Government

Assessed property values increase in Spokane County

Higher property taxes on horizon for most

September 10, 2020

Typical Spokane homeowners saw double-digit rates of rise in assessed property values this year, according to data released this month, which likely will result in hikes in next year's property tax bills, says Spokane County Assessor Tom Konis.

2020 Rising Stars: West Plains Chamber of Commerce's Toby Broemmeling

Business group leader fond of small-town charm

September 10, 2020

Natasha Nellis

'You always want to have that leader that you rally to in the center of a whirlwind,â€ says Brian Newberry of 38-year-old Toby Broemmeling, the executive director of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce.

2020 Rising Stars: Downtown Spokane Partnership's Elisabeth Hooker

Downtown promoter aims to enhance quality of life

September 10, 2020

LeAnn Bjerken

Elisabeth Hooker, marketing director for the Downtown Spokane Partnership and 39-year-old Rising Star, says she feels blessed to show up at work every day, doing what she loves in her hometown. 'I'm happy to be part of something larger

Q&A with Spokane Regional Health District's Dr. Bob Lutz

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September 10, 2020

Virginia Thomas

Dr. Bob Lutz was thrust into the spotlight shortly after COVID-19 reared its ugly head. The Spokane Regional Health District's health officer quickly became the face of the district's response to the pandemic and has led the organization's

Contact tracing becomes more prevalent occupation in Spokane

Once-unusual occupation now employs 100-plus in Spokane health sector

September 10, 2020

Virginia Thomas

The number of contact tracers has risen in Spokane County along with the spread of COVID-19. Susan Sjoberg, program manager for disease prevention and response at Spokane Regional Health District, says that before coronavirus struck, SRHD had five

Next phase of work on tap at Spokane Airport's car rental center

DCI Engineers designing $5M-$6M upgrade project

August 27, 2020

Kevin Blocker

With an initial phase of work recently completed at Spokane International Airport, a second phase of improvements to the transportation center currently is being designed. The second phase will include improvements to the ground transportation center

Avista exceeds energy-savings target

Utility achieved savings of 99K megawatt hours

August 27, 2020

Kevin Blocker

A Washington state Department of Commerce report released last month shows 17 utilities statewide exceeded their projected 2018 and 2019 energy efficiency targets. Spokane-based Avista Corp. reported reaching 111% of its conservation goal.

Spokane Conservation District moves forward with new building

New conservation campus to be a multiphase project

August 27, 2020

Natasha Nellis

The Spokane Conservation District has broken ground on its planned new facility in Spokane Valley, says Vicki Carter, director of the district. The project will be a multiphase development, Carter says.

1,400-plus organizations seek share of $10 million in CARES Act funds

GSI, Innovia expect to make decisions on CARES funding recipients soon

August 27, 2020

Natasha Nellis

More than 1,400 small businesses and nonprofits have sought a sliver of $10 million in federal funds made available in Spokane County. Those organizations, which have applied for nonprofit grants through the county's OpenTogether Small Business

A. The Journal's View: Collaboration encouraging in affordable housing issue

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July 30, 2020

Staff Report

It's encouraging that landlord and tenant representatives here are working together during the coronavirus crisis by seeking rental assistance to keep tenants in their homes during this time of widespread loss of employment and income.