If Hollywood ever pursues a remake of the 1942 film “Flying Tigers” starring John Wayne as Captain Jim Gordon, they may want to consider Joe Mann in the starring role.
The lead character is a fearless catalyst who rallies the “American Volunteer Group” in a drama set in the skies of China shortly before World War II. Mann checks all the boxes for the protagonist’s part – he served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, including a year in Vietnam, and has established himself as a top-flight volunteer in his post-military days. As a clincher, Mann is a proud graduate of the University of Auburn, a school known for its stouthearted mascot –the Tiger.
These days, Mann lives a relatively quiet life in comparison to his days in the Air Force or at Auburn, although he still employs a tiger’s initiative when it comes to donating time to community causes. He is a member of the city of Liberty Lake’s Civil Service Commission and Planning Commission as well as the Spokane Valley Fire Department Civil Service Commission. He has also volunteered at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and Adult Teen Challenge, a substance abuse rehabilitation program.
“I’m a practicing go-giver,” Mann says. “I believe your life can only be measured by how much value you add to other people’s lives.”
After he graduated from Auburn in 1968, Mann enlisted in the Air Force. Following a placement test, he was channeled into air traffic control work for air defense. The Vietnam War was front and center on the world stage at the time with Viet Cong forces launching the Tet Offensive against U.S. and South Vietnamese troops earlier that year. Mann was initially assigned to the Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, just 55 miles west of his old college campus.
In 1971, Mann volunteered to
serve in Vietnam, motivated by the experience of his father, a World War II Navy veteran, who was part of pivotal battles in Pacific Theatre settings like Guadalcanal and Okinawa.
“I didn’t think it should always be someone else stepping up in tough situations like that,” Mann said. “I wanted to do my part.”
In the year he spent in Vietnam, Mann helped run two orphanages and a school as a social action officer. By 1979, he had moved onto civilian life.
Repercussions of his tour in Southeast Asia would crop up later,
however. Mann was one of thousands of U.S. soldiers impacted by the American tactic known as “Agent Orange” which utilized a chemical herbicide to reduce vegetation in battle zones. While the herbicide is toxic to plants, it also has severe impacts on humans and animals.
Over the years, Mann has dealt with a variety of medical challenges, including heart issues – he now has nine stints – to leukemia to peripheral neuropathy, a chronic nerve disorder.
You won’t hear Mann complaining about his physical ailments, though. He is too busy fulfilling a variety of volunteer duties, spending time with his wife Joyce and their blended family of three kids and four grandchildren and going to Bible study once a week.
“The Good Lord has been with
me,” Mann says.
Mann grew up in Albany, Georgia, a town 180 miles south of Atlanta known as the “Quail Capital of the World.” Mann played football and basketball and enjoyed spending time outdoors, fishing and hunting. He was a good enough linebacker in high school to draw interest from colleges until a shoulder injury his senior year. He enrolled at Auburn as a commercial art major but changed to pre-med. His art roots still linger today as he paints with watercolor, acrylics and oil.
The scourge of segregation and prejudice was also part of Mann’s formative years in Georgia.
“I was raised in a very bigoted world,” he said. “And I was bigoted too, until I got into the military and learned racial sensitivity. It started when I saw it was all about how you did your job, not about what color you are or where you came from.”
Several years ago, Mann was invited by the local PBS station, KPBX, to be part of a panel that discussed ways to eliminate prejudice.
Before he retired in 2015, Mann’s professional career included stops with companies like Caterpillar, Quality Microsystems and Output Technology. He spent 23 years in real estate and is past president of the Spokane Association of Realtors. He has also served as an adjunct professor of marketing at Gonzaga University. He has his master’s degree in systems analysis from the University of Southern California.
In line with his penchant for pursuing justice, Mann also served for many years as a football referee and baseball umpire on the local high school and college level.
Q: You’ve lived in a variety of places across the country as well as overseas. In your opinion, what makes Liberty Lake special?
A: Liberty Lake is the most cohesive community in which I have had the pleasure of living in. Also, every citizen seems to want to do the right thing. Even those who object to decisions made by the city are doing so in order to find better ways of doing things. Many municipalities
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talk about a sense of community but Liberty Lake demonstrates it every day. We are also fortunate that our elected officials are there to serve the community. Not one is a “career politician.” I have attended a number of City Council meetings, every one of which each council member is involved, informed and passionate about doing what is best for our city.
THURSDAY
MAY 2, 2024
4PM - 6PM
Q: Sports seem to have played an integral part in your life, whether it was being an athlete as you were growing up, having parents who participated in sports officiating or being a football referee or baseball umpire yourself. What sorts of lessons have you learned from sports that transcend the playing field?
A: Many people look at sports as “only a game.” To me, sports in particular teach cooperation as well as competition and individual participation in a group effort to achieve success. Most things in life are bigger than one’s self and failure is never permanent. All sports are about learning the meaning of the word “work” and practice and
working hard are achievements within themselves. Finally, those who participate for their own benefit rarely succeed.
Q: By the time you graduated from college in 1968, the Vietnam War was far more than a provincial overseas conflict. Why did you decide to enlist in the Air Force and what was your opinion of American involvement in Southeast Asia at the time?
A: I graduated before there was a lottery system for the draft. I knew I would get drafted and would have little choice of what specialty I could choose. I really wanted to fly helicopters so I went to the Army recruiters first but even with my college degree, they did not offer my an officer’s commission. I ultimately went to the Air Force recruiter who eagerly accepted me into Officers Training School. I volunteered for Vietnam as I felt if my obligation to be there. I learned that leaders many miles from the battle should never direct operations or make combat decisions. I also learned the Vietnamese are an incredible people but most of them considered it a civil war and did not want us to be there.
Q: When you look back on a decade in the military, what were some of the most rewarding aspects? Are there parts of your experience that were less gratifying?
A: I am very proud to have served this country in the Air Force. I intended to make a career of it but circumstances forced me to resign after 10 years. My best assignments were as an instructor at Tyndall Air Force Base and on the faculty at Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. Teaching other officers skills and leadership gave me confidence, strength and purpose and how to continue to improve myself. The year I spent in Vietnam was less gratifying. Being constantly fearful, having one’s “head on a swivel” and being angry at one’s leadership isn’t very healthy.
Q: Your efforts with the Liberty Lake Planning Commission and Civil Service Commission are only the latest stops in a long journey of volunteer service. Why is it important to you to lend your time and talents to community causes?
A: I mentioned before about adding to other people’s lives. That is a concept called “Go-Giving” from a book by Bob Burg that teaches the true way to succeed is by serving others. That philosophy has become an integral part of my being. I was a Realtor in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area for 23 years, making my living from the community. Giving back was never a question. Even before I retired in 2015, I was serving the community by volunteering at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, serving on the Spokane County Board of Equalization, officiating high school and college sports and volunteering at various nonprofits.
Q: After retirement you and your wife headed south but it wasn’t long before you returned to the Inland Northwest. What brought you back?
A: My wife and I had every intention of retiring on the beach on the Florida Panhandle. We sold everything we owned and bought a motor coach and proceeded to drive east and south to end up in Florida. We got there around Christmas time and found it hot, humid and with far too many bugs. We had to return to Spokane for doctor visits. We looked at each other and decided we hadn’t seen any place we liked more than here. I guess you could say we actually fell in love with living here, winters and all.
Q: You’ve had no shortage of health challenges over the years but
seem to have maintained a positive outlook while continuing to be involved in volunteering and family activities. Is that just a testament to good old Southern grit and fortitude?
A: This is a great question. However, my wife will tell you that I complain constantly about having “thin Southern blood” and that I am constantly cold. My health issues are all related to my exposure to Agent Orange which has caused me to be rated 100-percent disabled. However, I have learned that my life is not about me, it is about those people around me and those I am in contact with daily. Once I started focusing on how to add value to other’s lives, there is no time for self-pity. I can tell you, pain is a constant companion but if I wake up in pain, I know I am alive. Also, my faith in God keeps me focused on living today because I do not have to worry about tomorrow.
Q: Memorial Day is coming up and will be observed on a large-scale in Liberty Lake and in communities across the nation. As a veteran, what does this day mean to you?
A: Memorial Day is a sacred time for me. My brothers and sisters who have died are with me forever. “The greatest gift of love is to lay down one’s life for another.” That is what we honor on Memorial Day. Not only did those heroes die for their friends, comrades and us, but they died for an idea. The USA is the only country founded on an idea – Freedom is worth dying for. We can never repay those who died for our freedom.
• Same Day
• Same Day
• Oral Surgery
• Implant
• Root Canals
• 3D
• Sedation
• Nitrous/Laughing Gas
• Periodontics
Q: Finally, I’m wondering if you can draw upon your background in sports for an alternative version of Knute Rockne’s “Win One for the Gipper” speech that rallied Notre Dame to a win over Army in 1920. Instead of inspiring a group of football players, though, you are tasked with motivating your fellow residents of Liberty Lake to “win one for the community” by giving back like you do.
A: Freedom is not free. All of us in Liberty Lake and the world should understand and live that credo. Every freedom we enjoy is because someone else paid a price and added value to our lives. Elected officials, volunteers, first responders, law enforcement, government staff, even the person with the lowliest job on earth is paying a price for others. Should not everyone participate in making other people’s lives better? From my personal experience, making other’s lives better makes your life extraordinary.
A f r e e c o m m u n i t y s e r v i c e s
e v e n t d e s i g n e d t o o f f e r
p r a c t i c a l h e l p t o S p o k a n e
V a l l e y f a m i l i e s
A v a i l a b l e S e r v i c e s W i l l I n c l u d e :
S a n d y W i l l i a m s J u s t i c e C e n t e r
C H A S M e d i c a l S e r v i c e s
D S H S M o b i l e S e r v i c e s
C l o t h i n g B a n k
W a r r a n t F e s t
F o o d B a n k
H a i r c u t s
F r e e M e a l
a n d M o r e !
Spokane County Clerk Tim Fitzgerald, a retired colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps with more than 30 years’ experience in the military, will give the keynote address at this year’s Memorial Day program at Pavillion Park. The May 27 program will start at 9 a.m.
The address is part of the city’s annual Memorial Day activities that will include a pancake breakfast served by the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club at
Bicyclists are invited to participate in an audit of Liberty Lake’s bike safety that will collect data to be used by the city’s Parks and Arts Commission toward obtaining grants for local biking improvements.
Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at Town Square Park for instructions, then will ride to their choice of the Rocky Hill, Pavillion, Orchard, or River Rock parks to observe bike safety features on those routes, such as street markings and the safety practices of other bikers. Participants will regather at Town Square Park at noon for a debriefing of their observations.
For more information, call City Hall at 509-755-6714.
the park from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Inland Northwest Honor Flight Program, which provides trips to Washington, D.C., for war veterans to visit war memorials that are dedicated to their past service. Suggested donation for the breakfast is $5-$10 per plate.
There will also be a Fallen Heroes Circuit Course tribute run/walk/ bike event on Saturday, May 25. Participants in this informal event at 9 a.m. at Pavillion Park. The 5.75-mile route will go past all five of the city’s Fallen Heroes Circuit Course sites, taking participants east to Rocky Hill Park, west on E. Mission Avenue to Town Square Park, south on North Liberty Lake Road and around the Trailhead Golf Course to North Garry Drive, and then back along East Country Vista Drive to Pavillion Park.
The city of Liberty Lake’s Parks and Arts Commission is accepting proposals for a statue at the south base of the Kramer Road Overpass. Commissioners are looking for concepts that would involve the symbolic “person” element from the “Liberty Lake Together” graphic.
This project would be the second installation of a Liberty Lake Together art piece, following the one at Rocky Hill Park that was
installed in 2021. Continuing what was established with the Rocky Hill artwork, the upcoming art piece at the south end of the Kramer Overpass would symbolize how the Liberty Lake community is a stronger place together.
The Liberty Lake Parks and Arts Commission hopes to select an artist’s design by mid-July. Artists who submit their concepts will need to provide a title for the piece, the material required, the physical dimensions and the price. Full details about submissions, including the application form, can be found on the city’s Parks and Arts web page at: www. libertylakewa.gov/433/Parksand-Arts-Commission.
Splash news sources
Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 677
Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 1
Citations (Traffic/Criminal/NonCriminal) 68
DUI (Driving Under Influence) 1
Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 18
Malicious Mischief 6
Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon 3
Parking Violations 24
Suspicious Vehicles 35
Significant Cases
2024-88001224 Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 03/01/2024:
Officers responded to a stolen vehicle in the 2100 block of N Sedge Lane. The owner had no suspects or leads regarding the theft of the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered in the 21900 block of E Lakeview Rd on blocks with the tires missing. The owner advised the vehicle had just gotten new wheels and tires.
2024-88001601 DUI/Reckless Driving, 03/21/2024:
Officer observed a vehicle traveling more than twice the legal speed limit
on E Appleway Avenue. Officer stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver. While speaking with the driver, he could smell a strong odor of alcohol. The driver voluntarily participated in field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested for DUI. Officer obtained a search warrant for blood after the driver refused the breath test. The driver was booked into the Spokane County Jail for DUI and Reckless Driving, pending the toxicology results.
floor balcony. Officers contacted a subject who has known mental health struggles and ultimately took the subject into protective custody. Officers later forwarded charges to the Prosecutors Office for Malicious Mischief and Assault due to the damage from the marbles to the vehicles down below.
2024-88001713 Malicious Mischief/Assault/Crisis, 03/25/2024:
Officers responded to the 25000 block of E Hawkstone Loop for the report of a subject throwing marbles or decorative rocks from the third-
The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to keep your vehicles and house doors secured. As the weather gets warmer, the “Liberty Lake Shoppers” look for opportunities to take items that are not secured. Make sure you don’t leave any items inside your vehicles that would be considered high value. Stay safe and remain vigilant at all times.
WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR:
• Public Safety to Ensure Safe Neighborhoods
• Tax Relief for Working Families
• Supporting Small Business and Workforce Development
Spokane Co Commissioner Mary Kuney
Spokane Co Commissioner Josh Kerns
Spokane Co Commissioner Al French
Spokane Co Sheriff John Nowels
Spokane Co Treasurer Michael Baumgartner
Spokane Co Assessor Tom Konis
Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis
State Senator Jeff Holy
State Representative Mike Volz
Liberty Lake Mayor Cris Kaminskas
Liberty Lake Councilman Chris Cargill
Millwood Mayor Kevin Freeman
Former Spokane Valley Mayor Diana Wilhite
Former Spokane Valley Council Brandi Peetz
Former Spokane Co Commissioner Kate McCaslin
Former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward
Barry Baker
LaVerne Biel
Kim & Scott Chaffin
Tanner Chaffin
Sarah Cottam
Bill & Pam Gothmann
Gordon Hester
Gayle Jaqueth
Frances Lykins
Arin LaMountain
Brenda McKinley
Shane Miller
Deb Moddy
Kim Please
Bonnie Quinn
Susan Schuler
Chud Wendle
Tyson West
Scott Wetzel
Rick Wilhite
Steve Wulf
Arlene Fisher knew she would be wearing a variety of hats when she latched on with the city of Liberty Lake after the vote for incorporation passed in November 2000.
At different points, Fisher served as city clerk, Finance manager, treasurer and Human Resources manager. Many of the roles blended into others as the city found its financial and administrative sea legs.
“The first year was really challenging,” Fisher recalls. “We just didn’t have the budget for those individual specialties. It was all hands on deck.”
Inaugural Mayor Steve Peterson was known for running a lean administrative ship – a necessity for most new cities.
Fisher remembers working 60-hour weeks and stepping up to answer phones along with all her other duties. The reward was pouring the foundation for the future of Liberty Lake proper.
“For all of us, where we were in our careers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to start as city,” Fisher said. “It inspired us to work the way we did.”
When Fisher began with the city, the staff count numbered five. When she left in 2008 to become city manager in Cheney, the roster had increased to 13.
These days, there are 89 employees – not counting seasonal staff – that call Liberty Lake City Hall their professional home.
City Administrator Mark McAvoy, who arrived from Texas in August of 2022 to replace Katy Allen, said he is not surprised the city has ramped up hires in the nearly two years he has been on board.
“That was part of my recruitment process,” McAvoy said. “The mayor talked about the forecasted growth. Part of my job is to manage that.”
The “forecasted growth” includes an anticipated buildout of 21,500 residents by 2040. Routinely included among Washington state’s fastest growing
cities, Liberty Lake now features a population of 13,200.
Human Resources Manager Heidi Workman, who was brought on as the city’s first full-time HR oversight in January 2021, said the influx of staff is a simple matter of “creating positions to meet the demand.”
Workman is one example of the city’s shift from divvying up responsibilities among a variety of employees to concentrating those tasks in one dedicated role. Previously, Finance Manager RJ Stevenson and Treasurer Ann Marie Gale pitched in with HR oversight. Gale is now retired while Stevenson has moved on to a different field.
“With RJ, he was doing finance, IT, HR,” said Mayor Cris Kaminskas. “It was taking away from his main job as finance manager.”
Workman said the city passed an important threshold in 2021 when it eclipsed 50 employees. The watermark meant a new set of rules and regulations related to staffing, mostly dictated by federal policy.
“There’s just a different set of challenges with more people,” Workman said.
City Council has been quick to bulk up public safety in response to the city’s expanding footprint. The Liberty Lake Police Department now includes 22 officers, plus Chief Damon Simmons and two administrative staff.
McAvoy pointed out that with a general budget of $11 million, the city is in strong financial shape to bring on staff that will add to efficiencies and take the burden off employees who, in his words, “already have a lot on their plate.”
“Revenue projections are strong,” McAvoy added.
The latest example of balanced staffing is the announcement of Ben Turner as the city’s inaugural Public Works director. Turner, an Oregon native who has been working as a civil engineer with the U.S. Navy in California, was introduced at the April 23 City Council meeting and will start in August.
Also on the docket for this year is hiring a replacement city engineer and filling two new positions – code enforcement officer and procurement specialist. The later role will help coordinate grants and contract management, again lessening the burden on current staff. The 2024 budget includes earmarks for eight additional full-time employees.
Jennifer Camp can likely relate to some of Fisher’s tales of extreme
multi-tasking. The city’s Operation and Maintenance director, overseeing parks and streets, even filled in as city administrator during the time between Allen’s retirement and McAvoy’s hiring. Camp was given a reprieve with two recent hires – Mickael Stevens as recreation coordinator and Derek Kosanke as parks supervisor. Kosanke came over on an internal track after working as the city’s streets lead.
Kaminskas meets with department directors every other week, checking in on issues like burnout and workload balance. She said each director “is honest about what they have on their plates.”
“In the past, we’ve done more with fewer people,” Kaminskas said. “But you can’t put a price on burnout, you can’t put a price on mistakes that are made because staff was overloaded. We need to have the right people in the right positions. My goal is not to have overburdened employees.”
The approach includes being proactive about future shifts in the staff lineup such as longtime building inspector Wayne Hammond’s impending retirement this fall. The city has already brought on a third building inspector in anticipation of the change.
Around the dais, members of the City Council like Annie Kurtz say there has been improved communication related to demands on staff and the need to find a healthy balance for employees.
“One of the things we heard repeatedly in my first couple of years on council was how overwhelmed staff was on different projects and they just didn’t have the bandwidth,” Kurtz said.
Over the last few budget cycles, Kurtz said department directors have called attention to various needs on the staffing side, resulting in pragmatic hires that even out the workload.
“We’ve had requests for a few different positions that would anticipate the growth the city is currently experiencing and instead of reacting to those needs, being proactive in consistently meeting the needs of the city,” Kurtz said.
The city’s sturdy financial standing, which Kurtz credits in part to previous versions of council that emphasized fiscal responsibility, has made it possible to bring on more staff within the framework of budget accountability.
“We want to place a priority on good morale, good health and good retention of our employees,” Kurtz said. “This council is being vigilant about the stewardship of dollars but also realizes we’re in this place of growth and we need to be able to meet these needs.”
• The Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District (LLSWD) will host an open house on Wednesday, May 8 to celebrate 50 years as a local utility. The event will run from 3 to 7 p.m. at newly remodeled district headquarters, 22510 E. Mission and include hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments as well as educational stations representing LLSWD’s impact on the community over five decades.
• At the end of his address, Parker presented Mayor Cris Kaminskas with a 2024 Meritorious Service Award.
• A proclamation was read on April 23 pronouncing April 26 as Arbor Day. “I want to encourage residents to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands,” said Kaminskas. A tree was planted on the grounds of the Liberty Lake Ballfields to recognize the occasion.
• Council Member Annie Kurtz gave an update on the discussion about establishing a balanced academic calendar in CVSD. “There seemed to be support to do something different,” Kurtz said. No final decision has been made on the four options generated by the Balanced Calendar Committee of which Kurtz is a member.
• The 2024 Association of Washington Cities conference will be held June 18-21 in Vancouver with several representatives of Liberty Lake expected to attend.
• The latest incarnation of the Liberty Lake Farmers Market will kick off Saturday, May 18 at Town Square Park, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane. Market hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The showcase of produce, crafts, baked goods, music and more runs every Saturday through Oct. 12.
• The city has received one letter of intent (proposal)
regarding a new restaurant at the Trailhead clubhouse along with inquiries from several other entities expressing interest in the site. No decision has been made on the occupant.
“We don’t want to rush into this,” said Council Member Mike Kennedy. “Let’s take our time and get the right tenant in there.”
• The murals at the skate park and basketball court at Pavillion Park will celebrate a ribbon cutting on Saturday, June 8 at 11 a.m.
• Ben Turner was introduced as the city’s inaugural Public Works director on April 23. Turner introduced himself to council via Zoom. The Oregon native has been working with the U.S. Navy as a civil engineer. “I’m looking forward to getting back to the Northwest,” Turner said. He will begin his new role in August. Turner’s appointment was approved unanimously by council.
• Council unanimously approved the appointment of David Lewis to the Spokane County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee.
• Council unanimously supported a proclamation at their April 9 meeting recognizing the efforts of sports officials. Kennedy later shared on April 23 that he had faced hostility and criticism during his time as an official and encouraged civil and generous treatment of those who officiate sporting events.
• Civil Service Commission Chair Joe Mann gave a report on April 9 that included updates on the group’s rules and procedure, a new LLPD reserve officer and pending hirings and promotions. Later in the meeting, council approved attorney service for the commission.
• Council unanimously approved an interagency agreement between LLPD and the Washington State Patrol related to commercial vehicle enforcement.
Starting out as a food truck service before expanding into their permanent Liberty Lake location in late 2023. 3 Ninjas has quickly become a local favorite in Liberty Lake.
Located on Indiana just west of Harvard at the western edge of the NoLL River District Welcome Center Building (21802 E Indiana Ave).
“We are so excited to be able to start our breakfast service” says Steve Kitchens one of the 3 Ninjas the restaurant is named after and is primarily the one welcoming customers and taking care of the front of the restaurant. “Breakfast is my favorite food to cook.”
With new menu items such as breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, and
even Chilaquiles being introduced 3 Ninjas is going all in for breakfast. But don’t let the name fool you, their cuisine isn’t all spice and heat.
“Chilaquiles are really unique because we will be using our signature chips in it. So we can keep that from our OG Ninja food truck and implement it into our new fusion menu” explains Kitchens. Despite its lava red color, Chilaquiles were the prefect blend of 3 ninja tortilla chips, sliced radishes, queso fresca, cumin habanero pickled red onions, salsa roja, two over medium eggs, cilantro, and crema.
The breakfast sandwiches will also be unique offering their own blend of maple and sage sausage patties which they will be blending inhouse.
Beginning early May, 3 Ninjas will start opening at 9am seven days a week. But don’t worry as you won’t have to get up early to try out these new treats as they will be serving breakfast all day … the 3 Ninja way.
Through a recent acquisition, New Love Coffee also located in the NoLL River District Welcome Center at 21802 E Indiana Ave is expanding its offerings to include Bean and Pie pies.
Bean and Pie was previously a vendor at the Liberty Lake Farmers market and while they aren’t going to be at the farmers market this year a full selection of Bean & Pie products are now being carried at the New Love Coffee in Liberty Lake.
Open Saturdays from 7am to 4pm. Owner Ike Bubna offers “stop in for coffee and a pie before heading to the market. Or pre-order online at beanandpie.com for their favorite pie and pick it up at New Love after the market!”
This isn’t a new concept for New Love Coffee. “Originally we started selling their handpies to offer a
savory breakfast item that was hot.” When “Katie, the former owner [of Bean and Pie] approached my wife and I about purchasing the business. Tiffany was finishing up pastry school and dreamed of owning her own bakery. So it was perfect timing and we saw a vision for hot to integrate all of Bean & Pie’s delicious products into the New Love Coffee shops.” explained Bubna.
With the biggest sellers being the Key Lime pie (a gluten free option) and the Breakfast handpie which Bubna quickly points out “It goes perfect with a morning coffee or latte.”
For those who might not have visited New Love Coffee, New Love Coffee roasts all of their coffee onsite using syrups from Holy Kakow and offers a variety of alternative milks at no additional cost.
“We love seeing people in our shops! New Love Coffee + Bean & Pie is all about people. Connecting with them, creating a space for them to connect with others, and now taking home a pie to celebrate or spend time with others.” Bubna
An establishment which has been in the works since before the pandemic will be opening in Liberty Lake in early May.
Located just west of Harvard on Wellington Pkwy (one block north of Indiana).
Emrys Beer and Mead Works in addition to their locally brewed beer and mead will feature cuisine by Travis Dickenson, part owner, and features a historical modern fusion feel. With Smash Burgers, hot dogs, both sweet and savory welsh cakes, cheddar chips, pickle fries, and multiple float options leading the menu. “We want to celebrate history but make it more palatable for today” said principal owner Thomas Croskrey.
Croskrey is former part owner of Bellwether Brewing but sold his portion of the business in 2019 with hopes of opening Emrys in 2020 until the pandemic happened.
Croskrey is originally from the Spokane Valley when his family moved to Otis Orchards in 1986 while he was in kindergarten. He graduated from East Valley High School. “I grew up just on the other
side of the river from where Emrys is located and remember riding my dirt bike through the field that use to be where we are at today.” Said Croskrey.
Local roots doesn’t stop at the ownership, Emrys has a high priority placed upon sourcing most ingredients locally focusing on sustainable grains and foods.
“90% of all of our grains come from Palouse Heritage Farms in Endicott Washington” said Croskrey. “The beef is all sourced from Washington state beef farms, our malt is coming from LINC Malt (Local Inland northwest cooperative) located in Spokane Valley, and Peak of Abundance Farm is providing a fresh sheet menu that we will use to provide seasonal entrees from.”
Even the honey used in the mead is sourced local, coming from Hamilton Hives which has a contract for having bee hives in the River District of Liberty Lake.
“We are the #1 exporter for these products, why not source local” said Croskrey.
While the first batch of beer is brewing, Thomas and his wife Melanie are all staffed up and close to opening. Watch their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ EmrysFermentations/) for the exact opening date.
Offering 100% authentic Thai food, Bangkok Thai is family owned and operated. The Liberty Lake Store is the fourth location for the owner Kay Chindapradist and is operated by her nephew Ittikorn (Pong) Chansasitorn who works in the kitchen and Penn who runs the front of the house.
With all chefs being from Thailand they offer authentic traditional Thia food with a modern twist.
Some of their popular menu items include Yum (a Thai Style Salad) which includes your choice of meat seasoned with fresh lime juice, mint leaves, hot chili, lemon grass, onion, tomatoes, and cucumber. Ginger Duck, served to your table
on a sizzling plate, this highest grade duck meat is marinated in the traditional Thai way, with our chef’s special homemade sauce, and topped with fried basil and shredded ginger. “The Curry is another local favorite” according to Joseph a server at the restaurant.
For those able to get away for lunch during the week, Bangkok Thai offers a lunch combo from 11am to 3pm weekdays offering a two choice special for $16.50 or a three choice special for $19.50.
Bangkok Thai opened on April 1st and is open 11am to 9pm weekdays and noon to 9pm on weekends but hopes to expand with an outdoor patio opening mid May allowing for more seating and the possibility for events and party’s.
Take out and catering also available upon request.
April 27| Liberty Lake Spring Clean Up – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. WM in collaboration with Goodwill offers the annual spring Clean green and Bulky Waste Cleanup event. Area residents may bring clean green and bulky waste to Town Square Park that day. Be sure to arrive with your drop-off coupon that WM will mail to residents approximately two weeks prior to the event. See the flyer in your mail for full details about accepted and prohibited items, and for a list of items that may be donated to Goodwill.
May 4 | Liberty Lake Farmers Market – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May through October. 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane (Town Square Park), Liberty Lake. For more, visit libertylakefarmersmarket.com.
May 4 | Liberty Lake May Day – 9 a.m. 1326 N Liberty Lake Rd, Liberty Lake. Join us for a fun event in the parking lot of Liberty Lake Town Center. We will be celebrating COMMUNITY
May 11 | Give Houseplants a Chance – 11a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Just like every other living thing, plants have a rhythm. Parenting houseplants is a way to learn a new rhythm, as bloom cycles, light requirements, and growth rates will all be different from the plants you have outdoors. Presented by Master Gardener Cathi Lamoreux. For more, Mikayla 509-232-2510 ext. 311.
May 24-27 | Luminary Tribute – Pavillion Park. For more, libertylakerotary.org
May 27 | Memorial Day Salute and Breakfast – 8 to 10:30 a.m. (program at 9 a.m.) at Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake. Annual breakfast organized by the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary to remember those in the military and support Inland Northwest Honor Flight.
for infants to age 5 -- 10:30 a.m., Liberty Lake Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Includes “Move & Groove” Mondays, “Book Babies” Tuesdays, “Toddler Tales” Wednesdays, “Preschool Tales” Fridays.
ACT 2 Senior Classes | Affordable classes offered by Community Colleges of Spokane to those who are retired or planning to retire, though there is no age limit. A wide range of courses from geology and history to exercise and art are offered at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, as well as other locations throughout the area. For more, search for “Act 2” at scc. spokane.edu.
Next Gen REI Club | 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., third Thursday of the month, The Arcadia Building, 12929 E. Sprague Ave. Monthly real estate investing support group. All are welcome. For more, call 509.768.4357.
Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursday of the month, Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. Discussion of Baha’i teachings, history and perspectives on resolving the challenges facing humanity. All are welcome. For more, call 599-2411.
Catholic Singles Mingle | Meeting times and locations vary. This group, with no dues, is for single adults of all ages. More at www.meetup. com/Catholic-Singles-Mingle.
Grange Meeting and Dessert | 6:30 p.m., third Wednesday of the month, Tri-Community Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more, call 2262202.
Liberty Lake Library | 23123 E. Mission Ave., Liberty Lake. Various clubs and weekly meetings including book clubs, children’s story times, LEGO club, computer drop-in class, knitting club, and more. More at www.libertylakewa. gov/library
Men’s Weekly Bible Study | 7 a.m. Tuesdays. Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, Millwood. The men’s weekly Bible Study meets in the Reception Hall with different members sharing in the leading of the study. All men are invited to join. More at www. milwoodpc.org.
Spokane County Library District | Locations include Argonne, Fairfield, Otis Orchards, and Spokane Valley. Special events and weekly activities for all ages including book clubs, children’s story times, classes, Lego club, teen anime club and writing clubs. More at scld.org.
Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of February, April, June, August, October and December at Valley Assembly of God Church, 15618 E. Broadway Ave., Spokane Valley. Open to all interested in sharing ideas and skills of our quilting craft. Participants can access a comprehensive library, engage experienced teachers and participate in community service projects. More at svqgspokane.com.
May 2 | Pine Trees and Lake in Watercolors – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Paint a gentle sunset behind pine trees with light reflecting on a lake in this two-hour workshop. You’ll learn some basic watercolor skills like dry brushing, wet-on-wet, and color mixing. All supplies are provided. For more, call Mikayla 509-232-2510 ext. 311.
May 9 | Mountain View in Watercolors – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Get some practice creating perspective and depth as we layer mountains and hills in this twohour workshop. A splash of wild flowers and evergreen trees will give this painting a northwest feel. All supplies are provided. For more, call Mikayla 509-232-2510 ext. 311.
May 2-10 | “Tuck Everlasting” – 7:00 p.m. May 2-4 and May 8-10 at Ridgeline High School Theatre. Join the Ridgeline Theatre Department for Natalie Babbitt’s Tuck Everlasting, the story of a young girl who is faced with the difficult decision to live forever, or let her life continue as planned. After meeting the Tuck family, Winnie Foster learns of a spring’s power to give people immortality, or the chance to live forever. Doors Open 30 minutes prior to show, and tickets ($12 to $14) can be purchased at ridgelinehighschool.ludus.com
May 15-23 | “Nunsense” – 7:30 p.m. May 15-17 and 20-23 at Central Valley High School Theatre, 821 S. Sullivan Road. Join the CVHS Theatre Company for this This riotous show is set at a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidently poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). Expect to laugh until your belly hurts with their antics!. Doors Open 30 minutes prior to show, and tickets ($12 to $14) can be purchased at cvtheatre.com.
April 27 | Battle of the Boards Cornhole Tournament – 3:00 p.m. A Tournament of Throws and Cheers! Get ready for a fantastic day of cornhole fun! We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Spokane Corn Hole for an epic tournament that promises a blend of competition and community spirit. $60 per Team Sign up link: https:// square.link/u/k2rk6vLA
May 18 | May Puppies and Poses – 12:00 p.m. Join us for a pawsome event at The Mat! Get ready to unleash your inner yogi and cuddle with adorable puppies. It’s the perfect opportunity to find your zen while surrounded by fluffy cuteness. This in-person event promises an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, relaxation, and lots
of wagging tails. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner, our expert instructor, Kelle Jo, will guide you through a fun and energizing yoga session. So grab your mat, put on your comfiest clothes, and prepare for a tail-wagging good time at Puppies & Poses! 21651 E Country Vista Dr , Liberty Lake
May 18 | Ridgeline Football Fundraiser Golf Tournament – 7:00 a.m. 24403 East Sprague Avenue, Liberty Lake
May 25 | Walk for Parkinson’s Disease – 11:00 a.m. We would so appreciate your support - great or small - to help our team reach a goal of $10,000 this year! Please visit the link https://nwpf.donordrive. com/team/5009 to learn more and or donate. Orchard Park 20298 E Indiana Ave Liberty Lake
Al-Anon Family Meetings | Mondays, 12 p.m., Liberty Lake Community Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Serenity by the Lake Al Anon Family Group Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon family groups can help.
Book Babies | Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., Liberty Lake Community Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. This story time is geared toward children 0-2 years old. Play time follows from 11-11:30 a.m.
Decreasing Anger Group |The Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Eligibility: combat veteran from all eras, military sexual trauma survivors. For more, call at 509-444-8387 to make an intake appointment.
HUB Sports Center | 19619 E. Cataldo Ave., Liberty Lake. Various activities and events occur throughout the week including:
• Pickleball drop-in: 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. $5.50/ person online $7/at the door.
• Classes including Kenpo Karate, Homeschool PE and Fit for YOUR Life. See hubsportscenter.org for cost and times.
Fly Tying Group| 9 to 11 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. Veterans, Active Buty, Reserves, and Guard are welcome! For more, call 509-444-8387.
12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Wednesdays, Willow Song Music Therapy Center, 21101 E. Wellesley #102, Otis Orchards. For adults desiring a distanced social experience that is designed to support emotional well-being, gentle physical movement, cognitive support, and enhanced communication in a fun and relaxed way. $10 per person per class. For more, visit willowsongmusictherapy.com or call 509-592-7875.
Move and Groove | Mondays, 10:30 a.m., Liberty Lake Community Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave. Music and dance time for children ages 0-5.
Central Valley School Board | 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 2218 N. Molter Rd, Liberty Lake.
Liberty Lake City Council | 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive
Liberty Lake Kiwanis | 7 a.m. on each Wednesday of each month, Liberty Lake Library.
Friends of Liberty Lake Municipal Library | 1pm Last Thursday of the month, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, 23123 E. Mission Ave.
Liberty Lake Lions Club | 5:30 pm, every second and fourth Thursday of each month at Barlows, 1428 N. Liberty Lake Road.
Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club | Noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday at Trailhead Holf Course, 22302 E Country Vista Dr, For more, visit LibertyLakeRotary.org.
Liberty Lake Municipal Library Board | 1 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month, 22710E Country Vista Dr.
Liberty Lake Planning Commission | 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, City Hall, 22710 E. Country Vista Drive.
Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Board | 4 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, 22510 E. Mission Ave.
A new communications board went up in Orchard Park in Liberty Lake last month, offering a way for non-verbal children to communicate with friends or caregivers.
The brightly colored board uses Smarty Symbols that children can point to. They can indicate whether they’d like to play on the slide, swing or monkey bars. They can let caregivers know that they’re hungry, thirsty, hot, cold or need to go to the bathroom. They can even let people know if they’re hurt, lost, happy or sad.
The board was purchased by
the Parks and Arts Commission, a committee of community members that works with the City Council to offer recreation programs and uses city provided funds to enhance parks and the city’s public art. The Commission helped create the story walks in Rocky Hill Park and Orchard Parks and also coordinated the creation of a large mural in Pavillion Park. The utility box wraps that dot Liberty Lake streets are also the work of the Commission.
Commission co-chair Nancy Hill said the creator of the Smarty Symbols company, Barbara Fernandes, sent an email to then council member Tom Sahlberg
last year and he passed it on to the Commission. Fernandes, a speech therapist and a mother to a boy with autism, created the boards for non-speaking children. She’s been working to get them placed at parks all over the country.
“I have made it my life’s mission to break communication barriers for non-speaking children,” Fernandes wrote in her email. “While I would like to see communication accessibility a right for children with all playgrounds, we can start with one. Your support would be extremely important for our mission to make kids feel seen and supported.”
The idea struck a chord with the Commission. “We asked for a presentation by the company,” Hill said. “We were very intrigued.”
There are thousands of symbols available for selection and each board can be completely customized. The Parks and Arts Commission chose the standard playground board design.
Commission co-chair David Himebaugh said the board is designed to make the park more inclusive.
“We’re always looking to add something new, bring something fun, add something artistic to the parks,” he said. “Looking at it, how could you not want to add this?”
The board is useful to all children who don’t verbalize well, not just autistic children, Himebaugh said. “Even for a child who doesn’t think they need it, it’s kind of cool looking,” he said. “It will attract a child over.”
Children can even use it to communicate to each other, Himebaugh said. “The parks are for the kids, obviously,” he said. “We want all kids to be able to communicate with other kids.”
Hill said she had the chance to speak to a local speech pathologist with the Northwest Autism Center about the board. “They were absolutely thrilled with the
board,” she said. “They said it opened up a lot of doors, not only for the child to communicate but the reverse. An adult or caregiver can communicate with the child.”
There is also an alphabet printed at the bottom of the sign, so children can point to letters if they want to spell a specific word.
The city has been receiving positive comments about the board. “It’s been a big hit,” Himebaugh said. “We’ve had a lot of people talking about it.”
The board itself cost around $2,000 and a city maintenance crew installed it between the splash pad and the playground. The location was picked to be easily accessible, Hill said. “That was a no-brainer, to put it between the playground and the splash pad,” she said.
The board has two sides, both identical. Hill said the parks staff has already suggested putting in some steps on one side so the full height of the board can be reached by smaller children.
“I guess these boards are just one more tool in our tool belt in making the parks as inclusive as possible,” Hill said. “We like how it is inclusive and the board is customized for the playground. Hopefully it will draw people over.”
The Commission is already working to put more boards in the budget for the city’s other large parks, Hill said. “We’ve been encouraged by the feedback and will probably be placing them in our other parks,” she said. “We will definitely add one board next year. It’s in our strategic plan.”
Hill said she hasn’t heard of any other communication boards being installed in local parks. “This is the first in the area, as near as we’ve been able to determine,” she said.
Himebaugh said he’s looking forward to adding the communications board to more parks. “We’re pretty excited about it,” he said.
Sanjana Sharma made the transition from Central Valley to Ridgeline High School as a sophomore because she was “excited for a fresh start.” Now a senior, Sharma has been front and center in creating a culture of excellence and cohesiveness on the Liberty Lake campus. “Every single person at Ridgeline is so supportive,” she said. “They’re our biggest fans.” Sharma maintains a 3.95 grade point average and is part of National Honor Society. She was honored as a Spokane Scholar in Science and has taken 11 Advanced Placement classes. She is also a Junior Health Scholar and volunteers at Valley Hospital and Gentiva Hospice. This summer Sharma will be part of an internship at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. She helped teach a chemistry camp at Pioneer School last summer. Sharma will attend the University of Washington.
Brandon Gutzwiler has soared to great heights at Central Valley High School. The senior is the topranked high jumper in the Greater Spokane League this season and also participates in the long jump. He holds a personal record of 6 feet 5.25 inches in the high jump and recently took first in his signature event at the Mooberry Relays with a leap of 6’4. Gutzwiler took fifth at state in the high jump as a sophomore and eighth as a junior. He is also an outstanding musician and played the French horn on CV’s state championship marching band as a sophomore. “Track and music have pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Gutzwiler said. “I’ve been able to push myself further and have more opportunities.” He will continue his academic and athletic pursuits on scholarship at Eastern Washington University.
You could say Mandy Desgrosellier started the wheels turning on the Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary Club’s most successful fundraiser. The Spokane Valley native is the founder of the Rotary in Motion (RIM) Ride, which will celebrate its 15th year this September. The event draws around 350 participants each year. Desgrosellier is the catalyst for the year-long preparation, which includes design of a custom jersey and a participant T-shirt. She has been a member of Liberty Lake Rotary since 2005 and helps with other signature events like the Memorial Day Breakfast. Desgrosellier has worked at Washington Trust Bank for the past 21 years. She is a graduate of Eastern Washington University in Business Management/Marketing and is pursuing her MBA in Finance. Desgrosellier is the proud mom of two grown sons, Lucas and Davis. She has participated in triathlons for 20 years.
Thanks you for all you do in our community
As evidenced by the full parking lot on a recent Saturday afternoon, the brand new Liberty Lake Les Schwab Tire Center location has been discovered by residents before the grand opening has even taken place.
The store, the first new location to open in the region in the last 21 years, opened at 22401 E. Appleway Avenue with a soft launch on January 10. Business was slow at first, partly because the store didn’t do any advertising. “We opened probably the worst time of the year," said store manager Justin Mitchell. “Since March it has really taken off.”
There are hundreds of Les Schwab Tire Stores located in the western United States, founded by the company’s namesake, Les Schwab. He and his family owned the business for decades. Schwab died in 2007 and the chain of
stores was sold to California-based investment fund the Meritage Group in 2020.
Each location sells tires and also handles brakes, suspension, batteries and alignments as well as lift kits and lowering kits. “Number one is tires,” said Mitchell. “It’s in our name.”
Mitchell said the company hopes to draw people in the Otis Orchards, Newman Lake, Liberty Lake and Stateline areas. There’s already a Les Schwab in Post Falls and the other closest one is on East Sprague near Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley. The company thought a new location would help ease the burden at other nearby locations.
“This store has been on the radar probably for the last 15 years,” Mitchell said. “Les Schwab just saw a need. A lot of stores are task saturated. We didn’t want a decline in our world class customer service.”
The store has a modern design and the lobby has a lot of natural light and high ceilings. A big difference between it and many other Les Schwab locations in the area is the decision to house the tall racks of tires in the work bay
instead of off the lobby, as it is in most other stores. Mitchell said many customers had complained about the strong smell of tires in the waiting area and so the racks were moved to eliminate the odor in the public area.
Customers can make appointments for most services, but walk-ins are always accepted. Les Schwab is known for doing free tire rotations and free flat repairs on tires purchased at any company location.
The Liberty Lake store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Winter and spring are the busiest seasons, but Mitchell said Tuesdays through Thursdays are generally the slowest. “We have an any bay, any time mentality,” he said. “During our peak times, 90 percent of the jobs we can get done the same day.”
The store’s official grand opening celebration was April 12 and 13, with free Bake My Day cookies and cake pops provided to visitors on both days. There was free David’s Pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 13 only. The Spokane Chiefs Mascot was be there and people were able to spin to win discounts and gift cards.
Mitchell arrived in Liberty Lake to open the new store from southern California, but his roots are in Washington. He grew up in Enumclaw and when he was 16, only days after earning his driver’s license, he got a part-time job at his local Les Schwab. “At first it was just a job,” he said.
After high school, he realized that college wasn’t for him. He saw three choices: joining the military, learning a trade or remaining at Les Schwab. He decided to stick with the company. “I really saw the opportunity for growth in the company,” he said. “I’ve always thought it would be cool to say this is my first job and my last job.”
He worked in Hillsboro, Oregon, before becoming an assistant manager at the Les Schwab location on West Francis in north Spokane, then moving on to Southern California. He’s been with the company for 14 years and said that’s not unusual. He has people working for him who have been with the company for more than 20 or 30 years.
“There’s a reason for that,” he said. “It’s not that they like changing tires. It’s because it’s a good company to work for.”
Mitchell said the company culture of supporting employees remained unchanged after the business was sold. “Our culture is still just the same as it ever was,” he said.
Mitchell said he enjoys the work and enjoys helping people, whether that’s his employees or customers. “The best part about it is the people, getting to help people,” he said. “It’s really fun being able to build our own people, train people on the job.”
He’s also looking forward to being a part of the Liberty Lake community. The store has already donated to help the Father Daughter Dance hosted by the Kiwanis and is exploring a partnership with Ridgeline High School. Mitchell said he already sponsors Spokane Valley bass fisherman Jake Boomer and would like to sponsor some Little League teams.
“I’m just excited to be in a small, tight knit community like Liberty Lake is,” he said. “We’ve got a great crew and we’re eager to take care of people.”
By John McCallum Splash contributor
Baseball
Spring sports are rapidly moving towards the post-season stage for Ridgeline High School team — two of which are closing in on potential Greater Spokane League titles
At 11-3 in the GSL, 11-6 overall,
the Falcons have put themselves in a position to earn at least a share of the league crown with 4A Gonzaga Prep (11-3, 13-4) and 3A Mt. Spokane (11-3, 13-4). Four games remain for Ridgeline: two with last-place North Central (1-13, 2-14) and two with seventh-place Lewis and Clark (5-9, 6-10).
“We have four regular season games left this year and if they go as they should, at least on paper, we will end up GSL champions, technically co-champions, but we hold the tie breaker over Mt. Spokane and Gonzaga Prep so we would be the 1 seed,” head coach Jeremy Maupin said.
The Falcons are led offensively by sophomore Caden Andreas,
who is batting .478 with five doubles, 18 runs and nine RBI. Fellow sophomore Ben Wartinger is batting .400 with eight runs and eight RBI, while seniors Easton Amend is .404 with 11 runs, and 10 RBI and Nate Fitzpatrick is .350 with two home runs, 10 runs and 14 RBI.
Senior Brennan Stevenson has emerged as the ace on the pitching staff with a 5-0 record, 1.85 earned run average and 36 strikeouts.
Wartinger is 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA, one save and 19 strikeouts, Fitzpatrick is 1-2 with a 4.14 ERA and 24 strikeouts while closer, freshman Braxxton Barker has two saves and 10 strikeouts.
“This is a great group of guys
with a bunch of talent who all work hard, love to have fun playing baseball, and enjoy playing with and for each other,” Maupin said.
Whatever happens, Ridgeline is slated to host a District 8 playoff game on Saturday, May 4, likely first pitch at noon. According to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) RPI standings, the Falcons are currently ranked 17th in state 3A, with Mt. Spokane 12th.
Mount Vernon was ranked No. 1, followed by Kelso, Kennewick, O’Dea and Lake Washington to round out the top five.
Fastpitch softball
As of April 22, the Falcons were right in the thick of things in the GSL playoff hunt at 6-6, 6-7 overall. Ridgeline was fifth, two games back of fellow 3A opponent Cheney (8-4, 8-6) and one game ahead of ahead of Ferris (5-7, 6-8), with six games remaining including an April 30 matchup with second-place Mt. Spokane (11-1, 12-2).
“We have been working hard and are grateful for the potential for it to pay off and go to districts and then state,” head coach Alyssa Rasmussen said of her young team that fields just two seniors, Maggie Carvo and Ally Philips.
Offensively, Rasmussen said Carvo is leading the GSL in walks and stolen bases while junior Lilley Triplett is leading the league in triples.
The pitching / catching battery of freshmen Aaliyah Yeldon in the circle and Millie Dobyns behind the plate has been guiding the Falcons defensively. As of April 19, Yeldon was leading the league in innings pitched at 56, recording 54 strikeouts, a 5.63 ERA and five wins.
Rasmussen said it’s been a year of growth for the team, which has relied heavily on its two seniors for leadership. The Falcons’ growth has come a lot in understanding the game.
“We have fought hard for the wins and fought hard to overcome the losses,” Rasmussen said. “With six more games ahead of us, we
Continued from page 22
have to fight harder than ever before, but I am confident in my girls that we can do big things.”
Soccer
The Falcons were tied with Mt. Spokane as of April 23 for the GSL lead, both at 6-1 and 18 points. Overall, Ridgeline was 9-3, with nonleague losses on the road at Issaquah and Gonzaga Prep while its only league loss was a 1-0 setback on April 10 to the Mt. Spokane.
The Falcons had two games remaining before District 8 playoffs began on April 30: April 24 at North Central (0-7, 1-9) and April 26 at Ferris (4-3, 6-5, 13 points). Mt. Spokane was slated to host the Saxon on April 24 and finish the regular season hosting Central Valley (4-3, 4-5-1, 12 points).
Junior forward Andre Chaker leads in scoring with eight goals. Senior Isaiah Vakaloloma has six goals and two assists while fellow senior Braylon Helm-Renz has four goals and three assists.
Defensively, the Falcons have recorded six shutouts and given up 12 goals in 12 games. Head coach Ernie Merino said that defense is “anchored by seniors Howard Hull and Caden Thompson, along with sophomore Thatcher Hemphill.
“The soccer team has done so well coming together and playing quality footy,” Merino said. “While we are performing well, we have work that needs to be done to make Liberty Lake proud.”
As of April 23, Ridgeline was ranked eighth in the state 3A classification in the WIAA’s RPI standings, with Mt. Spokane fifth. Shorewood was ranked No. 1,
followed by Edmonds-Woodway, Bishop Blanchet and Eastside Catholic.
Tennis
Both Falcons boys and girls teams have had a busy April. The boys are currently 6-3 in match play while the girls are 5-4 overall.
Both teams competed against Ferris on April 23, results not included at press time. They finish their match play against Cheney on April 24 and University April 30, and were scheduled to take part in the large, multi-team Inland Empire Classic the weekend of April 27-28.
Track
Several Falcon athletes are ranked in the District 8 top five in their events, providing the potential for solid post seasons.
For the boys, junior Tanner Hamblin is ranked fourth in the 110 meter hurdles while senior Michael Perry is third in the 300 hurdles. Ridgeline’s 4x100 and 4x400 teams are fourth and fifth respectively.
In field events, senior Kale Kardonsky and junior Daden Lewis are second and fifth in the shot put, with Lewis fourth in the discus and Kardonsky eight inches out of the top-five in sixth.
Presley Young leads the girls, ranked No. 1 in District 8 in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. The senior is ranked eighth in 3A state in the 200.
Junior Izzie Olsen is third in the 400, with fellow junior Emma Mostek fifth. Sophomore Summer Barney is fourth in the 100 hurdles.
Ridgeline’s 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams are ranked No.1, while the 4x100 team is fifth. In the field, sophomore Millie Buck is fourth in the high jump.
Splash news sources
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1,933 emergency incidents for March 2024.
Emergency Incidents for Station 3 in Liberty Lake, 89.
Medical
Note:
25
Members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and the Spokane County Fire District 8 responded to an attached garage fire just before 3am last night in the Spokane Valley at 2022 S Fawn Drive. The fire was extinguished within 10 minutes of the first engine’s arrival.
Initial reports were of a fire in the attached garage of one side of a duplex and unknown if extending into structure. The two duplex units were occupied by residents at the time of the fire, so the initial working fire response was upgraded to a 2nd alarm in preparation for possible rescues of occupants. Thankfully all residents were able to evacuate on their own and the 2nd alarm response cancelled. SVFD crews evaluated the residents medically on scene found no medical issues and residents were able to re-occupy their home without issue after fire operations and investigation completed.
Initial arriving crews determined a fire in the attached garage and quickly extended a fire attack line from the engine to extinguish the fire. The priority being life safety fires crews upon arrival attempt to contact occupants and determine how many individuals reside inside and if confirmation can be made if all occupants are safely outside. In this incident the occupants were able to evacuate the structures early on their own and confirm with crews there were no other occupants inside. SVFD crews following standard practices performed a search of affected structures to re-confirm no occupants inside. Smoke from the garage fire had extended to the attic
space and crews entered the structure to confirm no fire extended/entered the living space of the structure. The smoke was removed from the attic space using positive pressure fans.
The air quality of the structure was tested and confirmed to be safe for the residents to return and re-occupy the residents. The quick actions by first arriving SVFD crews contained the fire to the garage and allowed the occupants to continue living in their home. There were no firefighter or civilian injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
On Sunday, March 31st, Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) units responded to a reported garage fire on the 1300 block of N. Robie Ln. Spokane Valley Engine 1 (VE 1) was first on scene and found fire in an attached garage extending into the attic of the home.
SVFD crews made a quick stop on the fire, containing most of the damage to the garage. There was minimal smoke, water, and ceiling damage in the main occupancy of the home.
Avista was contacted after it was discovered that the gas meter on the corner of the garage was venting gas and actively burning. Firefighters were able to close the valve on the meter and stop the gas leak.
One cat was rescued from the home, and another was located inside a shed in the back of the home.
There were no injuries reported. The Red Cross was contacted and is assisting the homeowner.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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More than a dozen miles of Spokane’s Centennial Trail will remain closed until Labor Day as construction crews work on the first phase of improvements to enhance safety and recreational facilities at the state park.
The park commemorates Washington State’s Centennial Birthday. According to the Friends of the Centennial Trail nonprofit, the trail attracts more than 2.5 million visitors each year who come from across the world to walk its miles and take in the beautiful sights along the Spokane River.
Work began in the centennial year of 1989 along the same stretch of the closure and took three years to complete. When it was finished, the entire trail encompassed 10.5 miles, but today, the trail is 64 miles long, spans across two states and multiple counties, and was named a National Recreation trail by the United State Department of the Interior.
“Community leaders at that point really realized there was an opportunity to bridge recreation throughout Spokane County and also bring it into Stevens County,” Friends Executive Director Loreen McFaul said. “To have something like a recreation trail parallel to the Spokane River…and is bookended by Lake Coeur d’Alene and Long Lake…you have this unbelievable span that welcomes anyone where they’re at.”
The asphalt trail travels through three distinct zones in Eastern Washington, and it’s the third stretch between a trailhead known as the Donkey Islands at Maringo in Millwood and the State Line trailhead that crews are working on. Historically, the land the trail covers was inhabited by the Spokane People, a interior Salish speaking Indigenous population that now
resides on a reservation around Wellpinit in Stevens County.
Heavy machinery and large vehicles, such as an asphalt truck, will move across the 14-mile span while sealing pavement cracks, repairing damaged sections of the trail, and resurfacing the entire segment with a fresh overlay of asphalt. Other projects include replacing bollards, refreshing markings, and tuning up information kiosks.
Before any of the trail specific repairs can happen, crews must trim trees and chip them to prepare for the equipment, while the utility access vaults and storm drains built into the trail will need to be raised to meet the new trail surface. Once those items are completed, work on repaving the surface and adding trail amenities can begin, and the project will hopefully wrap up early fall.
“This section of the Centennial Trail was some of the first pavement laid out over thirty years ago,” Rex Schultz said. Schultz works as the community engagement manager for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s Inland Northwest and Blue Mountain area. This asphalt overlay project will provide a smooth trail surface for many years to come.”
The current project has been years in the making and required cooperation at all levels of government and in the nonprofit sector. Between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the parks and recreation departments of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Spokane County, the park is cared for and overseen using state dollars through the cooperation of the nonprofit, Friends of the Centennial Trail. Together, the five bodies form a coordinating council and share a mutual responsibility to steward the state park. The nonprofit is the civilian arm and is funded completely through private donations from community members.
Friends of the Centennial Trail matched a grant donation the coordination council received from a grant program through its maintenance fund, contributing $10,000 toward the upcoming work. Their match donation came from the nonprofit’s Trail Builder Fund, which anyone can donate to by visiting their website, but their primary funding comes from their membership fundraising activities.
“Becoming (a member)...has really been the longstanding way
that many of our community friends and supporters have given over the decades to the trail,” McFaul said. “It started with medallion support over 30 years ago and continues with kind of annual fund gifts from those people.”
Closing a significant portion of the trail just in time for Summer isn’t ideal, but McFaul and Schultz both emphasized that the scale of the equipment and the nature of the work presents major safety hazards to the public.
“No one wants to close the trail, that’s not our goal here, but at the same time, it’s just like road construction; there’s only a short window,” McFaul said. “The thing that leads and directs all the traffic for the asphalt projects is the plants, and those things close in November.”
In the meantime, McFaul encouraged anyone hoping to enjoy the closed section of the trail to enjoy the other 50 miles of available trail through the project. She also warned that law enforcement and park rangers will have a presence during construction to prevent trespassers.
As for what the future holds for the state park and the greater community as a whole, McFaun said she wants to see the trail evolve into a major alternative to cars when navigating the Inland Northwest. She’s referring to a concept called ‘active transportation’, or the act of traveling without a motor vehicle. In order for that to happen, McFaul said administrators need to figure out a way to welcome people from all backgrounds while making sure everyone feels safe.
“There’s a lot of litter, there’s a lot of illegal camping, and people feel unsafe that are on the trail,” McFaul said. “People who want to recreate on the Centennial Trail…visitors and residents alike…have a right to do so safely and to feel secure and safe. That’s really important for us.”
In the much nearer future, additional phases of construction will address different sections needing repair work to ensure the trail endures for another 30 years. To support future projects, donations to the Friends of the Centennial Trail or participation in surveys provided by the state parks and recreation commission are encouraged.
