Favorite photos of 2014: Kathy Plonka
I spent a lot of time in jail in 2014, documenting a pregnant inmate and the outcome of a childhood spent in our fractured foster care system. I get to see something different everyday and something amazing every once in a while. I hope you like a few frames. Thanks, Kathy Plonka View Favorite photos of 2014: Dan Pelle View Favorite photos of 2014: Jesse Tinsley View Favorite photos of 2014:Colin Mulvany View Favorite photos of 2014: Tyler Tjomsland
Section:Picture story
“I’m going to name her Nova,” said Cristina Salazar, while pregnant at Kootenai County jail in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Feb. 25, 2014. Cristina was arrested due to a drug related parole violation. This is not how she imagined starting a family: unmarried at age 22, nine months pregnant and sitting in jail.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Going to term: Jailhouse pregnancy
Inmate Cristina Salazar is escorted through Kootenai County Jail by Deputy Stephen Webb, center with Chaplain Larry Green to the right on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Cristina Salazar, front, stands in the lunch line on Thursday, Feb. 27 2014 at Kootenai County Jail in Coeur d’Alene.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Cristina Salazar, examins her lunch on Thursday, Feb. 27 2014, at Kootenai County Jail in Coeur d’Alene. Because she’s pregnant she gets an extra milk with her meals, a prenatal vitamin and a snack before bedtime.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
“I talk to her every day,” said fellow inmate Tia Lunen, left as she and Kaylee Peterson talk with Cristina Salazar while lining up for lunch at Kootenai County Jail on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2014. “I have some really good friends in here,” Salazar said. “They definitely watch out for me and definitely care for me, that’s for sure. And the baby.”
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Cristian Salazar displays a cell phone picture of her daughter, Nova Salazar on March 3, 2014, at Kootenai Health and Medical Center. Nova was born with respiratory complications and was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Christina was released from jail when she went into labor. She was ordered to return afterward.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Cristina Salazar waits for word from doctors at Kootenai Health and Medical Center about her newborn daughter Nova on March 3, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
“I want my daughter to know her father,” said Kootenai County Jail inmate Cristina Salazar as she adjusts the ring from her boyfriend at the jail in Coeur d’Alene.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Cristina Salazar, 22, talks to her mother Elvia and her daughter, Nova, via video conferencing at Kootenai County jail in Coeur d’Alene on May 4, 2104. Elvia will care for her first grandchild while her daughter serves the remaining time of her sentence. She is due to get out in October of 2015.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
Nine-week-old Nova Salazar listens to her mothers voice over the phone at Kootenai County Jail on May 4, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review
“She’s beautiful, I can’t believe how big she is already,” said Cristina Salazar, 22, as she looks at her daughter, Nova, via video conferencing at Kootenai County jail in Coeur d’Alene on May 4, 2104. She was transported to Boise the next day to serve the remaining time of her sentence. She is due to get out in October of 2015.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Camp No Limits camper Addison Benson, 6, of Laurel, Montana pulls a counselor around during physical therapy at Camp Cross on Lake Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Addison lost both legs below the knee in a lawn mower accident four years ago. Camp No Limits is designed for children with limb loss and their families.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Camp No Limits
PT 17 WWII era biplanes flew past a multicolored umbrella during SkyFest 2014 at Fairchild Air Force Base on Saturday, May 31, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Skyfest 2014
Funeral services were held at Life Center Church for CPL Justin Clouse, 22, in Spokane on Saturday, June 21, 2014. He was killed in action in Southern Afghanistan on June 8 201, during his second tour of duty.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Justin Clouse
Joseph Enke waits for transfer at Geiger Corrections Center on August 7, 2014. He spent years in foster care after being separated from his family when he was six years old. “My parents were drug addicts and gangsters. Not much a 6-year-old can do,” he said.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Foster care: Cracks in the system
Kokanee salmon make their way to spawning ground in Hayden Creek on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014. The early runs of landlocked sockeye turn vibrant red during mating season. View Kokanee spawning gallery
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Kokanee spawning
“I want to catch anything that’ll bite,” said Kaden Thompson, 9, of Sandpoint as he fished Round Lake in Dufort, Idaho with his friends dog Athena on Monday, March 31, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Boy's best friend
Amy Bogaard of the Vashon Island Rock Lobsters smiles at her opponent before checking the ball during their game against The Gone Girls during Hoopfest three-on-three basketball tournament in Spokane on Saturday, June 28, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Hoopfest 2014
Mark Iseki of Paulsville, Wash. prepares “Sam” the Shih tzu from Florida for competition during the Spokane Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trial at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center on Saturday, May 24, 2014.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Spokane Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trial
Post Falls residents Annie Javier,5, front left and Abby Daines, 5 front right, dance with members of the Spokane Shock dance team at The Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 as part of the 9th Man Kids’ Day with The Spokane Shock. The kids got to participate in a Mini Football Camp/Dance Camp with Spokane Shock players and dancers.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
9th Man Kids' Day with The Spokane Shock
Kootenai tribal elder and tribal council member Velma Bahe shares a smile with 6-month old Felix Shottanana as he is held by his mother Tracy during the opening celebration of the Twin Rivers Sturgeon and Burbot Hatchery in Moyie Springs, Idaho on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014. The hatchery is the first of its kind.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Twin Rivers Sturgeon and Burbot Hatchery opening ceremony
Eight-month-old Phoenix Noordam of Post Falls sits in a box that later would be filled with donated food during Community Care Day at Post Falls Senior Center on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014. Hundreds of people lined up for free food from Second Harvest and helpful information from multiple agencies including Avista Utilities, Post Falls Police, Area Agency on Aging and Post Falls Food Bank.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Community Care Day
“I got some great cold weather gear,” said Rick Sharp of Post Falls as he left the Veterans Stand Down at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, May 10, 2014. Army veteran Sharp served three tours of duty in Iraq.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Veterans Stand Down
Spokane Tribe member and spiritual leader Pat Moses holds his Eagle feathers while listening to speeches related to cleanup of Midnight Mine, a uranium mine, on the Spokane Reservation in Wellpinit, Wash. on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Moses is a former employee of Western Nuclear Mine in Wellpinit.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Midnight Mine cleanup
Coeur d’Alene resident Jason Goebel pulled his ice fishing gear across the frozen surface of Fernan Lake on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, in hopes of catching some trout or perch.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Ice fishing
Kaylynn McSmith, 6, of Nevada show off her “Nub Buddy” during camp No Limits at Camp Cross in Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Kaylynn’s limb loss is due to congenital amputation. Camp No Limits is designed for children with limb loss and their families.
Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo