Good morning, Spokane Valley.

Balfour Park now offers four pickleball courts, one full basketball court, two half basketball courts, sports lighting, and a new sound system following a summer of construction.

The city will add a playground and splash pad in 2027 (funded by grants) as part of ongoing park improvements.

Funk band Mr. Vale's Math Class will perform at the final Music in the Park on Friday, Sept.

11 from 6-8 p.m. at Olmsted Brothers Green — located at the corner of Summit Parkway and Nettleton Street — where Mixed Plate Food Truck will also serve dinner and free meals for first responders.

Eastern Washington University President Sheri McMahan reported she was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and that Vice President Cesar Portillo will handle daily operations as fall quarter nears — she will continue working behind the scenes.

School districts are managing high diesel prices by strategically fueling their buses.

At Freeman School District, an 8,500-gallon pump-tank (in place for 13 years) remains half full and will power 13 buses for two months as Cheney and Spokane Public Schools adjust budgets with diesel averaging $6.95 per gallon.

Spokane County Commission voted Tuesday to expand curbside recycling to about 2,500 unincorporated residents, including areas near Hangman Valley, Medical Lake and south of Mead.

Waste Management and Sunshine Disposal must deliver blue bins by April next year (meeting state recycling goals).

EPA crews are removing hazardous household materials from homes damaged by wildfire and have cleared more than half of 825 Spokane houses.

They will finish the cleanup within 60 days while safely disposing of waste at state-approved sites (the disposal method varies by waste type).

Bridge maintenance work has started today in Spokane Valley as crews repair a key structure to boost safety, and motorists should follow the temporary detour signs.

Last month at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, nearly 600 firefighters received glutathione treatments after wildfire exposure while the FDA and IAFF warned that the treatment is unproven and may risk contamination.