News Releases for November 2015

Nov. 30

Mayor Condon announces independent inquiry

11:15 a.m. - Retired federal Judge Michael Hogan will conduct an independent inquiry into recent personnel matters.

Nov. 25

Collaboration Will Convert Storm Debris to Electricity

4 p.m. - City of Spokane has a new partnership with Avista Utilities to convert the stumps, roots, and branches from the Nov. 17 storm into fuel.

Windstorm Recovery Update

11:52 a.m. - Crews are working around the clock and the community’s contribution with its own commitment to remain #InlandStrong is much appreciated.

Nov. 24

How to Avoid Frozen Pipes During Extended Power Outage

6 p.m. - For citizens who continue to be without power, the City’s Water Department is emphasizing tips to avoid frozen pipes as low temperatures persist.

Spokane Police Ombudsman Hired

4 p.m. - Raheel Humayun has accepted the position of Ombudsman for the City of Spokane.

Windstorm Recovery Update

3:51 p.m. - The wind is expected to start picking up late this afternoon with gusts of up to 30mph that will continue through Wednesday.

SPD Asking for Public's Help Finding Missing Female

3:25 p.m. - Deanne M. Hastings (35) is a white female, approximately 5’4” with a light build, brown hair and brown eyes.

City Council Adopts 2016 Budget

3 p.m. - On Monday, Nov. 23, the Spokane City Council adopted the City of Spokane’s 2016 Budget on a vote of five to one.

Spokane Prepares for Small Business Saturday

2:30 p.m. - The City and Greater Spokane Incorporated are partnering to encourage shoppers to support small, local businesses on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28.

Spokane Public Library is here for you!

12:19 p.m. - Today, all six branches of Spokane Public Library are open until 8 p.m.

Nov. 23

Windstorm Recovery Update

4:54 p.m. - Hard work from utilities, street crews and neighbors continued over the weekend to get people back into their homes.

Blocked Alley? Put garbage, recycling carts on the street

4:10 p.m. - Solid Waste trucks can’t access about 80 to 90 blocks of alleys that are normally used for collection service because of power lines and trees.

Citizen Committee Seeks Input on Next Police Chief

2:30 p.m. - Three town hall forums will be held in December to gather input.

Guns and Hoses Hockey Pratice Today at 5pm

9:34 a.m. - The annual “Guns and Hoses” Hockey game is this Sunday, November 29th at 3pm.

Nov. 22

Spokane Police Looking for Robbery Suspect

2:40 p.m. - The suspect was described as a short white male in his forties, with no front teeth, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt.

Windstorm Recovery Update

12:51 p.m. - Greater Spokane Department of Emergency Management (DEM), in partnership with numerous agencies, is providing this update for Nov. 22, 2015.

Nov. 21

Windstorm Recovery Update

2:52 p.m. - Greater Spokane Department of Emergency Management (DEM) held a press conference to update the community after Tuesday’s unprecedented windstorm.

Nov. 20

Windstorm Recovery Update

4:48 p.m. - The Greater Spokane Department of Emergency Management (DEM) updates the community on the recovery status after Tuesday’s unprecedented windstorm.

City closures planned for Thanksgiving

4:37 p.m. - In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, city facilities will be closed.

City extends free disposal of storm debris at WTE Facility, landfill

12:50 p.m. - The City of Spokane has decided to extend its free emergency tree and yard waste storm debris disposal through Sunday, Nov. 29.

Extended Sunday Hours at Downtown and Shadle Libraries

11:42 a.m. - The Downtown and Shadle branches of Spokane Public Library will be open on Sunday, November 22 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in response to the wind storm.

Nov. 19

Spokane City Council Study Session cancelled

2:49 p.m. - The City Council Study Session meeting previously scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday has been cancelled.

Patrick S. Byrne Park and Webster Park Closed

2:26 p.m. - City of Spokane crews continue to assess damage as a result of the windstorm on November 17th.

Extended Hours all week at Downtown, East Side and Shadle Libraries

10:32 a.m. - The public is encouraged to come down to any of Spokane's open libraries to charge devices, use computers, and escape the cold.

Gas generator in basement sickens three

7:12 a.m. - The Spokane Fire Department urges people to operate portable generators and other engines outside of enclosed spaces.

Nov. 18

Greater Spokane Department of Emergency Management UPDATE

5:52 p.m. - The DEM is still working to assess the damage caused by last night’s severe storm.

Warming shelters open across Spokane

4:55 p.m. - As power outages and storm cleanup continues, several shelters are open in Spokane to help people looking for a warm place to stay Wednesday night.

Here's how to deal with missed garbage pickup

3:45 p.m. - Curbside garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup today in the City of Spokane met up with a few challenges.

Traffic signal outage map added to City website

3:12 p.m. - City of Spokane crews continue to respond to signal outages and storm debris following Tuesday’s severe windstorm.

Extended Hours at Three Spokane Public Library Branches

2:37 p.m. - Customers can charge devices and get out of the cold.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace and Other Attractions Closed Today

11:17 a.m. - Staff members hope to open the rink this evening for the public skating session between 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm and drop-in hockey

Plan Commission meeting cancelled

11:15 a.m. - The Spokane City Plan Commission meeting scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015 in Council Chambers has been cancelled.

Downed trees across Spokane have been mapped

10:30 a.m. - SpokaneCity.org has resources posted in the wake of Tuesday's windstorm

Four Spokane Public Library Branches Open with Power

10 a.m. - Downtown Library will be open today from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. East Side, Indian Trail and Shadle are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Greater Spokane DEM UPDATE

9:18 a.m. - Greater Spokane DEM UPDATE

City to accept storm debris free at Northside Landfill, WTE facility

7:36 a.m. - Large residential storm debris will be accepted free during normal business hours through Nov. 22. Curbside clean green extended for smaller debris.

City streets crews to clear arterials first

7:07 a.m. - Trees will be removed from city streets using the following priority order: arterials, residential streets, side streets.

Nov. 17

Greater Spokane DEM Lifting Shelter in Place; Still Advising Caution

8:13 p.m. - Greater Spokane DEM Lifting Shelter in Place; Still Advising Caution

One Fatality due to Wind Storm Confirmed

5:47 p.m. - One Fatality due to Wind Storm Confirmed

Greater Spokane DEM Advising to Shelter in Place

4:33 p.m. - Greater Spokane DEM Advising to Shelter in Place

When the power's out, everybody stops

2:23 p.m. - City resources are preparing for extremely high winds.

Regional Wind Event Expected to Start at 1pm Today

2:09 p.m. - Regional Wind Event Expected to Start at 1pm Today

Emergency managers urge early dismissal

12:55 p.m. - Spokane area employers are encouraged to send all non-essential employees home early ahead of extremely high winds expected at 4 pm today.

Nov. 16

Warning Period for School Zone Safety Cameras Starts Tomorrow

3:31 p.m. - The warning period will end after winter break on Jan. 4th, 2016, at which time citations will be issued.

Flags fly half-staff to honor Paris victims

10 a.m. - Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Nov. 13

Spokane Police Seek Help to Identify Robbery Suspect

5:47 p.m. - Spokane Police are looking for the public’s assistance in identifying the robbery suspect from Thursday's robbery at Sally’s Beauty Supply.

Programmed Flash ends at some Indian Trail intersections

2:47 p.m. - The City will be terminating programmed flash – setting traffic signals to flash during early morning hours – at three intersections on Indian Trail.

Overheated equipment causes scare

8:26 a.m. - Overheating electrical motor briefly evacuates Monroe Street fast food restaurant.

Fire at vacant home under investigation

8:06 a.m. - The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a fire at a vacant west central home.

Nov. 12

Neighborhood Comes Together to Combat Crime

2:24 p.m. - Neighbors in the Audubon, North Central area worked diligently with SPD to remove a nuisance house and the criminal activity associated it.

City leaf pickup begins Monday

11:30 a.m. - It’s time to clean up those beautifully colored fall leaves! The City of Spokane will begin its regularly scheduled leaf pickup Monday, Nov. 16.

Curbside Yard & Food Waste Collection Coming to End for Season

8:45 a.m. - Curbside yard and food waste customers have until Dec. 4 to finish their fall yard cleanup before the City suspends the service for the winter.

Nov. 11

Spokane Police Respond to Drive-By Shooting on East Euclid

6:56 p.m. - Spokane Police make arrest in drive-by shooting.

Nov. 10

SPD Releases Names of Officers in Nov. 7 Officer Involved Shooting

4:12 p.m. - Spokane Police are releasing the names of the officers involved in the shooting of Tyler J. Randant, an Attempted Robbery and Assault suspect.

Nov. 9

Using water wisely this winter can lead to lower utility bills

1:15 p.m. - Utility customers who used 11 units of water or less last winter will see a $5 credit on the wastewater portion of the monthly utility bills in 2016.

Council Member Waldref to hold mobile office to discuss City budget

10:30 a.m. - Spokane City Council Member Amber Waldref will host a mobile office at Jack and Dan’s Bar and Grill on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 12 to 1 p.m.

Nov. 7

SIRR Team Investigating Officer Involved Shooting

3:34 p.m. - Spokane Police officers were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting (O.I.S.) incident Saturday afternoon.

Nov. 6

Veterans Day is a parking meter holiday

3 p.m. - Parking meters don’t have to be plugged on Wednesday, Nov. 11, because of the Veterans Day holiday.

Councilmembers represent Spokane at League of Cities

10:55 a.m. - Spokane City Council Members Amber Waldref and Candace Mumm met Vice President Joe Biden at the National League of Cities Congress in Tennessee.

Nov. 5

Spokane Police Asking for your Help Preventing Car Thefts

11:18 a.m. - As we approach the cold winter months in Spokane, the Spokane Police Division is asking for your help in preventing car thefts.

Nov. 4

Browne's Addition apartment fire displaces two

11:14 a.m. - Two occupants of Browne's Addition apartment escaped an early morning fire uninjured.

Nov. 3

SPD Asking for Public's Help Finding Missing Male

12:30 p.m. - James M. Creviston (27) is a white male with Level 1 Autism. He was last seen Sunday evening in the Northeast Spokane area.

City gathers more input on Lincoln Heights' future

10:30 a.m. - The City of Spokane is offering citizens more ways to get involved in planning for the future of the Lincoln Heights District Center.