Stories by Greg Mason for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

Spokane to host New Year’s Eve drive-in fireworks shows

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 30, 2020

Spokane is set to kick off the new year with a bang.

News > Health

‘Blown away’: Spokane Valley church raising money to help pay off millions in medical debt

UPDATED: Fri., Jan. 29, 2021

Fifteen-year-old Kristal Nieland was going into her sophomore year of high school when she was diagnosed with leukemia.

News > Pacific NW

Spokane-based Second Harvest hosts food giveaway amid ‘staggering’ need

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 28, 2020

Compared with 2019, Spokane-based food bank Second Harvest has hosted more than three times as many mobile food distribution events this year across the nonprofit’s 26-county service area.

A&E > Food

David Blaine’s restaurant Central Food in Kendall Yards to close: ‘I feel like I am ready to do new things’

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 29, 2020

Months after temporarily closing in July, Central Food in Kendall Yards will not reopen, chef and owner David Blaine announced Monday. The Spokane restaurant specialized in locally sourced new American fare. The eatery was closed since July 3 for safety and financial reasons amid the pandemic.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Police investigating fatal officer-involved shooting in Lewiston

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 28, 2020

A 40-year-old man was shot and killed Sunday by an officer responding to reports of possible child abuse at a Lewiston home, according to the city's police department.

News > Local business

Difference Maker: Rick Clark’s Spokane Quaranteam raises thousands for area restaurants

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 30, 2020

Within five minutes, Rick Clark had more than 300 people watching him Friday on Facebook for his daily Spokane Quaranteam livestream.

News > K-12 education

North Central teacher spreads Christmas cheer, community spirit in ‘snazzy’ fashion

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 27, 2020

It’s the eve of Christmas Eve. A mustachioed man wearing a bright red suit and a Santa hat is leaving Macy’s at the NorthTown Mall in Spokane after some last-minute gift shopping. The pattern of his svelte outfit and matching tie – white and festive stripes of snowflakes, trees and Santa mushing his sleigh – wouldn’t look out of place beneath a Christmas tree.

News > Religion

‘We’re not alone in this’: Spokane-area places of worship adjust Christmas services amid COVID-19 concerns

Thu., Dec. 24, 2020

At one point, the Coeur d’Alene Seventh-day Adventist Church planned on having a drive-in Christmas service this year, said the Rev. Jeremiah Smart.

News > Crime/Public Safety

‘Blessed opportunity’: New Liberty Lake police chief hopes to be a positive role model

Wed., Dec. 23, 2020

Damon Simmons once dreamed of landing an executive leadership position at some point during his law enforcement career.

News > Washington

New Spokane NAACP president on VP-to-be’s arrest: ‘Not our place to ban anyone’

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 21, 2020

Just after she was formally sworn in Monday night as the new president of Spokane’s NAACP chapter, Kiantha Duncan addressed what she called “the elephant in the room.”

News > Crime/Public Safety

Woman accused of shooting at brother-in-law in Spokane Valley while posing as delivery person

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 21, 2020

A woman is facing attempted murder charges after posing as a delivery person and shooting at her brother-in-law and his wife when they answered the door, according to the Spokane Valley Police Department.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane police arrest man on weapons charges after chase

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 21, 2020

A man who attempted to flee police Sunday during an early morning traffic stop was arrested thanks to a tip from a nearby citizen, according to the Spokane Police Department.

News > Education

Now adapted to COVID-19 protocols, Community Colleges of Spokane prep for winter quarter

Sun., Dec. 20, 2020

For the Community Colleges of Spokane, fall was a tale of two approaches to learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

News > Local business

Actress and Spokane native Sydney Sweeney’s donation spurs $48k in meals for those in need

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 18, 2020

Sydney Sweeney started her Christmas gift-giving early this year.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane police arrest man accused in North Side shooting

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 17, 2020

Spokane police on Tuesday arrested a man accused of shooting a man three times earlier this month in north Spokane.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Deputies: 21-year-old Chewelah man charged with killing mother

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 16, 2020

A 21-year-old Chewelah man was arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the death of his mother, according to the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.

News > Health

Company: Jubilant-HollisterStier in Spokane alone in Washington in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 16, 2020

A pharmaceutical manufacturer in Spokane has been making vaccines that hold the promise of ending the coronavirus pandemic.

News > Weather

Advisory: 4 inches of snow possible Tuesday for northern Spokane County, Coeur d’Alene

UPDATED: Mon., Dec. 14, 2020

Areas of northern Spokane County and parts of the Idaho panhandle could see up to 3-4 inches of snow Tuesday, according to winter weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service.

News > Education

Frustrations mount after racist Zoom bombings affecting Gonzaga, WSU minority groups

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 16, 2020

Local and federal authorities are still investigating how multiple people last month invaded a virtual Gonzaga University Black Student Union meeting with racial and homophobic slurs and imagery.