Good morning, Spokane Valley.

Jessica Kovac’s nonprofit Blessings & Beyond — formerly known as Blessings Under the Bridge — now expands its services in Spokane Valley by offering food programs, event catering, and biometric lockers to help homeless people keep their personal items safe.

Founded in 2007 with $50 from waitressing tips, the organization served over 483,000 meals from 2023 to 2024 and will seek new contracts to support its growing mission.

Girls on the Run of Spokane County is hosting a family-friendly Celebratory 5K on May 31 at Riverside Memorial Park that will let participants, their families, and friends build confidence and learn life skills — registration costs $30 and includes a shirt, medal, and access to fun activities while volunteers help run the event.

County officials unveiled upgrades at Liberty Lake Regional Park Wednesday that include new picnic shelters, restrooms, outdoor showers, accessible beach parking, and a large dock with an accessible kayak launch—county workers also repaved Zephyr Road to improve access for visitors. The $4.15 million project is the first phase of a multi-year plan to update one of our valley's most well-loved parks.

A car crash on eastbound I-90 near the Monroe Street exit is blocking the left lane at milepost 280.55 and causing traffic delays during rush hour in Spokane—officials have not provided a reopening time.

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 20-year-old man after an ALPR alert led them to a stolen gold 2007 GMC Envoy near W.

Cascade Way and N. Division Street on May 20—during a high-risk stop on N. Normandie Lane, they found a loaded revolver with altered serial numbers in the vehicle.

Three individuals involved in a drug trafficking operation led by convicted murderer Alexandro Aguilar were sentenced to federal prison—Aguilar received 30 years while Kassandra Montelongo and Luis Lara got 10 years each after an investigation connected their scheme to large quantities of fentanyl, meth, and guns in Spokane Valley.

Washington has a new law banning the feeding of deer, elk, and moose that took effect yesterday and aims to slow the spread of wildlife diseases—officials now focus on educating the public rather than issuing citations.

Local stores were unaware of the law and residents are urged to check online for guidance on compliance.

Congressman Michael Baumgartner wrote to the U.S. Health Secretary to call for reopening a safety lab in Spokane's Logan neighborhood that closed in April, leading to 90 workers being alerted of layoffs as the health department downsized.

He noted the lab served miners, farm workers and wildland firefighters and said similar labs in West Virginia and Ohio have restarted—adding urgency to local safety concerns as plans to reopen mines move forward.

Spokane real estate agents use Instagram to show homes, share tips and promote local businesses—one agent with 25,600 followers credits her social media posts for many sales.

They post short videos—featuring local restaurants and community updates—to build trust with clients and earn extra income from single leads.

Hillsboro Hops at Spokane Indians

6:35-10:35 p.m. — Avista Stadium — Tickets required — Enjoy a fun-filled night of baseball with lively promotions including SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night.

Spokane Indians Baseball Game Night

7:05 p.m. — Avista Stadium — $5 plus fees — Experience a magical evening with baseball, princesses, and a fireworks show.

The Farm Chicks Vintage & Handmade Fair

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Spokane County Fair and Expo Center — $10 entry good all weekend — Discover hundreds of curated vintage and handmade goods in a vibrant fair atmosphere.

Mastermind Connect Event

2-4:30 p.m. — Burbity Workspaces - Sullivan Valley Commons — $50 — Engage in expert-led discussions and mentorship for business growth.

Filipino-American Friendship Day Celebration

1-4 p.m. — Riverfront Park — Free entry — Celebrate the vibrant Filipino culture with food, music, and fun activities for all ages.