Stories by Greg Mason for the Spokesman-Review

News > Local Government

‘We’re not doing enough’: Latest point-in-time count offers snapshot of rising homelessness in Spokane County

Fri., July 15, 2022

A recent census of Spokane County’s homeless populations has indicated an approximately 13% rise in homelessness over the last complete tally conducted two years ago.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Woodward to Spokane City Council: East Central police precinct ‘is going to stay right where it’s at’

UPDATED: Tue., July 12, 2022

Mayor Nadine Woodward has no plans to relocate the police precinct opened nearly two weeks ago at the former library in Spokane’s East Central Neighborhood.

News > Local Government

Spokane in search of service providers for Trent homeless shelter after Salvation Army bows out

UPDATED: Tue., July 12, 2022

The proposed homeless shelter on East Trent Avenue has suffered a setback as the agency Spokane officials hoped would be a services provider for is no longer involved with the project.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council urges Woodward to relocate police precinct at former East Side Library

Tue., July 12, 2022

Just over a week after Mayor Nadine Woodward opened a new police precinct at the former East Side Library, the Spokane City Council is calling on the city administration to move the precinct somewhere else.

News > Local Government

What would a homeless shelter operated by The Guardians Foundation look like? The organization pledges long-term support for people and ‘not a warehouse’

Sat., July 9, 2022

The organization in position to operate Spokane’s newest homeless shelter is pledging to help people beyond providing a place to sleep.

News > Education

‘What makes Eastern unique?’: EWU’s new president aims to find out, in light of enrollment slump

Fri., July 8, 2022

CHENEY – From a human resources orientation to Hoopfest, Shari McMahan’s first day as Eastern Washington University’s new president was quite varied.

News > Local Government

Homelessness in Spokane: Woodward, city council split on approach to public camping enforcement

UPDATED: Wed., July 6, 2022

Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and the City Council are working to update the city’s laws against public camping on city-owned land, with a particular focus on parks, railroad viaducts and public waterways.

News > Local Government

Aiming to increase housing options, Spokane City Council loosens rules for accessory dwelling units

Wed., July 6, 2022

In the name of increasing citywide housing options, Spokane lawmakers recently instituted code changes to add more flexibility to the city’s rules on accessory dwelling units.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Spokane police open precinct in East Central at request of mayor, spurring criticism from council and community

UPDATED: Thu., June 30, 2022

Mayor Nadine Woodward cited residents' call for a police precinct as a reason to move forward with the plan. But several members of the council accused the mayor of breaking a promise to lawmakers that they, and the community, would decide a future use for the building.

News > Local Government

Amid Spokane’s housing crisis, Woodward appoints new director of Neighborhood, Housing and Human Services

Thu., June 30, 2022

The city of Spokane has hired a new full-time leader for the Neighborhood, Housing and Human Services division, a city department that continues to rebuild after a flurry of staff resignations last year.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council member elected VP of Washington cities board

UPDATED: Tue., June 28, 2022

The Association of Washington Cities has elected Spokane City Councilwoman Betsy Wilkerson as vice president for 2022-23.

News > Local Government

Spokane City Council approves agreement to lease East Trent Avenue warehouse for planned homeless shelter

UPDATED: Mon., June 27, 2022

The city of Spokane’s plans to start a new homeless shelter on East Trent Avenue took a significant step forward Monday night.

News > Pacific NW

Police: One officer shot, seriously injured after reports of multiple drive-by shootings in northeast Spokane

UPDATED: Mon., July 11, 2022

Two suspects are in custody in connection to reports of multiple drive-by shootings in northeast Spokane, including one that left a Spokane police officer seriously injured, according to the Spokane Police Department.

News > Local Government

As Spokane makes progress on new shelter, state funds available to relocate people out of Camp Hope

Sun., June 26, 2022

The Spokane City Council is expected to vote Monday on a lease agreement for the East Trent Avenue warehouse city officials have envisioned as a new temporary homeless shelter.

News > Local Government

‘How we spend our money demonstrates our values’: Spokane council’s new equity subcommittee takes shape

Sat., June 25, 2022

As a subcommittee of the council's Finance and Administration Committee, the group will serve as an advisory board aimed at identifying, removing and disrupting racial, social and economic inequities in city services, programs and decision-making processes.

News > Health

Eastern Washington prepares for rise in abortion patients following Supreme Court ruling

UPDATED: Sat., June 25, 2022

The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade makes way for Idaho’s trigger law to take effect in 30 days. The law, passed in 2020 contingent on the reversal of Roe v. Wade, will make it a felony to perform, or attempt to perform, an abortion.

News > Local Government

City puts up fencing at Sprague and Division viaduct over ‘very unhealthy and very unsafe’ conditions

Fri., June 24, 2022

The fencing, which went up Thursday, is similar to the links put up beneath the Browne Street viaduct in February. Back then, Woodward said the fencing was needed because the city's efforts to clean that viaduct area were unsustainable.

News > Local Government

Mayor, Spokane City Council agree on temporary zoning changes that would increase housing density in neighborhoods

Fri., June 24, 2022

The "Building Opportunity and Choices for All" one-year pilot program would, if approved, allow duplexes and townhouses in all residential neighborhoods and allow triplexes and fourplexes in targeted areas near transit lines and busier commercial areas.

News > Education

Divided North Idaho College board picks Nick Swayne as new president after year of upheaval

UPDATED: Wed., June 22, 2022

COEUR D’ALENE – The North Idaho College Board of Trustees has chosen Nick Swayne as the college’s next president, seemingly ending the school’s approximately nine-month search for a new leader.

News > Local Government

Getting There: Spokane is getting a rainbow crosswalk, residential street murals

UPDATED: Mon., June 20, 2022

A Spokane crosswalk could soon get a prismatic makeover.

News > Education

How a Spokane mom and her daughter ended up graduating college at the same time

Sat., June 18, 2022

Terra Gamache didn’t plan on graduating college at the same time as her daughter.

News > Education

WSU Spokane embarks on $15.5 million renovation for College of Medicine

Fri., June 17, 2022

A $15.5 million renovation project will transform one of the oldest buildings on Washington State University’s Spokane campus into the central hub for the university’s College of Medicine.