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Post Falls cracks down on unauthorized ‘social trails’ damaging local parks

Syndicated Content — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:54:00 +0000

POST FALLS — Post Falls is stopping people from making their own trails in local parks.

These unofficial paths are called "social trails." They form when people walk the same route repeatedly outside the official trail system. The trails damage the environment and can be unsafe.

Black Bay Park has several social trails that are causing problems. People create them to get from one place to another without using established trails.

"This trail is a user defined trail that's been here since the 90's. But with increased traffic in the park, we're starting to see that trail beginning to erode down a little bit more," said Bryan Myers, parks manager for the City of Post Falls.

The trails wear down soil over time and become steep and dangerous. At Black Bay Park, one social trail down a slope toward the water eroded so badly that part of it almost fell into the lake. The city put up fencing and used sandbags to fix the problem.

The parks department may build stone or log stairs for popular routes that people keep using.

"If there's something is showing up as a repeated destination that people are trying to get access to, we may look at how do we help sustain this trail in the long term. It may result in installing stone stairs or log stairs," Myers said.

Social trails also hurt plants and animals. Some hikers think about this when they choose where to walk.

"You can do some hiking up there, but I don't particularly like to do that because there's deer and other animals that live here and it's their home so I like to respect their private areas," said Terry Caul, a hiker.

The city puts fallen trees across social trails to stop people from using them. They also plant vegetation to help fix damaged areas.

More people are using parks as the weather gets warmer. The city wants visitors to stay on official trails.

Newport teacher arrested on incest charges following investigation

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:46:00 +0000

NEWPORT, Wash. — A Newport teacher was arrested Tuesday on incest charges following allegations of sexual abuse involving two teenage males.

Amber N. Swain, 35, was booked into the Pend Oreille County jail on charges of first-degree incest and second-degree incest, according to the sheriff's office.

The investigation began May 18 when the Department of Children Youth and Families contacted deputies regarding possible sexual abuse. Authorities conducted forensic interviews with the alleged victims.

Detectives interviewed Swain on Monday, and deputies determined there was probable cause to believe the incidents occurred.

Swain's school employer has been notified and is cooperating with the investigation. The case remains ongoing, and authorities said no additional details will be released.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on I-90 eastbound near Division Street blocking left lane

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:10:00 +0000

SPOKANE, Wash. - A crash is blocking the left lane on I-90 eastbound near Division Street, according to the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center.

Traffic is backed up to US-2, according to the SRTMC cameras.

Drivers should expect delays.

Updated at 4:40 p.m.

This is a developing story.

Spokane Public Schools to require seat belts on new bus fleet

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:59:00 +0000

SPOKANE — The 9,000 students who ride Spokane Public Schools buses will be required to wear seat belts starting next fall when the district begins using its new fleet of 149 buses.

The district purchased the buses instead of contracting with a bus company. Officials say this change will save money and improve safety. The new buses have three-point seat belts that students must wear while on board.

"We want to have buses that have the highest safety standard possible. And in school bus land, that means buses that are equipped with seat belts, which hasn't historically been part of the model that, public schools across the country have utilized," said Dr. Adam Swinyard, Spokane Public Schools superintendent.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says school buses are the safest way for students to get to and from school. In 2015, the agency added that seat belts on board would make them safer.

The seat belts are one of many new safety features in Spokane's new fleet.

"It comes with an updated camera system so we can get higher quality video, better sound, so that we can make sure that we're supporting kids, maintaining the safest environment possible," Swinyard said.

The buses also have exterior lighting around the doors. During snowy days, bus drivers can add chains to the tires on-demand.

The safety features are not the only reason the school district purchased the buses. The new fleet will also be cost effective.

"Spokane Public Schools has historically, for decades, had a contractor provide transportation services for students. Due to some statutory changes the most cost efficient model now is for the school district to have our own fleet and our own group of drivers," Swinyard said.

The exact amount saved is still to be determined depending on routes and potential changes in start times.

Families can now sign their student up to ride the bus. There is no deadline to register, but parents are asked to sign up by July 15.

Seahawks and linebacker Derick Hall agree to a 3-year, $42 million contract extension

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:53:00 +0000

SEATTLE (AP) — The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and linebacker Derick Hall have agreed to a three-year contract extension, according to his agents Chad Berger and Ezra J. Thompson.

The contract carries a $42 million base, and Hall could earn as much as $46.9 million in a deal that could keep him in Seattle through the 2029 season. The 37th overall pick of the 2023 draft is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Hall, 25, had a key strip-sack in the team’s 29-13 victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60. He had two sacks in the Super Bowl after getting two in the regular season. The 6-foot-3, 254-pound Hall had a career-high eight sacks in the 2024 season.

Hall’s extension comes on the heels of Seattle adding to its pass rush. In May, the Seahawks signed veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million.

Hall returning for the next few seasons and the addition of Fowler, helps to offset the loss of edge rusher Boye Mafe, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

Hall also became the second member of his draft class to agree to a new contract with the Seahawks this offseason.

All-Pro wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba agreed to a four-year, $168.8 million contract extension, with $120 million guaranteed.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick from the 2023 draft, has not signed an extension with the Seahawks. Seattle picked up his option for the 2027 season.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on I-90 eastbound near Post Falls blocking right lane

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:22:00 +0000

POST FALLS, Idaho — A crash is slowing down traffic on I-90 near Exit 7 Rathdrum, according to Idaho Transportation Department.

A box truck crashed into the guard rail and is blocking the right lane.

Drivers should expect delays.

Spark Central offers free summer camps for kids in Spokane

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +0000

SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane nonprofit is making summer activities accessible to all families with free and reduced-price creative camps for children and teens.

Spark Central in Kendall Yards has opened registration for its summer creative camps, and spots are filling up quickly. The organization offers programs for students from 2nd through 12th grade, running from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily with extended care available for families who need it.

The nonprofit operates on a "pay what you can" model, asking families to contribute whatever amount they can afford rather than setting fixed prices that might exclude some children.

"We are really trying to accommodate families this summer with creativity and innovation," said Posie Pinfield, executive director for Spark Central. "So whether it is our Lego robotics camp, or it is our creative writing, or re-purposing clothes and drawing on those, to even our girls rock lab, that is our flagship program."

Spark Central serves as a creative hub for people of all ages throughout the year, offering drop-in programs and maintaining a mission to create safe spaces that bring the community together while fostering creativity and innovation.

The summer programs begin in mid-June and continue through early August, providing weeks of structured activities during the school break when many families seek affordable childcare and enrichment options.

Parents and guardians can register their children for the camps through the organization's website, found here.

Early morning fire displaces seven in Spokane’s Logan neighborhood

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:30:00 +0000

SPOKANE — Seven people were displaced early Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in a home in Spokane's Logan neighborhood, forcing firefighters to cut through the roof to ventilate heavy smoke that spread through the walls.

Spokane Fire crews responded to the scene near Indiana and Cincinnati streets around 4 a.m. after the fire started in the basement and smoke began spreading throughout the structure.

All residents had evacuated the home before firefighters arrived, according to Spokane Fire. One person was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Working smoke alarms proved critical during this incident, according to Spokane Fire officials.

"That was key, that is what got everyone on the main floor alerted and out. They had all been sleeping and stuff, and they say that is what woke them up," said Justin de Ruyter, public information officer for Spokane Fire.

De Ruyter emphasized that without the functioning smoke detectors, the outcome could have been much worse. He reminded families to test their smoke detectors regularly and maintain an evacuation plan.

The fire caused significant damage to the home. Investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire.

Sunnier Tuesday with a storm chance for midweek ☀️☔

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:30:00 +0000

Tuesday stays mostly dry and warm before we see scattered rain and a few thunderstorms mid-week.

Plan Your Tuesday

Tuesday brings dry and warm conditions for the majority of the region as a ridge develops. High temperatures will reach the mid-70s for most areas with low 80s in the Columbia Basin and LC Valley. A few more clouds will be present around the northern Idaho Panhandle with a couple of mountain sprinkles.

What We're Tracking

Unsettled weather returns Wednesday and Thursday with a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Conditions improve again until Friday, when winds will begin to pick up, leading to elevated fire concerns. Much cooler air arrives for the weekend, with highs only in the 60s and the possibility of some frosty mornings in our far northern valleys.

Extended Forecast

Downtown Spokane business owner closing her doors, blames city and Catholic Charities for crime

Syndicated Content — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:15:00 +0000

SPOKANE, Wash - A downtown Spokane salon owner is suing the city and Catholic Charities, saying the entities have not done enough to deter crime.

Linda Biel says she's closing Urbanna Spa Natural Salon and Wine.

She says crime near her location is chasing away her customers who don't feel safe.

Biel blames the city and the Catholic Charities for allowing low-barrier housing units to be built within a five block radius.

"These Catholic Charities shelters have created an over concentration of four hundred people, many of them suffering from addiction and mental health problems,” said salon owner Linda Biel.

Biel filed a tort claim last fall, showing her intent to sue, then filed the lawsuit in October. The lawsuit is now pending in Spokane County Superior Court.

The salon was previously located at 168 S. Division. Biel said she was forced to relocate because of the "rapidly escalated crime."

She reopened 479 feet north, at 104 S. Division. She said crime increased with the opening of another Catholic Charities location.

In a previous statement regarding the lawsuit, Catholic Charities says the lawsuit "contains several misleading, inaccurate and baseless allegations."

"We know that our apartments and wrap-around services are a true blessing for the low-income men, women, and children who have a safe and supportive place to sleep each night," the statement said. "Rather than being a nuisance, our properties are a life raft for people to escape homelessness. Though we cannot comment given the ongoing litigation, we are confident that the litigation process will reveal that the spa, salon, and wine bar’s closure is not a result of any activity on Catholic Charities’ property and/or any conduct attributable to our residents, who are striving to improve their lives."