Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Spokane Valley voters say no to library funding

April 22, 2014 Spokane Valley voters gave mixed messages to the Spokane County Library District Tuesday, approving a measure to create a library capital facilities district but rejecting a bond measure to pay … 10
At mudslide scene, Obama mourns with survivors

April 22, 2014 OSO, Wash. — Swooping over a landscape of unspeakable sadness and death, President Barack Obama took an aerial tour today of the place where more than three dozen people perished … 31
Ponderosa pine named Spokane’s official city tree

April 22, 2014 The ponderosa pine is now Spokane’s official city tree. 88
Nine arrested in Spokane Valley raid: assaulted 12-year-old found

April 22, 2014 Spokane Valley Police arrested nine people in a raid of two Spokane Valley homes Tuesday and found a 12-year-old boy who had been assaulted several times. 13
Northern Kentucky chamber exec named to replace Rich Hadley at Greater Spokane Inc.

April 22, 2014 Greater Spokane Incorporated has named Steve Stevens its next CEO and president. Stevens, 53, has been chief executive and president of the 1,800-member Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. 25
Twisp police chief’s dog finds human skull

April 22, 2014 The family dog of a Methow Valley police chief brought home a human skull scavenged from the remains of a man missing for two years. 23
Trust fund created for daughter of man killed in car accident

April 22, 2014 A trust fund has been created for the daughter of a man who died in a car accident on Thursday. Alejandro (Alex) Apodaca, 34, died when the car he was …
Judge closes hearing for teen accused of murder

April 22, 2014 A judge agreed to close the preliminary hearing for the 14-year-old accused of murdering his father and younger brother, after his public defender argued that sensitive information disclosed at the … 31
Firefighters douse West Central kitchen fire

April 22, 2014 A fire that broke out around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday caused $20,000 worth of damage to a home in West Central before it was extinguished, according to a news release. 3
NW Today: Mass honey bee die-off in Oregon

April 22, 2014 SHERWOOD, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Agriculture is investigating the die-off of thousands of honeybees in Sherwood. KGW reports dead bees were found Sunday scattered along on Highway 99 … 4
Providence Medical Park will open without disputed operating rooms

April 22, 2014 on Page A1 The new $44 million Providence Medical Park in Spokane Valley will have to open without its four operating rooms amid a fight with competitor Valley Hospital over whether the outpatient … 33
Spokane Scholars Foundation honors outstanding students

April 22, 2014 on Page A1 Boys attired in suits and ties and girls in semi-fancy dresses looked anxious sitting next to beaming parents at the Spokane Convention Center on Monday during the 22nd annual Spokane … 2
Russians inspect Montana nuclear launch facilities

April 22, 2014 on Page A2 HELENA – Russian nuclear inspectors visited the U.S. amid heightened tensions between the two nations to verify that 18 nuclear missile launch facilities had been demolished as part of a … 16
Spokane cellmates accused of plotting jailbreak

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 Toenail clippers, a metal clothes hook and some toothpaste could not buy freedom for an accused child rapist and a man facing drug charges at the Spokane County Jail last … 3
Doug Clark: The Fagans deserve Condon Coins for neighborly deed

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 Suggestion for David Condon, mayor of Spokane: Remember those special coins you had made a while back to supposedly give away to visiting big shots and worthy citizens? 23
City Council rejects advisory vote on full-time positions

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 A proposed advisory vote on whether Spokane should have a full-time City Council won’t be on the November ballot. A divided City Council blocked the idea Monday and put the … 76
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers launches re-election campaign

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 Cathy McMorris Rodgers made her re-election campaign official Monday, announcing she’ll seek a sixth term in the House of Representatives. The announcement is a formality as the Spokane-area Republican has … 99
Photo: Tire swinging into spring

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 A spinning smile: “I’m almost 6,” said 5-year-old Sienna Schnore as she took a spin on the tire swing at G.O. Phippeny Park in Coeur d’Alene on Monday.
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

April 22, 2014 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago Five hundred students from Washington State College formed an impromptu “army” and marched through Pullman in a show of patriotism in the midst of …
Medical school task force convenes

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 Community leaders in Spokane want a medical school based here, but they avoided choosing sides on which university should run it. That was one impression coming out of the first …
Germond building getting upscale remodel

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 A historic downtown Spokane building that served as city hall in the 1890s is being converted into high-end apartments by its owner, the Diamond Parking Co., of Seattle. Once known … 19
In brief: Steel recycler’s call leads to arrest

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 A steel recycling business reported a suspected scrap metal thief Sunday, and police made an arrest. Norman Stearns, 36, is accused of stealing metal grates from an area car wash …
Scouts ban church with gay troop leader

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 SEATTLE – The Boy Scouts of America has revoked its charter agreement with a Seattle church that refused to remove a gay troop leader after the organization withdrew his membership. … 3
Ballots due today

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 SEATTLE – Ballots are due today in elections in 21 of Washington’s 39 counties. Spokane Valley voters are asked to approve a library bond and the formation of a Library …
Washington records

April 22, 2014 on Page A6 Spokane County Marriage licenses
Mudslide death toll rises to 41; two still missing

April 22, 2014 on Page A7 EVERETT – The death toll from the mudslide that hit the Washington community of Oso has risen to 41 – and just two names remain on the list of people …
Washington state ends inmate asbestos-removal program

April 22, 2014 on Page A7 OLYMPIA – Washington state has ended a more than two-decade-long program that used prisoners to remove asbestos-containing material, a newspaper reported Monday. The state also paid a fine of more …
Montana uses grant to buy grizzly bear habitat

April 22, 2014 on Page A7 HELENA – The Montana Land Board on Monday approved a $345,000 purchase of 320 acres of threatened grizzly bear habitat to add to the Blackleaf Wildlife Management Area in Teton …
Washington man knocked down last year in Boston Marathon skips return

April 22, 2014 on Page A7 LAKE STEVENS, Wash. – Until the final few yards, the race was going well for Bill Iffrig. The 78-year-old Lake Stevens man had surged up some late hills, passing runners …
Two men suspected of plotting escape from Spokane County Jail

April 21, 2014 Two men face felony escape charges on top of other criminal allegations after jail staff found letters and a tool indicating an escape attempt over the weekend. 21