Popular Spokane Indians superhero Recycle Man poses for pictures with a young recycler before a recent ballgame. “You, too, can be a hero if you recycle,” he says. SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak

There's news from all over in today's Valley Voice. Reporter Pia Hallenberg checked in with Mascot Man, who fills the suits of various mascots in the area. We have the full story on Monday's special Spokane Valley City Council meeting, where the council voted to put one-way Sprague on the November ballot along with a $2.1 million bond to pay for it. That is down from the initial proposal for a $6.4 million project, which briefly went up to $7 million before the council vote.

In other Spokane Valley news, the city quietly hired an interim deputy city manager last week. Longtime residents may recognize Roger Crum, who worked for the City of Spokane for more than 20 years as a deputy city manager and city manager. As City Manager Mike Jackson said on Monday, "He retired in 2004 and has been working full time ever since."

Some Liberty Lake residents can now get a reprieve from the city's new utility tax. The Liberty Lake City Council voted this week to allow utility tax rebates for low income seniors and low income disabled residents. Correspondent Cindy Hval spoke to a couple who train German Shepherds for protection and for police work.

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