Stories by Colin Tiernan for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

Spokane man and Army vet wins $5.4 million in lottery

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 18, 2021

The man plans on fixing up his house and buying his brother's dinner, but he doesn't have any big plans for the money yet.

News > Health

‘We have to do something’: Vaccine-wary North Idaho sets COVID-19 hospitalization record, and new projections are even more grim

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 18, 2021

Not only is Kootenai Health seeing more hospitalizations than it did during the winter, the hospital's projections show the situation will get even worse in the coming weeks.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Manhunt at Hauser Lake focused on two fugitives

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 17, 2021

Multiple law enforcement agencies swarmed the woods near Hauser Lake just across the Idaho border Tuesday to find a man and woman wanted out of Kootenai County.

News > Nation/World

Sad, angry and surreal: Spokane residents, local politicians react to collapse of Afghanistan government on Sunday

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 16, 2021

As Kabul fell to Taliban forces on Sunday, those who fought and served in Afghanistan with ties to the Inland Northwest expressed a range of emotions fueled by compassion for Afghans and frustration at sometimes-conflicting political priorities.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County Jail, Geiger offering $10k signing bonuses

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 15, 2021

Spokane County Detention Services will pay bigger signing bonuses in an effort to recruit more officers and employees. Both the Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Facility are under staffed.

A&E > Movies

Spokane and the King of Hollywood: Photos reveal Clark Gable trained here as a turret gunner in World War II

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 15, 2021

A donation of historical photos shows Clark Gable, the King of Hollywood, training as a turret gunner in 1943 in Spokane. Millions of people around the world know and love Gable from his iconic roles in films including “Gone With the Wind,” “Mutiny on the Bounty” and “It Happened One Night.”

News > Crime/Public Safety

Race to the finished lines: Redistricting committee close to drawing new commissioner maps

Thu., Aug. 12, 2021

After months of preparation, the Spokane redistricting committee is finally getting close to creating actual maps that will split the county into five commission districts.

News > Local government

Spokane Valley buying the White Elephant

UPDATED: Wed., Aug. 11, 2021

The city intends to use the former surplus store building for law enforcement purposes.

News > Local government

Spokane County Public Facilities District accepting applications for board of directors seat vacancy

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 10, 2021

The Public Facilities District oversees the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, the Spokane Convention Center, the Spokane Opera House and the soon-to-be-finished Podium, which will host major indoor track and field events.

News > Local government

‘He was just a good, honest person’: Chuck Hafner, former Spokane Valley City Councilman, dies

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

Chuck Hafner, a longtime educator at Spokane area schools and a former Spokane Valley City Councilman, died last month. He was 89.

A&E > Stage

Tempest forces Sunday performance of ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ inside the Pavilion

UPDATED: Mon., Aug. 9, 2021

The Spokane Shakespeare Society, performing its first-ever play during its inaugural season, staged William Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Pavillion in Riverfront Park while gray skies threatened and thunder intermittently boomed overhead.

News > Crime/Public Safety

14-year-old airlifted to hospital Sunday after driving motorcycle into truck in Sagle

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 8, 2021

The Idaho State Patrol is still investigating the crash.

News > Crime/Public Safety

‘We didn’t lose everything’: Fire destroyed trailers, but Athol family’s just glad kids are OK

UPDATED: Sun., Aug. 8, 2021

“We’re just very, very, very thankful to have our family,” Joe Rogers said.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley precinct breakdown shows Wick dominance, tight Thompson-Padden race

UPDATED: Thu., Aug. 5, 2021

It looks like Mayor Ben Wick and Councilwoman Pam Haley won't have to work hard to retain their seats, but Councilwoman Linda Thompson will have to battle if she's going to fend off challenger Laura Padden.

News > Idaho

In hot water: Warmer lakes might feel nice for some swimmers, but they come at a cost

Thu., Aug. 5, 2021

Warmer water can be a bonanza for gross algal blooms, which can make swimmers sick and even kill pets.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley City Council incumbents advance; Thompson-Padden race will be close in November

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

Two Spokane Valley City Council members breezed through their primaries Tuesday and appear well-positioned to hold onto their seats in November, but Councilwoman Linda Thompson’s seat could be in jeopardy.

News > Spokane

Voters say yes to fire district tax increases throughout Spokane County

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

Spokane County voters weren't afraid to see their taxes go up in order to give their fire districts more money.

News > Crime/Public Safety

‘We have young people dying’: Community leaders, Sheriff’s Office pushing for community program expansion to combat growing gang violence

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 3, 2021

During a Monday press conference, Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich and community leaders announced the creation of Save, the Sheriff's Anti-Violence Effort.