Good morning, Spokane Valley.

On September 6th, participants in Spokane’s 'Step to Remember' event climbed 110 flights of stairs—using home steps and stair-steppers—to honor 9/11 heroes and raise funds for families through several foundations; a memorial was also held for fallen Deputy Sergeant Kenneth Salas.

The event marked a touching tribute to local bravery and sacrifice.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51 was repainted in patriotic colors that began Saturday morning and will continue for several weeks—local businesses donated supplies and labor for the first major exterior update in over 100 years.

The Spokane County Fair opened today amid smoky conditions from wildfires, and visitors with sensitive health concerns were advised to limit outdoor exposure.

Organizers said the fair, which runs until September 14, will offer flexible days to return for rides, food, and community events — vendors hope the air becomes clearer as the event continues.

Comedian Drew Lynch is set to perform in Spokane and fans will soon receive details on the event's time and venue — local media reported his upcoming visit.

Mike Kelly, CFO at KT Contracting who earned 46.5% in the primary, said he supports strict law enforcement and favors homeownership with limited apartment complexes, while Kristopher Pockell, a software engineering manager at OpenEye with 33.5% of the vote, wants higher-density housing and plans to work with state officials to ease funds restrictions for homelessness. Both candidates stress public safety and fiscal responsibility as top priorities for the council seat left by Rod Higgins.

Captain Alan Myers now leads the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Region 1 law enforcement in Eastern Washington, returning to his Idaho roots to serve remote communities.

He said his work will soon focus on handling predator conflicts—especially with wolves—and teaming up with other agencies to keep people safe.