RIVER CROSSING
Diamond Life
– Cancel leads Spokane Indians with sage approach
By Craig Howard
Current Contributing Editor
One of Robinson Cancel’s first – and most cherished – baseball memories is cheering for his dad as he raced home in a semi-pro game in his native Puerto Rico.
“I remember he stole home and he was safe,” Cancel said. “There was dust in the air everywhere.”
In a land where legends like Roberto Clemente, Luis Orroyo and Orlando Cepeda are woven into the culture as local heroes who secured their legacy on baseball’s biggest stage, Cancel grew up hoping to one day to reach the pinnacle of the sport. He never felt pressure to succeed from his family or others, however.
“I think I went at my own pace,” he said.
By his junior year in high school, Cancel was good enough to play for a semi-pro team that would be the equivalent of a double-A club in the U.S. By 18, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as a catcher. His first stop was rookie league in Chandler, Arizona.
“It was super hot in the Phoenix area,” Cancel recalls. “I had to get up at 5 a.m. to get ready for our games. It took a while to settle in.”
English also presented a challenge but Cancel caught on quickly. The American emphasis on punctuality was an adjustment as well.
“In Puerto Rico, when someone says 1 o’clock, you can show up at 1:20 and be OK but not here,” he said.
Cancel credits two of his minor league managers – Ralph
Dickenson in Arizona and Tony DeFrancesco in Midland, Texas – for helping him to develop the focus necessary to excel and progress in his baseball career.
“I remember they were honest about the things I needed to do to get better,” Cancel said.
Life away from Puerto Rico and his family meant plenty of calls back home during his first year in Milwaukee’s system.
“I was on the phone every day at first,” Cancel said.
Cancel made his Major League
debut with the Brewers on Sept. 3, 1999. His first hit came against St. Louis closer Ricky Bottalico.
“It was on a 1-2 count, a single to right,” Cancel said. “I still have the baseball somewhere.”
Cancel logged 15 games with Milwaukee that season but injuries took their toll throughout his career with the first major setback involving surgery to his shoulder. Operations on a knee and elbow followed. By 2001, he found himself as a free agent, eventually signing with Oakland. He would later play for minor league teams
affiliated with Detroit, Tampa Bay, St. Louis and the Chicago Cubs. In January 2007, the New York Mets signed the now-veteran catcher. Cancel made his return to the Major Leagues on June 4, 2008.
On June 15 at Shea Stadium in New York, Cancel was called upon to pinch hit for future Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez with the bases loaded. His single to centerfield scored two runs and ended up being the margin of victory in an 8-7 Mets’ win over the Texas Rangers. For the season,
See CANCEL, Page 4
Photo courtesy of Spokane Indians
Spokane Indians’ Manager Robinson Cancel played parts of four Major League Baseball seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets and Houston Astros. The
Washington State Depar tment of Veterans Affairs Legislator of the Year
Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs Legislator of the Year
S ecure the border.
Lower the cost of food and fuel. Prioritize Public S afety to keep our families safe.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels
Former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich
Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney
State Rep. Suzanne Schmidt
Mayor of Liberty Lake Cris Kaminskas
Liberty Lake City Council Member Dan Dunne
Spokane Valley Council Member Ben Wick
Spokane County Clerk Tim Fitzgerald
WA Council of Police & Sheriffs
Spokane Police Guild
International Association of Firefighters, Spokane Local 29, 2916, & 3711
State Representative Suzanne Schmidt & Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney
CANCEL
Continued from page 2
Cancel batted .245 in 27 games.
Cancel’s final stop in the big leagues was with the Houston Astros in 2011. He spent two more years in baseball and retired in 2013. It wasn’t long after Cancel’s playing days were over before the prospect of coaching emerged. The Atlanta Braves hired him to manager their Gulf Coast League club in 2015. After leading a team in the Mexican Pacific League, Cancel returned to the States to manage Boise’s short-season A squad.
Before being hired as manager of the Spokane Indians in 2023, Cancel led the single-A Fresno Grizzlies to the playoffs in consecutive seasons. His first year in Spokane produced a 62-67 season.
As the 2024 campaign dawned, Cancel was optimistic about his club’s chances.
I am trying to pass along what I learned. The players are pretty good about listening.
Q: How would you describe yourself as a manager? Are you a Lou Pinella type who’s going to be more emotional and vocal with players and umpires or more like a Joe Torre leading his team with a quiet authority that generated respect among players?
A: I feel like I’m a quiet leader. I don’t yell at people but if something’s going on, I will address it and make sure the message is clear. I’m not that angry man. I like to let the team play and be themselves.
Q: Was there a point in your career as a player when you began thinking about transitioning into the coaching field?
TRUSTED LEADERSHIP WITH A COMMON SENSE VISION
ENDORSED BY:
Spokane County Commissioner Mary Kuney
Millwood Mayor Kevin Freeman
Spokane Valley Council Member Ben Wick
Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner Patrick Burch
Spokane Valley Fire Commissioner John Guarisco
Realtor Brenda McKinley
Dusty Wetzler
Ed Conley
“We just want to play as a team,” he said back in March. “If the players are developing the right way, they’re going to be winners.”
Cancel proved to be right. The Indians finished the first half of the Northwest League season at 38-26, good for first place and a guaranteed post-season berth as well as homefield advantage when the playoffs begin Sept. 10. Spokane will be vying for its first league title since 2008.
In the off-season, Cancel lives in Orlando with his wife. The couple is proud parents to three children.
Q: As a minor leaguer who overcame the odds and reached your goal of playing in the majors, what do you tell your players about what it takes to reach the pinnacle of pro baseball?
A: First, I tell them you’ve got to have discipline, you’ve got to have some kind of commitment as a person. You should also try to listen to what guys with experience try to help you with. As a manager, I’m not really sharing my experience of what it took to get to the big leagues but
A: I played for a long time so after I got older, I started thinking that I could still do something related to baseball in a little while. I think it was during my last two years as a player. I felt like I’d learned a lot from the game and could share it with younger generations.
Q: What are some of the keys to getting the most out of your players?
A: This is why we have the long season. If I feel like if they’re not going the right direction, we’re going to talk about it. That’s part of it, getting them to that next level. Every day, we’re having player meetings, individual meetings and I have them explain what their goals are or what they’re trying to do as a player.
Q: What’s special about being part of the Spokane Indians?
A: There’s a lot of great history here. I mean Tommy Lasorda managed here. That’s pretty unique. You look at some of the players who played in Spokane and they went on to become superstars in the big leagues. The fans here are great. I really appreciate that. From the minute you walk in, the fans, the front office, everyone treats you right. They do it right here.
Q: What are your long-term goals on the managing front?
A: Every coach’s long-range
goal is to get to the big leagues. I want to help the organization as much as I can. I would love to get up there at some point but I don’t want to be there until I’m ready. I want to make sure I’m ready in every aspect of the game even off the field to help the organization. You’ve got to take it step by step like a baseball player. I don’t want to get ahead of myself but I feel I could help in many capacities.
Q: You had a nine-year gap between your initial big-league premiere with Milwaukee and your return to the show with the New York Mets. What kept you motivated to get back during that time away?
A: Well, first of all, you have family to take care of. The second thing is I love the game of baseball so I wanted to play as long as I could. It felt great when I got back. It’d been nine years since I’d been on a major league field, so it felt like I was a rookie again. Working my way back, I knew I had to stay healthy, stay in shape and obviously put up some numbers and be a good teammate.
Q: Baseball is a game but for you and others, it’s also a business. How have you found a balance between those two worlds since you were drafted by Milwaukee 30 years ago?
A: It’s kind of tough sometimes but you’ve got to deal with it, just be a professional about it. It is what it is. At the end of the day, you love the game of baseball but, at the same time, there’s business involved and you just deal with it and do your best as a player. I just felt like it’s important to just get out there and play and the other things will take care of themselves.
Q: Finally, with all the entertainment and recreation options out there this summer, why should people come out to cheer on the Spokane Indians at Avista Stadium?
A: There’s a lot of stuff going on. There’s things happening between innings, there’s food, they have everything. I think it’s a different experience for people who have never been to a baseball game. They do a good job keeping people entertained and engaged.
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The maps provided depict where citizens have reported Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries, Malicious Mischief and Thefts. The Spokane Valley Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s office analyze this data to determine high crime areas and where to allocate resources. Citizens who have been a victim of crime are encouraged to call 911, if the crime is in progress, or Crime Check at 4562233, if not in progress, to report a crime.
2024 May Theft Hotspots
SAFETY TIP OF THE MONTH
The Benefits of Installing Security Cameras on Your Home
Deputy Chris Johnston, Crime Prevention Unit
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office/Spokane Valley Police Department
Not long ago, most homeowners likely believed that installing a security camera system on their home would be too costly, too complex, and difficult to operate. Now, however, advances in the technology of these systems have made them affordable. And, if someone like myself can set up and operate one of these systems, anybody can!
CCTV, or “closed-circuit television” systems, are a fantastic way to protect your home. Let’s discuss some of the many benefits of having a CCTV system installed as a form of home security:
1. Visible video cameras are an excellent deterrent! Bad guys, particularly burglars who are looking for a home to enter, just might think twice about breaking into your house if they believe they will be recorded doing so. In this way, the presence of cameras may help prevent you from becoming the victim of a crime. Which leads me into the next benefit…
2. Recording creates evidence! If a burglary, theft, or some other type of crime should occur, law enforcement can often use the video recording from the system to identify, and even prosecute, the perpetrator. The CCTV system that I have on my home helped me do exactly that, on more than one occasion!
3. The ability to check up on the kids or elderly family members in real time. It’s always nice to have another set of eyes on your children as well as your aging relatives when they are home alone. Adding remote video will allow you to log in and check up on them from your office computer, tablet, or smart phone. Indoor cameras can also be used to keep an eye on younger kids and their babysitters.
4. Checking up on your pets. Ever wonder what mischief your furry friends are getting into when you’re away? Worried about an older pet that might need special attention? With a home security camera, you can ensure that your four-legged loved ones are safe and sound. And, not gnawing through the leather on your new sofa!
5. Saving money on homeowners insurance. Most major insurers will offer lower premiums if you choose to protect your property with a CCTV system. If you piggyback an existing security system with CCTV, such an advanced system could net up to a 15% discount on rates. This, of course, depends on many other factors, but I have been informed that such discounts do exist.
So, what to do now? It’s time to do your homework, and begin shopping! It’s important to first ascertain what your specific needs are, and what your budget will allow. Most modern systems are digital, so there are no pesky cassette tapes to replace- the data that is recorded by the cameras is stored to a hard drive (or the cloud), just like your home computer. Some questions to ask yourself should include:
1. How many cameras do I need?
2. Do I need/want cameras indoors, outdoors, or both?
3. Do I want cameras that are activated by motion, or always on?
4. Do I want the ability to check the cameras remotely, as discussed above?
5. Should I use wired, or wireless cameras?
6. Is IR, or infrared technology important (this allows recording in dark conditions)?
7. Do I want audio monitoring as well, so I can hear what happened/ is happening?
There are other less expensive ways to achieve a little bit of video security, such as “doorbell” cameras, and even systems that have only one or two channels. Just remember, like anything else, you get what you pay for. I installed my system a few years ago, at a cost of roughly $2000. There are systems for $500, and there are systems for $20,000. Doorbell cameras can be had for around $150.
So, if you’ve been considering a CCTV system, now is a great time to do some research and see what’s available to help protect your home. Be safe, everyone!
2024 May Burglary Hotspots
4th Legislative District Senate candidates
By Nina Culver
Current contributor
Longtime Washington State Senator Mike Padden, who was elected in 2011 after previously serving for 14 years in the House of Representatives, announced his retirement from his 4th District seat earlier this year, prompting four Republicans and two Democrats to file to replace him.
Current 4th District Representative Leonard Christian filed for Padden’s seat instead of running for re-election for his own seat in the House of Representatives. He’s joined by Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley, Spokane Valley City Councilman Al Merkel, operations manager Paige Scott, small business owner Mike Kelly and paralegal Miguel Valencia.
Kelly, who has been endorsed by Padden, has amassed the most campaign donations, raising $52,800. Christian has collected just over $19,000 and Haley is close behind with donations of $13,616. Valencia has raised $4,226, while Scott and Merkel have chosen the mini-reporting option and pledged not to raise more than $5,000.
Christian, a Republican, was elected to his House seat in 2022 and previously was appointed to serve a partial term in the same seat in 2014. He retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant and currently
works as a real estate agent. He’s also a licensed pilot and aircraft mechanic.
Christian said he decided to run for Padden’s seat because he thinks he’s the best candidate for the job. “These opportunities do not come around very often,” he said. “The easiest thing would have been to stay a state representative. My whole life is about taking opportunities when they come along. I don’t have to do it. I want to do it. I want to serve the community.”
He said he also filed because he wanted to give Republicans a choice from Padden’s chosen successor, Kelly, who has a criminal history. He said he worried that voters wouldn’t approve of Kelly’s background and didn’t want the Republicans to lose the seat.
People have been telling him their concerns about the price of insurance, housing and food, Christian said. Daycare is also hard to find and very expensive. “Right now, the economy is it,” he said. “Nobody has any money and they’re broke. It’s the number one thing I hear. I think we might get
some traction going this year on some of those issues.”
He points to his successes in the House of Representatives, including getting more than $250,000 for a preschool that needed new playground equipment and $1 million for senior housing. He also focused on stopping what he calls bad legislation, including an effort to give felons still in the jail the right to vote, Christian said.
His relationships in the House and the Senate will allow him to be effective from the start, Christian said. “I think experience matters,” he said.
Haley, also a Republican, has owned a daycare in downtown Spokane for many years. She has served on the city council since 2016 and is in her second term as mayor. She said she decided to run because she has seen how regulations approved in Olympia affect citizens.
“I feel like the perspective of living through that will be helpful in Olympia,” she said.
She said she was also encouraged
by others to run for the senate seat. “I had thought about it before,” she said. “Anytime there’s a vacant seat, there’s going to be a crowd.”
Haley said public safety is one of the more pressing issues in the district, including the lack of marijuana tax revenue that was promised to local governments by the state to help pay for additional officers. “That revenue never materialized,” she said. “We didn’t get the money we were promised.”
Maintaining roads and other infrastructure is also important, she said, as is a proper response to the fentanyl problem. Haley said she would like to see laws in that area strengthened, particularly after two young children enrolled in her daycare died from it last year. One accidentally ingested a fentanyl pill that looked like candy and was left easily accessible and the other was deliberately given the drug by a parent who wanted to make the child sleepy, Haley said.
“Neither one of those people ever saw a night in jail,” she said.
Leonard Christian
Mike Kelly
Pam Haley
Haley said her strong business background and experience in city government are assets in the race for the Senate seat. “I can work collaboratively,” she said. “I think I have a history with that. I have a lot of history in the 4th District. I have lived here since I was in high school.”
Haley said that if she were to win the Senate seat, she would keep her position on the Spokane Valley City Council at least until her term ends at the end of 2025. “I could Zoom in,” she said of council meetings. “It’s a lot easier now than it used to be.”
Kelly, a Republican, has lived in Spokane Valley since 2020 and was appointed to serve on the Spokane Valley Planning Commission in March. Kelly was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on a felony drug related charge in 1989. His campaign website states that he “chose to involve himself in the financing of transactions involving controlled substances.”
While in prison, Kelly researched case law and learned that his original charge was missing a certain element required to make it a felony, Kelly said. He successfully appealed his sentence and served less than six years of his original sentence. He declined to comment further on his criminal history.
Since then Kelly has owned a series of small businesses, invested in real estate and worked as a controller. “I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunities from a lot of directions,” he said.
Kelly said he’s been involved in political campaigns before and has
COVER STORY
always been politically aware. “I wanted to step up and fill the gap,” he said. “I felt like it was a call of duty, almost.”
He is concerned about over regulation, the lack of affordable housing and schools that he believes do not focus enough on fundamentals. School boards don’t have enough local control and are just relegated to enacting state policies, Kelly said. He also wants to “centralize” homelessness so that it doesn’t spread.
Kelly said he is a conservative candidate, both fiscally and socially.
“I’m the most passionate about the issues and I would be the most vocal for the district and the people who live there,” he said. “I really want to be of service. People feel like their vote doesn’t count anymore.”
Merkel, a Republican, is a small business owner and has served on the Spokane Valley City Council since January. His time on the council has been contentious, with complaints filed against him regarding how he interacts with city staff and how he uses his personal social media accounts. Merkel often seems to be publicly at odds with many of his fellow council members.
Merkel said that since he’s been on the council he’s pushed for the city to hire additional police officers, after a report was completed showing that the city should hire dozens of new officers in order
to attain adequate staffing levels. The council recently voted to hire 10 new officers and Merkel said he would continue to focus on the issue if he wins the senate seat. He said cities were promised a share of the marijuana tax money to use for policing, but it hasn’t materialized.
“This would be a good way to fix that situation,” he said of using marijuana tax money to fund new officers. “Our lack of police leads to a lack of policing in the 4th. This is my primary focus. This is my main mission.”
He said the 4th District is challenged by its position next to the border to Idaho, which has lower sales tax, easier business licensing requirements and a lower minimum wage, making it attractive to shoppers and employers. Merkel said he would advocate for creating an economic trade zone within 20 miles of the Idaho border that would return sales taxes to businesses to help them compete with Idaho businesses. “I think it would lead to reduced prices,” he said. “I think it would lead to competitive wages.”
People are also suffering because of land use restrictions in the Growth Management Act, which should be eliminated, Merkel said. School boards also lack local control and are forced to spend money on state mandates. “I’m gonna go over there and fix it,” he said. “We need local control.”
If Merkel is elected to the Senate he said he intends to keep his seat on the Spokane Valley City Council. “I’m not giving up anything,” he said.
Scott, a Democrat, did not respond to several requests for an interview.
Currently working as an operations manager, she has previously worked for The Kraft Group and Affiliates, Target and Cabela’s. According to a brief statement from her campaign, she grew up in the Spokane area and returned in 2022. She supports a living wage, affordable housing, mental health enhancements, criminal justice reform and comprehensive services for veterans, according to the statement.
“She will work to bring common ground to better our community,” the statement reads.
Valencia, also a Democrat, hails from Othello, Washington, and served in the U.S. Army for nearly four years and has served in the Army National Guard for nearly three years. He works as a paralegal for a local law firm and is attending law school.
Valencia said he believes the state needs new leaders and not the same old politicians. He filed to run for the Senate seat before Padden announced his retirement. “I felt we need to have leaders in Washington State who represent the working class,” he said. “ I thought he was going to run for re-election. I’m still the best person to do that work on behalf of the people in the district.”
He said many are struggling with the price of everything from eggs to gas, living from paycheck to paycheck with little, if anything, in savings. He said he will advocate for free daycare and paid family leave and also wants to expand maternal care.
His wife is pregnant with their third child and Valencia said he has seen the impact on local OBG/ YN offices after many doctors fled Idaho after the state enacted strict abortion restrictions. “I could see immediately the stress that had on our system,” he said. “A lot of them come here for care. We need to have someone in the Senate who will uphold a woman’s right to choose.”
Valencia said he’s not a partisan person and doesn’t hate Republicans. He said he believes voters should look past partisan politics and find the candidate who will represent working class voters.
“I think people shouldn’t accept how things are and they should have someone who is willing to go in and fight to change it,” he said.
Albert Merkel
Paige Scott
Miguel Valencia
4th Legislative District representative candidates
By Nina Culver Current contributor
A vacant seat was created in Washington State’s 4th Legislative District when incumbent Leonard Christian decided not to run for reelection and to instead run to fill Senator Mike Padden’s seat after Padden announced his retirement early this year.
The vacancy encouraged six candidates to file to run for Christian’s seat, House of Representatives position 2, including four Republicans and two Democrats. The primary election in August will narrow the field to the two who receive the most votes, who will then advance to the November election.
Ted Cummings, Stephen Major and Ed Wood have chosen not to fundraise for the election, instead selecting the mini-reporting option that pledges not to collect more than $5,000 in donations. The candidate with the largest amount of donations is Republican Michael Schmidt, a fourth-generation cattle rancher and real estate agent, who has raised $24,631 as of June 20. Republican Brandi Peetz, formerly on the Spokane Valley City Council, has raised $6,139 and Republican Rob Chase, who previously served the 4th District, has raised $4,300.
Chase has held several offices and has been a frequent political candidate. He previously ran for state Senate in 2000, the U.S. House in 2002 and Spokane County Commission in 2012 and again in 2018. He was elected Spokane County treasurer in 2010 and again in 2014. He was elected as a state representative in District 4 in 2020, but served only one two-year term before he ran for re-election and lost.
Chase said he was successful during his short time in the House of Representatives, introducing 17 bills and co-sponsoring more than 100 others, and he wants to continue that work. “I enjoyed it as much as I could and I got things done,” he said. “I’d like to get back.”
Voter integrity is a key issue for Chase, who has previously said the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump and tried to get the Washington Secretary of State to “decertify” the election results. Chase said voters need to be able to be sure that their vote isn’t changed after they cast it. He believes the way to do that is to go back to in-person voting. “I think there needs to be more transparency,” he said.
Chase said his experience in the legislature makes him a good fit for the seat. “I’ve got the experience,” he said. “I think we need to return to the values that work.”
Cummings, a Democrat, owns a small cattle ranch in Chattaroy and has worked at Kaiser Aluminum since 1988, with the exception of a brief stint at Alcoa. He’s a 34-year member of the United Steelworkers Union and until recently was the financial secretary for USW Local 338. He is currently vice president of the Washington State Labor Council.
Cummings said it was his work in the union, including bargaining with management, that led to his interest in politics. He ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2018, the House of Representatives in 2018 and again in 2022 and for Spokane County Commissioner in 2020. Cummings said he targeted races that were lacking in candidates because he wanted to make sure voters had a choice. “I made a pledge that I wouldn’t let a Republican run unopposed,” he said.
He said he believes the current Republican Party has been normalizing hate and bigotry and he wants to fight back. “ The MAGA Republican movement is just
unhinged,” he said. “You can see it starts at the top. The Supreme Court has really changed the landscape on state’s rights. I think it’s important that someone is pushing back on women’s reproductive rights.”
Inflation and affordable housing are also a big issue in the district, Cummings said. “When you can’t afford housing, you can’t afford health care, you can’t afford fixing your car or buying a new one. It’s all intertwined.”
Voters should pay attention to the character of candidates, Cummings said. “I think character is first and foremost,” he said. “I’m proud of the man I am. I’ve taken a real interest in improving people’s lives through my work in the union.”
Major, a Republican, is a longtime real estate investor and also launched Extreme Expeditions LLC in 2017, becoming known for his work to prove the existence of Bigfoot. He’s been involved in Republican campaigns as a volunteer for decades and served as a Republican precinct committee officer since 2005. In 2016 he was a delegate for the state convention and supported Trump for president because he thought the party needed to be shaken up. But he hasn’t liked the direction it has gone in.
“In frustration, I left in 2020,” he said of his PCO position. “I’m at odds with the Spokane County Republican party. They seem to have gone down a path that’s not realistic. They’ve forgotten how to represent the people.”
Major said the focus now seems to be on whether Republicans support Trump, not on what they
can do about issues in Washington State. Such hyper-partisanship has become a problem, he said. “We have to represent our constituents in our state,” he said.
His goal would be to work to bring civility back to politics, Major said. “We all have to live here together and we have to figure out how to work together,” he said. “People can’t even talk to each other any more.”
He would also work to reduce small business regulations and taxes and increase affordable housing. The criminal justice system is broken and needs reform, Major said, including the addition of programs to address drug addiction and recidivism. “It’s not working,” he said. “All we’re doing is locking people up. There’s no reform in that.”
Above all, politicians need to end the petty bickering, Major said. “I will change the status quo,” he said. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to make a difference for my family and my community.”
Peetz, who served on the Spokane Valley City Council for six years and served as the deputy mayor for part of that time, also served as chair of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission. She has accumulated many endorsements, including from the Republicans of Spokane County, the Spokane County Deputy Sheriffs Association and numerous elected officials, including Christian.
Peetz said she anticipated taking a break from politics after deciding not to run for re-election for her city council seat, stepping down at the end of 2023. But she changed her mind after Padden announced his retirement and Christian announced his candidacy for Padden’s seat.
Brandi Peetz
Ted Cummings
Ed Wood
COVER STORY
“I’ve always wanted to do this,” she said. “I just didn’t know it would be that soon. Opportunity doesn’t knock twice.”
Her desire to run for a state legislative seat intensified during a trip to Olympia last year when numerous people suggested she consider running, Peetz said. “That kind of laid the groundwork,” she said.
There are numerous needs in the district, including burdensome regulations on small businesses and the lack of affordable housing for families, Peetz said. “It really depends on what group of people you’re talking to,” she said.
Public safety was a focus for Peetz when she was on the city council and that hasn’t changed, she said. “Without a safe community you can’t pursue any of the other issues,” she said.
It’s important to hit the ground running in the House of Representatives since legislators only serve two years, Peetz said. She believes her relationships in the House and Senate will allow her to do so. She said she’s willing to talk to all stakeholders and said she researches issues to learn more about them. “I’m willing to talk to all different kinds of people,” she said.
Schmidt said he wanted to run for
the seat because he was concerned for the future of his grandchildren. “I decided I had to stand up for my grandkids’ right to work and live and ranch in Eastern Washington,” he said. “I’m going to do what’s best for my grandkids and in doing that I’ll be doing what is best for other people’s kids and grandkids. I think we can rally together and make the future brighter for everyone.”
Public safety is a big issue, particularly since it has been hard to recruit new police officers in recent years, Schmidt said. “If we don’t feel secure, it affects everything,” he said.
He’s also a strong proponent of parents rights in education, Schmidt said. He believes government needs to be reined in. “Government is just this beast that keeps consuming more and more,” he said.
Schmidt said the political pendulum has swung too far and there needs to be more unity. He said he wants to work in everyone’s best interests. “I want to unite the party,” he said. “Our country is fractured, our state is fractured. We need more leaders and less politicians. There’s a lot of middle ground we can do some good in.”
Wood, a Democrat, was a 40-year employee of Qwest Corporation
(now CenturyLink) before retiring and is still executive vice president of Communication Workers of America Local 7818.
Wood said his job with the union was to work to get health care and good wages and benefits for workers. He would like to continue that work in the 4th District. “I don’t believe the other side cares about those issues at all,” he said. “I absolutely believe the Republican party does not represent the working people in the 4th Legislative District.”
He said he’s concerned about the spread of extreme right wing efforts to gain control of local school boards. “They want to ban books, they only want their issues taught,” he said.
People need to get back to working together with political opponents in a civil manner, Wood said. “You lead and you agree to things by consensus,” he said. “You have to be able to work with the other side. So much more can be done if you work together.”
Wood said he’s willing to work for his constituents, not his own agenda. “I think I’m the best candidate to represent the district,” he said.
Primary Ballots are due August 6th!
Rob Chase
Stephen Major
COVER STORY
Congressional candidate roll call as primary ballot deadline passes
By Nina Culver Current contributor
The announcement from longtime 5th District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers that she would not seek re-election this year triggered a rush of candidates vying to replace her. As the primary election approaches in August, there are 11 people, five Democrats and six Republicans, running to represent the sprawling district that includes much of Eastern Washington. The top two vote getters will advance to the general election in November.
Bernadine Bank (D)
Bank, a longtime OB/GYN who currently works as a physician at the Community Health Association Clinic (CHAS), is one of two candidates endorsed by the Spokane County Democrats. She said she’s concerned that the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade has launched other restrictions, including laws or proposed laws in some states that call for women who receive abortions to be charged with murder. “The Dobbs decision has created catastrophic health care in so many places for women,” she said. “Things just started getting too extreme.”
More recently there have been attempts to ban or restrict access to various types of contraception, even though contraception is also used to treat a variety of medical issues in women. “So much of what women take contraception for isn’t for contraception,” she said. “There’s so much collateral damage.”
Ultimately, she’s concerned about women being able to access needed reproductive health care in some states, but not others. That could, in turn, impact everything from housing to employment. “I don’t think we can move forward as a country as long as we have women as second-class citizens,” she said.
She’s also concerned about the PFAS contamination in the groundwater on the West Plains and said too many areas of Washington are losing access to health care. “We need to make sure we don’t lose any more hospitals,” she said.
The government also needs to address mental health care, veteran’s health care and homelessness, Bank said.
Michael Baumgartner (R)
Baumgartner previously served as a state senator in the 6th Legislative District for eight years and currently is serving as the Spokane County treasurer. He said he’s currently worried about inflation and the abundance of hyper-partisanship
across the nation. “We worry that our kids are losing their shot at the American dream,” he said. “I think a lot of people are struggling with the economy.”
During his time in the senate, Baumgartner said he helped create the Washington State University medical school, helped fund the North-South Freeway and helped fund a needed overpass near Medical Lake. He also fought against tax increases and, as treasurer, advocated for taxpayers, Baumgartner said.
He also points to his year with the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and his work as a counter narcotics advisor with a program in Afghanistan as reasons he would do well in Congress. “I believe I have the skills and experience to go to Washington, D.C., and fight for Eastern Washington,” he said. “I’m the only candidate who stepped forward to serve our country overseas.”
Bobbi Bennett-Wolcott (D)
Bennett-Wolcott, a Pullman certified nurse midwife, describes herself as a leftleaning moderate and said she considered filing as an independent. She traces her moderate political views to her childhood at the family’s Okanogan orchard, where her father was a staunch Republican and her mother was a devoted Democrat. They taught her how to have a respectful political discussion. “That made for very interesting discussions at the dinner table,” she said. “I’m a peacemaker. I can listen to different points of view. If we had an honest discussion, we could probably find some common ground.”
Today’s political discourse has become vitriolic and is no longer focused on the actual issues, she said. And the issues in the 5th district are important, she said, including the needs of farmers, access to maternal health care and mental health care for veterans.
“Six of our 11 counties are facing what we call a maternity desert, which is a shortage of maternal care,” she said.
Her husband is an Army veteran and Bennett-Wolcott said she is aware that veterans, particularly homeless veterans, have much higher suicide rates. She would like to see the access to mental health care for veterans increase, particularly in the rural areas of the district.
Jonathan Bingle (R)
Bingle, a former pastor and current member of the Spokane City Council, is running on the vision of “An American Revival.” His focus is on bringing people closer to God and preventing the country from transitioning to a post-Christian society. “I know nobody is going to bring
that message to the people,” he said. “There’s a real battle for the soul of the country right now.”
He believes immigration is one of the top issues and recently took a trip to the southern border. Parental rights and inflation are also important issues, Bingle said. “The radical trans ideology that is coming up is a huge problem,” he said.
Bingle said President Donald Trump’s huge corporate tax cuts were a benefit to the economy and he would like to cut the corporate tax rates even further. His goal would also be to slash the budget of the “alphabet agencies” to create a “more free and prosperous country.”
Carmela Conroy (D)
Conroy, a former Spokane County deputy prosecuting attorney and retired diplomat, announced her run for the Fifth District last year, before McMorris Rodgers announced her plan to retire. She, along with Bank, received an endorsement from the Spokane County Democrats. She’s also been endorsed by several local Democratic politicians, including Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown. “I just became convinced we weren’t being well served by our congressional representative,” she said. “It just seemed like she was out of touch with the people of her district.”
Women’s reproductive rights are an important issue and, now that Washington is filling that need for women in some nearby states, must be protected here, Conroy said. Women deserve the freedom to make those “intensely personal” decisions nationwide, she said. “It’s super important that those reproductive services continue to be available,” she said.
As a third-generation Fifth District resident, Conroy said she knows the issues that are important to residents and she also knows how to work with the various Federal agencies. “I have the experience to hit the ground running,” she said. “For almost 30 years, I was an apolitical public servant. I did everything I could to return value to the taxpayer.”
During her career with the U.S. Department of State, Conroy said she worked with Tom Foley when he was
the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. She often remembers his advice to focus on solving problems. “I think that’s what people want,” she said.
Ann Marie Danimus (D)
Danimus, who owns a marketing and business development firm, said she’s running because she didn’t think McMorris Rodgers was doing a good job. “I felt the needs of the people here were not being met,” she said. “The people in the district will be my priority.”
She has pledged not to accept corporate donations because she doesn’t want to be beholden to what companies want. “I’m the only candidate who won’t take corporate money,” she said. “There are easy fixes for some of the problems. It’s corporate money that gets in the way.”
Danimus said that women’s reproductive health, including access to contraceptives, is important even though those rights are protected in Washington. She said unemployment rates in rural areas are an issue, as is health care. “Our rural areas are really suffering,” she said. “Senior care and health care is attached to that. Healthcare is a national issue.”
Brian Dansel (R)
Dansel, currently serving as a Ferry County Commissioner, previously served as a State Senator in District 7 from 2013-2017 and left that position after he was named a special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He was also the director of the state’s USDA Farm Service Agency. He has been endorsed by the Spokane County Republicans.
“I thought my experience in local government and as a state senator and as an appointee of President Trump gave me a good set of skills,” he said. “I’m probably the most in rough with working people here in the Fifth District.”
He said the top issue is securing the border and creating a “sane” economic policy. He said he would also work to protect the Snake River dams and Fairchild Air Force Base. He said the current health care system is a mess and he doesn’t think people should be forced
Anne Marie Danimus
Bernadine Bank
to go broke if they get sick or injured. “I don’t think people should lose everything they worked for,” he said.
He’s also in favor of having a law enforcement officer of some sort at every public school so they can be a “preventative force.”
He believes he has a unique viewpoint that sets him apart from other candidates. “I’m the most well rounded,” he said. “I think I’m your guy.”
Rick Valentine Flynn (R) Flynn, an Air Force veteran, is a farmer and a caregiver with the VA as well as serving on the Spokane County Water Conservation Board. A self-described moderate Republican, he said he thought it was important that he enter the race so that voters have a choice. “I’m seeing the Republican party being pulled so far to the right, they’re hemorrhaging voters,” he said. “Clearly, a more moderate voice is needed and none of the other candidates provide that. I’m a sane option that’s in the middle. We’ve had too much polarization. We need to reunite in the middle.”
Flynn said the success of local farms is an important issue for the district and the increasing number of drought years, such as this one, means that something has to be done to ensure farmers get the water they need. “Without farmers, we don’t have food,” he said.
He’d also like to focus on what the rise of artificial intelligence means to the number of available jobs and veteran health care. “I can honestly say it’s the worst health care system in the country,”
COVER STORY
he said.
As part of that, he believes disabled veterans should be able to opt into Medicare or Medicaid so they can choose their own doctors. “It would give veterans more choice in their health care,” he said.
Rene Holaday (R)
Holaday, who describes herself on her web site as a “MAGA Christian Patriot,” has a weekday radio show called “The Morning Commute with JJS and Lady Liberty” with her husband on the American Christian Network. She is a self-described UN expert and was among the leaders in one of several efforts to make Eastern Washington into a separate state. She also founded a Stevens County property rights group.
“I’ve been politically engaged and active in leading local, state and national movements for the last 18 years,” she said.
She recently wrote a proposed bill that she encouraged her radio listeners to send to their elected representatives in the hopes of getting it sponsored. The bill would have banned electronic voting machines and mail in ballots. She said banning those voting methods means that vote totals could not be manipulated and therefore people who want to stop child trafficking will be elected.
“They steal elections,” she said. “They allow people to win elections who weren’t really elected. Child trafficking would stop and the border would be sealed.”
She said her goal would be to oppose the United Nations, which she said is working to control the population, our
food supply and guns. “The U.N. is synonymous with communism,” she said. “I know how to win all of these fights against the communists. I’m the only one who knows the enemy.”
Jacqueline Maycumber (R)
Maycumber has been a Washington State Representative in the 7th Legislative District in northeast Washington since 2017 who has previously worked as a biomedical research scientist and a law enforcement officer. She currently owns a farm in Republic.
The economy, including inflation, is one of the more pressing issues for people in the district, Maycumber said. “We really have families struggling to pay for everyday things,” she said. “That is, in part, because of politicians.”
Immigration and drugs are key issues in the district, Maycumber said. “We have criminals crossing the border every day and I’m talking about both borders, north and south,” she said.
She points to her work to help pass bills in the Washington House to reduce the price of insulin and create a high school apprenticeship program. “I got a lot done,” she said. “I’m going in there to fight for the average person, for our families.”
Maycumber said her experience in law enforcement would also be an asset.
She’s collected endorsements from nearly every county sheriff in the 5th District, including Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels and former Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. “I’m the only law enforcement officer in the race, the only one who has worn the uniform,” she said.
Matthew Welde (D) Welde, an attorney in the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office who specializes in domestic violence, said he believes in public service and knows how to work in an adversarial system, which he believes government is. “I want to take that skill set to Washington and get things done for the district as a whole,” he said. He wants to work to preserve women’s reproductive rights and increase funding for prosecuting attorneys, who tend to be underfunded and understaffed. “They’re struggling,” he said. “Victims deserve better.”
Welde said he has devoted his career, including a previous job with the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office, to prosecuting domestic violence abusers. “I prosecute women beaters, primarily,” he said. “That’s what I do. I believe in it. It’s important.”
Welde said he believes that anything is possible if people put their minds to it and work together. “I think America is already great,” he said. “We just need to fix a few problems.”
Michael Baungartner Matthew Welde
Rick Flynn
Rene Holaday
Brian Dansel
Jacquelin Maycumber
Carmela Conroy
Jonathan Bingle
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY EVENTS
July 11-13 | CRAVE! – 6 pm CRAVE NW at Spokane Valley, the Inland Northwest’s premier food and drink celebration will be held July 11-13, 2024 at Spokane Valley CenterPlace. CRAVE! NW is the largest culinary event in the Spokane area. It is dedicated to uplifting the culinary scene in the Northwest. This year the 3-day food festival is chef-focused, showcasing the creative talents of visionary chefs and tastemakers from around the region while highlighting the flavors of the great Northwest. You will be entertained with live music and taste some of the best food from regional & national chefs in addition to amazing beer, cider, and wine from our region! 2426 North Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA
RECURRING
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.
Spokane Bicycle Club | 6 to 8 p.m., weekly on Thursday evenings, Spokane Valley Library, 22 N Herald Rd, Spokane Valley. Meeting places, routes, and ride leaders change from week to week, a tailgate party typically follows each ride. All are welcome. For more, call Dave at 509.868.5984.
Baha’i Fireside Conversation | 7 to 8 p.m., third Thursday of the month, Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave. All are welcome. For more, call Dave Sorg at 509.868-5984.
Café Card Club | 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, On Sacred Grounds,
12212 E. Palouse Hwy., Valleyford. Play pinochle, cribbage, or hearts. For more, call 951-7039 or email onsacredgrounsrising@gmail.com.
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 | 2:00 p.m., third Sunday of the month, TriCommunity Grange, 25025 Heather St., Newman Lake. The public is welcome for this community-based service organization. For more, call 509.385.4082.
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. millwoodpc.org.
Rockford Crochet Class | 10 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. Free classes. We have crocheters, knitters, embroidery, quilting and needlepoint. Come and share what you are doing. For more, call 2913722.
Rockford Historical Society | 11:30 a.m. second Friday of the month (February to November), The Harvest Moon, 20 S. First St., Rockford. For more, call 291-3193.
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 Eagles | 16801 E. Sprague Ave. Lunch served Thursdays 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by bingo from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dinner served Fridays 5:30 p.m. More at www.foe3433.com.
Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MondayFriday 10814 E. Broadway Ave. No appointment necessary. For questions and info, call 509-927-1153
Spokane Valley Quilt Guild | Meetings at 6:30 – 8:30 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.
Spokane Valley Senior Citizens Association | 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays at CenterPlace, 2426 N. Discovery Place. Activities include bridge, billiards, book club, Red Hat Ladies, Mahjongg, ACT II classes, foot care, Medicare assistance, monthly excursions to Northern Quest Casino, Meals on Wheels location and more. Annual dues are $25/single or $45/couple. For more, call 509-926-1937 or visit spokanevalleyseniorcenter.org.
MUSIC & THE ARTS
June 21 - July 7 | Spokane Valley Theatre “South Pacific” – Go to https://www.svsummertheatre. com/upcoming for show times and ticket options
July 26 - August 11 | Spokane Valley Theatre “Buddy” – Go to https://www.svsummertheatre. com/upcoming for show times and ticket options
RECURRING
Spirit of Spokane Chorus | 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays, Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road. Make new friends by joining this women’s chorus, specializing in
four-part, a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. More at 509-8666354.
HEALTH & RECREATION
Various Days |Spokane Indians – Go to https://www.milb.com/ spokaneto get the game scedule for this season.
July 27 |Yoga and Beer– 10 am - 12 pm. Enjoy a 45 minute ALLLEVELS Yoga class with a local Yoga Uncorked instructor. We will move, breathe, flow and enjoy some much needed yoga to start off our Sunday Fun-day together! After class you can sit down and relax with a beer of your choice, hang out with your friends, and meet new ones too! $20/person -- Yoga Class only (BEER sold Separately) 21+ only, Tickets are Limited. 2018 E Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99202
July 28 | Cycle Celebration – Join us for Cycle Celebration There are three rides to choose: 10-mile FamilyFriendly Ride, 25-mile Adventure Ride, and a 50-mile Hills Around the Valley Ride. For online registration register at CycleCelebration.com. For more information or call the Valleyfest office at 509-922-3299. We look forward to riding with you. 3027 S Mirabeau Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99216
RECURRING
Al-Anon Family Meetings | Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m., Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines, Spokane Valley. Is there a problem of alcoholism with a relative or a friend? Al-Anon/ Alateen family groups can help. For more, call 509-456-2125.
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
COMMUNITY
509-444-8387 to make an intake appointment.
Military Sobriety Support Group | 10 to 11:30 a.m., Spokane Vet Center, 13109 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Spokane Valley. For more, call Steve at 893-4746.
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.
GriefShare Support Group | The ONE Church, east entrance, 15601 E. 24th Ave., Spokane Valley. join at any time. Designed to help cope with loss, whether recent or years ago. For more, 509-926-3254
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.
Mindful Music & Movement | 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.
CIVIC & BUSINESS
July 20 | GNW Flea Market – 10 am - 6 pm. It’s our 4th annual flea market season! Every third Saturday April-August. 150 indoor vendors, 25 outdoor vendors, Vintage items, Handmade items, Toys, Furniture, Shabby chic, Rustic decor, Pokemon, Candles, Incense, Crystals, Plants, And thousands of other treasures. 6206 E Trent ave, Spokane Wa 99212
RECURRING
Central Valley School Board | 6:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, EVSD administration building, 2218 N. Molter Rd, Liberty Lake.
East Valley School Board | 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, CVSD administration building, 3830 N Sullivan Rd.
West Valley School Board | 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, WVSD administration building, 3219 N Argonne Rd
Spokane Valley City Council | Regular meetings held Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E Sprague Ave.
Millwood City Council | Regular meetings at 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave.
Spokane Flag Museum | Sponsored by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Fairmount Memorial Association, details the rich history of the American flag, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pines Cemetery, 1402 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley. For more, call Stan 509-842-4740 or visit fairmountmemorial.com/south-
July 13| Mulberry Market Warehouse Sale 50% Off– 10 am - 6 pm. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to score amazing deals on high-quality items for your home. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your space or treat yourself to something special, our Warehouse Sale has something for everyone! 17325 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, WA, 99016
FOOD & DRINK CELEBRATION
Spokane Valley Kiwanis | 12 p.m. Tuesdays. Shari’s Restaurant, 320 N Sullivan Rd. More at spokanevalleykiwanis.net.
Greater Spokane Valley Rotary | Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Darcy’s, 10502 E. Sprague Ave. More at svrotary.org.
Submit items for The Current Community Calendar by the 10th of the previous month by emailing editor@valleycurrent. com. Priority is given to noncommercial local events open to the public.
Student of the Month
From the court to the links, Tanner Goldsmith has excelled at Freeman High School. The incoming senior was part of a Scotties’ basketball squad that placed fourth at state last season. Goldsmith scored 37 points against King’s and was named to the All-State Tournament First Team. He had a regular-season high of 28 points. Goldsmith averaged 15.4 points, nine rebounds and two steals per game, earning All Northeast A League First Team honors. He was a second team pick as a sophomore. In golf, Goldsmith has been an All NEA First Team selection and state qualifier for three consecutive years. A fourthgeneration resident of the Freeman community, Goldsmith works on the family farm which he says has helped him “learn what a good work ethic is.” He maintains a 3.85 grade point average and is part of Future Farmers of America.
Athlete of the Month
McKenna Finley has established herself as a Scottie Nation standout in three years at Freeman High School.
The incoming senior has lettered in soccer for three years. Last season, she was part of a district championship team that advanced to state for the third year in a row. The program returns seven seniors this fall. “We’ve really grown as a team,” Finley said. “This is our time to shine,” Finley said. In fastpitch softball, Finley hit .356 as a sophomore with 17 runs batted in. One of the season’s highlights included a 4 for 4 effort with four RBIs in a 7-4 win over Medical Lake. She was named to the Northeast A League First Team, helping the Scotties to a league co-championship. Last season, Finley finished with a .354 average and was named to the All NEA Second Team.
Citizen of the Month
For over two decades, Lee Chessman has been a pillar at SCOPE (Sheriff Community Oriented Policing Effort). The Seattle native began volunteering in 2003 and a year later, took over as director of the SIRT (SCOPE Incident Response Team), a program that specializes in traffic control. “Lee is a phenomenal leader,” said SCOPE Director Chris Conway. “He has been instrumental in training and developing our volunteers.” Chessman spent 23 years in the Air Force, serving in Security Forces, before retiring in 1989 at the rank of Major. He worked as chief operating officer of Tanner Insurance Brokerage in Pleasanton, California before moving to the Spokane area. “I appreciate the sense of giving back to the community through SCOPE,” Chessman said. “Not only with SIRT but the 20-plus programs we have.” Chessman has three kids, one grandchild and five great-grandchildren.
NEWS
Valley council approves project measures, public safety grant application
By John McCallum
Current contributor
Issues with local roadways highlighted Spokane Valley City Council meetings in late May to June.
Council approved three resolutions at its June 4 meeting, two involving a specific project and one dealing with future work between the city and Spokane Transit Authority.
Regarding the latter, council approved an agreement with STA to provide coordination on future transportation projects. According to a staff report, the “Master Design and Construction Agreement provides the framework and mechanism for either agency to include their improvements with the other party’s planned improvements and establish a process for the reimbursement of costs related to the completion of improvements by each party.”
Spokane Valley Public Works Director Bill Helbig said STA has similar contracts with other stakeholders in the coverage area, and state law allows jurisdictions to enter into such agreements for "mutual advantage.”
Individual projects themselves are executed via "Project Orders," which outlines elements such as scope, schedule and budget. The agreement also establishes which party would be the “Managing Party” responsible for overall project construction and which the “Funding Party” responsible for reimbursing the managing party for their portion of the work.
Helbig said the agreement’s benefits include reducing public impact from projects by doing construction in one area once, instead of consecutively per agency, and reduces staff time since it establishes a mutual working agreement between the agencies.
“You’re negotiating that interlocal agreement once rather than negotiating interlocal agreements for every project,” Helbig said.
Councilman Al Merkel, the only member to vote no on the agreement, questioned the timing, noting the city’s past project work with STA.
“Why is this agreement needed now versus all the years we’ve been working with STA?” Merkel asked.
Helbig said past work has been more maintenance-focused while the agreement “is actually project development for new facilities.”
Construction projects approved
Also at the June 4 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a pair of action items related to construction work on Broadway Avenue at the Interstate 90 interchange.
Council awarded the contract for phase 2 of the Broadway to I-90 Preservation Project to Halme Construction. Halme was the lowest responsive bidder of four on the project at $2.08 million.
Phase 1 of the project was completed last year by Inland Asphalt for just over $1.28 million. That portion featured pavement grinding and overlay of new asphalt on Broadway from Fancher Road to Thierrman Street. Phase two continues this work from I-90 to Park Road, and includes installation of ADA curb ramps, stormwater facility enhancements and installation of a new water main for Spokane County Water District 3.
With regards to the latter, the council approved an interlocal agreement with Water District 3 for installation of the water main. According to the agreement, the city will administer the project construction, including the water main installation, while the district will reimburse the city for costs related to the new water main.
Engineering estimate for Phase 2 was $2,189,710. Total costs are estimated at $4.036 million, with two city funds covering $2.56 million of the project. The balance is paid for by a federal grant and $476,000 from Water District 3.
At the May 21 meeting, council
unanimously approved revision of the 20 miles per hour speed zone on Bowdish Road near Opportunity Elementary School.
The current zone stretches from East 20th to 24th avenues and from 300 feet north and south of East 11th Avenue. The revisions would change the latter to 300 feet north and south of East 12th Avenue.
Spokane Valley Traffic Engineering Manager Jerremy Clark told the council the reason for the revisions was the addition of more sidewalks in the area near the school that provide a connection to Bowdish. Since the school zone was established prior to 2010, sidewalks have been installed on the east side of Bowdish from East 8th to East 12th avenues, and along the north side of East 12th Avenue from Bowdish to Wilbur Road.
A project currently underway this summer will install sidewalks along Bowdish from East 12th to East 22nd avenues, along with a roundabout at East 16th Avenue and asphalt repairs to the road surface. Clark said city and Central Valley School District staff desired to move the existing crosswalk on Bowdish from 11th to 12th, based upon the new sidewalks.
Memorial sign program instituted
Finally, at the June 18 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a measure instituting a formal memorial sign program. The program would provide a process for family members who have had a loved one killed in a local traffic incident to purchase and install a sign honoring their loved one’s memory.
Clark said the $600 fee would cover design, fabrication and installation of a sign and placard, along with a $300 fee for a secondary placard, of a sign along a local street or arterial. If approved, the sign would be installed as close to the accident site as possible for a minimum of 10 years, after which the applicant would be eligible to keep the sign when it is removed.
“In reality the life expectancy of a sign is 10-20 years depending on location and exposure,” Clark said.
The resolution establishes an application process where, according to the staff report, “applicants would be able to
request a memorial sign based on specified and verified criteria and would pay for the administration, fabrication, and installation of said sign.”
According to the policy, the applicant must provide documentation to the city that the deceased died because of a traffic incident at the location within two years of the application date. Absent an accident report, the applicant may produce other information or documents that are “equally reliable” to help the with the city’s decision.
Councilman Merkel asked if there was a possibility of setting up a donation program so other citizens might help families making requests of the city. City Manager John Hohman suggested friends of the family would know about any sign application by the family, would thus be willing to help.
“From the city’s perspective, it doesn’t matter where the money comes from to pay for the signs,” Hohman said. “If somebody wanted to come in and write a check on behalf of a family member, we would not turn them down.”
“Sounds clear cut to me,” Merkel said.
Public safety grant
At the June 4 meeting, council unanimously approved a staff request to apply for up to $1.25 million funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program (CHP) grant program. If successful, the grant would fund 10 officers, at $125,000 per officer, for a three-year period, with the city required to fund the positions for an additional year. There is also a 25% match required of the city to receive the funding.
A report released by city public safety consultant Matrix Consulting Group, Ltd., in November 2023 revealed Spokane Valley, due to the increasing number and complexity of calls for service while becoming more proactive in its policing approach, needs to hire a total of 29 new officers and civilian personnel.
A sizeable chunk of this would take place in the Patrol Unit with 10 new patrol officers — nine officers and one lieutenant — recommended being added.
Brought
EnviroKids Club
Wednesdays
For kids ages 8–12
Tackle hands-on science activities led by educators from the EnviroKids Club. Explore the environment: air, water, weather, garbage and recycling, plants and animals, plus you and your environment.
Happening at Spokane Valley, Argonne & Otis Orchards Libraries
To see dates & times, visit www.scld.org/envirokids-club
SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Crest
About and for Spokane Valley area seniors
The passing of a baseball legend
By Mike Vlahovich Current contributor
When Spokane Valley (then unincorporated Opportunity) and Sprague Avenue was the two-lane equivalent of today’s freeway that yet had been in anyone’s mind, I was a fifth grader at Opportunity Elementary, then located on the corner of Bowdish and Sprague.
My dad (John Vlahovich) had bought the Spokane Valley Herald in 1948, seven years earlier and we lived on N. 100 Moffitt Road, maybe a block from Sprague, and a stone’s throw from Bowdish so we walked to and from school, on railroad tracks (no sidewalks) that ran parallel to Sprague. It was close enough that we could walk home for lunch.
My dad was busy growing the Herald, the unincorporated community weekly newspaper. Television was in its infancy and my dad had newsprint in his veins and was wary of the new-fangled foe.
But curiosity got the better of him and we soon had an early owned black and white set in the living room. It happened one day I came for lunch when the World Series was playing, sat down in front of the TV and munched away on my sandwich.
Little could I know that I was about to be a witness history when Giants centerfielder Willie Mays turned around, back facing the infields, made a spectacular over the shoulder catch that is still seems inconceivable today. That Mays caught up to the ball, or for anyone even to get to the ball, let alone catch one that far away, seems infathomable. The oval stadium was named Polo Grounds for a reason. Center field was more than deep, but
Mays somehow ran the ball down and I was there, a 10-year old boy munching a sandwich, a witness to history, even if I couldn’t have fathomed the significance of what I’d seen, being so young. Lucky enough, though, to have witnessed history in the making.
Willie Mays was 93 when he died recently, a spectacular athlete who made a catch that shouldn’t have been possible to make,but it was.
One of my favorite newspaper columnists, George Will, is a baseball fanatic who wrote upon Mays’ death, “he was the archetypical ‘five-tool player’ who could run catch, throw, hit and hit for power.” Will went on to say that major league manager Leo Durocher added, ‘If he could cook, I’d marry Him.’”
Wills’ final vignette was that of actress Tallulah Bankhead saying of the man, “there have only been two authentic geniuses in the world, William Shakespeare and Willie Mays.”
He may not have broken the color barrier, but he was the torch bearer for the African-Americans who dominate sports today. “Say Hey, Willie Mays”.
By Craig Howard
Current Contributing Editor
to state title
Late May in Argentina typically means a chill in the air as the country winds up its fall season and looks ahead to winter.
For Joseph Demars, autumn during the traditional American spring became the norm after leaving for South America with his family when he was not quite 14 years old. His dad, David Demars had been called to be a mission president in Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the end of 2019. The commitment meant three years away from home for David, his wife, Sheryl and their two kids still at home, Joseph and his sister Tess.
“In the moment, it was very difficult,” said Joseph, recalling when his parents broke the news. “It meant a complete change of culture, climate and more. But looking back, it provided me a lot of opportunities to improve myself.”
This May, Joseph was back in the States competing for the Central Valley High School track and field team at the state meet in Tacoma. The weather during the threeday competition felt more like autumn in Argentina with blustery conditions and temperatures in the mid-to-high-50s.
What made this May more unusual was that Demars was participating in a sport he hadn’t considered before practice started a few months earlier.
“I was thinking football,” said Demars who had a stellar debut season for the Bears the previous fall as a linebacker. “I didn’t really have track on my mind.”
Friends like senior Canyon Smith, who participated in sports with Demars when both were students at Evergreen Middle School, tried their best to nudge Demars onto the team.
“I knew he would be good at track, I just didn’t realize he would be this good,” Smith said.
Not long after Demars decided to tackle the sport, he lined up for a 300-meter race with around 40 of his teammates. He finished fifth.
“When I started, I didn’t even know what a good time was in any event,” he said.
By the time he reached Tacoma with the rest of his teammates, Demars was wellversed in track strategy and terminology. Running the third leg of the 4 x 400 final, the junior churned around the oval at Mt. Tahoma Stadium, moving the Bears from seventh place into a tie for first when the baton was handed to Aaron Wright for the history.
“We ran like we normally do, just faster because there was more competition,” said Wright, who captured silver in the 800. “We set a goal after the second meet of the season to win state but we didn’t really talk about it after that.”
As for the team’s first-year addition, Wright said Demars brought “a ton of energy.”
“Joseph kind of just has a winning
on the other guys is a greater story than the state title,” Bowden said. “Coming from Argentina, American high school sports were new to him. That’s a tough situation but Joseph is a person of dignity, integrity and grace. He is also a fierce competitor. He ended up being our best 400-meter runner.”
In June, Demars and his relay teammates ventured to Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon to compete in the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Running against elite squads from across the country, the CV quartet placed 12th.
While in Argentina, Demars attended an international school with students from over 40 countries. He maintained good grades, kept in shape and became proficient enough at Spanish to be certified as bilingual when he returned home with his family last July.
After the family settled back in Spokane Valley, David Demars said he told his son to enjoy the journey as a high school athlete.
“I told Joseph our expectations were that he just go out and have fun and do the best he can,” David said. “If he had that mindset, I knew he’d be happy with the results.”
It didn’t take long before Demars felt part of the Bears’ track family. The team included friends from his grade school and middle school days.
“I never felt like I was less than anyone else because I hadn’t competed,” he said.
Smith said Demars set a consistent example of commitment to his team and sport.
“He fit in with everyone and always gave 100 percent,” he said. “He never skipped out on anything.”
Looking ahead to next year, Demars said he would like to improve upon his personal record of 50.51 seconds in the 400 and be part of a repeat 4 x 400 state title. Those who know him are not doubting he will accomplish both.
“I’m really looking forward to next track season knowing what we did this year and what we could do next year,” he said. “I learned if you want to be your best, you have to be willing to push yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.”
Photo by Sheryl Demars
Joseph Demars was part of Central Valley’s state championship 4 x 400-meter relay team in May at the 4A state track meet in Tacoma along with fellow juniors Tyler Bissell and Aaron Wright and senior Jacob Nicholls. Demars turned out for track for the first time after spending three years in Argentina with his family as part of a church mission.
Expo ‘74 celebration continues in July with exhibits at some country libraries, online
By Stacey Goddard, librarian Spokane County Library District
The library is excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 World’s Fair throughout the month of July. At the time of Expo ’74, Spokane was the smallest city to host a World’s Fair. Expo ’74 was also the first environmentally themed World’s Fair and had the motto of ‘Progress Without Pollution.’
We’re hosting exhibits in eight of our libraries, including Otis Orchards Library, and we’re also featuring a digital display online. Displays will include a variety of memorabilia, souvenirs, and memories from Expo ’74 that have been generously shared by people in the community.
Four fantastic online author talks for kids, teens, families
By Erin Dodge Current Guest Correspondent
July brings fabulous authors of children’s and teens’ literature to you with four online author talks! These creators of wonderful stories—told though graphic novels, poetry in verse, and illustrated children’s books—make this summer’s author talks fun online experiences for the whole family to share.
First up is Newbery-Medalwinning author Kate DiCamillo who shares the stories behind the creation of her early chapter book series “Mercy Watson” and the follow up series “Tales from Deckawoo Drive.” This online talk is great for kids in prekindergarten through grade 3. You can watch it live on Tuesday, July 9, at 11am.
Kate DiCamillo is the awardwinning author of over 30 books for children. She served as the 2014–15
Did you know that the Spokane area used to have two daily newspapers? The exhibit at Otis Orchards Library features a number of interesting items, including local newspaper articles from both “The Spokesman-Review” and the “Spokane Daily Chronicle” that were published in the spring and summer of 1974. The “Chronicle” was published as an afternoon edition until it ceased publication in 1992.
Other items to look for in the Otis Orchards Library exhibit include brochures, such as the “Kodak Pocket Guide to Picture Taking at Expo ’74” and the “Downtown and World’s Fair Parking Locator Summer ’74.” There is a copy of the” USSR Expo ’74 Soviet Pavilion” brochure as well as several editions of the “World Festival of Entertainment” brochures—including one featuring information about Liberace’s performances in Spokane.
If you can’t make it into the library to see the exhibit, be sure to visit our digital display online at www.scld. org/expo-74, available to view in July. The online exhibit will feature a number of personal photographs and
National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed by the Library of Congress.
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse? Author Max Brallier talks about his book series “The Last Kids on Earth” and the adapted animated series on Netflix. Max shares how he came up with the different monsters and villains as well as the unique ways that Jack and his friends figure out how to defeat them. This online talk is great for kids entering grades 3–6. You can watch it live on Tuesday, July 16, at 11am.
Max Brallier is the “New York Times” bestselling author of more than fifty books, including the “Eerie Elementary” series, under the pen name Jack Chabert.
In an author talk for teens, Elizabeth Acevedo gives a short reading from her National-BookAward-winning and “New York Times” bestselling novel-in-verse “The Poet X” about Afro-Latina heroine Xiomara Batista, who tells her story with blazing words and powerful truth. Following that, Acevedo answers questions about her work and how teens can explore
memories submitted by community members who attended Expo ’74 with their family and friends. Photos include recognizable landmarks like the clock tower and the garbage goat.
There will also be images of souvenirs that attendees collected during the World’s Fair, such as a coin purse, buttons, pins, plates, and even a commemorative beverage pitcher. The digital display will also feature several items from the Bell System (Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company) Exhibit as well as a poster and video from the Waterworld Pavilion and Exhibit.
In addition to the memories submitted to the digital display, you will be able to see video interviews with community members who share their experiences and memories of Expo ’74. We encourage you to check our website throughout the month of July as more memories are added.
And if you happen to be traveling around the county, you may want to stop in at one of the other seven libraries to see different memorabilia and souvenirs on display from Expo ’74.
their poetic voices. You can watch it live on Tuesday, July 23, at 11am.
Elizabeth Acevedo is the author of numerous other titles including “Family Lore,” “With the Fire on High” and “Clap When You Land.”
This year’s winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, Dan Santat discusses how tweens and teens can tell their own stories through graphic novels. His winning book, “A First Time for Everything,” is a graphic memoir based on his own awkward middle-school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. This online talk is geared for tweens and teens entering grades 5–8. You can watch it live on Tuesday, July 30, at 11am.
Dan Santat began drawing as a young boy, and although he first studied microbiology, he pursued his passion in illustration and storytelling.
You can register to watch each author talk live and even ask questions at www.libraryc.org/ scld. Plus, archived recordings of all four will be available after the live talks to watch at a time that’s convenient for you.
Track your summer reading & enter to win binoculars.
Reach your reading goals & explore your community.
Kids & teens who sign up can get a new book to keep, while supplies last.
Sign up at scld.beanstack.org
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Valley council passes sixyear roadway improvement plan
By John McCallum Current correspondent
At first glance, the over $355.56 million in projects in Spokane Valley’s recently approved six-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) might appear daunting and even unattainable.
A closer look, however, reveals a mixed list of 39 projects currently under construction, designed, funded and ready for bidding; in the planning stages and being dreamed of that sets a direction for the city’s transportation system in the coming years — including past the 2025 – 2030 timeframe.
The plan is required by the state’s Growth Management Act. According to a staff report presented at the City Council’s June 18 meeting, the TIP incorporates master plans and studies, upcoming redevelopment projects, economic development efforts, land use changes, stormwater projects and capital projects with partner agencies to create of list of potential transportation projects vital to enabling residents to easily and as safely as possible get from point A to point B.
“The program outlines design, development and construction of local and regional transportation projects,” Spokane Valley Engineering Manager Adam Jackson said. “It sets a direction for the coming years to know where projects are.”
Bridge & Grade Separation Projects
At just over $162.9 million, this category is by far the largest of the six in the TIP, but is also the smallest list with just four projects proposed. All four are on the city’s legislative agenda to lobby state and federal elected officials for funding.
Largest of these is the $47.88 million Pines Road (State Route 27) / Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Grade Separation Project. Slated to begin this year, the project is fully funded with a mixture of federal, state and city money.
Also included are partially funded projects for reconstructing the interchange at Sullivan Road and SR 290 –$46.82 million – and rebuilding the bridge deck at Argonne Road and Interstate 90 – $28.2 million. Rounding out the list is a planned, yet to be funded, $40 million rebuild of the Barker Road Bridge over I-90.
Reconstruction/Preservation Projects
The 13 projects totaling just over $96.75 million in this category are mainly streets in need of repairs, typically arterials, Jackson said. Four of the projects have secured funding, with one project — the $2.59 million Indiana Preservation Project from Sullivan to Desmet — scheduled to begin this year.
Funded projects scheduled to begin in the 2024 – 2026 timeframe are a $3 million preservation of Sprague from Bowdish to McDonald, a $3.17 million preservation of North Sullivan from the Spokane River to Kiernan and a $5.34 reconstruction of Barker from Sprague to Appleway.
Four projects, such as the $4.12 million preservation of Fancher from Sprague to Trent and the $33.88 million Barker Road Corridor reconstruction from Mission to the southern city limits have received partial funding.
Other projects such as improvements to Broadway from Flora to Barker are in the planning stages.
Intersection Improvement Projects
Nine projects estimated at $31.6 million are featured in this category, most of them planned for a couple years down the road and awaiting funding sources. These include an over $7 million improvement of the Pines Road (SR27) and 16th Avenue interchange, and a $4 million
improvement at Flora Road and Trent (SR290) that includes construction of a roundabout.
“As our city grows, these intersections help maintain the operability of the system,” Jackson said, adding the focus of the project work is on arterials.
Annual Arterial Preservation Projects
At an estimated $15 million, this category is basically one project with 10 parts. Jackson said the program is a “placeholder” for 311 Funds; Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 1 and 2 revenues transferred in annually for street preservation projects such as Dishman Mica, Broadway from Havana to Fancher, Vista from Appleway to Mission and Wellesley from Sullivan to Flora.
The program anticipates to receive and spend about $3 million annually on these projects.
“This is kind of a back burner list of projects to keep in consideration as we plan local funds,” Jackson said.
Safety, Sidewalk, Trail, and Stormwater Projects
Totaling an estimated $33.65 million, these four projects range from the $150,000 streets and stormwater improvements in Ridgemont Estates in the southeast portion of the city to a $24.2 million citywide improvements to the Appleway and Millwood trail systems.
Three of the projects are partially funded: Ridgemont, a citywide safety projects and a reconstruction of Flora Road to include road improvements and enhanced pedestrian connections and safety features from the Centennial Trail to Sprague. At a meeting in May, council declined to pursue a federal grant program that would have provided additional funding for the Flora Road project.
Improvements for the Appleway and Millwood trails are currently in the planning stages.
2025 Closeout Projects
While these eight projects total over $15.66 million, all of them reflect projects which are
currently underway and only included in the 2025 – 2030 TIP for state auditing purposes, Jackson said. All of them, including recently begun stormwater and lane reduction work on Sprague near City Hall and Phase 2 of the Broadway (Fancher to Park) preservation project, should be completed before the end of the year.
Since these projects will be completed prior to the new six-year TIP, their remaining costs included in the plan are based on a percentage of what might be remaining come 2025. Jackson said he used between 2 – 5 percent of the project costs to determine the remaining balance state for auditing purposes.
During the public hearing, Councilman Al Merkel asked Jackson about the process the city used in identifying projects for inclusion on the TIP. Jackson said factors such as long-range plans, studies and priorities from other local agencies are evaluated against potential funding sources, utilizing the grant process as much as possible while considering what could have the most “impact on the traveling public.”
Merkel pressed about Jackson further, asking if there was more consideration given to projects where grants were easier to come by, whether projects were prioritized regardless of their funding mechanisms or a balance between the two.
“Grants aren’t dictating the list,” Jackson said. “It’s a factor in delivery, obviously.”
Jackson added that elements such as safety, traffic compliance and citizen input were also factored into the process. Merkel asked if a measurement known as the “Pavement Condition Index (PCI)” was also used, noting being able to see the current grading of the city’s roadways “would be helpful.”
Jackson said while the PCI was important, and is available on the city’s website, it wasn’t used in determining projects for the TIP.
Council adopted the six-year TIP 4-1, with Merkel casting the only vote against.
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Free Summer Meal Program
Providing Nutrition and Encouraging Kids to Get Outside
By Colette Buck
Current contributor
Kids and teens can eat free and get out of the house this summer through a summer program partnership between the Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department and the East Valley School District.
Both breakfast and lunch are available to anyone under the age of 18 through the United States Department of Agriculture’s SUN Meals or the Summer Food Service Program at various locations throughout their communities. In Spokane Valley, meal distribution sites with access to the Free Summer Parks Program include Edgecliff Park, Terrace View Park, and Valley Mission Park.
The program is similar to the USDA’s National School Lunch Program, which provides free or low-cost meals to those who meet income requirements during the school year. However, Spokane Valley Park Recreation Specialist Christa Crago said summer meal participants do not need to meet requirements to qualify.
“It's a free opportunity for anyone in our community, and even outside of Spokane Valley specifically,” Crago said. “We think it’s really important to offer something that anyone in the community can (access), and we try to space out the parks kind of all across our city so
that way, no matter (where) you are in the community it’s reachable.”
According to Hunger Free Washington, a campaign to end childhood hunger supported by No Kid Hungry Washington and United Way of King County, more than 700,000 Washington state students receive free meals during the school year. The USDA’s SUN Meals program and the state’s summer meal programs were created to fill the gap and provide nutritious meals until school resumes.
This year, the SUN Meals program launched a new way for Washington state families in need to access nutritious meals during the Summer months in addition to the free meal distribution sites. SUN Bucks is separate from the SUN Meals program in that families must meet income requirements to qualify for the $120-per-child benefit, and the benefits can be stacked with other nutrition benefits.
Here in Spokane Valley, community members can access free summer meals twice a day, four times a week between June 20 and August 8 at the three park locations. There is an option to receive the meals at East Valley High School, but service at the site ends on July 3. In between the meal service, attendees can enjoy various types of activities facilitated by trained Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation staff.
“(Activities) vary from park to park…based on what the kids were interested in over the last couple weeks. It could anything from making friendship bracelets to playing an organized sport of some sort to even just coloring,” Crago said.
Common activities include arts and crafts, science experiments, and access to the Spokane County Library District’s LINC Mobile Library and its programs. Designed to bring ‘Libraries In Neighborhoods and Communities’ to areas without access, the mobile unit allows attendees to check out library
materials, access wifi on computers or mobile devices, and even print files.
The LINC Mobile Library will visit the parks in the first weeks of July and August and move between the three park sites daily to offer access to its amenities. Children between the ages of can also enjoy a 30-minute storytime activity that includes stories, songs, and fingerplays exploring “the concepts of literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math).”
“It is Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon, but each park kind of has its own serving time,” Crago said. “It is free for anyone to stop by and join…we don’t have
any…city limitations, whether you’re a resident or not.”
There are limitations to the meal program and the activities. Participants must be 18 or under, meals must be consumed on site, and parents are asked to stay on-site at the park during the program as it’s not a childcare program. Crago said this limitation mainly applies to little kids who would regularly need their parent’s supervision at the park.
“We’ve had quite a few kids who walk from the neighborhoods nearby to the park, in which case if the parent is allowing them to be at the park by themselves, then we kind of assume they’re of the age where it’s okay for them to be there alone,” Crago said. “If the kids are young enough that their parents need to come to the park with them, we do ask that they stay on-site with them.”
More details can be found on the Spokane County Library District’s website. Full details on the Free Summer Parks Program and Free Summer Meals are available on the City of Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department’s website.
