August 2020 Splash

AUGUST

2020

THE

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

LIBERTY LAKE

FREE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Brandon the Braveheart page 10 PAVILLION PARK EVENTS CANCELLED PAGE 23

CITY DISTRIBUTES PPE FOR BUSINESSES PAGE 12

FARM TO TABLE AT YOUR HOME PAGE 27

see page 16 to learn more about us!

call us today 509-927-9279

2 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

DOCKSIDE Leader on the Links - Johnston has overseen Trailhead since 2011

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

Golf was initially not part of the game plan for Chris Johnston.

Even though his father worked as a golf pro for nearly 40 years, Johnston gravitated toward other sports growing up. When he was 7, his dad walked him through a golf lesson that fizzled into frustration after a half hour. Instead, football, baseball and basketball became Johnston’s focus through elementary and middle school.

Johnston spent his early years in Denver before his dad accepted a job at Sun Dance Golf Course in Nine Mile Falls just outside Spokane. The summer before his freshman year at North Central High School, Johnston caught the vision of golf through his dad and a cousin who was playing on a semi-professional level. Before long, he was practicing non-stop at Sun Dance, rapidly developing into an elite player.

the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), the result of a rigorous threeyear process that includes not only the honing of skills on the course but, in Johnston’s words, “everything you can think of about the golf business.”

Johnston would go on to work as the head pro at three courses before landing the job at Trailhead in 2011.

He was serving as general manager and head pro at the Highlands Golf Course in Post Falls when he put in his application for Trailhead, a scant 15 minutes before the deadline.

Accepting the new role meant a cut in pay – but also hours, an important benefit for Johnston, his wife Erin and their three children.

“It was the best move I ever made,” Johnston said.

In nearly a decade at the helm of the executive course, Johnston has become the face of Trailhead. Along with the golf aspect of the job – plenty of lessons and standing as the go-

to guy for how to cure that pesky hook or slice – Johnston oversees the business side of the venue, running the clubhouse, buying merchandise and helping to set rates with city input. Add in club repair, golf cart maintenance and no shortage of other tasks and it’s clear that Johnston’s job is no day at the beach. He also coordinated a complete renovation of the bunkers a few years ago, bringing in sand more often seen at sites in golf capitals like Florida or Arizona.

As the region’s only year-round course, Trailhead has developed a loyal following. It is not uncommon to see golfers practicing their game in the dead of winter at the venue’s covered, heated driving range. The recent installation of a new irrigation system has only enhanced the site’s already resplendent grounds while expansion and renovation of tee boxes during Johnston’s tenure has added new levels of challenge for experienced players.

Trailhead closed for 40 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic but since reopening May 5, Johnston said the course has nearly made up the

Immersion into the sport also produced a special byproduct.

“It brought my dad and I closer together,” Johnston recalls,

Next up for Trailhead is an overhaul of the aging clubhouse, a project that has been on the city’s radar for years. Johnston has taken a lead role in the effort, working closely with the mayor and City Council. For now, however, just getting back to golf is enough for the head pro and those who, in Mark Twain’s words, still appreciate “a good walk spoiled.”

Q: What did you know about Trailhead and Liberty Lake in general before you were brought on as the golf pro in 2011?

A: I had played Meadowood and Liberty Lake golf courses many times in high school and then as a professional in pro-ams but I had never played Trailhead. I grew up on the other side of Spokane when I was starting to play golf, so I never really knew about it. Before my interview for the job at Trailhead I went over and walked around the course and was amazed at the condition and also that it was not a par-three course but an executive nine-hole course with regular length holes and it was a par 33.

Q: What are some aspects of Trailhead you appreciate the most?

Within a year, the late bloomer had become a scratch golfer. He joined the men’s club at Sun Dance during his junior year in high school and won the club title at 17. By that point, Johnston had dropped other sports. He was part of a talented group of golfers at NC that challenged powerhouse Mead each year for the Greater Spokane League title.

After graduation, Johnston joined the golf team at Spokane Falls Community College where he played for two years. He transferred to Gonzaga after that, latching on with a Bulldogs’ team that had not quite moved into the NCAA Division 1 category but sported quality talent.

Johnston won the only tournament he played as a Zag but decided to turn pro instead of continuing as a college player. By 1997, he was certified by

revenue lost during that time. The income stream has risen each year since Johnston has been head pro. In 2019, the gross revenue at Trailhead checked in at $645,000.

A: Once I started at Trailhead, I played the course and was pleasantly surprised at how it catered to all abilities. With four sets of tees it is great for beginners but is also very challenging for low-handicap golfers from the furthest blue tees. I would put No. 5 and No. 6 up against any par-threes in the area. Trailhead fills a niche that we do not really have anywhere else in Spokane. I always joke that Trailhead is “the best ninehole course in Liberty Lake.”

Q: It took you awhile to latch on to golf. What do you think was the key to you and the sport taking off?

Photo by Craig Howard Chris Johnston has been the head pro at Trailhead at Liberty Lake Golf Course since 2011. He worked at venues like Sun Dance, the Highlands and Indian Canyon before being hired by the city of Liberty Lake to oversee one of the most respected executive courses in the region.

A: I don’t know if it was that fact that my dad was a golf professional and I was “defying” him or just that I was into other sports. I didn’t See JOHNSTON, Page 5

AUGUST 2020 • 3

The Splash

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

NEWS

4 • AUGUST 2020

EXCELLENCE IN THE EYES OF OUR PATIENTS “Proudly Serving Liberty Lake and Spokane since 2000” — Demandforce.com

New Location Now Open!

Spokane Valley Fire Department

SVFD Report for The Liberty Lake Splash – July 2020 Spokane Valley Fire Department crews responded to a total of 91 emergency calls in the greater Liberty Lake area* from June 15 – July 15, 2020.

• Emergency Medical Services 65 • Building Alarms 12 • Service Calls 5 • Fires 4 • Motor Vehicle Accidents 3 • Hazardous Materials 2

Accepting New Patients Comprehensive Eye Care for all ages Cataract | Glaucoma | Red or Dry Eyes Specialty Contact Lenses

DR. MICHAEL PARK

Liberty Lake SVFD Report – March 2020

DR. BRET ULRICH

893.7574

24 Hour Emergency 869.9053

22011 E Country Vista Dr. Suite 101 Next to Wake Up Call

M, W & Th 8-5 • Tu 1-7 • F 8-1

w w w. L i b e r t y L a k e E y e C a r e C e n t e r. c o m

Calls are up slightly down from 105 last month to 91 this month.

Emergency Medical Services saw the greatest drop from 82 last month to 65 this month.

Of Note: • Burn Restrictions are in place, Monday, July 20.

Visit spokanevalleyfire.com for more information or call 509.928.1700 or visit https://spokanecleanair.org/ burning We continue to have a large number of illegal burn calls. Make sure you know the facts before burning. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/ WildfirePrevention; https:// spokanecleanair.org/currentburning-conditions Incidents: Water Rescue, June 25 - Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) responded June 25, 8:33p.m. to a report of a two kayakers in need of help, just east of Mirabeau Park. The caller stated the woman was injured.

Firefighters located the pair on the north side of the river, standing in waist deep water. The female kayaker had gotten her foot caught and twisted in the under rubble of the river, injuring her ankle. SVFD water rescue teams quickly launched their kayaks. They were able to get the woman and her 14 y/o son safely to the shore, and assisted with a ride back to their vehicle. The woman was not transported for her injuries. This incident could have been much worse if the pair had not been wearing life jackets.

A total of 12 apparatus, command and support vehicles responded to the scene, including Spokane Fire

The Splash

Department water rescue crews and American Medical Response. No first responder injuries were reported.

Spokane Valley Fire Department would like to remind citizens that different seasons of the river present unique challenges. High fast spring currents can quickly separate you from your party, and lower late season water flows can trip you up and trap you in the under rubble and bushes; but, life jackets will help yearround!

Service Call, Water Problem – June 15, Spokane Valley firefighters responded at 2:14 p.m. to a report of a fire hydrant and broken pipes leaking water. A drive by caller was passing by the construction zone and saw several pipes broken and a cap missing from the fire hydrant. They said water was spraying everywhere and that there was noone at the construction site. Valley Engine 5 arrived and observed multiple lines flowing at a construction site. They contacted the water department. A Water flush of the system was being performed. Crews returned to service HazMat, Natural Gas – June 23, Spokane Valley Fire responded to a hit gas line. The caller, a construction worker who is building homes in this area believed he hit a gas line with his backhoe. He was hearing hissing and has evacuated the area. Valley engine 5 arrived and spotted their apparatus a block out on Country Vista and stopped traffic from entering the scene from that side.

Crews observed backhoe near area of incident with audible hissing sound coming from the location. Safety was established and once Avista was on scene VE5 provided backup for VE-3 who was on the protection line. After approx 20 minutes VE5 relieved them on the line and remained there until the gas lines were shut off. Wind was observed to be from the SW carrying the gas across empty fields to the north of the incident. The incident occurred at the 24000 block of E Blue Ridge Avenue.

Service Call, Lock Out – June 26, Spokane Valley Fire responded at 3:31 p.m. after a neighbor called in reporting an elderly neighbor was locked out of her home. VE5 responded and upon arrival, found an elderly female outside her gate, in mild anxiety about being locked out.

VE5 used opened the electric gate, and then assisted the elderly woman with finding her keys which were in her purse. The crew ensured she could gain access to her house and then returned in service.

The Splash

JOHNSTON

NEWS

Continued from page 2 start playing golf until the summer before ninth grade. I played football, basketball and baseball but by the time I was a junior in high school I was only playing golf. I found out quickly that I was just average at the other sports but was excelling in golf.

Not to mention, in golf, I didn’t have to run or get hit at practice. I had a lot of help and instruction from my dad and my cousin Dirk who at the time was playing professional minitour events. My dad didn’t want me to leave the practice area until I was “ready,” but my cousin would take me out early in the morning to practice on the course. I think I got three years’ worth of practice into that one summer. I was at the course from sunup to sundown every day.

Q: How would you rate Liberty Lake as a golf community?

A: Liberty Lake is an incredible golf community. To have three courses within a mile of each other at reasonable rates is special. It’s pretty cool to see all of the golf carts around the community. If you want to be close to good golf courses and live in a golf cart friendly place, Liberty Lake is it.

Q: We all know how the pandemic has impacted our day-today routines. What do you think the return of golf has meant in terms of lifting at least some of the gloom?

A: Any of the outdoor activities seem to be thriving right now, golf especially. Most indoor activities are closed so we are one of the activities you can do and still adhere to social distancing. We have been extremely busy, but I do realize unfortunately it may be at the cost of someone out of work. We do provide a fun activity for those needing something to do to stay active and social at the same time. I believe it is a win-win.

ideas have been winners so far!

All joking aside, the city has been supportive of Trailhead and see it as the gem that I do.

Q: There has been a lot of talk at City Hall about a serious update to the Trailhead clubhouse and practice facility before coronavirus hit. Where are discussions at with the consultant hired by the city and what do you think will happen with this project moving forward?

A: Yes, we were making great strides with the Trailhead Master Plan up until March. I do not see it going away, just postponed. There was a lot of great work done by the consulting firm, our working group, the mayor and the City Council. I believe we were pretty close to making some major decisions so I know in due time we will get back to it.

AUGUST 2020 • 5

PATIENT

FOCUSED

GENER AL • COSME TIC • COMPUTER- GUIDED

DENTISTRY

• Same

Day Crowns Day Bridges • Same Day Implants • Same Day Extractions with Implants • Oral Surgery • Implant Supported Pediatrics Dentures • Root Canals Extractions • 3D CBCT X-Rays • Sedation • Nitrous/Laughing Gas • Periodontics • Same

Same Day Emergencies &

Saturday Appointments

Q: Do you have a favorite golf memory?

A: When I was 13, I watched Jack Nicklaus play at the Spokane Country Club. I did not play golf at the time. I watched him hit a shot on the sixth hole over a tree to like 3 feet. I turned to my mom and said, “Maybe I should try golf again.” Four years later when I was 17, I played in a Spokane Junior League tournament at Manito Country Club. The top four players got to caddie for four PGA Tour pros at Spokane Country Club in the same exhibition. I won the tournament and got to caddie for Hal Sutton. He was my friend’s favorite player. The other players that day were Gary Player, Curtis Strange and Greg Norman. Last year at the PGA show in Orlando I ran into Hall Sutton and chatted for a while. He actually remembered the exhibition and remembered Spokane. I have the pictures from the day I caddied for him and now I have one with him 30 years later.

Q: How has it been working for a municipality as opposed to a public or private golf facility?

Q: Finally, let’s say you could play in any major PGA tournament on any course in the world with any professional golfer, living or not.

What does that look like for you?

A: Working for a city is different but also good at the same time.

Working for a privately-owned course I would have a meeting with one person, now it might be multiple meetings but that is the checks and balances of a city. The mayor(s) and City Council(s) have been very open to the ideas I have had to enhance Trailhead. Fortunately for me the

A: Easy, I would play at Augusta National in the Masters Tournament.

It would have to be a fivesome because I would want to play with Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer and my dad. I would probably shoot a million because of nerves but just to listen to those guys talk and to play one more round with my dad would be the best.

NO INSURANCE?

SAVE 20% WITH OUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN ASK US HOW

509-891-5001

Payment Plans Available Dental Savings Plan Discounted Fees Most Insurances Accepted

1328 N Stanford Lane Liberty Lake, WA W W W . L I B E R T Y L A K E F A M I L Y D E N T I S T R Y. C O M

Paid for by Friends of Mary Kuney PO Box 13103 Spokane valley, wa 99213

6 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

Introducing the

Safety Awareness Channel

Police Report - June 2020 Splash news sources

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 554 Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 5 Citations (Traffic/Criminal/NonCriminal) 53 DUI (Driving Under Influence) 2 Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 17 Malicious Mischief 4 JuneArgument 2020 Map/ Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 15 Parking Violations 3 Suspicious Vehicles 29 VEHICLE

THEFT,

06/03/20;

Least Most

Officers responded to the report of a vehicle theft located in the vicinity of 22400 E Clairmont Ln. Caller reported a family member stole their parent’s vehicle by taking it without permission. Suspect information was gathered and the vehicle was entered into NCIC as stolen. Through further investigation the vehicle was safely recovered.

TRAFFIC STOP, 06/18/20; Officers stopped a vehicle in the vicinity of 21900 E Country Vista Dr. and discovered the driver had a suspended drivers license. The male driver was placed under arrest for the criminal driving offense. Upon further investigation, drug paraphernalia was observed in the vehicle. The involved vehicle and its contents were seized as evidence. Officers applied for and were granted a search warrant. Drugs and paraphernalia

were discovered and seized. This case is still under investigation.

VEHICLE PROWL, 06/19/20; Officers were advised of a Vehicle Prowl which had occurred in the area of E Boone Ave/N Molter Rd. Multiple personal affects and a semiautomatic pistol were stolen from the involved vehicle. Officers attempted lifting latent prints from the vehicle and are currently following other leads.

This case is still under investigation.

TRAFFIC STOP, 06/19/20; Officers stopped a vehicle in the area of N Molter Rd/E Mission Ave, when a male occupant previously driving the vehicle ran from Officers on foot. Officers quickly identified the male who ran from the vehicle and discovered he had a valid Felony Warrant for his arrest.

Officers relocated the male in the

circles contain the number of incidents in a given area.

Safeway parking lot where he was taken into custody. The male was booked on his Felony Warrant and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine).

SUICIDAL, 06/20/20; Officers responded to the report of a suicide (Liberty Lake). Arriving at the involved address, Officers discovered a running vehicle in the garage with a hose from the exhaust to the passenger window. The vehicle was occupied, and the occupant was not responsive.

Officers used a glass punch, breaking the glass window on the driver side door to gain access. The occupant was pulled to safety and medical aid was provided. The occupant was unresponsive but breathing when transported to the hospital for further life saving medical care.

Please be safe and take care of each other!

AUGUST 2020 • 7

The Splash

The Lookout The Community Corner Make it a point to be safe this summer

By Chief Bryan Collins Spokane Valley Fire Department I would like to begin by thanking all of you for the sacrifices you have made during the first half of this year. Here at the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) we stand ready to serve and respond unimpeded by the changes that have come about as a result of this virus. SVFD is fully operational,

fully staffed with responders and we continue to respond to your emergency calls unabated.

Our goal here is to continue to deliver the high-quality services that we always have and to be here when you need us most. I am very proud of our employees as they continue to answer the call every day in this challenging environment we find ourselves.

As businesses have been able to slowly open up in the last few weeks, I would like to remind you all to be extra careful to make

sure that the subsequent increase in infection rate is measured and controlled. As interaction resumes face coverings, social distancing and hygiene practices will continue to be our best and most effective weapons to manage infection.

Summer is here in Spokane County. I would like to remind you of a couple safety items that can minimize your risk of fire and drowning when enjoying our beautiful summer. Prepare your home and property by eliminating fire hazards outside your home.

Create defensible space around your home by removing dry vegetation to

Liberty Lake Fireworks Over the Lake Sparkles

Jeff O’Shea of Liberty Lake stepped up when he helped to launch the Liberty Lake Fireworks Over the Lake this year. Not only did he get a barge built, arrange volunteers and get the show fully organized, he was successful in raising the needed funds through donations by the community.

And, all within a matter of weeks, not months. We received a lot of positive response from the community. The fireworks were not only launched higher so they could be seen above the mountains by the lake, there was a recorded radio show, also organized by Jeff that streamed music throughout the Fourth of July to be heard in a vehicle or wherever you were watching the fireworks.

And, the fun didn’t stop there!

Marla Larson organized the first annual Fourth of July Boat Parade on Liberty Lake. So many residents participated wholeheartedly in their decorated boats and even one float plane. Yet, another tradition may have been formed for our fine city.

Here’s what Jeff had to say about the show: Q: Now that the Fireworks Over the Lake was such a huge success, in your words tell us how it felt afterwards knowing you had

August 2020 a distance of 30 feet around your home. Also, limb your trees up to 6 feet or more to help prevent a ground fire spreading up into your trees. Lastly, be careful with any outdoor cooking or flame/spark producing equipment during these months as fuels get dry very quickly, causing fire to spread rapidly once igniting.

If recreation takes you out on the water or near it, be mindful of wearing a life jacket and by all means make sure that all children (even if supervised) near the water, wear a life jacket at all times.

Liberty Lake Library News

a whole community behind your efforts.

A: There are few feelings that are better than being part of this community. After the last firework and knowing how this came together with all the volunteers, not just me was phenomenal. There were so many moving parts, and a lot of unsung heroes. I couldn’t imagine not having that display in Liberty Lake, that is unimaginable!

Q: How many hours do you estimate that you and your volunteers spent putting this large firework display together?

A: Hundreds of hours between volunteers and myself! The biggest hurdle was securing the docks, bringing them together and building the platform, all two weeks out.

We weren’t in the middle of the lake like shows past but instead

by Inlet Beach at the Liberty Lake Village HOA. Many people commented the fireworks were much more visible in other parts of the city, which is great! Once we got the dock secured, we were able to put together a GoFundMe page, a website and fliers in local businesses to get donations. And the community provided all the

necessary funds for the show to go on. We also did radio music streaming throughout the whole day and while the show was going on to synchronized music. We also coordinated with the city fireworks to start both shows at the same time.

Q: Do you have any desire or plans to take over the fireworks display over Liberty Lake in the future?

A: There still needs to be discussion about that, so maybe.

The original organizers have done a great job for years. Regardless, I love this community and living in such a wonderful place. Nothing defines the Fourth of July like Liberty Lake and nothing defines Liberty Lake like our Fourth of July traditions.

It’s amazing when someone takes the initiative and gets a whole city behind them to accomplish such an enormous event, in only weeks, not months! Jeff, the city staff is extremely proud of your efforts and wants to express our gratitude for your leadership, creativity and diligence to make the fireworks over the lake happen in 2020. It was a BLAST!

Library holds pick up Liberty Lake Library is now offering contactless holds pick up.

Holds pickup hours: Monday - Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Holds pickup procedure: 1. Request items online or by phone.

2. Receive notification that items are available.

3. Call 509-232-2510 when you arrive in the library parking lot.

4. Have your library card number ready when you call.

5. After finished with the phone call, stand behind the holds pickup line on the sidewalk.

Check Out Washington Backpack with Discover Pass available Explore Washington State Parks with the Check Out Washington Backpack.

The backpack includes: • Binoculars • Field guides • A special Discover Pass for parking at Washington State Parks More Details: • Place a hold in the online catalog or call the library to reserve the backpack.

• The backpack checks out for seven days.

• Borrowers are asked to fill out a paper survey about the program.

Please return the backpack during the library’s holds pick up hours.

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa • www.libertylakewa.gov

8 • AUGUST 2020

City Council News and Notes – August 2020

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

• Resident Tom Sahlberg applauded the city for last year’s construction of a trail on north side of Mission Avenue during the July 21 council meeting. “It’s been very much appreciated that we have a safe way to walk along Mission Avenue,” Sahlberg said.

• City Administrator Katy Allen reported that a mental health crisis facility is being planned for Spokane County.

• Chief Brian Asmus told council on July 21 that a consultant was brought in to evaluate the solar panel system on the roof of the public safety building. An electrician will now be brought into address the system’s battery backup.

• The city distributed around 300 free face masks to residents on July 17. Local businesses are also being provided with personal protective equipment at no cost from the city. “It hasn’t slowed down,” Allen said of demand for the masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning equipment. A total of 71 businesses and around 1,700 employees have benefited from the city’s distribution of personal protection equipment.

• Liberty Lake Kiwanis is looking into sponsoring a featured artist as part of a chalk art program throughout the city called “Chalk and Walk.” The effort would include a tour of chalk art projects the Saturday before Labor Day. “One good thing about this event

The Splash

NEWS

is it gets people out and moving,” said Council Member Dan Dunne.

• Finance Director RJ Stevenson said the city’s property tax collection as of July 10, “puts the city on par with what we collected last year.”

• Work will begin earlier than normal on the municipal budget. “It will be important to have everyone’s full engagement on this because it will help us prepare for the future,” Mayor Shane Bricker said.

• Ben Schmitt was introduced as the newest city engineer at the June 21 council meeting. “We are thrilled to have him on board,” said Planning and Engineering Director Lisa Key. • The city is looking to add a building inspector, planning and engineer technician and possibly another police officer.

• Bids for Harvard Road opened July 22 although Allen noted that it is still uncertain whether the Washington State Department of Transportation award the bid with the continuing economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re hoping our project comes in at our below the estimate,” Allen said.

• The annual City Council retreat, originally scheduled for Aug. 2 at a temporary outdoor site at the Meadowwood Technology Center, has been postponed. While council members voted unanimously to delay the meeting, there was an agreement that pressing city issues need to be addressed soon in such a format. “There are things we

need to discuss,” said Mayor Pro Tem Mike Kennedy. Allen noted that one alternative would be to prioritize topics and include them as workshop discussions at upcoming council meetings.

Overall, sales tax revenue is about 15 percent lower than at this point last year. Online sales were robust.

“We were estimating sales tax to be much lower than it turned out to be,” Stevenson said.

• A golf tournament will take place on Aug. 15 at Trailhead to raise funds for the 2020 Winter Glow event. Cost is $100. Registrations can be picked up at Liberty Lake City Hall, the Farmers Market, Trailhead and on the Liberty Lake Facebook page. Deadline to register is July 31.

• Langford recommended the city get started earlier than normal on next year’s budget to coordinate the impact of the pandemic. Brickner said discussion had already begun on the 2021 financial game plan.

• Kenedy and Council Members Odin Langford and Phil Folyer attended the Association of Washington meeting last month along with Mayor Brickner who said Liberty Lake has done a good job of dealing with pandemic-related issues. “It was a good opportunity to hear what other cities are dealing with in relation to what’s going on,” Brickner said. “A lot of cities have had big challenges and taken a more reactive approach. I really want to commend our staff on the city’s proactive response.”

• Brickner thanked city staff and for their efforts to organize the Fourth of July fireworks display last month. “It’s was exciting to see some sense of normalcy on that day,” Brickner said. The mayor also applauded the work of residents who coordinated a boat parade on the lake as well as a fireworks show spearheaded by Tim O’Shea.

• Stevenson gave an update on tax revenue at the July 7 meeting.

The city has collected $160,000 in sales tax from the construction of Ridgeview High School that has helped to counteract some of the losses in retail revenue due to the pandemic. Sales tax revenue in April exceeded expectations.

• Council authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the Inland Asphalt Co. for $356,386 with a 10-percent contingency to be managed by staff for the Liberty Lake Road Preservation Project.

• The July 7 council meeting included a public hearing involving a request by Western States Equipment Co. (WSE) to vacate a portion of Harvest Parkway right-of-way south of Selkirk Middle School. The heavy equipment rental and service operation is looking at three parcels in the area. As part of the agreement, WSE is required to extend Cataldo Avenue. The company is also proposing an emergency easement. A notice was sent out to all adjacent property owners and included in the city’s legal publication and on the city’s website. WSE would reimburse $98,854 reimbursement to the LIFT (Local Infrastructure Financing Tool) and TIF (Tax Increment Financing). There have been no comments or concerns from the public to this point.

• Council approved Ordinance 266 authorizing local state shared tax for affordable and supportive housing. House Bill 1406.

For service beyond the sale call me, Calla Ferguson LIBERTY LAKE https://g.page/mattressbyappointmentlibertylake

calla@windermere.com

509-863-1592

509-221-9658 www.callaProperties.com

AUGUST 2020 • 9

The Splash

NEWS City receives high marks for approach to transportation

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

Making sure infrastructure keeps pace with increasing traffic – both due to residents and those who commute to and from Spokane County’s easternmost jurisdiction – is a topic that has drawn no shortage of attention at City Hall. At the July 21 City Council meeting, a report on the network analysis commissioned by the city and completed by Parametrix, an engineering consulting firm, revealed that the city is headed in the right direction when it comes to managing traffic flow.

hand turn lane at the Liberty Lake Road and Appleway intersection.

As for the city’s 17 primary intersections, Allen used an A-F grading scale to help council understand the effectiveness of each junction. He made it clear that even a score of D at an intersection still qualifies as serviceable considering the average time of a 35 to 55 seconds for a vehicle to move through. Appleway/Liberty Lake Road is the only intersection that currently rates a D while each of the remaining sites ranked A, B or C.

“I think there is some credit due to the city for being proactive about its transportation issues,” Charles Allen of Parametrix told council in a Zoom call. “The list of recommendations we have isn’t as long as I’d expected or what I’ve seen in other cities.”

In five years, the prediction is that two intersections on Country Vista will check in with F scores meaning a wait average of 80-plus seconds while Appleway/Liberty Lake will remain at a D. The forecast is based on what Allen called a “trip generation and distribution” approach that produces the number of trips coming in and out and distributes those trips throughout the transportation network. Trips are also estimated based on new land uses like the high school.

Unlike an earlier study by Parametrix that focused on one major arterial – Country Vista Drive and improvements recommended over the next five years – the latest analysis took on the citywide network, including major roads and 17 intersections. The study contrasted numbers from the last traffic count taken in the city from 2016.

The long-term growth assumption – spanning out to 2040 – is based on a travel demand model developed by the Spokane Regional Transportation Council. Traffic trends as calculated by Parametrix showed little variance in Liberty Lake between developments over the next five years compared to 20 years out.

As expected, volume at key intersections like Appleway Avenue and Liberty Lake Road and Country Vista and Liberty Lake Road topped the list. The a.m. peak at Appleway/ Liberty Lake checked in at around 2,800 cars while Country Vista/ Liberty Lake accounted for some 1,750 vehicles at the same time. At the p.m. peak, those figures increased to over 3,000 and 2,300 respectively.

Allen said adding a second southbound left-turn land at Appleway and Liberty Lake Road “will provide some good improvement for flow at that intersection.”

Traffic counts on some roads were up from 2016 but not in every case.

Liberty Lake Road south of Country Vista and Appleway east of Signal both revealed lower volume compared to 2016.

Allen applauded what he referred to as “background improvements” or projects that the city had or would be implementing to address traffic flow.

New signals at Appleway/Signal and Appleway/Madson were mentioned along with a future traffic light on Country Vista near the entrance of Ridgeview High School. The longdiscussed widening of the Harvard Road Bridge and construction of an additional northbound land also made the kudos list as did a scheduled project to add a westbound right-

Short-term recommendations by Parametrix include new signals at Henry Road and Country Vista as part of the new bridge project and another light at Legacy Ridge Drive and Country Vista as well as a single-lane roundabout at Henry and Mission.

The city will hold a virtual open house at a date to be announced to go over the findings and recommendations from the initial Country Vista corridor study. The input will then go back to City Council for consideration.

A working mom who represents us in Congress, Cathy McMorris Rodgers fights every day to ensure a better life for your family — just like it’s her own family.

3 Ensuring Veterans Receive the Care They’ve Earned the cost of healthcare with price 3 Lowering transparency small businesses, rural hospitals, 3 Supporting and farmers during COVID-19 Fairchild AFB and Our 3 Strengthening National Security 3 Protecting Local Control of Our Land and Dams Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Delivering Results for Eastern Washington www.CathyForCongress.com Paid for by Cathy McMorris Rodgers for US Congress.

oops ... too much water down the drain? a dripping faucet

a running faucet (or shower)

a flush

3,280 5 to 7 1.5 to 7

gallons per year

gallons per minute

gallons per flush

a bath

(average size tub)

30

gallons per bath

(YOU PAY $14.94 EACH MONTH TO USE AN AVERAGE OF 240 GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY)

For more information please call: 509-922-5443

10 • AUGUST 2020

COVER STORY

CV student tackles challenge with uncommon courage

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

Luke Abshire remembers the play like it happened yesterday.

The Central Valley Bears were taking on Mt. Spokane in a midseason clash on a cool evening at Joe Albi Stadium last October.

Abshire and his CV teammates knew that stopping senior running back Kannon Katzer would be the key. The Wildcats’ star would go on to rush for over 2,500 yards that season.

The Bears entered the game with linebacker Brandon Thomas anchoring a formidable defense that had a strategy to curb the league’s leading ground attack. Yet, at one point, Katzer appeared to find a gap in CV’s stronghold, scampering free for what looked to be a sure touchdown.

one day, he began to notice some soreness in his right ankle. A few days went by and the swelling wasn’t going away.

After two weeks of dealing with the stubborn ankle, an appointment was made with an orthopedic doctor. X-rays, an MRI and other tests followed. Then Brandon got the word that the pain was related to something else entirely – osteosarcoma.

“It was hurting a little when I walked,” Thomas said. “It was a little weird because I know what sore ankle feel like.”

“My mind just kind of went blank when I heard that,” Brandon recalls.

“Your perspective of everything changes.”

Dealing with sports injuries was nothing new for the Thomas family.

Brandon’s dad Devon played football at the University of Louisville while his brother Josh was on the Eastern Washington University basketball roster. Brandon had spent the last part of his freshman football season on crutches with a wounded knee.

Devon got the call from his wife Melanie who had been with Brandon at the doctor’s office.

“We went from what we thought was an ankle fracture to that,” Devon said. “It was like, ‘What?’

Cancer wasn’t even something we were thinking of.”

Abshire, Brandon’s best friend

“He was so fast to the ball,” Abshire recalls. “He just never gave up and tracked him down. Other players would have given up but Brandon didn’t.”

Thomas not only prevented Katzer from reaching the endzone, he stripped the ball and the Bears recovered. A CV touchdown resulted on the ensuing drive, part of a resounding 27-7 victory.

“I knew Brandon had the problem with his ankle but you hear that and you think, ‘It’s what? It’s that?’” Abshire said. “Right away, I wanted to do the best I could for Brandon. I wanted to stay positive for him.”

Brandon’s diagnosis was similar to the one Jace Malek, the outstanding West Valley football player and University of Idaho recruit, had received in 2015 before his freshman year as a Vandal.

Malek’s condition began in his hip, spread to his lungs and proved fatal.

Thomas now found himself faced with an excruciating decision – lose his right foot just above the ankle or risk the possibility of the cancer spreading.

“The Liberty Lake community has been phenomenal,” said Devon.

Contributed photo (below) Brandon Thomas (right) and his brother Josh share a love of sports and Central Valley High School.

Brandon earned All Greater Spokane League honors as a sophomore linebacker for the Bears last season.

Josh graduated from CV in 2016 and went on to play basketball at Eastern Washington University.

“I was just trying to be a team leader,” Thomas said of his breakout season that included 88 tackles.

The Liberty Lake resident would go on to be named to the All Greater Spokane defensive first team in 2019, a rare honor for a sophomore. High level college football seemed to be a lock for the exceptional athlete and standout student.

Following his glowing varsity football debut, Thomas turned out for track this spring. After practice

since the fourth grade at Liberty Lake Elementary, had a similar reaction. He knew something was seriously wrong when his dad took a call from Devon and hung up crying.

On May 28, Thomas was the honoree in a parade outside his home that featured dignitaries from Liberty Lake like Mayor Shane Brickner and Police Chief Brian Asmus. Friends and wellwishers drove by in a show of support that rivaled any ticker tape championship celebration.

Then Thomas – in Abshire’s words – “came out of nowhere.”

“Brandon was kind of head and shoulders above everyone at the freshman level,” said CV head coach Ryan Butner. “So we expected this kind of impact coming into his sophomore year. Once in a while, he’d make a play and it was like ‘Wow.’ We also knew he’s always had a great leadership quality about him.”

The Splash

Contributed photo Brandon Thomas of Liberty Lake (back left) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma this spring after experiencing pain in his right foot. The sophomore at Central Valley High School. underwent amputation of the foot on May 29. Brandon is pictured with his family (from left to right): mom Melanie, dad Devon and brother Josh.

The Splash

COVER STORY

Photo by Erik Smith Brandon Thomas was a mainstay for the Central Valley Bears in 2019, registering 88 tackles. He was part of a squad that finished 7-3 and earned impressive non-conference wins against Bellevue and Garfield.

“We’re getting dinners, notes of support, all kinds of things.”

A day after the parade, Thomas was admitted to the hospital for his amputation surgery. Thomas would take on this latest challenge as he had raced downfield to corral Katzer and other ballcarriers – head on.

“He’s attacked cancer the same way he attacks everything else in his life that is important to him – with unapologetic persistence,” said Melanie, a retention and advising specialist at EWU. Abshire mobilized Bear Nation quickly and started a GoFundMe account to help defray the costs of his best friend’s medical care. Butner said he never doubted for a second that his star linebacker’s resiliency would carry him through the rigors of treatment and recovery.

“We all knew Brandon was a special kid before this happened,” Butner said. “He is such a competitor with such amazing charisma and a positive attitude. All those traits he had before he was diagnosed have just carried over to this fight.”

Chemotherapy has become the norm for Thomas since his surgery, comprising 90 out of the subsequent

120 days. He reports to the hospital Monday morning and is there until Thursday. Fridays begin the nourishing respite back at home in Liberty Lake surrounded by the unwavering reassurance of family and friends.

Devon, who works as deputy athletic director at EWU, said his son’s response to cancer sums up the way he approaches everything.

“Brandon wins,” he said. “That is just who he is and how he feels – he can win anything. This was another competition and sacrificing his foot was the way he was going to beat cancer. It’s been incredible to watch him do this. He’s handling it very, very well.”

Abshire, who will be the starter for CV at quarterback when practices begin, said what Thomas is going through has altered his perspective on disappointments like the season being pushed to next spring.

AUGUST 2020 • 11

Contributed photo A day before having surgery to remove his right foot above the ankle, Brandon Thomas (seated) was honored by Central Valley teammates and coaches at his home in Liberty Lake. The festivities also included a parade for Thomas featuring friends and dignitaries from Liberty Lake like Mayor Shane Brickner and Police Chief Brian Asmus.

Thomas – first as a player and now as a courageous patient – has been a game changer with teammates and the coaching staff.

“Brandon has the ability to change a lot of people and a lot of perspectives – and to me, that is worth everything,” Butner said.

“I’ve told him we want him to be a part of the team this season as much as possible.”

Thomas will sit out the 2020-21 school year as he focuses completely on his recovery. In the meantime, faith has been crucial in sustaining the family through the uncertain waters.

“It’s definitely brought me closer to God,” Brandon said. “When I put so much faith in God, I can see so much good news. That’s what I’m focusing on, not the cancer. There are going to be many better days ahead.”

“It’s changed my attitude,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Why should I be down when it’s just football?’ When you see Brandon in the hospital, I’m not so upset. Before, I would have been a lot more selfish and angry.”

Dreams of roaming the defensive backfield as linebacker have not been sidelined either, Thomas said.

Several NCAA Division 1 players have proven that playing with a state-of-the-art prosthesis can make the vision a reality.

Butner said the influence of

“I definitely want to play football

again,” Thomas said. “But right now I’m just layering my goals.”

When it comes to what she is most proud of about her son, Melanie talks about Brandon’s unswerving optimism – that shines brightly in any arena.

“It’s just his ability to stay positive throughout his fight,” she said. “Even when he was told he would lose his foot he looked for the positive aspects of his diagnosis.”

Thomas is already scouting out opportunities to help others going through cancer in the same way he served as a source of reinforcement and encouragement for his teammates.

“If I could help someone else dealing with this, that would be super cool,” he said. “I’m just looking for the good news because the bad news is going to be there.

I don’t try to explain the ‘why.’

You’ve just got to keep moving. I just try to stay strong.”

Want to help?

To learn more about the GoFundMe campaign for Brandon Thomas, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/JoinBrandons-Fight-BStrong.

12 • AUGUST 2020

Liberty Lake Cares

NEWS

The Splash

By Nina Culver Splash Contributor

Like many other communities in Washington, Liberty Lake has received Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to combat issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, the city has chosen to spend the majority of the $330,000 it received on personal protective equipment (PPE) for residents and businesses.

The money must be spent by Oct. 31 and it cannot be used on anything that was previously in the city’s budget. Mayor Shane Brickner said the city decided to spend the money on things that would improve the safety of the residents and businesses.

“We’re following their guidelines very closely,” he said. “We had some staff meetings and we had some brainstorming as soon as we found it was going to be available.

The first thing that popped into our heads was our businesses that had been closed for so long. A lot of our businesses are family owned.”

The city has the advantage of being able to buy PPE and cleaning supplies in bulk, Brickner said.

Every effort was made to buy the supplies locally. “It’s very hard for small local businesses to find masks, gloves, hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies,” he said. “We made sure we ordered more than enough.”

The city has been handing out those items to local businesses. The response has been good and some businesses have come back for the second trip after using up the supplies they originally received.

Photo by Nina Culver City administrator Katy Allen preparing to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) as a part of the City of Liberty Lake’s business assistance program, funded by CARES allocation.

With sanitizing wipes hard to find, the city has been buying disinfectant in spray bottles and paper towels, said city administrator Katy Allen.

“You have to take what’s available,” she said.

The other dilemma was the small size of many local businesses, including restaurants, that are in small store fronts. A business that only has seating for 30 isn’t going to make it financially after cutting their capacity to 15 in order to comply with state regulations, Brickner said.

The city reached out to the

owners of local strip malls and arranged to close the parking spots directly in front of the buildings so businesses could put outdoor seating on the sidewalks and in the parking lot, Brickner said. The city has used some of its CARES Act money to purchase tables and chairs for businesses to use for this purpose.

In order to help residents, the city also began buying and distributing boxes of masks. There is a limit of one box of 50 masks per household and the response has been huge,

Brickner said. “We keep running out,” he said. “What we’ve seen a lot of is elderly people, which is great.”

The city has been working to order more masks for public distribution. “It’s just a matter of timing,” he said. “We’re at the mercy of how fast it gets delivered.”

Allen said the city also added some staff to keep public areas like City Hall, park restrooms and the library clean and sanitized. “We hired people dedicated to COVID cleaning,” she said. “We’re doing the best we can with the resources

MORE THAN JUST MONEY. Federally insured by NCUA

Spring is in Full Sw Now is the Time to AUGUST 2020 • 13

The Splash we have, resources being people.

The COVID funding helped us.”

The new hires have come as the city has had to cut jobs in other areas, including the street maintenance crews. With businesses closed, sales tax revenue is down and the city has had to trim its budget. Brickner said.

“We had to cut our budget just shy of $700,000,” he said. “For a town our size, that’s a big lump.”

Brickner said the city has made every effort to make cuts in areas where it would impact the public as little as possible. “That was really our goal, to keep things as normal as possible, or appear as normal as possible, to keep people’s spirits up,” he said.

The city has also invested in technology to make meetings on Zoom easier and to be able to use a variety of communication methods to get information about to the public.

The city has been using a variety of social media, reader boards and their website, Allen said. “We try to touch all those communication points and it’s challenging because not everyone communicates the same way,” she said.

0 The weather is hot but the 4,90 $17 market is hotter! $1,695,000

$1,450,000

SOLD

SOLD

SPEND THE SUMMER AT BEACH CHARMING HOM ForTHE Income-Eligible Children 208 S NEYLAND AVE #58

LAKE VIEWS

$1,100,000

“We’re down 22 staff members and we’re spread pretty thin,” Brickner said. “We don’t have the staff available to manage a program like that.”

Allen said the CARES Act funding has been an important lifeline for the city. “We could not have done the chairs and tables, the PPE, the COVID cleaning, without CARES Act dollars,” she said. “We’ve probably spent about a third. We’re paying attention to what other communities are doing.

We’re paying attention and we’re flexible.”

Brickner said the city is trying to be proactive when determining what items to spend the CARES Act money on in the future. “It’s going to continue to evolve,” he said.

“We’re going to continue until we get through it.”

0

9,97

9.91 ACRES

314 S LAKESIDE RD 5BD/6BA 8618 SQFT

EAST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT..... 509.924.1830 RIVER DISTRIC East Farms STEAM Magnet................ 509.893.4122 23706 E TRENT AVE 3BD/2BA 1956SF 19730 E DECHUTES Otis Orchards Elementary.................. 509.893.4125 LEGACY RIDGE Trent Elementary.................................. 509.927.3233 474 N STIMSON LN 4BD/3BA 4812SQFT or 509.893.4123 ,970 Trentwood Elementary....................... 509.241.5740 9 ,000 1 $5 749

13.90 ACRES WITH UNIQUE DESIGN

WATERFRONT

$

$710,000

SOLD 1.61 ACRES

6019 N ELLA ST 5BD/4BA 4820 SQFT

18403 E 9TH AV

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD:

SOLD

325 S SHORELINE DR 4BD/5BA 3569 SQFT $774,980

Old

$4

$849,780

SOLD

4 Years 2BD/2BA3 or 1456SF

70 Call us to enroll today!

94,9

2123 S AVALON RIDGE LN 6BD/5BA $446591 SQFT

SOLD

BRING YOUR HORSES

ENTERTAINERS DELIGHT

16517 E 24TH LN 4219 S MADISON RD 5BD/4BA 3575SQFT

C Call all tto oB Buy uy o orr S Sell ell T Today oday Pam Fredrick, Broker (509) 370-5944

pamfredrick@johnlscott.com

For a Virtual Tour Visit: www.pamfredrick.com

“It’s always a challenge for a town our size,” Brickner said. “We don’t have any large media outlets.”

The city has decided not to allocate any of the funding to small business grants, but local businesses will be eligible for a small business grant program funded by Spokane County and managed by Greater Spokane Inc.

0

9,97

$29

4BD/4BA

5583SF

STUNNING GOL

915 N DUNBARTON O

Call to Buy or Sell Today

Pam Fredrick, Broker (509) 370-5944

pamfredrick@johnlscott.com

Learn more!

For a www.ccs.spokane.edu/head-start Virtual Tour Visit: www.pamfredrick.com BY TE 4TH O V G. AU

thru September 18, 2020 every Friday 5-8pm 2426 N Discovery Pl

LIVE MUSIC ~ FOOD TRUCKS ~ 40+ VENDORS!

PROVEN LEADERSHIP Senator Mike Padden has a track record of being a strong advocate for public safety and protecting the most vulnerable. Mike has sponsored many important bills in Olympia to increase penalties on crimes against minors and to protect the developmentally disabled community.

Learn more at paddenforsenate.com

N E D D PA Mike

for

State Senate GOP

Paid for by Padden for Senate, GOP 13021 E 9th Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99216

x 2.5”2020 | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt 14 •3.5” AUGUST

The Splash

Want a financial advisor that puts you first?

Marc Rubin

Financial Advisor 1334 N Whitman Ln Ste 240 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 509-444-9808

Last minute changes shake up the primary race in the was to replace Shea with someone fourth district goal who would show up and listen. “I

By Nina Culver Splash contributor

e d wa rd j o n e s .co m

The race for the two Washington State 4th District House of Representative seats up for election in November is turning out a little different than most people expected after position 1 incumbent Republican Matt Shea did not file for his seventh term.

That made some candidates shift what position they were running for at the last minute while others found themselves running against a long list of candidates that weren’t expected to be in the race. After the Aug. 4 primary the top two vote getters in each race, regardless of their party affiliation, will advance to the general election in November.

Bob McCaslin, the Republican incumbent in position 2, switched and ran for position 1 to replace Shea. McCaslin has served since 2014.

He said the reason he switched to position 1 is that he believes the senior 4th District representative should hold that seat.

He said he’d like to continue working on early childhood education issues, including making it easier to run a daycare. He’s proud of the work he did on a water rights bill in response to the Hirst decision by the Washington State Supreme Court in 2016. The bill he worked on failed.

“That’s unfortunate, but I did my best,” he said. “We don’t always get what we want.”

David Whitehead, running as a republican for position 1, expected to be running against Shea in his first attempt at winning an elected office.

“I was frustrated with Rep. Shea,” he said. “I was really frustrated with him making it about himself. He took away from everything he was doing.”

Whitehead, who has been a teacher and coach in the Mead School District for 37 years, said he’s very pro-education, particularly career and technical education. “There are so many people who don’t want a fouryear degree,” he said.

In the end Whitehead said he just wants to make a difference, but isn’t sure how he’ll do in the crowded field. “I’m not a politician,” he said.

“I’m going to do the best I can, but you never know.”

Another position 1 candidate, Democrat Lori Feagan, said her main

BANNER DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN Call and schedule today!

REMOVE DUST,DUCT DIRT & DEBRIS BANNER CLEAN BANNER $50 Off CLEAN BANNER DUCT DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN BANNER DUCT CLEAN DAIKIN DAIKIN DAIK DAIKIN DAIKIN DAIKI MKT-5894K-A

DUCT CLEANING Mention Code #DC20 - Offer Ends 8.31.20

535-1711 | 122 N. Helena | www.bannerfuel.com

presents the first annual

Liberty Lake Community t-shirt

$25

sizes s-xxl available available at Pawpular Companions or call 242-7752 for free local delivery All proceeds go to support The Splash operations

felt our current representative was becoming more and more extremist and less effective,” she said. “I also ran because I have the skills, the experience and the background to do a good job.”

Feagan, a nurse practitioner who has lived in the area for 40 years, hasn’t run for public office before. She said she wants to focus on the state’s long-term economic recovery from COVID-19. “We know there’s going to be a lot of economic fallout from this,” she said.

She said she’ll represent everyone in the 4th District equally without an agenda. “I’ve been advocating for patients and families in the district for 30 plus years,” she said. “I can be the person they depend on.”

The fourth candidate for position 1, Republican Mike Conrad, did not respond to multiple requests for an interview.

The race for position 2 has several familiar names, including former Spokane County treasurer Rob Chase.

Chase said he planned to challenge U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers for her 5th district seat, but in early May he got a call from Shea asking if he would be willing to pull out of the race and let Shea challenge McMorris Rodgers while Chase ran for Shea’s House seat.

Chase agreed and filed for position 2 with the expectation that McCaslin would run for position 1. The plan was to file at 3:30 p.m. on May 15, just a half hour before the filing deadline.

“No one knew,” he said. “We kind of kept it to ourselves.”

Chase said he was as surprised as anyone when Shea called him shortly after 4 p.m. that day and said he didn’t file because “something came up.” It has since been announced that Shea will become the campus pastor at Covenant Christian Church.

Though Chase is currently running as a republican, he’s run as a libertarian for public office before. He said he considers himself a conservative. “I’m against unnecessary spending,” he said.

He said he’d like to see Washington create a plan to respond to future pandemics. “I think (Governor Jay) Inslee overreacted,” he said. “If people wanted to keep their stores open, they should have been allowed to.”

Republican Leonard Christian

AUGUST 2020 • 15

The Splash

announced last year that he would be running against Matt Shea. Early in the filing week he filed for position 1, Shea’s seat, even though Feagan had already announced her race against him. “We knew for years, in the 4th District a Democrat was not going to win,” he said. “It would need a Republican to take out a Republican.”

He was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives to replace retiring Rep. Larry Crouse in 2014, but failed to advance in the primary and the seat was won by McCaslin.

Christian said he suspected that Shea and McCaslin might switch seats, so he watched and waited during filing week. He’d also heard a rumor that Shea might file for the District 4 Senate seat currently held

by Mike Padden and Padden would retire.

Christian said he staked out a spot in the auditor’s office and watched a large screen that showed in real time who was filling out paperwork for which seat. He waited until the last possible moment to turn in his paperwork for position 2. “I handed in my paperwork with 30 seconds to spare,” he said.

Now that he has new competitors for the seat, his focus has switched.

“Things have obviously morphed quite a bit,” he said. “COVID-19 has put such a strain on the state budget, I think anything I want will be on the back burner. My whole goal at this moment is to look out for families and small businesses.”

Democrat Lance Gurel, who ran unsuccessfully against Spokane Valley City Councilman Arne Woodard last year, said he’s shifted his focus to state issues like early childhood education and mental health services.

“It just seemed like a natural step,” he said of his run for the legislature. “I think I just got more passionate about the issues that interest me.”

He said he picked position

THE

2 because he didn’t want to run against Feagan. “Lori is an excellent candidate,” he said. “I’d rather sit next to her in the legislature than run against her.”

His goal is to make it out the primary, but said that will be difficult when traditional methods like knocking on the doors of voters won’t work. “I’d going to be a challenge to go out and get my name, my ideas, my values in front of voters,” he said.

As an accountant, Gurel said he’s uniquely suited to help the state through the coming budget deficit.

“I’m the person who can represent the true values of Eastern Washington,” he said.

He said he’s running because he believes everyone deserves a place at the table. “No matter what you look like or who you love, you deserve representation,” he said.

Registered nurse Nathan Sybrandy is running as a republican for position 2. He said he’s disagreed with how the governor has handled the pandemic and believes the response hasn’t put enough weight on the economy.

“There’s problems with economic metrics,” he said. “They’re always look-backs. My point is, even lookback metrics are better than nothing.”

Economic sacrifice is required to address the pandemic but businesses can’t stay shut down forever, he said.

“It should be significant, but not unlimited,” he said of the economic sacrifice.

He said the state’s budget increased 20 percent in the last biennium when compared to the previous biennium.

The state now has to deal with a serious deficit, but Sybrandy said it can be dealt with. “Olympia does not have a revenue problem, they have a spending problem,” he said. “We can obviously balance this budget without raising taxes.”

In the 4th District Senate race, incumbent Republican Mike Padden

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

is being challenged by Democrat John Roskelley, best known as a mountain climber and a former Spokane County Commissioner, and Independent Anne Marie Danimus.

Danimus said she originally planned to run against Matt Shea for his house seat, but heard the rumors that he would run against Padden and filed for the senate seat instead.

While this is her first run for office, she said she’s wanted to run for office since she was a little girl. “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem,” she said.

She said she knows there are difficulties identifying yourself as an independent in a political race, but said she thinks the Democrats and Republicans are too mired in conflict.

“It’s a tug of war and the American people are hanging from the little flag in the middle being dragged through the mud,” she said. “I did not want to be beholden to party rhetoric.”

Danimus, a marketing and communications executive and small business development specialist, said she wants to work on the state’s tax system, which she said disproportionately impacts the poor.

“Small businesses are being squashed in our B&O tax system,” she said.

“All the problems that existed before COVID have gotten worse and there will be new ones.”

Though she originally hoped to run against Shea, Danimus said she’s fine with running against Padden.

“Senator Padden has been in bed with Rep. Shea for a very long time,” she said. “He has not stepped out against him.”

Padden, who served eight terms in the House and is in his fourth election for his senate seat, said he heard the rumors about Shea running for his seat and him retiring but said that was never discussed. “That was never going to happen,” he said. “I filed the first day. That’s what I do.”

Padden said he’s running again

because he believes there’s more work to be done. “I believe I’ve been able to represent the folks of the 4th District and advocate for them and sponsor legislation. I thought I can still make a difference.”

In the past he’s worked to sponsor legislation to benefit the parents of minor crime victims and helped get funding for several road projects on Interstate 90 between Barker and Harvard roads. Those projects have been put on hold, but Padden is hopeful they’ll still happen. Recently he’s been working with people to get their unemployment claims resolved, Padden said. “We’ve had some success in helping folks out in that,” he said.

The surprise entry into the senate race was Roskelley. He said he frequently contacts his legislators with help with issues, including environmental and conservation issues, and has been unsatisfied. “I just realized the 4th District legislators were not representing me and many others,” he said. “I just decided that to beat them, you have to join them.”

Like many other candidates, he planned to file against Shea. But he also heard the rumor about Shea going for Padden’s seat. “Even when he didn’t, it didn’t matter to me,” he said. “Senator Padden is pretty much on the same page as Shea.”

He noted that Padden often votes against other republicans. “I will be going after Mike’s record,” he said.

“None of the 4th District legislators have taken responsibility for their votes.”

Roskelley said he’s a conservative democrat. “I’m a strong environmentalist,” he said. “I vote for social issues that are important to seniors and the disabled. I’m as tough on a budget as anybody, Democrat or Republican.”

Ballots for the primary are due August 4.

Did You Know You Can Read The Liberty Lake Splash Online?

Follow Us on Facebook To See it First! www.facebook.com/LibertyLakeSplash

16 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

brought to you by

Student of the Month

Athlete of the Month

Citizen of the Month

Earlier this year, Niko Looper was awarded the Superintendent’s Award in the ESD 101 art competition for an original watercolor entitled “We Can Do Better.” The same piece, depicting nine hands reaching up in unison, later earned top prize in an art contest hosted by the Washington Education Association. Looper’s work has been displayed at the Kress Gallery in downtown Spokane. The incoming senior at Central Valley High School works in a variety of mediums, including acrylics, digital art, pencil, marker and graphic design. Looper has taken calligraphy, painting and drawing at CV and will take AP Art this year. The gifted artist has also studied American Sign Language and has been part of yearbook staff since sophomore year, was editor last year and will be editor-in-chief this year. Looper is also a writer who enjoys poetry and journalism.

Clayton Crockett’s soccer career at Central Valley began with a varsity letter as a freshman on a team that reached the state 4A semi-finals.

The following year, Crockett suffered a broken leg in the pre-season. This year was washed out by a pandemic.

Yet, in between, Crockett soared to success as the Greater Spokane League Offensive MVP – quite a feat when considering the junior played most of the 2019 season as a defensive midfielder on an undefeated and league champion squad. In a regional match against Gonzaga Prep, the versatile Bear shifted to striker and tallied two assists. Crockett also played club soccer for the Spokane Shadow and Spokane Sounders. The 2020 grad finished with a 3.85 grade point average and was a member of the National Honor Society. Crockett will continue his career at Cal-State Stanislaus.

When civic duty has called, Bob Moore has answered. He served as a member of the Liberty Lake City Council from June 2014 through 2019 and on the Planning Commission prior to that, including two years as chair. He was the catalyst in developing the city’s strategic plan and financial dashboard during his council tenure. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Moore also holds degrees from Ohio University, the American Institute of Banking and the National Institute of Credit. Moore retired after a successful career in several fields, including manufacturing, finance, real estate and oil. He was a member of the City Council and Planning Commission in Montgomery, Ohio. A Freemason and member of Shriners International, Moore attends Millwood Community Presbyterian Church where he serves on the endowment committee. Bob and his wife Jackie have been married for 64 years.

THE

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

&

Thanks you for all you do in our community

AUGUST 2020 • 17

The Splash

Brought to you by

Want to sponsor this section?

Ask us how! 242-7752

About and for Liberty Lake seniors

OPEN 10am - 5 pm Mon-Sat

17325 E Sprague Ave Spokane Valley, WA 99016

Call (509) 473-9815

MEET OUR NEW ATTORNEY Danielle J. Palm Attorney

Complimentary Initial Consultation House Calls Available Reasonable Flat Fees

Jen Ballantyne Owner, Attorney

CALL (509) 252-5003 OR VISIT ESTATESANDELDERS.COM Estates & Elders Law 23403 E. Mission Ave #113, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

Brought to you by

AUGUST 2020 • 19

The Splash

Gratitude - Feeling and

expressing thankful appreciation for benefits received

By Ben Wick

We live in a truly unique time.

We are experiencing dramatic changes to our normal routines that come with slowing the spread of a pandemic, trying to minimize the impact on our local economy and community, and support each other through a tragic event where a person was killed. Yet in all of that struggle there is still some things that are familiar and should be thankful for, our sense of community and commitment to each other.

Over the last few months we have seen some amazing things.

We have seen people come together to support each other. As mayor I have seen churches come together to creatively find ways to connect within their congregations by establishing drive-in theater style services or stream services online.

Our local School Districts and teachers embrace distance learning and prepare and deliver food to care for and keep their students and community going. Service clubs such as Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Club calling members to make sure they are ok since they are unable to meet in person. And families supporting our local businesses by ordering up food for take-out (#orderUpSpokaneValley) and doing curbside pickup or delivery to get needed items from local store’s when they can to help them keep their doors open.

As chair of the Spokane Regional Health District, in a matter of weeks I have seen more than half of the 200+ employees at the district volunteer and step up to new leadership roles, often times stopping midstream the projects they were doing to change gears to help with the COVID response and help our community through the pandemic.

Elected officials from all around the community who typically haven’t worked together before have come together as a united front for a common cause. Our national Guard members stepping up to support our local food bank operations and health screening facility in order to allow people who might not have

insurance get access to medical assistance they need.

As a neighbor and family member I see numerous neighbors practicing social distancing yet still checking in on each other to make sure were all ok and minimize trips to the store by sharing items we had purchased to get each other through.

I have written birthday messages for people who are unable to celebrate with their families but just needed a little encouragement to get through.

This month’s character trait is gratitude, gratitude or the expression of thankfulness and appreciation for others is important yet often times gets overlooked. Far too many times we get focused on the activities and actions that aren’t so positive.

However, there are many people who are doing amazing things and many more that will do amazing things if we share a little gratitude.

Gratitude doesn’t have to be large or expensive gifts for others but is most impactful as a few kind words or a simple card recognizing someone for something they did which you appreciate.

Think about the last time you got positive feedback and how it made you feel. Imagine if we could make everyone feel that way. When was the last time you recognized someone for something they did? Its never too late.

To all of our medical professionals and members of the Spokane Regional Health District, to everyone who works for the city helping our community continue to move forward, to all of our School Districts and Chamber of Commerce connecting community members to needed resources, to all of our elected officials coming together to work for the greater good, and most importantly to all of our community members for pulling together to help each other out; You are all doing an amazing job, thank you.

Ben Wick, City of Spokane Valley Mayor and is in his second term on the Spokane Valley City Council. In addition to his role on at the city he is currently serving as the Chair of the Spokane Regional Health District and Spokane Regional Transportation Council. He is a fourth generation Spokane Valley native, happily married with 4 young children at home. He and his wife own the Greater Spokane Valley Current and Liberty Lake Splash newsmagazines and he is an IT Manager for Spokane Industries.

20 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

Sponsored By:

Spokane Indians of 1970 maintain place in baseball Garvey, Bill Buckner, Bill Russell history and Charlie Hough many of whom

By Craig Howard

Splash Contributing Editor

Bring up the topic of the greatest baseball team ever and you are bound to field no shortage of opinions.

The New York Yankees typically crowd most ballots with extraordinary squads from 1927, 1939 and 1961, chock full of players headed to Cooperstown. Connie Mack’s 1929 Philadelphia Athletics garner votes as a more obscure mini-dynasty while modern-era clubs like the 1970 Baltimore Orioles, 1975 Cincinnati Reds and 1998 Yankees are ranked by many among the game’s all-time elite.

Yet when it comes to a discussion of history’s preeminent minor league roster, chatter from the pundit gallery is usually more subdued.

In 1993, Baseball America named the 1970 Spokane Indians as the greatest minor league team ever.

There has been little debate over the selection before or since.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a club that produced 21 players who would advance to the big leagues, a number unfathomable in today’s game when less than 10 percent of minor leaguers move onto the majors. The Indians from a half-century ago finished 94-52, capturing the Pacific Coast League Northern Division by 26 games before sweeping Hawaii to win the PCL title. Spokane – then the AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers – outscored the Islanders 36-0 in four games.

“The fact that we’re still talking about that team 50 years later just shows how special they were,” said Otto Klein, Spokane Indians’ senior vice president. “It’s the Indians’ team that’s referred to the most of any team we’ve ever had.”

The roster included names like Bobby Valentine, Davey Lopes, Steve

would go onto turn the Dodgers into one of baseball’s top contenders for the next decade and beyond. Tommy Lasorda, the future Hall of Fame manager, was in his second season as Spokane skipper, watching his team compile 799 runs in 146 games while opponents managed only 590.

“It was a great year to be a baseball fan in Spokane,” said Harry Amend, former Central Valley High School baseball coach who worked as a longtime regional scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. “The Dodgers had the best farm system in baseball.

I think back to that 1970 team and then scouting all those years and they had some guys who were special.”

Buckner, who would go on to play 22 years for five major league teams, hit .335 for the Indians in that magical season. Garvey, a future National League MVP, batted .319 with 15 home runs in just 95 games while Hough, who would go on to hone his signature knuckle ball and collect 216 big league wins, won a dozen games for the Indians, saved 18 and finished with a 1.95 earned run average.

Valentine was named the PCL MVP

with a .340 batting average and 211 hits.

While always proficient at the plate, Valentine struggled early in his career defensively, committing 93 errors over two seasons in Spokane.

Lasorda, known for his relentless positive reinforcement of players, did his best to build up Valentine who would go on to play a decade in the majors and manage Texas, Boston and the New York Mets.

“Go and get yourselves a pen and paper and get Bobby’s autograph,” Lasorda reportedly told his squad after a particularly tough-fielding game for Valentine. “Because some day he’s going to be great.’”

Less-heralded players like Doyle Alexander, Tommy Hutton and Von Joshua would establish respectful careers in the majors while others such as Tom Paciorek and Bob Stinson went on to join the early renditions of the Seattle Mariners. Overall, the ’70 team accounted for 21 big league all star selections and 23 World Series appearances.

“Back then, we didn’t have the Seattle Mariners, we had the Indians, they were our big league team,” recalls Ken Van Sickle, longtime athletic director at University High School, who was 11 in 1970 and attended Indians’ games with his

family. “I don’t remember a time when the stands weren’t full. It was just a great level of baseball.”

Van Sickle’s allegiance to the local club meant following the Dodgers and the many players who progressed from Spokane to Los Angeles. A framed photo of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Ron Cey – the veteran Dodger infield that played together for more than a decade – adorns his office wall at U-Hi. In 2018, he was at Dodger Stadium for a World Series game between L.A. and Boston.

“I have fond memories of those Indians’ teams back then,” Van Sickle said. “Those were the guys who when they left Spokane, went to the major leagues.”

Before the 2020 Indians’ season was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Klein said there were plans to bring players from the 1970 team back to Spokane for a 50th anniversary celebration at Avista Stadium. There was even talk of hosting a night of recollections at The Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane, similar to events featuring Gonzaga basketball players from the past.

“Of any team we’d do a reunion for, it would be that team,” Klein said. “They set the gold standard.”

Photo courtesy of the Spokane Indians The 1970 Spokane Indians are considered by many to be the greatest team in the history of minor league baseball. The club finished with 94 wins and swept the Pacific Coast League championship, outscoring Hawaii 36-0 in four games. A total of 21 players on the roster went on to play in the major leagues.

The Splash

Liberty Lake & Greenacres

Connected by More Than Borders

By Ross Schneidmiller Splash Contributor

The communities of Liberty Lake and Greenacres have been connected long before either had these names.

They are more than bordering communities.

They have been dependent upon one another. This has been true in government, education, agriculture, commerce and recreation.

In the mid-19th century Andrew Seltice, who was a sub-chief in the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, ranched and farmed around Saltese* Lake. (*Variant spelling for name Seltice) As he gained prominence amongst his people, he began holding annual events on the shores of Liberty Lake. Tribal members traveled from their farms and villages in North Idaho and the Spokane Valley.

It is likely other tribes were invited as well. These gatherings of 500 or more feasted on barbecued beef from three fattened steers. Fresh baked bread cooked in the ground, baked camas, fresh fruit and great quantities of dried huckleberries were enjoyed. After the dinner there were recreational activities for all to engage in.

By the 1860s most Coeur d’ Alenes were living in log cabins. Knowing the importance of a well-built home, Seltice had fostered his peoples’ building skills by holding competitions at a place called Sto-te-wees in North Idaho where the Couer d’ Alenes would gather for several weeks during the summer. One of these was a race to build eight-by-ten-foot cabins. Teams of two would fell their own trees, hew the ends and lay one on top of the other forming the walls. For roofing material cedar was split into shakes. Another competition organized by Seltice was building a fireplace. A lot of rock was hauled to the event site for the purpose of the race. In each of these races good workmanship was required, or they would be disqualified.

When settlers first arrived in the 1860’s - 70’s the structures they built for their homesteads were modest and rough compared to their Coeur d’ Alene neighbors. Many had come from areas where trees were scarce, and they lacked the skills to build a proper home. Fortunate for them Andrew Seltice was always willing to meet some of their needs and make up for their lack of experience. He also protected the settlers when they were in danger just as readily as he

HISTORY would his own people. The Coeur d’ Alenes living at Liberty Lake and the Spokane Valley eventually relocated to the Palouse. But the kindness and generosity of Seltice and others would remain in the lives that they touched.

In the late 1800’s interest developed in irrigating the gravelly soil of the Spokane Valley. W. L. Brenan, a freight agent for the Great Northern Railway, beat everybody to the punch claiming water rights on Liberty Lake and other bodies of water. He then joined developer D.C. Corbin and his son Austin in forming the Spokane Valley Irrigation Company (SVIC) in 1899 exchanging water rights for stock. After the company acquired the right-of-way’s needed, it authorized construction of the first canal to carry water from Liberty Lake for six-anda-half miles to an area that became known as Greenacres.

The SVIC proceeded with confidence encouraged by a positive feasibility study done by engineers the company hired. Many were skeptical though and thought the irrigation project would fail. They did not believe the unlined canals would hold the water--thinking it would disappear into the gravelly ground before it reached the so-called irrigated tracts. They also were not convinced that irrigating the valley soil would produce the results needed to be profitable.

Skepticism dissipated, however, by the summer of 1901. Previously established orchards and vegetable gardens, now under irrigation, had abundant crops.

Bolstered by the newly built Coeur d’ Alene & Spokane Railway, the 5, 10 & 40-acre parcels of land were now easily accessible. All the first irrigated tracts of Greenacres were sold by 1905.

Starting at $50 per acre they increased fourfold to $200 over a four-year period.

In 1907 the civil engineer who designed the Liberty Lake Canal claimed that the 640 acres that comprised the Greenacres plat supported 250 people. That was more than the total population on 50,000 acres of dryland, raising wheat in the center of Washington State.

After the initial success the expanding irrigation company, which had merged into a development corporation, expanded at a greater rate. Aided by the financial backing of the Corbins’, the Spokane Valley Land & Water Co was rapidly building canals taking water from other sources including the Spokane River. This growing network of canals would provide water for 1000’s of acres in the Spokane Valley. Others also built canals and the Spokane Valley became

the first commercial apple growing area in Washington State.

Over the decades, apple orchards dwindled as farmers turned to crops more readily saleable in local markets.

The Spokane community flocked to roadside stands filled with fruits and vegetables grown in the valley. Hearts of Gold cantaloupes grew especially flavorful here thriving in the gravelly soil with surface irrigation. Instead of celebrating the Apple Blossom Festival, the community held a festival named for the Hearts of Gold.

As real estate in Greenacres was booming, Spokane’s first summer colony was being developed on the westside of Liberty Lake. Called Wicomico Beach its 300 lots were marketed to the Spokane business community. Ad after ad heralded the benefits of getting out of the city during the summer, a refuge for her people, during the heated season. With all the conveniences and none of the inconveniences of the city. It was only 40 minutes from Spokane by electric train. The businessman could attend to business every day in the city and after the day’s work was over come home to Wicomico Beach and enjoy the rest he would not otherwise get.

The real estate offerings in Greenacres and Liberty Lake offered the best options for city dwellers. Either return to your farming roots, leaving the city behind in Greenacres or a part time respite from the city at Liberty Lake. Of course, there were those who built on acreage in Greenacres and commuted as well leasing their tillable acres to others.

Greenacres became the seat for township government in 1909 after voters in Spokane County approved the localized system of governance the preceding fall. It applied to areas that were not incorporated. The Greenacres Township also included Liberty Lake and Spokane Bridge. Each township elected three Trustees and the offices of Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor, Justice of the Peace, Constable, and Overseer.

In their hey-day they had control over the building and maintenance of local roads, law enforcement, and creation of nuisance laws – which in the 1930’s helped subside the out-cry created by the out-of-control speed boats on Liberty Lake. Township government put decision making at the local level – where people best understood the situation. One by one the County took back these controls until only pet licensing was under their supervision. When townships lost their ability to tax, they eventually ran out of money to do even that. Townships existed in Spokane county until the end of 1974 having lost their taxing authority 5 years earlier.

AUGUST 2020 • 21

The general store was the primary institution for commerce in the Spokane Valley for the first half of the 20th century. Greenacres, Liberty Lake and Spokane Bridge all had them. After WWII there was a shopping center built in Greenacres. The anchor tenant was an IGA grocery store. In addition, the stores included a hardware, dry goods, variety, pharmacy and cleaners as well as a post office and a restaurant.

This became the main shopping area for the eastside of Spokane Valley until a supermarket was built in Veradale (the community west of Greenacres).

The center for commerce has yoyo-ed east and west over the last 5 decades.

Now of course, Liberty Lake the most populated of the former Greenacres Township communities, holds this distinction.

Supporting these businesses and others was the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce which had held its organizing meeting at Greenacres in 1921. Two years later the organization held the first All-Valley Picnic at Liberty Lake Park. The 1923 crowd of nearly 3000 were treated to an airplane stunt by noted aviation pioneer Nick Mamer. The day of the picnic was declared a holiday by the Chamber president and all businesses were expected to close and all residents were expected to attend. In 1933 picnic attendees heard an address from Washington State Governor Clarence D Martin. The largest crowd noted during its 20-year run was 12,000 in 1937.

Like the general stores, the one and two room schoolhouses were the backbone of the valley’s education system for many years. In 1925 the citizens of Greenacres, Liberty Lake, Saltese, Lone Fir and Vera voted to combine their school districts into one. This provided efficiencies but also overcrowding at the consolidated district’s only high school. The people of this newly formed district voted on bonds to erect and equip a new high school. With over 90% of votes cast in favor, Central Valley High School was completed in December of 1927 opening in the Corbin Addition to Greenacres on the Northside of Appleway.

Today in Liberty Lake on the Southside of Appleway the new Ridgeline High School is being built. The School’s mission statement is Belong-InspireGrow. It could be said these three words could apply to both the good things that have happened in these communities and to those people who have had a positive impact on Greenacres and Liberty Lake-starting with Andrew Seltice. The community is excited for Ridgeline High School to belong and how they will inspire and grow us all the more.

22 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

Building lasting communities for everyone to be a part of.

ENRICHED LIVING. LASTING VALUE.

New homes in Spokane, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur d’Alene. greenstonehomes.com

CVSD

BACK TO SCHOOL Reopening Plan for Fall 2020

CVSD

BACK TO SCHOOL

SAFE SCHOOL OPERATIONS

2020

GRADUATING SENIORS CAREER AND COLLEGE READY

CV VIRTUAL LEARNING

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Options for Students this Fall...

Parents, you will be able to enroll your students in virtual or in-person learning op ons beginning August 4 with an enrollment deadline of August 21. Informa on about the op ons is available on our website.

We also welcome you to join us for the following webinars being offered so you can learn more and have your ques ons answered.

Join us for these interac ve parent webinars: w Virtual Learning – Aug 11 w Elementary School – Aug 12 w Middle School – Aug 12 and Aug 13 w High School – Aug 13 and Aug 17 Check CVSD.org under “Reopening 2020” for mes & details.

We have been hard at work planning for this fall!

Learn more: www.cvsd.org/apps/pages/reopening2020

HIGH SCHOOLS

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Moving Forward Together Find your student's pathway forward with CV Learning

Email communica ons@cvsd.org with any ques ons you may have.

AUGUST 2020 • 23

The Splash

Summer at Pavillion Park

By Nina Culver Splash contributor

Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake has been unusually quiet this year. There haven’t been any concerts or movies shown on the big screen at dusk on summer nights. The Fourth of July fireworks went off as scheduled as people sat in their cars, but there was no concert that night.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wrecked the summer entertainment schedule usually hosted by the Friends of Pavillion Park and there’s currently no end in sight, said board president Joe Frank.

When summer began Frank wrote a letter to Governor Jay Inslee’s office about whether any of the planned summer events could go on as planned. The response was that the group couldn’t host any events until the county is in Phase 4, something that seems increasingly unlikely to happen anytime soon, Frank said.

“Until we get to Phase 4, unfortunately, we won’t be having any events,” he said. “We have not had any events this year.”

The Spokane Symphony recently cancelled their entire season, so their usual fall performance in the park has been cancelled as well. A planned Shakespeare in the Park event won’t be happening, either. “They cancelled all their shows,” Frank said.

The Barefoot in the Park event usually includes a Friday night car show and a Saturday jam-packed with music, vendors and activities, including a bounce house and bungee trampoline. All of that would have been missing this year because of sanitizing and social distancing requirements.

“The HUB usually has pickleball,” Camp said. “There’s usually a DJ all day. Throughout the day on Saturday there would have been multiple events. All of that would have been cancelled.”

The city had hoped that it’s scaled back version of the event would have worked since it’s outside, particularly since Farmer’s Markets have been allowed to open. But people are encouraged to go to the markets, shop and then go home. That’s nothing like an outdoor concert, Camp said.

“It’s actually very different,” she said. “Even though it’s outdoors, you’re encouraging congregating and staying in place for an extended amount of time.”

Camp said she had hoped the event could still go on in a limited fashion, but the increasing number of

COVID-19 cases made that impossible.

“This is a crazy year,” she said. “Even three months ago we thought we would be over the hump by now.”

The only event still tentatively on the calendar is the second annual Liberty Lake Throw Down Community Cornhole Tournament hosted by the Friends of Pavillion Park on Aug. 29. The event is scheduled for the city’s new Orchard Park rather than in Pavillion Park. Original plans called for a beer garden, food trucks, music and activities for kids.

The event, which was popular last year, was planned as a fundraiser for the HUB Sports Center and the annual Summer Festival hosted by the Friends of Pavillion Park. The final decision on whether the cornhole tournament will go on as planned should be made by early August. Frank said.

P e o p l e have been understanding about the cancellations.

Frank said. “ T h e y ’ v e understood,” he said. “I would say it’s extremely disappointing.”

The Friends of Pavillion Park will continue to make plans for events next year. Frank said the nonprofit organization will be relatively unscathed because they don’t have any paid staff or other overhead.

“From a financial standpoint, we have lots of sponsors,” he said. “Obviously we’re not spending money, so some of that sponsor money will carry forward to next year.”

But Frank is holding out hope that something can be salvaged this year.

If the county advances far enough in the reopening phases, a movie night could be organized in Pavillion Park with as little as one day’s notice, he said. But he’s also being realistic about his hopes.

“Depending on how things go, maybe we’ll be able to do a movie or two at the end of the year,” he said.

“At this point, it’s looking unlikely.”

Friends of Pavillion Park usually puts on the concerts that run during the two-day Barefoot in the Park event in early August and the city of Liberty Lake, which hosts the other events and activities, recently announced that has been cancelled as well.

Liberty Lake Operations and Maintenance Director Jennifer Camp said the city had been making plans for a scaled back, socially distanced event. They were planning only one concert instead of several and were going to paint circles on the grass spaced six feet apart so groups would stay separate.

“We would have had a beer garden with tables spaced six feet apart,” Camp said.

But the Spokane Regional Health District nixed those plans in a July meeting because of the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Spokane County. “We were hoping to hold out for Phase 3 or 4,” Camp said. “That’s why we waited so long. Since that meeting a couple weeks ago, it’s gone backwards since then.”

File photos Barefoot in the Park and visits from the Spokane Symphony were summertime community favorites which will be missed this year due to COVID restrictions.

24 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

THE NEIGHBORHOOD SOUND -

A BULLETIN BOARD TO SHARE LIFE MOMENTS

Submit your entries to TheSound@libertylakesplash.com

First annual fourth of July boat parade was a huge success. Thank you all for participating. We hope to see you next year!

“trim the fat” DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTATIVE (R)

AUGUST 2020 • 25

The Splash THE

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

EDITOR/PUBLISHER

Ben Wick

ben@libertylakesplash.com

CO OWNER

“ IT’S

THE LAW ”

Danica Wick

The Splash is committed to serving Liberty Lake through excellent community journalism. We can’t do it at all without you, our readers, and we can’t do it for long without support from our advertisers. Please thank our business partners and look to them when offering your patronage.

danica@libertylakesplash.com

OFFICE MANAGER

Paula Gano paula@libertylakesplash.com

CIRCULATION

Larry Passmore

Our sincere appreciation to the following businesses for their foundational partnerships with The Splash and its partner publications:

circulation@libertylakesplash.com CONTRIBUTORS

Nina Culver, Craig Howard, Ross Schneidmiller

The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019 Phone: 242-7752 www.libertylakesplash.com The Splash 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 Liberty Lake area.

Additional copies are located at drop-off locations in Liberty Lake and Otis Orchards.

The Splash is brought to you by

Wick Enterprizes Submitted materials

Publishing House

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

Subscriptions Liberty Lake residents receive a complimentary copy each month. Subscriptions for U.S. postal addresses outside of the 99019 ZIP code 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 Splash strives for accuracy in all content. Errors

Love The Splash?

Support our partners.

In WASHINGTON Click or Call Two Business Days Before You Plan To Dig

www.CallBeforeYouDig.org ENRI CHED LI VI NG. LASTI NG VALUE.

1-800-424-5555 or dial 811 THE

lifestyle

THE

YOU WANT

commun

Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Council www.ieucc811.org

SERVICE DIRECTORY TREE SERVICE AFFORDABLE ARBORIST 83 ft. Backyard Lift • Removals • Thinning • Pruning Shaping • Lot Clearing • Stump Grinding Residential & Commercial • A+ Rated BBB Member Affordable Arborist Tree Care, Inc. 509-879-0577 • Veteran Owned & Operated WA Lic#AFFORAT935KG

THE

quality

YO U D ES ERVE Fieldhouse Pizza Windermere • Liberty Lake Family Dentistry Banner Fuel• Liberty Lake EyeCare New homes in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Post Falls & Coeur VIRTUAL PIANO LESSONS 25+ YEARS EXPERIENCE

gr e en s t o n e h o m e s . c o m

THE

I love to share the joy of music with my students. I have studied music education and pedagogy with an emphasis on composition and early childhood. teaching virtually at this time-https://soundcloud.com/user579762307. $90/month CALL: Bobbie Marie Smith @ 208-448-1670

LIBERTY LAKE

COMMUNITY NEWSMAGAZINE

Index of advertisers

Following are the local advertisers in this issue of The Splash.

should be reported immediately to 242-7752 or by

Amaculate Housekeeping

25

Greenstone 22

Mike Conrad for State Rep

24

email to editor@libertylakesplash.com. Confirmed

Banner Furnace & Fuel

14

Gus Johnson Ford

Mike Padden for State Senate

13

factual errors will be corrected on this page in the is-

BECU 12

Hummingbird 17

Northern Quest

28

sue following their discovery.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Congress 9

Inland Empire Utility CC

25

Central Valley School District

John L Scott - Pam Fredrick

13

Simonds Dental Group

28

Advertising information Display ad copy and camera-ready ads are due by

City of Liberty Lake

7, 16

Liberty Lake EyeCare Center

4

Spokane Family Dental

26

5 p.m. on the 15th of the month for the following

Eagle Rock Storage

26

Liberty Lake Family Dentistry

5

Spokane Gymnastics

19

month’s issue. Call 242-7752 for more information.

ECAP 13

Liberty Lake Farmer’s Market

4

Spokane Valley Farmer’s Market

13

Advertising integrity

Estates and Elders

17

Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District 9

Windermere 26

Inaccurate or deceptive advertising is never know-

Freedom Holdings

24

Liberty Lake Smile Source

Windermere - Calla

ingly accepted. Complaints about advertisers should

Friends of Mary Kuney

5

Mark Rubin - Edward Jones

14

be made in writing to the Better Business Bureau and

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber

3

Mattress by Appointment

8

to advertise@libertylakesplash.com. The Splash is not responsible for the content of or claims made in ads.

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. All contents of The Splash may not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

www.amaculate.com

22

20

1, 16

8

Service Directory

25

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Splash’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Splash’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@libertylakesplash.com. With story ideas, contact editor@libertylakesplash.com.

26 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

Dental Emergencies • Dental Cleanings • Wisdom Teeth Extractions • Invisalign • Crowns • Oral Surgery • Root Canals Dental Implants • Teeth Whitening • White Fillings • Children’s Dentistry • Dentures and Partial Dentures • Veneers

With an exceptional security system and extensive camera surveillance throughout the facility, along with extra wide drive aisles, Eagle Rock wants to be your storage facility for your boat, your RV, or any of your toys. Or if you just need extra garage space at home, we have you covered.

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.

We also offer easily accessible and maneuverable outside parking. Give us a call or better yet, come visit and let us show you around.

208.773.8510 Conveniently located between Coeur d’ Alene, Id and Spokane, Wa on Beck Road one mile north of I-90.

(Idaho Exit 1)

VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

We make it easy to smile!

Call us to schedule your appointment today!

509-924-0381

FREE

Whitening for Life

919 N Pines Rd.

Spokane Valley, WA 99206

www.spokanefamilydental.com info@spokanefamilydental.com

509-924-0381

919 N Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

$1.00

Emergency Exam

509-924-0381

919 N Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

$50

Walmart or Target gift card

with paid cleaning

509-924-0381

919 N Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, WA 99206

The Splash

Local Partnership,

ShareFarm connects farmers to community

By Nina Culver Splash Contributor

Stephanie Watson freely admits that she was just a tiny bit starstruck – and who wouldn’t be when the United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue pulls up to pay your project a visit?

“We just couldn’t believe he came out to our facility in Liberty Lake to meet us,” Watson said. “But there he was and he was pretty impressed.

We are a total success story for their program.”

Earlier this year, Share Farm was part of a collaboration that landed a $1.4 million USDA grant to help reduce food insecurity and connect local consumers with locally grown food.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us,” Watson said. “We source locally grown nutritious food and get it to people who need it. Healthy food that can help heal bodies.”

ON THAT NOTE program, which delivers free fresh produce to local families every Saturday.

Watson explained that farmers are being paid to bring their produce to the facility in Liberty Lake, where somewhere between 350 and 450 boxes containing 20 pounds of produce are packed up Saturday morning.

“Volunteer drivers from Spokane Food Fighters then show up to deliver the boxes,” Watson said.

“They put five or six boxes in their cars and head out.”

The private delivery makes the program “very dignified” Watson said.

“That is important because we have people ask for a box who’ve never had to ask for food help before,” Watson said. “The need is huge right now because so many were laid off because of COVID. This way they get nutritional food without a big truck pulling up in front of their house.”

Sign up for the boxes is managed

by Spokane Food Fighters and it’s on an honor system: Anyone can ask for a box. Watson estimates that Share Farm delivers about 9000

pounds of food every week.

The quick turnaround for the box program means Share Farm can bypass costs for cold storage and other logistical issues that can be very expensive. And the partnership with Hegsted and Eat Good Group allowed Share Farm to use Hegsted’s temporarily closed Eat Good Café in Liberty Lake as their base.

“We have some warehouse space and we have cold storage if we need it, all because we partnered with Adam,” Watson said.

Watson is responsible for signing new farmers on to the Share Farm platform and she often relies on local farmers markets to get to know producers.

“The farmers are having a difficult time reaching consumers and selling all their produce,” Watson said.

“Restaurants shut down because of COVID and the farmers markets had to limit the number of stands to comply with COVID distancing regulations. These are tough times for farmers.”

Watson said that Share Farm has seen an increase in its regular business, too. She’s busy bringing new producers on to the website

AUGUST 2020 • 27

which already features local favorites like Roast House Coffee, cheeses made in the northwest and locally sourced meat from goat to hazelnut-fed pork.

“Some people got very concerned about going to the store when COVID hit,” Watson said. “With us you don’t have to leave your house.

We are just a few clicks on your computer screen, and then food shows up on your doorstep.”

Share Farm hopes to expand its commercial site to Seattle and other markets, but for now it remains focused on the greater Spokanearea.

“We may try to expand the Farmers to Families Food Box program to other locations like Yakima,” Watson said.

She believes COVID will permanently change the way people spend their money, shifting spending to locally grown and produced wares.

“The COVID crisis has made it very clear that it’s important where you spend your money,” Watson said.

“Eating fresh seasonal vegetables is more important than ever to help your immune system.”

Share Farm is based in Liberty Lake and it is a little different from other farms because it doesn’t grow any vegetables and fruits, it simply connects local consumers with the farmers who grow peaches, corn and potatoes right outside its back door.

In 2018, Eric Kobe and Vincent Peak got the idea to connect local farmers directly to their customers via a phone app and a website they developed. They later brought on Adam Hegsted, local restaurateur and owner of the Eat Good Group which includes restaurants like Incrediburger and Wandering Table.

The concept was simple: order online and a delivery of fresh local produce and artisan food products will show up on your doorstep within 24 hours.

Then earlier this year Share Farm and Eat Good Group partnered with the Inland Northwest Farmers Market Association and Spokane Food Fighters – together they got the USDA grant.

The grant mainly supports the Farmers to Families Food Box

Photo by Nina Culver Volunteers help sort food from local farmers into approximately 350 to 450 delivery boxes for distribution across the greater spokane area each saturday.

28 • AUGUST 2020

The Splash

Sparkling white.

Take your smile from dull to dazzling with a great new patient offer:

FREE

22106 E. Country Vista Drive Suite D • Liberty Lake

teeth whitening for life

www.LibertyLakeDental.com

With Purchase of a New Patient Exam, Necessary X-rays & Recommended Cleaning. Offer expires 8/31/2020.

CALL TODAY!

Dr. Erin Merrifield •Dr. Enoch Ross • Dr. Ross Simonds • Dr. Amanda Roper

ADD SOME SELF CARE TO YOUR HEALTHCARE. Rejuvenate with a luxurious escape to La Rive Spa. Our therapeutic and relaxing massages, restorative facials and perfect pedicures will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. And we’ve taken extra steps to ensure that not only will you have a relaxing experience but a safe one too.

Visit northernquest.com for details on La Rive Spa safety protocols, specials, drop-in childcare at Kids Quest, and much more.

NORTHERNQUEST.COM | 877.871.6772 | SPOKANE, WA