🌱 SFD To Hire 40 New Firefighters + Voter Info Canvassers Reported

Happy Saturday, people of Spokane! Let's get this day started. Here's what's happening around Spokane today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy. High: 62 Low: 37.

Here are the top three stories in Spokane today:

1. A group going door-to-door gathering voter information has been reported to the office in charge of elections in Spokane County. Spokane County Auditor Vickie Dalton said that the group is associated with the Washington Voter Research Project and that while this activity may be concerning to some voters, it is legal. According to the group's website, the canvassers are going to "questionable addresses" to verify that people who have told the post office they have moved out of state are not still voting. (KREM.com)
2. The Spokane Fire Department hopes to hire up to 40 new firefighters in an effort to close a shortage gap partly caused by the pandemic. SFD Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the organization is dealing with a critical vacancy rate that has taken a toll on the department. Waiting on the results of the public safety levy also played a role. (KREM.com)
3. Students from Kim Taylor's Advanced Engineering class at Sacajawea Middle School class have designed and made tools that Spokane police officers are using on their jobs. Taylor's students have designed grasping mechanisms for the bomb squad's robot and come up with solutions for the SWAT team. Taylor said that her students have gotten to know the different officers while working with them on the projects. (KREM.com)

Today in Spokane:

• Clean-Up in Palisades Park! At Palisades Park (9:00 AM)
• Take It Apart At North Spokane Library (10:00 AM)
• Container Gardening At North Spokane Library (10:00 AM)
• Outdoor BioBlitz Celebration At Mirabeau Meadows (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Hundreds of new pets are up for fostering or adoption at local Spokane animal shelters. View their pictures and check out their descriptions on Patch. (Spokane Patch)
• Pop-country singer Walker Hayes is coming to the Spokane Arena this November. Tickets go on sale on Apr. 29 at 10 a.m. on TicketsWest. (NBC Right Now)
• Plant trees at Comstock Park today from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The tree planting event is hosted by the Lands Council and the City of Spokane Urban Forestry and Park Operations. (KXLY Spokane)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Carla Varner