Colin Tiernan

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News >  Local business

$14 million building proposal for Spokane County fairgrounds in limbo due to increased costs, Avista Stadium uncertainty

UPDATED: Thu., March 24, 2022

Should Spokane Valley spend $14 million for a new building at the Spokane County fairgrounds to boost tourism? For now, the project's in limbo. 

News >  Spokane

For decades, dams have kept salmon out of the Spokane River. Now, tribes are studying how to bring the fish back

UPDATED: Thu., March 17, 2022

Members of the Coeur d'Alene tribe released more than 500 chinook into Hangman Creek on Wednesday. The release is part of a study that will assess the feasibility of reintroducing chinook into the Upper Columbia River. 

News >  Spokane

New podcast focuses on hyperlocal Spokane Valley issues

Tue., March 15, 2022

"If you wake up and see holes in the street in front of your house, this is the podcast to listen to," said Al Merkel, host of Spokane Valley Speaks and a two-time City Council candidate.

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News >  Spokane

Spokane Valley City Council members get 27% raises

UPDATED: Tue., March 15, 2022

An independent salary commission determined the raises were warranted. 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office bumps hiring bonuses to $25,000

UPDATED: Thu., March 24, 2022

Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said the move is essential in order to recruit deputies to the agency. 

News >  Spokane

Follow the money: Spokane, county have general plans for $208 million in COVID-19 stimulus dollars

UPDATED: Mon., March 14, 2022

Spokane has made housing its primary focus while Spokane County is prioritizing water, sewer and broadband internet infrastructure. 

News >  Spokane

Why did the Spokane region get $208 million from the American Rescue Plan, and what’s the money for?

UPDATED: Mon., March 14, 2022

The $208 million represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Spokane County and its cities, but federal guidelines dictate how elected officials can spend the money. 

News >  Spokane

Republican, Democrat announce bid for seat on new Spokane County Commission

Tue., March 8, 2022

Democrat Chris Jordan and Republican Kim Plese are the first to file for the new district, which covers most of west Spokane. 

News >  Spokane

Looking for a way to support Ukraine? Here are a few options

Mon., March 7, 2022

It might be difficult to send money directly, but there are plenty of nonprofits working to help Ukrainians. 

News >  Spokane

MeadowWood Golf Course buying $100,000 lawnmower

Mon., March 7, 2022

It might cost a fortune, but the octopus-like Toro Groundsmaster 4700 will be a major boon for golfers when it arrives at the Liberty Lake course in 10-12 months.

A&E >  Art

Bear battle: Spokane Valley City Council at odds over location of grizzly sculpture

UPDATED: Wed., March 9, 2022

The statue isn’t controversial. It’s 5 feet, 5 inches of heavy bronze grizzly sitting placidly on its haunches. The Spokane Valley Arts Council donated it to the city. Everyone seems to like it. But the question of where the bear statue should live prompted multiple, lengthy debates among a divided Spokane Valley City Council.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

‘Change is never comfortable’: Purview of county’s new senior director of law and justice includes medical examiner, public defenders, detention

Fri., March 4, 2022

Jail manager Mike Sparber, who's worked for Spokane County since 1988, has a new job overseeing a host of departments in the county's criminal justice system. 

News >  Education

‘I’ve lost so many friends’: Ukrainian WSU rower says war has irreparably changed life back home

Thu., March 3, 2022

Kateryna Maistrenko would rather be worrying about her classes.

News >  Spokane

Honk if you support Ukraine: Small group of protesters spreading their cause throughout Spokane as Russian invasion continues

UPDATED: Wed., March 2, 2022

“However feeble or transitory this might be, it’s something,” protester Peter Sanburn said. “We all have to stand up for them.”

News >  Religion

Why are there so many Ukrainian Americans in Spokane?

UPDATED: Sun., Feb. 27, 2022

To answer the question, you have to understand the history of the Soviet Union, American ideals and human nature. 

News >  Religion

‘We’re not sure what tomorrow holds’: Ukrainian Americans in Spokane weigh in on Russian invasion

Fri., Feb. 25, 2022

Thousands of Ukrainian-Americans in Spokane are worried for their family members as Russia invades Ukraine. 

News >  Spokane

Scammer tries to steal credit card info through fake Spokane County Interstate Fair Facebook page

UPDATED: Thu., Feb. 24, 2022

As of Wednesday afternoon, Facebook appears to have removed the scam account that attempted to collect credit card numbers in exchange for free fair tickets. 

News >  Religion

Spokane County is home to tens of thousands of Ukrainians – how do some of them feel about the escalating Russia conflict?

UPDATED: Fri., March 4, 2022

Spokane's Ukrainian residents don't all see eye-to-eye on the issue. Inna Mayorov doesn’t want to take sides. The Ukrainian-American owner of Yummy Snamy European Food and Deli interacts with Spokane Slavs at her store every day, and lately that means hearing conversations about the escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict.

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County shifts course on criminal justice reform program despite concerns from Prosecutor’s Office

UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 21, 2022

The Spokane County commissioners on Tuesday gave Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich permission to find a third-party organization to manage a criminal justice reform program.

News >  Spokane

‘The need is still there’: Spokane County sends SNAP another $13 million in federal funds for rental assistance

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 18, 2022

The nonprofit has gotten more than $25 million of federal money to Spokane County residents to help them pay their rent. 

News >  Spokane

County closes books on about $64,000 in uncollectable taxes

UPDATED: Fri., Feb. 18, 2022

The Spokane County Treasurer's Office was unable to collect $64,162.20 in personal property taxes this year. 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County hires jail manager Mike Sparber as new senior director of law and justice

Wed., Feb. 16, 2022

Sparber has worked in Spokane County Detention Services since 1988. 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County stands to lose thousands in MacArthur funding over stalled criminal justice reform program

Wed., Feb. 9, 2022

A national foundation that has invested millions to reform the Spokane County criminal justice system is warning officials that it may demand some of its money back because of the county’s lack of progress.

News >  Spokane

Spokane County may put tax on ballot for Avista Stadium upgrade

Tue., Feb. 8, 2022

Avista Stadium needs major upgrades to comply with new MLB regulations. But who's going to pay the bill? 

News >  Crime/Public Safety

Haskell apologizes for wife’s racist comments on social media, but advocates say prosecutor needs to do more

Thu., Feb. 3, 2022

Some community advocates are calling for the Spokane County prosecutor's resignation.