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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane Valley archive for Jan. 1, 2011

FRIDAY, DEC. 30, 2011

Odds and ends

I've got a few tidbits to share on next week. There is no Spokane Valley City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Another Tuesday night off. Whatever shall I do?) Since Monday is a holiday, I won't be in the office or on the blog. Look for…

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Reserve city parks on Tuesday

If you really, really want to have an event in a Spokane Valley park on a specific date, get your pencil ready. The Parks and Recreation Department will start accepting park facility reservations for 2012 on a first come, first served basis at 8 a.m.…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 29, 2011

Don't burn that Christmas tree

If you are looking for a way to dispose of your Christmas tree, the Spokane Valley Transfer Station is willing to take it off your hands. Residents can take their undecorated, unflocked trees to the station at 3941 N. Sullivan Road for a $5 disposal…

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Spokane Aerial Performance Arts founder and instructor Sherrie Martin works with Carolyn Kinghorn on Dec. 4 as she attempts an arrow maneuver while hanging upside down on long pieces of silk fabric. (J. Bart Rayniak)

Today's highlights

Spokane Aerial Performance Arts founder and instructor Sherrie Martin works with Carolyn Kinghorn on Dec. 4 as she attempts an arrow maneuver while hanging upside down on long pieces of silk fabric. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak It's time to check out the highlights from today's…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28, 2011

Spokesman-Review photography team Kit King, Bart Rayniak (center) and Dan Pelle cover the visit of President Ronald Reagan to the Spokane Coliseum on Oct. 31, 1986.

Retirements hit SR Valley office

Will the last person out the door please shut off the lights? An era is ending this week at the Spokesman-Review's Valley Office as four longtime employees retire - Voices editor Jeff Jordan (39.5 years), sports writer Dave Trimmer (24 years), sports writer Steve Bergum…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 27, 2011

Erin Haugh shows a group of the Valley Assembly Quilters a tool that she uses to punch holes on the edge of a quilt in preparation for lacing or crocheting. The group meets in a donated room at the Valley Assembly of God, shares a common interest in quilting and provides quilts to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center’s cancer unit. (J. Bart Rayniak)

Saturday's highlights

Erin Haugh shows a group of the Valley Assembly Quilters a tool that she uses to punch holes on the edge of a quilt in preparation for lacing or crocheting. The group meets in a donated room at the Valley Assembly of God, shares a…

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FRIDAY, DEC. 23, 2011

Tracking Santa on radar

This is a fun thing for the kids. The annual North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa page is up and running and will track Santa on Christmas Eve as he makes his way across the globe. Tracking will begin at midnight (MST); click here…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 22, 2011

Sullivan Bridge repairs coming

If you drive over the Sullivan Bridge, take note. A repair project is expected to begin in early January and last through the end of February, according to a Spokane Valley press release. The goal of the project is to reinforce the failing bridge so…

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At the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, a 1915 Rauch and Lang electric car is part of the new exhibit in the Campbell House carriage house. (Jesse Tinsley)

Today's highlights

At the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, a 1915 Rauch and Lang electric car is part of the new exhibit in the Campbell House carriage house. SR photo/Jesse Tinsley Happy last Thursday before Christmas. It's time to take a look at the…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 2011

Nothing, nothing...squirrel!

It's a slow news week as people spend all their time and energy getting ready for Christmas, so there's not much to post. Since I'm sitting around waiting for the phone to ring, I feel a bit like that dog in "Up" that interrupts himself…

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No council meeting this week

This is just a reminder that there is no Spokane Valley City Council meeting tonight. The next meeting is set for Dec. 27 and the agenda looks pretty full. The Mayor will appoint two planning commission members and there will be discussions on the city's…

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MONDAY, DEC. 19, 2011

University High School sophomores Ashley Lewis and Lindsey Knight sign holiday cards and attach them to toys for children adopted by their Titan advisory period class. (J. Bart Rayniak)

Saturday's highlights

University High School sophomores Ashley Lewis and Lindsey Knight sign holiday cards and attach them to toys for children adopted by their Titan advisory period class. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak It's another lovely Monday morning, which means it is time for the Saturday Valley Voice…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 15, 2011

Santa tours Spokane Valley

It's time for the second round of details on where Santa Claus will be as he tours the Spokane Valley area in the white Spokane Valley Fire Department Santa van. Make your lists and check them twice, because he'll be on his way soon. Check…

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The Clock Tower in Riverfront Park originally was part of the Great Northern Railway Depot building. The depot opened on May 30, 1902. The structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. (File)

Today's highlights

The Clock Tower in Riverfront Park originally was part of the Great Northern Railway Depot building. The depot opened on May 30, 1902. The structures were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. SR file photo. Thursday brings you another edition of…

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2011

A "green" credit union

SR reporter Mike Prager has a story today on Spokane Teacher Credit Union's new "green" branch in Spokane Valley. It has a free charging station for electric cars, solar panels and a roof that reflects heat. The new branch on 32nd opened this week.

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TUESDAY, DEC. 13, 2011

Santa is coming, part two

I put out a partial schedule of Santa's visits to Spokane Valley neighborhoods yesterday, but the always busy jolly man is also making the rounds with Spokane County Fire District 8 firefighters in the areas south of Spokane and Spokane Valley. Today: Santa will be…

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Are you missing something?

Reporter Meghann Cuniff has a story in today's paper on a recent vehicle prowling arrest that resulted in the recovery of about 100 stolen items. Spokane Valley Police arrested Nathan J. Calvert, 28, for car theft and residential burglary after a resident caught Calvert rummaging…

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MONDAY, DEC. 12, 2011

This Spokane Valley Fire Department van will be taking Santa to visit children in Spokane Valley neighborhoods. (Photo courtesy the Spokane Valley Fire Department)

Santa Claus is coming to town

The Spokane Valley Fire Department's Santa van is ready to roll again. The white van squires Santa around the Spokane Valley area every winter, giving kids a chance to visit the red-robed one and whisper what they want for Christmas in his ear. The van…

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Mike Frucci and his wife Vicki sort through books at the Children's Book Bank at the old University High School.  (J. Bart Rayniak)

Saturday's highlights

Mike Frucci and his wife Vicki sort through books at the Children's Book Bank at the old University High School. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak Good Monday morning, everyone. I have a few highlights from Saturday's Valley Voice in case you missed them. Reporter Lisa Leinberger…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 2011

The landowner of a 3.77-acre parcel, just west of Shelley Lake and north of Central Valley High School at 15818 E. Fourth Ave., is proposing to build 41 townhomes. (J. Bart Rayniak)

Today's highlights

The landowner of a 3.77-acre parcel, just west of Shelley Lake and north of Central Valley High School at 15818 E. Fourth Ave., is proposing to build 41 townhomes. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak First of all, let me apologize for being MIA from the blog…

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TUESDAY, DEC. 6, 2011

Spokane Valley gets road grants

Word has come in that the city of Spokane Valley has been awarded Transportation Improvement Board grants to pay for the extension of Mansfield Ave. east of Pines and the reconstruction of Sprague Avenue from Evergreen to Sullivan Road. The Spokane Valley City Council is…

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MONDAY, DEC. 5, 2011

West Valley junior Jacque Swanson, left, and senior Linda Juitt have helped open Inspire, a clothing store for lower-income and budget-minded students. As a part of their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America program, they’ve opened the in-school store two days a week. (J. Bart Rayniak)

Saturday's highlights

West Valley junior Jacque Swanson, left, and senior Linda Juitt have helped open Inspire, a clothing store for lower-income and budget-minded students. As a part of their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America program, they’ve opened the in-school store two days a week. SR…

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THURSDAY, DEC. 1, 2011


Hundreds of Spokane Valley residents turned out for the second annual Christmas tree lighting at University City Mall on Thursday. The event had several musical performances, a Santa visit and the tree lighting. Cookies, hot cocoa and coffee were donated by local churches. 
 (Jed Conklin / The Spokesman-Review)

Christmas tree lightings tonight

Hundreds of Spokane Valley residents turned out for the second annual Christmas tree lighting at University City Mall in 2004. The event had several musical performances, a Santa visit and the tree lighting. SR file photo. Both Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake are having Christmas…

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Company Ballet School dancers get into costume before rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 7 in Millwood. (PHOTOS BY COLIN MULVANY)

Today's highlights

Company Ballet School dancers get into costume before rehearsal for “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 7 in Millwood. SR phto/Colin Mulvaney We've got a lot of news for you in today's Valley Voice. Correspondent Valerie Putnam checked in with the dancers with the Millwood Ballet Theatre…

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WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2011

Election results certified

The Spokane County Elections Office has certified the November election results. There were no surprises in the final results, but a look at the election statistics reveals some interesting information. The number of ballots returned in Spokane Valley resulted in a 54.73 percent return rate,…

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