🌱 COVID testing site reopens + part of VA medical center may close

Hello again, Spokane! Important Update: All of you, as readers, have made Spokane Daily such a success that I am honored to announce the next phase of the newsletter. The fix is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to lead the Spokane Daily. While I enjoyed getting to know this community, we want to pass the torch to someone truly local to write about Spokane for the long term. So if you want to earn extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

First, today’s weather forecast:

A passing shower in the afternoon. High: 55 Low: 35.

Here are the top three stories from today in Spokane:

1. A downtown Spokane COVID testing site is reopening ahead of a possible surge of omicron BA.2 infections. The Curative site, located inside a shipping container at 1001 W. Second Avenue, will be open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Rapid tests will require insurance, but PCR tests will not. (interior)
2. A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report of “diminishing services” at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center has Center employees worried about their work. The report outlines possible closures or restructuring of VA medical centers in more than 20 states. Mann-Grandstaff In-Patient staffer and veteran Evelyn Burgos said she’s seen the VA hospital go from 45 beds to just 16. (FOX 28 Spokane)
3. The Spokane City Council has rescinded a new ordinance that would allow a new shelter to be developed at a 33,000 square foot warehouse in the 4320 E. Trent Avenue Industrial Estate in East Spokane. Karen Stratton, a member of the District 3 City Council, said she felt now was not the time and there would be a better chance to look into the matter, making sure everyone had the opportunity to intervene. Stratton added that the city council expects to hear more information at the next meeting on Monday, April 25. (KXLY Spokane)

Today in Spokane:

• SCORE Business: Social Media Basics for Business – Online (12:00)
• Jumpstart: business development and sales At 801 W Riverside Suite 100 (12:00 p.m.)
• The LoweDown At the North West Museum of Arts and Culture (12:00 p.m.)
• Jiro dreams of sushi At the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (2:00 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Spokane Spring Clean Week, sponsored by Republic Services, will take place this Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in downtown Spokane. The cleanup event, created to support downtown businesses, will include picking up litter, sweeping sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, and preparing for spring planting. (KREM.com)
• The “Finding Chemo” comedy podcast featuring nationally acclaimed comedians Rod Long and Geoff Young and podcast hosts Nick Theisen and Eric Paine, will take place at the Bing Crosby Theater this weekend. The show explores the lighter side of life through cancer and will benefit Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. (KXLY Spokane)
• After losing their son, Kellen, to suicide, Mike and Kimber Erickson started Kellen Cares, a foundation to help young men and their families overcome mental health issues. This Saturday, September 23, Kellen Cares will host “The Helping Boys Thrive Summit,” an event bringing together professionals and families of struggling boys like Kellen. (KXLY Spokane)
• As of yesterday, passengers on Spokane buses are no longer required to wear masks. The warrant was lifted following the Federal Transit Administration’s policy change. (KXLY Spokane)

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— Carla Varner