Zenker • Daniella Zetchov • Oliver Ziemer • Derric Zinkgraf • Savannah Zulueta-Beuch • Amira Zwart

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JUNE 2026 • 9

COVER STORY

Medical Lake High School Joel Alvarez • Layla Armes • Trinity Auckerman • Dillon Bahr-Crewdson • Savannah Baker • Ethan Bales • Isabel Barry • Abbigale Baumiller • Levi Baxter • Claire Bergner • Rylee Bolles • Elliott Bovey • Markus Bowman • Isaiah Bowser • Noah Boyd • Loghan Bradley • Cyderlyn Broniola-Roberts • Kenshinryu Brown • Cheylyn Brundage • Grace Burns • Layla Burris • Jesse Burt • Amaya Cole • Dominic Cole • Kartr Cooley • Sereena Dancel • Evan Dennis • Kaylee Dennler • Skylar Doolittle • Aiden Doramus • Kadence Endres • Justin Eutsler • Sadie Evans • Abelino Feliciano Tlasmanteco • Sylas Fino • Braden Fitch • Zackary Flory • Mae Foley • Emry Fuller • Giselle Garza • Vincent Gassner • Connor Gibby • Jayden Goodson • Cecilia Graham • Alexilei Green • Sarah Grubaugh • Jace Haines • Jaden Hammac • Jess Harrison • Katherine Hart • Shawn Herron • Traven Hewankorn-Joseph • Conner Hollauer-Leach • Zachary Hooser • Brooklyn Jackson • Ja’Mya Jackson • Nolan Jeppsen • Auston Jorgens • Antonio Jurancich • Abram Kane • Henry Kelm • Kaeden Kelso • Conner Kenny • Emily Killian • Kyle Kipp • Lily Knight • Ethan Lamb • Christopher Lariosa • Claire Leitz • Lonnie Lindley • Sydney Lund • Roslyn Lundberg • Davis Luppino • Tanner Manson • Sam Mars • Thomas Mayer • James Mchenry • Colton Mckenney • Elisabeth Merrick • Austin Michaud • Soraya Michel • Margaret Moody • Austin Mumaw • Morgan Murphy • Elijah Norman • Cian O’Connor • Chukwunememma Okemgbo • James Oliver • Dane Ollogollimot • Isaiah Park • John Parker • Tanna Pedersen • Wyatt Phillips • Matthew Pierce • Owen Pitts (In Loving Memory) • Maya Rahman • Dayton Rife • Aleeseia Ritdecha • Trenton Roberts • Braden Roldan • Ivan Rolle • Mackenzie Roop • Madelynn Sabatino • Austin Scott • Hailey Scott • Anna Shcherbina • Liliana Shcherbina • Abbigail Smith • Gavin Soderberg • Max Steadman • Charlyse Stevens • Julian Taylor • Ian Thompson • Slade Thompson • Bia Vester • Lance Julien Viloria • Mikalyn Walker • Keelan Williams • Skylar Willoughby-Knight • Stella Willoughby-Knight • Zoe Wilson • Kaylani Woodruff • Brennan Zahm • Juniper Zunin

Three Springs High School Cooper Blimka • Adrianna Arnold Cardenas • Bryce Carr • Phoenix Clemens • Kaitlyn Collins • Liliana Coriell • Charles DeLaCruz • Emilio Diaz • Elizabeth Donges • Akira Edgerton • Carrah Engfer • Alexzander Gaskins • James Leone-Christensen • Claudia Leonhardt • Brandon Lyon • Quinn Mahar • Orasa Maycumber • Malakai Roybal • Loriel Seymour • Josiah Sims • Aspen Smith • Aiden Stark • Gabriel Watson-O’Leary • Chase Westby • Esmeralda Zucati

WIN Academy Malokai Anok • Scarlett Broadwater • Nicolas Cowart • Pearl Dribo • Addysen Esquibel • Amiyah Green • Moses Iriarte • Abraham Ives • Aiden Jackson • Rhys Jordan • Reiko Majmeto • Adrian Moreland • Jazmin Moreno-Cuevas • Zachary Norman • Caleb Parker • Renner Queen • Jameson Samuel • Cody Scott • Theodore Townsend • Jenessa Warren • Bonnie Whitley • Louden Wilbanks • Lillian Zambryski • Adelaide Zehr

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tied with Central Valley’s Ryelan Horntvedt and Andrew 18th seed and traveled to face No. 15 Cheney boys Bourassa Tonasket on May 19. The host Tigers Houndonougbo. Benjamin Jones at 157 for 24th. Also qualifying for state were proved to be too much for the visitors, Anderson and Howe were both golf team, Dodge (100, 200), Houndonougbo (100) shutting out Medical Lake 8-0 and named GSL 4A/3A co-Most Valuable Players. Both were All-GSL first-team and the 4x400 team of Dodge, Stinson, ending their season at 9-9-1. Brayden Two Cardinals were named to Wiens and Horntvedt. selections along with Krasselt. the All-NEA first team: senior Julian On the girls side, senior Caitlan Chloe Gawenit was the only Anderson, win Blackhawk Taylor (midfielder) and senior Brennan girl to reach state Shaffer won the 800 wheelchair with Zahm (defender). competition at Deer Park Country Club. a season best 3:58.48 while finishing 3A state title Fastpitch softball The junior qualified for the second second and qualifying for state in the By John McCallum Stream contributor

The Cheney boys golf team shot scores of 286 strokes on both days to win the state 3A championship May 19-20 at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane. The Blackhawks were tied with Seattle Prep on Tuesday but outshot the Panthers Wednesday to claim the title 572 – 587. Topping off the win was a state 3A individual title for junior Brayden Anderson. Anderson was tied with Gig Harbor’s Theo Snyder at 69 after day one, and finishing with a 67 on Wednesday watched as the Tides senior bogeyed the 18th to win the championship by a stroke, 136 – 137. To say the Blackhawks had a good time at Indian Canyon is an understatement. Junior Ryan Howe finished in a three-way tie for fifth with a two-day total of 139 while junior Justin Krasselt shot a 141, finishing in a five-way tie for eighth. Junior Blake Kernen shot a 156 to tie Inglemoor’s Trey Desilet and Walla Walla individual golfer Nile Dumser for 54th and senior Noah RagazaBourassa shot a score of 165 for 68th as all five Blackhawks golfers made the second day cut. It’s Cheney’s sixth team title, following in the footsteps of the 19871988 volleyball team and the 1989-1990 boys cross country team in the 3A classification and the girls 2011-2012 cross country team, the boys 2012-2013 soccer team and boys track and field 2016-2017 team in the 2A classification. The Blackhawks also added a District 6 championship to the school’s trophy case, defeating Ridgeline 556 – 585 at Downriver Golf Course May 12. Krasselt tied North Central’s Teigen Brill for the individual title at 135, with Howe tying Walla Walla’s Dumser for third at 137, Kernen sixth at 141, Anderson eighth at 143 and Ragaza-

round with an 89 on Tuesday and did one stroke better on Wednesday to tie Monroe’s Seri Park for 55th at 177. Gawenit was eighth at districts with a score of 185. Boys soccer Ezekiel Howard was named as a forward to the GSL 4A/3A all-league second team. Fastpitch softball Three Blackhawks were named to the GSL’s 4A/3A all-league teams. First team selections were junior Madelyn Hurley (pitcher) and freshman Annie Beito (infielder). Second team selection went to junior Amelia Beito (catcher). Tennis Victoria Baycroft was the only Blackhawk to play for a shot at a state tournament berth. The senior advanced to the match for the District 6 third seed in singles competition, losing 6-2, 7-5 to University’s Harper Zittercopf.

Baycroft was an All-GSL secondteam selection, as was junior Samuel Estock for the Cheney boys. Track and field The Blackhawks brought home nine District 6 championships in competition May 21-22 at Central Valley High School. Six went to the Cheney boys and of those four were earned by Charlie Aamodt. The freshman won titles in the 100-, 400- and 800-meter wheelchair events as well as the 800gram ambulatory javelin. Senior Mason Stinson won the 300-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 38.78 seconds while Abram Wiens captured the high jump title. Second-place finishes went to senior Ethan Martin in the 800, Colton Hallett in the 300 hurdles, Jackson Randall in the javelin and senior Juleon Horyst in the high jump along with the 4x100 relay team of Hallett, Jason Dodge,

100 and 400 events. Senior Natalie Richards captured the 100 hurdles with a personal best 14.70 while Sami Lopez won the javelin with a PB of 119 feet, 6 inches. Aniyah Hagan was second in the 100 and 300 hurdles, Allie Burton and Allie Saccomanno went 3-4 in the high jump, senior Delia Burton third in the pole vault, senior April Passey third in the triple jump and the 4x400 team of Lakia Howard, Matisse Prescott, Emma Neilson and Sarah Hanson was third to advance to state.

Aamodt came home with titles in the 100, 400 and 800 events at state competition May 28-30 at Mt. Tahoma High School, turning in personal bests in the 100 and 800. Horyst was fourth in the high jump, Randall fifth in the javelin, Houndonougbo and Hallett seventh in the 100 and 300 hurdles respectively and Martin eighth in the 800. The 4x100 relay team was sixth. Shaffer won a girls 800 wheelchair title and finished second in the 100 and 400. Burton tied Mercer Island’s Nicolette Nguyen for fourth in the high jump, Richards was sixth in the 100 hurdles and Lopez was eighth in the javelin. MEDICAL LAKE Baseball Three Cardinals received three Northeast A League first-team allleague selections: senior AJ Michaud (catcher), junior Zack Boyd (infielder) and sophomore Aiden Fontenot (utility). Boys soccer The Cardinals surprised secondseeded Colville 3-1 to win the 1A District 6 title at Spokane Falls Community College on May 12. The win gave third-seeded Medical Lake the district’s automatic berth to the state tournament. In state the Cardinals drew an

After winning the NEA league crown the Cardinals, 6-3 NEA, 11-7 overall advanced to the District 5/6 tournament as the ninth seed and were placed in the consolation bracket game for the District 5/6 third seed to state. Medical Lake faced third-seeded Chelan, knocked into the consolation bracket by an 11-9 semifinal loss to Naches Valley. The visiting Mountain Goats opened a 12-0 lead through five innings in the May 16 game. The Cardinals rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth but got no closer in the seasonending 12-4 loss. Medical Lake received three AllNEA selections. First team picks were senior Isabel Barry (pitcher) and sophomore Emma Michaud (infielder). Head coach Ivanna Lomas was named Coach of the Year. Golf Madison Griffis bettered her day one score of 81 by seven strokes on day two to finish with a 74 and twoday total of 155 to take third place at the girls state golf championships May 19-20 at MeadowWood Golf Course in Liberty Lake. The junior finished one stroke ahead of Life Christian Academy’s Makenna Kelpman and six strokes back of state runner-up Ginevra Saloy of Seattle Christian. Overlake’s Kendra Wang won the individual title with a two-day score of 139, leading the Owls to the state team title. The Cardinals’ Brooklynn Devore shot a two-day total of 180 for a threeway tie at 15th, helping Medical Lake to a second-place team title. Griffis was named the NEA’s MVP while Devore was an all-league firstteam selection. Tennis See SPORTS SUPPLY, Page 18

The Stream

JUNE 2026 • 15

NEWS

Soil Testing needed to identify PFOS Well 5 is also across the street from a Spokane County Fire District 3 fire station, administrative office and Source training facility. However, Fire Chief

Contributed Photo.

in firefighting foam, they are or were also common in a multitude of consumer products, including stain protectors, cosmetics and other household products.

By Nina Culver

Stream contributor

Geologist and Eastern Washington University Professor Chad Pritchard recently presented to the Cheney City Council his plan to use students to collect soil samples near a contaminated city well in the hopes of tracking down the source of the PFAS contamination. PFAS chemicals, known as “forever chemicals” because of how long they last in soil and water, have been found in wells most generally north and west of Fairchild Air Force Base and the Spokane International Airport after special firefighting foam designed for airports containing the chemicals was in use for decades. Cheney municipal well five, located just north of the intersection of First Avenue and Presley Drive, tested positive for high levels of PFOS in 2021 and was shut down, Pritchard said. The well tested above 34 parts per trillion at first, but the levels got higher the longer the water was pumped, eventually rising as far as 63.7 ppt. At the time, Washington State maximum drinking water contamination levels were 10 ppt and Federal limits were 70 ppt. The Federal maximum was dropped to 4 ppt in 2024. There are two aquifers in that area at different depths, Pritchard said. Well 5 pulls from the shallow aquifer and the lower aquifer tested negative for contamination, he said. Based on the rising contamination numbers as water was pumped and the presence of a chemical called 6:2FTS, also known as H 4PFOS, Pritchard said he believes the source of the contamination is close to Well 5. The H 4PFOS chemical is usually only found near the source of contamination, Pritchard said. “They break down a little easier,” he said. “They don’t travel well.” There are two possible sources of contamination, Pritchard said. One is an informal dump right next to the well that is no longer in use. While PFAS chemicals are found

Courtesy of the City of Cheney May 26th City Council packet showing the proposed locations for soil sampling in hopes to identify the potential source of the PFOS contaminants that have affected Cheney's Well #5 which tested positive for elevated levels of PFOS back in 2021 which led to its discontinued use.

Cody Rohrbach said the district has no record of contaminated airplane firefighting foam being used on the site. The station and administrative offices were built in 1989 and the training tower was built in 2012. While the training facility is used by other agencies, Rohrbach said they can find no record that any of them used the foam either.

need a filter system. “That’s my goal and my wish is that everyone gets a filter and gets a robust filter,” she said.

“We found that we purchased some, but we found all that,” he said. Rohrbach said he consulted with previous chiefs, who all said that while the district did purchase a small amount of the foam, they never used it in training because it was too expensive. He said he’s looking forward to having PFAS testing done in the area. “We want to follow the process and see what the outcome is,” he said. Pritchard has applied for an internal EWU grant to pay for his students to collect a total of eight soil samples at the old dump and on District 3 property this summer to see if the source of the contamination can be identified. “It’s most likely one of the two,” he said. Testing samples usually costs $500 per sample, but Pritchard said he has partnered with a local company to get tests done for a reduced rate of $375. The goal is to identify and remove the contamination so the well can be used again, Pritchard said, though he’s been told the city has been considering applying a grant to pay for a filter system in the well itself. “Ideally before they start pumping on it we want to remove the soil,” he said.

resources they need. Navigator Liz Goodwin said she’s been on the job only a couple of months and said she hopes to be able to reduce confusion about the services available. “The role has really expanded,” she said. “We’re talking to everybody to make this go smoother for the residents.” Navigator Sabrina Ryan said they’re helping people explore their options, whether that’s a home filter, well filter or, in some limited cases, the ability to hook into a municipal water supply. “We know this isn’t a one size fits all problem,” she said. “This is an individual needs problem. We’re finding people who haven’t been touched in this education effort.” Goodwin said they are also identifying which homes haven’t had their wells tested yet and might

Happy Fourth of July

“They’re kind of becoming case managers,” said task force co-chair Dr. Francisco Velazquez of the Spokane County Regional Health District. “They’re morphing as needed.” Heather Arnold, Spokane County Director of Grants and Procurement, said the county is working to get bids from companies to install filtration systems for West Plains residents. So far two companies have submitted bids but the County will likely advertise for a second round of bids, she said. “The reality is, this work will probably not be able to be done by two entities,” she said. The companies hired will visit each home with a contaminated well and design a filtration system specifically for that home, she said. “We’re trying to conform to the needs of the household rather than using a cookie cutter solution,” said Velazquez.

From Our Farm to Your Table

Elsewhere on the West Plains, the PFAS task force that includes elected officials from around the West Plains, government representatives NER OF N TH E C O RT and community members held a LOCATEDDOLE ES R V FE AN okane town Sp brief meeting recently to discuss LAKE mLocated the S.W. corner of west of Downon Pickles ts, ea M Just 15 in. , rie Charcute progress toward the goal of assisting Unique gifts,Lake and Lefevre St am - 4 pm local residents dealing with wells ThMedical urs - Sat 10Lake, WA • Wed - Sat 10 am - 4 pm contaminated with PFAS chemicals. Recently two navigators have been hired to work directly with families to assist them in getting the

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• JUNE 2026

Medical Lake City Council Recap By Ben Wick

Stream Publisher

Fireworks Medical Lake resident, Lonnie Henderson shared with the council that she is against any sale or discharge of fireworks within the city and highlighted that the Spokane Tribe and Colville Tribe have also banned the sale and discharge of fireworks this year.

NEWS

Multimodal Access: The city aims to design streets for all users— pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, seniors, and people with disabilities. This includes ADA-compliant sidewalks, connected bike networks, and shared-use paths.

Connectivity & Regional Coordination: Medical Lake’s transportation system will integrate with Spokane County and WSDOT networks, ensuring consistent standards and funding eligibility. Infrastructure Preservation: Maintenance and modernization of aging roads, bridges, and trails are prioritized to support long-term growth and resilience.

City Administrator Sonny Weathers highlighted the existing city code which states: In Medical Lake, Fireworks can be sold from 9am to 8pm between July 1st and July 4th. Fireworks can only be discharged from 9am to 11pm on July 4th and are not allowed in city parks or city owned buildings or parking lots and that the Fire Chief may prohibit the discharge of all fireworks during the periods of extreme fire danger.

Funding & Implementation: The updated MLMC chapter will serve as the legal foundation for future transportation projects, helping the city qualify for state and federal grants.

Administrator Weathers highlighted that the Medical Lake community voters had 58.61% favoring continued allowance of fireworks. He also went on to share that any adjustments to fireworks regulations require a one year notification period so any adjustments that the council may be interested in would not go into effect until July of 2027.

Staff noted that the Transportation Master Plan will provide detailed project lists and cost estimates

Councilmembers discussed the pros and cons of roundabouts vs signalized intersections as well as potential connections to support safety within potential urban growth expansion areas.

later this year and will bring the Transportation Plan back to council in July with a public hearing before adoption. Commercial Kitchen Update City Administrator Sonny Weathers shared that the City is excited to take the Commercial Kitchen from a project to an asset and that the city is exploring a professional services agreement to assist in the launch of the space. On June 2nd the City Council heard from Erin Bishop the coowner and founder of The Cannery a cottage food business in Washington State, who outlined a potential management agreement with the City. Mrs. Bishop outlined a proposed agreement that focuses on both foundational setup and initial program activation of the kitchen space, including creating foundational documents and operations framework, program activation and event development, marketing and communications buildout, training and user support for renters, as well as vendor and partner development. The proposed agreement included a $2,500 monthly compensation for

The Stream

Mrs Bishop and would run through December 31st 2026 to be ready when the kitchen is operational. In addition to her role as the Founder of The Cannery, Mrs. Bishop is also the co-founder / director of the Medical Lake Farmers Market. The City Council will bring the professional services contract with Mrs Bishop back for council consideration at a future council meeting. Additionally the City Council approved a contract with Icon Commercial Roofing for installation of a new exhaust fan curb needed for the commercial kitchen installation. Due to the condition of the existing roof the contract was approved as a time and materials contract not to exceed $10,000. In Brief Surveillance Cameras at Parks have been installed, are active, and already helping identify suspects in a recent vandalism at Waterfront Park. Council adopted updated Development standards relating to Accessory Dwelling Units allowing two accessory dwelling units per lot so long as the lots meet the minimum lot size of the zone.

Council had the discussion around how to effectively ban the sale of fireworks when the Fire Chief bans the discharge of fireworks. Council asked the staff to bring back a draft ordinance. Transportation Master Plan The council reviewed updates to the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan and related Medical Lake Municipal Code (MLMC) amendments. The goal is to align city policy with regional mobility priorities and the forthcoming Transportation Master Plan. Key Themes of the draft plan include: Safety First: The plan emphasizes reducing collisions, improving intersections, and expanding Safe Routes to School. Roundabouts and interim safety fixes are identified as preferred strategies for high-risk areas.

Photo Courtesy of Medical Lake June 2nd City Council Packet. Map showing the 5 year collision history within the city of Medical Lake. Blue dots representing damage only or minor injuries, orange dots representing severe injuries, blue line representing the SRTC High Injury Network, and orange line representing the cities boundary. Map indicates the intersection with the highest number of collisions as being Lake and Stanley with 13 total collisions compared to the next highest as SR 902 & Stanley at 5 collisions.

JUNE 2026 • 17

The Stream

SPOK ANE COUNT Y LIBR ARY DISTRICT

Approximately 97% of SCLD’s Over 681,000 visitors came to Library District funding comes from property SCLD libraries last year, checking taxes. The current levy rate is out 2.2 million items with digital approximately $0.33 cents per $1,000 eBooks and audiobooks accounting seeks levy assessed valuation (AV). SCLD’s for half of those items. More than of Trustees has determined 66,000 people attended programs, restoration for Board that this level of funding is not and over 9,200 people placed to support the present level meeting room reservations. maintenance enough of services and available materials If approved, SCLD will preserve by SCLD, nor is it enough core library service at existing and operations provided to meet the demand for services and levels, maintain facilities to ensure By Jane Baker

materials in the future.

Spokane County Library District

Voters will be asked to restore the property tax levy rate that funds daily operations and maintenance of the libraries to $0.45 cents per $1,000 AV, which is below the statutory maximum allowed of $0.50 cents per $1,000 AV. This levy restoration would raise the levy rate by $0.12 cents per $1,000 AV.

Spokane County Library District (SCLD) is asking voters to consider a levy measure to fund daily operations and maintenance for the 10 SCLD libraries during the August 2026 primary election. This measure requests to restore the property tax levy rate to keep library services at existing levels, increase digital materials, and maintain facilities. Passage of this levy is necessary for long-term sustainable funding of the Airway Heights, Argonne, Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Medical Lake, Moran Prairie, North Spokane, Otis Orchards, and Spokane Valley libraries, as well as SCLD’s mobile services.

“While the current levy rate has fallen to its lowest amount we’ve seen in the past 25 years, we believe asking for the full statutory rate is not necessary at this time,” said Patrick Roewe, SCLD Executive Director. Projections estimate that a home valued at $350,000 in Spokane County would see an annual increase of $42.00 or $3.50 per month.

comfortable customer experiences, continue mobile library services, expand safety and security in and around the libraries, and increase the digital collection of eBooks, audio downloads, and streaming offerings. The levy requires a simple majority (over 50%) voter approval to pass.

If the measure fails, SCLD will pursue other revenue sources such as charging fees for meeting room use, postponing major maintenance projects, such as HVAC replacement and roofing repairs, and begin determining what programs, library hours, materials, and personnel need to be reduced, with the eventual closure of one or more libraries. For more information, visit scld. org/levy.

Online Summer Reading Challenge JUNE–AUGUST For everyone Track your reading, earn digital badges & complete fun activities. The challenge includes: • Book giveaway for kids & teens • Reading rewards for milestones • Prize drawings for all age groups Find out more & sign up at: scld.org/beanstacksummer

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• JUNE 2026

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Continued from page 14

Aizea Dancel advanced to the state tournament May 22-23 at the Yakima Tennis Club. The junior lost his opening round match 6-1. 6-0 to Cascade Christian’s Eli Smith and his consolation match 6-0, 6-1 to Charles Wright Academy’s Alec Pla. Dancel was named the NEA’s singles MVP.

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Oluebube Okemgbo also advanced to the 1A state tournament, dropping her opening-round, loser-out match to Bear Creek’s Julia Pasca 6-1, 6-0. The Cardinal junior was named the NEA singles MVP.

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Nina Culver, John McCallum

Medical Lake’s Kailey Crockett was named NEA Co-coach of the year with Lakeside’s Dave Dillingham.

The West Plains Stream

Track and field

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The Cardinals earned seven NEA titles at the league meet May 20 and May 22 at Colville High School and qualified 12 athletes for 1A state competition. The girls brought home five titles, Aniela Daniels in the 100 and 200, Aya McNeill in the 800 and 1,600 and Dylan Stoltz in the high jump. Advancing to state were Autumn Trout second in the 400, Julie Smith third in the javelin with a personal best of 112-0 and Makalia McKinney fourth in the 100 hurdles. The 4x100 relay team of McKinney, Trout, Stoltz and Daniels was third to also move on. Aiden Murillo and Steven Shotts won boys titles in the 400 and 800 respectively, with Shotts turning in a personal best of 2:00.31. The 4x400 team of Ryzick Iglesias, Mercury Bergquist Shotts and Murillo advanced with a second-place finish.

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At state 1A competition at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Daniels finished fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 100 while McNeil was eighth in the 800. Stoltz was seventh in the high jump and Smith eighth in the javelin. None of the Medical Lake boys advanced to the finals at state.

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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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CLARIFICATION

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In the May-June edition of the Stream, an article titled "Medical Lake talks Housing, Grants, and Bans Drugs" it was noted that Medical Lake City Council member Lorin RayAbbott had concerns around having low-income housing in Medical Lake, she did also share that she understood the need for the housing.

Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 1st of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 509-242-7752 for more information. Advertising integrity Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@westplainsstream.com. The Stream is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads. Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved. All contents of The Stream may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

The Stream

Washington National Guard and DNR Continue Partnership to Strengthen Wildfire Readiness By Joseph Siemandel

Joint Force Headquarters - Washington National Guard

More than 100 Washington National Guard soldiers and airmen sharpened their wildfire response capabilities during the annual Wildland Firefighting Academy at the Washington State Fire Training Academy in North Bend, May 27-28, 2026. The training, conducted in partnership with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), brought together 35 service members completing their initial wildland firefighter certification and 85 personnel participating in refresher training to maintain their qualifications. The academy was one of two major training events this year, with additional service members receiving training at Fairchild Air Force Base, resulting in approximately 185 Guardsmen prepared to support wildfire response operations across the state this summer.

ON THAT NOTE cooperation, and enhancing the understanding of interagency differences.” The training isn’t new for the Washington National Guard and DNR, as the two organizations have worked together for years to ensure the state has a trained and ready force available to support wildfire suppression efforts. “The Washington National Guard and the Washington Department of Natural Resources share a longstanding partnership built on a common mission: protecting the people, lands and resources of Washington,” said LTC Ashley Coffey, the officer-incharge of the wildland fire fighting training effort. “DNR provides expert instructors and oversight throughout the academy. Working side by side during training strengthens our relationship and helps ensure seamless coordination when responding to real-world wildfires.” The Washington National Guard has played an increasingly important role in the state’s wildfire response efforts over the last decade. Since 2013, the Guard has expanded its annual wildland

firefighting training program to ensure soldiers and airmen are prepared to support civil authorities during increasingly complex and destructive fire seasons. Since 2014, more than 4,500 Washington National Guard personnel have been activated in support of wildfire suppression operations, including the historic 2015 fire season when approximately 1,200 Guardsmen responded as more than one million acres burned across the state. The annual academy has become a critical component of that readiness effort, providing nationally recognized Red Card certification training that enables Guardsmen to rapidly integrate with local, state, and federal firefighting agencies when activated. Over the years, Guard members have supported wildfire response efforts through hand crew operations, aviation support, fire line construction, logistical support, and community protection missions. The two-day academy provides certification verification and classroom instruction before transitioning to field exercises under the supervision of DNR instructors. Throughout the academy, service members received instruction on

JUNE 2026 • 19

personal protective equipment, crew accountability, and operational safety procedures before practical wildfire suppression training, which included instruction on how to deploy emergency fire shelters, identify and properly use wildland firefighting hand tools, construct fire lines, operate firing devices, utilize water delivery systems, and conduct mop-up operations after a fire has been contained. During field exercises, Guardsmen dug fire lines, ran hoses and practiced techniques used to slow and contain moving wildfires while operating in realistic field conditions. The hands-on training emphasized both firefighter safety and effective suppression tactics. “The motivation and dedication of the service members participating in this academy is evident from day one,” said Coffey. “They understand that this training prepares them to serve their fellow Washingtonians during some of the state’s most challenging emergencies. Serving our community is when our Guard shines. Despite the physical demands and long days, everyone brings energy, professionalism, and a strong sense of teamwork to every evolution and phase of instruction.”

Guardsmen were part of a mixed group, working with nearly 70 personnel representing interagency partners, including DNR, Washington State Parks, and other state and local organizations. Training alongside partner agencies allowed Guardsmen to build relationships and interoperability with the organizations they may work alongside during real-world wildfire emergencies. “This is probably one of the most diverse groups that we’ve had and hosted here and it’s pretty cool,” said Ross Avichouser, a wildland fire training specialist with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. “It’s important to build on the interagency wildland fire partner relationships by focusing on a shared mission, interagency

Photo by U.S. National Guard photo by Joseph Siemandel Warrant Officer 1 Jasmine Lopez, Washington Army National Guard, digs fire line during Wildland Firefighting Field Training at the Fire Training Academy, North Bend, Wash., May 28, 2026.

• JUNE 2026

The Stream

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Restore Opportunity Washington thrives when government gets out of the way. Alan supports progrowth policies, more housing supply, and education reforms that return control to parents, not bureaucrats.

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