Stories by Jim Allen for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

Spokane Public Schools custodians disinfect Bemiss Elementary after a parent tests positive for coronavirus

UPDATED: Sun., March 15, 2020

The school was cleaned thoroughly Sunday afternoon ahead of a planned transition day Monday, when teachers are expected to hand out assignments and other materials before a mandatory six-week break from schools in place to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

News > Spokane

Central Valley Schools cancel classes Monday, other districts prepare for extended break

UPDATED: Sun., March 15, 2020

Central Valley School District will begin their break a day earlier than planned over concerns about ties to a robotics competition where an adviser has tested positive for the coronavirus, the superintendent announced Sunday.

News > Spokane

‘It’s been nonstop:’ Readers raid Spokane library stacks before virus-caused closures

UPDATED: Sat., March 14, 2020

At the South Hill branch of the Spokane Public Library on Saturday morning, everyone was on the same page. With all branches scheduled to close that night for six weeks because of the coronavirus, the need to read was on everyone’s mind.

News > Education

Spokane schools begin to implement Inslee’s 6-week closure order, overcome challenges

UPDATED: Fri., March 13, 2020

Educators in Eastern Washington face a steep learning curve as they prepare to implement Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to shut down every school in the state for at least six weeks in the face of the coronavirus threat.

Sports > Gonzaga basketball

Frustration clear on faces of some Gonzaga fans after NCAA cancels men’s, women’s basketball tournaments

UPDATED: Thu., March 12, 2020

Considering the circumstances, the product placement at the Zag Shop was less than ideal.

Sports > Gonzaga women

‘That’s a wrap’: Gonzaga women lose chance at redemption as NCAA Tournament canceled

UPDATED: Thu., March 12, 2020

Lisa Fortier got the news Thursday afternoon, the final blow in a tough week for Gonzaga women’s basketball. Three days after a one-point loss to Portland in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament, the coronavirus crisis dealt the Zags an even bigger hit.

News > Education

Spokane schools preparing for closure order after schools in three West Side counties shuttered

UPDATED: Thu., March 12, 2020

Public and private schools in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties will be closed starting no later than next Tuesday and won’t reopen until after April 24.

Sports > NCAA basketball

‘Devastated’ and ‘disappointed’: Gonzaga fans react to NCAA decision to play upcoming basketball tournaments without crowds

UPDATED: Wed., March 11, 2020

What’s a basketball game without the fans? Spokane is about to find out.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women rewind: Bracketologists say Las Vegas loss shouldn’t cost Bulldogs chance to host NCAA Tournament games

UPDATED: Tue., March 10, 2020

The sun did come up Tuesday morning in Southern Nevada, though it was hidden by clouds as heavy as the ones surrounding Gonzaga’s chances of hosting NCAA Tournament games next week.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Analysis: Gonzaga women must rely on regular-season résumé to earn NCAA Tournament hosting rights after WCC semis loss to Portland

UPDATED: Mon., March 9, 2020

It all seemed so easy, like an extension of warm-ups but with a lot more cheering.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women have ‘no option’ but to move forward after WCC Tournament semifinal loss to Portland

UPDATED: Mon., March 9, 2020

For the second year in a row, the Gonzaga women must find a way to bounce back from adversity.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga-Portland: 3 keys to the Pilots’ victory over the Bulldogs in the women’s WCC Tournament semifinals

UPDATED: Mon., March 9, 2020

Offensive MVP, defensive MVP and key moment from Portland’s 70-69 win at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women wary of Portland depite pair of regular-season wins

Mon., March 9, 2020

That old saw about how tough it is to beat a team three times in one season? The Gonzaga women don’t want to hear it.

News > Spokane

GU fans’ good works make Sin City better

Sun., March 8, 2020

One day before they planned to pack the Orleans Arena, several dozen Gonzaga fans were stuffing backpacks for refugees. They also toured a shelter for the homeless and the kitchen that serves them, which begs the question: Is this any way to spend a vacation day in Las Vegas?

News > Spokane

‘She’s a great member of our team’: Doctor for Zags basketball teams makes an impact on and off the court

Sun., March 8, 2020

Gonzaga basketball always keeps Dr. Molly Gilbert on the edge of her seat. It’s a good one, too, just 11 rows behind the GU bench, where Gilbert has sat for more than two decades and cheered on the GU men. That seat is nearby for a good reason.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Top-seeded Gonzaga women to face Portland for second time in nine days at WCC Tournament

UPDATED: Sat., March 7, 2020

Nine days after beating the Portland Pilots for the second time, the Gonzaga women will need to do it again on Monday afternoon if they hope to win the West Coast Conference Tournament title that eluded them last year.

News > Spokane

Jon Heimbigner’s Zag fandom is just one facet of his deep involvement in area athletics

Sat., March 7, 2020

No one in Spokane appreciates a good game of basketball better than Jon Heimbigner. But even at the age of 72, Heimbigner prefers a sweaty gym and the ball in his hands to a comfortable seat in the crowd.

News > Spokane

Zags superfan brings big passion and a bigger tattoo to every game

Fri., March 6, 2020

A craps dealer on the Las Vegas Strip, Ed Dzama might be the biggest Zags fan who’s never set foot in the Kennel.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Still-to-be-determined opponent might actually matter less to Gonzaga women than effects of inaction

Fri., March 6, 2020

The Gonzaga women can’t wait to get back on the court for the West Coast Conference Tournament.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Greatest hits & bad beats: Gonzaga women have become a safe bet to shine since WCC Tournament move to Las Vegas

Fri., March 6, 2020

Since the West Coast Conference Tournament moved to Las Vegas more than a decade ago, Gonzaga has been one of the best bets in town.

News > Education

Spokane schools face challenges amid coronavirus concerns

UPDATED: Thu., March 5, 2020

Spokane Public Schools is emphasizing clean buildings and a clear communication system as coronavirus spreads in Washington.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women’s basketball coach Lisa Fortier named Naismith coach of the year semifinalist

UPDATED: Wed., March 4, 2020

Before the season began, fans and rivals wondered how the Gonzaga women would stay atop the West Coast Conference after graduating three seniors.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga guard Jill Townsend named WCC player of the year

UPDATED: Tue., March 3, 2020

Jill Townsend did a little of everything for the Gonzaga women this year, and that meant a lot during one of the most successful seasons in school history.

News > Spokane

Spokane area schools prepare for coronavirus as other schools close amid infection fears

Tue., March 3, 2020

The coronavirus isn’t necessarily lurking in the hallways, but it’s on the minds of school administrators, teachers, parents and students throughout Eastern Washington.

Sports > Gonzaga women

Gonzaga women 12th in latest AP poll; in line for 3 seed in NCAA Tournament

Mon., March 2, 2020

With a week off until their next game, the Gonzaga women really do have some time to rest on their laurels. And those laurels are quite impressive. With the regular season complete, the Zags are a program-best 28-2, and go into next week’s West Coast Conference Tournament on a five-game winning streak. They also got a bonus Monday night, when the latest NCAA bracket reveal projected them as a No. 3 seed, hosting first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games. They’re also ranked 12th in the nation this week, dropping one spot Monday despite a 14-point win at Portland on Saturday.

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