Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How early Spokane parents lined up for Christmas Bureau gifts

Coming up on the Spokane Patch calendar: Michael Longfellow

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Saturday December 13th Patch AM
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Coffee in hand, Spokane? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How early Spokane parents lined up for Christmas Bureau gifts
  • Which Spokane streets are getting safer—and when changes will appear.
  • How a Spokane doorbell camera helped police catch a relaxed burglar

Also on today's calendar: 52 Weeks of Organizing TIps - FREE and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Spokanefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Spokanefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 52 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy, temps: high: 49, low: 43.
  • Monday: Periods of rain, with a high of 57 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Parents brave ‘really hectic' pre-dawn lines as Christmas Bureau opens Thursday (spokesman.com) — Families lined up as early as 2 a.m. at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center to receive toys and food vouchers from the Christmas Bureau, which is funded by donations from Spokane-area residents and businesses. The program, aiming to raise $600,000, is easing holiday strain for parents facing job loss, delayed benefits, and rising prices while still accepting donations online, by mail to Spokane, or in person downtown.
   

2. Spokane City Council approves new bike lanes and safety measures (khq.com) — Spokane residents can expect new bike lanes, safer crossings, and slower traffic on key corridors after City Council approved several “Safe Streets For All” projects. The plan adds a protected bike lane, a pedestrian beacon on Ray Street, and speed controls on Maple/Ash, with construction ramping up in 2026 and projects rolling out in 2027.
   

3. Spokane Police: Burglar poured himself a drink as homeowner hid in closet (krem.com) — Spokane police quickly arrested a man they say broke into a South Ralph Street home while the resident hid in a closet. Officers used doorbell camera footage to spot the intruder and found him inside, where he had reportedly poured himself a drink. The 36-year-old suspect is now in Spokane County Jail on burglary and malicious mischief charges.
   

4. Spokane County Sheriff defends Flock cameras amid privacy concerns (kxly.com) — Spokane County deputies are leaning heavily on Flock license plate cameras, crediting them with hundreds of arrests, dozens of recovered vehicles, and even locating people in crisis. After discovering out-of-state agencies accessed local data through a national lookup feature, the sheriff’s office shut that option off and now audits usage frequently, while state lawmakers debate new rules for this technology.
   

5. In Spokane Valley, 'giving machines' make charity as simple as buying a soda (krem.com) — A new set of “giving machines” at Spokane Valley Mall lets you donate items like food, clothing, and even livestock to nonprofits with a quick swipe, just like buying a soda. Run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “Light the World” program, the machines send 100% of donations to groups including Second Harvest and Teen and Kid Closet, helping families locally and abroad.
   

📸 Around Spokane

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Spokane

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Sunday December 14
  • Michael Longfellow
    Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W Sprague Ave, Spokane
    4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Spokane Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    A dog who went missing in Spokane, WA, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 1 minutes. Message from Finder: "Super timid,… (Nextdoor Friendship Park)
  • Well I never...
    I have two small touch lamps and lay them on the floor at night. Hank has been watching me. .. So this morning he wanted me out of that bed fast so… (Nextdoor Bemiss)
  • Ross Stores, Inc posted a job opening for Early Morning Stock Associate in Spokane. Apply here.
  • Hot Topic posted a job opening for Part-Time Assistant Manager 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: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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