The annual Jr. Lilac Parade hits the streets of Downtown Spokane this Saturday and area middle school marching bands, drill teams and color guards will compete for a spot in next weekend's Armed Forces Torch Light Parade.

The theme for the 61st annual parade is "Swinging into Summer". Groups and bands develop their displays and routines around this theme to compete for the top spots. The parade kicks off at 10am and will start off on Washington just north of Spokane Falls Blvd.

KXLY's Chief Meteorologist Kris Crocker will announce the event. Don't miss the fun celebrating our local children!

Avista Utilities is taking their services on the road setting up their mobile Energy Resource Team in communities throughout the area. Today, they were in the Spokane Valley with Second Harvest's mobile food bank offering tips and supplies to make homes more energy efficient.

“The biggest goal is to educate people on ways to conserve energy in their homes,” says Ana Matthews, a Consumer Affairs Program Manager with Avista. The Energy Resource Team provides resources and materials to help people who are struggling lower their monthly bills and set them up with resources such as SNAP when they need more help.

Avista workers handed out bags with rope caulk, window insulation kits, fridge coil cleaners and compact florescent light bulbs to help get homes on their way to a lower bill. Matthews says the biggest energy sucker is drafts in the home and they come from places you might not think to look such as your outlets.

Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that injured four of their own. Two firefighters had heat exhaustion, one suffered a minor burn, and another hurt his arm. They've all been released from the hospital, but eight people now need a new place to live.

If you believe in fate, it may be hard to believe why a fire would destroy your house.

"Feels like a sock in the gut, a blow," Nick Peraud said.

For Peraud, it's hard to understand even as he was reunited with his bearded dragon during the fire. One of his cats and two of his ferrets didn't make it. Thursday, he rummaged through what firefighters could save .

"Haha, twice baked cookies," Peraud said.

Amid what he lost, his attitude brightened because of what he's found. Pictures of his son, a tea set from his grandma, and most importantly a dress for his girlfriend Skye to wear August 4th.

"My fiance was very concerned about this, because we'll be getting married in August," Peraud said. "It was a huge relief. Especially for Skye. I think if she could have found one thing, it would have been this."