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Jonathan Brunt

Jonathan Brunt is a reporter for The Spokesman-Review in the Local news department. He covers issues related to Spokane's city government.

How to contact Jonathan

Email: jonathanb@spokesman.com
Phone: 509-459-5442
Fax: 509-459-5482

Recent stories by Jonathan

Spokane adds hours for assistants

February 9, 2010 in City on Page A5 Spokane City Council members’ secretaries will make more money, getting an additional eight hours a week under a budget plan approved unanimously Monday evening. The council began hiring personal assistants … 5
Council OKs more pay for assistants

February 8, 2010 in City Spokane City Council member’s secretaries will make more money, getting an additional eight hours a week under a budget plan approved unanimously Monday evening. 2
Spokane City Council seeks more assistance

February 8, 2010 in City on Page A1 Although facing significant budget troubles in 2011, Spokane City Council members today will consider spending $50,000 to increase the hours worked by their personal assistants. Once considered a part-time job, … 15
Greater ombudsman powers urged

February 7, 2010 in City on Page B1 A coalition of organizations called on Spokane City Hall last week to create stronger oversight of its police force, but some elected leaders say they want to give the new … 10
Tucker deputy wants top job

February 5, 2010 in City on Page A7 Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Stevens announced Thursday that he’ll challenge his boss, Prosecutor Steve Tucker, in the August primary. Both Tucker and Stevens are Republicans, and the battle already … 11
Officials hail city’s improved bond rating

January 30, 2010 in City on Page B3 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner said Friday she’s confident the city will maintain its new higher bond rating despite dire 2010 budget projections. Standard & Poor’s informed the city this week … 2
French cleared on ethics

January 29, 2010 in City on Page A11 The Spokane Ethics Committee has cleared City Councilman Al French in accusations that he violated ethics rules when he supported maintaining bus bench advertising. French asked the committee in August …
Spokane councilman making House bid

January 28, 2010 in City on Page A5 The field of candidates to replace retiring Democratic state Rep. Alex Wood is growing. Spokane City Councilman Bob Apple confirmed this week that he will compete for Wood’s seat representing … 1
Urban foresters make pitch for job

January 26, 2010 in City on Page A5 Spokane will soon have a new person to speak for the trees. Three candidates for the city’s new urban forester job met with members of the public Monday before a …
Bid to save warehouse fails

January 24, 2010 in City on Page B1 A last-minute attempt to save an 85-year-old warehouse from the wrecking ball has been rejected by city and university leaders. Last month, developer Dan Spalding, who owns the Longbotham Building, … 3
Animal control options limited

January 23, 2010 in City on Page A1 Almost two years after completing an agreement hailed as the solution to Spokane’s ongoing animal control problem, leaders again are debating how to regionalize dog and cat licensing and other … 9
Obama, Verner talk trade

January 22, 2010 in City on Page A1 Spokane’s mayor on Thursday got a brief audience with President Barack Obama at the White House. Mary Verner was one of about a half dozen mayors Obama picked to ask … 6
Red light cameras yet to signal safety

January 6, 2010 in City on Page A1 Intersections where Spokane installed red light cameras in 2008 in the name of safety saw an increase in crashes and injuries in the first year of the controversial program. There … 15
Grant County deputy killed in one-car crash

January 4, 2010 in City on Page A6 A Grant County Sheriff’s deputy was killed Sunday evening in a one-car crash near Ephrata, Wash., said Kyle Foreman, spokesman for Grant County emergency management. Few details were available late …
Old ‘diamond’ may get new shine

January 1, 2010 in City on Page A1 A last-ditch effort is under way to save a historic downtown warehouse from a date with a wrecking ball. A downtown developer who has restored other buildings in Spokane is …
Thief stabs man in arm

December 30, 2009 in City on Page A6 A man who surprised a burglar in his garage suffered minor injuries Tuesday evening when the thief stabbed him with a tool, the victim’s girlfriend said. Spokane police Officer Brian …
Yake, 90, helped reshape Spokane

December 29, 2009 in City on Page A5 The retired Spokane administrator who led the city’s engineering effort that transformed the industrialized, decaying core surrounding the Spokane Falls into a park that became the region’s central gathering spot … 4
Spokane City Council OKs 2010 budget

December 27, 2009 in City on Page B1 Spokane leaders last week climbed out of a $7 million budget hole and approved the city’s 2010 budget with no layoffs and no dramatic loss of city services. The approval … 4
Spokane sewer rates to rise

December 22, 2009 in City on Page A6 Sewer rates in Spokane will jump almost $5 a month next year. The Spokane City Council on Monday approved the new rates, which were proposed by Spokane Mayor Mary Verner, … 4
Deal would trade police raises for extra vacation

December 13, 2009 in City on Page B2 Police in Spokane would get an extra week of vacation in 2010 in lieu of a raise as part of their proposed two-year contract up for consideration by the City … 3