Meghann M. Cuniff

Meghann M. Cuniff covers police and fire agencies in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. She also writes the Sirens & Gavels Blog.

Contact Meghann

Email: meghannc@spokesman.com
Fax: 509-459-5482

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Follow @meghanncuniff

Recent stories by Meghann

Arson suspect to get mental health care

August 16, 2012 in City on Page A6 A former pro football player arrested on suspicion of arson in June has been moved from jail to Eastern State Hospital to undergo mental health treatment. Kevin Marcus Ellison, 25, … 3
Ex-Shock player moved from jail to mental hospital

August 15, 2012 in City, News A former pro football player arrested for arson in June has been moved from jail to Eastern State Hospital to undergo mental health treatment. 3
South Hill seizure nets pot, alligator, piranhas

August 15, 2012 in City on Page A1 Piranhas offered for trade on Craigslist led state fish and game agents to seize several of the exotic, human-eating fish from an apartment on Spokane’s lower South Hill. The rare … 17
Convent evacuated for Spokane brush fire

August 14, 2012 in City on Page A1 A brush fire Monday forced the evacuation of a northwest Spokane convent that serves retired nuns in need of assisted living services. About 60 people were evacuated from the Convent …
Man sentenced for aiding marijuana traffickers

August 11, 2012 in City on Page B1 A 78-year-old man who allowed drug traffickers to use his property just south of the Canadian border in Ferry County will spend 2 1/2 years in federal prison, a judge … 4
Family: Ex-Shock player needs mental illness check

August 10, 2012 in City on Page A5 A former pro football player arrested for arson in June remains in solitary confinement at the Spokane County Jail, and his mother says his mental health issues will worsen without … 11
Affidavit: Suspect Arteaga formerly dated victim

August 9, 2012 in City on Page A5 A former scuba diving instructor accused of murder dated the victim for years and was described by her friends as violent and controlling, according to information released Wednesday. Daniel R. … 1
Suspect arrested in New Year’s killing

August 8, 2012 in City on Page A5 A Spokane scuba-diving instructor romantically linked to a woman who was found shot to death on New Year’s Day has been arrested as a suspect in her killing. Daniel R. …
Dump truck joy ride left Colville residents in dark

August 8, 2012 in City on Page A11 Police say a man stole a dump truck and took it on a drunken joy ride that destroyed light poles and power lines in the city of Colville. Robert Gene … 1
Authorities: Fatal police shooting justified

August 4, 2012 in City on Page B1 Two Post Falls police officers and an Idaho State Police corporal were justified when they shot a fugitive to death in March during a chase that ended in a cul-de-sac … 7
Reclaiming an old hobby along with an old bike

August 4, 2012 in City on Page A1 When Don Arndt’s motorcycle was stolen from the backyard of his old Spokane Valley home in 1975, he quickly lost hope of ever seeing it, but he never gave up … 1
Edwards arrestee appeals sentence

August 3, 2012 in City on Page A5 A Spokane methamphetamine dealer ordered to spend 15 years in federal prison is trying to get his sentence overturned, in part because it was investigated by a now-fired Spokane police … 6
Panel urges restarting chief search; mayor declines

August 2, 2012 in City on Page A5 Mayor David Condon said Wednesday that he is “very confident” one of two remaining finalists will be the next Spokane police chief, despite a law enforcement panel’s recommendation that he … 29
Man accused of trying to send devices to China

August 2, 2012 in City on Page A6 A Canadian man suspected of trying to send United States defense materials to China is in jail in Spokane. Kevin Zhang, alias Zhao Wei Zhang, 41, was arrested trying to … 3
Woman who smuggled monkey in 2007 dies after rollover

August 2, 2012 in City on Page A7 A woman who smuggled a monkey from Thailand to Spokane in 2007 died when her truck went off the road four miles south of Northport on Tuesday night, authorities said. … 4
Inmate who hanged himself identified

July 31, 2012 in City on Page A1 A man accused of helping Charles Wallace, who shot two sheriff’s deputies before shooting himself to death last month, is the inmate who tried to kill himself at the Spokane … 8
Con man facing prison for fraud

July 28, 2012 in City on Page B3 A federal jury convicted a Spokane man of 20 felonies Thursday for a scheme that cost a Coeur d’Alene woman her high-end riverside home. Samuel Thomas Geren Jones, 31, faces …
Candidates discuss views on policing

July 26, 2012 in City on Page A1 Three men vying to be the city of Spokane’s next police chief touted their experience, integrity, commitment to the job and their ability to solve tough problems in a series … 21
Alleged thief arrested while awaiting trial

July 25, 2012 in City on Page A9 A 13-year-old boy home alone came face to face with a man police describe as a “prolific burglar” after the thief smashed in a basement window Monday, authorities allege. The … 3
Blog commenter reveals identity

July 24, 2012 in City on Page A5 A woman who claims to have posted a comment on a Spokesman-Review blog that triggered a defamation lawsuit has revealed her identity. Linda Cook said her suggestion to ask Kootenai … 3