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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Alison Boggs

This individual is no longer an employee with The Spokesman-Review.

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News >  Spokane

Post Falls soldier’s Purple Heart a long time coming

A U.S. Army general traveled from North Carolina on Wednesday to pin the Purple Heart on the chest of a young Post Falls man still struggling with the effects of the deadliest mass shooting this nation has seen on a military base. “It’s a long time coming. It’s a step in the right direction,” said George Stratton Jr., father of George Stratton III, who was one of the more than 30 people wounded when former Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood in Texas on Nov. 5, 2009.
News >  Features

Meet Folkinception

MATT MITCHELL, 29 A friend once gave Mitchell the complete works of Bob Dylan and he listened to the iconic singer/songwriter exclusively for about a year. Mitchell is the band’s primary singer and songwriter. “Most of what I want to say is about to be recorded,” Mitchell said. “We just believe in the music and I think that’s going to translate.” He grew up playing classical, crediting an influential teacher for inspiring him and his mother for encouraging him. He began writing his own music at an early age. He started with piano, then added organ, guitar and harmonica (which he says doesn’t count because it’s always in the right key). He toured for five years with the jam-grass band Ten Mile Tide, leaving to marry his wife, Missy. By day, he works at 14Four, working with advertising agencies on interactive campaigns. He’s also a graphic designer whose T-shirts are regularly sold at Boo Radley’s.

News >  Spokane

Gun attack ended military career

The father of a Post Falls soldier wounded when Maj. Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood in 2009 said his son has post-traumatic stress from the shooting that ended his military career and has left him unable to support himself. On Nov. 5, 2009, George Stratton III was at Fort Hood to complete medical processing in preparation for a January deployment to Afghanistan. He was one of the 32 people wounded by Hasan’s bullets; Stratton was shot through his left shoulder, shattering his humerus bone. Among the 13 killed in the attack was Michael Grant Cahill, 62, a native of Spokane and graduate of Rogers High School and Eastern Washington University.
News >  Spokane

Dog days? It’s a good night for Leo

Good boy! A Spokane police dog named Leonidas had a busy night on Thursday, first catching an escaped fugitive and then overtaking a man fleeing from police on a dirt bike.
News >  Spokane

Police dog nabs two suspects Thursday night

Good boy! A Spokane police dog named Leonidas had a busy night on Thursday. Around 7 p.m., the dog caught a Spokane man wanted on a Department of Corrections escape warrant when the man ran into a wooded area near 7th Avenue and Division Street, a news release from the police department said.
News >  Features

Fine-tuning life’s playlist

In 18 years as a journalist, I’ve interviewed senators and CEOs, even got a statement from the president. But I’m as nervous as Chris Farley’s star-struck teenage talk show host from “Saturday Night Live” at the prospect of interviewing one of my favorite musicians. (“You’re Michael Franti? Wow. That’s so cool.”)
News >  Idaho

Condo project reborn as rentals

A Coeur d’Alene condominium project postponed three years ago when the economy faltered has resurfaced as a rental housing proposal geared toward workers with moderate incomes. The city of Coeur d’Alene devoted $1 million toward a facelift of an area known as Midtown in 2008. The neighborhood runs mostly along Fourth Street, a northbound arterial that connects downtown with Interstate 90.
News >  Idaho

Police say arrests end alleged ring

Police on Wednesday arrested the last of eight people suspected in a monthslong residential burglary spree that traumatized victims stretching from Spokane to North Idaho. Beginning in August, authorities across the region received dozens of reports of burglaries that followed a common theme. People would knock on the door and offer services, such as firewood sales or dog-walking. Some witnesses reported people saying they were looking for a friend, police reports show.
News >  Idaho

Idaho program helps woman purchase first home

A 49-year-old Rathdrum woman is enjoying her first holiday season in a home she owns thanks to an Idaho Housing and Finance Association program that helps people bridge the gaps to homeownership. Lauri Moore is the first graduate of the HOPES program – Homeownership Promotes Economic Stability – offered by IHFA’s Home Partnership Foundation. The foundation offers a 200 percent match on people’s savings of up to $2,000, giving them a total of $6,000 for down payments or, in Moore’s case, paying down the principal to make the mortgage more affordable.
News >  Idaho

After 2011 Ironman warm-up, Tom Aylward has sights set on 2012 finish line

When readers of The Spokesman-Review last heard from Tom Aylward, the Spirit Lake man who lost 80 pounds while training for his first Ironman, he had fallen short of completing the 2011 Coeur d’Alene race. He made the 2.4-mile swim and 112-mile bike ride just fine, but had nothing left for the marathon – a 26.2-mile run. He was at peace with his performance and didn’t plan to attempt the grueling endurance race again.
News >  Idaho

Hotel helps homeless families

A 2-year-old girl’s grin, as she frolicked in the lobby of a Coeur d’Alene hotel Thursday morning, gave no hint that her family has no place to call home. And that was precisely the goal of the staff at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites as they worked to deliver Christmas joy to two homeless families they’re hosting for the week.
News >  Idaho

Operation Clothe a Child gives needy kids wardrobe upgrade

When she attends the Christmas concert at John Brown Elementary School in Rathdrum tonight, 5-year-old Hailey Rojo will be wearing her brand-new, ruby-red dress. The kindergartner bought the dress at the Coeur d’Alene J.C. Penney store Tuesday night with help from Robin Fisher of Post Falls, her volunteer personal shopper.
News >  Idaho

Idaho health plan set for comment

Members of the public will have an opportunity next week to voice their opinions about Idaho’s plan to set up a health insurance exchange, the federally mandated marketplace designed to help people and small businesses shop for and evaluate insurance plans at competitive prices. Representatives of the state’s Insurance Department are traveling the state to gather feedback in anticipation of a decision from the Legislature on whether to approve implementing the exchange. That decision would also include whether to approve spending authority for the $20.7 million federal grant the state recently received to set up the exchange.
News >  Idaho

Four accused in north Spokane burglary

Spokane police on Saturday arrested four people suspected of stealing a loaded handgun, televisions, game systems and other property from a north Spokane home. Booked into Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary were: Patrick J. Hamilton, 23; Hilary A. Knapp, 29; Patrick Seidler, 47; and David R. Williams, 23.
News >  Idaho

Artist’s expression given free rein

The horses Tyree Kearns welds out of copper and steel would never wear ribbons in their manes. They are drawn from the war horses of ancient Rome or from Greek mythology. Look closely, and you’ll see their rippling muscles, flared nostrils and the fire in their eyes.