Daily
Spokane Valley
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
Good morning, Spokane Valley. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ New Year’s Eve celebrations in Spokane kick off today with fireworks at Riverfront Park at 9 p.m., an ice-skating DJ night at the Numerica Skate Ribbon from 6:30 to 10 p.m., and a winter light show at the Pavilion until 10 p.m.—with a midnight countdown at 11 p.m. FOX 28 Spokane
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Minimum wage workers in Washington will see their pay rise from $16.66 to $17.13 starting Thursday, marking the 9th straight yearly increase. Some new business owners worry the change may force operational adjustments to keep prices competitive + call on community support. KXLY
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ WDVA closed on 41.5 acres west of the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and next to the VA Medical Center — the site will be developed into a new Veterans Home to expand care for veterans. The agency requests an additional $10.9 million in state funds to advance construction. KXLY
- ➤ WSDOT warned drivers Tuesday evening on US 2 Stevens after a driver passed a pilot car line, saying the act endangered crews and travelers. The department urged motorists to follow pilot car boundaries to keep everyone safe. KHQ
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Before Christmas, Paisha Dixon and her fiancé adopted Sammy from SCRAPS, but the dog became sick with parvovirus and died after Christmas. The shelter has confirmed parvo in five dogs and closed its adoption areas for 14 days — urging local dog owners to vaccinate their pets. FOX 28 Spokane
- ➤ Spokane County Animal Protection Service reported five confirmed cases of canine Parvovirus and is quarantining affected dogs; adult dog adoptions are halted for 14 days (puppies and cats remain available). KHQ
- ➤ Before Christmas, a local couple adopted a dog named Sammy who died the day after her parvovirus diagnosis; SCRAPS reported five cases and closed its adoption area for 14 days (extra cleaning and isolation measures are underway) as the shelter urges pet vaccinations. KHQ
- ➤ SCRAPS has suspended adult dog adoptions for at least two weeks after confirming five cases of canine parvovirus at its facility on 6815 E. Trent Avenue in Spokane Valley. Puppies, cats, and kittens remain available because they are housed separately. KXLY
- ➤ SpokAnimal remains closed until further notice after a respiratory virus caused symptoms in about 15 of its 30 dogs. Treatments are in progress (samples are being tested) while the clinic and pet food bank continue operating. KHQ
- ➤ Spokane County Regional Health District reported its first flu death in October while Washington recorded 18 (lab-confirmed) flu deaths this season. Idaho and Montana reported three flu deaths each amid nearly two dozen states seeing very high respiratory illness activity. FOX 28 Spokane
- ➤ SCRAPS in Spokane Valley halted dog adoptions for at least two weeks due to a parvovirus outbreak that claimed four dogs — the facility has imposed strict quarantine and sanitizing protocols. Cats and puppies remain available, and pet owners are advised to keep vaccinations current. KXLY
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.
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