Good morning, this is your Spokane Local Frequency for Saturday, December 20.

Folks, what a week its been in the Inland Northwest, with Mother Nature throwing curveballs that hit hard but brought our community together in true Spokane spirit. Those historic windstorms earlier this week tore through like nothing weve seen, toppling trees, knocking out power for 80,000 Avista customers, and tragically claiming lives, including a 55-year-old man in Fernan when a massive tree crashed into his bedroom while he slept. His family is leaning on neighbors and strangers for support right now, a reminder of how fragile moments like these make us cherish our tight-knit bonds. Power crews worked around the clock in brutal cold, restoring service to tens of thousands, though some spots in North Idaho and the Silver Valley lingered without lights into the weekend. Firefighters handled countless calls for downed lines and debris, urging everyone to watch for weakened branches that could still fall, keeping first responders busy as we head into more winter weather.

On a brighter note, Spokane County is stepping up public safety big time. Commissioners locked in a new medical provider for the jail, Medico Correctional Healthcare, after years of tough lawsuits and losses, promising better care for inmates starting right away. Theyre also pushing the state for a 14th Superior Court judge to tackle thousands of backlogged cases, easing the strain on our overwhelmed courts. And get this, the city and county just inked a smooth two-year deal to shift 911 calls inside city limits to a new Spokane United center by 2028, ensuring no hiccups in emergencies while keeping regional teamwork strong for storms and fires.

City Council made a lifesaving move too, approving 137,000 dollars for extra cold-weather shelter beds at Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Revive when temps drop below freezing, on top of their remaining 275,000 budget. Councilman Paul Dillon called it smart planning to save lives as winter bites harder.

Today, shake off the chill with festive fun. Head to Riverfront Park for ice skating lessons and Coaches Corner at the Numerica Skate Ribbon, where Spokane Figure Skating Club pros share tips all afternoon. Kids will love the Enchanted Christmas Ball from noon to 1:30 at Audubon Masonic Lodge on Northwest Boulevard, a magical whirl of holiday cheer. Over in Spokane Valley, catch A Big and Christmas Around the World at 2pm at the Summer Theatre, exploring global traditions through 5:30. Numericas Five Days of Family Fun kicks off too, packed with winter break activities to create those cozy memories. And dont miss the beloved free horse and carriage rides downtown, a 20-year tradition lighting up the season.

Stay safe out there, bundle up, and support each other. This has been Spokane Local Frequency. Well see you tomorrow with more local updates.

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