*West challenges successor: Ousted mayor says others better qualified than Hession to run Spokane/Mike Prager & Jim Camden, Spokesman-Review -- I hope he's right. I don't want another mayor with this guy's wretched personal/public life. (You can listen to West's press conference yesterday here, and to Dennis Hession's here.

*The Front Row: Good kids, parents part of 400 wins for Poffenroth/Mark Nelke, Coeur d'Alene Press -- Let's let CHS junior Jenna DeLong pronounce judgment here: "Ever since he came here, the basketball program has skyrocketed."

*Spokane lawmaker wants 'Christmas' back in Olympia Capitol 'Holiday Tree'/Rich Roesler, Spokesman-Review -- You go, John Ahern.

*Rathdrum Mountain campaign mounted: Group aims to buy 280 acres and prevent development/James Hagengruber, Spokesman-Review -- Now, if our enlightened Legislature would only allow the half-cent sales tax to be used to preserve open space ...

*Fallen soldier remembered: Post Falls parents cope with loss of only child/Brian Walker, Coeur d'Alene Press -- Greater love hath no soldier than this, that he lay down his life for his country. Salute.

---

---