Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Overnight basement fire damages home in north Spokane

Dec. 10, 2013 A fire that sparked in the basement of a home in the 2000 block of West Gordon Avenue early Tuesday caused about $40,000 in damage, according to a news release …
Spokane Public Schools pays for college entrance exams

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A1 Spokane Public Schools is paying for all its sophomores and juniors to take college entrance exams through next school year. The $104,000 expense is expected to help teachers learn whether … 8
Volunteers warm up stocking toys for Christmas Bureau

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A1 Like excited kids dressed for a snowball fight, Christmas Bureau volunteers arrived at the fairgrounds Monday morning decked in coats, hats and gloves, ready to unload toy trucks in a … 5
Fan returns stolen ring to former NFL champion

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A1 A discovery in an aluminum can destined for the recycling bin ended months of worry for a former NFL champion, who lost a treasured memento in a Spokane house burglary … 1
Trail, road changes proposed at Coeur d’Alene Resort

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A1 Hagadone Hospitality Co. is pursuing a major makeover of the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s front entrance, collaborating with the city of Coeur d’Alene on plans that include moving the Centennial Trail … 6
Photo: Bird’s-eye view

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 You’re on camo camera: “A friend made it for me,” Larry Krumpelman, of Post Falls, said about his hat, as he photographed eagles at Higgens Point in Coeur d’Alene on … 1
In brief: Low temperatures cause school pipes to freeze

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 Frigid temperatures overnight caused water pipes to freeze at Adams Elementary School in the Central Valley School District, canceling classes Monday and today. Parents are asked to check in today … 1
Doug Clark: Cloud hangs over potential Davenport Hotel catchphrase

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 Selling a product is always easier when it’s attached to an unforgettable slogan. “The Most Interesting Man,” we all know, drinks Dos Equis. Likewise, Coke will forever be the “Real … 10
Spokane City Council OK’s parking boots; meter holidays spared

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 Downtown shoppers still can park free on four holidays that city officials had asked to remove from the list of days meters are enforced. But beware: Cars belonging to those … 13
Couple face fine for removing trees near Spokane River

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 A couple face thousands of dollars in state fines after clear-cutting a strip of forest that runs from their deck down a steep hill to the Spokane River upstream from … 29
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago Police were called to the banks of the Spokane River after a caller reported a man had jumped into the river. Police found only …
In brief: Kellogg oxycodone thief gets probation, community service

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A6 A Kellogg man who stole almost $76,000 worth of painkillers from a pharmacy where he worked will spend three years on probation and serve 100 hours of community service. Steven …
Washington records

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A6 Spokane County Marriage licenses
Idaho records

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A6 For 12-10-2013
Vancouver lab creates lightning to test power grid

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A6 VANCOUVER, Wash. – Jeff Hildreth gave the go-ahead order, then watched as a small red light started blinking. He waited. A warning sounded about a minute later. Soon came a …
Washington Healthplanfinder shut down after glitches

Dec. 10, 2013 on Page A6 SEATTLE – The website for Washington’s health insurance exchange was down again Monday with new technical issues after problems last week took the site off line for four days. Problems …
Medical Examiner identifies teen who died on flight

Dec. 9, 2013 Zachary Bisiar, 16, died of a rare disease during a flight from Seattle to Atlanta diverted to Spokane on Saturday, the Spokane County Medical Examiner reported. 4
Death at Northern Quest Casino called a suicide

Dec. 9, 2013 A spokeswoman for Northern Quest Casino said a man committed suicide near the complex’s parking garage Sunday afternoon. He was not a regular gambler at the Airway Heights casino, the … 75
Cold snap freezes pipes, cancels classes in two school districts

Dec. 9, 2013 SEATTLE — Forecasters say the cold snap that started December in Washington should give way this week to more-normal cloudy-rainy weather with a chance of light snow in places during … 11
Cheney-Spokane interchange won’t be done by end of year

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A1 Work on a new interchange at U.S. Highway 195 and Cheney-Spokane Road won’t be completed this year as originally anticipated. A contractor working on the $6.4 million construction project is … 16
Washington’s firearm database lags behind sales

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A1 EVERETT – The Washington firearms database is missing information from thousands of handgun sales as the state struggles to keep up with the speed of purchases. The Department of Licensing … 38
Washington drops funding for Life Skills training program

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A1 Betty Kellum dropped out of high school her senior year because she was pregnant and never went back. She worked fast-food jobs and spent four years as the in-home caregiver … 49
Central Valley collects stuffed animals for Christmas Bureau

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A1 When Chris Pittella, 18, was little he had a stuffed gorilla named Joe. “I still have it,” the Central Valley High School senior said. “He was my best friend. I … 2
Billy Joel, Carlos Santana receive Kennedy Center Honors

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A4 Billy Joel, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, opera star Martina Arroyo and actress Shirley MacLaine were awarded Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts. Joel, 64, … 3
Then and Now photos: Pawn shops on Spokane’s West Main Avenue

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A5 In the 1962 photo below, a sign on the left reads “E-Z Loans.” The building was occupied by Millman Jewelers and E-Z Loan, a shop started by Henry and Sadie … 52
Rock Doc: Miners’ mercury still makes mark on environment

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A5 When I was a younger and more sprightly woman, I spent part of my life investigating unusual hot springs in rural California. They were salty and quite stinky springs out … 4
Cargo bikes’ use grows for businesses, families

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A8 SEATTLE – One fisherman uses a bike to deliver hundreds of pounds of salmon to local markets. A mom who regularly shuttles her two kids around town once tried to … 2
Photo: One more assist from a legend

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A8 Stockton to Schrock: Basketball Hall of Famer and 10-time NBA all-star John Stockton, right, greets Kassio Schrock during his book signing at Auntie’s Bookstore on Sunday in Spokane. Hundreds lined … 1
Holiday lights bright in your neighborhood? Share with us

Dec. 9, 2013 on Page A8 Come across a particularly festive holiday house? Does your neighbor put up enough lights to be seen from the International Space Station? We want to know about it. We’re creating …
Washington’s handgun database lags behind sales

Dec. 8, 2013 The Washington firearms database is missing information from thousands of handgun sales as the state struggles to keep up with the speed of purchases. 22