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Bye-bye, Boris: West Central Spokane landmark moved to Mead’s green pastures

Tue., Sept. 17, 2024

The West Central Neighborhood awoke Monday to find a beloved resident missing.

WELLNESS From the Water’s Edge

Sun., Sept. 1, 2024

It’s hard to become what you do not see. For some of us it’s hard to imagine living in a safe neighborhood with well-lit sidewalks and streets, safe green spaces to relax in, with connecting nature trails, a public pool and shade trees. For the less fortunate the journey to wellness begins with being able to imagine life differently and feeling empowered to do something about it.

A Grip on Sports: We know we can’t move entrenched positions but maybe someday we can move back in time with a little forgiveness

Sun., July 28, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We’re keeping the column short today. Maybe. But we have one of those existential questions to ask. We don’t expect an answer. And yet it may fill a lot of space just be contemplating it.

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‘He was a force of nature’: Tracy Walters, legendary Rogers cross country coach, dies at 93

Sat., July 27, 2024

Coaching a teenage Gerry Lindgren to national records and a Cold War conquest of the Soviet Union’s veteran distance runners wasn’t the least of Tracy Walters’ legacy.

ParaSport Spokane races against August deadline to find new facility for athletes with disabilities

Sun., July 21, 2024

ParaSport Spokane is scrambling to find another training facility for about 200 athletes by August, when the clock runs out on a lease at Valley Christian School.

Four Spokane police chief finalists talk community policing, budget woes and drugs at forum Thursday

Thu., June 27, 2024

Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy, Tucson Assistant Police Chief Kevin Hall, Yakima Police Chief Matthew Murray and Memphis Police Col. Kathleen Lanier addressed department budget issues and policing philosophy as Mayor Lisa Brown looks for a permanent chief. That person will enter Spokane with a looming budget deficit and a fentanyl crisis, both problems that local leaders have differing opinions on how to solve.

Nearing end of athletic career, steeplechase runner Katie Thronson hopes to make one last splash at Olympic Trials

Sat., June 22, 2024

Katie Thronson should have been busy these days wrapping up details for her wedding at her family’s cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Expo ‘74 made Spokane a ‘forever home’ for Musgrave family

Mon., June 17, 2024

When Alicia Thompson moved to Spokane at 14, the World’s Fair was already underway. For the teenager, the Lilac City was a magical place that “saved her life.”

House call: Head into the summer sun, heat and lake with a plan for staying safe

Thu., June 13, 2024

Summer is my favorite time of year to get outside here in one of the most beautiful places on earth. There is so much Spokane has to offer, long days on the lake, gorgeous parks, hiking, Bloomsday, biking or Hoopfest. Whatever your plans, no one wants to spend a beautiful June day in the emergency room.

Number of Hoopfest teams continues to grow coming out of pandemic

Mon., June 10, 2024

This year’s Hoopfest will have 500 more teams than last year as the number of participants in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament continues to regain strength in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Grip on Sports: Every weekend in May is special but this one’s main claims on fame have a sports relationship

Sun., May 19, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Around the Spokane area, there is only one weekend in May that can be considered somewhat open this year. The first weekend held Bloomsday, a civic celebration. The second and last ones include Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, national days of celebration and reflection, respectively. Which leaves us this one. The sports-crazy weekend.

The Collector: Helen Kennett’s Lilac Festival pins capture the community

Thu., May 16, 2024

As a teen, Helen Kennett marched with the Shadle Park High School band in the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.

A Grip on Sports: Over the years, one Mother’s Day present still resonates over all others in our household

Sun., May 12, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s Mother’s Day. A day set aside to honor the person who meant more to most of us than any other. What is the best present you can send her way? Something from the heart. Always.

Interested in camp hosting? Here’s the skinny

Fri., May 10, 2024

Hooray, it’s camp-hosting season, that time of year where we have the honor and privilege of living for free in gorgeous natural settings while volunteering for Washington state parks.

Bernadine Bank, Carmela Conroy endorsed for Congress by Spokane County Democrats

Wed., May 8, 2024

The Spokane County Democratic Party has dual-endorsed two candidates running to represent Eastern Washington in Congress: former diplomat Carmela Conroy and OB-GYN Bernadine Bank.

A Grip on Sports: The streaking Mariners head to Minnesota to take on another streaking team, though there are easy-to-see differences

Mon., May 6, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We woke up this morning thinking about many different subjects, from the Mariners’ crucial win Sunday to what we were going to have for breakfast. Different subjects, sure, but Mondays can be like that. You have to focus on what makes you happy as the work week begins. For many, it was one swing of the bat late Sunday afternoon.

‘He was kind and generous, and he loved doing Bloomsday’: Spokane Valley woman honors father who died running race in 2018

Mon., May 6, 2024

Mindy Rowe sat on the corner of Broadway Avenue and Adams Street Sunday morning, cheering on her husband Rob, their friends and community members as they raced to the Bloomsday finish line.

Sarah Naibei pulls away from Kasanesh Ayenew Baze to win Bloomsday women’s elite race

Sun., May 5, 2024

Sunday’s women’s elite Bloomsday run turned into an exciting battle between Sarah Naibei and Kasanesh Ayenew Baze, lasting more than half of the race.

Tebello Ramakogoana uses patient approach to win Bloomsday men’s elite title

Sun., May 5, 2024

Tebello Ramakogoana didn’t take the early bait Sunday morning at the 48th Bloomsday.

Despite rain, families excited to stroll Bloomsday

Sun., May 5, 2024

For the Madrid family, Bloomsday is a tradition centered on togetherness.

Bloomsday 2024: Rain doesn’t stop Spokane’s annual ‘great big party’ in race’s 48th year

Sun., May 5, 2024

Racers of all skill levels, ages and attire poured into downtown Spokane and spilled into the surrounding neighborhoods Sunday morning for what shaped up to be a damp running of the 48th annual Bloomsday.

A Grip on Sports: The best parts of Spokane are on display today, as always happens on the first Sunday in May

Sun., May 5, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Hopefully the weatherman will be right today. It will rain in Spokane. But not until everyone is done running around downtown and Browne’s Addition, past the cemeteries and SFCC, doomstrolled up Pettit Drive, through the Courthouse neighborhoods and past the finish line. Walkers too.

How sculptures from Expo ‘74 shaped Spokane’s public art scene

Sun., May 5, 2024

A new structure has popped up in Riverfront Park that tells the story of Expo ’74 as Spokane celebrates the 50th anniversary of the world’s fair.

Lifelong Spokanite, new runner designs both Bloomsday finisher and volunteer shirts for 2024

Sun., May 5, 2024

Gordon Smith III has fond memories of standing in front of the Spokane County Courthouse watching his grandfather, Gordon Smith Sr., finish Bloomsday.

Octogenarian who plans No. 45 Bloomsday credits running the race to good health

Sun., May 5, 2024

Sharen Robertson credits Bloomsday for her good health at 83, and she plans to lace up her shoes again for her No. 45 finish Sunday. She first entered Spokane's 12-kilometer course in 1980, after encouraging a coworker at Central Premix to join her in a Bloomsday training clinic. Robertson hadn't exercised before her first Bloomsday. She hasn't stopped running, or walking, since.

Bloomsday 2024

Sun., May 5, 2024

Bloomsday Elite 2024

Sun., May 5, 2024

On the Air

Sat., May 4, 2024

Sunday’s TV Highlights

Bloomsday likely will be wet – but maybe not too wet

Fri., May 3, 2024

Bloomsday participants wanting to donate their jackets by tossing them atop the branches of Riverside Avenue street trees – as is the Bloomsday starting line tradition – might want to wait little longer on Sunday.

Local businesses host events for Free Comic Book Day

Fri., May 3, 2024

Hobby shops in Spokane are hosting events and promotions in celebration of Free Comic Book Day, which takes place annually on the first Saturday of May.

Just a few steps left to go before Bloomsday begins

Fri., May 3, 2024

Thousands milled in and out of the Spokane Convention Center Friday, some of the last steps to go before they take part in the annual Bloomsday run on Sunday.

Grip on Sports: If the least sports TV can offer on a weekend is a respite, than that’s enough – especially when parenting skills need a tuneup

Fri., May 3, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • It may be hard to believe, but everyone was young once. Including us. We even had a young family, one that seemingly demanded our attention 24 hours a day. Except a few times a year.

On the Air

Thu., May 2, 2024

Friday’s TV Highlights

‘It’s time to see the course records go’: Bloomsday organizer expects raised stakes to heighten elite races

Thu., May 2, 2024

“New” is the apt word for the 2024 Bloomsday elite races.

‘I’m excited to get it going’: 50th anniversary of Expo ‘74 starts Saturday at Riverfront Park

Thu., May 2, 2024

Fifty years ago, the World’s Fair attracted tens of thousands of people to Spokane, including President Richard Nixon, and changed the landscape of downtown.

A Grip on Sports: From Bloomsday to blooming connections through a missed connection at home, we are here for it all

Thu., May 2, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Three thoughts for today: Playing catch should be easy, we sort of miss the days when we used to walk with friends on Bloomsday and, most importantly, Gonzaga’s men seem really well connected already.

Bloomsday returns to Spokane Sunday boasting larger turnout; trade show kicks off Friday

Thu., May 2, 2024

Bloomsday will grace Spokane streets this weekend, and organizers expect it to be their biggest spring fling since before the pandemic.

Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Festival offers culture, food, fun after Bloomsday run

Thu., May 2, 2024

Spokane in May is full of flowers and celebrations. From Bloomsday to the Lilac Parade to this year’s 50th anniversary of Expo ‘74, there is no shortage of events. For the second year in a row, the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Festival is no exception.

‘Isn’t smart in the middle of your season’: Why coaches steer elite high school and college track athletes away from Bloomsday

Wed., May 1, 2024

When skilled runners hit the road, there is always the risk that the road will hit back. That’s the dilemma for college and high school track and field coaches when faced with the question whether or not running Bloomsday is a good idea for their athletes.

Getting there: Pride flag on intersection outside Riverfront Park gets a fresh coat of paint after fading and vandalism

Mon., April 29, 2024

Artists spruced up one of Spokane’s most technicolor intersections Sunday, repainting previously vandalized asphalt in the colors of the pride flag.

A Grip on Sports: As April’s last weekend exits stage left, we May have some flowers to pass along soon

Sun., April 28, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Did you know it’s one week until Bloomsday? That’s what happens when April’s showers get set to leave the stage for May’s flowers. That, and other thoughts, dominate our Sunday.

Front Porch: She needs an extra dose of patience – and make it quick

Thu., April 18, 2024

A comic strip I saw some years ago showed a little boy (it might have been Dennis the Menace) kneeling by the side of his bed, saying his nighttime prayers. With hands together in prayer position he said, “Please, God, grant me patience … now!”

Thousands of kids swarm Spokane Falls Community College in mile-long Junior Bloomsday

Sun., April 14, 2024

When told to run the mile in gym class, kids often groan, drag their feet or seek an excuse to skip the dreaded activity. But offer them coupons and a free T-shirt, they come in droves to run the mile-long course at Junior Bloomsday, the much shorter version of the annual 7.5-mile race for kids in third to seventh grade.

Spokane Indians unveil Expo ‘74 uniforms as city plans for more than 90 anniversary events

Tue., April 9, 2024

Soon after graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson got her first job: serving hamburgers and hot dogs at an Expo ’74 food stand.

A Grip on Sports: We slept through the M’s awful game Wednesday, which isn’t a bad thing, but let’s hope WSU doesn’t sleep on the right athletic director

Thu., April 4, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We took a mid-afternoon nap Wednesday. It’s one of the perks of our form of retirement. After it was over, however, we realized we were missing the Mariners’ mid-week, get-out-of-town game. Turned on the TV. Saw the score. The M’s must have been napping too.

Staying in town for spring break? Here are some fun activities that’ll make you glad to call Spokane home

Mon., April 1, 2024

For thousands of students in Spokane, it’s spring break.

Students save life of Lewis and Clark track coach with CPR: ‘I did what I knew to do’

Sun., March 24, 2024

At the start of track practice Monday, volunteer distance coach Mike Hadway taught his team at Lewis and Clark High School how to monitor their own pulse while running. He instructed them to press their pointer and middle fingers against their windpipe until they could feel the blood pumping.

A Grip on Sports: Being a fan is hard work, especially when you are not in the best of shape for two tasks

Sat., March 23, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • OK, we will admit it. We didn’t like Friday. Not at all. Wait, you might misunderstand. We loved the sports part of it, from Yale’s upset to last seconds of Saint Mary’s season in the Spokane Memorial Arena. That part was fine. Other aspects of Friday, though, harkened back to a time we thought we had left behind.

Family Owned: Keeping smiles bright is a family affair at Whittaker Family Dentistry

Mon., March 4, 2024

Warm smiles run in the Whittaker family. And keeping smiles bright is the family business.

‘The Girl Who Figured It Out’: Minda Dentler aims to inspire families

Sun., March 3, 2024

Growing up in Spokane, Minda Dentler once handed water to Bloomsday runners as a volunteer, but competing in events of that sort seemed off-limits to her.