Good morning, Spokane Valley.

CHAS Health held a memorial service today at its downtown clinic—honoring 220 unhoused residents who died in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

The event displayed names on a fence and urged community members to support better plans for winter assistance.

Since 2019, local resident Linda Maas has been repairing blankets rescued from Goodwill and donating them to charities in Spokane (she believes even imperfect blankets can spread warmth).

Avista completed power restoration after a Dec.

17 windstorm that left over 80,000 customers without power — crews finished repairs after six days of work on Monday at 4 p.m.

Shelby Allison of Spokane Arts has grown local murals by coordinating the Asphalt Art Program on underpasses and crosswalks, with 16 art creations in January 2023 and seven new murals added in summer 2024 + extensive cleanup work completed on site.

Washington will add a 10% tax on gold, silver and precious coins starting January 1 (raising about $148 million) as local Spokane Valley coin shops worry that higher prices may push customers to nearby states.

Spokane Public Schools is streaming holiday concerts from Ferris and Shadle Park High Schools, featuring band, string, and orchestral performances to bring festive cheer (with choirs from Flett, Glover, and Salk Middle Schools).

Enjoy the free online shows today.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ordered Avista to refund $5.86 million to customers after its tariff sheets for the coal-fired Colstrip plant were rejected.

Refunds will start in April or May while the utility transfers its 15% stake to NorthWestern Energy Corporation on January 1.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission ordered Avista to refund $5.86 million to its customers (overcharges at the Colstrip coal-fired plant) with refunds set to start in April or May 2026 following rejected tariff proposals.

Avista is based in Spokane and serves about 400,000 electricity customers.

Gonzaga remained at No. 7 in the AP poll after beating Oregon 91-82 on Sunday at Moda Center in Portland.

The team (12-1) will open its West Coast Conference season against Pepperdine on Sunday in Malibu.

The latest Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings show Gonzaga — the only team on pace for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid — leading while other teams must improve to help the conference secure multiple bids for the 2025-26 season.

Experts say the rankings offer insight into upcoming challenges for the rebuilt league.