Stories by Colin Tiernan for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

County solid waste, sewer rates go up slightly

Tue., Jan. 4, 2022

The rates increases are in the $1 to $2 range, depending on what where you live and what you're throwing away.

News > Spokane

Riley Stockton, nephew of NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, named Hoopfest executive director

UPDATED: Mon., Jan. 3, 2022

Stockton played college basketball at Seattle Pacific University and played pro ball in Spain for two years.

News > Spokane

‘The highest integrity of any man I have met’: Spokane Valley City Manager Mark Calhoun retires

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 7, 2022

Calhoun, who spent more than 30 years in municipal government, was second-to-none when it came to explaining city finances and keeping the city in good fiscal shape, Spokane Valley leaders said.

A&E > Entertainment

New Year’s Eve on ice: Cold doesn’t keep hundreds of skaters away from Riverfront Park

UPDATED: Sat., Jan. 1, 2022

Single-digit temperatures weren’t enough to keep people off the ice on New Year’s Eve. Throngs of skaters Friday night packed the Numerica Skate Ribbon at Riverfront Park before ringing in the new year. The ribbon is a thin strip of outdoor ice that loops around in an asymmetrical oval.

News > Spokane

In-person Bloomsday set to return this spring

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 31, 2021

Bloomsday organizers plan for the iconic race to return to normal this year after holding it virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley hopes to block tax and get $19 million for an underpass during the 2022 legislative session

UPDATED: Wed., Jan. 5, 2022

The city's legislative agenda includes a mix of specific goals and more conceptual desires.

News > Spokane

New year will get off to frigid start as cold spell set to linger in Spokane area

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 31, 2021

The National Weather Service in Spokane expects temperatures to fall below zero Friday night and single-digit temperatures are projected for New Year's morning.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Fire damages four apartments in northeast Spokane

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 30, 2021

Two people sustained minor injuries in the blaze.

News > Local business

Sports County USA: Spokane County commissioners’ resolution designates new nickname

Wed., Dec. 29, 2021

“I think the only thing you can’t do is ocean surf here,” Spokane County Commissioner Al French said. “I’ve actually snow skied in the morning and water skied in the afternoon.”

News > Pacific NW

‘We would all do it again’: Rescuers on Christmas Eve saved six elk trapped in Kettle River ice in Ferry County

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 29, 2021

The rescue operation lasted from morning until 8 o'clock at night.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Idaho man dies in U.S. 95 crash in Bonner County

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 27, 2021

The 84-year-old was driving a Gator across the highway when he was hit by a pickup truck.

News > Spokane

Council pushes Spokane mayor to collect utility tax on county residents – will she?

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 26, 2021

A battle over utility taxes is threatening to erode the relationship between the city of Spokane and its neighbors, and could force Spokane County residents to pay a tax to the government of a city they don't live in.

News > Spokane

Spokane County passes largely symbolic resolution opposing local income tax

Sun., Dec. 26, 2021

“We’ve heard our voters loud and clear multiple times on the issue,” Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns said.

News > Spokane

Spokane County’s $677 million budget includes major investments in Sheriff’s Office

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 20, 2021

The Sheriff's Office's $50 million budget includes the salaries of 19 new patrol deputies and the purchase of body cameras.

News > Spokane

Spokane County used to publish 150-page budgets. Now they’re three or four pages long

Mon., Dec. 20, 2021

The county says it intends to publish detailed budget documents once again in the near future.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Sheriff’s Office to maintain $15k signing bonuses

Wed., Dec. 15, 2021

The signing bonus is an essential recruiting tool as law enforcement agencies throughout the country battle to recruit officers, the Sheriff's Office says.

News > Health

Spokane County commissioners extend deadline for Board of Health applicants

UPDATED: Thu., Jan. 13, 2022

Anyone interested in sitting on the Spokane Regional Health District Board of Health can find an application form on the county website.

News > Local government

Spokane Valley City Council argues over contract for federal lobbyist

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 15, 2021

Spokane Valley has a $78,000-a-year contract with Cardinal Infrastructure and primarily asks the lobbying firm to help the city secure federal funding for major transportation infrastructure projects.

News > Agriculture

Spokane County relaxes chicken restrictions, allows for hens in low-density areas

Mon., Dec. 13, 2021

At long last, people living in Spokane County's unincorporated, low-density residential areas can now raise hens.

News > Military

‘I hope that we don’t lose any more’: A Spokane Valley couple is trying to keep Afghan commandos alive while the Taliban hunts for them

Sun., Dec. 12, 2021

Scot and Nicole Frazer are trying to keep Afghan commandos alive and get them out of the country before the Taliban finds them.

News > Spokane

SNAP gets $7 million for rental assistance

Sat., Dec. 11, 2021

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, helping people pay their rent was a small part of what Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners did.

News

The Spokane Board of Health is going to look different in the new year, and Thursday is the deadline to apply for a seat

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 9, 2021

If you want to be on the local board of health now that community members are a required part of its makeup, Thursday is the last day to apply for a seat.