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🌱 Patch AM: How Spokane’s pop-up disaster camps are helping kids heal after wildfires

Happening soon: Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson on the Spokane Patch calendar

Thursday September 3rd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey hey Spokane! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ā˜€ļø

In today's newsletter:

  • How Spokane's pop-up disaster camps are helping kids heal after wildfires
  • How a new tax hike and wildfire cleanup will impact Spokane residents
  • Could Spokane middle schoolers really be starting class at 7:30 a.m.?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has 2 arms and a neck but no head? šŸ¤” (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: A passing morning shower, with a high of 67 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Friday: Cool with clouds and sun, temps: high: 66, low: 47.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny with a shower, with a high of 70 and low of 45 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. When natural disasters strike, these camps give kids a safe place to recover (hechingerreport.org) — After wildfires forced about 60,000 Spokane-area residents to evacuate, Spokane Public Schools and partners quickly opened free disaster-response day camps so local kids had safe, structured care while families regrouped. The camps, supported by national nonprofit Project:Camp and local churches, offered routines, play, and trauma‑informed support that helped children and parents begin recovering and planning for the school year ahead.
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2. SPR News Today: Finding loved ones' remains in the ashes (spokanepublicradio.org) — Spokane County commissioners just approved a $5-per-parcel annual property tax increase to bolster the Spokane Conservation District's conservation work. Local readers also learn about a potential 2028 synchronized skating championship at Spokane Arena and major federal wildfire cleanup progress, plus a unique nonprofit helping Spokane families recover loved ones' ashes after recent fires.
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3. 7:30 start for middle school? Spokane Schools exploring new start times for all grades next year (929zzu.com) — Spokane families may see big changes to daily routines next fall as Spokane Schools considers new start times, including a 7:30 a.m. middle school day and later elementary schedule. The district, taking over busing, is surveying parents now about a three-tier system designed to use buses more efficiently while balancing costs, student needs, and family schedules.
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4. Spokane launches Emergency Streets pilot to combat fatal crashes (929zzu.com) — Spokane is rolling out a new Emergency Streets Pilot that will immediately close and redesign streets where fatal crashes occur, using bright pink cones and temporary traffic calming to study safety fixes. City crews will gather neighborhood feedback through surveys, aiming to change how the community responds to traffic deaths and to push long-term improvements on Spokane's most dangerous roads.
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5. Spokane to implement direct assistance program for those without indoor cooling (spokesman.com) — Spokane is rolling out a new direct assistance program to help vulnerable tenants and homeowners pay for cooling, heating, and weatherization, funded through an existing sales tax pool. Building on the city's Right to Cooling law, officials are targeting seniors and disabled residents most likely to lack air conditioning, though details on how the aid will be administered are still being finalized.
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šŸ“ø Around Spokane

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šŸ—“ Upcoming Events in Spokane

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Friday September 4
  • Picture Day
    Lewis & Clark High School 521 W 4th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204, USA
    7:30 am
  • Back to the Library with Winnie the Pooh!
    Spokane Public Library Central - Central Events A & B Combined
    10:00 am
  • Family Garden Taste Test
    Spokane Public Library Shadle Park - Shadle Park Events
    4:00 pm
  • Saturday September 5
  • Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson →
    Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, 10 S Post St, Spokane
    6:30 pm
  • Candlelight: Tribute to Pink Floyd →
    Davenport Hotel, Autograph Collection, 10 S Post St, Spokane
    8:30 pm
  • Tuesday September 8
  • Baby Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library Shadle Park - Shadle Park Events
    9:30 am
  • Toddler Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library South Hill - South Hill Events
    10:00 am
  • Video Studio Drop-In
    Spokane Public Library Central - Video Studio
    10:00 am
  • Kindergarten Countdown Storytime
    Spokane Public Library Shadle Park - Shadle Park Events
    10:30 am
  • Mindfulness Practice
    Spokane Public Library South Hill - South Hill Events
    12:30 pm
  • Friday September 11
  • English and American Masterworks →
    127 E 12th Ave, Spokane
    7:00 pm
  • Saturday September 19
  • Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings →
    Riverside PlaceĀ 1110 West Riverside AvenueĀ Spokane, Washington 99201
    7:45 pm

šŸ“£ Spokane Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Computer bag
    Lost Ihave lost a compter bag that black, canvas, there is some mail in addressed to me Candace Bowma OregonĀ Trail Realty.Ā  If lyou found it please... (More info)

šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Recently there has been some mention here of helicopters flying over various neighborhoods.
    If you're curious, this story may be helpful: Most weekend nights, the Spokane County Sheriff's Office uses helicopters to assist deputies by… (Nextdoor Hillyard)
  • Today is a great day for a free dahlia bouquet giveaway.
    7126 S Cedar Rd. Please only one bouquet per car. Enjoy!!!! (Nextdoor Paradise Prairie)
  • Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Merchandiser in Spokane. Apply here.
  • Spencer's posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager - Spencer's in Spokane. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Spokane here.

Ok Spokane! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A shirt (Thank you Dianna H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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