Good morning, Spokane Valley.

On July 19th at 1:15 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a one-vehicle crash at the intersection of N.

Bowdish Road and E. Mission Avenue where a suspected impaired 15-year-old driver crashed a Jeep SUV with two juvenile passengers into a tree, leading to charges of Vehicular Assault, Hit and Run-Injury, Obstructing Law Enforcement, and Driving without a License while one teen was booked for Minor in Possession of Alcohol and the injured female passenger was released to her parent+ a blood sample from the driver was secured for testing.

Preliminary data from Washington state's Employment Security Department showed that the unemployment rate in the Spokane-Spokane Valley area dropped to 3.4% in June from 3.8% a year earlier and 4% in May—marking the lowest rate since June when it was 2.7%.

Total nonfarm employment decreased by 2,700 over the year but increased slightly from 265,400 in May to 265,900 in June.

Spokane’s 30-year community policing partnership with COPS ended after four months of unresolved contract talks, and city officials withheld the $500,000 annual funding while reallocating $120,000 for outreach to other organizations — prompting concerns about local safety programs. COPS downsized its operations by laying off four board members and closing its West office, though the group stated it will continue in a new form.

Spokane County gave $750,000 for Maddie’s Place—a care facility for newborns with drug withdrawal issues and support for their families.

The City of Spokane added $300,000 from opioid funds, and the funding started on July 1 after the facility served over 122 infants since opening in 2022.

Spokane City Council approved about $800,000 for police equipment upgrades — including a new Terradyne GURKHA to replace a totaled armored vehicle and SWAT improvements — and allocated over $2.5 million from the community safety sales tax for two new fire engines and a five-year contract for firefighter health services.

Spokane County has filed a lawsuit against jail contractor NaphCare to recover its share of legal fees and costs from a $27 million wrongful death award after 55 year old Cindy Lou Hill died in jail following her heroin possession arrest in 2018—county officials claim NaphCare did not pay its portion.

Spokane Scottish Highland Games

2:00 – 10:30 AM — Spokane County Fair and Expo Center — Check event website for entry fees — Celebrate Scottish culture with music, athletics, and dance.