Kaitlin Gillespie

Marjory Halvorson, a longtime fixture in Spokane’s musical world, died Christmas Day after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 73 years old.

Sheriff’s dog Deacon lays close to the ground, ready to pounce. His eyes train on the “bad guy,” who stands several yards away. It only takes a few words from Deacon’s handler, Deputy Tyler Kullman, before the German shepherd is on Officer Paul Buchmann. His teeth sink into a tube of armor Buchmann wears on his arm to protect himself.

Hoping his dog’s death will mean new life for other shelter dogs, a Spokane man whose family dog was mortally wounded by two pit bulls last week has established a memorial fund for SpokAnimal. Spokesman-Review photographer Dan Pelle and his family are working with SpokAnimal to establish the Koko Lifesaver Fund. Money raised through the fund will benefit injured or sick dogs that are brought to the shelter that may otherwise not receive the medical care they need.

The fading black letters spelling “LOBO” on the top of Ben Stark’s knuckles are from a different time in the ex-convict’s life. The letters mean “lone wolf,” said 40-year-old Stark. He points to two women’s faces on the back of his neck, and a sleeve of tattoos up his arm, all of them etched into his skin during his time in prison.

’Twas still long before Christmas, but all through Spokane, Many Santas were stirring, both woman and man.

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is investigating a deadly attack by two pit bulls on another dog near Chase Middle School. Spokesman-Review photographer Dan Pelle was walking Koko, his 11-year-old Australian Kelpie-spaniel mix, in an open field near his South Hill home on Thursday. The field is near 32nd Avenue and Havana Street, just a couple of blocks northwest of Chase Middle School.

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is investigating a deadly attack by two pit bulls on another dog near Chase Middle School.

At a crowded town hall meeting Thursday night, citizen after citizen took the microphone to criticize the Spokane Police Department and mayor’s proposed independent police oversight ordinance. More than 80 people attended Tuesday’s meeting at the West Central Community Center, and many raised their hands to speak.

Ray Garland knew only one thing on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941: He had a job to do. Garland watched for a moment as the bombs from Japanese forces fell on Pearl Harbor, destroying the nearby USS Arizona. Then, with an enemy to battle and a country to protect, 19-year-old Garland and the other Marines aboard the USS Tennessee leapt into action.

A Spokane police officer previously suspended three times for misconduct has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation.

Travelers be warned: The National Weather Service predicts a strong storm system will bring heavy mountain snow to Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle early this week, along with frigid temperatures and freezing rain. A low-pressure storm system will roll in from northwestern Canada beginning early today, bringing with it heavy snowfall in the mountains. The National Weather Service predicts as much as 2 feet of snow in the Cascade Mountains beginning today and into Monday, snarling the drive for holiday travelers heading over the passes. Forecasters also predict a foot and a half of snow in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Just a few hours after Steve Samcoff had a tooth extraction he couldn’t afford, he carried a frozen turkey on one hip and a paper bag holding all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner on the other. Samcoff, whose face was still numb, and his girlfriend Crystal Labute were among 7,000 families who attended Tom’s Turkey Tuesday at the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Their young daughter, Savannah, bounced on Labute’s shoulders.

Spokane County Superior Court will dismiss charges against one of the suspects involved in September's deadly shooting outside The Hop! nightclub.