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

TUESDAY, DEC. 20, 2016

Parting Shot -- 12.20.16 

Spokane photographer Rika Ream traveled to Palouse Falls State Park during last weekend's bitter cold weather to marvel at the ice around the 185-foot waterfall. The scene was spectacular. Daring ice climbers dropped her jaw even farther. She captured this photo of Jess Roskelley of Spokane leading a climb in the fragile ice of the main waterfall.

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Wild Card/Tuesday -- 12.20.16 10 

I've been driving an Enterprise rental car this week while Gerber Collision & Glass has been removing the deer-caused dint in my 4Runner -- a Nissan Altima. The Altima drives well in the snow, better than my 4Runner, unless I put it in 4-wheel drive. We'll be in the market for a car next year. For Mrs. O. We'll probably opt for a Subaru.

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My job it is achangin' 17 

As I mentioned recently, my job is going to change somewhat after the first of the year. Instead of writing one, 20-inch column for Sundays, I'll be knocking out 5 of them, of 10 inches apiece. That'll mean a different approach to my blogging. It'll evolve. But I'm planning to blog from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and then columnize for an hour or so.

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More D than R electors defected 

More Democratic electors are defecting than Republicans in the Electoral College vote so far. Four Democratic electors in Washington state cast votes for candidates other than Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who carried the state. The Hill reports.

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What grosses you out? 20 

"Nothing on Earth grosses me out more than runny egg yolk" -- Facebook Friend Desiree Janke of Coeur d'Alene. Question: Egg yolks are pretty gross. But anything involving cooked liver, even smothered with onions, grosses me out. How about you. What grosses you out?

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When was your last big winter fall?

An unfortunate woman's fall on ice in downtown Coeur d'Alene this afternoon reminds me of falls I've taken in wintry conditions over the past 4 decades. The ones while I learned to ice skate were spectacular. How about you? Care to describe bad falls that you've had from slipping on ice during NW winters?

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Blogos -- 12.20.16

The daily roundup of links from the HucksOnline blogosphere launches with a snowy scene from Lovestead, the Bonner County home of Marianne Love/Slight Detour. Also: Finally, it's over/Dogwalk Musings, Your weekly planner/On Tap, Still searching for intelligent life/Fort Boise, Lantern set to open 'Loving' on Friday/7 Blog ...

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District to allow guns on campus 

Mountain View School District inched closer Monday night toward adopting a policy that would allow school personnel to carry weapons on its campuses. But approval of the controversial measure is by no means assured. Board member Jeremy Harris of Grangeville said he would vote against it, as things now stand. Kathy Hedberg/Tribune reports.

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St Vinny's warming center open tonite

After one night off, the cold is back. With the extremely cold weather, the St Vincent de Paul’s Warming Center will be open the evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday night. As always, all future nights will be extended as extreme cold persists. As the sub-30 degree temperatures continue, St Vincent’s shelter will always be open from 7 p.m.-7 a.m.

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Amador ready to serve

In an interview with Spokane Public Radio, state Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d'Alene, says that two of his three committee assignments fit his professional and academic backgrounds, so the preparation won't be onerous. Doug Nadvornick/Spokane Public Radio reports.

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Vets remembered w/Xmas wreaths 

A crowd came to the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake to lay evergreen wreaths on the graves of veterans, part of the Wreaths Across American project. Individual organizations, like the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, raise money to place the wreaths every years at local cemeteries.

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Slice: For those w/Xmas birthdays 

I'm not enamored with a birthday late in November. It's too close to Christmas for loved ones to go all in on presents. But how about those with December or early January birthdays? My wife and daughter fall in that camp. At The Slice blog, Paul Turner asks those who have December birthdays close to Christmas whether they are short-changed.

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AM Scanner Traffic -- 12.20.16

Scanner Traffic for Tuesday AM (24 items & counting) includes report of submerged vehicle in Hayden Lake, near Toblers Marina. Driver was able to get out of vehicle. Also: A power lines are down and a utility pole near down on West Fairway Drive/CdA.

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AM Headlines -- 12.20.16

AM Headlines today begins with SR report re: someone possibly falling into Spokane River in downtown Spokane. Also: Public Records/Press, Idaho Head Start behind/Press, School district closer to guns on campus/Tribune, Idaho jobless rate holds steady at 3.8 percent/AP, Council to discuss parking boots for scofflaws/Press...

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To shovel, perchance to sleep 

Facebook Friend David Townsend touches on an eternal subject this morning. He was weighing the plusses and minuses of shoveling or trying to start his snowblower. He was also looking behind Door No. 3. Dave is on vacation. His 3rd option was to wait until his wife gets home, shovels the walk, and "shrivels me with shame."

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Izzit just me ... 22 

... Or are there two types of drivers -- or more accurately parkers -- in this world: Those who park front end first and those who back into their spot. It can be annoying if you're waiting for someone to back into a spot. Q: Which are you? A front-end parker? Or do you back into a parking spot? If you're in the latter group, can you explain why?

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Does Idaho want what it voted for? 17 

In a recent editorial, Opinion Editor Marty Trillhaase of the Lewiston Tribune comments: "Idaho just hit the electoral jackpot. Too bad the Gem State doesn't play the game any better than it does." Trillhaase explains that Idahoans regularly answer siren call for less government & lower taxes from feds. Yet, the state relies on federal subsidies.

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Atheists enjoy holidays, too 

Instead of saying, "Merry Christmas," Jim Hudlow prefers, "Happy holidays," or "Happy winter solstice." The big "A" on his holiday sweater is decorated like a Christmas tree, but the message is, "Secular greetings." And although the "A" stands for atheist, Hudlow said he and other atheists and agnostics still enjoy celebrating the holidays.

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Terrorist kills Russian ambassador 

A Turkish policeman fatally shot Russia's ambassador to Turkey on Monday in front of a shocked gathering at a photo exhibit and then, pacing near the body of his victim, appeared to condemn Russia's military role in Syria, shouting: "Don't forget Aleppo! Don't forget Syria!" The Chicago Tribune reports.

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Temps to warm up today, but ...

Those fearful that a forecast predicting warmer temperatures and rain today will wash away dreams of a white Christmas should cast their fears aside. "A white Christmas? You can pretty much take that to the bank," said Randy Mann, Press meteorologist. Keith Cousins/Press reports.

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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.