Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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‘Hellstorm’ of flames overtook firefighters’ vehicle near Twisp

Aug. 20, 2015 TWISP, Wash. (AP) — A “hellstorm” of flames apparently enveloped a vehicle that crashed while carrying firefighters battling a blaze in Washington state, killing three of them. 1
FBI investigating attempted jail break

Aug. 20, 2015 The FBI is investigating a possible escape attempt from the Spokane County Jail Thursday morning. 1
Unhealthy plume of smoke blankets Inland Northwest

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A1 Raging wildfires in Okanogan County sent a plume of smoke over the Spokane area Wednesday evening, while air quality at ground level deteriorated to the unhealthy range for people with … 5
Premier fantasy writer finds kindred spirits, ‘family’ at Worldcon

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A1 This isn’t George R.R. Martin’s first visit to Spokane. In a suite near the top of the new Davenport Grand Hotel, marveling at the giant Radio Flyer wagon sculpture on … 4
Twisp blaze kills three firefighters as towns evacuate

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A1 WINTHROP, Wash. – Three firefighters were killed and four others injured Wednesday as raging wildfires advanced on towns in north-central Washington. Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said the deaths in … 17
Accuracy watch

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A2 For 08-20-2015
Hayden Lake-area police on lookout for serial arsonist

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A5 An arsonist is keeping a Kootenai County neighborhood on edge in the middle of one of the worst fire seasons on record. Investigators say at least 16 fires have been …
Spokane city administrator defends transfer of spokeswoman Monique Cotton

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A5 Spokane City Administrator Theresa Sanders said Wednesday she takes responsibility for the decision to transfer a police department spokeswoman to the parks department, a move that raised questions among some … 68
Doug Clark: Rushing out the door helps clear the air

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A5 All your questions answered about Spokane-area skulduggery. Q: With so many fires burning, have you ever seen our air this bad?
Early wheat harvest produces lower yield because of weather

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A5 STEPTOE, Wash. – Combines crawling across the hills of the Palouse, threshing the nation’s largest wheat crop, signal an annual end to summer in southeastern Washington. But if you plan … 1
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago The Idaho Pure Food and Drug commissioner said Idaho was becoming known as the “home of the dope dispensers.”
Manager credited with saving dozens in Bremerton motel blast

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A6 SEATTLE – A fast-acting manager who evacuated a Washington motel minutes before a massive explosion is being credited with saving dozens of lives, including some who were staying in rooms …
Tribes will get access to federal databases for gun checks, foster care

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A6 SEATTLE – Federal officials on Wednesday launched a new program that will allow tribes access to national criminal databases and fix a system that allowed a man to buy a … 5
In brief: Sheriff: Deputy kills man in shootout

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A6 A Stevens County deputy shot and killed a man in a shootout in the town of Hunters on Wednesday night, Stevens County Sheriff Kendle Allen told KHQ. Details at press … 1
Washington records

Aug. 20, 2015 on Page A10 Spokane County In the courts Superior courts
Firefighters were overtaken by fire after vehicle crash

Aug. 19, 2015 WINTHROP, Wash. - The U.S. Forest Service closed a large chunk of the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River drainage Wednesday due to a forecast of hazardous fire weather and because … 2
Officer involved shooting in Hunters

Aug. 19, 2015 An officer involved shooting was reported in the town of Hunters in Stevens County around 8 p.m. today.
Smoke cloud darkens Spokane sky

Aug. 19, 2015 Treacherous weather on raging wildfires in Okanogan County sent an elevated plume of smoke over the Spokane area this evening while air quality at ground level deteriorated to the unhealthy … 7
Three firefighters killed near Twisp

Aug. 19, 2015 Three firefighters were killed and four others were injured Wednesday as raging wildfires advanced on towns in north-central Washington, authorities said. 12
State bans logging on forest lands due to fire danger

Aug. 19, 2015 Logging and other industrial activities will be banned across Eastern Washington forests because of fire danger. 1
Wildfire forces evacuation of Twisp, Winthrop

Aug. 19, 2015 Okanogan County officials are evacuating the city of Twisp because of a fast-moving wildfire. 3
‘Red flag’ fire weather returns to region

Aug. 19, 2015 The National Weather Service today issued a new “red flag” warning for dangerous fire weather today through Friday as firefighters struggle to contain massive wildfires burning across the region.
Brush fire west of Spokane quickly contained

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A1 A fire that sent columns of smoke billowing into the air west of Spokane on Tuesday afternoon burned one outbuilding but was quickly brought under control by firefighters. Residents along … 11
Washington state suspends popular GET college savings program

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A1 OLYMPIA – The state will suspend sales of prepaid college tuition units – called the GET program – for as long as two years while the group overseeing them wrestles … 23
Stevens County volunteer firefighters help save community

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A1 FRUITLAND, Wash. – A forest fire destroyed Jean Sturk’s home in 2001. On Saturday, her home almost burned again. “This man saved our home,” she said. “It’s a miracle, a … 7
Shawn Vestal: Law enforcement accountability a worthy aim

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A5 The latest report posted online by the citizens board charged with reviewing the performance of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office consists of three paragraphs. It involves the case of Will … 85
Job transfer between city departments raises questions

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A5 For the second time in as many years, the Spokane Police Department is paying the salary of an employee who has left the department for another city job, raising questions … 65
Mother, young daughter die in RV fire near Elk

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A5 A 37-year-old woman and her young daughter died in a motor home fire early Tuesday in north Spokane County. A dog, caged outside the home and unable to flee, also … 3
Photo: City opens natural gas refueling station

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A5 Fill ’em up: Dale Arnold, who works for the city of Spokane’s wastewater department, examines the new compressed natural gas refueling area and new CNG garbage trucks on display at … 3
In brief: Man faces higher charge of first-degree murder

Aug. 19, 2015 on Page A5 Edward Bushnell, the man accused of fatally shooting William Poindexter in East Central Spokane on July 21, now faces a first-degree murder charge. Bushnell, 27, was arrested immediately after the … 1