Good morning, Spokane Valley.

Latinos en Spokane is asking locals to donate a small couch, TV, Roku, and dresser for the Tiul family following their release on Feb.

7 after they lost most of their belongings during detention. Donations will be accepted Tuesday at the organization’s center (1502 North Monroe Street).

Greg Wright, 69, has run 49 Bloomsdays and plans to keep running as long as he stays strong (he also volunteers in youth sports).

He first ran the race decades ago when urged by his brother and now runs for health and community in our area.

On Friday, kids from Northeast Youth Center delivered heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards to veterans at Spokane Veterans Home to thank them for their service.

SpoKandy, a local chocolatier, prepped for Valentine’s Day amid inflation that pushed chocolate prices 14% higher than last year—customers still sought custom gift boxes and sweets even when a one-pound box climbed about $5.

Carbonation Press will celebrate the release of its new Spokane poetry anthology Down River, Deep Root at Patera Lounge on Saturday with 37 readers sharing their work (edited by publisher Greg Bem), and the book will be available at local retailers.

Thousands gathered at the Spokane Convention Center for the 5th annual Lunar New Year celebration, which kicks off before the holiday begins Tuesday.

Organized by Spokane United We Stand, the event (with over 100 vendors, music and food) seeks to strengthen Asian American community bonds and honor cultural heritage.

Former Spokane Tribal Police officer Jim Wynecoop shares his memoir, My First 10 Years as a Tribal Police Officer, detailing early challenges, cultural moments (like sharing a home-cooked meal on a call) and community bonds on the reservation while planning future books on his career.

Spokane Community College will begin a $16.3 million renovation to its main building in July — the project will strip the building to its shell for a complete interior update and add 3,100 sqft of lobby space at 1810 N.

Greene St.

Residents may notice red-breasted nuthatches (common in our region) carefully listen to chickadee alarm calls before reacting to predators, a tactic that helps them avoid false alarms and mob threats.

Researchers have found that this behavior shows the birds check information before spreading alerts.

All roads damaged during December flooding have reopened after WSDOT completed 100 construction projects — repairs included work on local roads and major highways like U.S. 2.

Drivers now experience improved travel conditions statewide.

No. 12 Gonzaga faces Santa Clara at the Leavey Center tonight for first-place in the West Coast Conference.

Gonzaga lost by 12 points in Spokane on Jan. 8 when injured forward Huff scored 12, and NBA hopeful Allen Graves will try to give Santa Clara the edge.

Former Gonzaga and Mariners pitcher Marco Gonzales, turning 33 tomorrow, signed a minor-league contract with the Padres that includes a spring training invitation on Feb.

4 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Arizona.

Whitworth claimed its third straight Northwest Conference regular-season title with a 93-86 win over George Fox on Saturday at the Whitworth Fieldhouse — the Pirates now lead and will host the tournament Feb.

27-28.

Spokane Home & Yard Show

Feb 26 – Mar 1 — Spokane County Fair and Expo Center — Check for admission details — Explore hundreds of home and yard displays as spring arrives early.