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Washington's March unemployment rate drops to 7.3 percent

After strong monthly job gains in Washington earlier this year, that momentum appears to have slowed.

Washington state's unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent last month, the lowest rate in more than four years.

According to the Associated Press, the state saw a decrease of 5,500 jobs from February. An estimated 254,000 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in March, including more than 136,000 who claimed unemployment benefits.

More than 3,100 unemployed workers ran out of unemployment benefits last month. A total of 135,236 people have exhausted their benefits since extended benefits were activated in July 2008.

Spokane Valley looking for input on proposed new library

Spokane Valley looking for input on proposed new library

The city of Spokane Valley is looking for your input on the proposed new library and Balfour Park expansion.

Future plans will be discussed at a public meeting at 6:00pm on Monday, April 22 at the Spokane Valley Library at 12004 E. Main.

Officials will present an overview of the library and park design process. Those who come to the meeting will be put into small groups to brainstorm, and then all will come together to share ideas.

Spokane Valley aquired 8.4 acres of land along the north side of Sprague between Herald and west of Balfour Park. The library may purchase a portion of that land for a future library. That move would have to be approved by voters.

For more information on this meeting, contact Parks & Recreation Director Mike Stone at mstone@spokanevalley.org or (509) 720-5400.

City wants input on proposed University overpass at I-90

City wants input on proposed University overpass at I-90

Now is your chance to include your input on a possible new I-90 overpass at University Road in Spokane Valley. The city is hosting a public workshop next week to discuss the proposed overpass.

The city believes a new overpass at the site would improve car, bike and pedestrian access to the area.

The community meeting is Wednesday, April 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Fire Administration Building at 2120 N. Wilbur Road.

Topics to be discussed at the meeting include: estimated cost, environmental impact and possible crossing locations.

Hometown Baritone Headed to NYC

Hometown Baritone Headed to NYC

You might remember Anthony McCain. You may have seen him singing and selling cookies two summers ago to raise money for music school. After two years at the Oberlin Music Conservatory in Ohio, McCain's rich baritone has gotten even better. So much better that he's now been accepted into a summer music program in New York City.

 

After graduating from North Central in 2011, McCain was given a full ride scholarship to Oberlin. However, he didn't have the money to actually get there. That is why he held the bake sale, and the community stepped in and helped get McCain there.

 

Last summer McCain was offered a job with a cruise ship. The offer was enticing, but after much thought and conversation with his mentors at Oberlin he declined so he could continue his education. It's proven to be the right choice. This year he has preformed in two of the main stage operas at Oberlin and was also selected as the baritone soloist with the Oberlin Choir on a tour in New York.

 

Authorities trying to identify stolen jewelry

Authorities trying to identify stolen jewelry

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is asking for your help in identifying recovered stolen jewely. 

On Wednesday, March 27, Spokane Valley Property Crimes Detectives served a search warrant near the 14100 block of E. 23rd Ave. An investigation found this home to be connected to several residential burglaries where several jewelry items were stolen. 

In the home, detectives recovered several stolen pieces. 21-year-old Vyacheslav Znovets and 25-year-old Marina Florianovich were both arrested at the scene. Znovets was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Residential Burglary and Florianovich was booked for Trafficking In Stolen Property.

Photographs of the recovered jewelry are available for viewing on the Sheriff's Office Facebook page. If you crecognize any of the recovered items you are asked to contact Detective Darin Staley at 509-477-3363. Reference incident #95366.

Summer Job Fair

Summer Job Fair

 

 

Looking for a summer job? The Spokane Indians are hosting their 2013 job fair on Wednesday, March 27th.

All you have to do is bring your resume to the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center anytime between 4pm and 6pm. Positions range from bat boy to concessions to section leaders. There will explanations of the jobs including requirements and a tour of the site. Interview sign ups will be available as well and those with resumes are guarenteed a spot in the group interviews.

For more information call (509) 535-2922 or visit  http://spokaneindians.com

Cost of living in Spokane remains competitive

Cost of living in Spokane remains competitive

Greater Spokane Incorporated says the Spokane region continues to remain very competitive in the cost of living compared to other cities across the nation.

The ACCRA Cost of Living Index measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services.

They've compiled a table comparing Spokane to other cities around the country. In Washington, Spokane is slightly more expensive than Yakima and Tric-Cities, but cheaper than Seattle.