2017: The year in stories

No quick list could adequately sum up the awesome, horrifying, beautiful and frustrating events of 2017. But some stories stand out for their scale and impact on the city, the region and its residents’ lives.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Dec. 31, 2017

Tyler Tjomsland’s photo of a memorial for Sam Strahan before a Freeman High football game won a second place in Metro News. Freeman's Dakota Steiger (72) wore a arm band memorializing fellow student Sam Strahan as he joined hands with teammate Jace Phelan (5) in remembrance before the start of a football game against Medical Lake on Friday, September 18, 2017, at Freeman High School in Rockford, Wash.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Airway Heights Public Work Department flushes potentially contaminated water from a fire hydrant into Aspen Grove Park in Airway Heights, on Friday May 19, 2017.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
With less than 30 seconds left in the national championship game, an emotional Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) is comforted by head coach Mark Few. The Zags lost to North Carolina 71-62.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Andrea Chavez, 21, describes her experience as a Mexican immigrant during a “Trump wall” demonstration on Oct. 19, 2016, on Washington State University’s Pullman campus.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Scott Morris, Avista chairman and CEO, listens to questions during a news conference announcing the company's proposed acquisition by Hydro One Ltd, of Toronto, on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Avista’s headquarters in Spokane.

Tyler Tjomsland The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
During the dedication and open house of the new Spokane Valley City Hall, Boy Scout Troop 464 honor guard, left to right Kaleb Frye, Joel Patrick, Mason McNeilly and Josh Stauffer, raise the American flag, on Oct. 14, 2017. The Spokane Valley City Council is expected to debate new restrictions on the usage of City Hall on Feb. 26.

Colin Mulvany The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Garth Brooks and his band kick off a seven-day, sold-out run at the Spokane Arena on Nov. 9, 2017. It was the country music icon’s first show in Spokane in 19 years.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
After announcing they could not agree on a new colleague, Spokane County Commissioners Josh Kerns and Al French vote to let Gov. Jay Inslee make the selection for them on Sept. 12, 2017.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Amanda and Kelly Constable congratulate Spokane County sheriff’s detective Kirk Keyser after Amanda’s ex-husband, Roy Murry, was found guilty on three counts of homicide on Dec. 14, 2016.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Sgt. Greg Moores widow Lindy Moore, right gets a hug from Moore’s ex-wife Jennifer Brumley after the jury handed down the death penalty to Jonathan Renfro at the Kootenai County Courthouse on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Pedestrians make their way over a snow berm plowed in the middle of a street at Riverside Avenue and Lincoln Street, Jan 11, 2017, in downtown Spokane, Wash.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Seen from the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza, the smoky red sun sets near Our Lady of Lourdes cathedral in Spokane Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. In the foreground is the reader board of an STA bus waiting at the plaza.

Jesse Tinsley The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
FILE- - In this Jan. 5, 2012 file photo, Lisa Brown talks to reporters at the AP's annual Legislative Preview at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash.

Ted S. Warren Ap
FILE - The Riverfront Park Skating Ribbon has the grand opening, seen here on opening night in December 2017, is being floated as the first attraction that could receive a corporate naming sponsorship.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo