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🌱 Patch AM: EPA cleanup in Spokane fire zones: how far along are crews?

You won't want to miss English and American Masterworks on the Spokane Patch calendar

Wednesday September 9th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey hey Spokane! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • EPA cleanup in Spokane fire zones: how far along are crews?
  • Why asbestos tests are delaying Spokane fire victims' rebuilding plans.
  • How soaring diesel prices could affect Spokane County school buses.

Also on today's calendar: English and American Masterworks and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the burglar wear blue gloves? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 80 and low of 55 degrees.
  • Thursday: Increasing clouds, temps: high: 81, low: 47.
  • Friday: Mostly cloudy and not as warm, with a high of 70 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. EPA crews halfway through hazardous household material removal in Spokane (spokanepublicradio.org) — EPA crews are midway through removing hazardous household materials from 825 Spokane homes damaged by recent fires, a free service aimed at speeding safe recovery. Working under a 60-day FEMA deadline, teams are clearing items like paint, batteries, and pesticides, and sometimes stabilizing damaged trees or walls first so Spokane families can eventually rebuild more safely.
   

2. Local asbestos testing lab faces backups after Spokane fires (kxly920.com) — Families who lost homes in recent Spokane-area fires are facing long waits for required asbestos testing, with Spokane Valley's only local lab backed up by hundreds of samples. Until results come in and EPA clearance is granted, Spokane property owners cannot get demolition permits, slowing cleanup and rebuilding plans for affected neighborhoods.
   

3. Some Spokane County school districts still battle with high diesel prices for its buses (kxly920.com) — Spokane County school districts, including Freeman, Cheney and Spokane Public Schools, are wrestling with steep diesel prices that are straining transportation budgets and changing how and when they fuel buses. With countywide diesel averaging nearly $7 a gallon, districts are closely timing purchases, drawing extra funds, and eyeing future contract changes that could affect costs and service for families.
   

4. Parents react after deputy fatally shoots man outside Evergreen Middle School (krem.com) — Parents in Spokane Valley rushed to reunite with Evergreen Middle School students at Valley Real Life Church after a deputy fatally shot an armed man near campus. Families described tense hours waiting in verification lines, while district leaders promised counseling support and investigators from an independent team continue examining what happened outside the school.
   

5. Spokane County Plans Curbside Recycling Expansion (recyclingmonster.com) — Spokane County is moving toward a major curbside recycling expansion that would add service for about 2,500 mostly rural residents near Medical Lake, Liberty Lake and Seven Mile. County commissioners will soon consider the plan, which aims to gradually widen recycling access by 2027 while giving haulers time to add trucks, containers and staff.
   

📸 Around Spokane

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Spokane

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Thursday September 10
  • Baby Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library Liberty Park - Liberty Park Events
    10:00 am
  • Toddler Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library Shadle Park - Shadle Park Events
    10:00 am
  • Family Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library Indian Trail - Indian Trail Events
    10:00 am
  • Coffee & Conversation
    Spokane Public Library Central - nxʷyxʷyetkʷ Hall
    11:30 am
  • LEGO® Drop in and Build
    Spokane Public Library South Hill - South Hill Events
    3:30 pm
  • MS Football - JV Jamboree @ Hart Field
    Sacajawea Middle School Spokane, WA 99203
    4:15 pm
  • Thrive Monthly
    Spokane Public Library Liberty Park - Liberty Park Events
    4:30 pm
  • Friday September 11
  • Family Storytime Play & Learn
    Spokane Public Library Central - Central Events B
    10:00 am
  • Write Together
    Spokane Public Library Liberty Park - Liberty Park Events
    10:00 am
  • Coloring Sheet Making & Trading
    Spokane Public Library Shadle Park - Shadle Park Events
    4:00 pm
  • 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:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Job postings I saw this morning.
    Part-time: Trader Joe's Crew — Spokane $18–$20/hr Age: Not stated Skills: Entry-level, customer service, cashier, stocking and bagging. Training… (Nextdoor Shadle Park Northwest)
  • I am so unbelievably proud of my Hanky.
    Yes, yes I am. Our first walk about 6 months ago. It was an absolute disaster. He was all over the place trying to run in traffic even though he was… (Nextdoor Bemiss)
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Spokane. Apply here.
  • Advantage Solutions posted a job opening for SAS in Walmart - Retail Specialist - Seasonal 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: So he wouldn't get caught red handed. (Thank you Vicki B. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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