RIVER CROSSING
Citizen of the Year - Dickinson named Champion of Education
By Ben Wick Current Publisher
Long time community advocate Marty Dickinson is being recognized as the 2024 Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Harry E Nelson’ Citizen of the Year. Dubbed the Education Advocate, Dickinson has been dedicated to building Spokane Valley schools to provide additional opportunities for the community.
The Citizen of the Year Award is named in honor of Harry E. Nelson, a foundational figure in the Spokane Valley community and a driving force behind establishing the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. Nelson’s legacy is a testament to the power of community service and dedication to building the Spokane Valley community.
Born in Penticton, British Columbia, Marty came to Spokane Valley when her family moved here for better opportunities. “Dad wanted to be in the United States but still close to the rest of the family” said Dickinson.
Starting in the second grade at South Pines Elementary School, Marty is a product of the Central Valley School District. She graduated from Central Valley High School before going on to Washington State University. During her time attending Central Valley she fondly recalls the connections with former educators Chuck Hafner, Bob and Sharon Jayne. “They were both my Principal and Vice-Principal’ recalled Dickinson, “the number of educators that were invested in me was amazing. I even got to know Donna and Jack Pring from knocking on their door to sell cookies.”
Marty met her future husband Reid while attending college at Washington State University. After college Marty moved to the west side of the state where Reid was from
working both in Seattle then Portland. They recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary.
“I always knew I wanted to come back for my kids to be able to attend school in Spokane Valley” added Dickinson.
Marty’s dad, Russ Williams, was a dental technician who went on to own a small practice in Spokane Valley and was apart of the Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club where he previously served as President. Her mom Gayle worked in the Library at South Pines and went on to work for the district for more than 25 years before retiring. “They still live in the same house we grew up in” said Dickinson.
After moving back to Spokane Valley to start her family, Marty had three children, daughter Kaylee, son Blake, and daughter Ellie. They attended Chester Elementary School, Horizon Middle School, and then
graduated from University High School. Kaylee has since gone on to the University of Denver and lives in Denver. Blake went on to Grand Canyon University and lives in Phoenix, and Ellie went on to the University of Arizona and lives in Dallas.
Professionally Marty works in the Marketing field starting out in the telecommunications industry working for companies such as XO Communications, Cellular One, and AT&T Wireless. She was able to begin focus her efforts on the local community when she had the opportunity to serve as the President of the Downtown Spokane Partnership, then Sterling Bank (which is now Umpqua Bank), and now currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer and a member of the senior leadership team for Spokane Teachers Credit Union (STCU). Responsible for brand marketing, community relations,
government affairs, and facilities.
Marty has also been very active throughout the community in other capacities. She served twelve years on YMCA board, on the Board of Regents and past chair for Washington State University, past chair of the Spokane Public Facilities District board of directors, a board member on the State of Washington Regence / Blue Shield Foundation, co-chair of the Central Valley School District Bond Committees in 2015 and 2018, and currently serves as the co-chair of LaunchNW.
“I got to work with Greg Beaver on the vision for the Mirabeau Park area and served on the capital campaign committee that secured the funding to build both the Valley and Downtown YMCA buildings,” said Dickinson.
Although her proudest effort was when she was approached by then Superintendent Ben Small to help take Central Valley School District to the next level. “To work with such a large group to pass a bond, after 16 years without, our kids deserved safe schools and we did it with fiduciary responsibility – we made the right investment at the right time.”
Q. You have dedicated your professional career to serving the community, what drew you to community service?
A. I have always had a propensity to be involved and enjoy the sense of connection community service provides. A couple of things happen when you are a community steward who tends to lean in and do the heavy lifting. Good outcomes occur but you also gain a reputation for getting the work done. After 30 years of volunteering, I think I established myself as someone who, if passionate about something will be fully engaged and all in. That has built on itself over the years, and I am very grateful for being asked to lend a hand, lead and lift up.
Q. After college you moved to Seattle and Portland before coming back to Spokane Valley. How did that experience shape your perspective and what made you want to come back to Spokane Valley?
Contributed photo
Marty Dickinson, Chief Marketing Officer for Spokane Teachers Credit Union was named as the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Harry E Nelson Citizen of the Year. Dickinson was titled the Champion of Education in recognition of all of her work in supporting the education system over the years including co-chairing the Central Valley School District Bond committees in 2015 and 2018.
DICKINSON
Continued from page 2
A. Spokane Valley has always been home for me. The relationships, mentors and advocates I had established over the years along with my immediate family being here drew me back to Spokane. I was fortunate that my husband Reid also recognized the specialness of what this community had to offer and agreed to uproot his professional career and move. There is something unique about how the Valley and the decades of families, professionals, educators intertwine into individuals personal and professional journeys and have meaningful impact. There is an upspoken investment and commitment that this community makes in people and that is what called me home as I wanted the same for my three kids.
Q. You mentioned a number of people that helped connect with or invest time in you, how important is mentorship to you?
A. I see mentoring as a pay it forward action. The countless teachers, principals, community, and business leaders who have given their time, counsel, and support to me over the past 30 years is too many to count or mention. I have tried to be intentional with everyone who has shared knowledge, experiences and at times hard but honest feedback with me and truly absorb and learn from their guidance. I have worked to build and keep those relationships close and ensure those who matter know they matter and have made a difference for me, resulting in
some great outcomes. Teaching the theory that you get what you give is one that I try to instill in those I mentor. Mentorship is a two-way engagement, and I have developed as a leader because of the innovative, forward looking, and diverse mentees I have been lucky enough to spend time with. Mentoring comes in many different forms, and I believe it is a responsibility for those like me to be active in transferring knowledge and sharing opportunities to ensure we are lifting up our leaders and community stewards of tomorrow.
Q. Having had the opportunity to also serve and be an integral part of developing / redeveloping downtown Spokane as well, what have you seen as the biggest differences or commonalities between the two areas?
A. I have spent most of my professional career navigating, trouble shooting and seeking common ground amongst multiple parties. My experience in galvanizing teams, organizations and people has afforded me the ability to quickly assess who wants to be part of the outcome for the greater good and who is in it for individual purposes. Finding compromise and a balance of where we can meet is always the most challenging component, but it is also the common thread that has been woven throughout my career. Getting to a win a win outcome is the hill that must be climbed and regardless of what public or private project and or major community initiative I have led it always come down to who is willing to align and collaborate in a trustworthy manner. Ultimately
those who find their way to take the hill together differentiates who is successful and who is left behind.
Q. After serving on the first successful bond committee for the Central Valley School District, what made you agree to serving as co-chair the second time?
A. Co-Chairing the CVSD bond committee not once in 2015 but again in 2018 was an honor that came with great responsibility and accountability to our voters. In 2015 our dynamic team of volunteers and the leadership of then Superintendent Ben Small did the work to understand what the real needs were for our students; we did the due diligence and rigor around the cost to complete the projects and finally committed to being transparent in how the dollars would be put to work. Earning a YES vote and the trust of our taxpayers in 2015 propelled me to want to ensure we did what we said we would do. When asked again in 2018 if I would be willing to help lead this next effort that allowed us to best support our students and address the unprecedent growth in our area saying yes came easy. This work by many resulted in a 3rd high school, a new middle school, Mica Peak, and several renovated schools.
Q. What is it like to work for a major regional company such as Spokane Teachers Credit Union which is headquartered in Liberty Lake?
A. I pinch myself each day I get to be a part of STCU. In my 30 plus years of serving our community there is one unwavering organization who has always been along side of every challenge, opportunity, and heavy lift and that is STCU. To have the opportunity to lead Commercial Lending, Community Impact, Advocacy, and Brand Marketing for the past five years has been the pinnacle point in my professional career. I am beyond fortunate to marry my passions of leaning in for our community with a company like STCU who has a 90 + year proven track record of doing GOOD day in and day out. When you are able to align your personal values with your employer who serves its members with the same north star, I would say it doesn’t get much better than that.
Q. How does being recognized as the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, make you feel?
A. This is a full circle moment for me. I am humbled to be included with the amazing people who have received
this award before me. The award has me reflecting on my journey from the young girl at South Pines Elementary to the senior at Central Valley High School, to the fully committed parent of 3 kids who attended Chester, Horizon, and University and to now the professional and community steward who has less time on my career path than I do more. It is overwhelming for me to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation I have for the people who trusted me with countless opportunities to volunteer and lead. This award is a culmination of my amazing parents Russ and Gayle Williams, older sister Dana Anderson, husband of 31 years Reid Dickinson, 3 awesome kids, Kylee, Blake, Ellie, my South Pines librarian Annie Bainter, countless educators, and business leaders who in countless ways have been my cheerleader and champion.
Q. What are you working on next?
A. I am working to co-lead efforts supporting Launch NW. Launch NW is an organization I am very passionate about and committed to their mission of ensuring that every child finds belonging and travels their best journey from birth to career attainment. Helping our kids have food security, manage mental and emotional health challenges as well stable housing. Along with that providing access to FAFSA completion where every high school senior has a post high school opportunity is a space both me and my husband Reid are committing our time, talent, and treasure. We believe the way in which we change the long-term trajectory, health and vitality of our communities is disrupting the current cycle we are in. Launch NW is the real deal and demonstrating meaningful and impactful outcomes in how we do this today and tomorrow.
Q. When you are not volunteering or working, how do you like to spend your time?
A. I am lucky enough to call my 3 adult children- Kylee, Blake, and Ellie my friends. They are great humans who bring me countless moments of humor, joy, and a healthy dose of diverse perspective. Because they are each currently thriving and adulting in Denver, Phoenix and Dallas, Reid and I tend to use much of our free time traveling to experience their new communities that they call home…… for now. If I am not on a plane I try to be active and enjoy this wonderful place, we all get to live and call home, the Spokane Valley.
Contributed Photo
The Dickenson family pictured from left to right: son Blake, daughter Ellie, husband Reid, Marty, and daughter Kaylee.
Student of the Month
Sportsmanship is key for University High School senior, Ryan Sulpizio. Sulpizio who maintains a 3.99 GPA is a member of the inaugural Sportsmanship Committee at U-High, the committee of upperclassmen helps mentor their fellow students in sportsmanship and leadership to help make their school a better place. Ryan also is a member of the National Honor Society and regularly volunteers at his church, Millwood Presbyterian Community Church in the vacation bible school. This past summer he was able to volunteer with his church to help build sidewalks and the vacation bible school at Kake Alaska. Sulpizio is also no stranger to the sports field having earned varsity letters in Football, Wrestling, and Track. This year Sulpizio placed 8th in the state for wrestling and competed in the 285 lb weight class while weighing in at 197 lbs. Ryan plans to go to college next year he is still vising colleges around the Pacific Northwest to determine exactly where but hopes to continue playing track and wrestling in college while studying civil or mechanical engineering and wants to design buildings in the future.
Athlete of the Month
University High School junior, Quinn Lipke, had a rough start this year having fractured his tibia bone after the first basketball game of the season, he spent the rest of the basketball season helping his team from the sidelines. However track is another story as Lipke threw the javelin 164’ 9” at the first track meet of the season wining gold and tying his personal best last season. Lipke placed 5th in state and 2nd in districts last year as a sophomore. This year he serves as the Track Team Captain and informal javelin coach leading the trainings for the 15 to 20 throwers at University High School. Over the summer Quinn was able to participate in the Iron woods Throwing Center a national caliber training center located in Idaho. Off the field Lipke holds a 4.0 GPA and is in the running for class valedictorian taking AP Seminar and AP European History this year. In his spare time Lipke volunteers with the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council as well as the schools Crimson Crew. After high school Lipke hopes to attend the University of Southern California where both his parents attended to pursue a degree in the medical field.
Citizen of the Month
Andrea Yager, is local entrepreneur and shop local advocate. Andrea is the Creator and Owner of Adorkable Flowers and Gifts, a local flower shop that she started in 2014. This year Andrea launched a new drivers education business called Above Par School of Driving as well as a weekend flower market in Liberty Lake. She is a feirce advocate for the communtiy, small business, and women in business. She supports multiple youth programs and school programs, hosts floral design and other workshops, as well as allows young entrepreneurs to sell their products in her shop as they navigate business ownership.
Andrea grew up in Spokane Valley graduating from East Valley High School before serving in the US Marine Corp for four years.
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.
2025 February Theft Hotspots
Review Your Spring Safty Checklist
Smoke Alarms
Three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Test your smoke alarms every month and replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm makes a “chirping” sound, replace the battery immediately.
Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling and away from windows, doors and ducts.
Smoke alarms can be interconnected wirelessly. That means, when one sounds, they all sound. A Consumer Product Safety Commission survey found this is the best way to notify everyone in a home if there is a fire. Be sure to purchase smoke alarms with the label of a reputable testing agency, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that can kill. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home. The safety tips for CO detectors mirror those of smoke alarms: change the batteries, test them and interconnect them, if possible. Also, make sure vents for your gas appliances (fireplace, dryer, stove and furnace) are free and clear of snow or debris.
Family Emergency Plan
The National Safety Council recommends every family have an emergency plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Spring is a great time to review that plan with
family members. Have a home and car emergency kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says an emergency kit should include one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a threeday supply of food, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, filter mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines. Visit the FEMA website for a complete list. The emergency plan also should include:
A communications plan to outline how your family members will contact one another and where to meet if it’s safe to go outside
A shelter-in-place plan if outside air is contaminated; FEMA recommends sealing windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting
A getaway plan including various routes and destinations in different directions
Also, make sure your first aid kit is updated.
Get Rid of Unwanted Medicines
NSC recommends you take unwanted or expired medicines to a prescription drop box or take-back event near you.
Getting the Urge to Clean?
With the warm weather comes a desire to shine and polish your home. But when warning labels are ignored or chemicals fall into the wrong hands, disaster can occur. Learn what you can do to keep you family safe around poisons in the home.
Window Safety
With warmer temperatures arriving, it’s important to practice window safety – especially in homes with young children.Find more information about window safety.
2025 February Burglary Hotspots
Spokane Valley Districts
COVER STORY
CV title not normal, but not unusual
Bears girls battle high expectations, physical, mental challenges to win 3A crown
By John McCallum Current correspondent
While completing an undefeated season by winning a championship isn’t easy, it isn’t necessarily that impossible either.
Three of Central Valley’s previous six state titles as a 4A school were endings to unbeaten seasons — two by former head coach Dale Poffenroth (1993 and 2002, both 29-0) and the most recent the 28-0 title team of 2016 led by former Bears and current Ridgeline High School girls head coach Freddie Rehkow.
Add to that list the 2024-2025 team led by second-year head coach Jason Wilson, which capped a 27-0 record with a tight, hard-fought defensive battle over Lakeside at
the Tacoma Dome on March 8.
Wilson knew he had a good team going into the season. The Bears were 17-8 overall and 8-2 in the Greater Spokane League in 2023-2024, earning a No. 4 seed to the 4A District 8 tournament but coming up a couple wins shy of a state berth.
Now in 3A, Wilson said he had all the ingredients to make another, deeper post season run. But a chance glance at his preseason signup sheet revealed something that would change that.
Wilson said he was signing up his son and daughter to play sports when he decided to check the Bears varsity roster to see who was on it, and noticed a name — Brynn McGaughy. Wilson was familiar
with the Colfax player through AAU competition.
The 6-foot, 3-inch senior forward led the Bulldogs to the 2023 2B state title. She is the top-ranked player in Washington and 21st in the nation by ESPN, McDonald’s All-American selection and has committed to play college basketball at the University of Washington.
“I thought it was a glitch,” Wilson said. “I sat on it for a couple of days and then went to Robin (CV Athletic Director Barnhart) and asked if she knew anything about this. She said she did.”
As it turned out, McGaughy’s mother had called and left a voicemail with Wilson a couple weeks earlier asking about the
possibilities of her daughter playing at CV if she were to move in with her father, who lived in the district. Wilson said the message was so plain and vague, he didn’t think much about it.
McGaughy’s inclusion changed the Bears postseason formula. With a roster that included five players who had competed together since elementary school — seniors Eden Sander, Keana Gosney and Gabbie Wilson along with juniors Gracie Lamphere and Aspen Henry — Central Valley had experience and talent to compete for Tacoma.
“We thought we were a state caliber team before we got Brynn,” Wilson said. “We went from a state caliber team to now thinking we can win it.”
That expectation put a lot of pressure on the Bears, especially as the season progressed and they were blowing teams out of the gym by 30-40 points or more. Their closest game in December was a
Contributed photo CV has one of the premiere girls basketball programs in the state. This was their 7th state championship, and have been runners up on three other occasions. They dominated the 4A classification with more titles, appearances, and wins than any other school in the state. With the opening of Ridgeline High, and subsequent loss of enrolment, this was their first year as a 3A school, and they made the most of it. Going undefeated all the way to the title (27-0). It was the program's fifth undefeated season. I think in a few years the school will probably be heading back to 4A. The Valley's still growing. I'm proud to be associated in a small way with such a great group of girls and coaches. Proud to be a Bear! Bill Peirce
63-49 win over Mead, and included a 71-17 thumping on Dec. 27 of a vastly outgunned Sunnyside team.
Things tightened a bit in January. While still winning with double-digit margins against GSL schools — including an 89-20 thrashing of Shadle Park on Jan. 10 — the Bears faced their first test of adversity during a non-league game at Kennewick, Jan. 18.
CV found itself down 21 points to the Lions early in the second quarter, and trailed 34-22 at the half.
But led by the game-high 25 points of Gabbie Wilson, the Bears rallied in the final 16 minutes of the game, outscoring Kennewick 4017 to escape with a 62-51 victory. It was the first of three meetings between the two schools during the season.
“These girls just kept working and competing,” head coach Wilson said of the Jan. 18 game. Indeed, final margins don’t always tell the tale. Against Gonzaga Prep on Jan. 3, CV trailed 26-24 at the half to the Bullpups before putting the game away with a 23-4 third quarter scoring and defensive outburst.
University battled in their first meeting before a 21-9 CV third quarter salted that game away for the Bears, and G-Prep put up another fight in their second meeting before falling 72-58 on Jan. 24. Mead kept things tight as well before losing 72-60 on Feb. 4.
But there were challenges in the blowouts as well. Wilson, who coached the East Valley boys’ team for 13 years, nine as an assistant and four as head coach, said he was sometimes unhappy with his team’s focus during these noncontests — and let them know it.
“I wanted them to be proud of what they were doing, but keep thinking ahead to what they could do,” he said. “The message was ‘keep playing like a champion.’”
There were also physical challenges. Sophomore guard Drae Domebo missed the first half of the season with a foot injury.
Wilson said McGaughy dealt with nagging issues in both of her ankles. Gabbie Wilson developed plantar fasciitis in both feet, a condition he said plagues her still.
COVER STORY
“It was not easy,” coach Wilson said, adding there was the overarching desire to not let people down who saw them already as state champions.
The first championship shot came Feb. 7 when the topranked Bears hosted fifth-ranked Ridgeline. In regular-season finale for the GSL title, CV exploded to 13-0 lead and held off a talented Falcons team 56-40 for the trophy.
Due to a preseason arrangement, the Bears were seeded second in the District 6 playoffs, with Kennewick getting the top seed. CV opened with blowout wins over Mt. Spokane and Southridge, and found themselves tangling with the Lions for the district title and a top-seed to state.
Again, the Bears found themselves trailing early by as
Next up — four-time defending state champions Garfield. Wilson said the Bulldogs from Seattle were a completely different club than the finesse teams they were used to, physical and athletic.
Led by the team-high 12 points from Domebo, CV built a 43-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter and hung on for the 51-49 win — their tightest margin of the season.
The championship game against Lakeside from North Seattle turned out to be a defensive battle. Neither team shot well, CV just 39% and the Lions 32%. But defense proved to be the difference, Wilson said.
After building a 25-13 halftime lead, Lakeside rallied to tie the game at 28 at the end of three. In the fourth, the Bears defense held and the offense kicked in some, outscoring the Lions 11-6 for the 39-34 win and seventh state title.
“We found a way,” Wilson said. “All of those Tacoma games, we kept teams below 50 (points).”
Wilson said this season has reminded him why he chooses to coach. It’s not just the winning, which is nice, but also watching and taking part in the connections established between players, their families, students and staff at the school. Hopefully the experience has created resources for his players to meet challenges they will face in life.
much as 13 points, but rallied, outscoring Kennewick 14-4 in the second quarter for a 30-26 halftime lead, and 16-8 in the fourth to pull away for the 58-47 win.
CV opened state play with a 78-64 second-round win over Meadowdale, advancing them to the quarterfinals in the Tacoma Dome March 6 where again they faced seventh-seeded Kennewick, round of 12 winners over Rosevelt — an outcome Wilson admitted he wished were reversed.
“It just didn’t seem right, it didn’t set up well,” he said of the matchup. “Beating somebody three times in a year is a thing, it’s hard.”
And it was a battle, with CV leading 18-16 at the half, 29-27 at the end of three quarters, but pulling away down the stretch for the 45-37 win.
“It was everything I imagined a win like that to be,” he said. “You don’t need to win to make it worthwhile, but it’s great to see the payoff.”
While losing a tight-knit group of senior talent, Central Valley should return four good players next year. Wilson said they will likely change their playing approach a bit to accommodate the new line up, which hopefully will include some new players ready to take up the Bears championship banner.
For the seniors, Wilson said he hopes they will look back on this season with a sense of accomplishing something extraordinary, if not necessarily unusual.
“It’s not normal,” he said of the undefeated season and title. “I hope the girls remember it, and they will.”
Contributed photo
Jason Wilson, Head Coach, Kate Sams, Assistant Coach, Jay Hilton, Assistant Coach
Spokane Valley seeks transportation funding, temporarily tables sign code changes
By John McCallum
Current contributor
Signs, energy and transportation were a few of the items the Spokane Valley City Council addressed in two meetings during March. In lieu of regular meetings, council held an all-day strategic planning meeting March 4 and canceled their March 25 meeting so that several members and city staff could fly to Washington D.C. to meet with federal representatives.
Valley pursues regional, federal transportation funding
At the March 18 meeting, council voted to authorize city staff to pursue transportation capital project funding from the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) and the National Highway Performance Program for preserving roads part of the National Highway System (NHS).
SRTC announced calls for projects for the years 2027-2029, making available $35.7 million in funding for participating local governments in the Spokane region. The money comes from four separate funding sources, with awards requiring a minimum 13.5% non-federal funding match. Projects can score higher if they provide a match exceeding 13.5%.
According to the staff report, $14.7 million of this funding will be removed as “off the top” as allocations for SRTC board project priorities including a regional Interstate 90 study, small town projects and specific preservation projects — which the city of Spokane Valley is eligible to pursue.
“Ultimately, we are competing for very few dollars against a lot of other agencies,” city engineering manager Adam Jackson told the council.
The city is applying for almost $14.473 million in SRTC funding for
eight projects totaling $65.6 million. Six of these are main construction projects ranging from the $49 million Sullivan / Trent Interchange to $750,000 in work on Valleyway arterial crossings.
There are also two preservation projects — 32nd Avenue from Pines to State Route 27 and Sprague from University to Bowdish — totaling $5.6 million. Jackson said the city has historically done well in getting SRTC grant funding, but this cycle is very competitive.
“Honestly, we’d be very fortunate to get a couple,” he added.
Council approved the request 6-1, with Councilman Al Merkel voting no. During discussion he proposed council vote on the funding application for each project separately, expressing support for the preservation projects but not the main construction work.
Council turned down the motion 6-1.
“You are looking at this as a package because that is what SRTC is looking for,” City Manager John Hohman explained.
The federal NHS program is providing $100 million in funds through the state Department of Transportation, and requires no matching funds. Jackson proposed
noted the March 18 meeting was the third time the proposed changes had been before council, including a public hearing on March 11 and a move to advance the ordinance to a second reading at the Feb. 11 meeting.
Currently, the only signs allowed in the public right of way are official signs and bus bench signs placed via agreement with the city. The proposed ordinance would “Official traffic signs and official government signs serving a legitimate public interest, such as those notifying the public of laws and/or traffic hazards, government services, or the location of public facilities” and “Signs that (a) either identify the location of and parking for a community event open to the general public for which the City has issued a special event permit to a non-profit organization and are located next to the event/ parking location, or (b) are not an attempt or effort to gain business.”
three projects for the funding request: North Sullivan from the Spokane River to Kiernan, 32nd Avenue from Pines to SR27 and Broadway from Havana to Fancher.
Those projects total $12.1 million, with the city requesting $8.3 million in NHS funding. Staff did recommend including a $1 million match with the $4.5 million Broadway Avenue project to reduce the requested amount and increase the project’s competitiveness.
The city has also secured $2 million in funding for the $4.5 million North Sullivan project and $800,000 towards the $3.1 million 32nd Avenue project.
Council approved the NHS application unanimously.
Right-of-way sign code changes postponed
Council unanimously approved withdrawing a motion to approve a second reading of changes to the city’s sign code regarding placement of signs in city right of ways. Hohman suggested the move after public comment at the March 18 meeting indicating some more work might need to be done on the revised codes — particularly regarding political signs and signs used by Realtor’s to advertise property.
City attorney Kelly Konkright
Twelve conditions are placed on the signs including where they are placed, limiting how long they can be placed and how often and requiring contact information for the organization placing the sign. After receiving public comment on March 11, Konkright said he modified the non-profit description to only those organizations carrying a federal 501 (c) 3 tax exempt status.
Energy code changes moved to second reading
Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance at the March 11 meeting making changes to city building code energy requirements. The changes, which will enable the city to stay in compliance with Washington State Energy Code requirements, now move to a second reading at a future meeting.
The changes are needed because the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) has yet to amend the state’s energy code to comply with voter-approved Initiative 2066, passed in November, 2024. The initiative prohibits local governments from restricting access to natural gas and prevents regulations that penalize, discourage or disincentivize the use of natural gas.
A court challenge to I-2066 is possible, but the city needs to pass the energy ordinance in order to remain in compliance with the remainder of the WSEC provisions and with RCW 19.27A.020(3).
Photo by John McCallum
Spokane City Councilman Rob Higgins (second from left) speaks with residents at the inaugural Community Conversations session held prior to the regular City Council meeting on March 18. Community Conversations will take place monthly on the third council meeting of the month from 5 – 6 p.m.
Brought
Library Ninja Warrior Competition
For kids in grades K–5
Outsmart and outmaneuver your fellow competitors in library challenges. Try origami star throwing and other challenges such as competitive tower building, where you can earn the title of Dewey Decimator!
SPOKANE VALLEY LIBRARY 22 N Herald Rd Thursday, April 17, 3:30–4:30pm
ARGONNE LIBRARY
4322 N Argonne Rd Saturday, April 26, 10:30–11:30am
SPOKANE COUNTY LIBRARY DISTRICT
The Crest
About and for Spokane Valley area seniors
Duane
Alton founder of Alton Tire Passes
By Nina Culver
Current contributor
Family, friends and former employees gathered recently to remember Elvin “Duane” Alton, founder and co-owner of Alton’s Tire and Automotive Center, for his steadfast encouragement of others and strong religious faith.
Alton, 88, suffered a stroke in December and died of pneumonia on Feb. 17.
Several people spoke at a memorial service at the Oaks Classical Christian Academy, talking about his knack for encouraging words and his love of scripture. The Rev. Don Cambra leads the Worley Community Church in Worley, Idaho, where Alton and his wife, Andree, have attended services the last few years.
Worley called Alton a second Barnabas, a Biblical figure who was known as the son of encouragement. Many Sundays Alton would talk with Cambra on the front steps of the church after the service and encourage him in his preaching, Cambra said. “Encouragement just came out of Duane naturally,” he said.
Cambra said that Alton loved to take notes during his sermons and discuss his message after the service. “He always wanted to talk about the Lord, he always wanted to talk about scripture,” Cambra said. “We had many discussions on the front steps of the church.”
What Alton didn’t do was boast about his success or discuss any of the donations he gave to Christian schools, local ministries and other causes, Cambra said. He was quiet and humble and only sought to encourage others, he said.
“He was a man with a deep love for the word of God and a desire to learn more,” he said. “When he came into my life, I recognized this was a man of God.”
Cambra said Alton likely would have been upset about so many people talking about him rather than the Lord at his recent memorial service. “He probably wouldn’t have appreciated that we’re talking about his life,” he said.
A letter was read from John Craig, a former store manager for Alton in the 70s
and 80s. He wrote about how Alton gave him a raise so he could qualify for a home loan and taught him everything he knew about business and sales. Craig wrote that for decades he and Alton would talk on the phone on November 2 every year. “It was his birthday, a day worth celebrating,” Craig wrote.
Alton’s oldest granddaughter, Kristina Alton, said she remembers her grandfather taking her ballroom dancing every Christmas when she was in her early teens. “I always wore a fancy dress and had my hair all done up,” she said.
Her grandfather had infinite patience and an ability to explain everything from finance to theology in detail, she said. “As an adult, when I had questions on candidates, I would call him,” she said. “He was my trusted advisor on that.”
His son and business co-owner, Matt Alton, spoke of the many memories he had with his father, personally and professionally. “I have a lifetime of good memories with my father,” he said. “I was fortunate to be his son and his business partner.”
In a separate interview, Matt Alton
talked about his father’s life, including an incident when he was around 10 or 11 and decided to sell firecrackers to other kids in Atkinson, Nebraska, where he grew up. Alton started selling them underneath a nearby bridge until a police officer told him to stop, his son said.
“He just had them come to his (bedroom) window,” he said. “He was an entrepreneur. Instead of a lemonade stand he found another way to make money.”
That streak of entrepreneurism was always present. Alton joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 and while stationed at Geiger Field in Spokane, he took a side job with Economy Gas Station. He left the Air Force after four years, then eventually purchased his own gas station. He opened his first Alton’s Tire location at Indiana Avenue and Hamilton in 1964. He, and later his son, would own 13 locations in Spokane and North Idaho before selling the chain to Tire-Rama in 2008, when Alton retired.
In 1958, he married his first wife, Blanche, who was the mother of Pamela, Greg and Douglas. They later had two
sons, Matthew and Troy. The couple divorced in 1989 and he married Andree Rabe in 1993.
Alton was also a longtime supporter of conservative political causes and candidates. He ran for the U.S. House in the 5th District against Tom Foley in 1976 and again in 1978, both times unsuccessfully. For many decades he donated thousands of dollars to groups advocating against local bond and levy ballot measures from local school districts.
Matt Alton said his father thought the education system wasn’t working well and districts were spending too much money per student while getting low test scores. “I think he was ahead of his time there,” his son said. “He was a big proponent of private education instead of public education.”
He also donated money to the campaigns of many conservative candidates over the years, including former 5th District Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and current 5th District Representative Michael Baumgartner, both of whom attended Alton’s memorial service.
But Matt Alton remembers his father more for the fishing trips and family vacations they took when he was a child, particularly a road trip to Alaska in a Ford pickup. He remembers his father’s strong faith, which was sparked before he was born when Alton accepted a ride from a Baptist minister. “He led my dad to the Lord,” Matt Alton said.
Alton loved to share his faith with others, his son said. “He would preach at small country churches when the pastors went on vacation,” he said.
Former Liberty Lake Mayor Steve Peterson said he became friends with Alton when he moved in across the street from Peterson in 2002. “If there’s any person if his word was his bond, that would describe Duane Alton,” he said. “He was a very honest, forthright friend. His employees loved him, his customers loved him and I think his community loved him.”
Peterson said Alton loved to host neighborhood gatherings, including a Super Bowl party every year and a neighborhood brunch every spring. “At Christmas time, he gave everyone in the neighborhood a poinsettia,” Peterson said.
Peterson and Alton would work together to clear their private street with snow blowers whenever it snowed. “He said it was his exercise,” Peterson said. “You just couldn’t ask for a better friend.”
By Nina Culver
Current contributor
HUB Hosts first Unlock your Future event for High School Students
The HUB Sports Center has expanded its “Unlock Your Future” events, hosting its first ever high school hiring event on March 25.
For several years the HUB has hosted an annual “Unlock Your Future” middle school career expo designed to let students know what career options are available if they decided not to earn a four-year college degree. The event typically includes construction, manufacturing and medical businesses as well as first responders.
“We appreciate their willingness to prepare seeds by talking to the middle schools,” said HUB executive director Phil Champlin.
Champlin said several schools and businesses expressed interest in holding a similar event for high school students who might be looking for summer jobs and career opportunities after high school. It’s typical for 60 businesses to attend the middle school event and Champlin said 40 businesses agreed to come for the inaugural high school event, many of whom usually participate in the middle school event.
On March 25 school buses from all over Spokane County sat in the HUB parking lot as students chatted with employers and collected flyers. However, students didn’t need to be a part of a field trip to attend the “Unlock Your Future” event, Champlin said.
“Some schools are bringing kids and some kids are bringing themselves,” he said.
There was also an area where students could get their resumes reviewed and learn how to prepare for a job interview.
Most of the employers who showed u p were in the construction, manufacturing, first responder and medical categories, though there were others. STCU and Walmart each had a table and the U.S. Army was represented along with the Army National Guard and the Army ROTC program.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office table got some attention, partly because of the high tech gear on display and partly because of the presence of Deputy Justin Materne and K9 Apache. Students could also check out the Liberty Lake Police Department and the 911 dispatch center.
Garco Construction, a local company responsible for constructing many schools and facilities, was there even though the company currently has no job openings, said HR Director Michelle Walsh. Her goal was to educate people about jobs they offer, including apprentice programs for new hires starting out as a carpenter, cement mason, ironworker, laborer or heavy equipment operator. Apprentices get pay and benefits while they learn a trade, Walsh said.
“It’s a great way to get your foot in the door,” she said. “It’s so important for us to educate students that they don’t have to go on to higher education.”
www.hubsportscenter.org
Jobs in the trades generally pay well and it’s possible for people to work their way up in the industry. “I started out flagging,” Walsh said, referring to her first job directing traffic through construction sites.
Marc Oergel, a junior at Riverside High School, signed up to attend the “Unlock Your Future” event because he’s looking for a summer job. “I’m looking into construction, welding, pipefitting,” he said.
By midmorning he had already talked to more than half a dozen companies. While he wasn’t sure about being able to land a summer job, he was also considering them for a career after he graduates. Oergel said he’d like to go to a trade school, probably to learn pipefitting.
Lillian Bonn, also a junior at Riverside High School, said she’s also looking for a summer job and was looking at the health care companies. “I’m kind of having trouble finding a job,” she said. “I wanted to look at the opportunities.”
She was intrigued by Incyte Diagnostics, but said summer jobs seemed slim. Still, she was grateful she attended the event. “You can learn a lot of cool things even if you can’t find a job,” she said.
Maria Hagan, a junior at Dishman Hills High School, said she was interested in exploring work as either a certified nursing assistant or a welder. Her mother works in health care, but she also wanted to talk to construction companies about welding. “Welding has always been a fascination of mine,” she said.
While at the event, Hagan signed up for a M.A.S.H. Camp hosted by MultiCare. The camp is a free, multiday experience held every summer for high school students to explore various careers in health care. The camp exposes students to jobs in the emergency department, intensive care, cancer center, labor and delivery, pediatrics and information systems and technology.
Hagan said MultiCare and Providence interested her the most. “They both offer CNA programs,” she said.
Champlin said he was pleased with the variety of businesses that turned out for the event. He’s already planning to host it again in 2026, though he’s open to making some changes to improve the event if possible. “It will be a learning experience, figuring out what works best,” he said.
Photo by Nina Culver Patterned after their annual Unlock Your Future event sharing career opportunities for Middle School Students, High School Students who might be looking for summer jobs or career opportunities after high school had the opportunity to interact with 40 businesses at the HUB Sports Center on March 25th
Help end food insecurity with a donation to the Bites and Books Food Drive
By Aileen Luppert Spokane County Library District
Spokane County Library District (SCLD) engages with our community to understand its wants, needs, aspirations, and challenges. Last year, our staff spoke to hundreds of people and learned our community aspires to be a safe, welcoming place where everyone has opportunities. We also learned more about challenges our community faces, including lack of resources and food insecurity.
The USDA defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”
Feeding America estimates that
Library Giving Day raises funds to provide summer reading books to kids, teens
By Jane Baker Spokane County Library District
For Library Giving Day last year, the Library Foundation of Spokane County fundraised to give books to kids and teens to kick off summer reading in Spokane County. The Library Foundation met their fundraising goal, and each youth who registered for the summer reading program with Spokane County Library District (SCLD) received a new book to keep.
In 2025, the Library Foundation is supporting Summer Reading again with a goal of raising $5,000. This year’s Library Giving Day
“47 million people—1 in 7—are food insecure in the US.” In Spokane County, 13% of our population and 19% of our children are food insecure. If you need help getting food for you or your family, visit Partner INW’s “Get Help” web page at www.partnersinw.org/get-help.
The thought of one hungry child is troubling, but nearly 1 in 5 kids in Spokane County is food insecure, which is upsetting and a major concern for our communities. Hungry children struggle to learn and grow.
SCLD has taken steps to help ease food insecurity in our communities. After school and during school breaks, including summer, youth ages 18 and under can get a free, healthy snack at Spokane Valley Library. This federally funded snack program is also serving children at three other SCLD locations and expanding to another this summer. In January 2025, the snack program served 1,387 snacks to children across four of our libraries.
Partners INW, the largest food bank in Spokane Valley, shares that food insecurity is increasing.
is Tuesday, April 1, with donations accepted throughout the entire month of April.
The giveaway is expanding in 2025 to include preschool readers so that all youth ages 0–17 registering for Summer Reading will receive a book. The entirety (100%) of donations to Library Giving Day go directly to covering the costs of providing these books.
Offering a book at the beginning of Summer Reading increased registration and participation, particularly among school-aged children. It also incentivized visiting the library at the beginning of summer and encouraged continued reading activity throughout the season.
The Summer Reading Program at SCLD encourages kids to maintain or improve their reading skills during summer, helping to ensure that they are ready to learn and not working to regain forgotten skills when they return to school in the fall.
Last year, over 1,500 children registered for summer reading.
In January 2025, it served 8,510 households with 16,375 individuals. This is a 74% increase from just last year. Of these households, 2,684 (32%) were new food bank clients. Partners INW is only one of many food banks in the county experiencing this trend.
All area libraries have teamed up this year for the annual spring food drive in April, including SCLD, Spokane Public Library, and Liberty Lake Municipal Library with support from Second Harvest, and KHQ.
Every library in the county will be collecting nonperishable food. Partners INW, Second Harvest, and other food banks will distribute your food donations to communities in Spokane Valley, Millwood, Otis Orchards, Fairfield, and others.
We know that residents in our region are generous and value their communities, so we hope that you are able to donate this April. To help, bring your canned or packaged food to any library. We look forward to seeing how your generosity and the Bites and Books Food Drive will help to end food insecurity in the region.
SCLD saw a 33% increase in total registration and a 59% increase in school-aged participants (ages 5–17) over the previous year. The largest group of youth participants were in grades 2, 3 and 4, which are the most critical grades for learning to read.
Let’s do it again!
The benefits of reading can last a lifetime, beginning in early childhood and continuing through the senior years. If you’re passionate about reading, we hope you consider donating and helping spread the word about Library Giving Day.
Donations of any size are welcome and can be made at www.supportscld.org.
Library Giving Day is a nationwide, annual fundraising event with the goal of encouraging people who depend on and enjoy public libraries to donate to their local library system. And in turn, that support goes toward the incredible programs, services, and materials provided by local libraries all over the country.
April 1, 2025
Give the gift of reading.
Your donation (of any size) goes directly to providing books for kids and teens who sign up for Summer Reading 2025.
Donations accepted through April 30. Visit
Bring nonperishable food, such as cereal and peanut butter, to any library in Spokane County to help turn the page on hunger.
Learn more at scld.org/food-drive
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NEWS
Councilman Merkel’s account linked to Pagefreezer, other issues continue
By John McCallum
Current contributor
A story in the March issue of the Spokane Valley Current, “Spokane Valley sues Councilman Al Merkel over public records access,” it was incorrectly reported that Merkel’s personal social media account on the Nextdoor platform was not linked to the city’s archive program, Pagefreezer, after his account was reinstated by Nextdoor.
According to an email from Spokane Valley Communications Manager and Public Information Officer Jill Smith, Merkel’s Nextdoor account is linked to Pagefreezer, allowing the city archival access for public records request purposes to what the councilman posts. But like many things in the ongoing battle over the legality of using his personal account to conduct City Council business, that assertion comes with a caveat.
“Another note is that we are unable to capture comments on other people’s accounts where he discusses city business and may be public records,” Smith wrote in a March 18 email.
City Attorney Kelly Konkright confirmed this in a March 19
interview. The city contends that because of this they are unable to fully comply with almost 70 public records requests from various media and individual sources for Merkel’s communications and are thus not in compliance with the state’s Public Records Act.
“They could be public records, we don’t know because we can’t even see them,” Konkright said.
Merkel refused to use the cityprovided email link given to him when he took office in January, 2024, instead relying on his Nextdoor account to communicate with residents who were also Nextdoor users. That communication includes detailed descriptions and analysis of City Council meetings and topics, various polls and surveys on Spokane Valley issues such as the Sprague Avenue stormwater and lane reduction project completed last fall and criticism of other councilmembers.
In June, Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger filed a complain with the city alleging Merkel’s use of his personal account to conduct city business violated the state’s Public Records Act but also City Council policy as established in the Governance Manual. Subsequent investigations by the city, an independent Seattlebased employment investigator and a decision by Spokane County Hearing Examiner Andrew Kottkamp ruled Merkel’s use was in violation of these policies and state law.
While he still contends that he is not in violation of any policy or law and, Merkel has acceded to some city requirements to conform with policy and state law regarding public records and social media use. Besides the Pagefreezer link,
Merkel also submits spreadsheets identifying his posts made on his personal page and others’ pages.
In the city’s view, this is not enough to be in full compliance. Additionally, questions have arisen about the accuracy of what he has provided.
In January Merkel closed his personal account and opened a new Nextdoor account using his official city email and registered it with the city’s archiving software, Pagefreezer. That account was subsequently closed later in the month when his personal account was reinstated.
When the city’s technology department went to archive some data, which Konkright said must be done manually because of Nextdoor’s incompatibility with Pagefreezer, they found about a month of data missing between then and the previous time the account was archived.
In her March 18 email, Smith said she had been told the previous day that the missing content appeared to back on his account.
“We should audit that against the content we captured before it was missing for a month, but we have not done that yet, so I’m unclear if it is all back or just some,” Smith added, a comment echoed by Konkright.
Because of the ongoing issues with Merkel’s conducting City Council business on his personal social media account, Spokane Valley filed a lawsuit against the him in Spokane County Superior Court on Feb. 11. Council also voted 5-0 — Yaeger was absent and Merkel could not vote — at its Feb. 18 meeting to deny Merkel any city-funded legal
representation in connection with the lawsuit, as would be allowed under the Governance Manual.
At the time, Merkel said he was glad the issue was headed to court.
“We’ll have an actual judgement, not from some paid person, not from some lawyer but from a judge,” Merkel said at the Feb. 4 meeting. “We’ll see what happens.”
According to court documents, the case was assigned to Superior Court Judge Rachelle Anderson, who issued an “Order of Default” on March 13 against Merkel after he exceeded the 20-day requirement to respond to the original case service.
A hearing on the default motion was scheduled for April 4. An Order of Default is a court indicating one party has won their case because the other party failed to appear. It does not establish monetary damages, if any are requested.
Because it is still active litigation, Smith said the city doesn’t have a statement on the Order of Default at this time.
“That would likely come once a final decision is made,” she added. Konkright said the city is not after any monetary damages. It simply wants Merkel to comply with city and state policy and law.
“That’s all we’re seeking,” he said. “We just want compliance.”
According to city information, Spokane Valley as of March 18 has spent $289,082.43 on issues dealing with Merkel’s conduct, up from $235,047.75 in a similar report in January. Of that almost $290,000, $164,083.55 is for issues dealing with the legal risk surrounding Merkel’s personal social media account, up from $119,909.65 through Jan. 15.
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Falcons looking forward to spring sports seasons
By John McCallum
Current contributor Baseball
The Falcons return three All-Greater Spokane League selections from last year’s team that won three of its final four games to capture the program’s first ever GSL regular season title. After getting upset in the first round by Cheney, Ridgeline responded with an eliminationround win over Mead before ending their season with a loss to third-seeded Mt. Spokane, finishing with a 14-4 league mark, 15-9 overall.
Returning are All-GSL first team selections juniors Caden Andreas (shortstop) and Ben Wartinger (second base/pitcher) and second-team pick Michael Macall (third base/pitcher). Additionally, head coach Jeramie Maupin was named the GSL’s Coach of the Year.
The Falcons are 0-3 overall through March 25 games, a season-opening doubleheader loss at Hanford and a homeopener loss to Coeur d’Alene.
Fastpitch softball
The Falcons return a good group of players from last year’s team that went 10-8 in the GSL, 10-11 overall and earned a No. 5 seed to the district playoffs. Key among that group are seven seniors that are the first group of fastpitch athletes to play all four years in the four-year-old Ridgeline program.
“They have been with us since the very beginning and helped us to create the program that we have today,” head coach Alyssa Rasmusen said.
Seniors Lilly Triplett and Elli Thompson should play a key role in the Falcons success in 2025, Triplett in centerfield and at the plate and Thompson in left field and in the pitcher’s circle. Other
seniors bringing experience and depth to their roles are Izabella Hernandez, Lily Lander, Dani Philips, Tayla Travis and Natalie Willmon.
Newcomers Kadence Barcus (freshman) and Persais Triplett (sophomore) should also play key roles this year in the infield/ outfield and pitching. Other newcomers include freshmen Gianna Haiar, Sydney Stenglein, Kate Northcutt and Reese Runyan.
Ridgeline is off to a 2-2 start in 2025, 2-1 in league play, sandwiching wins over Gonzaga Prep and Shadle Park between losses to Freeman and current GSL-leader and unbeaten Mt. Spokane.
“We are super excited for the best season yet!” Rasmussen said.
Golf – Girls
The Falcons return all six varsity letter winners from last year’s team that finished seventh at 3A state, and was the only 3A girls’ team east of the Cascades to play as a team on the final day.
Back are seniors Carolyn Rose, Kate Mulligan and Reagan Rothley, junior Sawyer Anderson and sophomores Chloe Hamilton and Morgan Quesnell. Head coach Danny White said they also have 15-20 players on the junior varsity squad, a positive sign for the program’s future.
Rose tied for 13th overall at state in 2024. She was a 1st Team All-GSL selection and has signed to play college golf at Whitworth University.
Mulligan tied for 47th at state. She was a 2nd Team All-GSL pick last year and a member of the Falcons’ 3A state champion volleyball team this fall — as was Rothley.
Rothley tied for 63rd at state with three other players. She has signed to play volleyball at Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo.
Hamilton finished in a fourway tie for 39th at state as a freshman. She was a 2nd Team All-GSL selection.
Quesnell placed 68th at state while Anderson missed the second-day state individual cut,
but played with the other five as a team. All six have set goals to win the GSL 3A/4A team title and finish in the top three at state.
“The spring season is almost here and the taste of success last season has given the team a boost of confidence to climb the state ladder,” White said. “They have put in the work since May (2024) and continue to improve on their swings.”
Soccer
Four starters and nine letter winners are back from last year’s team that won the program’s first-ever GSL title, earned the district’s No. 3 seed to state before losing in the opening round to Arlington. The Falcons finished at 8-1 in the GSL in 2024, 14-5 overall.
Key returners in 2025 are senior forward/striker Andre Chaker, an NCAA Division II commit to Northwest Nazarene College, junior defender Thatcher Hemphill and sophomore midfielder Col Kreider. Head coach Ernie Merino said senior forward Abdul Umar Nasir is a key newcomer who will be “playing several roles this year (and) will be key to bringing energy to the attack.”
“We are facing challenges replacing so many starters from last year as well as bringing a group of boys together who have never played together,” Merino said. “The preseason has taught us a lot and we are optimistic about the upcoming GSL season.”
Ridgeline had yet to open league play as of March 25, and was 2-4 overall with wins over
Gonzaga Prep and Cheney but a couple close losses to Ridgeline (2-0) and West Valley (3-0).
Track and Field
Head coach Brian Spraggins said Ridgeline has 19 boys and 21 girls returning “who also won letters in previous years.”
Returning athletes to watch Daden Lewis (throws), Mica Pesina and Tony Rodriguez (sprints), Habiba Adam (triple jump), Kayla Jensen (hurdles) Paige Huntsinger (distance), Taylor Teslow and Claire Lamoreaux (sprints), Chris Roe (throws — back from injury and should have a good year), Eli Yim (middle distance) and Keean Huntsinger (distance).
Lewis is the only boys’ returner to reach state in 2024, placing 13th in the shot put. Spraggins named freshman distance runner Preston Nelson as a potential contributor to team success.
Ridgeline is in a building phase, “a fairly young team,” Spraggins said with a lot of freshmen and sophomores turning out. They’re “eager to learn and grown,” Spraggins added.
“From a macro level perspective, we have a lot of young talent, but there are a few who are beginning to emerge as potentially solid contributors to more formal team success,” he said. “Time will tell, but I expect good things from this group over the next several years.”
Additional information from coaches about baseball, boys golf and tennis teams was not received at press time, March 26.
