City Council accepts Conservation Futures funds

The Spokane City Council voted 4-3 Monday to accept funding from Conservation Futures and tear down the old YMCA building in Riverfront Park and restore the site to a natural state. Debate over the fate of the building has gone on for the past year. In 2006, the Parks Board placed a $1 million deposit on the building after finding out that a private developer wanted to turn the site into condominiums.

Avista rates to rise for fourth straight year

Avista recently announced that the local utility company is seeking to raise gas and electricity rates for the fourth year in a row. Avista hopes to use the extra revenue to make necessary upgrades and repairs to infrastructure, such as aging power poles and transformers.

Spring break ‘Mission’ proved possible

More than 100 students participated at eight locations with the alternative spring break program “Mission: Possible” last week. The program continues to take students out of Spokane and into different communities, plunging them into unfamiliar cultures, service and social justice issues that plague many regions around the country.

Students help fraud victims through new program

As college students apply for summer internships in their field, a group of Gonzaga business students in the Masters of Accounting program are not only gaining experience in their major, but are helping the Spokane community through a new program called the Justice for Fraud Victims Project.

City Council to decide fate of YMCA building

If council accepts Conservation Futures funding, site will be restored to natural condition

Spokane’s City Council will review proposals today for the redevelopment of the former YMCA building in Riverfront Park. Alternatively, the City Council may choose to accept funding from the Conservation Futures program which would allow the city to pay off debts and restore the site to its natural conditions.

Freeway future stays uncertain

$35 million grant to north-south corridor comes without concrete completion date

For students from cities with heavy traffic such as Los Angeles or Seattle, Spokane is a nice change. However, for Spokane natives, the drive north can be a major headache. No freeway exists to travel north-south; Spokane’s lone major freeway, I-90, runs east-west.

Red light cameras catch traffic violators

City of Spokane relies on four cameras, including one at Hamilton and Mission

The City of Spokane has implemented the red light camera enforcement program through American Traffic Solutions Inc. One of these locations is at the intersection of Hamilton and Mission, an intersection that sees a great amount of student traffic.

Zagshop, GU bookstore thrive despite economy

Location, student enrollment and men’s basketball contribute to the stability of store sales

While Washington’s retail sales have dropped 12 percent in the last year, the Zagshop and GU bookstore have continued to stay well above the average in sales. “Sales are up greater than 20 percent this year,” Director of the Zagshop Scott Franz said.