Stories by Emma Epperly for the Spokesman-Review

News > Crime/Public Safety

RV damaged in fire near Garland district; no injuries

UPDATED: Wed., April 20, 2022

A fire Tuesday night significantly damaged an RV parked between two homes near Spokane’s Garland District.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Police: Two passengers hospitalized in crash where driver ran stop signs before hitting another vehicle

UPDATED: Fri., April 8, 2022

Two people were hospitalized Thursday after a car crash near Northtown Mall where the driver fled, leaving his passengers behind.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Man arrested for allegedly stealing array of items from vehicles

UPDATED: Thu., April 7, 2022

Police arrested a 50-year-old man Wednesday suspected of smashing car windows and stealing purses, credit cards and other items throughout Spokane.

News > Crime/Public Safety

High-rise apartment fire in downtown Spokane seriously injures man and forces evacuations

UPDATED: Sun., April 10, 2022

A fire in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Spokane left one man with serious injuries and forced dozens of elderly and disabled residents to shelter in place.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Early morning fire causes ‘significant’ damage to downtown building, no injuries

UPDATED: Sun., April 10, 2022

A large fire at a building just off Monroe Street downtown caused a massive response and “significant” damage, according to Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Juvenile shot in foot last week in suspected gang shooting, shooter remains at large

UPDATED: Wed., April 6, 2022

A 16-year-old gang member had been threatening another youth for weeks before he and a car full of other gang members fired numerous shots at a home near Spokane’s Garland District, injuring one young man in the foot, documents said.

A&E > Books

Local journalist turned author developed her love of reading into inspirational books for teens

UPDATED: Wed., April 6, 2022

From the time she begged her older sister, then in first grade, to teach her how to read, Mary Cronk Farrell has been a voracious reader. “I have never stopped,” she said with a laugh. As a child, she loved historical fiction and mysteries, like the quintessential Nancy Drew series.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Reward offered for info on Red Top Motel shooting suspect

UPDATED: Tue., April 5, 2022

A reward was offered Tuesday for information on the suspect in a shooting at a Spokane Valley motel last week that left one woman with life-threatening injuries.

News > Pacific NW

Power restored to most of Spokane area early Tuesday morning after windstorm

UPDATED: Tue., April 5, 2022

After Monday’s intense windstorm swept through the Inland Northwest, crews worked overnight to restore power to thousands of Spokane and North Idaho residents by early Tuesday morning.

News > Pacific NW

Thousands without power across Spokane area, North Idaho as high winds knock down trees, power lines

UPDATED: Mon., April 4, 2022

Thousands were without power Monday night as a windstorm with gusts as high as 60 mph pushed trees down and into power lines across Spokane County and North Idaho.

News > Crime/Public Safety

‘All I have is memories’: Woman hopes to spread awareness of the dangers of fentanyl after young granddaughter’s overdose death

Sun., April 3, 2022

Blue clouds cover the wall of Sharon Murfin’s basement.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Dozens of Malden, Pine City residents file lawsuit against Avista for devastating 2020 fire

UPDATED: Wed., March 30, 2022

A group of Malden and Pine City residents is suing Avista Utilities for property damage and emotional distress stemming from a wildfire that razed much of their towns in northern Whitman County in 2020.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane County to pay $1 million to family of mentally ill man shot and killed by deputy

UPDATED: Tue., March 29, 2022

The family of a mentally ill man who was shot and killed by a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2019 will receive $1 million after the Spokane County Commissioners approved a federal civil rights lawsuit settlement Tuesday.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Court documents: Woman assaulted by maintenance man distracted him to call 911

UPDATED: Tue., March 29, 2022

A woman who was assaulted by a maintenance man who deputies say used his master key to enter her apartment Friday, distracted her captor to call 911, according to court documents.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Man accused of killing fellow patient at Eastern State Hospital makes threats at court appearance

UPDATED: Tue., March 29, 2022

A man accused of killing a fellow patient at Eastern State Hospital earlier this month made rambling threats during a court appearance Monday.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Man sentenced to 23 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing father in February

UPDATED: Mon., March 28, 2022

A 25-year-old man was sentenced to more than 23 years in prison last week after he pleaded guilty to killing his father last month.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Drug and gangs blamed for much of Spokane’s homicidal violence during 2021

Sun., March 27, 2022

There were 24 people in Spokane County who were reportedly slain in 2021. Most of them were shot and killed. All but seven were boys and men. They were babies, toddlers, teens and adults. • Detectives arrested a suspect in the vast majority of the homicides, yet three remain unsolved. • Inside is a list of the homicide victims provided by the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Family of woman found slain at homeless camp last year frustrated by lack of leads, publicity on the case

UPDATED: Sun., March 27, 2022

It was just a normal day for siblings Devon Waggoner and Ashly Young as they headed to work on March 12, 2021.

News > Crime/Public Safety

‘It hurt watching him be hurt’: Woman remembers brother’s difficult life that ended tragically last year

UPDATED: Sun., March 27, 2022

An adventure-loving and caring man, John Gullingsrud’s short life was bookended by tragedy and trauma, his family said.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Man sentenced to more than 31 years for killing of ex-wife when she came to pick up their kids

UPDATED: Fri., March 25, 2022

A Spokane man was sentenced to more than 31 years in prison Friday for killing his ex-wife when she came to pick up their two children in 2020.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Man pleads guilty to killing woman at Spirit Lake

UPDATED: Thu., March 24, 2022

A 55-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to killing his longtime partner at Spirit Lake last summer.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Father, artist, ‘Dreamer’: Family and friends remember 33-year-old killed near Maple Street Bridge

UPDATED: Thu., March 24, 2022

A loving and protective big brother, father and friend, Jeremy “Dreamer” Gauthier, 33, was shot and killed early this month. Those who knew and loved him recall a man who loved life, dreamed big and worked hard to battle his demons.