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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Airway Heights Proposition 1, EMS levy

Election Results

Option Votes Pct
Yes 336 66.40%
No 170 33.60%

* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.

About the Measure

Proposal: The levy would pay, in part, for new defibulators to replace the three 15-year-old ones the department has now. Some money would pay to hire a part-time firefighter during the day. Airway Heights Fire Chief Mitch Metzger said 80 percent of calls are medically related and volume is increasing. This year the department expects to respond to 1,400 calls, about 200 more than last year, Metzger said. The department currently has four paid full-time firefighters on staff and about 40 volunteers. The district’s attempt to pass an EMS levy last year failed with 57 percent in support.

Tax impact on property owners: 25 cents per $1,000 property value. That’s $25 per year for the owner of a $100,000 property.

Total Collected Per Year: $114,000

Number Of Years: 6

Vote requirement: Needs 60 percent support to pass

Complete Coverage

Spokane County considers partnerships, sites for sheriff’s deputy training facility

Spokane County is casting a wide net for partners to help construct a permanent home to train sheriff’s deputies, including a potential deal with the Kalispel Tribe. Commissioner Todd Mielke said there’s no rush to make a decision, because the Sheriff’s Office has a good deal going with East Valley School District leasing Mountain View Middle School in Newman Lake. The training facilities were moved from the former University City Mall earlier this year. That building has since been demolished ahead of planned redevelopment along East Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley.

Fire burning near Airway Heights

A helicopter and several planes are dumping water and retardant on a brush fire that erupted Tuesday afternoon west of Spokane near Palisades Park.

Embattled Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing resigns

The embattled mayor of Airway Heights has submitted his resignation following a public furor in July regarding comments he made about President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama that were considered racist. Patrick Rushing did not acknowledge the controversy in a news release issued Monday by the city.

Airway Heights mayor resigning after uproar over Obama comments

The embattled mayor of Airway Heights has submitted his resignation following a public furor in July regarding comments he made about President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama that were considered racist.

Spin Control: Wrongdoing, not offensive words, is basis for a recall

OLYMPIA – As Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing continues to suffer the slings and arrows from outrageous comment, it’s not uncommon for a supporter to call or write the paper and echo hizzoner’s challenge to his challengers. That is, if the voters don’t like what he wrote, they can recall him. Actually, no.

Sunday Spin: Recalling for stupidity not really an option

OLYMPIA – As Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing continues to suffer the slings and arrows from outrageous comment, it’s not uncommon for a supporter to call or write the paper and echo of hizzoner’s challenge to his challengers. That is, if the voters don’t like what he wrote, they can recall him. Actually, no…

State Dems circulate petition for Rushing to resign

The state Democratic Party has an online petition calling for the Airway Heights mayor to resign over Obama comments.

Shawn Vestal: Newsmakers self-identify however they please

So: Patrick Rushing isn’t a racist. And Rachel Dolezal is black. That’s how they identify, at least.

Airway Heights mayor faces strict sanctions at tonight’s council meeting

The Airway Heights city council will vote on a resolution tonight that could severely limit Mayor Patrick Rushing’s role. They’re also asking that he forfeit his $2,000 a month salary.

Airway Heights mayor rejects calls to resign over online comments

The Airway Heights mayor is refusing to resign after posting comments last week to his personal Facebook page that City Council members say are racist. Mayor Patrick Rushing, who compared President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama to monkeys, said he did not realize his comments were racist.

Airway Heights Council asks mayor to resign following Facebook post

The Airway Heights City Council has asked Mayor Patrick Rushing to resign after he allegedly posted racist comments to his personal Facebook page. However, Rushing is refusing to resign, claiming that he didn’t realize his comments were racist.

Spokane Tribe casino decision expected shortly

After more than two years of waiting, the Spokane Tribe – and the city and county that share its name – may know soon whether it will get the federal go-ahead to build a casino, hotel and shopping mall on the West Plains. Several government sources said Thursday they have been told to expect a decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior in the near future, although no date has been set for the announcement. The Bureau of Indian Affairs office in Portland said the decision remains in the hands of officials in Washington, D.C.

Inattentive driver hits Airway Heights police car

An Airway Heights police car was damaged Tuesday night after an inattentive driver hit the car in the parking lot of the Northern Quest Casino.

Airway Heights mayor downplays ‘minor’ school bus accident

Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing suspects politics are behind increased interest in a noninjury crash involving a school bus he drove in January. “You know the saying, ‘Hold your friends close and your enemies closer’; I take that to heart,” Rushing said Thursday.

Airway Heights mayor says bus incident tied to politics

Airway Heights Mayor Patrick Rushing said Thursday he believes political opponents are behind efforts to play up what he called a “minor vehicle accident’ that took place in January while he was driving a Medical Lake School District bus.

Couple accused of drug smuggling during Valentine’s Day prison visit

A man serving time at Airway Heights Corrections Center is accused of trying to smuggle marijuana into the prison with help from his fiancee.

Airway Heights challenges bill for Highway 2 plowing

The first bill from the state Transportation Department arrived last year at Airway Heights City Hall. It was about $50,000 and represented the amount spent by state crews clearing snow from the 2.5-mile section of U.S. Highway 2 located within city limits. The state plans to send another bill for the current season, too, and Airway Heights officials are turning to Olympia for help.