Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Julyamsh Pow Wow canceled

Jan. 30, 2015 The big Julyamsh Pow Wow held annually at the Greyhound Park in Post Falls has been cancelled, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort announced Friday. 63
Fugitive arrested after short chase

Jan. 30, 2015 A fugitive was taken into custody Thursday afternoon following a short pursuit in Hayden. 3
Party-line vote kills gay rights bill in Idaho

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A1 BOISE – Idaho lawmakers heard three days of intense, emotional testimony on a bill to provide civil rights protections for gays before killing the legislation on a party-line vote. Nevertheless, … 20
Court orders initiative vote

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A1 Envision Spokane, the twice-failed initiative seeking to bolster environmental protection and neighborhood and labor rights, will be before voters again, after a decision Thursday by a state appellate court. The … 27
Spokane’s Jefferson Elementary kindergartners host pre-Super Bowl party

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A1 The buildup began long before the first snap. Kindergartners in teacher Andrea Sims’ Jefferson Elementary class have been wearing blue and green every Friday since September. They sent Christmas cards … 9
Corrections 01-30-2015

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A2 Wrestling story contained errors Bryce Gardner of Central Valley won his match at 106 pounds; Braedon Orrino’s name was incorrect; and Mikey Garrison of University won the first match of …
Four men face murder charges in South Hill killing

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A5 Spokane police arrested on Wednesday four men accused in a brutal robbery-turned-homicide on the lower South Hill last week. Isaiah S. Freeman, 24; Christopher J. Hall, 34; Ricky A. Cox, …
Spokane’s homeless polled in national point-in-time count

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A5 Domestic violence led to Misty Thornbrue’s first experience with homelessness. Gambling, drug addiction and alcoholism led to more days on the streets. “This time, when I was about to be … 10
Plans for U.S. 2 roundabout near Mead scrapped by Washington

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A5 State engineers have scrapped plans to construct a $3.7 million two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Day Mount Spokane Road and U.S. Highway 2 near Mead, electing to slow traffic … 28
Shawn Vestal: Spokane mayor struck by cordiality at State of Union

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A5 Mayor David Condon was chatting with his former boss, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, over the holidays when she asked him when he would next be back in the nation’s capital. … 121
Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago Dark hints of murder arose in the trial of Mrs. Rachel Finn – the murder of her own son, Martin Finn, 20.
House collectively passes ‘Joel’s Law’

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A6 OLYMPIA – Rep. Tom Dent urged his colleagues to pass “Joel’s Law” by recalling his son’s tense standoff late last year with Spokane County sheriff’s deputies. A patient of severe … 1
In brief: Teen’s statements may be used in case

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A7 A Coeur d’Alene teenager accused of killing his father and brother knew what he was doing last April when he waived his Miranda rights, answered police questions and confessed, a …
Lawmakers look at banning hazardous, yet popular microbeads

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A7 OLYMPIA – Many facial soaps contain tiny, gritty pieces of plastic called microbeads, for scrubbing away dead skin and stubborn blemishes. Some Washington lawmakers want to ban them. The exfoliating … 1
Central Washington residents say Natural Resources failed them in battling Carlton Complex fires

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A8 OLYMPIA – Government agencies failed to react fast enough to smaller fires that grew last July into the largest wildfire in state history, Central Washington residents told legislators Thursday. While … 2
Former soldier charged with stealing $250,000 in benefits

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A9 SEATTLE – A former Idaho National Guard soldier who is also an official in Snoqualmie, Washington, has been indicted on charges that he lied his way to a Purple Heart … 6
Photo: 12th Man on top

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A12 Above Seattle: Musician Dave Matthews raises the Seattle Seahawks 12th Man flag Thursday on the roof of the Space Needle in Seattle. The Seahawks face the New England Patriots in … 1
Washington records

Jan. 30, 2015 on Page A14 Spokane County Marriage licenses
Four arrested in Lower South Hill homicide

Jan. 29, 2015 Spokane police arrested four men Wednesday night in connection with the Jan. 25 homicide of Damien Stewart. 12
Photo: Wanna bet?

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A1 How long will it take Idina Menzel to sing the National Anthem? Over/under: 2 minutes, 1 second.
Spokane Deputy Brian Hirzel fired for misusing patrol car

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A1 A Spokane County sheriff’s deputy cleared of wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of a Spokane Valley pastor in 2010 has been fired for improperly using county-owned vehicles. Brian Hirzel, of … 106
Eastern’s star quarterback offered scholarship to attend Oregon

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A1 He’s still only 6 feet tall, but Vernon Adams’ stature is growing by the minute. Ignored in his youth by the bigger football schools, Eastern Washington’s record-setting quarterback is being … 3
Coeur d’Alene bus service is part of STA tax request

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A1 An express bus service from Spokane Valley to Coeur d’Alene is among the improvements to service Spokane Transit Authority officials are considering if voters approve a tax increase this spring. … 16
Super Bowl’s game of odds, and gambling’s human price

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A1 At a Super Bowl party near you, most fans will think nothing of pulling out a dollar bill, writing their name on a numbered grid and hoping for the best. … 10
Doug Clark: Franklin Elementary needs bond and levy for old-school reasons

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A5 On a totally selfish note, there’s a lot more at stake in the upcoming vote about schools than just giving my beloved alma mater, Franklin Elementary, the makeover it so … 42
Struggling Silver Valley reignites its fighting spirit

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A5 WALLACE – When a straight-talking, 41-year-old ex-pro boxer named Rick Welliver stood in front of a panel of Wallace decision-makers last year and said his dream was to revive the … 15
Apple trade with China may double earnings to $100M

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A5 A deal with China earlier this week opens the entirety of Washington’s signature cash crop to 1.4 billion customers. Industry experts say the blockbuster deal expanding apple trade could double … 3
In brief: Comcast official apologizes for rude name change

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A5 A Comcast official apologized Wednesday after a service representative apparently changed the name of a customer in Spokane to “Asshole” on her printed bill. The matter was first reported by … 48
Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago The Washington state Senate and House both passed a resolution calling for a investigation into “grave allegations of irregularities” in the construction of two …
Washington legislators struggle with ‘boarding’ mentally ill when space is already slim

Jan. 29, 2015 on Page A6 OLYMPIA – As they try to address multiple court orders on Washington’s mental health system, legislators struggle with a conundrum: How can the state care for more people with mental … 4