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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5, 2012

Hump Day Wild Card -- 9.5.12 

I wish the city had wi-fi available at City Beach. It would be wonderful to hang out on the waterfront, blogging. But I doubt that I'd get much blogging done. I envy those who have the opportunity to be outside on this glorious day. Now…

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Parting Shot -- 9.5.12 

"Sometimes I think these fish are smarter than we are," said Joe Cifka of Hayden as he fished at Honeysuckle Beach on Hayden Lake on Wednesday. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka) Question: Did you catch anything last time you went fishing?

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Luna-IEA Feud Grows Uglier 19 

The bitter relationship between Tom Luna and Idaho teachers just keeps deteriorating. The latest feud centers on — naturally — a component of the state schools superintendent’s far-reaching and hotly contested Students Come First laws. Under Luna’s merit pay plan, some 85 percent of Idaho…

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Montanan Pioneered 'Empty Chair' 

Forget Michelle Obama’s speech and dress. Never mind about The Big Dog’s nominating appearance. Ditto Paul Ryan’s thoroughly fact-checked speech and Chris Christie’s “it’s all about me” keynote. Let’s talk some more about Clint and his chair. Dirty Harry probably didn’t know it, but his…

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PM: Valley Cop Shoots, Kills Man

Law enforcement investigate the scene of an officer-involved shooting reported at 1309 N. Skipworth Court in Spokane Valley today. A domestic violence suspect was shot and killed by Spokane Valley police. The dead man, whose identity was immediately unavailable but was described by investigators as…

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PM Scanner Traffic -- 9.5.12

5:28 p.m. ISP officer reports Pontiac Firebird racing motorcyle on e/b I-90 @ NW Blvd/CdA. 5:18 p.m. Resident in 6600 block of Highview/CdA reports suspicious males selling vacuums. 5:17 p.m. Caller reports almost hitting red vehicle w/o taillights @ n/b H41 @ BNSF RR crossing.…

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Kennedy Confronts Gookin re: Rumor 11 

Following is Mike Kennedy's response via the comments section re: why he confronted fellow Councilman Dan Gookin at the Tuesday meeting: I had asked Dan during a break if he recently called a reporter for the Press telling them that SD271 was going to have…

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Life Doesn't Follow Script In 'Nate' 

Dennis Mansfield, a Boise blogger and former Republican congressional candidate, has written a book re: the life and death of his son, Nate. Simon & Schuster provides this introduction to "Beautiful Nate": In this heartrending memoir about faith and family, a conservative spokesman writes candidly…

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Democrats Embrace God Again 12 

Los Angeles Mayor and Democratic Convention Chairman Antonio Villaraigosa calls for a vote to amend the platform the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., today. The Democrats have added "God" and "Jersualem" back into their platform language after initially leaving the two words out. Story…

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VarsityCDA: A Versatle Viking 

The moniker couldn’t be more apt, really. At the glory-bathed positions of quarterback, running back and receiver, Coeur d’Alene’s coming-of-age juniors occupy most of the spots. Then there’s the senior class. That group known for its lunch-pail demeanor, vocality and quiet contribution. The Grinders, as…

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Gookin Opposes CdA Collegiate Team 

On a 5-1 vote Tuesday, with Councilman Dan Gookin dissenting, the Coeur d'Alene City Council supported possible location of a West Coast League team at Cherry Hill Park. Here's a draft of that discussion: "Councilman Kennedy introduced the item as discussed at the General Services…

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Council Discusses PR position 10 

Here's the City Council discussion of the approved PR position, from draft minutes provided to Huckleberries by future City Clerk Renata McLeod: "Councilman McEvers, stated that he believes that the public relations position is needed to get facts out to the community. Councilman Kennedy stated…

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Grad Pays Off $90K In 7 Months 

In this May 20, 2011, file photo, graduates from various institutions toss their hats in the air in Philadelphia. Many graduatues are burried in student loans, but Joe Mihalic, a business school graduate paid off $90k in student loans in 7 months and blogged about…

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Open Letter To CHS Teachers 

Facebook Friend Dave Chamberlain posted the following open letter to the teachers of Coeur d'Alene earlier today: "I hereby intrust you to not only teach my daughter the skills of reading, writing and arithmatic, but to show them through your own experiences the reasons WHY…

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Beck Complains About Airline Service 

Radio talk show host Glenn Beck isn't backing down from his public attack on American Airlines. For a second straight day, Beck on Wednesday used his show to complain that a flight attendant treated him rudely. Beck claims it was punishment for his conservative views.…

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Idaho Woos Gun Manufacturers 

It’s a straightforward pitch: Idaho is a gun-friendly state. Why not encourage gun manufacturers to come in and set up shop? Several years ago, that logic led Idaho’s Department of Commerce to begin recruiting “recreation technology” companies. The term refers to makers of all sorts…

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D's Platform Dumps God, Jerusalem 15 

The Democrats moved “forward” during their Charlotte convention by removing a key member of their party from its past platforms. There is no room for God in Mr. Obama’s coronation party. In fact, the Democrats removed any reference to God from their platform as approved…

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Michelle O At Dem Convention 

First Lady Michelle Obama waves after addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Question: How would you rate Michelle Obama among the First Ladies of your lifetime?

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AM Scanner Traffic -- 9.5.12 

12:28 p.m. Threat @ Cliffdwellers' Drive/Worley reported to Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police. 12:24 p.m. Hit-and-run accident reported near Coeur d'Alene Jimmy Johns. 12:20 p.m. Traffic lights are malfunctioning @ intersection of H41 & Mullan/PF. 12:11 a.m. Boy who appears to be 12 years old drove…

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Barker: Wolf Delisting Deja Vu 

The Republicans had Clint Eastwood.Maybe the Democrats should invite Bill Murray to their convention this week. Because the Obama administration produced its version of “Groundhog Day” Friday by removing wolves from the endangered species list in Wyoming. Just like in the movie, the early-morning alarm…

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Closed Primary Unrest Simmers 

Precinct Committeeman Geoff Schroeder so loathes the new closed primary that he withdrew his GOP affiliation the morning after he won his second term as an Elmore County precinct committeemen in May. The 46-year-old former Mountain Home city councilman re-registered as “unaffiliated.” Idaho GOP Chairman…

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AM: Casting About On UI Campus 

University of Idaho senior Sierra Grove, right, and her classmates practice casting during a beginning fly fishing class on campus in Moscow on Tuesday. The class is taught by Bart Quesnell. (AP Photo/Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Geoff Crimmins ) Investigation continues into 3 electrocution deaths/AP Suspect…

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Poll: Berry Pickers College Educated 

Tuesday Poll: A supermajority of Hucks Nation has at least some college education. 116 of 134 respondents (86.57%) said they have attended college. Only 18 of 134 (13.43%) said they hadn't. Today's Poll: Do you agree with decision by the city of Coeur d'Alene to…

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Cindy Descends Into 'Hotel Hell' 

Some of us receive invitations to go to hell more frequently than others – that’s the nature of being a newspaper columnist. But when friends invited Derek and me to join them for dinner in hell we quickly agreed. This particular Hades involved a taping…

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Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.