Government

First Tee pulls golf project amid road flap

Nonprofit had hoped to build three-hole course

April 27, 2017

The executive director for the nonprofit Inland Northwest Golf Foundation, the parent to The First Tee of the Inland Northwest chapter here, says the organization has withdrawn a predevelopment application before the city of Spokane for a 6-acre, three-ho

Not a lotta lots in Spokane

Land shortage to hinder entry-level homebuyers, builders contend

April 27, 2017

Mike McLean

New-home construction is outpacing the supply of available land to build houses on, and that's contributing to rising home prices and the dwindling inventory of existing homes for sale, some developers here say. Jim Frank, CEO of Liberty Lake-based rea

Next Generation Zone prepares young adults for careers

Spokane center expects another increase in visits

April 13, 2017

Sherman Birdtail says he doesn't know where his life would be without the educational, employment, and emotional support he's received from the staff of Spokane's Next Generation Zone, a career center for young adults. 'I came in at 16 to get my

City's economic development effort gains momentum

Projects in East Sprague, U District show promise

April 13, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Officials with the city of Spokane say its economic development program is starting to have some noticeable impacts this season, with several key projects starting or expected to start construction soon. City planner, and team lead for the program, Andr

Oil, coal train measure aims for ballot

Some call initiative illegal, worry about taxpayer cost

April 13, 2017

Mike McLean

One proposed ballot initiative that would put restrictions on oil and coal shipments via railroad through Spokane for public safety reasons is in the signature-gathering process, while another that sought to ban such shipments outright by codifying people

Valley Fire Department's protection rating boosted

Update said likely to lower insurance costs for many

April 13, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

A recent upgrade to the Spokane Valley Fire Department's fire protection rating likely will mean reduced insurance premiums for property owners in the cities within its coverage area, officials say. Melanie Rose, the department's community affairs o

O'Quinn to leave county post

Commissioner takes CEO job at Inland Northwest Community Foundation

April 12, 2017

Staff Report

Spokane County said this morning that Commissioner Shelly O'Quinn has accepted the position of CEO for the Inland Northwest Community Foundation and will leave the board of commissioners in June. Per state law, three candidates to replace O'Quinn w

Monroe Street temporary striping still being mulled

City officials weighing costs, await more input

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

The city of Spokane hasn't decided yet whether to give neighborhood residents and business owners a chance to test lane reductions that would result as part of a controversial planned North Monroe Corridor improvement project. Marlene Feist, city of S

Fairchild Air Force Base receives third tanker squadron

Base on West Plains now hosts 44 aircraft in total

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Fairchild Air Force Base has added a third squadron to its ranks, with the relocation of the 384th Air Refueling Squadron there this month. Previously located at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas for the past 43 years, the 384th Air Refueling Squadron

Spokane Transit Authority projects set to begin soon

Consultants review the Central City Line

March 30, 2017

LeAnn Bjerken

Spokane Transit Authority has big plans ahead, as it begins some of the first projects from its 10-year-long Moving Forward plan this spring. In last November's general election, voters approved STA's Proposition 1 to fund 25 projects designed to mai