Commissioner Josh Kerns

The Spokane County Interstate Fair is now open!

https://thespokanefair.com

I had a great time celebrating the beginning of construction of the new PACCAR Engineering Building at Whitworth University!

Enjoyed a great evening at One Spokane Stadium with Downtown Spokane Partnership yesterday!

Despite the false narrative being promulgated by some, we have initiated the process of developing regulations for wind power at the request of many constituents in our rural communities. If you would like to participate in this public process you can find more information below:

https://www.spokanecounty.org/5175/Planning-Commission-News

Spokane County Commissioners move to regulate wind, solar farms as interest grows in Eastern Washington As energy companies continue to eye large wind farms in Eastern Washington, Spokane County commissioners are setting the terms for what they’ll look like within the county’s borders.

Today I toured the Sheriff’s Real Time Crime Center. This amazing technology helps law enforcement solve crimes and keep our community safe. We were shown examples as recent as yesterday where this crime center assisted our Sheriff’s Department in identifying a suspect in a crime against a child.

Please take note as we head into the 4th of July weekend.

Burn restrictions begin July 2 around Spokane County SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. - In an effort to keep the community safe from fire risk, Spokane County and surrounding areas are enforcing burn restrictions starting Tuesday July 2.

PSA -

Today, I attended the unveiling of the new Concourse C West at the airport. This beautiful new facility will help our community grow and make travel more enjoyable!

This morning I attend the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony on our County campus. Each year we honor the men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty.

I was honored to participate in the opening ceremonies for the 50th Anniversary of Expo ‘74 yesterday!

I'm proud the County is partnering with Volunteers of America Eastern Washington again to assist individuals reconnect with family and other support networks. Spokane County has invested $70,000 over 3 years in this very successful program.

Spokane County funds program aimed at helping homeless people leave Spokane for greener pastures Spokane County commissioners will fund at least another year of a program aimed at helping homeless people start a new chapter in another area.

I had the honor of kicking off the 2024 KHQ Local News/WorkSource Spokane Job Fair with Jenny Power and Kalae Chock.

The job fair runs until 1pm at the Spokane Convention Center today!

Congratulations to Knife River on their ribbon cutting of their amazing new facility! They provide hundreds of good paying jobs in our community and build some incredible materials used on infrastructure projects in our region.

I’m in our nation’s capital this week advocating for important projects and policies for our region. We have a lot of meetings setup with our Senators & Representatives to talk about transportation, wildfire recovery, and other topics.

We had a great turnout for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bear Lake Park renovations. This park is a true gem for our region. Thank you to all the community members who came out to help us celebrate!

I am thrilled to finally see light at the end of this decades long tunnel! This project represents Spokane County's dedication to investing in critical infrastructure that not only improves transportation but also enhances the overall quality of life for our residents.

Getting There: Spokane County begins work on final stretch of Bigelow Gulch project Spokane County work crews will resume construction of the final stretch of the Bigelow Gulch-Forker Road Urban Connector on Monday, bringing a nearly quarter-century and $81 million effort to a close.

The Cheney Free Press covered the County's efforts to allow wildfire victims to utilize short-term housing while they rebuild their homes.

I am immensely proud of the Mead High School Cheerleading and Wrestling Teams for their extraordinary accomplishments. Their dedication, sportsmanship, and determination have set a great example for all of us in Spokane County. Congratulations to both teams on their well-deserved championships!

We are currently amending Spokane County's zoning codes to allow fire survivors to utilize container homes for longer periods of time.

Container homes almost ready for wildfire survivors Click here to view this video from KXLY .com.

Join me tomorrow evening for a Community Town Hall for the Gray & Oregon Rd Fires. There will be representatives from Spokane County, U.S. Small Business Administration, and FEMA to answer questions as well as give a status report on FEMA registrations and SBA loan applications.

Date: Tuesday, March 19th
Time: 7 p.m.

Location:
Country Church of the Open Bible - 40015 N Collins Rd, Elk, WA 99009

The idea of using Conex boxes as a temporary housing solution originated in the Elk community as recovery efforts started. It is imperative that we act swiftly to allow survivors to utilize Conex boxes longer by streamlining regulations.

Spokane commissioners OK zoning change to use cargo containers to shelter fire victims (The Center Square) – Call it a different kind of mobile home.

Last week, I attended an open house regarding the North Hatch Road reconstruction project. If you were not able to attend you can find information below.

https://www.spokanecounty.org/5622/Hatch-Road-Phase-1---Midway-to-Ballard

The federal declaration, while it took longer than we hoped, is a step in the right direction. I will continue to advocate at the state-level, and coordinate with all our partners, to ensure resources are made available and any roadblocks to recovery are removed. I especially want to commend the amazing community partners who have united behind "Elk Strong". For more info:

Local resources and case management information can be found at www.srltrg.org

Residents and business owners who sustained losses can soon begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362

Recovery leaders talk about FEMA funding for victims of Spokane wildfires More than 50 people have already applied for FEMA funding. President Joe Biden approved the federal funds on Tuesday for victims of the Spokane wildfires.

You may have heard that Spokane County was recently approved for a federal Major Disaster Declaration for the Gray & Oregon Road Fires. This means FEMA will be releasing aid for fire victims and businesses affected. Please see where you can find out more information below.

Local resources and case management information can be found at www.srltrg.org

Residents and business owners who sustained losses can soon begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362

Spent the morning at Rep. Suzanne Schmidt’s town hall. The people of the 4th Legislative District are lucky to have such a strong leader fighting for them in Olympia!

Got to check out the Spokane Ag Show this morning, lots of great vendors and equipment. Make sure to stop by before it ends!