Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Flames engulf home, displacing residents

  May 9, 2013 in City on Page A1 A fire destroyed a century-old home Wednesday afternoon, and three Spokane firefighters suffered heat exhaustion from fighting the blaze. The sound of crackling alarmed resident Nick Peraud as he relaxed …

• Blaze damages South Hill house

  May 5, 2013 in City on Page B2 Flames blazed through the roof of a South Hill home Saturday afternoon, sending thick smoke through the Cliff-Cannon neighborhood. Firefighters responded around 2:45 p.m. as the fire burned through the …

• Mayor seeks greater control over police, fire department slots

  March 24, 2013 in City on Page A1 During Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris’ 12 years in office, all three of his kids got county jobs – including one who worked in economic development despite filing for bankruptcy … 66

• Fire Department shifts medical call protocol

  March 3, 2013 in City on Page A1 The Spokane Fire Department has quietly made a dramatic shift in how it responds to medical emergencies. After years of insisting that it was best to respond to medical calls … 110

• Man found dead post-fire

  January 26, 2013 in City on Page A1 Authorities found a dead 50-year-old man in the closet of a fire-damaged Spokane apartment building Thursday night. The victim, identified as John K. Reintjes, was found dead about 10 p.m. … 11

• City facing cuts to fire service

  December 9, 2012 in City on Page A1 Less than a week after Spokane firefighters pulled two people from a burning home, the Spokane City Council is considering a budget that will essentially end first-response firefighting capabilities at … 163

• 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 …

• Child care dilemma gets relief

  December 23, 2011 in City on Page A5 A compromise between the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center and the city of Spokane will allow the building to remain open temporarily for child care services, despite the …

• Firefighter loses job for alleged violations

  December 22, 2011 in City on Page A5 A Spokane firefighter fired in August won’t get a third “last chance” to keep his job. The Spokane Civil Service Commission this week voted unanimously to accept the decision of … 12

• Outdated city firetrucks getting new assignment

  November 3, 2011 in City on Page A5 Two Spokane firetrucks have been saved from the scrap pile by a decision to donate them to volunteer fire departments in Guatemala. The 1977 pumpers manufactured by American LaFrance haven’t … 8

• Night blaze damages pair of iconic eateries

  September 26, 2011 in City on Page A1 Two historic Garland District restaurants – one a Depression-era icon and the other a popular diner featured in several Hollywood films – were heavily damaged Sunday night by fire. Spokane … 9

• Mobile home will help fire department serve West Plains

  March 9, 2011 in City on Page A5 Spokane’s first fire station on the West Plains won’t be the usual classy brick structure typical of the city’s other 14 stations. It will be a double-wide mobile home. 7

• For leaders, fire district idea gaining economic appeal

  February 27, 2011 in City on Page A1 Spokane leaders have a new idea for solving their budget woes: Give up the Spokane Fire Department. Mayor Mary Verner has formed a committee to study the creation of a … 44

• Rural/Metro could present some competition for AMR

  January 13, 2011 in City on Page A5 An ambulance company with operations in 28 states has moved into Spokane. Rural/Metro Corp. has hired 30 people to staff two ambulances. Although the company does not yet have any … 6

• Male fire victim identified

  December 24, 2010 in City on Page A9 Officials have identified the man who died in the downtown apartment fire where firefighters had to evacuate several residents Wednesday night. Louis J. Schopp, 59, died from smoke inhalation, according …

• Officials identify fourth fire victim this week

  December 23, 2010 Officials have identified the man who died at the downtown apartment fire where firefighters had to evacuate several residents Wednesday night. 4

• Body found after downtown apartment fire

  December 23, 2010 in City on Page A1 Cold, wet and hungry, Eileen Epps stood in the snow Wednesday night wondering where she would have dinner. She had planned on making a trip to the grocery store; instead … 5

• Cooking fire caused fatal blaze

  December 21, 2010 in City on Page A5 A cooking fire in a Spokane motor home is what led to the weekend death of a 64-year-old man, Fire Chief Bobby Williams reported on Monday. Major Allen, who was …

• Deputy fire chief cut stirs furor

  December 19, 2010 in City on Page B1 The Spokane City Council’s decision last week to cut a deputy fire chief position has angered administrators and Mayor Mary Verner. “It was not discussed with me. It was not … 12

• Battalion chiefs’ pay soars with overtime

  November 7, 2010 in City on Page B1 A plan aimed at cutting city spending to help balance the budget has become an unexpected windfall for some Spokane firefighters. Most of the Spokane Fire Department’s nine battalion chiefs … 8

• Spokane fire chiefs’ overtime soars

  November 6, 2010 in City A plan aimed at cutting city spending to help balance the budget has become an unexpected windfall for some Spokane firefighters. Most of the Spokane Fire Department’s nine battalion chiefs … 14

• City jobs on the line as mayor presents budget

  November 2, 2010 in City on Page A1 Spokane Mayor Mary Verner presented her grim 2011 budget to the City Council on Monday still without having achieved union concessions. That means the loss of 120 city jobs remains … 39

• Neighbors alert one another to apartment fire

  November 1, 2010 in City on Page A1 At least a couple dozen people lost their homes Sunday night when a devastating fire destroyed much of an apartment building in north Spokane. Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams said …

• Vestal: Alleged givebacks are a cop-out

  September 24, 2010 in City on Page A7 Give it back. This is the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad mantra of this recession. Give back your job. Give back some salary. Give back your raise. Give back a … 21

• City layoff list puts 120 workers at risk

  September 22, 2010 in City on Page A1 Spokane administrators next week will inform about 120 workers that they will lose their jobs by the end of the year. Some could be demoted but remain on the city … 28

• Voters will have say on Spokane EMS tax

  March 9, 2010 in City on Page A5 Spokane voters next month will be asked if they want to maintain the city’s tax for emergency medical services. The Spokane City Council voted unanimously on Monday to place the … 6

• Fire bond likely for next ballot

      June 2, 2009 in City on Page A1 Spokane voters likely will decide in five months if they’ll continue paying extra property taxes for fire engines, equipment and stations. Around the same time, the city may consider job … 2

• Fire chief in it for the long haul

  October 16, 2008 in City on Page B1 As the most college-educated chief in the Spokane Fire Department’s history, Bobby Williams has made some innovative changes, running the agency more like a business, his colleagues say. But as …

• Something smells bad – besides the protesters

  July 17, 2007 in City on Page B3 I have reached that stage in my career where I avoid city committee meetings like the pox. These functions are beyond boring. They are, in pharmaceutical terms, the Ambien of …