Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Cost of Washington wildfires so far: $50 million

July 27, 2014 The cost of fighting this season’s wildfires in Washington, including the largest one in the state’s history, has crossed the $50 million mark. 12
Veterans’ disability enrollment rising sharply

July 27, 2014 on Page A1 LOS ANGELES – As Malvin Espinosa prepared to retire from the Army in 2011, a Veterans Affairs counselor urged him to apply for disability pay. List all your medical problems, … 78
Smell of pot can be basis for police search

July 27, 2014 on Page A1 Though marijuana is now legal in Washington for recreational and medical use, courts continue to grant law enforcement wide leeway in using the presence of pot to search property. A … 104
Spawning hope

July 27, 2014 on Page A1 KETTLE FALLS, Washington – Richard Armstrong knelt on the Columbia River’s rocky shoreline, a feather in his hand, a prayer for salmon in his heart. For thousands of years, his … 118
Salmon/steelhead 101

July 27, 2014 on Page A4 Anadromous fish returning to the Upper Columbia before Grand Coulee Dam’s construction: Steelhead, sockeye, spring chinook and summer/fall chinook. June hogs: 40- to 60-pound spring chinook that migrated into Canada. … 2
Doug Clark: STA seat culprit proves to be battery acid

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 What do you give the guy who took a bad acid trip? I couldn’t wait to find out. 4
Spokane Mormons celebrate the church’s beginning with Pioneer Day

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 The Spokane West Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park Saturday to celebrate the beginnings of the church – nationally and … 66
That’s NEWS to you

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 If you followed the news last week, you could be a winner in our weekly news quiz. Warm up by taking the newspaper version, then go to spokesman.com/ newsquiz, where …
Recent audit findings drive challenger in Idaho treasurer race

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 BOISE – In his 16 years as Idaho’s state treasurer, Ron Crane has built up the state’s credit rating, launched a popular college savings program and a free annual control-your-finances … 3
The candidates

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 • Incumbent Ron Crane, 65, a Republican, is seeking a fifth four-year term. A state representative and founder of an alarm business, he has an associate’s degree in religious education …
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

July 27, 2014 on Page B1 From our archives, 100 years ago Plans were afoot to make Heyburn Park the “playground” of Idaho.
Boeing CEO apologizes for ‘cowering workers’ comment

July 27, 2014 on Page B2 Boeing CEO Jim McNerney apologized Friday in a companywide message for telling analysts this week that he won’t retire after turning 65 next month because “the heart will still be … 1
Six 737 fuselages in Montana derailment scrapped

July 27, 2014 on Page B2 The fuselages for six 737 aircraft caught in a Montana train derailment were crushed and baled last week, the manager of the scrapping operation said Friday. Pacific Steel and Recycling’s … 3
Closer races might help boost voter turnout

July 27, 2014 on Page B2 OLYMPIA – With Washington’s primary a mere 10 days away, the big question – after who’ll survive and go to the general election, of course – is how many voters …
In brief: Motorcyclist killed after crash with sedan in north Spokane

July 27, 2014 on Page B3 A motorcyclist died Saturday morning after a car driving in the wrong lane collided with him head-on 5 miles north of Spokane. Robert L. White, 62, was riding his 1985 …
Avista restores power to nearly all customers

July 27, 2014 on Page B3 Local power companies made more progress restoring power on Saturday, but hundreds still were without electricity by nightfall in north Spokane and northern Spokane County. Nearly 60 Avista poles were … 2
Ponzi scheme artist denied plea withdrawal

July 27, 2014 on Page B3 Admitted Ponzi scheme artist Doris Nelson has lost her shot at a redo in federal court. Facing a potential prison sentence that would keep her in prison for life, the …
Carlton Complex fire 60 percent contained

July 27, 2014 on Page B3 SEATTLE – Firefighting crews are making progress against Washington’s largest wildfire, the Carlton Complex, saying the 390-square-mile fire in the north-central part of the state is now almost 60 percent …
That’s News to you answers

July 27, 2014 on Page B7 Here are the answers to this week’s newspaper quiz: 1. D. Orchards escaped the Carlton Complex fire in good shape because they are heavily irrigated.
Timber harvest on state land sets Idaho record

July 27, 2014 on Page B7 BOISE – A massive timber salvage sale and logging companies opting to cash in on high prices resulted in a record 347 million board feet of timber harvested from state …
Skier recovering after accident

July 27, 2014 on Page B10 When former East Lewis County resident Jocelyn Judd hit the snow, she knew something was very wrong. As an acrobatic skier since her early teens, taking huge jumps at high … 1
Town restores millrace

July 27, 2014 on Page B10 SPRINGFIELD, Ore. – In 1852, city founder Elias Briggs dug by hand a channel connecting existing sloughs that created a 3.5-mile millrace to power saw and flour mills. It was … 1
Know your market before trying to sell home

July 27, 2014 on Page E1 The rebound in U.S. home values over the past couple of years has placed many homeowners in a better position to sell their home for a profit. Still, getting a …
Front and Center: Pete Wybourney, Key Bank

July 27, 2014 on Page E1 WILBUR, Wash. – Pete Wyborney was on Farm Credit Services’ fast track until fathering instincts kicked in, and he followed the urge to return to the tiny Lincoln County community …
BBB Tip of the Week: Door-to-door scams

July 27, 2014 on Page E2 Summer is the season for door-to-door salespeople offering deals on goods and services, such as home repairs or improvements. Both legitimate companies and scammers take advantage of the good weather. …
Motley Fool: Starbucks’ relentless growth keeps profits pouring in

July 27, 2014 on Page E2 Starbucks’ global empire features more than 20,000 stores, and its business is firing on all cylinders, offering little sign of market saturation or damage from competition. Even in the U.S., …
Tom Kelly: Market for timeshare resales grows worse through years

July 27, 2014 on Page E2 My wife and I purchased a timeshare 20 years ago. We looked forward to using the variety of resorts offered by the program but could never make it work. Schedules …
Avista progress slowed by fallen trees, broken poles

July 26, 2014 Avista Utilities is struggling to return power to the last of the 1,700 customers without electricity in north Spokane and Deer Park. 14
Man shot after argument near Lincoln Park

July 26, 2014 A shooting was reported in the 2200 block of East Girard Place north of Lincoln Park on the South Hill just before 11:30 p.m. Friday. 142
Motorcyclist killed in crash north of Spokane

July 26, 2014 A motorcyclist is dead after an accident five miles north of Spokane on State Route 291 around 8 a.m. this morning. 3