🌱 Mayor's 2022 Address + New Violent Crimes Task Force Announced

Happy Friday, neighbors! Let's get this day started off right. Here are the most important things going on around town today.

First, today's weather:

Some sun with a shower. High: 57 Low: 39.

Here are the top three stories today in Spokane:

1. In response to the uptick in violent crime nationwide and in Spokane, Mayor Nadine Woodward and Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl announced the creation of a Spokane Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force last Wednesday. The task force, comprised of two supervising sergeants and five officers, will focus on repeat violent offenders. Chief Meidl said that their job will be to get ahead of repeat offenders in the community. (KHQ Right Now)
2. Mayor Nadine Woodward announced new public safety initiatives and new mental health resources to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic during her 2022 State of the City address. Woodward said that mental health is the underlying foundation of everything the city does and that it will be the common thread in addressing public safety, housing, economic development, and homelessness. She also touched on the Behavioral Health Unit, a partnership between law enforcement and behavioral health specialists, and the new Violent Crimes Task Force, which will focus on repeat violent offenders and eradicating violence, crime, and drugs. (KREM 2)
3. A year ago, lawmakers in Washington state passed a new law making a way for tenants facing eviction to get an attorney if they cannot afford one. The new law requires superior courts to appoint attorneys in civil eviction cases. Philippe Knab, the eviction defense program manager for Washington state's Office of Civil Legal Aid, said the hope is to keep people housed, especially in housing markets like Spokane where the vacancy rate is close to zero. (Inlander)

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Today in Spokane:

• Family Storytime (ages 2 - 5) At North Spokane Library (9:30 AM)
• Mom and Me Paint Night At The Spokane Club (6:00 PM)
• Trivia: Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them - Online (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Stop in at the New 63 Social House & Eatery, one of Spokane's latest additions to the downtown culinary quarter. It serves up American comfort foods and Asian-inspired flavor combinations. (Inlander)
• Five senior artists are featured in the Senior Art Exhibit at the Jundt Art Museum this year. Abstract paintings, oil pastels, and sculptures are on display in the GUUAC until May 7. (Bulletin)
• Multicare Heart Strings, an acoustic storytelling concert featuring Joe Nichols, Cam, Andy Griggs, and Frank Ray, will open tonight at the Martin Woldson Theater as the Fox at 7 p.m. Come watch this small group of musicians sitting together on a stage sharing an intimate look inside their lives and the stories behind their music. (Visit Spokane)

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Events:

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Carla Varner