When it needed a new fire station, Spokane County Fire District #9 took a novel approach.

Merchants and motorists on Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley will be happy to know that construction along the heavily traveled corridor is going to be finished in less than two weeks.

Sheriff's deputies quickly solved what at first appeared to be a kidnapping in progress but what was later identified as family issue thanks to some alert neighbors in the Country Homes neighborhood.

Spokane County Fire District 9 firefighters and the Country Homes Baskin-Robbins store, 9111 N. Country Homes Blvd., will have the third annual 31 Cent Scoop Night on Wednesday, from 5 to 10 p.m. Ice cream scoops will only be 31 cents.