Jody Lawrence-Turner

Jody Lawrence-Turner covers education in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

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Email: jodyl@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5593
Fax: 509-459-5482

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Recent stories by Jody

Police chief steps down

December 3, 2005 in City on Page A1 The Spokane Police chief told Mayor Jim West two years ago that he wanted to retire, but West talked him into staying. Chief Roger Bragdon announced his retirement Friday during …
Sheriff’s office eyes and ears

December 3, 2005 in SatValley on Page V1 Ed Persch answers phones at a west Spokane Valley community policing office. He used to walk a beat doing citizen’s patrol for the Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort, known as …
Fires claim man, then his home

December 3, 2005 in City on Page B1 Two fires erupted at a Spokane home early Friday. The first resulted in the death of a retired Spokane County Sheriff’s Office sergeant. The second blaze gutted what was left …
More snow-going ahead for drivers

December 1, 2005 in City on Page A1 Snow accumulation and icy roads caused another flurry of minor crashes throughout the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area Wednesday morning. Officials breathed easier after the snow ended Wednesday morning but …
Firefighters deal with auto crashes, garage, deck fires

December 1, 2005 in Voices on Page V15 Despite the drop in temperatures and recent snowy weather, the Spokane Valley Fire Department had a relatively calm week. Firefighters responded to 18 motor vehicle crashes between Nov. 22 and …
It’s clip-clop time in the city

November 27, 2005 in City on Page B3 The old-fashioned charm of a horse-drawn carriage ride reaffirmed to Spokane newcomers that they picked the right place to raise their family. Anna Smolinski arrived Saturday afternoon in downtown Spokane …
Protect yourself against holiday theft

November 27, 2005 in City on Page B1 As holiday shoppers flood the retail stores, would-be thieves are pouring into parking lots and neighborhoods to do a little shopping of their own. The entire gamut of property crimes …
Valley fire approves budget, includes chaplaincy program

November 26, 2005 in Voices on Page V9 The Spokane Valley Fire Department’s 2006 budget includes a Public Information Officer/Public Education Officer and a chaplaincy program. The chaplain, who hasn’t been selected yet, will respond to anything that …
Students help fill Valley shelves

November 20, 2005 in City on Page B1 A Greenacres Middle School student said his own good fortune encourages him to help those in need. “I’m just grateful I don’t have to go to the food bank or …
Pet owners try to keep animals warm ‘n’ cozy

November 12, 2005 in City on Page B1 The pet owner fed his hunting dog outside and went to bed, a daily routine. But temperatures dropped below zero in Spokane that night. The man’s beloved German shorthaired pointer …
Carpet cement ignites pilot light in house fire

November 10, 2005 in Voices on Page V6 Spokane Valley firefighters responded to 169 calls Nov. 1 through 7, including seven fires, a Molotov cocktail and 22 motor vehicle crashes. The most damaging of the seven blazes happened …
Spokane Valley pet store picketed over dog dispute

November 10, 2005 in Business on Page A8 A Spokane man and some of his friends picketed Evergreen Pet Shop Wednesday to protest its sale of a dog he felt was misrepresented. The 5-month-old Airedale that Ray Harper’s …
A proud tradition at the polls

November 9, 2005 in City on Page A1 The 77-year-old woman’s voice cracked when she talked about working Election Day. The Elk resident considers her nearly 50 years of work at voting precincts her duty as an American.
Students put physics to work at pumpkin pitch

November 6, 2005 in City on Page B1 The pumpkins never had a chance. Whether the trebuchets or slingshot succeeded or failed, the 9-pound pumpkins met their demise with a splat.
Drug raids by officers productive

November 5, 2005 in City on Page B3 Spokane-area detectives made several drug busts Thursday, killed a dog and arrested a mother who took her sons with her while she dealt methamphetamine, officials said. After Spokane undercover officers …
Dangerous dog declaration overturned following appeal

November 5, 2005 in Voices on Page V12 An animal shelter’s dangerous dog declaration was overturned Monday after a Labrador mix’s owner appealed Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service’s declaration. Michael Dempsey, the Spokane County hearings officer, determined …
Buyers got stolen goods ‘below cost’

November 4, 2005 in City on Page B1 Is it an unbelievable deal or a five-finger discount? If someone takes you to a warehouse, offers to sell you household items at well below liquidation prices, you might want …
Blazes last week involve vehicle, oven, broom

November 3, 2005 in Voices on Page V7 The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to 170 calls between Oct. 25 and Monday. Firefighters responded to five fires, and none of them resulted in injury or major destruction, said …
Cold facts laid out for drivers

October 30, 2005 in City on Page B1 Shane O’Hara has had his driver’s license for only six months, but he knew exactly where to go to learn how to drive more safely. He went to the experts: …
Denied right to freak dance, kids check out ‘jam skating’

October 29, 2005 in City on Page B1 Busting hip-hop and break dance moves on roller skates might be the next big dance craze if roller rink owner Colleen Bernstein’s theory pans out. Since sexually explicit freak dancing …