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Pioneer Human Services runs a number of programs in Spokane: Re-entry programs with transitional housing. The Carlyle Care Center. But one thing they don't have in Spokane: immigrant children separated from their families.

"We don’t have any youth programs in Spokane," says Harold Wright, director of Youth and Young Adult Services for Pioneer Human Services.

That's despite a USA Today graphic published last week that set local activists abuzz. A map compiled from "federal contracting records, local news reports and the limited information being released by federal agencies" purported to show that Spokane was one of the communities housing children who'd been separated from their immigrant parents by the the Trump administration's "zero tolerance policy."

With little to go on other than that it was a "facility run by Pioneer Human Services," activists tried to gather as much information as they could.

One possible reason there may have been confusion on USA Today's part? Pioneer Human Services does have a 23-bed facility for unaccompanied immigrant minors at Selma Carson Home, in Fife, Washington, in the Tacoma suburbs.

Wright says they've been operating the facility since about 2003.

"We have unaccompanied youth who are about 16 years old," Wright says. But at Selma Carson Home, Wright says, the goal is to try to reunite unaccompanied minors with their families, or at least find them stable, supportive foster families.

"We're trying to reunify them with their families or a healthy adult," Wright says. "We’re trying to provide support around mental health. Substance abuse. Jobs skills. English."

A recent Tacoma News Tribune article quoted a Seattle-based attorney who claimed that at least one immigrant child separated from their parents had been sent to Selma Carson, but Pioneer Human Services said that was inaccurate. They have kids that crossed the border on their own, but not separated from their parents because of the Trump policy.

"We checked all of the files of our clients and with confidence I can say that up to this point we have not served any youth who have been separated from their parents at the border in the U.S.," Art Tel, Selma Carson's director of programming, told the News Tribune. "Clearly all of the youth we serve are separated from their families in their country of origin by choice, force or out of desperation. Also, their detainment in the U.S. is a separation — but the youth we serve have not been taken from their parents here."

This weekend, some local activists suspected that the facility in Spokane referred to by USA Today was Martin Hall Juvenile Facility, a detention center in Medical Lake. Some even drove out to the area to try to see if Martin Hall — or the nearby shuttered Pine Lodge Correctional Facility  — was a location undocumented children were being held.

But that's not the case with either facility. The former Pine Lodge site is owned by the Department of Social and Human Services. It's the site for Consolidated Support Services, a DSHS office that provides maintenance support for a variety of local DSHS sites.

"No undocumented children are housed there," DSHS spokeswoman Mindy Chambers says.

Meanwhile, Robert Palmquist, a juvenile detention facility administrator at Martin Hall, shoots down the idea that Martin Hall holds any separated immigrant children.

“No we don’t,” Palmquist says, “And I’m glad.”

Nine local counties currently contract with Martin Hall for juvenile detention services. It isn't operated by Pioneer Human Services — it's operated by a nonprofit corporation called Community, Counseling and Correctional Services based in Butte, Montana.

Palmquist says Martin Hall used to take in unaccompanied immigrant minors under a contract with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. But that contract ended, and he says Martin Hall has “not been in that business” since before the Obama administration.

USA Today did not immediately reply to an email from the Inlander asking why the publication had claimed a Spokane facility operated by Pioneer Health Services was housing children separated from their families.

When a student commits a crime, state law says that juvenile courts are supposed to notify public school principals.

But until recently, Spokane County Juvenile Court kept no record to show it had sent schools any notifications at all.

"They didn't have any documentation that we could use to verify they sent notifications," says Lori Garretson, lead performance auditor for the Washington State Auditor's Office.

That's important, Garretson says, because the proper notifications can ensure school safety and help schools smooth the student's return to class.

Garretson led the audit, which looked into the issue of student crime notifications among juvenile courts in Washington. The audit sampled 10 of the state's judicial districts, including Spokane. Spokane was one of two judicial courts audited that failed to record any notifications to schools regarding student offenses.

That doesn't necessarily mean it didn't send them, Garretson says. And Spokane County Juvenile Court, for its part, said it did send notifications, it just didn't retain the documentation to prove it. State law does not require courts to retain the documentation, but keeping a record of notifications could protect the court from a potential lawsuit.

Since the audit, Garretson says, the court has changed that.

"They were very prompt to take corrective action," Garretson says.

The audit looked at data from 2016. It identified more than 330 types of offenses that would require courts to contact school principals. That adds up to an estimated 10,000 notifications per year in the state.

Overall, the courts audited in the state could prove they made notifications to schools about student offenses just 51 percent of the time. In 29 percent of cases, no documentation was kept to verify notifications were sent. Those figures do not include Spokane or the other court that didn't keep records at all.

"The audit found a number of ways notification processes can break down and significant opportunities for improving the flow of information about students who have committed criminal offenses," the report says.

This is the first time the Auditor's Office has looked at this issue, specifically, says Garretson. She says they chose to look into this process because the Auditor's Office "received personal communication that indicated some gaps in overall processes." There was also concern following a court case in which school personnel in Bethel School District were unaware that a student was a registered sex offender. That student then raped another 14-year-old student.

The reasons for juvenile courts not notifying principals about student offenses vary. Lack of staff training contributed to the gaps, the report says. The courts have since committed to improving training and monitoring.

Garretson says this is just the first audit looking at the issue of notification of student criminal offenses. While this audit focused on the court sending information to schools, the next will cover whether or not schools have records of receiving notifications.

The audit report recommends that the state Legislature formalize a workgroup of stakeholders that already began meeting during the course of the audit in order to streamline the process.

You can view the full report here. 

The U.S. Supreme Court will not review the gay rights case involving a Richland, Washington, florist, who refused to provide floral arrangements for a gay wedding.

In 2017, the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously decided that Barronelle Stutzman, the owner of Arlene's Flowers, violated the state's anti-discrimination law by refusing to provide the arrangements. State justices rejected Stutzman's argument that providing flowers for a gay wedding would violate her First Amendment rights.

She appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has now vacated the Washington State Supreme Court's ruling without reviewing the specifics. The case has been sent back to the State Supreme Court for review in light of the high court's ruling on a similar case out of Colorado earlier this year.

The Colorado case involves a baker who refused to make a custom cake for a gay couple's wedding. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of the baker, though it did not answer the critical question of whether requiring him to bake a cake violates his First Amendment right to free speech and freedom of religion.

Rather, the majority decision turned on an unreasonable level of hostility toward the baker from a Colorado civil rights commission, which initially ruled against him.

It is in light of that narrow decision that Washington state justices will review the Arlene's Flowers case.

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who brought the case against Stutzman, said in a statement that he is "confident [the State Supreme Court] will come to the same conclusion they did in their previous, unanimous ruling upholding the civil rights of same-sex couples in our state."

In a statement released Monday, the senior vice president for the Alliance Defending Freedom, who has argued on behalf of Stutzman and the Colorado baker, Jack Phillips, says the state attorney general has shown hostility toward Stutzman, similar to the Colorado commission.

"Barronelle, like Jack, serves all customers but declines to create custom art that expresses messages or celebrates events in conflict with her deeply held religious beliefs," Alliance Defending Freedom senior Vice President Kristen Waggoner said in a statement. "The Washington attorney general's efforts to punish her because he dislikes her beliefs about marriage are as impermissible as Colorado's attempt to punish Jack."

If State Supreme Court justices reach the same conclusion as they did in 2017, Stutzman can again appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, a spokesperson for the attorney general's office said.

ON INLANDER.COM

ARTS & CULTURE: Cedric the Entertainer and his openers put on a hilarious show in North Idaho last week, drawing laughs from the most racially-diverse audience Dan Nailen has ever seen in the Inland Northwest.

FOOD/FOR FUN!: Need somewhere to take the doggo during the dog days of summer? Here's a list of some pup-friendly places where you both can relax and grab a drink or bite to eat.

MUSIC: Here's why downtown Spokane is bound to be filled with Juggalos on Aug. 14. 
NEWS: Foster families around Spokane have become the new homes for two dozen unaccompanied refugee minors and youth who've received asylum from Central American conflicts. But while there is likely the support to house more here, the numbers of refugees being admitted to the country has slowed dramatically in recent months.

IN OTHER NEWS

Liberal D.C. is swiping left on young Trump employees
In its current issue, Politico Magazine dives into the world of dating (or, trying to) for young people who've worked for the Trump administration. From all caps messages asking why they're racists after a match Googles their name, to figuring out just the right way to hide their affiliation until they can reveal it in hopes the other person has seen they aren't a total monster, the millennial Trump crowd has had to get creative in a city that only gave him 4 percent of its vote. (Politico)

Casualties of a trade war
Harley Davidson announced it will have to start making more motorcycles outside the U.S. to avoid steep price increases from recently announced European Union tariffs of 31 percent, which in themselves were a response to U.S. tariffs announced earlier this year.  (New York Times)

Florist case bounced back to Washington
For now, the Supreme Court has declined to hear a Washington case involving a florist who refused to provide flowers for a gay wedding, asking that the state review the case for anti-religious bias that the court recently ruled was an issue in a similar Colorado case. (Associated Press)

Another record for WSU
This fall, a record-high number of freshmen will take to Washington State University's Pullman campus. (KXLY)

Connecting rural communities with whatever they need
From digging graves to setting up broadband, rural telecom companies provide a variety of services for the small populations they serve in Washington. (Seattle Times)

Summer picks up steam this week, with tons of options for you to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine, or a dark nightclub. Here are some highlights of the week ahead, drawn from our event listings.

Monday, June 25

FOOD | Even those of us with the blackest of thumbs can typically have pretty good luck growing basil. Which means, naturally, having an excess of basil around. Hit up Kitchen Engine tonight for a class, All About Basil, that will help you figure out what to do with all your herbal goodness.

Tuesday, June 26

WORDS | The Power 2 The Poetry crew is dedicating its monthly open-mic at the Spokane Downtown Library to Pride Month. The fun starts at 6, and it's free.

Wednesday, June 27

SPORTS | The Spokane Indians have another homestand, and they face off against Everett tonight.

With our first ever Pet Issue on stands now, we thought it would be a great time to share some of our favorite dog-friendly restaurants, breweries and bars. While you can’t bring your furry companion inside most places due to standard health codes and such, there’s plenty of options for outdoor drinking and dining.

Little Garden Cafe, 2901 W. Northwest Blvd.

This coffee and tea house with a quaint patio is perfect for a summer brunch. Located across the street from Audubon Park, it’s also a perfect spot for Otis to not-so-patiently wait for you to finish your meal so you can toss the ball a few times.

Community Pint, 120 E. Sprague Ave.

This beer bar is one of the few places in town that actually allows Lassie to come inside. It’s a great spot for both of you to escape the sun and cool off. If you’re a pet lover without a dog of your own, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to get your puppy fix here.

Iron Goat Brewing, 1302 W. Second Ave.

The alley patio at Iron Goat is ideal for spending an evening with old Blue. Take in the urban environment while drinking a pint of local beer. The kitchen serves small plates, pizza and sandwiches and even has beer-inspired treats that are safe for Blue to eat. You can also catch live music on the patio throughout the summer.

Casper Fry, 928 S. Perry St.

If you’re looking for a fine dining spot where Buddy can tag along, this South Perry District restaurant will treat you well. Along with their Southern comfort food and craft cocktails, it features a large dog-friendly patio. After your meal, you can both walk across the street to Perry Street Brewing for a few after dinner beers and a nice bowl of water.

The Scoop, 1001 W. 25th Ave.

What better way to end a long day of adventures with Balto than scarfing down some fresh-made ice cream? This South Hill hideaway features cold creations and baked goods, including their famous liege waffles. Relax at an outdoor table or take a walk through the neighborhood with a cone in hand. Go ahead and give him a small taste, he deserves it.

Consider yourselves warned: the Insane Clown Posse is heading to Spokane for a show at The Pin! on Aug. 14. The Detroit duo will be joined by a slate of guests yet to be announced, but suffice to say, ICP is the reason every Juggalo in the region will be descending on downtown Spokane on a Tuesday night when Tech N9ne isn't around.

The makeup-clad hip-hoppers are considered a full-on gang worthy of FBI attention by some, and revered as the inspiring heads of a vibrant creative community by others. I don't know their music well at all except for the occasional YouTube clip, but I always like reading the entertaining stories about their various controversies.

ICP tickets are $25 and on sale now through the Monumental Shows website. 

WORLEY, Idaho — When you go to a Cedric The Entertainer standup show, you expect to get a good hour of laughs thanks to the man's talent and 30-plus years of experience on comedy stages large and small.

What I didn't expect going to see the man in North Idaho was the most racially diverse audience I've seen for any kind of concert in my almost-four-years living in the Inland Northwest, a couple thousand African-American, Native American and white people joining together to laugh at everything from Cedric and his openers' silly imitations to their pointed political and racial commentary.

The great vibe in the room, and the comedians' skill onstage made for an excellent show at Coeur d'Alene Casino. It was my first time seeing the event space in Worley, and I was pleasantly surprised with the set-up. A large stage with video screens on either side made every seat in the room feel like a good one.

Of course, that wouldn't have mattered if the show wasn't good, and it was far more than that. Cedric and his two openers, Malik S and Sean Larkins, all made jokes about not knowing where they were, or more pointedly, they all said some variation of "What the f—- am I doing in Idaho?" But they also all followed up at their pleasant surprise at how diverse the audience was.

Opener and the night's emcee, Malik S, actually went much further than that, getting into a long and pretty hilarious discussion with some audience members about whether "Native American" or "Indian" was more appropriate for him to use, and noting how many of the black men in the audience appeared to have white wives or girlfriends: "Do they just give you one when you move here, fellas?" Both Malik S and Larkin's sets were met with loud cheers from the audience, and a few groans.

Cedric The Entertainer's set, though, was groan-free as he proved a consummate pro and, not surprisingly, a masterful performer onstage.

On INLANDER.COM

Do you feel unlucky, punks?
Spokane thieves are exacting Trump's tariff's the old-fashioned way — after a Canadian punk band got their equipment stolen from their van near the Pin. If you see a giant banner from 1985, return it for a reward.

Pet projects
Check out the some of the runners-up to the Inlander Pets Photo Contest, including the second-best goat in Spokane. (The best, obviously, being the Riverfront Park Garbage Eating Goat.)

IN OTHER NEWS...

McMorris Rodgers vs. Raúl Labrador
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted against a hardline immigration bill that had been championed by Idaho Rep. Raúl Labrador. (Spokesman-Review)

Hard pill to swallow
The Red Pill expo begins with a tribute to Lavoy Finicum, the Malheur standoff participant killed by Oregon State Police. (Spokesman-Review)

Stamping out food stamps?
House Republicans pass a farm bill that has major new work requirements — and job training funds — tied to the food stamp system. (Politico)

The crying girl on the cover of Time Magazine wasn't actually separated from her mom
But the story is still incredibly sad.  (Washington Post)

The line between discipline and child abuse
A physician says that a boy in immigration detention has been threatened with not being able to be reunited with his parents if he doesn't behave. (New Yorker)

Veteran punk rockers D.O.A. got a taste of one of Spokane’s most prevalent crimes after playing a show at the Pin on June 16.

The band’s “D.O.A.” banner had been stolen, along with various band merchandise, gear and drummer Paddy Duddy’s “legendary snare” after their van was broken into. While that’s all infuriating, “the big hit,” the band says was the stolen banner, which they've had since 1985.

“It's irreplaceable, we need to get it back. Spokane folks and punks everywhere. You can't miss it, it's 20 feet wide. Reward is being offered, no questions asked,” the band reported on Facebook.
On behalf of Spokane… Sorry! That seriously, seriously sucks.

Dusty O’Brien from local Spokane band Wasted Breath said it even better:

“I want to formally apologize for what happened with your gear and banner. It's always VERY embarrassing when things like this happen in our hometown. It doesn't very often, but when it does, the entire community feels responsible."

So true. Except it does happen pretty often, if you recall our February story on Spokane’s vehicle-theft rate.

“We are doing our best to get the word out. We have our record label, promoters, friends, & other local bands keeping an eye out. Collectively we will work towards finding as many of your belongings as possible. We hope this doesn't deter you from returning to the area in the future. Saturday night was amazing & Spokane punks rarely have have an opportunity to play with bands of your stature in the Inland Northwest. It is a huge disappointment when the actions of few can potentially ruin opportunities for the many good & respectable musicians in the area. We will keep in touch!" O'Brien continued.

So. If you happen to possess a giant punk-rock banner that isn’t yours, we’d ask that you remember: “Reward is being offered, no questions asked.”