Local news coverage for Spokane and the Inland Northwest

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Avista reporting 27,000 customers still without power

July 24, 2014 Avista Corp. is reporting about 27,000 customers still were without power as of 5:30 a.m. following last nights storm in the Inland Northwest. 3
In Carlton Complex fire’s wake, orchards survive

July 24, 2014 on Page A1 Fruit orchards tucked along riverbanks and hillsides in north-central Washington largely escaped damage as massive wildfires raced through the region. At times during the harshest advances of the blaze, the … 1
Powerful punch: Storm uproots trees, knocks out power

July 24, 2014 on Page A1 Severe thunderstorms pounded the Inland Northwest on Wednesday, toppling trees that crushed homes and cars and cutting power to more than 60,000 homes and businesses. One driver suffered life-threatening injuries … 1
Accuracy watch

July 24, 2014 on Page A2 For 07-24-2014
Montana Sen. Walsh says PTSD ‘factor’ in plagiarism

July 24, 2014 on Page A4 HELENA – Sen. John Walsh of Montana said Wednesday his failure to attribute conclusions and verbatim passages lifted from other scholars’ work in his thesis to earn a master’s degree … 5
IRS, taxpayers face more identity theft cases

July 24, 2014 on Page A5 When Steve Martin tried to wrap up mortgage paperwork last week to buy a Spokane home, he thought he could simply verify through the IRS that he hadn’t paid taxes … 31
Doug Clark: Here’s how Spokane can squeeze most pennies from parkers

July 24, 2014 on Page A5 More parking meters going up? I had no idea we were short on parking meters. 41
Otter: Idaho won’t help with immigration crisis on Mexico border

July 24, 2014 on Page A5 BOISE – Idaho is off-limits to any plans to ease the growing humanitarian crisis on the Mexican border, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter declared Wednesday in a letter to federal officials. … 64
In brief: Col. Charles McDaniel is new commander of Fairchild’s 92nd Air Refueling Wing

July 24, 2014 on Page A5 Fairchild Air Force Base’s 92nd Air Refueling Wing is getting a new wing commander on Friday, Col. Charles B. McDaniel. Current Wing Commander Col. Brian M. Newberry will relinquish command … 4
Jim Kershner’s this day in history

July 24, 2014 on Page A5 From our archives, 100 years ago Mrs. Williams, a lodging house proprietor, woke up to flames in her house in LaCrosse, in Whitman County. The fire was in a room …
Idaho records

July 24, 2014 on Page A6 For 07-24-2014
Seattle police: Homeless ticketed most for pot

July 24, 2014 on Page A6 SEATTLE – An analysis of the first six months of Seattle police enforcement under new marijuana laws finds homeless people and African-American males are more likely to be ticketed for …
Gonzaga to award $1 million Opus Prize for humanitarian work

July 24, 2014 on Page A6 Gonzaga University will hand out a $1 million gift in October on behalf of a foundation that recognizes faith-based humanitarian work. The Opus Prize Foundation partners with Catholic universities to …
In brief: ‘Kettle Falls 5’ marijuana case delayed

July 24, 2014 on Page A6 The controversial federal trial of a marijuana growing co-operative calling themselves the “Kettle Falls 5” has been delayed so that defense attorneys can review new evidence obtained by prosecutors. U.S. …
Washington records

July 24, 2014 on Page A6 Spokane County Marriage licenses
Feds propose rules for oil train tank cars

July 24, 2014 on Page A8 WASHINGTON – Responding to a series of fiery train crashes, the government proposed rules Wednesday that would phase out tens of thousands of older tank cars that carry increasing quantities … 3
Officials seek new funding channel for fighting wildfires

July 24, 2014 on Page A10 With nearly 1 million acres burned by wildfires across Washington and Oregon, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden is stumping for reforms in how the federal government pays for fighting fires. Strapped …
Severe thunderstorms pound Spokane, CdA

July 23, 2014 Severe thunderstorms in the Spokane area and in North Idaho were moving quickly to the north after sweeping across the area shortly after 4 p.m. The storms were part of … 30
Seattle police: Homeless arrested most for pot

July 23, 2014 SEATTLE — An analysis of the first six months of Seattle police enforcement under new marijuana laws finds homeless people and African American males are more likely to be ticketed … 44
Federal charges filed following hash oil blasts

July 23, 2014 SEATTLE — Seven people face federal charges following several explosions in the Puget Sound area due to hash oil. U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan announced the charges Tuesday. Durkan said the … 7
Two men sentenced on manslaughter charges in separate slayings

July 23, 2014 Two men were sentenced to a total of more than 20 years in prison this week for a pair of unrelated slayings dating back to May 2012, according to the … 7
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, … 104
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 … 30
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 … 28
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 … 95
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 … 257
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.