News Releases for July 2014

July 31

Mayor signs public safety funding authorization

12:44 p.m. - Mayor signs ordinance and resolution authorizing $26 million for police and fire vehicle equipment needs over six years

July 30

Deadline Extended to Monday for Morris Clark Sr. Softball Tournament

4:11 p.m. - Deadline Extended! Sign-up now for the Morris Clark Softball Tournament

July 29

Enjoy Summer with Treats at the Manito Park Bench Cafe

10:37 a.m. - Enjoy Manito Park with Refreshments at the Park Bench Cafe & Music Friday Evenings

Fire crews to remain at High Drive brush fire today

10:35 a.m. - The Spokane Fire Department has six crews along High Drive today to monitor a brush fire that threatened about a dozen homes Monday evening.

July 28

Free disposal of storm debris to continue through Wednesday

3:30 p.m. - The City of Spokane will accept clean green debris from last week’s storm at the Waste to Energy Facility and North Transfer Station through July 30.

Spokane Police Safely End Standoff with DV Armed Assault Suspect

11:53 a.m. - A female and two children were safely removed from the home. The suspect was arrested and put in the Spokane County Jail for 2nd Degree Assault DV.

Reminder - Outdoor Fine Dining & Music at Riverfront Park

9:59 a.m. - Join us for an outdoor fine dining experience at Riverfront Park

Volleyball Leagues Begin October 6th - Sign Up Now - See Our Special

9:56 a.m. - Spike and Dig Special: Register by 8/31 and get $50 off the regular registration

Speed limit lowered on stretch of Highway 2

Midnight - The speed limit on a section of U.S. Route 2 (Sunset Highway) will be reduced from 55 miles per hour to 45 miles per hour starting Monday, July 28.

July 27

Fire heavily damages The American Linen Company

2:16 p.m. - More than four dozen firefighters extinguished a fire at a commercial building Sunday morning, investigators are still working to determine the cause

Suspect Arrested in Early Morning Burglary

11:43 a.m. - Spokane Police investigate an early-morning Burglary in progress where the suspect fired rounds inside the home.

July 25

City to Accept Storm Debris at Transfer Station, Waste to Energy

5 p.m. - The City will accept storm debris for free at the North County Transfer Station and the Waste to Energy Facility.

It's Teen Night at the Hillyard Aquatics center

1:14 p.m. - Calling all Teens! It's Friday Teen Night at the Hillyard Aquatic Center

Photograph Your Garden - FREE Friends of Manito Workshop

12:01 p.m. - Saturday, July 26, 10:00 a.m. in Manito Meeting Room (4 West 21st Ave) Free and Open to Public

It's a Real Treat - The Sunset Dessert Train Tour in Riverfront Park

9:29 a.m. - Scenery Abounds but Watch out for the Chocolate! Join Us for the Sunset Dessert Train Tour

July 24

Friday July 25 - Park Bench Music Series - Featuring Brad Keeler 6-8pm

3:05 p.m. - Enjoy Manito Park with Refreshments at the Park Bench Cafe

Storm Cleanup Slows Garbage Collection

2 p.m. - As a result of downed trees, power lines, and debris, Spokane’s curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection has been slowed.

Scammers Using Avista's Name to try and Gain Quick Cash

1:18 p.m. - Spokane Police and Avista are teaming up to help protect citizens from becoming the victims of a new wave of scams.

The Giant Screen IMAX in Riverfront Park Continues Its Summer Season

12:26 p.m. - Summer movies at the IMAX continue as scheduled

Fire damages northwest Spokane home

9:45 a.m. - A fire early this morning at a northwest Spokane home sent one person to the hospital with minor injuries and displaced four adults.

July 23 Storm

7:01 a.m. - A storm that moved through the area yesterday prompted hundreds of calls to area fire agencies and is believed to have sparked a fire in NW Spokane.

Qualified Arborists Available

2:25 a.m. - Arborists available to help with post storm cleanup

Trees down after July 23 Storm

Midnight - City crews are working to clean up trees knocked over in Wednesday's storm.

July 23

Riverfront Park Officers Working 24/7 This Summer

11:06 a.m. - Security increases in Riverfront Park in an effort to deter vandalism

July 22

Spokane Human Rights Award nominations begin

5 p.m. - The Spokane Human Rights Commission and Mayor David Condon are pleased to accept nominations for the 2014 Spokane Human Rights Award.

July 21

New parking meters coming to lower South Hill, Downtown

12 a.m. - Work to install new parking meters in the downtown area and areas of the lower South Hill begins Monday, July 21.

City, labor agree to pension changes

Midnight - Changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement aim to strengthen the health of the City of Spokane's pension plan and long-term finances.

July 18

No Royal Fireworks Concert This Year

1:39 p.m. - Traditional Royal Fireworks Concert is cancelled this year after 35 seasons

SPD Looks to Public to ID Sunset Grocery Robber

1:25 p.m. - Spokane Police Major Crimes detectives are looking to the public to help identify a suspect who robbed Sunset Grocery on July 10th.

Sixth Session of YPI graduates today

10:38 a.m. - Sixth Session of YPI graduates today

July 17

Fire Marshal Issues Restrictions on Outdoor Recreational Fires

2:36 p.m. - Due to hot, dry conditions, specified outdoor recreational fires are prohibited in the City of Spokane effective today.

Join the New Senior Aqua Fitness Shallow Water Class

12:54 p.m. - Get your exercise while you cool off from the heat

Spokane Police Investigate Robbery/Non-Life Threatening Shooting

11:06 a.m. - Spokane Police investigate robbery and non-life threatening shooting in N. Spokane. Anyone with info on this is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.

Council to consider placing street levy, park bond proposals on ballot

10:20 a.m. - City Council is slated to vote at its meeting on July 28 on resolutions to place a street levy and a bond for Riverfront Park on the November ballot.

July 16

Movie Night At Riverfront Park

4:45 p.m. - Tonight is the final PEMCO sponsored outdoor movie at Riverfront Park. Come for Live Acts, Trivia, Food, and Big Screen Flicks

Take The Little Spokane River Shuttle

11:30 a.m. - Leave the Driving to Us! Take Our Little Spokane Shuttle Service

July Coffee w/Cop Event Features Auto Theft Prevention Device Giveaway

11:23 a.m. - The Spokane Police Department will hold the next Coffee w/ a Cop event Wed, July 23rd, 7:30 - 9:00 am and again in the afternoon from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

July 15

SVPD Shooting Update

3:48 p.m. - Shooting update

Mayor shares Spokane Integrated Clean Water Plan with Utility Leaders

2:25 p.m. - Mayor Condon presents Spokane Integrated Clean Water Plan to 100 utility leaders at National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) conference.

Free Summer Movies Return

Midnight - The City of Spokane’s Riverfront Park is considered one of the most scenic urban parks in the nation.

Please Help Spread The Word Last Chance Deadline Is Today

Midnight - The Friends of Manito fundraiser needs a head count for this coming Sunday Picnic for the Pond. July 15 is the deadline for purchasing tickets.

July 14

Free Master Plan Tours Available July 23 and August 13

4:25 p.m. - Master Plan Tours Available at Fountain Cafe Wednesday Night Music Series

1st Friday Dinner Concert Scheduled for August 1st in Riverfront Park

4:19 p.m. - Join us August 1st for our premiere First Friday Dunner Concert in Riverfront Park

Veterans Court Cap. Improvements Will Limit Access to Centennial Trail

4:14 p.m. - Improvements will include trail lighting, irrigation, new plant material and enhanced pedestrian pathways.

Update to this morning's SIRR release

3 p.m. - Update to this morning's SIRR release

Final Day to Buy Dinner Tickets for Picnic at the Pond

2:34 p.m. - Time is Running Out. Go Online Today to Purchase Your Dinner Tickets. It's a Great Event For a Great Cause!

City announces Greening Neighborhoods grant

2:05 p.m. - The City announced a $10,000 grant program for neighborhood planting projects.

City receives $3.4 million homelessness grant

12:33 p.m. - Spokane has received nearly $8 million in federal homelessness funding in the past several weeks.

Legacy of EXPO '74 in the Chase Gallery - Lower Level of City Hall

10:21 a.m. - The Spokane Arts announces, "LEGACY OF EXPO '74," in the Chase Gallery, July 9 - September 26, 2014

SIRR Team Investigates Shooting Involving Detention Services Officer

10 a.m. - SIRR Team Investigates Shooting Involving Spokane County Detention Services Corrections Officer

Picnic for the Pond Fundraiser for Mirror Pond in Manito Park

9:31 a.m. - The Friends of Manito Present the 2nd Annual Picnic for the Pond

July 11

Aquatic Centers Hours of Operation Extended this Weekend & Next

1:11 p.m. - With temperatures soaring into triple digits, open swim will extend at Comstock, Hillyard, A.M. Cannon, Liberty and Shadle pools from 4 6 p.m.

Robbery Suspects Quickly Arrested Thanks to Good Suspect Description

9:35 a.m. - Robbery Suspects Quickly Arrested Thanks to Good Suspect Description and Alert Officer

Brush fire on Beacon Hill

6:53 a.m. - The Spokane Fire Department and the Department of Natural Resources quickly contained a small brush fire on Beacon Hill on Thursday evening.

Structure Fire at 2304 E Bruce Road

6:46 a.m. - The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the cause of house fire in northeast Spokane. The fire was quickly extinguished and no one was injured.

July 10

Chief Straub's Statement Regarding Yesterday's Murder/Suicide

4:49 p.m. - Chief Straub releases statement about murder/suicide yesterday

Pool Parties Just For Teens at the Hillyard Aquatic Center

1:15 p.m. - Calling all teens! It's going to be a great summer with brand new activities at the Hillyard Aquatic Center

Opening Ceremony for Police Activities League is today at Liberty Park

7:08 a.m. - The Spokane Police Department still has open spots for youth participants for the Spokane Police Activities League (PAL).

City Council Accepting Applications for Vacancy

Midnight - The Spokane City Council approved the process for replacing Councilmember Steve Salvatori during a public meeting on Thursday.

July 9

City to Test Membrane Technology at Wastewater Treatment Plant

3:30 p.m. - The City plans to test membrane filtration technology as it prepares for an $80 million to $100 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant.

Bennett Block Skywalk Staircase Removal Public Hearing

12 a.m. - Spokane City Council will hold public hearing Monday, July 28, 2014 at 6 p.m. over Bennett Block Skywalk Staircase Removal

City to Discuss, Demonstrative Vehicle Boot

12 a.m. - Boot and Tow program

University District Integrated Planning Study Community Meeting

Midnight - Planning meeting August 12, 2014 to hear the latest outlook for real estate development in the South University District

July 8

Council Member Waldref to host Council Connnection: Reimaging Downtown

2:28 p.m. - Council Member Amber Waldref will discuss downtown Spokane on Council Connection on Thursday evening.

City offers tips to keep a green lawn in the heat

2:20 p.m. - The City of Spokane Water Department is offering tips to citizens on how to keep a green lawn while holding down the cost of their water bills.

Let's Make Sure All Kids Who Qualify Learn to Swim This Year

12 a.m. - Currently more than 140 Swim Lesson Scholarships are available.

Mirror Pond Picnic & Silent Auction Fundraiser

12 a.m. - Mirror Pond Picnic & Silent Auction Fundraiser - It's a Great Event for a Great Cause

SPD Looks to Public to Locate Missing Vulnerable Child

12 a.m. - SAFELY FOUND - The Spokane Police Department is asking for assistance from the public in locating a missing child, 10-year-old Timothy J. Reedy.

City inspectors all day training session

Midnight - City building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical will attend a one-day training session and will be unavailable July 8, during regular field hours.

Spokane Police Investigate Murder/Suicide

Midnight - Spokane Police Investigate Murder/Suicide

Spokane Urban Forester Angel Spell Selected for National Advisory Team

Midnight - Spell is one of eight named to the NUCFAC's Ten-Year Action Pan Strategic Advisory Team

July 7

Late run to take advantage of parking amnesty

11:24 a.m. - During May and June, 443 people took advantage of the 60-day Parking Amnesty Program to pay 2,046 past due parking citations

Spokane Police Arrest Rape Suspect

11:20 a.m. - investigate a report of a rape at knife-point. The suspect, 29-year-old Kenneth S. Williams was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail.

Natural Gas Leak on South Hill

7:56 a.m. - On Sunday, July 6 at 12:23 p.m. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a natural gas leak in the 800 block of E. Thurston.

July 5

Structure fire at 329 East Wabash

7:29 p.m. - On July 4, 2014 at approximately 11:50 p.m. fire crews from your local City Fire Department responded to 329 East Wabash on a reported structure fire.

Homeless count yields mixed results

11 a.m. - Homelessness among families and veterans decreased over the past year while the total individual count rose during the same period.

July 2

Stolen Tablet Returned to Rightful Owner

Midnight - After taking “selfies” on a stolen tablet, suspect arrested for Possession of Stolen Property and the victim is getting some of his belongings back.