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Front Porch: She needs an extra dose of patience – and make it quick

Thu., April 18, 2024

A comic strip I saw some years ago showed a little boy (it might have been Dennis the Menace) kneeling by the side of his bed, saying his nighttime prayers. With hands together in prayer position he said, “Please, God, grant me patience … now!”

Thousands of kids swarm Spokane Falls Community College in mile-long Junior Bloomsday

Sun., April 14, 2024

When told to run the mile in gym class, kids often groan, drag their feet or seek an excuse to skip the dreaded activity. But offer them coupons and a free T-shirt, they come in droves to run the mile-long course at Junior Bloomsday, the much shorter version of the annual 7.5-mile race for kids in third to seventh grade.

Spokane Indians unveil Expo ‘74 uniforms as city plans for more than 90 anniversary events

Tue., April 9, 2024

Soon after graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson got her first job: serving hamburgers and hot dogs at an Expo ’74 food stand.

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A Grip on Sports: We slept through the M’s awful game Wednesday, which isn’t a bad thing, but let’s hope WSU doesn’t sleep on the right athletic director

Thu., April 4, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • We took a mid-afternoon nap Wednesday. It’s one of the perks of our form of retirement. After it was over, however, we realized we were missing the Mariners’ mid-week, get-out-of-town game. Turned on the TV. Saw the score. The M’s must have been napping too.

Staying in town for spring break? Here are some fun activities that’ll make you glad to call Spokane home

Mon., April 1, 2024

For thousands of students in Spokane, it’s spring break.

Students save life of Lewis and Clark track coach with CPR: ‘I did what I knew to do’

Sun., March 24, 2024

At the start of track practice Monday, volunteer distance coach Mike Hadway taught his team at Lewis and Clark High School how to monitor their own pulse while running. He instructed them to press their pointer and middle fingers against their windpipe until they could feel the blood pumping.

A Grip on Sports: Being a fan is hard work, especially when you are not in the best of shape for two tasks

Sat., March 23, 2024

A GRIP ON SPORTS • OK, we will admit it. We didn’t like Friday. Not at all. Wait, you might misunderstand. We loved the sports part of it, from Yale’s upset to last seconds of Saint Mary’s season in the Spokane Memorial Arena. That part was fine. Other aspects of Friday, though, harkened back to a time we thought we had left behind.

Family Owned: Keeping smiles bright is a family affair at Whittaker Family Dentistry

Mon., March 4, 2024

Warm smiles run in the Whittaker family. And keeping smiles bright is the family business.

‘The Girl Who Figured It Out’: Minda Dentler aims to inspire families

Sun., March 3, 2024

Growing up in Spokane, Minda Dentler once handed water to Bloomsday runners as a volunteer, but competing in events of that sort seemed off-limits to her.

Details for Bloomsday 2024 announced; new theme and poster revealed

Wed., Feb. 21, 2024

Festivities for Bloomsday officially began Thursday when race founder Don Kardong, members of its board of directors and even the 11-foot vulture that looms over racers at the top of Doomsday Hill met for the 2024 Bloomsday kickoff event.

Legendary Washington State distance runner Henry Rono dies at 72

Thu., Feb. 15, 2024

Henry Rono resisted having his life defined by 81 magical running days in 1978, or by the tragic downward spiral that overtook him a scant few years later.

Kitschy fair souvenirs, a carousel and a super fast tiny car: Spokane’s presence at the Henry Ford Museum

Sun., Feb. 11, 2024

DEARBORN, Mich. –There’s a lot of what you might expect to find of Spokane in the extensive collections of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

Locally: Gonzaga, EWU cross country teams earn academic awards

Tue., Feb. 6, 2024

From staff reports

More than 150 turn out for annual Mount Spokane cross-country ski race

Mon., Feb. 5, 2024

A little bit of mist isn’t enough to put a damper on Mount Spokane’s annual cross-country ski race.

Calendar for Expo ‘74’s golden anniversary to be released in January, feature celebrations of history, culture and environmentalism

Sun., Dec. 31, 2023

The 85,000 people who traveled to downtown Spokane to kick off a world’s fair on May 4, 1974, saw the fruits of business leaders, artists, politicians and more come to life in a reimagined trainyard.

2023: The year outdoors

Fri., Dec. 29, 2023

A lot can happen in a year. 

Expo ’74 at 50: The audacious plan that transformed Spokane often seemed destined for failure

Fri., Dec. 29, 2023

Starting Sunday, our daily “100 Years Ago” column on the Northwest section cover will have a different look. Each day, it will begin with a “50 Years Ago” item, because 2024 is the 50th anniversary of Expo ’74.

Spokane City Council approves mayor’s $1.2 billion 2024 budget with some adjustments

Mon., Nov. 27, 2023

After months of at-times bitter deliberation, the Spokane City Council unanimously approved a $1.2 billion budget Monday with few changes from the proposal introduced by Mayor Nadine Woodward earlier this month.

The mystery of the Perry Street stairs may be solved, and the neighborhood resident behind the clues now hopes for a historical marker there

Fri., Nov. 24, 2023

The concrete staircase easily could be missed – one side is tucked among trees near a dead end of Perry at 20th Avenue. But the pedestrian pathway linking neighborhoods on the South Hill is beloved by many residents nearby.

Manito’s annual Turkey Trot draws thousands – ‘it’s a tradition’

Thu., Nov. 23, 2023

Hundreds gathered in Manito Park on Thursday morning to run an approximately 3-mile loop around a frozen duck pond for the annual Bloomsday Road Runners Club Turkey Trot. There were dogs of all sizes and people of all ages. There were turkey hats, pie hats, a few Santa hats and there was even a pilgrim costume.

Women of the Year: Teresa Skinner champions the power of parasports

Thu., Nov. 23, 2023

On a Friday night, Teresa Skinner is in a narrow gym tucked in the back of Valley Christian School, where two young athletes – Lauren Fields and Jessica Bellefeuille – train on racing wheelchairs held in place on rollers.

Woodward releases final proposed 2024 budget. Some remain skeptical it will solve long-term problems.

Fri., Nov. 3, 2023

The Spokane mayor’s office has released a final proposal for the city’s $1.2 billion 2024 budget, revising some of the projections and plans the administration suggested last month it could use to fill an approximately $20 million hole in the general fund.

Jerry Schwab: Bring compassion, connection when working to end homelessness

Wed., Nov. 1, 2023

Leading up to Expo ’74 in Spokane, 101 downtown buildings were demolished, resulting in the loss of 3,224 units of affordable housing and the gain of 46 surface parking lots. That, coupled with the census reduction at Eastern State Hospital from over 3,000 post-World War II to around 300, helped intensify homelessness in Spokane.

Letters for Oct. 27, 2023

Fri., Oct. 27, 2023

Spokane needs leaders willing to do the work

‘One day at a time’: Fran Rogers celebrates her 100th birthday

Thu., Oct. 19, 2023

Wearing a sparkly pink crown and a sash that said “100 & Fabulous,” Fran Rogers chatted with friends from her Creative Connections craft group.

Inaugural 4-mile Boulevard Race raises money for cancer fund, attracts more than 2,000 participants

Mon., Sept. 25, 2023

More than 2,000 runners and walkers of all ages whizzed through downtown streets Sunday morning, competing in the inaugural Boulevard footrace.

‘Boulevard Race’ comes to downtown Spokane Sunday to fight cancer

Wed., Sept. 20, 2023

More than 2,000 runners and walkers will weave through downtown Spokane and Browne’s Addition Sunday in a new run to fight cancer.

From a humble beginning: Spokane Bicycle Club marks 50 years

Sun., Sept. 10, 2023

A group of about a dozen cyclists gathered near a cafe off Northwest Boulevard on a recent Monday. It was a little before 8 a.m., the sun just beginning to warm the city.

Spokane’s newest council member took a winding path to where he is today

Mon., Sept. 4, 2023

Ryan Oelrich, who was appointed to a three-month term on the Spokane City Council last Monday, has deep roots in the community and is well known in different circles for distinct reasons.

Jennyfer Mesa: Building solidarity for immigrants through community mutual aid

Sun., July 23, 2023

By Jennyfer Mesa

Jennyfer Mesa: Construyendo solidaridad para los inmigrantes a través de la ayuda mutua comunitaria

Sun., July 23, 2023

Este fin de semana, me embarqué en un viaje personal para viajar en bicicleta de Seattle a Portland, recorriendo 200 millas en dos días. Durante las últimas semanas, me he sentido estresada y deseando tiempo a solas para reflexionar y meditar. Mi bicicleta es mi medicina; es un lugar donde puedo escapar del mundo y encontrar sanación. Los movimientos rítmicos/bilaterales me ayudan a procesar mis pensamientos, emociones y suavizar mi PTSD. Sentí un llamado a pausar todo y emprender este viaje. Lo que descubrí fue que mi llamado a viajar en bicicleta también era un llamado a compartir mi experiencia y formas de construir solidaridad.

Spokane City Council unanimously approves four-year police contract, eyes asking voters for tax increase

Thu., June 29, 2023

The Spokane City Council has unanimously approved a four-year contract with the Spokane Police Guild that includes significant pay increases each year, enhanced benefits, and limited expansion of the powers of the police ombudsman.

Spokane police overtime budget grew by 50% in 2023. It won’t be nearly enough.

Wed., June 28, 2023

When the Spokane City Council approved a $1.2 billion budget for 2023, which included a 50% increase in the overtime budget for the Spokane Police Department, Councilwoman Lori Kinnear was clear.

Another Hoopfest, Bloomsday and Ironman are over. Are the Inland Northwest’s signature sports events finally rebounding from the pandemic?

Tue., June 27, 2023

With another Hoopfest on the books, organizers of the legendary basketball tournament and other major local events said they’re hopeful the Spokane area is getting back on track after the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Grip on Sports: This weekend ditch the TV and get outside to watch the best reality shows of the summer

Fri., June 23, 2023

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Is it Friday already? It sure is. Which means we are under a (self-imposed) mandate. Look ahead to the weekend. Funny, though. That electronic-thingee we built a room around has little to do with what we like to watch the final June weekend.

Bloomsday champion, Tekoa native Susannah Scaroni nominated for first ESPY award

Thu., June 22, 2023

It's been a year to remember on the track and on the roads for Susannah Scaroni.

Poet in motion: Spokane’s Shann Ferch adds Hooptown USA Hall of Fame to long list of accolades

Mon., June 19, 2023

Given the rhythm of the game, basketball lends itself to literary and poetic examination. Free verse, probably best, leaving room for the elegant expressionism at the heart of the game – at least until officiating kills the flow.

Woodward reveals plan to boost safety in Spokane for the tourist season as mayoral challenger Brown says city is in ‘free fall’

Thu., June 15, 2023

Mayor Nadine Woodward gathered with other officials and business leaders Thursday morning under the Spokane Pavilion to unveil her Safe Spokane Summer initiative, promising to clean up downtown ahead of an influx of tourists and others to “the region’s front porch.”

A Grip on Sports: There is nothing better than getting together with friends and lying about your golf game

Mon., June 12, 2023

A GRIP ON SPORTS • The local sports scene seems to be on a bit of a hiatus. Outside of the Indians and their quest to win the Northwest League’s first-half title – they are tied at the top of the standings with nine games to go – it’s a quiet time in the Inland Northwest. Which means it is a great time to think outside the lines.

From Mariners to high school stars, from Hoopfest to boxers, we scan the dial on another great Thursday

Thu., June 8, 2023

Our Thursday show, er, column this time of year usually isn’t filled with breathtaking news. Today is no different. But there are a few things to take a swing at. Let’s hope we make more contact than that professional baseball team that plays across the mountains.

A Grip on Sports: From Mariners to high school stars, from Hoopfest to boxers, we scan the dial on another great Thursday

Thu., June 8, 2023

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Our Thursday show, er, column this time of year usually isn’t filled with breathtaking news. Today is no different. But there are a few things to take a swing at. Hopefully, we make more contact than that professional baseball team that plays across the mountains.

A Bloomsday runner’s heart stopped beating after the race 2022, but in 2023 he beat his time

Tue., May 30, 2023

Kurt Dehmer ran Bloomsday in 2022 and suffered a severe heart attack immediately after crossing the finish line. 

Letters for May 23, 2023

Tue., May 23, 2023

Bloomsday Corporate Cup disqualification

A Grip on Sports: Summer sports really do flower in May, thanks in part to all the pieces put in place in April

Sun., May 21, 2023

A GRIP ON SPORTS • What happens in May? Lots of stuff. Just ask Three Dog Night.

New road race hopes to bring 5,000 to the streets of downtown Spokane this fall

Thu., May 11, 2023

A new 4-mile road race through downtown Spokane and Browne’s Addition will raise money to fight cancer.

Bloomsday participation rebounds to 32,000 after pandemic-era downturn

Mon., May 8, 2023

Catie Marlin, 5, and brother David, 7, dressed as Pikachu and the Mandarlorian, encourage runners along Summit Boulevard.

‘Still moving on’: After a stroke ended his running career, Bill Voiland, 75, completes Bloomsday with a walker

Sun., May 7, 2023

“We had a great time,” said Bill Voiland, of Richland. “I didn’t even fall down.”

Tradition returns Sunday as Bloomsday participants, spectators welcome annual spring race

Sun., May 7, 2023

It's back to business as usual for Bloomsday.

Bloomsday 2023: Ethiopian Yeshi Kalayu Chekole narrowly wins ‘amazing race’ women’s elite group

Sun., May 7, 2023

Up until the women’s elite runners crossed the bridge over the Spokane River on Whistalks Way, Ethiopia’s Yeshi Kalayu Chekole and two-time Bloomsday Champion and course record holder, Cynthia Limo were tied together ahead of the pack.

Bloomsday 2023: Susannah Scaroni wins fifth women’s wheelchair title; Evan Correll wins men’s title in first attempt

Sun., May 7, 2023

Susannah Scaroni has won some big races in her career.