2023 February Current

Robotics takes hold early in Freeman

By Ashley Humbird Current contributor

The Freeman School District lies 19 miles south of Spokane just off Highway 27 in a sea of rolling fields on the Palouse. The district’s schools all sit within a close proximity to one other. The single high school, middle school and elementary schools are so close, in fact, that students can quickly walk back and forth between schools if needed.

The Freeman Middle School and elementary school share a cafeteria for lunch, and is also where the Freeman Middle School Robotics club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from September to December, building robots and working on a ‘real world problem’ presentation.

Barbara Berg, a local Freeman community member, is the robotics coordinator for the Freeman Middle School Robotics club. Barbara has been with the group since its founding in 2005 when the program was a private club sponsored by Crystalfontz America, a local company in Spokane Valley. The club moved to Freeman in 2006 and became an official ASB club in 2017.

The Freeman Middle School Robotics club is part of the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge and is just one of roughly 35,000 teams across the world. The FIRST® LEGO® League is an international competition organized by the non-profit FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) for elementary and middle school students. It was founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989 with the goal to develop ways to inspire students in the engineering and technology fields. The First® LEGO® League Challenge is a partnership between FIRST® and the LEGO Group.

For many who hear about a

LEGO® robotics club, the first thing that they may think is that it is fun and games building LEGOs, but the club teaches many science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) applications and is subsequently judged at competitions. The FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is more akin to a sport in the way that team members need to work together to solve and brainstorm solutions.

As an official FIRST® LEGO® League club, the Freeman Middle School Robotics club receives the yearly ‘real world problem’ in September along with all the other 35,000 plus teams across the globe. There are three parts that each team is judged on during competitions.

First, the team can build a robot using only LEGO® build pieces that will compete on a table mat. The LEGO® pieces that are used to build and program the robots are not your standard bricks; they are the Technic and MINDSTORMS

style pieces. The robots that the students create will need to be able to perform a series of tasks, such as picking up an object on a table mat, then depositing it somewhere else.

Second, the team presents an engineering solution to the yearly real-world problem. For the 2022-2023 season, the problem that was given to the clubs was titled “SUPERPOWERED”. Teams needed to explore where energy comes from and how it is distributed, stored, and used. The presentation can not exceed five minutes in length and must include visuals and fact-based research.

Third, the team is judged on their Core Values. The Core Values is designed to determine how the team works together and uses the FIRST® LEGO® League Core Values in everything they do, which includes inspiration, teamwork, “Gracious Professionalism”, and cooperation.

The Freeman Middle School Robotics club is currently comprised of 11 students in grades four through eight. Students range in age from 9 to 14 years old and each year the number of participants varies. The club’s two coaches, James Reynolds and Khristine Newhouse, whose students also attend the middle school, help the students research the theme and problem solve. The club is split into two teams and both coaches help each team.

In the greater Spokane area, there are over 40 teams that participate in the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge.

Last month, Freeman Middle School and the Freeman Middle School Robotics club hosted their first ever competition on December 10th and 11th. The FIRST® Eastern Washington Regional Robotics Competition was a great success with 25 teams registered for the Saturday event, but due to severe weather, 20 teams participated on Saturday and 18 teams, including both Freeman teams, participated in the Sunday event. “We had lots of teams. It was epic!” Barbara shares of the past event.

Over the two-day competition, 7 teams achieved a place in the statewide competition, including one of the Freeman teams, which will be held at St. George’s School in Spokane on February 4th.

Jim Straw, the middle school Principal, sees the benefit in offering such a unique club in the school. “There are huge academic benefits to the program. They are using math, programming, problem solving, it’s the entire STEM piece all in one package. We’re always looking for ways for every student to connect to something in the school community.”

“This is my community,” Barbara explains why she continues to be involved with the robotics club. “And I believe that a strong community is built by strong community members. And in our community the school is basically the glue. That’s why we move here. That’s why I moved here. Keeping this going enhances the school and it’s important to me.”

Photo by Ashley Humbird

The Freeman Robotics Club meets after school and is one of around 35,000 teams across the world.

Preventing fire tragedies

By Craig Howard Current Contributing Editor

After hearing about the importance of reliable smoke detectors during a presentation at her school by the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), a student went home and told her parents that the “chirping” sound in the alarms meant the batteries needed to be replaced.

Not long after new batteries were installed, the family’s home experienced a fire. Everyone in the home escaped safely.

On another occasion, a man in a Valley apartment complex was fixing a meal on his stove near flammable material when a fire broke out. In the commotion, the resident fell and was unable to call for help.

SVFD had recently installed smoke detectors in the complex. A neighbor heard the alarm, rushed over and called 9-1-1.

“If it hadn’t been for firefighters installing that alarm, that neighbor wouldn’t have realized what was happening,” said SVFD Community Risk Reduction Specialist Caroline Kusher.

Last month, Kusher and Assistant Fire Marshall Bill Clifford were part of a large-scale effort called “a blitz” that provided smoke detectors at no cost in the Mission and Barker area. Twice a year – in the spring and fall – the department collaborates with organizations like the American Red Cross and COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) to address areas where, in Kusher’s words, “the chances of needing alarms is greater.”

Blitz teams can reach as many as 200 homes in four hours, said Kusher. Neighborhoods with older homes are generally part of the blitz effort. Clifford emphasizes that smoke detectors that are 10 years or older “lose their sensitivity to detect smoke.”

“Even if you’re replacing the batteries in those older alarms, they are not going to protect you like they should,” Clifford said. “Those alarms need to be replaced.”

Kusher added that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in a different category from household appliances.

“These have an expiration date,” she said.

Clifford recommends checking the date on alarms to see how old they

are. If no date appears, the detector was manufactured prior to 2000.

Clifford, who served as fire chief in Millwood before coming to SVFD, has worked in fire prevention for 32 years. With retirement on the horizon, Clifford said his personal pledge is to “see no more deaths from fires.” A total of 11 lives have been saved through SVFD’s latest prevention efforts.

Some alarms are hard-wired into a home’s electrical system. Clifford and a colleague recently changed out a trio of such detectors in the upstairs of a home in a 55-plus community that were part of the layout when the home was built in 1999.

“It’s important to know what kind of smoke detectors you have,” Clifford said.

Approximately two-thirds of firerelated deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Kusher keeps a sobering collection of melted detectors with no batteries that have been recovered from local fires. If alarms use regular batteries, not lithium, fresh batteries should be put in at least once a year and smoke alarms tested every month.

Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of a home.

Experts say a fire escape plan should include at least two ways out of every room, if possible. All doors and windows should open easily and an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home should be designated where everyone can meet. Home fire drills should be practiced at least twice a year with everyone in the household.

Other fire prevention tips include keeping combustible materials clear from space heaters, changing furnace filters as recommended and remaining near the kitchen when cooking.

“We see quite a few kitchen fires where someone has taken their cell phone and wandered off,” Clifford said. “Either stay in the kitchen or set a timer when you cook.”

SVFD’s free home fire safety visits take around 30 minutes and include evaluation of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, heat sources, evacuation plans and fire hazards.

“We’re in this field to help the community,” Clifford said. “It’s all about prevention and making your home safer. It’s really about the awareness. People get complacent and don’t think it’s going to happen to them until it does.”

The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. 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. Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 509-456-2233, if not in progress, to report a crime.

2022 December Theft Hotspots

SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH

Winter fatigue and its implications

As above, the low visibility and dark evenings can cause worker fatigue. While this is a year-round concern due to long hours, irregular working patterns, or shift work, it is often amplified by poor weather and the lack of sunlight. The short days also mean that it may be harder to get up in the mornings, making your staff feel rushed and disoriented when they get to work.

Winter fatigue shouldn’t be overlooked because it can cause a decrease in hazard perception, productivity, and adherence to safety measures. It can also affect workers’ mental health.

That’s why winter fatigue toolbox talks go hand in hand with mental health toolbox talks. Poor mental health can be caused in winter due to SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). But there are also additional rules to consider when you’re aware that a staff member is suffering, and it’s vital that you support them at work when this is the case. Even though mental health doesn’t fall under the OSHA recordable criteria, it’s still a key hazard and, so, a key toolbox talk topic for a safe working environment.

Theft Hotspots

Spokane Valley City Hall Repairs begin

By Lincoln DoWright

Current contributor

Homelessness Update

Eric Robison, Housing and Homeless Coordinator for the City of Spokane Valley shared that the City of Spokane Valley’s Outreach Team had launched a data collection app back in May for their internal use to help provide insight into the issues being faced. “Since launching the application in May, the outreach team had recorded 259 unduplicated contacts. 49.6% of those who responded to the survey indicated that they were last housed in Spokane Valley and 38.6% were last housed somewhere in Spokane County but outside of the City of Spokane Valley, and 11.8% were last housed outside of Spokane County.” Another finding reported by Robison was that “35.6% of those who responded to the survey reported having some sort of income, including 12.2% who were employed.”

He also mentioned that its unclear how the funding for the region’s current shelter network will continue, specifically noting the Hope House’s financial situation where current awards only fully fund the operation through June of 2023.

Mr. Robison ended with an update on the City of Spokane Valley’s Community Homeless Action Plan, which is still in the draft stages but is being circulated with community partners before coming before the City Council.

Annual Mayoral Appointments

Mayor Haley nominated and the council confirmed appointments of Daniel Wilson and Valeri Dimitrov to the Cities Planning Commission replacing Fred Beaulac and Sherri Robinson; Grant Guinn, from the Tru by Hilton (for another term) and Kary Gibbs, from the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center to the Cities Lodging Tax Advisory Committee replacing Wayne Brokaw from the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

Mayor Haley also nominated the following City Council members to Boards and Committees:

Rod Higgins, with Arne Woodard as alternate to the Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington; Laura Padden to the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Board; Rod Higgins with Arne Woodard as alternate to the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency; Arne Woodard with Brandi Peetz as alternate to the Spokane County Continuum of Care for the Homeless; Arne Woodard, Rod Higgins, and Ben Wick to the Spokane Valley Finance Committee; Arne Woodard and Rod Higgins to the Growth Management Steering Committee of Elected Officials; Brandi Peetz, Arnie Woodard, and Rod Higgins to the Governance Manual Committee; Pam Haley to Greater Spokane Inc; Ben Wick with Brandi Peetz as alternate to the Human Rights Task Force; Rod Higgins to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee; Pam Haley to the Mayors’ Association of Northeast Washington; Pam Haley and Rod Higgins with Ben Wick as alternate for the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC); Pam Haley and Tim Hattenburg to the Spokane Transit Authority (STA); and Rod Higgins and Arne Woodard to the Wastewater Policy Advisory Board.

City Hall Remediation

City Hall was a $14 million construction project completed in September 2017, and since that time many significant construction and/or design defects have been discovered. The City hired various consultants to identify the nature and extent of the defects. The City filed suit in Spokane County Superior Court April 27, 2020, naming as defendants alleged to be responsible for the various defects, Meridian Construction (prime contractor), Architects West (architect and project manager), Allwest Testing & Engineering (materials testing), and Eight31 Consulting (owner’s representative to assist in overseeing the project).

The City has completed some of the necessary repairs in the meantime. To date, the City has installed micro piles (concrete pillars) along the curved wall at the front of the Council Chambers in an effort to stop additional settling, installed fire-stopping in the staircases, and performed extensive repairs on the HVAC system. According to the staff report, “During the staircase work this past summer, structural members were

found missing above the ceiling, so they were added to bring that component of the building up to the condition it should have been during initial construction.”

In late August 2022, the city advertised a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Progressive Design Build (PDB) services. The initial remediation efforts agreement is a time and materials contract for the Phase 1 scope with an initial contract amount of $350,000. The Phase 1 scope will include reviewing and validating the Initial Basis of Design Documents for the building, the project budget, the project schedule, and any other information provided by the City. Phase 1 scope also includes providing Not-to-Exceed (NTE) construction proposals (i.e. Work Orders for the phase 2 portion of the project) for each of the initial areas for remediation (i.e. Chambers radius wall, Chambers cloud, roof and attic, interior door repairs, etc.).

Expenditures so far through December 31, 2022, on City Hall discovery and remediation total approximately $800K.

The City Council unanimously approved the initial contract amount of $350,000 with a total not to exceed amount of $4 million for additional remediation work to Garco Construction Inc.

Balfour Park

On July 6, 2021, Council authorized the City Manager to execute a contract with AHBL, Inc. (AHBL) for design services of the Balfour Park Expansion. The design was to be completed in two phases. The Phase 1 project consisted of the main park infrastructure including excavation and grading, water, electric and sewer utilities, some of the park pathways and lighting system, the easterly parking lot, some landscaping/ irrigation, and the new restroom building. Construction of the Phase 1 project was estimated at $3.1M. Unfortunately, the bids were substantially over the engineer’s estimate and project budget with the low bid for the base project work coming in at $5.0 million.

Due to the high bids and limited budget, the contract was not awarded and Council directed staff to identify cost-saving opportunities to incorporate in the contract documents.

The project was re advertised in

December and bids were opened on January 13, 2023. Cameron Riley submitted the lowest responsive, responsible bid of $3,810,723.87. That figure contains all additive alternates which included the Events Plaza with Entry walk lights, Veteran’s Memorial Plaza, as well as the Amphitheater “Arc” walkway lights & food truck outlets.

The City Council also authorized the purchase of the Multi-use Building from Public Restroom Company (PRC) in a total amount not to exceed $850,292 which includes delivery and installation.

City Attorney Departure

City Manager John Hohman announced that City Attorney Cary Driskell has decided to move on from the City and that the January 24th Council meeting was his last meeting. Cary Driskell was appointed City Attorney in June of 2011 after serving as Acting City Attorney from August 2010 until June of 2011. He joined the City as Deputy City Attorney in April 2003 just after the City was officially formed at the end of March 2003.

Advanced Agenda

While City Council Agenda’s are always subject to change the following items are projected to come up during the City Council Meetings for the next month.

Jan 31st, final action on an ordinance regarding closed city property; motion consideration to submit a funding request for the Sullivan Trent Interchange to the Federal RAISE program; motion consideration on the Lodging Tax Award for the Avista Stadium Capital Funding; administrative reports on: Tourism Update a potential ice rink; Signal Box Wrap Updates, Barker Grade Separation Project, American Rescue Plan Act Update, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Alternates.

February 7th, administrative reports on the 2023 Capital Improvement Projects Update, the Spokane Valley Homeless Plan Update, Cities 20th Anniversary Update, 2022 Accomplishments Report.

Feb 14th, meeting was canceled with the majority of the City Council in Olympia for the Association of Washington Cities City Action Days Conference.

February 21st, administrative report on the Centennial Trail Update.

Celebrate with your valentine

By Ashley Humbird Current contributor

We’ve all seen the Valentines Day displays at the big box stores, and while it may be tempting and convenient to pick up a gift while shopping for groceries, supporting local business and finding a unique gift or experience can be more rewarding and help create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.

Hallet’s Market and Cafe

Hallet’s Market and Cafe showcases chocolate confections made in-house by an awardwinning team in a warm and inviting store that has the perfect gift for anyone. For Valentine’s Day they offer build your own Valentine’s Day hearts and boxes of chocolates, with prices beginning at just $6.95. Flavors range from classics like Maplenut Creams, Peanut Clusters, and Fantastic Fudge to unique candies including Mint Velvet, Huckleberry Caramels, and Key Lime Creams. Hallets is located at 1419 E. Holyoke Ave and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm; they are closed Sundays.

Rise Espresso & Dough Co.

Located just off the Barker exit in Otis Orchards sits the newly renamed Rise Espresso and Dough Co. in the previous Scrumdiddilyumptious location. While they still serve the otherworldly doughnuts that Scrumdiddilyumptious was renowned for, they have added new and exciting sweet treats including raspberry sweet rolls. Their bakery menu is guaranteed to leave everyone with a smile since they offer an extensive menu of gluten free products. A morning date with your gal-pals for coffee and a pastry or a fun Saturday morning family excursion are just two ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Rise Espresso and Dough Co. is located at 1201 N. Barker Rd and is open Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 1pm and Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 1pm.

Jedi Alliance

The Jedi Alliance is in an unassuming building on the corner of Broadway and Fancher in the Spokane Valley. Many have probably driven past without

giving it a second look, but the opportunity to experience one of the Valley’s best arcades lies within. Dubbed the ‘Church of Pop Culture’, the Jedi Alliance houses classic arcade games, pinball machines, a toy museum and movie prop display all under one roof. For a flat “contribution” of $16.50 per person, you can play all the free arcade games and pinball machines to your hearts content. The games are a nostalgic trip for people growing up in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s with games that include Atari, Ms. Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, and more! This is the perfect setting for a weekend date night at any age. The Jedi Alliance located at 5908 E. Broadway and is open Friday from 6 to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 10pm; they are closed Monday through Thursday.

Newly opened in Spokane Valley, choose a specialty board in time for your intimate Valentine’s Day celebration at home. The Indulgence Board comes complete with yogurt-covered pretzels, peppered salami roses and our fanfavorite ingredients. Or join them for a special event February 2nd, 7th or 9th to spoil your sweetie with a class for two creating a beautiful heart charcuterie board while sipping on wine! Go to their website for more details https:// www.grazecraze.com/

Historic Flight Museum’s Sweetheart Swing Dance and Dinner

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to get out and attend a local dance held on Valentine’s Day. If that dance is in the Historic Flight Museum, it is even better! Enjoy an evening dancing the night away with the backdrop of vintage planes while moving to the upbeat swing music presented by the Master Class Big Band. Your ticket includes a BBQ dinner that will be served at the start of the event. A no host cash bar will be available for those looking to spice up their night just a little more. Tickets are $20 per person. Call (509) 535-6000 to purchase a ticket. The Historic Flight Museum is located at 5829 E. Rutter Ave. The dance is from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Adorkable Flowers

Flowers are a great way to show someone that you care and appreciate them. And while this veteran-owned flower shop

makes beautiful and stunning arrangements for all special occasions, workshops in February offer you the unique experience of creating your own one-of-a-kind arrangement. Workshops begin the first day of February and are offered throughout the month. including a special Valentine’s Day arrangement workshop on February 11th and a special single’s night workshop on February 15th. Visit their website at adorkableflowersandgifts.com and view the workshops on the workshop/events tab. Adorkable Flowers is located at 1326 N Liberty Lake Rd. They are open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3:30pm; they are closed Sunday.

Swing Lounge

Swing Lounge recently opened in 2022 and is near the entrance to the Industrial Park and conveniently located for you to learn how to golf with private lessons, or schedule a tee-time to help improve your partners golf game before the golf courses open for the year. The indoor range has over 220 courses from around the world to play virtually. Currently they are open Monday through Thursday 10am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11pm, and Sundays 11am to 8pm. Swing Lounge is located at 3808 North Sullivan Road #103. Visit their website at swinglounge.golf

City of Spokane Valley’s Valentine’s Date Night

City of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a one-time Valentine’s Date Night Dance class experience. The class will be held on Valentine’s Day evening from 6pm to 7:50pm. This dance class is for couples looking to improve their dancing skills or for those who simply want to enjoy a night out learning a few more steps. Melissa, your class instructor, will help guide the class in fun and easy to learn dances. This event will be held at Center Place in the Spokane Valley. Registration is online and has limited availability. Visit the City of Spokane Valley’s website at spokanevalley.activityreg.com for more information and to register.

Breauxdoo

This local bakery has become known for their mouthwatering cookies, desserts, and breakfast biscuits, and for the shop’s first Valentine’s Day, the owner Gage is offering a limited-time special menu. The items included on

Graze Craze

the menu are chocolate dipped strawberries, 4” mini heart-gram cakes, and a special Valentine’s Day box of goodies. The Valentine’s Day box is filled with four chocolate covered strawberries, a shareable size raspberry cheesecake, four chocolate truffles, one RedRum cookie, and an M&M cookie. All items are baked in-house with care and dedication to quality. Breauxdoo is located at 14109 E Sprague Ave Suite 7A-1 and open Sunday through Thursday from 8am to 6pm and Friday and Saturday from 8am to 8pm. Visit their website for more information on these delicious treats at breauxdoobakery.com.

Skyway Café and Historic Flight Museum

A hidden breakfast spot is the Skyway Café that is tucked away at Felts Field. Skyway Café is nearing their one hundredth birthday and they continue to serve delicious meals at reasonable prices. The interior of the café has memorabilia from generations of aviation adventures. Pictures of local planes and pilots that have flown in and out of the small airport adorn the walls while a large wooden propeller hangs from the ceiling. The airport is still in use, and it’s a safe bet that while you are waiting for your order to come up, you’ll see a small plane or helicopter land or take off. After enjoying your meal, make your way over to the Historic Flight Museum, which is a short 2-minute walk from the café. Planes from a by-gone era are housed in the large hangar and are a nice piece of the area’s history. Skyway Café is located at 6105 E. Rutter Ave and is open Monday through Saturday 6am to 2pm and Sunday 7am to 2pm. The Historic Flight Museum is located at 5829 East Rutter Ave and open Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Players and Spectators

Players and Spectators has some of the best bowling the Valley can offer and for a fun filled Valentine’s Day for a family, the Spare Package is the best bang for your buck. The package includes lane rental for an hour, up to 6 pairs of shoes rental, a large 2 topping pizza of your choice, and 2 pitchers of soda. Players and Spectators is located at 12828 East Sprague Ave. Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 1 to 10pm, Friday and Saturdays 12pm to 1am, and Sundays 12 to 10pm.

COVER STORY

Simply Northwest Baskets

Instead of going to multiple stores trying to find different locally made items, Simply Northwest has built themed baskets that contain numerous products made in the Northwest. Valentine’s Day baskets come in a wide variety of price points. The aptly named “My Heart Beats For You” contains chocolate covered cherries, luxurious hand cream, a candle, a chocolate bar, and more! Baskets can be delivered locally and shipped nationwide. Orders can be placed on their website simplynorthwest.com or by visiting their store front located at 11806 E. Sprague Ave. They are open Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm; Sunday they are closed.

The Mirabeau Park Hotel and Max Restaurant

Liberty

Lake Kiwanis’s 18th Annual Father Daughter Dance

For their 18th annual Father Daughter Dance on March 4th, the Liberty Lake Kiwanis selected the theme of ‘Reach for the Stars’. Each year the members and volunteers decorate a ballroom at the Mirabeau Max Hotel for fathers and their daughters to enjoy and dance to fun music in. During the event there will be prizes given away. This dance is for all fathers and their daughters age 0-18 years old. Tickets can be purchased online at libertylakekiwanis.org. Ticket prices begin at $75 per couple if purchased before February 14th. Other options are available including a dinner and dance package. The dance begins at 6:30pm and ends at 9:00pm.

Tracy Jewelry

Jewelry is a wonderful and heartful gift that will last for many years to come and Tracy Jewelers is the Spokane Valley’s premier choice for stunning jewelry in a variety of options. From necklaces and rings crafted in their workshop by master craftsmen to pieces sourced from world renowned designers you are sure to find a memorable piece.

Tracy Jewelers was opened in 1950 by Patrick Tracy and remains a family-owned business to this day and the greater Spokane Valley’s only accredited gem lab. You will find beautiful exquisite pieces with diamond and colored gemstones set in 14k, 18k gold or platinum.

Tracy Jewelers is located at 106 N. Evergreen Road and their hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 10am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 5pm; they are closed Sunday and Monday. Visit their online store at tracyjewelers.com

A hallmark of the Spokane Valley’s landscape, the Mirabeau Park hotel houses an impressive amount of hotel rooms on their property. Over two hundred and fifty rooms are at the hotel and many of them have their own balcony. The hotel rooms at Mirabeau Park are approximately 30% larger than your standard hotel room while The Max offers tempting culinary dishes. For Valentine’s Day 2023, they are offering a dinner and room special package starting at $229. The package includes a $100 Max dining credit, room accommodations, a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, and Grand Marnier chocolate dipped strawberries. The offer is for a limited time only, February 10th through the 19th. Visit their website for more information at mirabeauparkhotel.com. The Mirabeau Park Hotel and The Max restaurant is located at 1100 N Sullivan Rd.

7

Wonders Aveda Salon and Spa

The team at 7 Wonders Aveda Salon and Spa offers a wide range of services to pamper and provide wellness from every very worked body. The gift of relaxation is priceless and can be enjoyed as a couple with their “The Adore Couples” spa package. It begins with a relaxing essential foot bath while enjoying a select of fine cheese and fruits and sipping on a glass of wine. The session continues with a sideby-side hot stone massage where layers of stress will melt away. The two hour session is $300 per couple and can be booked either through their website at 7wondersbeauty. com/spa-packages or by calling their front desk at 509-309-2603. Additional you can stop in and visit their Spokane Valley location at 10 N Evergreen Rd Monday through Saturday 9am to 8pm or Sunday 10am to 6pm.

GIVE AWAY!!

Make celebrating and supporting local business even more fun by competing for a prize! Take your copy of The Current to any of these establishments and snap us a photo of you with The Current. Each photo sent (limit one per location) to editor@valleycurrent.com with name, phone number and business visited will enter you to win a $100 gift card to The Pentagon in Liberty Lake to celebrate! All entries must be submitted by February 20th to be valid. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Student of the Month

Kaylee Cox is a leader, standout student and volunteer at Valley Christian School. The senior maintains a 3.98 grade point average and is president of the VCS National Honor Society chapter. She was recently named a Spokane Scholar in the Fine Arts category. Cox is part of the ASB Executive Committee and has received several awards through the Association of Christian Schools International. She has been part of community service projects at nonprofits like Cup of Cool Water and Union Gospel Mission through Panther Project. As a freshman, she was named Best Actress in a theatrical festival. She is also a gifted vocalist, plays the piano and is learning the guitar. Cox has been a leader on the school Worship Team and has a goal of becoming a worship pastor. She plans to attend Boise Bible College or Colorado Christian University.

Athlete of the Month

As the only senior on this year’s Valley Christian School boys’ basketball squad, Kaden Kenlein has stepped up to provide leadership and experience. He tallied 21 points against Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame earlier this season and directs the Panthers’ offense as an assist-dealing point guard. He had assists on every point scored by VCS in a recent contest against WilburCreston-Keller. Last year, Kenlein set a school record with eight threepointers in a game where he finished with 26 points. He played basketball for Innovation High School as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to VCS. The senior maintains a 3.78 grade point average and is part of the school’s yearbook and school newspaper staff. He also competed for two years on the SURF club soccer team. Kenlein plans to attend Grove City College in Pennsylvania where he will study entrepreneurship.

You don’t have to drive far in Spokane Valley to see a building that Barry Baker had a part in. He has served as president and CEO of Baker Construction & Development Inc. since 1984 and is a former chair and board member with the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the boards of Greater Spokane Inc., Better Business Bureau and Boy Scouts of America. A graduate of Central Washington University, Baker was inducted into the Washington Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2021. The same year he was named Citizen of the Year by the Valley Chamber who honored him as a “Community Connector.” Baker is board vice president at Valley-based Modern Electric Water Co. where he has served since 2003. Baker lives by credos that include the Golden Rule and consistently putting family first.

Members Rodriguez family, Kerry O. & Bella P.

SVFD Report – Year to Date 2022

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 23,235 emergency incidents in 2022.

to the call including automatic aid units from the City of Spokane Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District 8. No injuries were reported.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind residents to make sure that they don't leave pans or pots unattended on the stove. This was the second fire in two nights caused by a stove.

unable to resuscitate the patient.

Valley Engine 7 crews reported the fire out at approximately 10 minutes after their initial attack, keeping it from spreading to other units in the triplex.

which prompted dispatching of two paramedic fire engines and an ambulance.

Of

• As of December 31, 2022, Year-to-Date incident total - 23,235 for the entire SVFD Fire District

• Emergency Medical Services were 81.76% of all SVFD incidents.

• Fire Suppression (fire and Building Alarms) was 8.27% of all SVFD incidents.

• Tech Rescue was 5.5 % of all SVFD incidents.

Major 2022 Incidents:

Structure Fire – March 14, 2022 Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded to a reported apartment fire at approximately 7:05 pm at the Manorvale Apartments in the east 10100 block of Main Avenue, in Spokane Valley.

A neighbor saw flames through the window and called 911. The initial responding units saw smoke coming from a single upstairs apartment.

VE2 attacked the fire with a preconnected hose line while other crews evacuated adjoining units. The fire unit was searched, and a dog was found inside. The dog was taken outside, but resuscitation efforts failed. Two adults and a child live in the apartment, but they were not home at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire was determined to be a pot left on the stove. The fire damage was limited to the apartment of origin, but the apartment below suffered water damage. Red Cross assisted the family.

A total of 12 fire units responded

Structure Fire – July 26, 2022 Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) at approximately 2:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon was dispatched to a reported trailer fire near the intersection of 14th and University in Spokane Valley. SVFD crews arriving on scene found dark smoke and heavy fire coming from a trailer parked in a driveway near a garage. As the fire grew crews upgraded to a second alarm adding more personnel and fire equipment to the scene including auto-aid and mutual-aid response from Spokane County Fire District 8 (SCFD 8) and City of Spokane Fire Department.

The family was alerted by a neighbor of the fire. All members were able to safely evacuate. Red Cross is on scene to provide the family and their dog with assistance.

Fighting the fire was made more difficult by conditions including hot temperatures and the proximity of several vehicles to the trailer and garage.

Thanks to our partnerships with other local fire agencies, we were able to add more Firefighters to help fight this fire giving them a chance to recycle out rehabilitate and hydrate with AMR crews.

University from 8th to 16th was closed for several hours for the safety of both Firefighters and community members. Crews are beginning to clear the scene with one crew remaining to monitor hotspots.

SVFD wants to remind citizens if you see smoke or fire coming from a home, knock and call 911 immediately.

Structure Fire – August 3, 2022 – Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) was dispatched at approximately 11:09 a.m. Wednesday morning to a residence on the 3000 block of S Clinton Rd. after a postal carrier saw smoke coming from the garage and eaves of a unit in a triplex and called 911.

The first crews on scene performed a search of the building and located an adult woman inside. They quickly evacuated the individual and immediately began performing CPR. Unfortunately, the medics were

South Clinton from approximately 32nd to 29th was closed for several hours for the safety of both Firefighters and community members. It remained closed as the SVFD Investigator, and the crime unit remained on scene for further investigation.

SVFD wants to remind citizens if you see smoke or fire coming from a home, knock and call 911 immediately.

Sick Call Turns to Fire Response –November 14, 2022 - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded at 2:06 a.m.to the 18600 block of E Lindsay Lane at the request of the Sherriff’s Office (SO) for a sick call to provide medical support and assistance from the SVFD Rescue Task Force (RTF) crew. An RTF crew consisting of a Paramedic Firefighter and EMT Firefighter responded to support the SO.

At 11:09 a.m. the call was changed from a sick call to a structure fire. The call was then upgraded to a working fire bringing more SVFD Fire crews to the scene. Moderate smoke could be seen but no flames initially coming from an upstairs location.

Thirteen additional fire units responded including Engine 82 (E82) and E85 from Spokane County Fire District 8. Due to the nature of the initial response to the incident, initial crews were unable to enter the house initially or walk around the entire structure to establish all the elements of the fire until the SO allowed for access.

Fire crews were allowed access to the inside of the home and then had to vacate the structure due to safety concerns. Crews continued to combat the flames from a safe distance and despite a difficult situation and unusual circumstances were able to knock the fire down without any harm occurring to Firefighters or nearby citizens or houses.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind everyone to call 911 immediately if you hear or see anything that is a threat to your fire and life safety.

Vehicle Collision – November 26 - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded at 2:25 pm to the intersection of Trent and Pines in the Spokane Valley. Calls to 911 reported several patients, including two with possible life-threatening injuries,

The first arriving unit, Engine 6 (VE6) responded from the Millwood area and arrived on scene to find two vehicles blocking all lanes of eastbound Hwy 290 (Trent Ave.) at Pines. The call was upgraded to an extrication response for the two trapped patients, bringing specialized units carrying tools for dismantling a car, additional SVFD paramedics and two more ambulances.

An AMR (American Medical Response) ambulance arrived and began assisting with medical care for three of the occupants who got out on their own. Multiple fire units arrived as part of the extrication response to begin cutting the vehicles away from the remaining two occupants, removing doors, etc. and provide needed access for paramedics from both SVFD and AMR. There was a total of five occupants in both vehicles. Four were treated and transported emergently by ambulance to the hospital. One occupant was declared deceased on scene. Due to HIPAA laws, no further info about patients’ injuries will be available from SVFD.

A total of five Engines, two Ladder trucks, three command vehicles, three AMR ambulances and multiple Spokane Sheriff and WSP units responded, bringing a total of 32 fire and medical personnel to the scene. There were no injuries reported to responders.

The cause of the collision is under investigation by WA State Patrol, and any further information will come from WSP; and Trent will remain limited with eastbound lanes closed and detours in place for the duration of the investigation.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind everyone of Washington State’s “Drive to Zero”, a strategic highway safety plan. The goal is ZERO traffic deaths and serious injuries by the year 2030. You can help by driving sober, choosing to go the speed limit, driving distraction free, and wearing your seatbelt. See wadrivetozero. com or for more information.

About Spokane Valley Fire Department

The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 136,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 22,400 emergency calls.

18th Annual Father Daughter Dance

Community Art Show

February 6–28

Theme: Reconnecting

Stop into the library to see art created by neighbors and friends of all ages.

View some of the art online at www.scld.org/art-show.

www.scld.org

Rapid Rabbit Run

March 4, 2023

6:30 - 9:00 pm

@ Mirabeau Park Hotel

Early bird $75 per couple through Feb. 14, $85 per couple after Feb. 14, $95 at door. Additional daughter $25

Dinner and dance package for two: $154. Dinner, dance and overnight package: $225

Raffle prizes and giveaways

Tickets available December 14th, go to libertylakekiwanis.org

The Crest

Spokane Valley Woman Celebrates Milestone 105th Birthday

By Colette-Janae Buck Current contributor

Born in 1918 at Sacred Heart Hospital in the middle-aged city of Spokane, Katherine Turnley has witnessed the Inland Northwest undergo more than ten decades of process and change.

The oldest of five children, Turnley grew up in a home crafted by her grandfather in the EmersonGarfield neighborhood and often spent her childhood looking after her younger siblings until she graduated from North Central High School in 1938.

Her childhood home, located on Chelan Ave., didn’t have electricity until sometime during her childhood. While she couldn’t remember the date or how old she was at the time, Turnley said she helped her father bring the first wires into their home.

“We had kerosene lamps,” Turnley said. “I remember helping my dad…I had to reach up and get all these wires and bring them down.” While the home already had running water, Turnley said her family would heat large pots filled with boiling water on their stove and boil their clothing in place of washing machines.

“We had an ice box that you put ice in that the iceman brought everyday,” Turnley said. “We always had a bathroom inside our house, and as far as I can remember, we always (had running water.)”

As a child, Turnley recalled the weather being much more extreme than what we experience today. Winters were so cold that the first snow fell in November and stayed on the ground all season long.

The daughter of a Spokane firefighter, Turnley said her father’s department routinely flooded empty fields to create makeshift ice rinks that she and the other children would skate on.

“There were a couple hills there

off of Division St. (that) the County used to close down and then they’d have someone…come and build bonfires to keep us warm so we could slide down them,” Turnley said.

Summers were hot with no relief other than jumping in a nearby lake. Turnley would make the uneventful trip out to Liberty Lake to cool down or attend a dance in a hall lined with mirrors that twisted and wrapped the dancer’s reflection.

“I remember a train going to Liberty Lake,” Turnley said, reflecting on the methods of travel popular in her youth. “They had a platform with just a roof over (the platform) where they dropped the people off…The (Spokane) Valley was nothing but fruit trees and things then.”

After graduation, Turnley went to work at commercial analytics firm Dun and Bradstreet before getting married at age 23 and spending her mid-20s raising her four children. She met her late husband inside a neighborhood grocery store owned by his father, one of many across the City of Spokane.

“The Turnleys owned a lot of grocery stores,” Turnley said. “One in Rosalia, there was one along Sprague Avenue downtown, and one in Browne’s Addition. During (World War II), I was never short of anything. There was a drawer at the grocery store where anything that was hard to get went in it.”

Turnley went back to work while her children were still in school, landing a job on the spot at now defunct discount department chain S.H. Kress and Co. where she oversaw the stationary department. She would go on to earn a promotion that put her in charge of half the

store, and eventually, Turnley oversaw the operation of the store’s restaurant where she gained experience for her next job.

“I retired from Lakeland Village (where) I was in charge of the dining halls,” Turnley said. Lakeland Village is a state-run living facility for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities located in Medical Lake, Wash. “When I first went out there, I just worked in the outside dining halls and they (eventually) put me in charge of it.”

Outside of working and raising her children, Turnley spent her free time traveling North and Central America with a friend. She had plans to fly to Australia, a place she still dreams of seeing, but the night they reserved the tickets, the friend backed out over concerns about the cost.

“I said okay, if you don’t want to go, call them and cancel it,” Turnley said. “That’s the mistake I shouldn’t have made…I should have got my cousin and gone anyway.” Another planned trip to Europe also fell through because of health issues, but Turnley says the best country she’s ever visited is her own.

Turnley still washes her own hair and puts in her rollers each night. She stopped driving herself around town at the age of 102 when it got too uncomfortable and said it’s something she misses doing for herself.

“Not being able to do what you want to do…that’s the biggest thing,” Turnley said. “My legs weren’t working good, and I thought I wasn’t good at driving anymore, so I said ‘time to quit.’” Four children, four grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, nearly two great-great-grandchildren, and 105 years later, the thing Turnley is most thankful for is her health, particularly her mind.

She attributes her centenarian status to eating three square meals a day, exercising regularly since she was 63, routinely doing word search puzzles, and remaining social with her peers at Orchard Crest Retirement Community in the Spokane Valley.

Photo by Colette-Janae Buck Katherine Turnley, born in 1918 here at Sacred Heart Hospital, turns 105.

Seniors Agnew, Nelson deliver net gain for CV, U-Hi

By Craig Howard Current Contributing Editor

Defined by fast breaks, scrambling defense and quick bolts to the hoop, basketball is rarely referred to as “a waiting game.”

That is unless you happen to be an underclassman on a high school roster stocked with juniors and seniors who occupy most of the playing time.

For Autumn Agnew of Central Valley and Tyler Nelson of University, patiently waiting for their numbers to be called has paid off. The two seniors –who spent their early prep years dealing with reserve minutes as well as the virtual elimination of a sophomore season due to a worldwide pandemic – are now leading their respective teams among the area’s elite.

Agnew was a freshman on a Bears’ squad that won the Greater Spokane League (GSL) title and vaulted to the 201920 state 4A championship, defeating previously undefeated Woodinville. While she didn’t see the court during CV’s playoff run, Agnew said the experience of practicing with teammates like MJ Bruno and Peyton Howard – who would go onto play Division-1 college basketball – proved valuable.

“Competing against them in practice made me so much better,” Agnew said.

As a sophomore, Agnew was part of a roster that got past Mead to win another GSL crown. Despite the abbreviated season and cancellation of the post-season related to the pandemic, Agnew contributed significantly as a sub

who stood out on the defensive end.

“The team didn’t really need me offensively,” she said. “I hit some threes but I was mostly a defensive player.”

That changed last season as Agnew averaged nearly 15 points per game, including a career-high 27 against Cheney. While the Bears were eliminated from the district bracket after a .500 campaign, it was clear that Agnew had arrived as one of the GSL’s best.

“From the time she was a freshman, you could see Autumn was dynamic, had great energy and was happy to be in the gym,” said CV Head Coach Felice Orrell.

“She also really understands

what Central Valley basketball is all about and the culture we’ve created here.”

This season, the trend has continued with Agnew netting over 17 points a game for a Bears’ team that leads the GSL 4A race after a convincing 65-53 win over Gonzaga Prep on Jan. 20. Agnew led CV with 22 points, including four 3-pointers. The victory advanced the Bears to 6-0 in league play and 11-3 overall.

Agnew is also averaging seven rebounds, two steals and one assist per game.

“She’s such a force on both ends of the court,” said Orrell. “I’ve seen Autumn grow a lot in her mental game and basketball game.”

Agnew, also an accomplished volleyball player, credits a

vigorous summer training regimen for her best season yet.

“I think before teams thought I could only drive but I wanted to be accurate from anywhere,” she said. “I also wanted to get stronger and improve my vertical jump.”

Orrell said Agnew and her teammates sent a message early on with the season opener at Kennewick, a 52-48 win in which the senior captain scored 18 points.

“I knew we had something to prove, just letting people know how good our team was and how much we’d improved,” Agnew said.

A holiday tournament in late December gave CV a chance to face the top-ranked 4A team in the state, Woodinville, on a neutral court. A close game at half got away from the Bears after an 11-4 Woodinville run in the third quarter. Despite the 17-point setback, Agnew said the matchup gave CV a litmus test for the postseason.

“We showed we could play with a team like that,” she said. “I think if we were to play them again, it’d be a completely different game.”

Later in the same tournament, Agnew tallied a career-high 30 in a win over Lake Stevens.

Agnew says she stays grounded by two pillars – faith and family, both of which give her perspective beyond basketball.

“My favorite part of the week is Sunday morning because it means going to church and breakfast with my family,” she said. “At the end of the day, I know God is always for me.”

Agnew will continue her pursuit of basketball and academics on scholarship at Corban University, a private Christian college in Salem, Oregon.

See SPORTS STREAM, Page 21

Contributed photos

Tyler Nelson of University High and Autumn Agnew of Central Valley both lead their respective teams in scoring in addition to being senior captains. Each player put in time learning and contributing from the bench before emerging as two of the standouts in the Greater Spokane League.

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Free AARP Taz Aide helps you prepare, file your taxes

By Stacey Goddard, librarian Spokane County Library District

In-person tax help is available at four of our libraries: Spokane Valley, Argonne, Cheney, and Moran Prairie. All tax help will be by appointment only—no walkin appointments this year. You can make an appointment now through the Washington Trust Bank appointment line at 509.353.4851.

To help ensure that the TaxAide volunteer can prepare your tax return, you will need to bring the following important documents with you to your appointment:

- Valid photo ID

- Your 2021 and 2020 tax returns

- Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (IN) for each taxpayer, family member, and working adult included in the tax documents

Community Science programs encourage you to court birds in your backyard

By Erin Dodge Current Guest Correspondent

When you hear someone say that that something is “for the birds,” they mean it is foolish and not to be taken too seriously. This month, the Great Backyard Bird Count on February 17–20 invites everyone to do something for the birds that isn’t foolish, is in fact helpful, and could be quite fascinating.

This global event falls within the realm of community science, also called citizen science, which is when the public voluntarily helps conduct scientific research.

- All income statements, such as 2021 W-2s, 1098, and 1099 forms for you (and your spouse if filing jointly)

- Any proof of health insurance 1095 form(s)

If applicable to your situation, you should also bring the following documents:

- Childcare provider name, address, and tax ID

- Property tax and interest information if you’re a homeowner

- Proof of other income for you and/or your spouse

- Form 1098T and education expenses for students

- Bank routing and account numbers for checking or savings account (to pay any owed taxes)

Hours for Free AARP Tax Aide at Spokane Valley Library are on Mondays, 4–7pm (excluding holidays), Fridays, 1–4pm, and Saturdays, 10am–1pm, starting January 30 through April 14. At Argonne Library, the hours are

“Community Science: Great Backyard Bird Count & Activity.” The kits will be available, while supplies last, February 13–18.

Whether you decide to make a birdfeeder or not, you can still participate in the bird count. To get started, visit the Great Backyard Bird Count at www. birdcount.org, managed by The Cornell Lab, National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

The Bird Count website shares how you can participate: “Spend time in your favorite places watching birds–then tell us about them! In as little as 15 minutes, notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit them to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world.”

on Wednesdays, 4–8pm, and Thursdays, 10am–2pm, starting February 1 through April 13.

To see the days and times for Free AARP Tax Aide at Cheney and Moran Prairie Libraries, visit www.scld.org/tax-aide. To make an appointment for in-person tax aide, you need to call the Washington Trust Bank appointment line at 509.353.4851.

For information about other locations providing Free AARP Tax Aide, please check the Spokane County United Way website at www.unitedwayspokane.org/ freetaxprep.

If you’d prefer to file your taxes online yourself, you can visit the IRS webpage “Free File: Do your Federal Taxes for Free” at www.irs.gov/ filing/free-file-do-your-federaltaxes-for-free. Another option is “MyFreeTaxes” by United Way at www.myfreetaxes.com. The website provides some instructions and options for filing and has a helpline you can call if you get stuck.

One participant from Wyoming shared, “We all need an incentive to get outside mid-winter and look for birds beyond what we can see from our windows. It’s fun to see the little flashes of light on the map when we submit our counts, among the thousands around the world, and we know our data matters.”

To get hands-on help for this endeavor, you can attend the library program “Community Science: Bird Watching & Counting” at North Spokane Library (44 E Hawthorne Rd, Spokane) on Saturday, February 11, at 2pm. This program will go over the different mobile apps and share information to help you start your bird watching and counting adventure.

www.scld.org

To help with this effort, all SCLD libraries – including Spokane Valley, The BookEnd, Argonne, and Otis Orchards – will have take-and-make birdfeeder kits available for the program

The website also provides several ways to identify, collect, and send your data about the birds you see, including the Merlin Bird ID app, the eBird mobile app, and sharing through a laptop or computer with eBird. They also have downloadable checklists of birds found in your area.

Keep a look out for another community science program at SCLD libraries in May, where you can help build a home for mason bees, which are small pollinators that don’t make honey but are great at helping garden vegetables and flowers flourish.

WE GOT THE FUN STUFF WE GOT THE FUN STUFF

SPORTS STREAM

Continued from page 18

“I’m looking forward to Autumn’s next chapter,” Orrell said.

As for the possibility of closing out her prep career with state title bookends, Agnew said to not count the Bears out. CV just recently crept into the state polls at No. 9, a fact not lost on Agnew and her teammates.

“I think this team is playing with a little chip on our shoulder,” she said. “We should be ranked higher. If we play our best game, we have a chance (at state).”

While Agnew and her fellow Bears have the inside track on another GSL championship, Nelson has led the Titans among the league’s best on the boys’ 3A side. U-Hi sits at 12-4 overall, 4-3 in the GSL. The senior guard is averaging 16 points a game on 44 percent shooting while dishing out nearly five assists and pulling down close to four rebounds per contest.

“We’re leaning on him with his leadership and experience as a captain,” said University Head Coach Garrick Phillips. “His leadership has grown a lot this year. He puts his team first.”

Last season, Nelson found himself behind seniors Jeremiah Sibley – now playing at North Idaho College – and Will Kennedy – on the roster at Evergreen State. He worked his way into the starting lineup toward the end of the year after injuries to several starters.

“He ended up playing a critical role,” Phillips said. “Tyler has high expectations of himself.”

In the 2022 district playoffs, Nelson stepped up with 12 points against Kennewick and 17 in a win over Hermiston before the Titans were eliminated by Mt. Spokane.

This season, Nelson appears well on his way to achieving a goal of earning All GSL recognition. He had 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds in a 61-42 win over Lewis and Clark on Jan. 3 and followed that up with 20 points in

the first half against Gonzaga Prep before the Bullpups employed a box-in-one defense to hold Nelson to four points in the final half.

Listed at 5’9, Nelson says he is always ready for the challenge of playing against taller opponents.

“I’ve always had to find ways to be better than players bigger than me,” Nelson said.

Phillips points to Nelson’s “athleticism and competitive spirit” as traits that set the guard apart. In the final game of a holiday tournament, the Titans took on Eastmont from Wenatchee and “came out kind of flat,” Phillips recalls.

“Tyler just kind of took over,” Phillips said of an effort that featured 28 points and two goahead free throws in the final seconds, securing a 70-69 U-Hi victory.

Despite putting up impressive numbers on the offensive end, Nelson also makes it a point to emphasize defense. He has taken nine offensive charges this year and compiled a dozen steals and

19 deflections.

“I’ve always taken pride in my defense,” he said. “I’ve always said that defense wins games.”

Nelson hopes to play basketball at the college level, an aspiration that his coach believes is within reach.

“In the right situation, Tyler could definitely play at another level,” he said. “He’s a highly skilled player with great court vision who is also gifted defensively.”

Despite a setback to Ferris on Jan. 20, Nelson and his fellow Titans remain among the favorites to advance beyond the district bracket later this month. A clutch 63-60 victory over North Central on Jan. 24 helped the cause. Nelson had 24 points in the win. The senior says it will take the team playing up to its potential to thrive in the post-season.

“I feel like we can make a very good run,” Nelson said. “We just need to keep playing hard, working in practice and not taking teams lightly.”

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Grady Ahlquist, Mara Albretsen, Michelle Alvarez, Darbie Anderson, Michael Arata, Kellen Araujo, Sergei Ashikhmin, Chloe Atha, Isabella Avery, Kristina Ayala, Alixandra Baremore, Michelle Barter, Madison Bastin, Ethan Bauer, Kelsey Baylor, Amanda Beier, Ethan Bensing, Emilija Blake, Shelby Breen, Megan Bumgarner, Ryan Burgess, Nicholas Burlakov, Katie Burns, Kennedy Cargile, Bailey Carter, Danielle Chalpin, Delia Chase, Isabella Claeson, Aaron Colby, Lindsey Coleman, Nathan Collins, Kai Conrath, Sarah Corbaley, Tiago Correia, Madison Corwin, Sean Cowley, Trevor Coy, Brianna Cozino, Alexa Darrington, America De La O, Kataryna Deaton, Rosemary Diener, Sarah Dierks, Tina Do, Alexander Dodson, Jerry Dolph, Katie Dowling, Katie Drennon, Alex Dudley, Rylan Dunlap, Anh Duong, Eli Eckelberg, Gabe Eden, Alexis Eldred, Jenna Engeland, Daniel Escobar, Alastor Farrell, Rylee Felgenhauer, Christopher Finnigan, Jamie Fitchner, Paul Florianovich, Bernadette Franco, Lucas Fyre, Isaiah Gessner, Talia Glass, Allison Gomez, Chad Gothmann, Hannah Green, Kyle Griffith, Iris Guadarrama, Cameron Haight, Joseph Hallowell, Kassidy Hammell, Darrien Haney, Hannah Hayes, Elizabeth Hedt, Josh Helt, Robert Herambourg, Kassie Hillhouse, Tre Hoisington, Chyanne Holder, Samuel Holman, Nathan Holmquist, Tyler Holmquist, Caitlin Hopkins, Sarah Horne, Kyler Horseman, Josie Horton, Nai Hose, Ashley Howe, Abigail Hunt, Alice Isaac, Constantin Ishimwe, Daylene Isley, Vanessa Ivie, Ven Jenks, Collyn Jones, Melanie Jones, Jonathan Juarez, Mohammad Kaddoura, Caden Kaiserman, Keshav Kalsi, Alyssa Kamp, Brendon Kendall, Dani Keyes, Umar Khan, Sarah Kinsolving, Michaella Klontz, Rebekah Kohltfarber, Timothy Korneychuk, Alyssa Kudrna, Nahla Kurma, Gerard Larson, Hannah Larson, Taylar Larue, Carson Layden, Madison Layden, Victoria Layden, Siqi Li, Garrett Lidman, Taryn Littleworth, Riley Longwill, Ankur Loomba, Joseph Lopez, Duachee Lor, Aiden Lowe, Bradley Lyonnais, Grace Macedo, Christine Macharia, Bridgette Malakowsky, Katie Malone, T.j. Malzahn, Louden Marsalis, Chelsi Marshall, Matthew Matriciano, Kimberly McCartney, Alysha McCullough, Amethyst McNeil, Lourdes Melendez, Jayden Melendez-Vega, Sayla Merritt, Kasie Michael, Christian Miller, Chloe Moore, Grant Moore, Nicholas Morris, Amy Moua, Tyler Moua, Andinet Muluneh, Terra Munns, Violet Myers, Nekoda Norczyk, Anna Norris, Hailey Norris, Sean O'Dowd, Kailee Oens, Madison Olson, Bukky Oredugba, David Pancoast, Kelly Parke,

David Parker, Madelynne Passmore, Emily Pauley, Julianna Paulsen, Adam Payne, Breyton Pearson, Kara Peha, Cameron Phillips, Karliee Polinsky, Haili Poss, Kirsten Price, Kayla Priebe, Michael Quindlen, Ka'din Rahman-Adamson, Russell Rains, Grace Ramsey, Kylie Ramsey, Emma Reincke, Brandon Reis, Micah Richards, Kane Rider, Johnathan Rieger, Layna Robinson, Ivon Rodriguez, Anastasiya Samakhval, Kyle Scarcello, Meghan Scheffer, Saxton Schultz, Isaiah Shaw, Adam Shiner, Patrick Shoffner, Arionna Sicilia, Jeremy Sneddon, Justin Steinman, Tanner Stephenson, Jordan Steward, Jesse Stone, Hope Storro, Luke Sukut, Svetlana Susina, Dylan Swanson, James Sweeney, Rebecca Swiger, Brookelyn Syme, Kimberlee Tallman, Jacob Taylor, Jt Taylor, Kaitlynn Taylor, Meara Terliamis, Ashlynn Thielen, Nathan Thurber, Shea Titchenal, Elizabeth Tkach, Paul Torman, Isabella Trujillo, Mark Tsuber, Tanner Tucci, Kylie Turner, Julie Ulyanchuk, Ashley Uribe, Marko Uzelac, Tien Vo, Spencer Wagner, Tyler Walker, Carson Ware, Cody Washburn, Trinity Weaver, Gracie Wehr, Brandon Welte, Mardi Williamson, Nate Wilson, Sophia Wilson, Mitch Wing, Krysta Wolfe, Sadie Yost, Abigail Zachary, Avary Zachary, Aubrey Zeutschel, Evelyn Zhelez, Michael Zita

SCC Honor Roll

Kerrie Adams, David Aldrich, David Baker, Spencer Boden, Rockford Bolton, Zackery Borthwick, Sean Brown, Skye Caldwell, Miriah Calligan, Chrystal Campbell, Gracie Carlson, Madison Chitwood, Haley Clark, Ashly Covey, Connor DaBell, Carson Dahl, Adrianna Delvechio, Teodoro Diaz-Gopar, Tanner Emerson, Samantha Fleming, Dimitry Florianovich, Ava Fotheringham, Deborah Gauger, Julia Gaydarzhi, Adam George, Josh Harris, Aaron Henkle, Anna Holman, Jessica Hutson, Kaila Jones, Kaden Jones, Savanna Kienbaum, Randy Lawhead, Johnathan Leavell, Casandra Lindley, Sarah Linn, Edward Lozier, Joshua Matriciano, Eric Mendenhall, Amy Mulhern, Claire Mumm, Virginia Nolen, Kristin Painter, Khloe Pascua, Ayla Paulson, Andrew Peterson, Khloe Queen, Sarah Ross, Calvin Ruffner, Kyley Schneckloth, Carson Shane, Lily Siegfried, Antonio Solorio-Schultz, Erik Thompson, Kylie Thompson

SFCC

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