« Complete staff list

John Craig

John Craig is a reporter for The Spokesman-Review in the Local news department. He covers Spokane county government and the military.

How to contact John

Email: johnc@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5429
Fax: 509-459-5482

Recent stories by John

County looking at budget staff

March 22, 2010 in City on Page A6 Spokane County is moving to shore up its financial management with several new specialists. A back-burner plan to hire a budget director will heat up next month. Commissioners plan to …
County sales tax receipts up a tick

March 19, 2010 in City on Page A5 Spokane County commissioners got a small measure of financial cheer this week. Chief Executive Officer Marshall Farnell reported that sales tax receipts are up slightly and that he may not … 2
Helpers step up for park upkeep

March 19, 2010 in City on Page A1 White knights are converging on distressed Spokane County parks. Parks Director Doug Chase said this week that three or four organizations and a like number of individuals have expressed interest … 8
Lack of snowfall brings savings

March 17, 2010 in City on Page A5 A light snowplowing season is helping local governments recover from the previous, financially punishing winter. “We really needed the break,” said Neil Kersten, Spokane Valley’s public works director. “We’ve done … 3
Angry citizen spurs county to reassess office security

March 13, 2010 in City on Page B2 Spokane County officials are looking for ways to improve security in their Human Resources building after an incident in which an angry man walked past the reception desk. County commissioners … 3
Parking decision likely next month

March 13, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V2 Liberty Lake residents will have to wait a little longer to find out whether parking will be permanently banned on many narrow lakeside roads. After a second public hearing Tuesday, …
Richard recounts county’s highs, lows

March 13, 2010 in City on Page B2 County Commissioner Mark Richard’s “state of the county” speech Friday wasn’t written in red ink, even though the county has plenty of it. He delivered his remarks to a breakfast …
Spokane Co. commissioner outlines accomplishments, cuts

March 12, 2010 in City County Commissioner Mark Richard’s “state of the county” speech Friday wasn’t written in red ink, even though the county has plenty of it. 6
Spokane County assessor buys ad in his defense

March 11, 2010 in City on Page A5 A two-year-old whistle-blower investigation in the Spokane County assessor’s office is getting new attention. Assessor Ralph Baker plans to say in a newspaper advertisement Friday that several recent KREM television … 8
Spokane County, Valley council rediscover cordiality

March 11, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S5 Spokane County and Spokane Valley began climbing out Monday from the diplomatic hole elected officials dug for themselves. County commissioners and the new City Council charted a way forward on …
County braces for appeals to river water quality plan

March 7, 2010 in City on Page A1 A new plan for reducing algae-feeding pollution in the Spokane River is a mixed blessing for Spokane County’s $167 million sewage treatment project. The plan should enable the county to …
Planning urged to control land use around Fairchild

March 3, 2010 in City on Page A7 Fairchild Air Force Base needs civilian protection to survive, local government officials were told this week. Spokane County officials asked leaders in Airway Heights, Spokane and Medical Lake to join … 2
Cuts loom for Spokane County parks

March 2, 2010 in City on Page A1 Spokane County parks will be a little browner this summer because of budget cuts. Garbage cans may be fuller or gone, and restrooms may be locked. 20
Air National Guard troops return to warm welcome

February 26, 2010 in City on Page A5 Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Jerry Martin had his own cheering squad when he returned home Thursday from six months of guarding the Baghdad airport. “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry,” Debbie Nadeau … 2
Airway Heights OKs taxes for raceway

February 25, 2010 in City on Page A1 Airway Heights will help develop Spokane County Raceway Park under a tentative agreement city and county officials hammered out Wednesday. The deal calls for Airway Heights to contribute half its … 4
County picks raceway operators

February 24, 2010 in City on Page A5 A pair of veteran speedway operators got the green flag Tuesday to take over operation of Spokane County Raceway Park. County commissioners unanimously accepted the recommendation of a selection committee … 8
Former county auditor Donahue dies

February 24, 2010 in City on Page A8 Retired Spokane County auditor Bill Donahue, who died Monday night, was recalled by colleagues as a gentleman. “That sounds kind of old-fashioned today,” said Spokane County Clerk Tom Fallquist, a … 1
County may raise fair admission

February 23, 2010 in City on Page A12 Going to the fair would cost more this summer under a proposal Spokane County commissioners will consider at 2 p.m. today. The commissioners also plan to act on Assessor Ralph … 5
Raceway choices pared

February 17, 2010 in City on Page A5 Four operators want to take over Spokane County Raceway Park, and a committee has narrowed the field to two, county commissioners learned Tuesday. Purchasing Director Bela Kovacs identified the finalists … 4
Church gets OK to put up bigger sign

February 17, 2010 in City on Page A6 A Wandermere-area megachurch got permission Tuesday to supersize its sign. But the Turning Point Open Bible Church at 11911 N. Division St. can’t sell french fries like other owners of …