Each day, information evolves COVID-19. At the City, we want our citizens and visitors to know that we are working to reduce the spread of this disease in our community, continue to provide critical City services, and address impacts of closures of schools, business and events. For the most recent and local data on cases and outcomes, visit SRHD.org.

Track information with these interactive dashboards for risk assessment, health data, economic impact and recovery, schools and PPE information.

As of January 11, the state is following a regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1. Read the details here.

Mayor's Update

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Monday, January 11, 2021

The next City Council Legislative Meeting is Monday, January 25.

Spokane Public Schools Reopening Plan is based on their commitment to follow the guidance and direction of public health officials. The intent is to return to in-person instruction as soon as possible when it is determined safe. Visit the Spokane Public Schools website for information on their phased approach to reopening the schools.

Area schools are faced with the decision of how to return to in-person learning. Read about health guidelines here.

Spokane Regional Health District asks members of the community with health care experience to volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps in order to help during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts. Can you help? Learn more here.

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 18:

Here are some other MLK Day events in the Spokane area. For complete details visit the City's website.

Thursday, Jan. 14 – So You Want to Talk About Race? with Ijeoma Oluo

Monday, Jan. 18 – What Dr. King Would Be Teaching in 2021 with Odell Bizzell

We know that the pandemic has created economic hardship for many of the City’s utility customers. Assistance with monthly City utility bills for water, sewer, and solid waste is available during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Residential property owners as well as tenants can seek direct financial assistance through the City's U-Help program by calling 456-SNAP. Utility Billing can also provide interest-free payment plans for residential customers. More information.

Business owners with an active City of Spokane utility account, may qualify for a small business assistance utility bill deferral. More information.

Late fees and water shutoffs for non-payment have been suspended to assist customers during the pandemic. Donations for this effort are always appreciated.

A Spokane teenager, who was arrested by police during a recent protest, has completed the requirements of his probation by training with the same officers who took him into custody. Thanks to the Juvenile Diversion Program, the young man was given a chance to learn from his mistake.

Most of us have never heard about anaerobic digestion, but Kathlyn Kinney is more than familiar. In between studying for her college courses, Ms. Kinney called up anaerobic digester companies to find out if she could heat campus buildings at Western Washington University with the food waste that wasn’t getting composted in the cafeterias. Check out the Talking Trash podcast.

Nearly $3 million in state grant money is coming to the Spokane community to begin a phased approach to a regional solution that meets the unique needs of the young adult population and keeps their experience with homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Due to COVID-19 precautions that meet HUD’s Methodology Guide, the 2021 census will be modified. Communities throughout Washington State, and the nation, are similarly adapting their census to best balance the need to have an accurate accounting of those that are experiencing homelessness against the very real health and safety risks of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Bark: A Rescue Pub

In honor of January recognizing human trafficking, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward issued a proclamation “encouraging citizens to become more informed on this growing problem, to be vigilant and report suspicious activity, and to work towards solutions to end trafficking in all its forms in our community.”

Signs providing resources and support for human trafficking victims are now in Riverfront Park. The signs are produced in collaboration with Lutheran Community Services Northwest, the Inland Northwest Human Trafficking Taskforce, and Spokane City Council member Candace Mumm’s office.

Spokane Public Schools is proposing a replacement levy in the Feb. 9 election. For more information about the levy renewal and what it will mean for public schools, visit their website.

Do you have questions about the upcoming Educational Programs and Operations levy? You can read these Frequently Asked Questions to get answers.

The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are over 30 Boards, Commissions and Committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion below and get involved!

It's beautiful up on the mountain! Did you know City of Spokane Parks and Recreation offers snowshoe and cross-country ski trips? It's all in the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Winter Activity Guide!

Murphy, the unofficial mascot at the Spokane Fire Department training center, received an honorary sticker during his quick afternoon stop by the EMS vaccination clinic. 

Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org

Contact 24/7: Frontier Crisis Line (509) 838-4428

Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888

CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200

Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100

Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth.

Veterans Crisis Line: (800) 273-8255

Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224

Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available.