Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Spokane’s homeless memorial is quietly saving lives this winter

You won't want to miss Elliotts Urban Kitchen on the Spokane Patch calendar

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Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
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Hello Spokane! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Spokane’s homeless memorial is quietly saving lives this winter
  • How a vape pen dispute led to years in rehabilitation
  • How much will Spokane Avista customers get back on their bills?

Also on today's calendar: Saturday Cooking Class: Filled Pasta and 9 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Tuesday: Cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 36 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A few morning showers, temps: high: 48, low: 31.
  • Thursday: Cloudy, with a high of 42 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Homeless memorial in Spokane connects community to vital resources (khq.com) — A Spokane memorial at the CHAS Health Clinic honored 217 unhoused neighbors who died this year while connecting attendees with hot meals and health resources. Organizers stressed that hypothermia, untreated wounds, and lack of access to care drive many deaths, and urged the community to see homelessness as a shared responsibility rather than an “us versus them” issue.
   

2. Two Spokane teens sentenced to state rehabilitation for shooting incident (kxly.com) — Two Spokane teenagers have been sentenced to state rehabilitation programs after pleading guilty in Spokane County Superior Court for their roles in a September shooting at a party on N. Washington Street. A 14-year-old admitted to first-degree assault with a firearm, while a 13-year-old admitted to criminal mischief with a weapon, in a case the judge said reflects wider youth gun violence concerns.
   

3. State orders Avista to refund customers for overcharges (khq.com) — Spokane-based Avista has been ordered to refund $5.86 million to customers after state regulators found overcharges tied to the Colstrip coal plant, with credits expected to start in spring 2026. The ruling, driven partly by public concerns, limits what Avista can recover as it exits coal under Washington’s clean energy law, directly affecting many Spokane households’ future bills.
   

4. Washington implements new sales tax on precious metals starting January 1 (kxly.com) — Spokane-area buyers of gold, silver, and coins will soon pay about 10% more as Washington’s new sales tax on precious metals kicks in January 1. Local dealers in Spokane and Spokane Valley warn the change could push customers to Idaho and even threaten their businesses, while state officials project millions in new revenue.
   

5. Man arrested for alleged apartment fire in Northwest Spokane (spokesman.com) — Northwest Spokane residents saw a large emergency response Monday after a kitchen fire in a Cedar West apartment led to the arrest of tenant Anthony Rungo on suspicion of arson and related charges. Spokane police and fire crews contained the blaze to his unit, and neighbors were evacuated but not injured, though one nearby family must temporarily stay elsewhere due to door damage.
   

📸 Around Spokane

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📣 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.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this stray dog!
    FOUND on December 21, 2025 in Spokane, WA 99260 near Indian trail and Sundance area Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor North West Central)
  • FOUND AND BACK AT HOME!!!
    My dog Jasmine escaped the backyard. She has a collar on with our phone number, because she is a runner and an escape artist. Please, if you find… (Nextdoor Bemiss)
  • Travel America / Petro - TA Operating, LLC posted a job opening for Porter - PT in Spokane. Apply here.
  • Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Future Opening: Overnight Custodian 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 find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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