Government

Electric-vehicle purchases rise in Spokane, but hurdles remain

Charging infrastructure, price, lack of options said to be barriers to adoption

March 25, 2021

Electric vehicle purchases have been increasing steadily among Spokane County residents, but industry observers say there are still several hurdles to widespread adoption.

A Tale of Two Job Markets in the Inland Northwest

'K-shaped recovery' leads to labor shortages for some industries, long-term unemployment in others

March 25, 2021

Virginia Thomas

The number of people receiving long-term unemployment benefits in the Spokane area remains high, and the number of people who have dropped out of the workforce has increased.

Spokane attorney to enter felony diversion program

Haynes to forego practice for five years

March 11, 2021

Kevin Blocker

A Spokane attorney who once was the youngest-ever president of the 113-year-old Washington State Bar Association recently agreed to enter a felony diversion program after being charged with five counts of theft by Spokane County prosecutors. In the face

DSP, others revisit idea of stadium near downtown

United Soccer League throws support behind proposal

March 2, 2021

Kevin Blocker

The Downtown Spokane Partnership and other supporters are revisiting plans for a new sports stadium just north of downtown Spokane.

CenterPlace adds new West Lawn events space

Plaza, concert stage added as key parts of $2.2 million in upgrades

February 25, 2021

Natasha Nellis

The CenterPlace Regional Event Center's recently renovated West Lawn, formerly an empty grassy knoll, has been transformed into a modern event space that managers of the facility say has the potential to draw new events to the region.

Q&A with Spokane Tribe's Ted Wright

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February 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

Ted Wright became the executive director of the Spokane Tribe of Indians in November. He was previously executive director of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in eastern Oregon.

Startup Spokane retools, plans library partnership

GSI program to market services countywide after period of dormancy

February 11, 2021

Virginia Thomas

After a period of dormancy, StartUp Spokane is gearing up to return to action by expanding its services and partnering with Spokane Public Library.

Spokane businesses' frustrations with COVID-19 restrictions increase

Groups, politicians become more vocal in concerns about 'Roadmap to Recovery'

February 11, 2021

Kevin Blocker

After nearly a year of varying restrictions on social gatherings and business operations to stem the spread of COVID-19, business owners-and a growing number of politicians-say they've had enough of what they believe are heavy-handed mandates.

City of Cheney negotiates to acquire 228 acres

City seeks to purchase property for future use

January 28, 2021

Virginia Thomas

The city of Cheney is in the midst of negotiations to purchase 228 acres of land southeast of downtown Cheney. Mark Schuller, city administrator, says Cheney has had an eye on the property for a few years, since the family that owns the land approached

Cleanup options aired for Freeman grain facility

Ecology seeks comments for contaminated site

January 28, 2021

Virginia Thomas

The Washington state Department of Ecology is seeking public input through Feb. 2 on proposed multimillion-dollar plans to clean up contamination at the grain elevator in the Freeman area, about 13 miles south of Spokane Valley.