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Spokane County is grappling with new state housing laws that could reshape local codes and housing allocations, sparking a debate on transparency and community impact.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunityTransparency #SpokaneCountyHousing #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #HousingPolicy
Planning staff briefs commission on recent state housing laws and raises questions about HAPT allocations
County planning staff reviewed several new state housing statutes affecting ADUs, parking and density and flagged concerns about the HAPT allocation's opaque methodology that shifted housing allocations between the county and city of Spokane.
citizenportal.ai
February 14, 2026 at 7:18 AM
glentalk.bsky.social
During the 2020 protests, the FBI Seattle/ Salt Lake City Inland Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) was "aware of their known regional actors who present potential concerns to this weekend's activities, as well as monitoring for indicators of the presence of any outside agitators/instigators."
From: Intake MailboxSent: Saturday, June 6, 2020 11:41 AMTo: Frinell, Karin M NFG NG WAARNG (USA)Cc: Johnson, Craig; Boyle, CurtSubject: RE: Spokane RFIKarin,We don't have any specific informaƟon concerning threats of violence for the Spokane area. Given that the eastern ofpart of the state has substanƟally different poliƟcal, social and economic views/concerns from western WA, there'salways a potenƟal for violence/criminal behavior if violent acƟvists/agitators from the SeaƩle metropolitan area (orother areas) aƩempt to hijack otherwise peaceful protests in the Spokane region. Inland JTTF, Spokane PD and SpokaneCounty SO are working closely together and are aware of their known regional actors who present potenƟal concerns tothis weekend's acƟviƟes, as well as monitoring for indicators of the presence of any outside agitators/insƟgators. WSFC isdeploying one of our WSP detecƟves to Spokane to assist with informaƟon sharing and coordinaƟon between agencies.BillWilliam E. EvansLead Intelligence AnalystWashington State Fusion Center (WSFC)(206) 262-2514 (office)bill.evans@wsfc.wa.go
February 13, 2026 at 3:23 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Public outrage brews as significant changes in housing allocations raise concerns over growth, infrastructure, and wildfire risks in Spokane County.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #InfrastructurePlanning #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #HousingAllocation
Public commenters and elected officials question county housing‑allocation method tied to Commerce model
Public commenters, builders and elected officials on Feb. 11 pressed county staff over large allocation shifts produced by the HAP/HAPT tool and said Commerce’s proprietary formulas were not available for review; staff said using Commerce guidance is necessary for Growth Management Act compliance.
citizenportal.ai
February 12, 2026 at 11:08 AM
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A new task force is set to tackle homeownership disparities in Spokane County, aiming for a bold 70% ownership target—will this pave the way for more equitable housing opportunities?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HousingAccess #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment
Steering committee authorizes task force to explore countywide homeownership goal
The steering committee voted 8–2 on Feb. 11 to create a task force to draft countywide policy language recommending a target for housing available for ownership; supporters framed it as a discussion step, opponents warned of timing and unintended consequences for allocations.
citizenportal.ai
February 12, 2026 at 2:39 AM
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Spokane County is set to receive a $40,000 FEMA grant to enhance fire safety and conservation efforts across four key properties, but challenges may loom in the reimbursement process.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #GrantManagement #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal
County staff recommend accepting $40,000 FEMA subgrant via DNR to create fuels-reduction plans for conservation sites
Staff recommended Spokane County accept a $40,000 FEMA subgrant (administered through the Department of Natural Resources) to prepare fuels-reduction plans for four Conservation Futures properties, noting potential phase 2 implementation funding of about $400,000 and concerns about FEMA documentation and reimbursement requirements.
citizenportal.ai
February 11, 2026 at 7:39 AM
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Spokane County could face significant budget shifts as new state bills on public defense funding and juvenile sentencing loom on the horizon.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LocalInfrastructure #PublicDefense
Spokane County briefed on state budget timing, public-defense fund and juvenile-sentencing bill
County legislative staff told commissioners the state budget will be released later this month, reported an income-tax proposal now would dedicate 7% (up from 5%) of revenue to a public-defense fund under a revised distribution formula, and warned a juvenile-sentencing bill ("23.89") could shift millions in costs to counties.
citizenportal.ai
February 11, 2026 at 3:44 AM
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Cheney district court is set to change the game for defendants by ensuring they have legal representation at critical first appearances—could this be the breakthrough justice needs?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CourtAccess #DueProcess #SpokaneCountyPublicDefenders
County attorney presents agreement for deputy public defenders to cover Cheney first appearances
Colin Charbonneau described a proposed agreement for deputy public defenders to attend Cheney district court first appearances (estimated ~80 per year) to advise on probable cause and release conditions; the arrangement is hourly, renewable annually and will be placed on next Tuesday’s consent agenda.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Spokane County is pushing for a $25 million federal grant to kickstart a transformative $40 million project that promises to enhance safety and mobility along the crucial Argonne Road corridor.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal #TransportationSafety
Spokane County seeks $25 million federal BUILD grant for Argonne Road corridor improvements
County staff presented a $40M Argonne Road multimodal safety project and will request $25M from USDOT’s BUILD program; $7M in match is secured, $7.8M remains unsecured and would be pursued through future grants if the BUILD award is not fully covering.
citizenportal.ai
February 7, 2026 at 1:59 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Discover how Spokane's therapeutic court is transforming lives by prioritizing mental health treatment over traditional prosecution.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CivicSupportServices #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthTreatment #SubstanceUseRecovery
Spokane District Court outlines mental-health court as treatment-focused alternative; referral line provided
Jeff Smith, who presides over therapeutic courts in Spokane District Court, described the court's mental health program, its five-phase structure, typical 14–24 month timeline, available support services and a referral phone line. He said grant funding covers testing and monitoring and sometimes treatment.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 10:55 PM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldrep is rallying for crucial Medicaid changes to support Maddie's Place while sounding the alarm on potential public health funding cuts that could devastate local services.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MedicaidSupport
Spokane County commissioner urges state fix for Maddie’s Place, warns of public‑health funding cuts
In a monthly update, Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldrep said she lobbied in Olympia for a Medicaid change to support Maddie's Place, expressed concern that proposed state cuts could strip "millions" from the Spokane Regional Health District, and said she sponsored two resolutions urging the state to keep funding essential public‑health services.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 4:14 PM
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Spokane County's Commissioner Amber Waldrep is sounding the alarm over potential cuts to public health funding that could jeopardize vital services in our community.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CommunityWellness
Spokane County commissioner urges state to keep public health funding; two resolutions pass unanimously
Commissioner Amber Waldrep said she introduced two unanimous resolutions urging the state to maintain public health funding amid proposals that could cut "millions" from the Spokane Regional Health District, potentially reducing programs and services that protect community health.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 8:53 AM
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Spokane County commissioners stand united, urging the state to protect vital public health funding that could impact the entire region!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #FundingProtect #CommunityWellbeing
Spokane County commissioners unanimously back resolution urging state to protect public health funding
The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a consent-agenda motion that included a resolution urging the state to avoid cuts to foundational public health services funding, citing potential impacts to the Spokane Regional Health District.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2026 at 2:08 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Spokane County faces crucial decisions as lawmakers push bills that could reshape local authority and budgets, including a controversial income tax proposal for public defense funding.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #LocalControl #PublicDefense
Spokane County hears Olympia update; commissioners oppose state preemption on public camping, weigh public-health cuts
County lobbyist Mike Burgess briefed commissioners on session cutoffs and multiple bills, including a proposed income tax revenue share for public defense, a public-camping preemption bill that would curb local control, and pending waste-to-energy emission targets; county staff will follow up before committee hearings.
citizenportal.ai
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 PM
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State Sen. Marcus Raccelli is spearheading a bold initiative to revamp housing tax incentives, aiming to transform vacant land into thriving communities with affordable housing and childcare options.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal #UrbanDevelopment
Senator pushes tax‑incentive changes to spur affordable housing, cites Nova Hillyard support
Raccelli described a bill to revise a housing tax incentive — lowering an affordable‑unit threshold and allowing underused land to qualify — and voiced support for the Nova Hilliard childcare‑housing project near the North‑South Corridor.
citizenportal.ai
February 1, 2026 at 2:36 AM
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Spokane County leaders are rallying behind a new MOU that promotes a treatment-first strategy for homelessness, aiming to align local policies with federal support for accountability and care.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HousingIntegration #HomelessnessAccountability
County hears nonbinding MOU endorsing 'treatment‑first' approach to homelessness; commissioners discuss integration with housing programs
Community leaders and county officials presented a nonbinding memorandum of understanding that signals support for an accountability/treatment‑first approach to homelessness and to align with federal HUD priorities. Presenters said it makes no funding commitments; commissioners asked for more data and emphasized integrating treatment with rapid housing and wraparound services.
citizenportal.ai
February 1, 2026 at 2:09 AM
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Spokane's Law & Justice Council is making strides with innovative dashboards and impressive pretrial service stats, but what does the future hold for treatment and funding?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunitySupport #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #JudicialTransparency
Law & Justice Council hears Capstone dashboard interest, supported-release stats and MAT rollout plan
Council members heard that Capstone dashboards have attracted interest from judges and prosecutors; pretrial services reported about 500 supported-release enrollments since relaunch and high self-reported engagement; a MAT provider was named with a possible March start if funding holds.
citizenportal.ai
February 1, 2026 at 1:48 AM
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A groundbreaking pre-file diversion program in Spokane could offer nonviolent felony arrestees a chance to avoid charges by engaging with community services for six months.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CriminalJusticeReform #EarlyIntervention #CitizenPortal #CommunityServices
Prosecutor outlines pre-file diversion pilot to route eligible felony arrestees to community services
Spokane-area prosecutors proposed a voluntary pre-file diversion program for eligible nonviolent felony arrestees that would offer a six-month community-services engagement and, if conditions are met, the prosecutor’s office will not file charges. The program would start small and rely on court and jail coordination.
citizenportal.ai
January 31, 2026 at 2:25 AM
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State Sen. Marcus Raccelli warns that the 2026 budget will demand tough choices, with essential services like health care and housing hanging in the balance.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #BudgetEfficiency #HousingSupport #HealthCareAccess #CitizenPortal
Senator Raccelli: balancing the 2026 budget will require tough choices, focus on health care and housing
In a Spokane County Spotlight interview, State Sen. Marcus Raccelli said fluctuating revenue forecasts leave a tight 2026 budget that will require efficiency reviews and prioritizing essential services such as health care, housing, food supports and education; he urged constituent engagement in Olympia.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 11:12 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Spokane County is poised to support a groundbreaking bill that could transform wastewater into green hydrogen, creating jobs and revolutionizing energy efficiency!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HydrogenProduction #GreenEnergy #CitizenPortal
Spokane County officials signal support for bill to extend green‑energy tax incentives to Eastern Washington amid proposed hydrogen plant
County staff flagged a newly introduced, Spokane‑centric bill tied to a proposed closed‑loop hydrogen manufacturing project that would reuse Collins Aerospace wastewater and pair with data centers to preheat process water; commissioners asked for a briefing packet and study session but agreed to support the bill in principle.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 9:46 AM
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Frontier Behavioral Health has been chosen to continue as the 988 hub for Spokane, bringing crucial updates on legislative changes that could reshape mental health care in the region.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #MentalHealthReform #LegislativeAccountability #CrisisResponseInnovation
Spokane region to keep Frontier as 988 hub; board hears legislative proposals altering ITA timeframes and provider rules
Regional staff told the board that Frontier Behavioral Health was selected to continue as the Spokane 988 hub; members also heard multiple bills under tracking, including proposals to extend initial involuntary detention from 120 to 168 hours, alter assisted outpatient treatment standards, require clinician badging, and fund pediatric transitional care centers.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 9:39 AM
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A new initiative aims to revolutionize mental health care by standardizing Mental Health Advance Directives, prioritizing privacy and accessibility for those in crisis.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CrisisResponseTraining #CitizenPortal #EquityInHealthcare #MentalHealthAccess
State work group urges standardized mental health advance directives, better storage and training
A presenter to the Spokane Regional Behavioral Health Advisory Board summarized 2025 work-group recommendations to mainstream Mental Health Advance Directives (MHADs): a centralized repository, interoperable access (with role-based privacy), and training toolkits prioritizing plain language, equity and conflict-of-interest safeguards.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 8:50 AM
citizenptnewswa.bsky.social
Spokane County is racing against the clock to finalize its Environmental Impact Statement for parks and resource lands, with public hearings set for this fall—don’t miss your chance to weigh in!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #EnvironmentalImpact #PublicParticipation #ResourceLands
Spokane County lays out EIS schedule for parks and resource lands as plan update moves toward 2026 deadline
County planning staff told the commission Jan. 15 that traffic modeling and consultant work on the comprehensive-plan EIS is under way, a draft is expected in late January or early February, and a 45-day public comment period will follow ahead of hearings in October–November.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 8:22 AM
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Spokane County is taking a bold step towards mental health care with the PATH Diversion and Recovery Center, featuring a 23-hour crisis relief and sobering center to support those in need.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #MentalHealthSupport #CrisisRelief #CitizenPortal
Spokane County outlines PATH Diversion and Recovery Center expansion; $5.2M in county opioid settlement funds committed
Spokane County presented designs and an implementation plan for the PATH Diversion and Recovery Center, an expansion adding a 23‑hour crisis relief and sobering center to the existing Spokane Regional Stabilization Center, funded in part by $5,200,000 in local opioid settlement funds and other sources; opening is targeted toward 2027.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 8:08 AM
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Frontier Behavioral Health has been confirmed as the 988 hub for the Spokane region, ensuring continuity in crisis support while reshaping service areas for better efficiency.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CrisisResponseIntegration #MentalHealthSupport #CitizenPortal
Frontier retained as Spokane region 988 hub; state outlines July 1 realignment
Washington DOH told local partners that Frontier Behavioral Health was selected to remain the 988 hub for the Spokane region, with most coverage unchanged and statewide hub/RCL alignment effective July 1; text/chat and some lifeline services will remain centralized.
citizenportal.ai
January 30, 2026 at 8:06 AM
bisasquatch.bsky.social
Read this article to identify ICE collaborators, then organize a grassroots boycott of those partners.

#Spokane #SpokaneCounty #Washington #BoycottICEPartners #BoycottICE #AbolishICE #ICE
truthout.org/articles/her...
Here’s How to Find Out Which Corporations Are Collaborating With ICE
Here are six areas that you can dig into to understand possible points of leverage against a corporate enabler of ICE.
truthout.org
January 27, 2026 at 6:52 AM