November 2020 Current

NOVEMBER

2020

GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

FREE

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE NEWSMAGAZINE

Mirabeau Park Area Projects get ready to set a new stage page10

VETERAN DENTIST CONTINUES TO SERVE COMMUNITY PAGES 2

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Permit #010 ZIP CODE 99019

NEW LOGO NODS TO HISTORIC BUILDING PAGE 18

SUPPORT FOR THOSE IN NEED PAGE 22

2

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

RIVER CROSSING

Resilient Road – Determination defines local dentist

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

Life was good for Ryan Bushman in 2007.

The native of Quincy, WA. had just bought a home in Moses Lake near the water with his wife Cassidi and been promoted to supervisor at a manufacturing company. The couple had two kids and the family was thriving.

Then the Great Recession hit and Bushman was forced to pivot before the word became fashionable.

Layoffs reduced the employee count at Bushman’s plant from 900 to 600. Soon, he was looking for work and facing foreclosure on his house. Bushman, who had not pursued education beyond high school, considered becoming an auto mechanic or possibly a welder.

Cassidi recommended another field.

“I remember thinking, ‘What can a poor farm kid do?” Bushman said. “My wife suggested I become a doctor. I said, ‘No way.’”

Eventually, Bushman heeded the advice and applied at Eastern Washington University. He wasn’t accepted at first but – in a trend that would come to define his life’s journey – Bushman refused to give up. He applied again and got in. Studies were not easy his first year but he persevered and things improved. He would go on to earn a degree in biology.

It was not the first road back for Bushman who experienced the tragic loss of two younger siblings in separate accidents before he turned 10. When Bushman was 14, his dad passed away. His mom struggled with depression and substance abuse afterward, going through a stage when she was apart from the family and homeless.

Through it all, Bushman remained determined. He tilled the land on the potato farm, raised pigs and made sure the crops were watered.

“I enjoyed the responsibility and the sense of accomplishment,” he said.

After EWU, Bushman moved his family from Cheney to Mesa, Arizona where he attended the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He thrived at dental school, finishing in the top 25 percent of his class.

In 2015, toward the end of his first year of dental school, Bushman joined the U.S. Army National Guard – but first he needed to lose 60 pounds. The emphasis on staying fit and active has continued as Bushman and his family savor snow skiing and other outdoor adventures. The dentist still dedicates one weekend a month to his Guard duties.

Last October, Bushman opened Spokane Family Dental on Pines Road in Spokane Valley after acquiring the patient list of a retiring dentist. In January, a similar scenario occurred. Just a few months later, the practice faced the jarring impact of COVID-19 and the narrowing of allowable services to emergency

care. Bushman pivoted adeptly and began promoting emergency-based dentistry. The move resulted in a positive response from new and existing patients, helping Bushman and his team ride out the wave until full dental services were permitted once again.

Ryan and Cassidi are proud parents of five kids. Bushman gives credit to his wife for not only helping him find new career direction but also “being the mastermind behind everything.”

“She doesn’t get enough credit,” he says. “She has sacrificed so much.”

Q: Growing up on a farm, it sounds like you had plenty of responsibility. How did this experience help you develop traits that have benefited you later in life?

A: Growing up on the farm and the significant responsibility I had, at young age, has definitely made its mark on my life. With this responsibility I learned what it was to take ownership of the tasks given

to me. If I was to have pride in my work, I needed to learn to be the best at what I was doing or at least try my best. I found that if something was completed sub-par, I had myself to hold accountable for this.

However, the most important trait I developed while on the farm was learning how to appreciate a sense of accomplishment with an honest day’s work. To look back on my day and think about all the large and small achievements is something I continue to strive for today.

Q: Most kids are not too enthused about going to the dentist. What do you remember about your visits as a youngster and how has that affected your approach as a dentist?

A: On one occasion I remember being in little league when a baseball hit me in the face, fracturing my front tooth. I went to the dentist and had the chip repaired with a filling.

No more than two days later my younger brother and I were having an argument, during baseball See BUSHMAN Page 5

Contributed photo Dr. Ryan Bushman opened Spokane Family Dental on Pines Road in Spokane Valley close to a year ago. The Quincy, WA. native grew up on a potato farm and began his professional journey in manufacturing before deciding to be a dentist.

He is also a member of the U.S. Army National Guard.

NOVEMBER 2020 • 3

The Current

a message from:

spread kindness. not covid-19. be safe for all of us. keep wearing a mask. keep washing your hands. keep staying 6 feet apart.

#KindnessNotCOVID

#InlandStrong

#InlandBizStrong

KindnessNotCOVID.org

4

NEWS

• NOVEMBER 2020

BUSHMAN

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With unit sizes available from 12 x 24 up to 14 x 50, we’re sure to have what you need. And all our indoor units have electricity available and come with extra wide and high doors to accommodate all vehicle sizes.

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Continued from page 2 practice, and he punched me in the face, fracturing the same tooth, and in a more severe fashion. The next day I received my first crown.

On both occasions the dentist I saw was very compassionate and calming. He seemed to take a great deal of time to ensure my fears and questions were addressed in a way I understood. This is something we strive for at Spokane Family Dental. I spent a year in pediatric dentistry helping to hone my skills and patient interaction with kids.

As our name states, we really do love seeing the whole family and we really do want the whole family comfortable.

Q: How do you think your life would be different if you had followed your original career goal of becoming a farmer?

A: For starters, I have a lot more “free time” in the summer months!

In all seriousness, I think I would have been happy as a farmer. The farm is where I learned to appreciate an honest day’s work. I have the utmost respect for the farming community and the stability they offer our country and, furthermore, I would be proud to consider myself a member of the good farming men and woman I grew up to appreciate.

Ultimately, the type of work would be different, the day-to-day tasks would be more physically laboring but rewarding nonetheless. I feel this can be true for many career paths and I am thankful to be happy in my chosen profession.

Q: While you and your wife don't live on a potato farm, I'm sure you want to teach your kids a good work ethic. How do you go about this in modern-day suburbia?

A: Although, we are not potato farmers anymore, I’m not entirely sure we ever lost the farmer “bug.”

In our early years of parenthood, we raised pigs and sold piglets to local FFA and 4H kids. During this time, we would have the kids help us feed and water the animals.

Fast forward a few years, while in dental school, as a family we raised and bred rabbits, which paid rent many times over. The kids were in charge of watering, feeding and cleaning the pens. With this work, they were paid a percentage of the profits, which helped teach money management and that they can be rewarded for good work. Although we are no longer raising rabbits for rent, we still have a couple rabbits

The Current

as pets. Furthermore, throughout all the years, my wife has had “zones” in the house that each of the kids are responsible for. The zones are reflective of the kid’s age and ability and is not a paid position.

These zones are their responsibility as individuals/citizens living in our home. If they want to get paid for cleaning, we have “additional duties” which they can choose to do for a fee, which is also reflective of difficulty. This allows each kid to choose at what level of difficulty they want to earn and rewards their decision-making process.

Q: You are no stranger to grief, having experienced the passing of two siblings and your father. How did you deal with these losses and what advice would you have for others coping with similar trauma?

A: First and foremost, don’t lose your faith and never forget the loved ones still with you.

Surrounding myself with my loved ones and remembering we are grieving together, not always the same, was and still is key. When I focus on my own grief and my own difficulties, they only get larger and more prevalent. When I focus on my family, my friends and serving others, my problems melt into the background. They never go away, I still miss my siblings and I still wonder what life would be like if my father was still alive but I am reminded of the good times and good times to come when I remember to focus on others instead of myself.

Q: How difficult was it to shift gears and commit to becoming a dentist when you knew that a substantial part of the journey involved many years of school?

A: It was a difficult task. I am a first-generation college student and I knew few people that attended college. I didn’t know the first thing about attending. However, even with the long journey ahead, my wife and I both decided we wanted to choose a career path that provided added stability and a good work-life balance. I think a major difficulty in our decision to change careers and head into dentistry was all the unknowns, which were many. We spent many nights researching and wondering if it was the right move.

Ultimately, we just had to make the leap and go all in. We did this with the understanding that we would have a lot to figure out as we went, which we did. And to this day, we are still learning and growing from

The Current

NEWS

that choice, and I have committed myself to learning for a lifetime.

Q: Within less than six months of opening your practice, you had to deal with the abrupt reality of a worldwide pandemic. What have your professional and personal pivots looked like during this time?

A: Responding to this current business climate was a make-it or break-it time for us. In March there was a mandate released limiting dentistry to emergency care only.

With the practice being so new, closing entirely was not an option.

So, we pivoted to emergency-based dentistry. Within the week we cancelled all non-emergency visits, ordered an over-sized banner stating we were open for emergencies and offered an emergency special.

We then took to digital marketing offering the same emergency discount and targeted the local area. While taking all necessary COVID-19 precautions we began seeing and treating patients for emergency dental needs. This was received very well by our existing patients and new patients that came in. We were one of very few dental offices offering emergency services and we were happy and proud to help those in need. We are now open for full dental services, including cleanings but continue to offer emergency dental treatment to many in need. We truly appreciate the patients that trusted us with their emergency needs as they are truly the reason Spokane Family Dental has endured the current business climate.

Q: Beyond the complexities created by COVID-19, what has it been like to start your own business? What are the best and most challenging parts about being your own boss?

A: For starters, I don’t recommend opening your own business during a pandemic, as the complexities are great, but even in perfect market conditions opening a business is not for the weary. One of the most challenging aspects as an owner/operator, is the sheer hours in the day I spend working “on the business” when I am not working “in the business.” At the beginning of the day and after the last patient is seen, there is a business to run, which takes a great deal of time, especially in the first year. My kids are still surprised if they see me before bed but this is a family affair and they understand the sacrifice,

and that it is for a season in our life.

Time management will get easier.

However, the best part of Spokane Family Dental is my ability to build a great team. I am so grateful to be developing a world-class dental team. Seeing my team grow, change and develop has been a very rewarding experience and being able to provide for their families is the icing on the cake. I love not only being able to serve our patients but also our team and the community at large.

Q: You mentioned faith earlier, what role has that played in your life?

A: Faith is everything to my family. Without faith, we would have nothing. Faith is in our standards, our goals and our achievements.

Faith is where I find peace with the daily challenges and the joy I have.

My faith in God and our church brings so much fulfillment to my life. This is where I find my purpose in life and the desire to serve others.

The many blessings in my life from a wonderful wife, to some great children, an amazing community and many more are centered in our faith and I am so grateful for them.

Q: Finally, you talk about going above and beyond at your practice, delivering value and service that eclipse the compensation you receive. Where did this approach come from and how has it been working out so far?

A: You could say this approach to dentistry developed over many years and came from men and women better than myself. I have had some amazing mentors, both in and outside the dental field.

Having a significantly different career path prior to dentistry, along with these phenomenal mentors, have helped shape the way I view myself as a dental provider. I feel my experiences leading up to dentistry allow me to connect with patients on a deeper level then many other dentists. I truly do care for the well-being of my patients, and their families, and this has been well received. We have amazing patients and they are referring their great family members and friends.

As many businesses do, we have external marketing, but the truest and deepest compliment we receive is when one of our patients sends their loved ones to us. At Spokane Family Dental our goal is to provide the best dental experience possible and our patients continue to tell us we are delivering on our goal.

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Current news sources Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1493 emergency calls.

• Emergency Medical Services 1217 • Fires 81 • Building Alarms 60 • Motor Vehicle Accidents 53 • Dispatched and cancelled en route 48 • Service Calls

13 • Hazardous Materials 9 • Vehicle Fires

6 • Auto vs Pedestrian 3 • Technical Rescue 3 Of Note: • Burn Restrictions were lifted October 20, 8 a.m. Due to the current and forecasted cooler and wetter conditions, restrictions for specified outdoor recreational fires (campfires, fire bowls, and fire pits) have been lifted for the Spokane County and Spokane Metro Area by order of the Spokane Metro Area Fire Marshals.

The burn restriction lift will remain in place until weather and fire danger conditions change.

Provided that people are in compliance with the following regulations, outdoor recreational fires, including campfires, are allowed in the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and throughout all unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

Chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces, or other patio/deck warmers are allowed as long as approved fuel (seasoned clean, dry firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas) is used and other requirements are satisfied. The fire cannot be used for the purpose of debris disposal, including paper, natural vegetation, garbage, etc.

Check the current status at https://www.spokanecleanair.org/ current-burning-conditions.

Media Releases: Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) firefighters responded early Friday, October 15, to the report of a house fire. At approximately 7:15 a.m. a resident of a home near Sargent and Valley Way called 911 to report the roof of their home was on fire. Crews turned off the gas to

2020 September Malicious Mischief Hotspots r ke For

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The Current

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NOVEMBER 2020 • 7

The Current

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel 2020 September Vehicle Theft Hotspots

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The maps provided below depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Thefts from a Vehicle (also known as vehicle prowling), Burglaries and Thefts. As you view the map each circle will contain a number indicating how many instances of a particular crime were reported at that location.

Thefts from a vehicle is often under reported as people often feel nothing can be done or they only lost a small quantity of loose change. However, the Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources. I encourage citizens who have been a victim of crime to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 456-2233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

11-15 >15 2 Miles

Drowsy driving is responsible for more than 6,400 U.S. deaths annually. These fall asleep crashes are often caused by voluntarily not getting the sleep you need. Millions of Americans also experience excessive sleepiness as a result of sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy. NSF encourages everyone to prioritize sleep and drive when alert and refreshed.

More than 1 in 4 Americans do not get enough sleep on most nights, adversely affecting their health, performance, and safety. Insufficient sleep impairs a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Impairment from sleep loss is comparable to that of alcohol intoxication with 24 hours of continuous wakefulness resulting in impairments in neurobehavioral performance similar to that induced by a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 g/dL. Like alcohol, sleep deprivation impairs judgment and decision making, and drivers overestimate their ability to perform. Ironically, instead of slowing response times to preserve accuracy, sleep-deprived individuals often increase speed at the expense of making more mistakes (ie, become “fast and sloppy”) and take greater risks.

The NSF Drowsy Driving Consensus Working Group’s 2016 report published in Sleep Health Journal concluded that sleep deprivation renders motorists unfit to drive a motor vehicle. Specifically, healthy drivers who have slept for two hours or less in the preceding 24 hours are not fit to operate a motor vehicle.

They further agreed that most healthy drivers would likely be impaired with only 3 to 5 hours of sleep during the prior 24 hours.

8

• NOVEMBER 2020

NEWS

Spokane Valley City Council Report for November, 2020

By Bill Gothmann Current contributor

City to Have 45 Acre Park Council approved the purchase of 45 acres from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for use as a City Park.

The property is located north of the Spokane River, south of the railroad tracks, east of Flora and continues to the northern bend of the river. However, for the most part, it excludes a strip of land adjacent to the river which is owned by Washington State Parks. In addition to other activities, the purchase would provide opportunity for hiking and camping.

The purchase price is $2,091,600 plus closing costs. The funds will come from $200,000 in the Park Capital Projects fund and the remainder from the Capital Reserve Fund.

However, it requires transferring $1,110,394 from the $1,985,000 within the Capital Reserve Fund that is currently earmarked for Balfour Park improvements. This would still leave $874,606 earmarked for Balfour Park.

There is also a possibility of up to one million dollars the City could receive from a Washington Recreation and Conservation Office grant.

Nine out of ten citizen comments were in favor of the purchase. There was considerable Council discussion whether to complete the purchase at this time. Council member Rod Higgins noted that the COVIS-19 pandemic is still not over and, according to WSDOT, we have until December to purchase the property and we could still wait. “All the Council wants it. It’s a question of timing.” Council member Arne Woodard concurred, agreeing that all want the property, but it is a matter of optics. Council member Pam

Haley called it fiscally irresponsible.

However, Council member Tim Hattenburg opined there is no need to put this off until December and Deputy Mayor Brandi Peetz felt nothing will change between now and December. Council member Linda Thompson agreed. The motion passed 4:3, with Higgins, Woodard, and Haley dissenting.

Resolutions Passed Enabling Large Panattoni Development Council passed two resolutions that enable Panattoni Development Co. to develop a large section of the northeast industrial area of the City.

Both involve vacation of a portion of Garland Avenue from Tshirley, 2600 ft. (about ½ mile) to the east.

The action sets a public hearing for the vacation for Nov. 17. Panattoni is a privately held commercial real estate development company active throughout the U.S, Canada, and Europe in developing large-scale industrial and office projects. Colliers International, S&S Activeware, and Amazon are some of their clients.

Fairground Project Added to Legislative Agenda Council discussed adding a fairgrounds/stadium project to their legislative agenda designed to increase tourism. This project would construct a 30,000 sq. ft. building having new exhibit spaces, offices, and a restaurant. The cost would be $10 million, with Council requesting $4 million from the legislature. $2.9 million or more would come from the City’s lodging taxes. Spokane County would contribute land and would own and operate the facility.

Mayor Wick, who has served as Chair of the Fairgrounds Advisory Committee in the past, noted that the lack of breakout spaces at the Fairgrounds discouraged some

possible customers. Council decided to move forward, adding this item to their legislative agenda. Meanwhile, staff will gather further information on the project Preliminary Budget Presented City staff presented the proposed 2021 budget to the Council. By the time it is adopted, it will have been presented eight separate times, including three public hearings to gather public input. They noted this budget is in the midst of a recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and, as a result the City slowed the budget development process to get a better sense of its impact. Furthermore, the City still does not have a fully developed sense of the depth and breadth of revenue reductions.

The City expects to spend about $98 million including $47.3 million from the General Fund and $50.5 million spread across 23 additional funds. Recurring General Fund revenues will increase over those of 2020 by 2.20%, while expenditures increase by 5.14%. $32.6 million is expected to be spent in capital expenditures, with about $21 million coming from grants received by the City. Staffing levels will remain the same at 95.25 employees. The General Fund balance at the end of 2021 is expected to be about $33 million or 73% of recurring expenses.

The minimum goal is set at 50%.

The City has a mechanism whereby the excess is placed into a Capital Reserve fund for one-time projects. $4.7 million will be spent on pavement preservation with about one million coming from the General Fund and $1.7 million coming from Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) receipts. Funds spent from REET for preservation are unavailable for use as matching funds for state and federal grants. $8.9 million will be spent on capital street projects with $6.9 million from grants or other outside sources and about $2 million

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from REET funds.

This will be the fifth year that the Street Operations and Maintenance Fund (O&M) will spend more than it receives. The city transferred $907 thousand from the Capital Reserve Fund to O&M in 2019 to plug the hole. [Note that the Capital Reserve Fund moneys come from the General Fund]. In 2020, it transferred into O&M $1.4 million from the Capital Reserve Fund and $350 thousand from the General Fund for a total of $1.75 million. In 2021, the City expects to transfer into O&M $1.9 million from the General Fund. This increasing gobble of funds from the General Fund is a challenge that Council needs to address. A public hearing on the budget was held on Nov. 10, and final approval is expected on Dec. 8.

Tax Levy Presented Staff presented the underlying figures that set the 2021 property tax levy for the City. Last year the City collected $12.38 million in property tax. Since the City does not want to increase taxes for 2021, this amount will only be increased by taxes on new construction next year, estimated to be about $325,000. Thus, the total tax is estimated to be about $12.7 million.

The total assessed value of property within the city is estimated to be $11.5 billion as of Sept. 17. Dividing $12.7 million by $11.5 billion yields a levy rate of $1.11 per thousand of assessed value. Last year, this rate was $1.22 per thousand. Staff noted that the $325,000 figure may be adjusted slightly as more exact figures come in from the County.

Property tax revenues represent approximately $12,724,200 or 28% of total General Fund recurring revenues of $45,426,419. Council approve the first reading of this tax.

City Receives More CARES Funding The City received notice from the Department of Commerce on September 11, 2020, that they were

NOVEMBER 2020 • 9

The Current

SPOKANE VALLEY HERITAGE MUSEUM OPEN!!

History always has a lesson to teach

We are implementing every precaution to keep you safe as you explore the Region’s history with us.

Open Wednesday - Saturday 11-4 at 12114 E Sprague Ave

www.spokanevalleymuseum.com 509-922-4570 awarded an additional $1.4 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) dollars. When added to the original $2.9 million, this brings the total award to the city of $4.3 million.

Staff checked with the agencies who were distributing the original $2.9 million to see what had been distributed, what was not spent, and what other funds might be needed, and came up with a plan for distributing $1.8 million in funding.

Because the previous allocation to small businesses was limited to those with not more than 18 employees, staff found a need to extend this help to those with 49 or less employees.

Council approved the amendment to the Interagency Agreement and authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute the Agreement as amended, in substantially the form presented.

Council Awards Grants to 18 Outside Agencies Each year, Council sets aside funds for economic and social service agencies. The 2021 budget is $243,000 for this purpose. Of this amount, $43,000 is set aside for Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) for economic development and $19,000 for the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce for a buy local program and training. After hearing presentations from possible recipients, Council allocated the remaining $182,000 to the following Outside Agencies: Christ Kitchen, $4,893; Elevations, a Children’s Therapy Resource Foundation, $5,244; Feed Spokane, $3,225; Family Promise of Spokane, $14,151; Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels, $15,722; HUB Sports Center, $4,222; JAKT Foundation, $10,765; Project Beauty Share, $850; Spokane Rapids, $1,937; Spokane Valley Arts Council, $15,365; Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, $11,008; Spokane Valley Partners, $39,508; Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, $9,008; Teen & Kid Closet, $7,965; Valleyfest, $20,179; Valleyfest Multicultural Event, $3,607; Widows Might, $12,437; and

YWCA, $1,914.

Hotel Room Tax Increase Being Considered The City of Spokane Valley belongs to a County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) through an agreement with Spokane County and Spokane City. The purpose of the TPA is to collect room taxes from hoteliers and distribute them to promote tourism. The agreement creates a Hotel/Motel Commission to advise the County Commissioners how to spend the funds. The Hotel/ Motel Commission consists of 11 members who shall be operators of lodging businesses. Spokane County selects two members and one nonvoting ex officio member, Spokane selects four members and one non-voting ex officio member, and the City of Spokane Valley selects two members and one nonvoting ex officio member. In 2008, the parties agreed to make the TPA perpetual. Recently, the legislature boosted the maximum permitted pernight tax from $2 to $5. However, any increase must be approved by 60% of the hoteliers. They voted to increase funding to $4 per night, so parts of the agreement must be renegotiated. City Council asked staff to seek to change the agreement from a perpetual agreement to one with an expiration date. In addition, Council would like a reexamination of representation on the Commission, a report of how much revenue comes from each of the several zones defined in the agreement, and a periodic report of funds expended.

Non-Conforming Uses Addressed A non-conforming use is one where the use conflicts with the zoning: for example, having an auto repair shop in a residential zone. The existing code provisions require that if a residential structure is located in a non-residential zone, and it is destroyed beyond 80% of its value, the structure may not be rebuilt.

This provision made it difficult for such homeowners to obtain

insurance. The change states that, “Existing legally established singlefamily residential structures located in a nonresidential zoning district shall not be deemed nonconforming and shall be permitted as a legal structure.”

The present code permits a nonconforming use to be expanded within the same lot or to an adjacent lot. However, the provisions were slightly different for non-residential uses and residential uses. This was simplified such that expansion of a non-conforming use to an adjacent property is permitted “if the properties were under the same ownership and had the same zoning classification at the time the original lots became nonconforming.”

Council approved these changes.

Subdivision Regs Amended Staff is proposing to make changes to subdivision regulations to align them with state law, improve submittal and procedural rules, and update to the City’s present organizational structure.

One change would separate subdivision alterations from short subdivision and binding site plan alterations.

Short subdivisions are those plans involving less than nine lots, whereas subdivisions involve more than nine lots. The new regs define which alterations will require a public hearing. The new regs reduce the number of copies that must be submitted and eliminate unneeded document submittals. The Council consented to move forward on these changes.

Decant Facility Canopy Moves Forward When the City and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) clean stormwater drywells, the vactoring trucks collect water and solids. An agreement between WSDOT and the City resulted in construction of a decant facility permitting separation of the solids from the liquid, providing more economical, eco-friendly products for disposal. A long-delayed canopy

for the facility would enable the facility to be utilized more than the present 60% of the year. Council approved an amendment to the decant agreement providing for this canopy, funded by a $431,250 grant from the Department of Ecology, $137,500 from WSDOT, and $16,250 from the City.

Council Briefs • Staff presented an amendment to donation requirements that includes standards for naming donations or sponsorships.

• Police Chief Dave Ellis reported that last year, 1700 children participated in the Trunk or Treat Halloween event. However, because of the epidemic, this year’s event is being cancelled.

• Mayor Ben Wick appointed Karl Joseph Ganrath to the Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2021.

• Council approved the vacation of a portion of Desmet Court (located east of Indiana, west of Flora Rd.) as requested by Hanson Industries. This will effectively move the cul-de-sac 210 ft. to the west.

• In addition to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, City administrative offices will be closed at noon, Nov. 25; all of Dec. 24; and at noon, Dec. 31. Pre-planned Centerplace events will take place as scheduled.

• Council approve less restrictive rules for cable providers, eliminating technical specification standards, programming oversight, and customer service standards.

• Council approved a cable franchise by TDS Metrocom for ten years with the provision to opt out after five years if there are significant changes to State or Federal law. The franchise would remit 5% of its gross revenue to the City.

• Council approved vacating a 7.5 ft. by 210 ft. piece of property worth $60 located between 1204 and 1216 N. Barker Road.

10

• NOVEMBER 2020

COVER STORY

New Hotel Takes Mirabeau Area to next level

By Ben Wick

Current Publisher

Less than a year ago, when a long time Spokane Valley Family announced a new project in the Mirabeau Park area across the street from the City of Spokane Valley’s Center Place Regional Event Center it never would have guessed the potential it would have ignited.

Grant Guinn with his wife Lisa and their eight children which inspired the name of their hospitality company, GL8 Hospitality, decided to build their own hotel in their home town. The first of its kind in the Greater Spokane area, a Tru by Hilton Hotel. And have forecasted their plans to build a second hotel in the same area, but closer to the Spokane River. While unfortunately their plans for the second hotel

have become more delayed with the unforeseen circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, their first endeavor is taking shape and has already started having impacts on the area.

Being built just east of Mirabeau Parkway north of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and Indiana Ave, the project is in an area that seemed to have been all but forgotten, as the recent development in the area had been focused west of Mirabeau Parkway along Mansfield headed towards Pines Rd, now home to the Horizon Credit Union Headquarters and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife buildings.

Guinn describes the three story 92 room hotel as being for the people that are young at heart.

“The hotel will have a very open feel with a nearly 3,000 sq ft public space featuring a large pool table as well as life size Jenga and Connect 4 games.”

But the most distinguishing features of the hotel and brand of Hilton’s will be in the technology.

According to Guinn “we will have the fastest internet speeds of any hotel in the greater Spokane area and will be the first Tru by Hilton in the country to be built with a ‘touch free’ package.” Which as Grant says was planned and chosen even before the COVID pandemic.

“The Touch Free package gets its name from the hotel chains connected room technology. Where you can use the Hilton App on your phone to check in at the hotel similarly to how you check in for a flight, you will have the ability to see a layout of the hotel and choose your room similar to selecting your seat on the plane” but the app

Contributed rendering of the Tru by Hilton Hotel, now taking bookings for February 21, 2021 and beyond.

The Current

integration doesn’t stop there “you can also use the app as a key to open the door to your room, control the temperature within your room, turn on and off the lights, as well as controlling the TV which will feature the ability to pair with your Netflix account so you can watch your favorite shows” In addition to all of the technology and games the hotel will also have more traditional features such as a pool, hot tub, fitness center, patio with fire pit, as well as a continental or topic breakfast [post COVID of course].

While the Guinn’s have hired Common Wealth Hotels out of Kentucky to manage the property for them they are proud that all of the employees including the general manager are local Spokane people and, true to their passion for the community, will have some sort of exposure and training in Spokane Valley history and knowledge

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based upon a partnership with the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum.

Passionately, Grant will tell you, “while a lot of the hotel is selected from options and package within the Hilton specifications, there is one area we get to customize, the wall mural. We want the mural to highlight the Spokane Valley community.”

While Guinn isn’t ready to reveal the design of the mural quite yet, they plan to do a series of Facebook live sessions where each week they reveal a community aspect that is featured within the mural and ultimately unveil the mural at their grand opening. Follow them on Facebook @TruSpokane to get the latest on their developments.

Just across the street, even before the announcement of the Tru

By Hilton Hotel the City of Spokane Valley had identified the desire to focus development efforts on the tourism industry and, in particular, at the potential opportunity with the outdoor space at Center Place Regional Event Center.

According to Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Director Mike Stone one of the most comment request received was ‘could we move our event outside?’ however according to Stone “with all of the access issues, grade issues, and accessibility concerns we didn’t really have any suitable outdoor space available around Center Place.”

“We really wanted to be able to host larger events such as Crave and Valleyfest and be able to do it more frequently” said Stone. After surveying the current users and event promoters which host events at Center Place, the city embarked upon a master plan for the outdoor space which became known as the Center Place West Lawn Project.

The concept got a little attention in 2018 with the city council implementing phase 1 of the master plan, which included improvements on the North Lawn and grading of the surrounding area to level out the area for accessibility. However, in the fall of 2019, the City Council decided to put the remainder of the improvements into the cities 2020 budget.

“Tourism was a big influencer, if we had a venue that could bring in people to Spokane Valley we could do more” said Stone.

COVER STORY

NOVEMBER 2020 • 11

Contributed photos The east lawn improvements at CenterPlace are supposed to be completed for the opening spring of 2021.

The $2.1 million dollar project included amenities such as a large hard surfaced plaza large enough to host events, bathroom facilities, electrical upgrades, and a little stage area. After starting the project the city also decided to place two art pieces recently donated to the city within the area as well.

While COVID has added to delays in the construction of the project, the contractor, William Winkler Co, has reached substantial completion of the project and the city is expected to officially open the area in the spring.

While the development of these two projects were decided independently, the possibilities of what they can do together is where the excitement really comes in.

“Having a hotel across the street is a real selling point for events,” stated Stone. “We are excited for the partnership with the hotel.”

“We are excited at the opportunity to partner with CenterPlace,” says Guinn. “We see the meeting rooms within walking

distance as a natural extension of the hotel.”

Guinn continued, “even though our construction isn’t complete, we have already submitted at least one joint proposal to host an event jointly with CenterPlace.”

For those interested in know someone who might be interested in staying at the new Tru by Hilton reservations can already be made for nights starting January 10th online at the Tru by Hilton website and as the construction progress continues earlier nights may become available.

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12

• NOVEMBER 2020

SVFD REPORT Continued from page 6

the home and were able to quickly locate and extinguish the fire and determine the cause. The ceiling was pulled to reveal hotspots and extinguish all potential further fire opportunities.

The Investigator determination shows an electrical issue in the attic as being the cause and origin of the fire.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department strongly urges all residents to have working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms save lives.

Check your smoke alarms once a month to make sure they work.

Check the expiration date on the back of your alarms to know when they are or will be at the end of their life. Thankfully, at this morning’s fire, the residents woke up from the smell of smoke and were able to evacuate unharmed with both of their pets.

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) firefighters responded at 8:38 p.m., October 6, to a report of smoke and flames seen at the Krispy Kreme in Spokane Valley. Callers to 911 indicated a fire in a fryer inside the restaurant. The manager stated she saw flames erupt from hot oil or grease in a fryer, evacuated the building, and then used two dry chemical extinguishers on the bulk of the fire.

The first unit, Engine 12 from the Sullivan Station, arrived to find a smoke column showing from the exterior roof vents, and the Battalion Chief V22 quickly requested more resources. The next arriving units had been night training nearby at the SVFD Tower on Sullivan, and assisted with overhaul and checking the remaining structure for

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extension. Initial reports indicated that the fire was mostly contained or slowed in its growth by the quick work of the store manager. There was smoke throughout the building that was evacuated with high pressure fans, and damage inside was kept to a minimum.

No injuries were noted to civilians or firefighters; however, the manager was evaluated by on scene AMR paramedics as a precaution. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and there is no immediate projections on reopening of the business.

A total of 2 ladder companies, 6 engine companies, a Rescue, and 4 staff officers responded bringing 32 firefighters to the scene.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind residents that grease fires can also occur in the home, and to always keep a lid nearly when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by sliding the lid over the pan. Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan has cooled.

Incidents: MVA, October 15– Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a Moving Violation near the 6600 block of E Broadway Ave near I-90. A sedan was trying to pull out of the Flying J truck stop parking lot and the sedan driver's view was blocked. As the sedan tried to pull out into the road, an approximately 20 foot trailer being pulled by a pickup truck ran over the sedan's engine compartment. No injuries reported.

HazMat, Natural Gas – October 14 - Spokane Valley Fire responded to a report of a gas leak. Valley

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Engine 7 (VE7) arrived on scene, located the Nad monitor for the LEL, and was shown the location of the natural gas leak. VE7 then secured the area. VE7 pulled a precautionary pre-connect for safety. Once the leak was stopped, VE7 reloaded the preconnect and returned to service.

V22 evacuated the business, pushed vehicles away from the leak, and marked off the area. VE5 stood by the hydrant and E85 to pull a second exposure line if needed. Avista arrived on scene and dug down 50 feet and secured the line. All units stood by at Avista’s request until the line was bled. The scene was turned over to Avista and crews returned to service.

Powerline Problem, October 13 – Spokane Valley Fire responded to a reported downed powerline.

Crews arrived and found a tree laying across a power line, leaning over one lane of 8th Avenue. Crews put cones out to divert traffic at the nearest intersections. Avista was notified, and neighbors were warned of the hazard.

An SCSO deputy arrived and assisted with traffic control until volunteers arrived to take over.

Crews and traffic control remained on scene until Avista arrived. Crews then returned to service.

Smoke Investigation, October 12 – Spokane Valley Fire was called to a report of smoke near exit 299 off of I-90. Crews arrived with the objective to investigate the source of the smoke. Valley Engine 4 noticed a small column of grey smoke emitting from the tree line west of the river, south of I 90, and north of the Centennial Trail foot bridge. VE 4 relayed this information to dispatch and advised them that they would be making access on foot. VE 4 was positioned on Spokane Bridge Road

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and the Centennial trail access point.

VE 4 crews grabbed wildland tools and a water can and walked roughly 1/4 of mile East on the Centennial trail where they located an illegal warming fire burning in a thicket of trees on the west side of the river.

VE 4 made contact with the person who reported the fire. When the reporting party was uncooperative, VE 4 requested that SCSO respond for further investigation. VE 4 extinguished the illegal burn, stirred burning debris and ensure smolder embers were smothered.

VE4 directed SO office to the person who reported the fire who was still on scene and then returned to service.

Vehicle Fire, September 16 – Spokane Valley Fire responded to a report of a vehicle fire. Crews arrived to find a small Subaru station wagon fully involved out in the middle of the driveway area of this truck stop. Crews positioned the apparatus about 50 feet away from the involved vehicle. Firefighters donned air packs enroute. Upon arrival they jumped out and used the front bumper line to attack the fire. Crews popped the hood and put the fire out before going inside to meet the owner. Information was gathered and crews made sure the owner was not having any medical issues. The owner said he had gotten off the freeway and wanted to stop for soup at the truck stop. The car was running great until he suddenly saw flames coming out of the hood.

He was able to get off the road just in time to exit the vehicle. A truck stop employee called 911.

After the fire was completely out, crews put away hoses and cleaned around the area of the car. They used the nearby hydrant to fill the firetruck tank and then returned to service.

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14

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

Entertainment for the whole family

AudioBookCloud

Flipster

hoopla

AudioBookCloud is a great streaming resource for all ages. Listen to popular and classic titles for children with dedicated children and young adult sections.

Listen to titles such as The Genius Files series, the Green Knowe series, and the Mary Poppins series.

You’ll find great listens for young adults, including the Cirque Du Freak series and the Sweep series.

With Flipster you can browse, download, and read digital magazines anywhere and at any time.

Within the Family & Kids category, you’ll find some favorites, including Ranger Rick, Zoobooks, Ladybug, Babybug, Cricket, Highlights, and Sports Illustrated Kids.

Watch family-friendly movies. Read along and listen to narrated picture books. Flip the digital pages of graphic novels such as the Big Nate series and the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series. Dance and sing along with music from Disney, Kidz Bop, and more. View entertaining and educational television episodes from PBS Kids and Nickelodeon.

For convenience, you can immediately check out audiobooks with no holds or waiting and set bookmarks to save your place. AudioBookCloud is browser dependent, requiring a browser with an internet connection. This means that books can’t be downloaded to a device to be listened to later.

Visit www.scld.org/audiobookcloud.

On-the-go access is available with the Flipster app for mobile devices, or you can browse Flipster’s website on a computer.

Visit www.scld.org/flipster.

With hoopla, you can stream popular movies, music, audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and television shows.

Kids Mode gives you a kid-friendly setting for finding streaming for the whole family. You can also find resources for homeschooling and homework as well as educational television shows and movies.

Hoopla titles are always available for instant streaming. And everything returns automatically, so you don’t have to worry about due dates.

Visit www.scld.org/hoopla.

www.scld.org

NOVEMBER 2020 • 15

The Current

When you’re looking for boredom busters, these digital resources can offer you hours of engrossing, magical, humorous, and even enlightening entertainment.

OverDrive

TumbleBookCloud Junior

Read and listen to classic picture books from authors such as Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. Enjoy modern favorites like Pete the Cat, beginning reader books like Frog & Toad and Fly Guy, and chapter books for new readers like The Magic Tree House series and the Princess in Black series.

TumbleBookCloud Junior is an online collection of eBooks and read-along chapter books, nonfiction books, graphic novels, educational videos, and audiobooks.

Soar through the pages of gut-busting laugh-outlouds from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants series. Explore thrilling middle-grade adventures from Rick Riordan and the I Survived series.

Readers of all ages are sure to find enjoyable reads!

With OverDrive, you get streaming and downloadable eBooks and audiobooks available in a variety of formats. Borrow and download today with the Libby or OverDrive app.

Visit www.scld.org/overdrive.

This collection has been designed for readers who are reading at or are in grades 3–6. The Read-Along format combines the flexibility of an eBook with full-length professional narration and sentence-bysentence highlighting so readers can follow along.

Explore butterflies, crocodiles, koalas, whales, and more with videos from National Geographic. Read along with the Justine McQueen series. Discover childrens’ classics, including The Wind in the Willows and Aesop's Fables. Turn the digital pages of graphic novels such as the Max Finder series and the Graphic Guide Adventure series.

Visit www.scld.org/tumblebookcloud-jr.

TeenBookCloud

TumbleBook Library

TeenBookCloud offers a robust selection of graphic novels, enhanced novels, eBooks, classic literature, National Geographic videos, educator resources, and audiobooks.

TumbleBook Library is an online collection of animated books with sound and narration. The animated pictures bring storybooks to life. Emerging readers can practice literacy skills by reading along and aloud.

Read classics from Jane Austen and Shakespeare and graphic novels such as Coraline by Neil Gaiman.

Enhanced eBooks offer a fully immersive experience so readers can hear and see what they are reading at the same time. You’ll find educational reads and materials, supporting Common Core curriculum for middle school and high school students and supporting AP English students.

TumbleBook Library includes English-language picture books and some titles in French and Spanish as well. TumbleBook Library is a wonderful resource for preschool and early elementary families and for students of all ages who are learning French or Spanish.

TeenBookCloud is a streaming service, and the collection is available online around the clock, with no holds or waiting. With internet access, you can be reading, watching, or listening to fantastic content.

All of the titles in TumbleBook Library are immediately available, with no holds or waiting.

This is a browser-dependent digital resource, so these books can only be read online with an internet connection.

Visit www.scld.org/teenbookcloud.

Visit www.scld.org/tumblebook-library.

16

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

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Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Whether it’s academics or the arts, Miina Efta excels. The senior at Valley Christian School maintains a 4.0 grade point average, is a member of the National Honor Society and serves as NHS chapter president.

She has appeared on the Scholar’s List since her freshman year. Efta has taken AP classes in biology and chemistry as well as concurrent college credit classes in English and math. She has also been honored with the National Merit Scholar Commendation Award. The senior plays the flute and earned a Division 1 rating as a soloist at the 2019 Stillwater Music Festival. Efta has been part of the VCS Knowledge Bowl team for two years. As a junior, she contributed to an historic victory for the Panthers as they became the first 1B school to take first place at the NEWESD 101 Regional Tournament.

It’s not often that a sophomore qualifies for three events at the state track meet. Grace Bruno of Valley Christian School is one of the few athletes to accomplish the feat. In 2019, she placed fourth at the 1B meet in the 300-meter hurdles, fifth in the 4 x 100-meter relay and eighth in the 100-meter hurdles. That cross country season, Bruno was the sole competitor for the VCS girls’ cross country team. Bruno is also a standout in dance. She specializes in tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop.

She was honored with scholarships to the Dupree and Kar Dance Competitions and has competed at events in Texas, Idaho, Colorado and Seattle. Bruno maintains a 3.7 grade point average and was the junior class president last year. She has been a Vacation Bible School leader and a Social Life representative

JoAnn Howard has made a habit of service to others. The Spokane Valley resident has volunteered for Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest and also served several missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to places like Washington, D.C., Nauvoo, Illinois and Seattle. Spanning over 30 years, JoAnn has knitted and given away around 2,000 homemade “scrubbies” – used for cleaning and scrubbing around the house – often with a friendly note. The Salt Lake City native is a graduate of Brigham Young University and taught elementary school in the Bay Area for several years before marrying and starting a family.

She is the mother of two grown sons and has seven grandchildren. A cancer survivor, JoAnn is always encouraging and nurturing those around her with positive energy and a glowing smile.

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The Current

Kids who read, vote for the best books could win their own copies

By Gwendolyn Haley, librarian Spokane County Library District

Reading experts agree that choice plays an essential role in developing a lifelong love of reading. So if you want to raise a reader, let your child choose the books they read.

Kids get to pick the winners of the Readers Choice Book Awards—a built-in motivator to read! This year, Spokane County Library District encourages kids to read and vote for their favorite books from those nominated for the Washington Library Association Readers Choice Awards.

Not only do kids get to choose

LIBRARY which books they like best, when they read and vote in the Library District’s reading challenge, they are entered for a chance to win their own copies of nominated books.

Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award (https:// www.wla.org/wccpba-award) is for kids in kindergarten through grade 3. These young students read, or have read to them, the nominated titles before voting on their favorite. Votes are due by April 15, 2021.

The Sasquatch Award (https:// www.wla.org/2021-sasquatchnominees) is for kids in grades 4–6.

Twelve great chapter books have been nominated by teachers and librarians across Washington state.

Students can participate in the voting process by reading at least two of the nominees. Votes for this award are due by May 28, 2021.

The Evergreen Teen Book Award (https://evergreenbookaward. org/) is chosen by teens in grades 6–12. This award includes a middle school list for students in grades 6–8 and a high school list for those in grades 9–12. Students may read

New library services provide mobile printing, internet hotspots, one-on-one help

By Erin Dodge

Current Guest Contributor

Spokane County Library District has new and revamped services for library customers. These services include mobile printing, mobile hotspot checkouts, and individualized help with Book a Librarian.

The Book-a-Librarian service has returned and is now offered remotely by phone and via online video sessions. This service helps you discover the tools and skills you need to successfully do the things you want to do. If you have been wondering about something you’d like to do, then Book a Librarian may be the answer to helping you find a strategy or solution.

In these one-on-one appointments, you get personalized help. Some examples of things you can get help with include

learning how to download the latest best-seller to your smartphone, discovering strategies for finding the best educational content for athome student learning, and getting help filing for unemployment benefits. The appointment is focused on what you want to learn and achieve.

You can schedule a Booka-Librarian appointment by submitting the online form at www. scld.org/book-a-librarian or by calling your local library, during open hours.

With the District’s Mobile Printing service, you can use your computer or mobile device to send your print jobs to the library and pick them up at Argonne, Spokane Valley, The BookEnd, Otis Orchards, or one of the seven others.

With this service, you can print most documents. There are weekly page limits but no cost for printing.

NOVEMBER 2020 • 17

from and vote on either list, but must read at least two novels from the same list in order to vote. Votes are due by March 31, 2021.

Participating in the reading challenge is as easy as read, vote, and win! First, you sign up for the specific challenge for your age group using Spokane County Library District’s Beanstack app at https://scld.beanstack.org/ reader365.

Next, start reading the nominated books. Once you’ve read the minimum required number of books, you unlock the voting ballot and can vote for your favorite.

Voting enters you for a chance to win a set of three of the nominated titles. The prize drawings will take place after voting closes for each award.

There will be multiple winners for each reading challenge, and the book prizes have been provided by the Friends of the Deer Park, Cheney, Medical Lake, Moran Prairie, Argonne, and Fairfield Libraries.

I look forward to seeing which books are your favorites!

The Mobile Printing website is used with an internet browser, so there is no additional software required. Or you can download the app for your mobile device and printing on the go.

To get started, visit www.scld. org/mobile-printing.

Those who have limited or no access to the internet can check out a Mobile Hotspot from the library.

The checkout period for this device is 28 days, and there is no cost to use it. The hotspot provides a strong, fast, and secure internet connection for your laptop, tablet, smart TV, smartphone, and other mobile devices. To check one out, you need to be 18 years or older and have an in-district library card.

To reserve a mobile hotspot, call the library at 509-893-8400 during library open hours, currently 12– 6pm, Monday–Saturday.

To pick up mobile print jobs, books, and other materials— including mobile hotspots—from the library, you can use curbside pickup. Learn more about it at www.scld.org/curbside-pickup.

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18

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Crest

The Current Brought to you by

About and for Spokane Valley area seniors

Vera Water and Power

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

Vera Water and Power, which has been serving Spokane Valley customers for 112 years, is best known for what is often called the castle – a stone building made from local river rock on Evergreen Road that is actually still a functioning water well.

Given that fact, it’s only fitting that the castle is front and center in the company’s new logo. “Most people drive by there and don’t know it’s an actual pump house,” said communications manager Catherine Cronin.

Rare visitors to the inside of the building can look down in a deep hole illuminated by a single strand of small lights. A shimmer at the bottom provides evidence the water is flowing. “You see it bubble and ripple and that’s our aquifer,” she said. “That’s our sole source of drinking water.”

The new logo, which features the top of the castle, also features three power lines coming out the back to symbolize the power the company provides. Typically, there are three transmission lines on power poles.

The new logo was originally scheduled for a public unveiling in March, but the pandemic put those plans on hold. “We adapted,” she said. “Everyone was going through such significant changes, we put the logo rollout on hold.”

Instead there was a soft rollout in August, when the new logo appeared on the sign outside the headquarters building and on reflective signs painted on the side of their utility trucks.

General Manager Kevin Wells said the old logo was simply too difficult to reproduce well. “We developed a logo in the pre-cell phone era and it wasn’t really compatible with electronics,” he said. “It was dated.”

He likes the new logo, which was designed with the input of employees from throughout the utility. “It tells our story,” he said. “It’s our castle, it’s our power lines. It’s kinda cool.”

The Vera Water and Power story is a long one. The well inside the

castle-like pump house was hand dug in 1906. The pump house was built with stones that were dug up during the construction of ditches in the area.

Vera Electric Water Company was established in 1908 by real estate entrepreneurs Donald K. McDonald, A.C. Jamison and Andrew Good.

The company was named after McDonald’s daughter, Vera. The water provided by the company allowed apple orchards to be planted across the valley.

Vera Water and Power became a public, non-profit utility instead of a private company in the mid-1930s after it reorganized as an irrigation district.

The utility has seven well fields that include 10 water wells.

About 95 percent of the power the utility provides is provided by the Bonneville Power Administration.

The rest is purchased on the open market.

Wells has seen a lot of that history first-hand. He’s been with the utility for 47 years and has been the general manager since 1992.

“I’m part of history, I guess,” he

Photo by Nina Culver

said. “I was a 17-year-old at Central Valley High School when I started, reading meters after school. When I started here it was still the original farmers and their kids and relatives.”

He studied engineering at Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane Community College, Gonzaga University and the University of Washington. He accumulated a lot of credits, but never actually earned a degree.

Over the decades Wells did just about every job there was. He did billing, worked the front desk and worked on both the power and water sides. He was chief engineer for a while and also the head of the IT department. “If there’s a job here I haven’t done, I think it’s the vehicle maintenance guy,” he said.

Wells said he sees his job now as hiring smart people to do the job and getting out of their way. “I still do the power supply planning,” he said. “I do it because it’s fun.”

Wells said he likes that the utility is small, like a family. “It wasn’t the service we provided, it was the way we did it,” he said. “I tried to leave a couple of times, but I always ended up back here within a few months.”

Wells isn’t the only employee who has stuck around for decades.

Other high school meter readers like himself have entered into an apprenticeship program to work their way up. “We train them our way of doing things,” he said. “We have a lot of folks who did that. It’s kind of a tradition to stick around.”

The utility has weathered the pandemic fairly well, Wells said. The one major change that customers noticed was that the utility asked them to read their own water meters.

The meters are typically read once a year and the utility usually hires several temporary workers for the task. But this year, with the pandemic, Wells said he didn’t want to bring in outside people.

“We just didn’t want to increase the risk if we didn’t have to,” he said.

The utility has about 8,800 water customers and about 4,000 of them responded to the request to read their own meters and report the results. “It was a great response,” he said.

With half the task done, Wells said he thinks they can finish the job with existing staff. “I don’t think we’re going to have to hire any outside meter readers,” he said.

NOVEMBER 2020 • 19

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20

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

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Rare Air Bears – Looking back at CV’s sole state with 198 yards on 13 of 17 passes and a touchdown. Central Valley football title finished 13-1 with its only loss

By Craig Howard

Current Contributing Editor

Nate McFarlane remembers getting a call from a reporter with the Seattle Times 23 years ago regarding the whereabouts of Veradale, Washington.

At the time, McFarlane was a senior standout on the 1997 Central Valley football squad that finished as Greater Spokane League cochampions and advanced through the 4A bracket to face highly regarded South Kitsap in the championship game. Leading up to kickoff, CV was portrayed by westside media as the decided rural underdog.

“They thought we were just country boys from some place called Veradale,” McFarlane recalls.

The Bears would travel across the mountains to square off against undefeated South Kitsap in its own backyard at the Tacoma Dome. By game time, fans in CV sky blue and white nearly doubled the South Kitsap contingent.

“We had huge community support,” said Chris Sullivan, a senior tackle in 1997 who now serves as a CV assistant coach.

“Not only at that game but with breakfasts and send-offs. Our fans were amazing.”

At halftime, the Bears led South Kitsap 28-13. The Wolves would not score another point the rest of the way. By the time the clock ran out, CV had secured a 49-13 victory and the school’s first state football title. Junior running back Tyree Clowe – who would later play at the University of Idaho – led the way for the Bears with 254 yards and three touchdowns.

“We couldn’t tackle him,” South Kitsap head coach DJ Sigurdson told the Kitsap Sun after the game.

Quarterback Chad Adamson complemented the ground attack

coming against Gonzaga Prep. The closest the Bears have come to a trophy since was 2017 when they reached the 4A semi-finals and lost to eventual champ Richland.

Rick Giampietri, CV head coach from 1993 to 2015, remembers the title team returning 10 starters on offense and eight on defense.

“It was a fun team to coach,” Giampetri said. “We had a stout defense. I also had a lot of good coaches around me.”

CV stamped its ticket to the final by stunning undefeated and topranked Puyallup led by quarterback Luke Huard and a cadre of receivers headed to Division-1 schools.

Puyallup came into the matchup at Joe Albi Stadium in north Spokane averaging 48 points a game. The Bears stifled the Vikings’ highpowered offense, forcing key turnovers and emerging with a 10-0 win.

“It seemed like every time they made a big play, we got the ball back,” said Giampietri. “There’s no

way I thought we would shut them out.”

The Bears opened the game with a field goal and added a touchdown when Garrett Graham, a senior linebacker and University of Oregon recruit, picked up a fumble and churned into the endzone.

“Puyallup was pretty frustrated that they had to come to the east side to play us,” Sullivan said. “I remember Coach G saying, ‘They average 48 points a game – all we need is 49.’”

Giampietri points to the 1995 Bears’ squad that finished undefeated in the GSL but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Kamiakin as a group that set an example for the title team.

“I always thought the ’95 team taught the ’97 team how to practice,” he said.

CV lost to Kamiakin again in the 1996 post-season. After the Bears defeated Wenatchee and Pasco in close playoff games the following year, Kamiakin was waiting again in the quarterfinals. This time, Central Valley prevailed 16-7.

“It didn’t matter how good the opponent was, we just went out and played,” said McFarlane, a cornerback who earned a

scholarship to Eastern Washington.

“It didn’t seem like there was any hype or pressure. We just played football.”

The defense was led by senior Wil Beck, a senior noseguard who was named to the All-GSL team three straight years. Like Clowe, Beck played on scholarship at Idaho.

“Beck could dominate a football game,” Giampietri recalls.

A total of 11 of the 22 starters on the ’97 team went on to play college football. Giampietri said the state crown gave the program another level of cachet.

“People seem to believe in you more after you win state,” he said.

“You don’t get as many secondguessers or doubters.”

Current CV head coach Ryan Butner was a volunteer assistant with the ’97 squad, only two years removed from playing for the Bears. He says the state championship squad “still comes up in conversations.”

“That team was super talented and had great character,” Butner said. “Winning a state title doesn’t happen very often. You can still call on it and refer to that team’s work ethic and say, ‘We’re from Veradale and we can do this.’”

Contributed photo The 1997 Central Valley football team defeated South Kitsap 49-13 at the Tacoma Dome to capture the only state football title in school history. The Bears shut out undefeated and top-ranked Puyallup 10-0 in the 4A semi-final to earn their way to the championship game.

NOVEMBER 2020 • 21

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22

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

MOBILE FOOD BANK now open!

Your Calls for Help are Being Heard

By Tie Lemerond Current contributor

WE GOT YOU.

SpokaneValleyPartners.org

Winter Advertising Special

The COVID-19 pandemic spread at distressing speeds, bringing with it record-breaking levels of unemployment and the crucial need for families to rely on charitable organizations to help see them through these uncertain times.

Fortunately, amid uncertainty, many charitable organizations in Spokane County have stepped up and have either increased their program offerings or have found ways to help more people in need.

With the sudden onset of the pandemic’s health and economic downward spiral, government benefits and non-profits have been the lifeline for many individuals, families, and small businesses.

Spokane County is the home to numerous non-profit organizations that help families who are in a crisis.

A few organizations and contact information of each are listed below.

SNAP: For over 50 years SNAP (Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners) has been a voice for the most vulnerable people living within the community. They are committed to providing a wide range of services for people in need. SNAP currently has rental, mortgage, and

utility assistance available. SNAP’s heating season for 2021 will begin taking appointments on Tuesday, October 6th at 8:00am. Valley residents can call 509-319-3010 or email eaprefer@snapwa.org for more information.

Spokane Valley Partners (SVP): With roots dating back over 60 years, SVP provides a safety net for those in need. Their service lines range from a Food Bank, a Mobile Food Bank, a Clothing Bank, a Diaper Bank, Food for Thought, Payee Services, and Emergency Assistance.

Appointments are required for the Food Bank; however, Grab and Go emergency bags are available Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm. Phone (509) 927-1153 Diaper affordability is a national crisis. A clean, fresh diaper is not a luxury item; it is a necessity. The Inland Northwest Diaper Bank distributed over 94,000 diapers last year. SVP is located at 10814 E Broadway, Spokane Valley. SVP encourages people to check their website often for changes. www. svpart.org United Way Spokane: Spokane County United Way has been serving the local community since 1921 and in the past 10 years alone have invested over $20 million in grant funding to local organizations. They are committed to providing safe homes free of child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, prevent hunger and homelessness, increase graduation rates and increase opportunities for

October - February

15% off

with 1/4 page ads or larger Call or E-mail Today:

(509)242-7752 advertise@libertylakesplash.com *conditions apply, not valid with other offers, for political advertising or on special publications

Contributed Photo Energy Specialist, Carolyn Wolters, works with local families to help them with their assistance needs

The Current

Contributed Photo Inited Way has been committed to helping local families with safe homes and prevent hunger with homelessness since 1921.

COVID-19, provides immunizations youth. They provide funding for aarp.org 2-1-1, a three-digit, non-emergency The site is very user friendly for Hep A and Hep B, and sets up helpline that connects people and aids in finding support services telehealth appointments for people to available resources in their in your area. Go to https://local. experiencing homelessness. community. Additionally, Spokane aarpfoundation.org/ enter your zip Jewels serves 300-500 meals a County United Way manages code and click search. Once the list day at various locations, as well the Emergency Food and Shelter populates, you can toggle between as in camps that can not access Program. These are Federal funds the types of services you are looking services. They refer people to made available through the U.S. for. Services are available for all outreach specialists including, but Department of Homeland Security age groups from infants to senior not limited to, SNAP, Frontier, and The National Emergency Food citizens.

Revive and drug treatment and and Shelter Program (EFSP). This counseling.

Jewels Helping Hands: year Spokane County United Way Jewels Helping Hands is a received an increase of funds to grant a total of $662,846, up from community funded organization $278,834 last year. They offer FREE with a fundamental foundation of tax preparation and manage an kindness, love, and human dignity. online portal Volunteer Spokane. The organization was started by They can be contacted through their Julie Garcia who began handing out website www.unitedwayspokane. sandwiches and then saw the need for so much more. Jewels Helping org or by calling (509) 838-6581.

Hands has the only mobile shower AARP: unit for the homeless in the county, For over 57 years, AARP providing showers at 6 locations, has aided America’s poor and 6 days a week. Laundry cards are isolated seniors. They focus on available at each shower location, fostering resilience, strengthening giving homeless the opportunity to communities, and restoring hope. wash and dry two loads of laundry.

The AARP Foundation’s website Jewels has a zero-barrier food provides a “Find Help” link that pantry and clothing bank. They provides information on programs provide outreach services to the for food, housing, goods, transit community of unsheltered seven services, health care, money, clothes nights a week. Four of those nights, for school, job placement services, Jewels is accompanied by a street legal services, and tax software so medical team made up of doctors you can prepare and file your own and students. The medical team Contributed Photo tax returns – at no cost. For Tax- provides basic medical services, fills Spokane Valley Partners Aide information, email taxaid@ prescriptions, assesses and test for

NOVEMBER 2020 • 23

Jewels Helping Hands has also opened the Monroe Room Service Center. The center is open every Sunday so that people experiencing homelessness can obtain a haircut, clothing, supplies, a shower, a hot meal, have the use of phones and computers as well as access to service providers. The center is located at 2003 N. Monroe, Spokane.

Jewels has seen a drastic increase in people experiencing homelessness since the pandemic started. “We expect another wave of houseless after the eviction moratorium ends,” states Julie Garcia, Founder of Jewels Helping Hands. Jewels Helping Hands can be found on Facebook or at www. jewelshelpinghands.org Online donations can be made at https:// www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ jewelshh Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s website list links to multiple resource pages for both businesses and individuals. https://spokanevalleychamber. org/covid-19-information/ The county has an abundance of resources, too many to list.

This shout out is to each and every organization, business and individual who is doing their part and going above and beyond, please know that you are greatly appreciated!

24

• NOVEMBER 2020

The Current

Eat, Shop

&Be Merry SHARE YOUR GIFT IDEA WITH THE VALLEY!

A holiday guide for the Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake and Rockford areas

Advertising options

4.83˝w x 5.66˝h

9.83˝w x 5.66˝h

4.83˝w x 11.5˝h

(normally $750)*

(normally $1300)*

(normally $1300)*

1/4 PAGE: $450 1/2 PAGE: $780 1/2 PAGE: $780 at the shoppers and businesses of the greater Spokane Valley — and as a bonus we will include your gift idea as part of our story listing can’t-miss local gift ideas.

(Restaurants, don’t feel left out. You can contribute a tantalizing menu item to be included in our article on dining out.) Either way, submitted photos are encouraged!

“Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a special cover section that will be included in the December issues of both The Current and The Splash. That’s right — be a part of both publications for one price.

FULL PAGE: $1500

(normally $2,500)*

* Normal rates based upon the typical cost of advertising at that size in both The Splash and The Current.

Interested in running in our publications at other times throughout the year? You qualify for a discount! Are you already running ads with us? Your current discount applies.

Deadlines Display ad with submitted menu item or gift idea:

November 46 November

Distribution This guide is strategically scheduled to land November 23 and 24 — the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving and Small Business Saturday.

It will be distributed in The Splash (10,000 copies delivered to every address in Liberty Lake and available for free at more than 100 newsstands through Christmas) as well as The Current (26,000 copies delivered to 18,000 homes in Spokane Valley and at more than 250 newsstands throughout the greater Spokane Valley).

9.83˝w x 11.5˝h

That’s a total of

36,000 copies

of this holiday guide distributed throughout the greater Valley through our alreadypopular monthly publications.

509-242-7752 • www.libertylakesplash.com

Display ad (submitted gift idea or menu item will be printed if space is still available):

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Reserve your spot today at 242-7752 or advertise@valleycurrent.com.

Connecting LOCAL PEOPLE with LOCAL BUSINESSES “Eat, Shop and Be Merry” is a community-minded project of The Splash and The Current encouraging spending holiday money.

NOVEMBER 2020 • 25

The Current GREATER SPOKANE VALLEY

A VALLEY-WIDE COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

ben@libertylakesplash.com

Danica Wick

CO OWNER

danica@libertylakesplash.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Paula Gano paula@libertylakesplash.com

Larry Passmore

circulation@libertylakesplash.com

CIRCULATION

CONTRIBUTORS

Nina Culver, Bill Gothmann, Craig Howard, Tie Lemerond, Mike Vlahovich The Valley Current P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752; Fax: 927-2190 www.valleycurrent.com The Current is published monthly by or before the first of each month. It is distributed free of charge to every business and home in the greater Spokane Valley area. Copies are located at drop-off locations in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and the surrounding area.

The Current is brought to you by

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Publishing House

Announcements, obituaries, letters to the editor and story ideas are encouraged. Submit them in writing to publisher@valleycurrent.com. Submissions should be received by the 15th of the month for best chance of publication in the following month’s Current.

Subscriptions Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses cost $12 for 12 issues. Send a check and subscription address to P.O. Box 363, Liberty Lake, WA 99019. Subscriptions

must be received by the 15th of the month in order for the subscription to begin with the issue printed the end of that month.

Correction policy The Current strives for accuracy in all content.

Errors should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by email to editor@valleycurrent.com. Confirmed factual errors will be corrected on this page in the issue following their discovery.

Advertising information Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by 5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

Advertising integrity Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never knowingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and to advertise@valleycurrent.com. The Current is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

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This free newspaper is available Dishman Dodge Maket Cafe atHallett’s more than 150and high-traffic places HICO Village around the Valley, including the Library following Longhornlocations: BBQ Maverick McDonald’s Albertsons Scrumdillyumptious Donuts Anytime Fitness and Lunch Terry’s Breakfast Arby’s Yoke’s Fresh Market Barnes and Noble Wohuld youHarvest like to carry The Current in your Barney’s Foods place of business? Contact us at Brickhouse Massage and Coffee Bar paula@ valleycurrent.com.

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The Current

Knowledge Bowl competition finds new platform

By Nina Culver

Current contributor

Much has been said about whether sports could move ahead at local high schools, but team activities like debate and Knowledge Bowl have also been working to find ways to keep students involved during a pandemic.

David Smith coaches the debate team at University High School.

“We’re going to be running the regular schedule, but we will be doing it virtually,” he said.

East Valley High School debate coach Kelli Hennessey said area debate coaches are an extended family and worked together to create plans to move forward. She said her students will be meeting for practice over Zoom. “Nothing else changes,” she said. “I’m going to spend a lot of time this year on Zoom doing debate.”

Smith said coaches have made plans to do the entire debate season online, include the large multi-day Foley Tournament in February that attracts debaters from all over the county. “It will be interesting,” Smith said.

Most students have not been deterred by the online format, Smith said. A couple students did drop out because of the time required to do classes online, but some new students signed up to fill the spots.

One sticking point is the difficulty of students working in teams to work together when they are in separate locations. There has also been a variety of online platforms to explore using. “It’s going to be a learning year for all of us,” he said.

“We’re going to be designing the airplane while it’s in flight.”

Lori Jacobson coaches the Knowledge Bowl and History Bowl teams at East Valley High School. The two competitions look different than normal, but they are also moving forward virtually. Usually teams ring in to answer questions and both speed and accuracy are important.

But in online competitions, there’s only one team present at a time.

ON THAT NOTE “It’s whatever teams get the most questions right this year,” Jacobson said. “It takes a little bit of the fun out of it for the really fast kids who slam the bar down after only a few words. It’s a little different not doing it in person, but it still gives students the chance to get in there and compete.””

Jacobson said the number of students participating in Knowledge Bowl and History Bowl is down this year and she attributes that to the school format. Students are in physically in school only two days a week, attending three of six classes each day. “We have discontinued daily announcements, so kids just don’t know about it,” she said.

Knowledge Bowl has a long season, continuing until February.

The student who remain are dedicated, she said. “They’re really enthusiastic about it,” she said.

“They’re excited about getting their t-shirts, which is a big deal.”

She said she’s proud of them for continuing East Valley’s tradition of academic excellence. “I’m really proud of them for stepping up to continue that tradition,” Jacobson said.

Smith said he’s trying to encourage the camaraderie and connections that usually form in debate groups. “We want to make sure that we can offer that to our students,” he said. “There is no new normal. There is just dealing with the situation as best you can and making things as normal as possible for the students.”

Hennessey said she and her students will miss the intensity of in-person competitions. “The energy gets really intense, high school kids arguing about politics and civil rights,” she said. “They’ll still be able to argue. The energy will be different.”

Students will still learn the critical thinking skills that debate fosters, she said. Students have to prepare pro and con arguments for each issue they are assigned and don’t know which argument they will have to make until they get on stage. “You have to prepare both,” she said.

Smith said he’s just glad the technology exists to allow debate to continue. “I think we are profoundly fortunate that this didn’t happen 20 year ago,” he said. “We’re going

NOVEMBER 2020 • 27

forward. It may not be forward on the road that we’re used to, but we’re going forward.”

His students will have their first debate, hosted by Seattle Academy, online in early November. “All of my students will be in their homes,” he said.

While having virtual debates will save time and travel money, students will lose out on the opportunity to stand face to face with their opponent, Smith said.

“There’s absolutely no question kids learn a lot on those trips,” he said.

Jacobson said she’s glad the coaches were able to find a way forward. “All our other activities are basically cancelled or postponed until spring,” she said. “Kids so few things they can participate in.”

Hennessey, who also heads up student leadership in her school, is also trying to find a way to keep those students involved virtually.

“We can’t do spirit games, we can’t do assemblies, we can’t do any of our service,” she said. “We’re starting from the ground up. We have to find ways to do all the things we usually do in a completely different way.”

File photo The East Valley High School Knowledge Bowl team finished second place in the 2A division at the Eastern Washington Regional championship tournament 2019. The team was led by Captain Noah Haight, and included Gage Nielsen, Al Carlson, Alex Hagood, Josh Doll, and Riley Wallwork. The students have been working hard since September to practice for this final competition. Way to go Knights!

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• NOVEMBER 2020

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Regardless of the size or type of business, Chamber membership provides an affective means to network with business leaders, share ideas and receive valuable insights on common business challenges. Our membership provides: • Opportunity to collaborate and network • Member-only discounts • Referrals to member businesses • Sponsorship and advertising opportunities

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