One of the four young adults accused of vandalizing Veradale United Church of Christ two summers ago with an apparent anti-gay message pleaded guilty Tuesday to an amended misdemeanor charge of harassment Spokane County Superior Court Judge Charnelle Bjelkengren sentenced Katherine S.N Tuesday to two years of unsupervised probation and 40 hours of community service for her role in apparent anti-LGBTQ+ vandalism at the church on June 25 Blycker was initially charged with suspicion of a felony hate crime offense a charge her alleged co-conspirators Brigid A Those three defendants are scheduled for trial next month that June morning to find the congregation’s Pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags gone Fuel sprayed on the church’s lawn spelled out “Lev 2013,” an apparent reference to Leviticus 20:13 a Bible verse often used to condemn gay people with a large portion of its members in the LGBTQ+ community Blycker told police nearly two months after the vandalism that she and the three others were involved in the vandalism the school system let the defendants down because they did not have the restraint necessary to know when their actions harmed other people “I refuse to be enemies with those who have harmed us and yet I struggle with how to keep the vulnerable in my community safe,” Heywood said She said the four defendants did not act alone “They come out of a support system that tells them that what they did was OK and maybe even encouraged,” Heywood said “This continues with the current culture’s approval of hate toward some people and approval of acts of hate from some people Even the experience of a plea deal to minimize the wrong done looks like a type of encouragement to those who act with hate.” She said she prays the judicial system exposes the defendants to a culture of restraint and makes them distance themselves from the ideology behind their actions “I hope that this experience helps them choose a better way for their lives,” Heywood said Blycker said she was regretful for her actions and does not have any discrimination in her heart “I am ashamed of my actions and how it’s reflected on my character,” she said said her client was raised in a Christian home and church and has a clean criminal record She said the young National Guard member was sanctioned and facing expulsion from Washington State University Bjelkengren acknowledged that the military and educational consequences she’s facing are greater than any jail time and she will suffer those consequences for years to come She said Blycker’s actions destroyed the safety and security of the congregation and minority groups Bjelkengren said she was happy to hear Blycker say the incident created a change in her heart and hoped she can become someone who loves humanity instead of hating it a change in conduct going forward,” Bjelkengren said She said she believed the incident was a learning experience and acknowledged her youthfulness “This can be something you put behind,” she said “You can be someone who expresses love for humanity going forward in your life.” The sentence was recommended by the prosecution and defense Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens © Copyright 2025, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy came to Spokane in 1881 by way of California His first job was construction on the Northern Pacific railroad which was completing its transcontinental route through Spokane McDonald was farming a homestead near Edwall he joined the Oregon Mortgage company and started his real estate career which would leave a lasting impact on Spokane and Spokane Valley the Palouse and other relatively level areas as ideal for agriculture and believed that man-made irrigation was the key McDonald and various partners were also involved in acquiring land early on through federal homestead or mining claims and building irrigation projects in Eastern Washington and North Idaho in the territorial era Hutchinson would buy and develop a half section of land A 1904 McDonald advertisement read: “We have some beautiful 10 acre tracts on Sprague Avenue They will make fine homes on account of their nearness to the city.” McDonald would establish Vera Electric Water Co The utility survives today as Vera Water and Power three square miles would become known as Veradale A flattering Spokesman-Review 1909 feature story raved a big fruit orchard presents one of the most beautiful scenes imaginable.” The article listed Veradale’s amenities of electricity and convenient transportation to downtown Spokane by electric train Veradale became part of the new city of Spokane Valley McDonald would take prospective buyers on tours of available properties in an automobile at breakneck speeds up to 35 mph Friends called him “a fast driver,” according to his Spokane Chronicle death notice McDonald died when his car went off a dike road and plunged into the Kootenai River while inspecting an irrigation project in Bonners Ferry TDS Telecommunications continues expanding its high-speed all-fiber internet network into more Spokane-area neighborhoods Veradale United Church of Christ in Spokane Valley is in the public spotlight this winter for opposing white supremacy and white nationalism Bothered by their faith-based social activism he accused them and a progressive citizens’ group that meets at the church of being associated with a violent Shea’s document “makes a chilling prescription for enemies who flout ‘biblical law.’ It states ‘If they do not yield – kill all males.'” a majority of members that appointed Mayor Rod Higgins – a Shea ally – is now outnumbered by a more moderate faction who might not appoint him again How much Veradale’s witness influenced any of that is not clear has been about the work of inclusive Christianity and public nonviolent witness for a long time – and intends to keep it up despite mayoral criticism and its own current financial difficulties whose meetings at Veradale draw people from several faith traditions as well concerned citizens with no religious affiliation has held vigils outside Spokane Valley City Council meetings It has given medals to former white supremacists and public officials who have exposed and criticized white nationalism ‘what can we do?'” Heywood recalled Higgins mentioned someone who had renounced white supremacy and been honored by Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience “[He] is being held by the progressives out here at the United Church of Christ on Progress [Road] as being a man of truth,'” Higgins said “…They’re always giving an award to somebody for doing something But the progressives are a subset of Antifa you’ll see there’s quite a close association in there they’re probably funded by George Soros.” And unlike organizations backed by the global philanthropist Soros Veradale and the Leaders of Conscience group are entirely funded locally But the mayor’s accusations were a special cause for concern both because they were misleading and because of the threat they implied and Shea’s association with armed uprisings Member Jan Young, who counts 70 years at Veradale dating back to her childhood, called out the mayor in a December letter published in the Spokane Spokesman-Review “Non-violence is the truth we stand by in seeking justice and resisting evil,” Young wrote “Mayor Higgins’ false statements about VUCC open the door to violence directed toward our church He must stop and apologize publicly.” undertaken security measures that members never felt were needed in the past Unlike a local megachurch that trains its members to use guns “We’ve chosen not to be that kind of church,” Heywood said church shootings in recent years – and with war rhetoric in public use – Veradale became deliberate several months ago about entryway locks alert systems and escape routes during worship “I think we’re pretty well protected,” Heywood said It’s part of the reality of being a united-and-uniting social-justice church in a region where “white power” thinking is more prominent than ever “There has always been that undercurrent it’s risen to a new level,” she said Environment of ‘ugly prejudice’ Staying centered in the face of “ugly prejudice” has its spiritual side “It’s an opportunity to practice what we believe “It’s an opportunity to practice leaning into God instead of self.” during a face-to-face meeting at the church with Higgins and Vice Mayor Pam Healy Heywood was accompanied by longtime Veradale member Don Young (Jan’s husband) and by a member of Families Against Bigotry before the mayor’s Thanksgiving TV appearance “He was angry because I was speaking up at City Council meetings and I should have met with him first,” Heywood said “He came on the attack: ‘What was your goal?’ Why was I ‘picking on’ him she and Young felt little had been accomplished Veradale plans to persist in its public witness Its current finances will not make that easier The congregation benefited for decades from a trust fund “The person who controls the trust fund decided that when he leaves this earth he wanted the fund to go to a local youth organization,” Heywood said He gave us enough to cover about three years of what the trust fund used to cover So our church knows that we now probably have about 14 more months before we run out of funding because we spend more than we have” – even with church members handling all janitorial and yard work voluntarily ‘Not going down without a fight‘ Veradale’s lay leaders were clear that the church’s public witness must continue but we’ll do it faithfully,'” Heywood said “Our financial situation has been dire but that hasn’t at all dampened the flame of our efforts to push forward with what we believe in,” Jan Young said “We’re not going to go down without a fight,” Don Young said We’re going to be that light shining and that beacon of hope to anyone who needs it.” Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here1300 E 9th St #1100 Donate Now Four people have been charged with a hate crime offense related to vandalism at Veradale United Church of Christ last June were each charged with one count of a hate crime on Feb on June 25 to find the congregation’s colorful Pride flags gone and a strong odor of diesel fuel It took her a few hours to realized that the fuel sprayed on the church’s lawn spelled out “Lev 2013,” an apparent reference to Leviticus 20:13 “The Leviticus in diesel, that became on the border of terrorism,” Heywood said at the time After the initial response from Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies He used a neighbor’s surveillance footage to locate the car pictured transporting the vandals The investigator was able to identify Blycker who agreed to be interviewed at the Spokane Valley Police Department in mid-August She told investigators that she and a friend and their boyfriends committed the vandalism Blycker said she couldn’t remember the exact verse one of the boys sprayed on the lawn but “it had to do with Christians hating LGBTQ which she said wasn’t true and she regrets the situation,” according to court documents Rhodes and Easton did not speak with police Investigators referred the investigation to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office in November according to Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor Preston McCollam It took another few weeks to get the case assigned The four people were charged via summons in February Heywood said she’s grateful the group was charged She blamed systemic issues in the school system and Spokane Valley community with not correcting this type of behavior before it escalated “They don’t just start with vandalizing the church,” she said “They have been bullying or intimidating.” While Heywood said it’s important the group bears the consequences of their behavior she hopes the young adults grow and change their views “I’d like them to have a change of heart,” Heywood said While kids in Spokane Public Schools had a snow day Wednesday Macy Smith and her classmates at Into the Forest Preschool had a day playing in the snow is one of 20 facilities that signed on for Washington’s 2017 outdoor preschool pilot program Into the Forest and 11 other programs are participating in the pilot The pilot allows them to spend time outdoors and give feedback to the program about how to develop appropriate standards for outdoor preschool learning that meant making “puppy lemonade soup,” an outdoor inspired dish that included huckleberries Washington became the first state to license outdoor preschools in September Groff said many other states are interested which is running an outdoor pilot as well Two Washington facilities have been licensed thus far three more should join by the end of next week and three are waiting in the wings “This is a hope of mine and our program folks is that we’ll find healthy children they’ll be confident children,” Groff said “We see some wonderful problem-solving that happens in the out of doors that will absolutely help any child in their education setting in a kindergarten classroom.” the pestle was converted to a makeshift spoon She counted slurps aloud and on her fingers: one None of her teachers were asking her to recite a math lesson from rote She was counting in her natural environment The point is that the kids play – and they have so much fun they forget they’re learning Into the Forest describes its teaching philosophy as blending “the Reggio Approach and Waldorf Theory with a Montessori style.” “Children learn through their environment,” said Megan Benedict So seeing the colors outside and talking about the colors of the trees Snow tastes like puppies and puppies eat snow when they get hungry grabbing a mouthful off a table’s top layer Bennett waited for his turn while Wyatt Blumhorst scooped seeds from a pumpkin and transplanted them into something resembling a large Wyatt said on Tuesday his class took a trip to Green Bluff and went on a tractor ride and ate apples “We call it work – and it’s a lot of activities that are meant to do a certain skill set so instead of sitting down with a piece of paper copying writing we have like a little wooden tray that has sand in it and then there’s letters so they can draw the letters in the sand,” Benedict said said she loves the structure of the program – and the messes and they’re most likely covered in mud from the mud kitchen,” Lesaowski said ‘Is this all you did today?’ And I was like you did what you should be doing for your age.’ ” All Into the Forest students were able to read at some level recognized their numbers and were beginning addition and subtraction and the children split their time 50/50 between inside and outside But Benedict is hoping for an all-outdoor location in Dishman Hills as soon as November Holly Jones – a mother of three who has one child in preschool and one in the school-age before and after care – will likely sign up Irene “We’re totally on board with it,” Jones said “We’ve been really happy with everything that they’ve done at Into the Forest and the priorities that they place on being outdoors and giving the kids the freedom to play and to explore their environment We’ve really seen our kids thrive in that.” The biggest barrier to convincing parents is days like Wednesday What will their children do in inclement weather with no indoor option Groff said some parents are wary due to misconceptions “I think just understanding that if children are in the cold weather they’re not necessarily going to get sick,” Groff said if they’re properly involved in activity levels that keep their body temperatures up that they truly aren’t going to get sick just because it’s rainy.” She also said that if the weather becomes dangerous or risky then every program has to follow National Weather Service and Washington state service predictors Youth and Families for Childcare licensing area administrator said one of the standards set by licensing requires facilities to use a radio or weather apps to continuously monitor the weather “They have to make decisions every morning as to whether they have class or whether they can start with class and maybe they move into an area where they can keep the kids a little bit warmer or under a shelter from the rain,” Groff said Because Benedict understands that parents may be nervous about the all-outdoor option she said she plans to ease parents into it by offering a four-hour program at first Benedict said she isn’t concerned that the children will want to go inside “I think it would take a little bit of getting used to for the kids because a lot of kids aren’t used to that type of environment,” Benedict said “ … Once the kids realize what they’re able to do I think they’ll become more comfortable with it.” The program also sets different standards for outdoor preschool teachers requiring them to have a background not only in early childhood education but also in environmental education “These staff people have to know things that would come about with plant life and what’s safe and what’s not safe “Those kinds of things that they would learn through coursework in environmental education.” Into the Forest has three different ages groups which all come along with their own teacher-student ratios and the school has 12 students in this group the ratio is one teacher for every 10 kids the facilities will have to have a 1-to-6 ratio A big reason these standards were developed is because outdoor preschools will involve a certain amount of risk The preschools will have to take steps to mitigate those risks – part of the reasoning behind the teacher’s special certifications – and have parents sign a document stating they understand the program comes with risks “We had teachers truly look at the risky play element in their environment and to do a benefit-risk assessment for each of those areas that would be considered risky to children,” Groff said But Groff said those very risks are a benefit in the education the children receive they will be able to manipulate and use their environment safely as adults,” Groff said “It’s hard to teach kids how to navigate spaces if they’re never challenged in those spaces.” the cost of day care and preschool is a factor in finding a place for their child the monthly cost for the full-time toddler and preschool program is $820 By contrast, in 2018, the median cost in Spokane County for a toddler was $966 per month, and for a preschooler, $867 per month, according to Child Care Aware Washington The estimated cost of the all-outdoor program is $800 but the all-outdoor program will not carry expensive overhead such as building costs Rent at the current location – which they will continue to run alongside the all-outdoor program – is $4,000 a month Costs for the outdoor program will be payroll liability insurance which is $560 per month as well as $50 up front for each student’s gear Licensing provides two major benefits to the outdoor preschools it authorizes them to have an all-day outdoor program it allows them to accept kids whose child care is subsidized “That is one of the reasons we moved forward as well as we have is because we do want to open that access to all families,” Groff said we can offer subsidized child care to those families who qualify and so I think the outreach to families in need will be that much greater.” walking in the LGBTQ+ Pride parade and voicing her concerns to the Spokane Valley City Council Heywood does a little bit of everything – all in the name of Jesus Christ “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Heywood doesn’t spend her time trying to convince people to love she doesn’t like to yell – she just spends her time vocally and unabashedly accepting people for who they are instead “Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan When the Samaritan finds the fellow beside the road he doesn’t tell him that he’s got to be baptized He doesn’t call him to confess his sins,” she said pays for what he needs and hopes he gets better.” climbing trees and frolicking in the woods She remembers how often she’d climb up in her favorite tree and talk to him about her life she insinuated to her parents she wanted to be a minister someday “They told me that women don’t do those things ‘No one will want to marry you.’ That was a big deal,” she said especially for a child who planned to have a husband and a house full of kids one day an Air Force veteran and former police officer was “kind of terrifying.” He had an anger problem “We don’t say those words,” she’d tell her she ventured to Germany as an exchange student She played music and thought about a career in medicine But when she came back to school at Emmanuel College she was approached by multiple priests and nuns who encouraged her to go into ministry She was pursuing her German and music therapy degrees when Heywood had an epiphany that she belonged in the world of preaching “I told Sister Lillian that this is what I was supposed to do,” Heywood said “It was like the classic movie moment … I said ‘Well I think I have to change my major.’ She goes and you can translate theology books in German.’ ” Many weeks were spent poring over books in the Harvard Library she went back to Maine to serve the church “We had a winter with wind chills way below 40 degrees and I needed a warmer climate,” Heywood said Heywood met her former husband and had two children she became a single mother to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old they begged their mom to see snow – and she eyed Spokane “This little church was not just because they could get their snow … This little church is special,” she said Heywood has made it her mission to be inclusive and welcoming speaking out against hateful rhetoric frequently Church members often make pro-LGBTQ+ art to hang outside during Bible study Hoy was testifying before the Spokane City Council on a school-related issue and began to tear up She didn’t know if she’d be able to finish her statement That’s when she felt a hand on her shoulder the two began inviting each other to certain events and charity functions and Hoy is now part of Veradale’s ministry “She’s become a really good friend and inspiration,” she said Heywood helped support a group of Central Valley High School students and their parents when they encountered white nationalists during a gun violence protest Heywood participated in Spokane’s Women’s March to support and uphold women’s rights Heywood and a group of local faith leaders and conveners also held a vigil at Spokane Valley’s City Hall in 2019 urging council members to denounce white supremacy and mourn the damage caused from former state legislator and pastor Matt Shea publishing a “Biblical Basis for War” manifesto condemning same-sex marriage and abortion She also often writes letters to local officials in conjunction with the Muslim and Jewish community encouraging change and acceptance after hateful events Not everyone appreciates Heywood’s approach Veradale’s church sign was riddled with bullet holes from a drive-by shooting the church had a number of pro-LGBTQ+ signs and Black Lives Matter signs in the yard – but someone chose to rip down the decorations and vandalize the front lawn with diesel fuel Heywood called on Spokane Valley leadership to stand with the church and denounce hate but in a July letter to The Spokesman-Review she wrote that there was no response from them let us know that the leadership of the city of Spokane Valley denounces acts of vandalism Tell us about what the city is doing to make this a community where everyone is welcome Tell us that this city is one where the freedom of religion includes Christian faiths like ours that believe God created everyone in the image of God as we practice a life of justice and a humble walk with our God (Micah 6:6-8),” she wrote in the letter She continued to make sure everyone in the church felt safe Hoy said while there are some faith leaders who preach fear she and Heywood approach everything the opposite way We try to stay on the side of love and make sure everybody deserves dignity and respect and to feel safe and secure “I feel like her little LGBTQ church – like the existence of that church – is resistance Something that stands out to her is when her then-16-year-old daughter pointed out Heywood’s church was the first church she’d seen with a Pride flag Same with the Black Lives Matter flag,’ ” Hoy said “It hadn’t even occurred to me that that was the message she was being given.” Heywood said it’s not her job to speak for people speak up when she can and encourage others to do the same “Silence doesn’t protect anyone,” Heywood said I feel that it’s really important to speak up for those who are bullied and marginalized And to speak up about the way of Jesus that I experience.” Heywood will continue to do what she’s been doing And she will continue to preach what she’s been telling people all these years: “Do what Jesus would do Preparing for her Sunday morning message didn’t go as planned this week for the Rev who arrived at Veradale United Church of Christ to a strong odor of diesel fuel and the absence of the colorful pride flags that had graced the church’s entryway hours before It took Heywood a few hours to realize that “Lev 2013,” which she found drawn on the church’s lawn with the fuel the pride flags is something Heywood expected The church hung the flags higher than previous banners to discourage “temptation,” Heywood said the diesel fuel message was both surprising and extremely concerning to Heywood and the 25 people who regularly attend services at Veradale that became on the border of terrorism,” Heywood said The church had three flags on display: a pride flag one that read “Black Lives Matter” and another with a variety of sayings including “Science is real” and “No Human is Illegal.” The church also had a series of smaller pride flags along the sidewalk leading to its front door The vandalism was captured on a neighbor’s security cameras A white car the size of a Nissan Leaf pulled up at about 1:15 a.m skinny people ran out of the car toward the church and stole the flags before spraying the lawn with the fuel She reported the vandalism to the Spokane Valley Police Department said investigators’ first step is identifying the three suspects Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 with reference #10092764 Heywood decided to continue with the Sunday morning service but stationed someone outside to make sure the vandals didn’t return to set the lawn on fire It’s not the first time congregants have felt threatened the church’s sign was hit in a drive-by shooting “The Scripture we had for Sunday was related to free will and how other people’s free will affects us,” Heywood said “It’s not the first time we’ve had to remember where the exits are … Sometimes I feel like a flight attendant at the beginning of worship – your nearest exit might be behind you.” At Pride in Perry, in Spokane’s South Perry neighborhood this past weekend, a white supremacist group, the Northwest chapter of the National Alliance, protested. Spokane police responded and maintained a presence, according to KHQ Spokane NAACP President Kurtis Robinson arrived later that afternoon after the group had left Robinson said he was proud of the community for not engaging with the white supremacists and was thankful to police for how they handled the situation by maintaining a presence from a distance While the incident at the church is upsetting Heywood has some ideas on how to move forward One congregation already has offered to help create a new pride month display something Heywood hopes turns into a party “I think that love is stronger than hate,” Heywood said