In Woodward's Words

The City of Spokane joins the community in grieving the loss of Sandy Williams.

Garbage Pickup Following Labor Day

Garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup will be a day late all week with Friday’s pickup occurring on Saturday. For more information visit our website.

School's Back In Session!

The City reminds motorists to slow down in school zones and watch for pedestrians crossing streets.

Motorists: The speed limit in school zones is 20 mph; residential streets 25; and arterial streets 30. Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. All intersections are considered legal crosswalks and should be treated as such whether marked or not.

Pedestrians: Cross the street on a “Walk” signal. If there isn’t a signal, look left, right, and left again before crossing at marked crosswalks or intersections.

Vote for the Podium

The Podium powered by STCU is a finalist for the SportsTravel Magazine Awards for Best New or Renovated Sports Venue! Voting is open now through Friday, Sept. 9. Click here to vote for The Podium!

Small Business and Nonprofit Grant Opportunity Ends Friday

Another round of Working Washington pandemic relief grants are on the way, with focus on the arts, heritage and science sectors and businesses relying on in-person conventions. Applications are due Friday, Sept. 9.

Kids Junior Fire Academy

The Spokane Fire Department, SAFE Kids, Downtown Spokane Partnership and River Park Square are partnering for the 4th annual Kids Junior Fire Academy. This free, family event will be held at River Park Square and on Wall Street on Sunday, Sept. 11, 12 - 2 p.m. For more information click here. 

Construction Zone

Construction season is underway! Stay up to date with our Obstruction Notice.

You’re Invited to Learn about South Logan TOD!

The South Logan TOD community planning studio is happening Sept. 20 - 22. It will feature three days of intensive studio work and two community workshops in the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 20 and Thursday, Sept. 22. For full details of the events, please download the Community Planning Studio Agenda. 

Water Wise Facebook LIVE with Spokane Garden Coach

Join Kristen with Water Wise Spokane and Josh, the Spokane Garden Coach, to talk autumn planting. Bring your questions for this interactive discussion. If you are interested in this Facebook Live RSVP here!

City of Spokane Jobs

We are offering FREE public safety testing for those interested in becoming a Spokane Police Department Officer or Spokane Fire Department firefighter!

• Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. - Spokane Police Free Testing
• Sunday, Sept. 11, 9 a.m. - Spokane Fire Free Testing

Click here to sign up!

For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane click here.

Coronavirus Information

COVID-19 Vaccines

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
• Everyone 6 months and older are now eligible to get a free COVID-19 vaccination.
• Everyone 5 years and older is eligible for boosters.
• Learn about the different vaccines available.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Drive-up and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites are open to the community. These testing sites offer free testing and are open to anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Need Mental Health Help?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8

Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (877) 266-1818

Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888

CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200

Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100

Request Online Appointment

Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.

Teen Text and Chat Line: 844-814-TEEN (8336)

Free confidential safe place service available to any teen or young adult.

Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255

Need Resources? 

Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (877) 211-9274 to speak to a local agent

Text your Zip Code to 898211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com

Apply for Basic Food assistance over the phone!

Access to resources online at: wa211.org

Sign up for their Newsletter!

Domestic Violence and

Child Abuse Prevention Resources

Prevention at Home Video Series

Trauma Recovery Services

Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224

Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.

Resident Assistance

The impacts of COVID have created hardships for people in many ways. The City continues to connect residents with available and eligible resources.

Utility Assistance

There are Resident Assistance programs for emergency help to pay for City utility bills, which include charges for water, wastewater, stormwater and garbage collection. Interest-free payment plans are also available for residential and commercial customers.

Rent Assistance

Due to a large volume of applications, emergency rent assistance application portals have paused accepting applications from city residents seeking rental assistance who do not have a current eviction notice.

The City continues to work with the Washington State Department of Commerce to identify potential new sources of emergency rent assistance funds for Spokane City tenants and landlords, but a timeline for re-opening the portals for members of the general public (LiveStories), households with children (Family Promise of Spokane), and members of the African-American and BIPOC community (Carl Maxey Center) is unclear.

City of Spokane residents with a current eviction notice still may receive assistance through the ERAP 2.0 program. In order to determine eligibility and the process for doing so, reach out to one of the City’s two Dispute Resolution Centers that are managing the local Eviction Resolution Pilot Program.

• Last name begins with A-M: Northwest Mediation, 509-456-0103, ext. 1
• Last name begins with N-Z: Fulcrum Dispute Resolution Clinic, 509-838-2799
• Volunteer Lawyers Program, 509-477-2674

Overall, the two-year emergency rent assistance program has distributed about $33 million to more than 6,000 households. 

Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives

The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are over 30 Boards, Commissions and Committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!

Graffiti Busters

Volunteers are needed to help cover graffiti in Spokane. This cleanup will be at High Bridge Park. Park at 11th Avenue and S. High Bridge Park off Inland Empire Way. 

Please wear clothes that you don't mind getting paint on and bring water. 

Paint equipment will be supplied to volunteers. 

Click here to sign up! 

Summer Fun: Northwest BachFest Concert

Northwest BachFest announces a Free Concert at the MAC Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. Double Bassist star Xavier Foley will be joined by the String Trio, Oud To Joy, and BachFest Artistic Director Zuill Bailey, cello.

Bring cushions, stadium seats or blankets. No lawn chairs allowed. 

For more info visit the MAC's website. 

On the Bright Side

The goats from Healing Hooves Natural Vegetation Management are back to help mitigate fire risk in natural areas by reducing brush and tree sapling density.

They'll be at:

• Meadowglen Park until Sept. 8.
• Minnehaha Park on Sept. 14-18.
• Hangman Park on approx. Sept. 19-22
• High Drive Park south of Elliott and Ashland Conservation Areas at the end of Sept. and into Oct.