Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Obama declares Washington wildfire emergency

July 23, 2014 OLYMPIA — Wetter, cooler weather has helped firefighters make progress in their efforts to get the largest wildfire in Washington state’s history under control. With more rain in the forecast, …
Spokane Valley boy injured in rollover crash near Ritzville

July 23, 2014 A five-year-old boy and 33-year-old man were injured in a single-vehicle rollover collision just after 7 p.m. Tuesday near Ritzville, the Washington State Patrol said. 1
Man charged in Seattle shooting discusses target

July 23, 2014 SEATTLE — A journal that prosecutors say was written by the man accused in the fatal June 5 shooting at a small Christian university in Seattle indicates the target was … 21
Spokane City Council to study cab rules; may suspend fees

July 23, 2014 on Page A1 Spokane cab drivers could soon face fewer regulations thanks to a new form of competition. The Spokane City Council is considering the temporary elimination of fees on cab drivers and … 8
Watermelon Hill fire likely to be contained today

July 23, 2014 on Page A1 Mike Barker gazed out across Fishtrap Lake Resort amazed at his property’s narrow escape from the 10,500-acre Watermelon Hill fire. Wildfires are an annual summer sight, but “none of them … 1
Kids who’ve lost limbs find kinship at Camp No Limits on Lake CdA

July 23, 2014 on Page A5 While other campers were playing wheelchair basketball inside, avoiding a rare rainy summer day on Lake Coeur d’Alene, 6-year-old Addison Benson ran around outside on her prosthetic legs. For Benson, … 24
Sheriff’s race centers on jail debate

July 23, 2014 on Page A5 Debate over the need for a new Spokane County Jail has become a key issue in this year’s campaigns for sheriff and county commissioner after a candidate in the sheriff’s … 58
Shawn Vestal: GOP shies from criticizing Matt Shea publicly

July 23, 2014 on Page A5 Did you know Matt Shea was an Oath Keeper? Did you know he likes to sit around with other Oath Keepers – self-declared patriots and apocalyptic prophets – and check … 175
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

July 23, 2014 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago A fire began in a Northport stable-garage and within 90 minutes, two-thirds of Northport’s business district was destroyed.
Recreational pot on Oregon ballot

July 23, 2014 on Page A6 SALEM – Oregon voters will decide this year whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use. State elections officials certified Tuesday that the petitioners submitted enough valid signatures to qualify the … 3
Photo: Chillin’

July 23, 2014 on Page A6 Wet pursuit: Roger Pilgrim and his granddaughter Cylee, 6, take cover from the morning rain showers after the girl’s swimming lesson at Terrace View Pool in Spokane Valley. Nearly 1,000 …
Obama promises electricity aid in Washington fire areas

July 23, 2014 on Page A6 SEATTLE – The federal government will provide emergency assistance to help restore electricity in areas of Central Washington where wildfires have knocked out power, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday. Inslee … 4
Obama fundraising in challenging time

July 23, 2014 on Page A6 SEATTLE – Fundraising amid a swirl of overseas and border challenges, President Barack Obama conceded Tuesday that foreign crises are creating anxieties in an American public already worried that a …
In brief: Fernan Lake health advisory lifted

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 A health advisory for Fernan Lake near Coeur d’Alene was lifted Tuesday by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Panhandle Health District. The advisory was issued July 8 because …
Idaho records

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 For 07-23-2014
Weather helps firefighters in Methow Valley

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 Favorable weather Tuesday helped more than 2,100 firefighters begin to contain the devastating wildfire in Okanogan County. The blaze, known as the Carlton Complex fire, has scorched 250,136 acres, or …
Montana judge censured over rape comments

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 HELENA – The Montana Supreme Court on Tuesday publicly reprimanded a judge who gave a lenient sentence to a rapist after suggesting the 14-year-old victim shared some of the responsibility … 6
Report: Rain played role in triggering Oso slide

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 SEATTLE – Searchers on Tuesday pulled what they believe was the last missing body from debris left by a landslide in Washington that researchers said heavy rainfall likely played a … 3
Washington records

July 23, 2014 on Page A8 Spokane County Marriage licenses
Euro falls further amid concerns over EU-Russia ties

July 23, 2014 on Page A10 LONDON – The euro fell Tuesday to its lowest level against the dollar this year amid concerns that the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 will prompt a bigger freeze …
In brief: Regulators recommend Avista rate reduction in Washington

July 23, 2014 on Page A10 Avista Utilities should cut electricity rates for Washington customers next year, the staff of the state Utilities and Transportation Commission said Tuesday. The commissioners will have the final say this … 3
Expert forecasts recession in 2015

July 23, 2014 on Page A10 NEW YORK – Just as the U.S. economy is strengthening, other countries are threatening to drag it down. Employers in the U.S. are creating jobs at the fastest pace since … 1
Recreational pot qualifies for Oregon ballot

July 22, 2014 SALEM, Ore. — Oregon voters will be deciding this year whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use. State elections officials certified Tuesday that the petitioners submitted enough valid signatures to … 43
L&I alleges disability scam by Spokane business owner

July 22, 2014 A Spokane business owner has been charged with first-degree theft after allegedly taking $101,000 in disability benefits while still working. 25
Spokane County unemployment rate takes another dip, to 5.6%

July 22, 2014 Spokane’s slow but steady economic pulse picked up in June as the county’s jobless rate fell to 5.6 percent, the first time it dipped below 6 percent since 2008, the … 33
Thunderstorms forecast Wednesday in Washington

July 22, 2014 SEATTLE — Forecasters say a stormy day Wednesday could bring heavy rain to Western Washington and thunderstorms to Eastern Washington where lightning could spark new wildfires and flash floods could … 2
Judge authorizes $221,574 payment to Gerlach attorneys, witnesses

July 22, 2014 on Page A1 Taxpayers will have to dole out more than $220,000 to defense attorneys and expert witnesses who helped Gail Gerlach beat a manslaughter charge in an April trial. A jury acquitted … 112
Forecast brings firefighters hope

July 22, 2014 on Page A1 Cooler weather and calmed winds aided firefighters attempting to corral the largest wildfire in Washington state history. With more than 240,000 acres of the scenic Methow Valley area blackened and … 1
Downtown plaza’s fountain torn down

July 22, 2014 on Page A1 As Randy Keller loaded pieces of the Parkade Plaza Fountain into the back of his company truck, he reminisced about the days when the fountain was a downtown Spokane attraction. … 8
Twelve candidates vie for 4th Congressional District seat

July 22, 2014 on Page A1 An open seat in Central Washington’s 4th Congressional District is rare, happening only three times in 56 years. But the number of would-be successors to Republican Rep. Doc Hastings this … 5