Government

Sexual harassment ruling expands employer liability in Washington state

If an employee harasses a customer, the business is 'automatically' at fault

February 14, 2019

Employers can be held strictly liable for acts of discrimination by their employees in any business or nonprofit open to the public following a recent Washington State Supreme Court decision in a sexual harassment case

Community gardening has increased sevenfold in Spokane area

Neighborhood planting said to be factor in reducing food insecurity

January 31, 2019

Alla Drokina

When Patricia Munts, small farms and agriculture coordinator at Washington State University Spokane County Extension, began working with gardens in the city in 2008, there were at least eight community gardens, she recalls.

Out of the bag: Grocers prepare for potential plastic ban

State Legislature considers eliminating option

January 31, 2019

LeAnn Bjerken

Retailers throughout Washington state soon could be banned from offering customers single-use plastic bags, in an effort to reduce plastic waste and better protect the environment.

Spokane County plans new $10 million Medical Examiner project

Building on south edge of University District to be renovated

January 31, 2019

Natasha Nellis

Spokane County is planning a $10 million remodel to a commercial building near the south edge of the University District, where it intends to move the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office.

Nationwide contraception initiative arrives in Spokane

Effort provides training to clinics here

January 17, 2019

Natasha Nellis

Multiyear initiative Upstream Washington is working to decrease the number of unwanted pregnancies by increasing same-day access to birth control, and has turned its attention to Eastern Washington, which has a higher-than-average rate of unintended

Housing organization to move Rose Apartments

Time line for relocation depends on state offer

January 17, 2019

Natasha Nellis

East Central Community Organization, a Spokane-based nonprofit housing organization, plans to move an estimated 360,000-pound brick apartment building it owns this year.

Public projects to carry Spokane building sector

Total volume of planned work is north of $412M

January 17, 2019

Natasha Nellis

More than $412 million in new public construction projects are slated across Spokane County this year, including work on the next phase of the North Spokane Corridor, the start of the Hamilton Street Corridor Enhancement Project, bridge improvements

Washington's condominium conundrum

Housing advocates say state law makes building condos cost prohibitive

January 17, 2019

LeAnn Bjerken

The Washington state Condominium Act adds to development costs and liabilities making condo construction an unattractive option for builders seeking to meet the demand for affordable housing, some construction industry professionals here say.

Mann-Grandstaff VA Hospital to adopt health record system by 2020

Spokane facility one of two pilot sites for big overhaul

December 20, 2018

LeAnn Bjerken

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, in northwest Spokane, plans to adopt fully a new electronic health record system by March of 2020, that eventually will be deployed across all VA facilities nationwide.

EnVision Center to open east of downtown Spokane

HUD-designated center receives funds from city

December 20, 2018

Virginia Thomas

A broad menu of social services will be available in a central location on the periphery of downtown when Spokane's EnVision Center opens late next month, those involved in the project say.