Community Corner

🌱 OnTrac Shipping Delays + Spokane Valley Fire + National Guard

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Spokane.

Sean Peek's profile picture
Sean Peek, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
|

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Sean Peek, your host of the Spokane Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy, flurries; chilly. High: 33 Low: 29.

Here are the top three stories in Spokane today:

  1. During the week of Jan. 24-30, Spokane Valley Fire responded to 415 calls. Among those were 362 calls for emergency medical services, 12 car crashes, a fire alarm set off by construction, a fire alarm set off by concrete grinding, a dryer fire extinguished by the resident, and a report of smoke that turned out to be coming from a chimney. On Jan. 25, crews also put out a fire which was found behind a floorboard heater in a bathroom. (The Spokesman Review)
  2. Spokane's Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital will be receiving assistance from members of the Washington National Guard. More than 100 members will be deployed across the state to help with non-medical tasks so that providers can be available to provide emergency care and testing as hospitals across the state are swamped with both COVID and non-COVID patients. Currently, roughly 18 percent of all patients in the state have COVID-19, and 22 percent of people in intensive care units are COVID-positive, according to Governor Jay Inslee. (KREM.com)
  3. Multiple Spokane and North Idaho residents have reported issues with the delivery company OnTrac. Customers are claiming that the company's delays and communication struggles are beyond the norm of what consumers are experiencing with other carriers. The company has more than 1,200 complaints against them posted on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a one-star rating, yet OnTrac's rating from the BBB is an A. (KHQ Right Now)

From our sponsor:

Hey Spokane, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs!

Today in Spokane:

  • Storytime Shorts, At North Spokane Library (10:00 AM)
  • Free AARP Tax Aide, At Spokane County Library District (1:00 PM)
  • Live Online Storytime, At North Spokane Library (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

  • Yesterday was Lunar New Year! To celebrate, Spokane United We Stand is ringing in the Year of the Tiger with a free community celebration on Saturday, Feb. 5, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Central Pavilion in Spokane Riverfront Park. (Facebook)
  • Gonzaga University women's basketball players and coaching staff stopped by Franklin Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon to answer questions and pass out free Gonzaga Women's Basketball sweatshirts to more than 50 fifth graders. (Facebook)
  • In honor of the Inlander Restaurant Week coming up on Feb. 24, Visit Spokane is going to have three giveaways (one per week leading up to it) to give you a chance to win gift cards to incredible restaurants. (Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

Loving the Spokane Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

  • Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
  • Get your local business listed in front of readers

That's it for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Spokane