Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents tell Medical Lake council illegal New Year's fireworks kept neighbors awake and left debris
Summary
Two residents told the council that illegal fireworks discharged on New Year's Eve 2025 disturbed elderly neighbors, scattered debris and raised safety concerns; they urged better city notice, enforcement and follow-up with law enforcement.
Two residents used the Jan. 6 public-comment period to urge stronger enforcement and clearer public notice after New Year's Eve fireworks disturbance and icy road conditions.
Lonnie Henderson, who said she lives at 611 E. Lab in Medical Lake, described fireworks discharged near 208 N. Stanley St. beginning about 7 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2025 and continuing past 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2026. Henderson said debris from fireworks littered her yard, deck and fence and that sheriff deputies Bell and Wenette photographed evidence after she reported the incident to Spokane County Crime Check on Jan. 2, 2026. She cited Medical Lake municipal code (chapter 5.10, ordinance 8/22/1996) that limits fireworks sales and discharge to July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
"It appears there was no respect or consideration given to us neighbors and to animals," Henderson said, and asked the council to factor safety and community well-being into future fireworks discussions.
Tammy Robertson told the council she found it "very alarming" the city did not plan or enforce its ordinances for New Year's Eve, and she asked for a written explanation of two public-safety failures she said were within the city's control: lack of advance notice that fireworks are illegal on New Year's Eve and why fire or law-enforcement personnel did not file an incident report or increase patrols.
Council members acknowledged hearing fireworks and said reminders should be sent in future years. The mayor said he would follow up with staff to check Crime Check call logs and explore duty-officer coverage for New Year's Eve going forward. No formal policy or ordinance change was adopted at the meeting.
Ending
Council members said staff would follow up on the Crime Check records and consider sending reminders next year; no vote or formal directive to change enforcement policy was taken on Jan. 6.
