Jonathan Brunt

Jonathan Brunt covers Spokane City Hall and local politics. He also contributes to the Spin Control Blog.

Contact Jonathan

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

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Recent stories by Jonathan

Vets recall sands of Iwo Jima

February 19, 2005 in City on Page B1 They faced countless attacks from enemy fire as friends around them died. Sixty years ago today, Marines Mike Ladich and Don Newbold landed on the barren island of Iwo Jima, …
Valentine’s Day just another day apart for military couples

February 14, 2005 in City on Page A6 Today will be another Valentine’s Day apart for Chris and Tracy Ferrez, kind of like the one 14 years ago when Chris first professed his love from half a world …
Faculty leaders want Churchill to speak

February 11, 2005 in City on Page B6 Two faculty leaders issued a statement this week proposing that a controversial professor whose appearance at Eastern Washington University was canceled still be allowed to address the campus. Citing security …
Family reconnects with fellow survivors

February 10, 2005 in City on Page B1 They couldn’t understand much of what they were hearing, but the three voices from half a world away were a relief for a family from Ione, Wash. Dianne and Les …
‘A long time in coming’

February 5, 2005 in City on Page B1 For 50 years, parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima Church have held Mass in schools and gymnasiums, but never in their own permanent church. Until Friday, that is.
Warm streak may be nearing end

February 3, 2005 in City on Page B1 Punxsutawney Phil signaled on Wednesday that there will be six more weeks of winter, but it sure didn’t feel that way in Spokane. Wednesday, with a high temperature of 52 …
TV fight draws crowd to casino

January 29, 2005 in City on Page B1 Friday’s professional boxing event in Airway Heights was at a level not often seen in the Inland Northwest – one for national TV. A crowd of 1,200 packed the Northern …
Subpar winter is golfer’s delight

January 27, 2005 in Idaho on Page A1 Skiers might be crying, but the warm weather has golfers pinching themselves in disbelief. At least six golf courses across the region opened in recent days. Dave Lowe, owner of …
Othello community leader killed

January 26, 2005 in City on Page B1 Adams County Sheriff’s officials are searching for the drivers of two cars that struck an Othello community leader who died Tuesday morning. Former Othello City Councilman Lester L. Clemons, 89, …
Abortion in the spotlight

January 24, 2005 in City on Page A6 The re-election of President Bush and a possible shift in the U.S. Supreme Court had different meanings for people who gathered at two events Sunday marking the anniversary of Roe …
Moving into the mainstream

January 24, 2005 in City on Page A6 Amar Gamal used to tell people that she was a Middle Eastern dancer. But as public perception of her profession has changed, she no longer avoids the term “belly dancing.”
Early melt bad news for skiers, rivers

January 22, 2005 in City on Page B1 Veteran skier Rob Crick believes this winter is shaping up as one of the worst for winter sports that he’s experienced since he first went to Mount Spokane in 1958. …
Arrest in contract-killing case

January 16, 2005 in City on Page B1 A Spokane woman was arrested Saturday after finding out that the hit man she allegedly hired to murder her ex-boyfriend was an undercover police officer, Spokane Police said. Jackie R. …
Flu shots open to all, but Spokane’s all out

January 15, 2005 in City on Page B1 A few weeks before the usual peak season for the flu in the Northwest, state officials have relaxed their previously tight recommendations for the distribution of this year’s influenza vaccination. …
Man slain outside tavern

January 2, 2005 in City on Page B1 A young man was killed early New Year’s Day after he was shot outside a north Spokane bar. The victim had just left Crazy 8’s, 21 E. Lincoln Road, with …
Volunteer firefighter charged with rape

December 31, 2004 in City on Page B1 A volunteer firefighter from northern Spokane County was jailed this week for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl he treated during a medical call in September, …
Actor-dogs unleash their passions

December 29, 2004 in City on Page B1 Jinx looks nothing like Toto – at least not the Toto that Judy Garland snuggled with in “The Wizard of Oz.” But that didn’t stop his master, Virginia Ann Utley, …
Suit filed over inmate death

December 29, 2004 in City on Page B1 The daughter of a woman who died in March after she spent a week at the Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Center without being allowed to take her anti-blood-clotting …
The greatest gift of all

December 27, 2004 in City on Page A6 Vicki Tomal walked into her sister’s hospital room with an IV at her side. “Get your butt out of bed,” Tomal told her older sister, Keri Barham, on Dec. 10, …
Just another day on the job

December 26, 2004 in City on Page B1 Working Christmas Day at Spokane Fire Station No. 4 in downtown did not mean missing out on a Christmas meal. After responding to several morning Interstate 90 crashes, which prevented …