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🌱 Patch AM: What 70,000 pounds of toxic debris removal means for fire survivors

And check out Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson on the Spokane Patch calendar

Saturday September 5th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Spokane! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What 70,000 pounds of toxic debris removal means for fire survivors
  • How at-risk is your Spokane hillside home after the recent fires?
  • Why is part of the Spokane River running dry even faster now?

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

Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Warmer with a stray shower, with a high of 74 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy, a couple of t-showers, temps: high: 73, low: 52.
  • Monday: Periods of sun with a shower, with a high of 67 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. EPA removes tens of thousands of pounds of hazardous materials from Spokane wildfire properties (dailydispatch.com) — Federal crews have already removed about 70,000 pounds of hazardous household materials from properties damaged in the Spokane Complex fires, making it safer for residents to return. Working at no cost to homeowners, the EPA is clearing items like paint, solvents, oils, batteries, and pesticides across Spokane County and Spokane Tribe lands. Health officials say this step reduces fire-related risks as cleanup and recovery continue.
   

2. Geologists weigh prospect of mudslides after Spokane fires (seattletimes.com) — Geologists are in Spokane evaluating how the recent Spokane Complex and Autumn Lane fires may raise the risk of mudslides for neighborhoods near burned hillsides and Riverside State Park. They're mapping vulnerable slopes and alluvial fans, and urging residents living below burned terrain to watch for heavy rain, clear culverts, and pay close attention to flash flood and thunderstorm warnings in the coming months.
   

3. Spokane Riverkeeper raises concerns over drying riverbed for second year in a row (929zzu.com subscription) — A stretch of the Spokane River in Spokane has run dry again, this time even earlier than last year, alarming Spokane Riverkeeper advocates who say it's a warning sign for the region's water future. At a Spokane River Rally, they blamed low snowpack, aquifer losses, and Post Falls Dam operations, and are pushing for higher summer flows to protect wildlife and river health.
   

4. Beyond the Built Environment (spokanecity.org) — Spokane is updating its PlanSpokane 2046 Comprehensive Plan, with a strong focus on protecting rivers, shorelines, conservation areas, and other natural resources that shape daily life here. Draft chapters on the natural environment, parks and recreation, and shorelines are open for public comment, and the city will soon update related ordinances like the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program. Residents are encouraged to review proposals and share feedback online.
   

5. Hands Across Spokane (spokanecity.org) — A free Hands Across Spokane community resource fair is coming to Gesa Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., bringing local service organizations together with residents. Organizers invite Spokane-area individuals and groups to share photos of joined hands beforehand, then gather for a symbolic moment of people physically linking hands to highlight connection and available resources.
   

📸 Around Spokane

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Spokane

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    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
  • Family Garden Taste Test
    Spokane Public Library Indian Trail - Indian Trail Events
    3:30 pm
  • Wednesday September 9
  • Colville: WorkFirst & DSHS Partnership Event
    Community Colleges of Spokane Colville Center 617-0101I
    9:00 am
  • Kindergarten Countdown Storytime
    Spokane Public Library Hillyard - Hillyard Events
    10:00 am
  • 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 Place 1110 West Riverside Avenue Spokane, Washington 99201
    7:45 pm

📣 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.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Spokane PatchAM possible:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please help me find my dog.
    Lost her in medical lake. She has a purple color with an orange leash attached when she was lost. She has been gone since last night around 9:30pm… (Nextdoor Southgate)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
    Found on September 2, 2026 in Spokane, WA 99201 near W summit pkwy Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder, view… (Nextdoor Cliff Cannon)
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Stockroom Associate Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Spokane. Apply here.
  • Mondelez International posted a job opening for Full-Time Nabisco Merchandiser/Order Writer 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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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