Good morning, Spokane Valley.

4 News Now and Numerica are partnering with Project Beauty Share to host a hygiene drive that will provide essential items like shampoo, soap and deodorant to kids in local school districts + donations will be accepted until October 5.

Air 1—along with Spokane Valley/Spokane County Deputies and WSP Troopers—helped stop a wanted 37-year-old suspect, Martez D.

Tolliver, who fled in a white 2008 Audi Q7 on September 5, drove recklessly, crashed into a deputy’s vehicle and a parked trailer, and was arrested on charges including assault, eluding police, and DUI while another driver disobeyed commands and was booked for DUI.

Air quality improved on Monday in Spokane when the Air Quality Index fell below 50 for the first time since August.

The First Alert Weather Team warns that winds will shift today—bringing smoke back from nearby wildfires and making the cleaner air temporary.

Financial expert Josh Bergman of WSECU warned vintage sellers on online marketplaces to be cautious of scams that involve rushed transactions, excessive personal information requests, and upfront payment demands—he advised cash-only deals, meeting in public, and using trusted platforms like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

On Aug 15, about 140 Spokane County library employees filed for union recognition to address constant schedule changes that extend their commutes and arbitrary decisions—issues that prompted them to seek a new contract; they will begin negotiations once certified in 60-90 days while the district works with the Public Employee Relations Commission to keep library services unchanged. This union effort aims to give workers a stronger voice at one of the last nonunionized public library districts in the area.

On September 8th, the Washington State Department of Commerce awarded $41.1 million in Clean Energy Community Grants to 49 projects across 22 counties, including projects in Spokane focused on rooftop solar, battery storage and EV charging.

In Spokane County, Tessera received over $2.3 million for a microgrid that improves wildfire resilience and workforce development — and the City of Spokane got over $2.8 million to upgrade its energy systems.

Spokane City Council is considering an ordinance to change the permit rules from limited use to permitted use for child care centers in residential areas—making it easier to open new facilities and meet a state law change required next year.

A Spokane jury sided with notorious landlord Arlin Jordin to evict tenant Lisa Brayman from her apartment at 1827 W 9th Avenue after she stopped paying rent in 2021 due to issues like black water in the shower and frequent power outages—problems that led the court to reduce her unpaid rent from $36,855 to about $15,500 and leave her at risk of homelessness. The trial marked the first time a case of its kind was tried by a jury in Spokane, highlighting serious habitability concerns.