Jim Camden

Nethercutt

John Allen, Ex-Fairchild wing commander

Rep. George Nethercutt signed on Wednesday to repeal a key piece of labor legislation that controls wages on federal projects. Repeal of the 64-year-old Davis-Bacon Act would help save money and cut the federal deficit, the Spokane Republican contends. "I look at it as a cost-saving measure," Nethercutt said of his cosponsorship of HR500, one of six GOP bills to which he is adding his name. "Everybody has to engage in some sacrifice as we try to deal with this debt and deficit."

President Clinton wants to close the Spokane Bureau of Mines office, revamp the Northwest's largest electricity producer, spend more money on saving salmon and keep farm programs at current levels. But Washington members of Congress who serve on budget committees say the odds are against Clinton getting things exactly as he wants.

Supporters of a popular marksmanship program say Eastern Washington University jumped the gun by closing the school's indoor rifle range because of lead poisoning fears. EWU safety officials say the critics should hold their fire until next week, when they'll have a chance to explain the problem and the possible solutions. "There's a very high potential for exposure" to lead, said Barbara Skyles, the university's environmental health and safety officer. "We have to protect people."

The federal government may be forced to commit the ultimate act of cruelty to the wolves it brought from Canada to Idaho and Wyoming - hunt them down and kill them, a lawyer for a group opposing the program said Friday. "The government rushed to judgment on these wolves," William Pendley, president of Mountain States Legal Foundation, said at a news conference. The foundation and other organizations tried unsuccessfully to block the wolf recovery program in federal court.

Fairchild Air Force Base stands a good chance of staying off the list of military facilities the Pentagon wants to close, Spokane business and political leaders said Monday. But a federal panel might consider closing the West Plains base anyway.

Hasson

Ed Mitchell tried to get his rights to own a gun back this week by breaking new legal ground. He didn't get very far. He'll have to wait a little longer to see if he is "rehabilitated" from his 14-year-old misdemeanor conviction for simple assault.

President Clinton sounded like a Republican during much of his state of the union address Tuesday night, Idaho's congressional delegation said. Talk of less government, tax cuts and a line item veto were welcome and familiar GOP themes, said the state's all-Republican contingent.

Misako Egner listens to her daughter Diane talk on a speaker phone. Photo by Molly O'Hara/The Spokesman-Review

Hundreds of Washington residents are committing felonies every day by hunting, targetshooting or carrying their guns. And most don't even know it. Some, such as a 30-year-old government worker, will find out when they complete the paperwork required to buy a handgun.

Retired Air Force gen. John Allen talks with David Shea of Momentum after a press conference Friday morning. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

KC-135 tanker planes are lined up at Fairchild Air Force Base, the nation's largest facility for the aerial refueling tankers. File/The Spokesman-Review

A court-martial will begin March 14 for the officer in charge of flight operations at Fairchild Air Force Base when a fiery B-52 crash killed four people. Col. William Pellerin faces three counts of dereliction of duty stemming from the June 24 crash. He could be discharged from the military and sent to prison for 12 months if found guilty, Air Force officials said Thursday. The crash occurred during practice for an upcoming air show, killing the crew and destroying the base's last bomber.

1. Along with blue blazers and furs, smiling Republicans are now a more common sight in D.C. At right, Sen. Bob Dole leaves the Capitol Hill Club on Firday. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 2. Sen. Slade Gorton , R-Wash.: "Now it's up to us to produce." Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 3. Sen. Patty Murray, D- Wash., says the minority can be more idealistic.

Idaho Rep. Helen Chenoweth talks about her first-day experiences in Congress. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

George and Mary Beth Nethercutt greet supporters outside his congressional offices after he was sworn in Wednesday. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

George Nethercutt's mother-in-law, Martha Socha, left, and mother, Nancy Nethercutt accept congratulations at a reception in the freshman congressman's offices. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

It might be remembered as the year when the unthinkable happened in Spokane. Things that "can't happen here," did in 1994. A gunman ran amok in a military hospital. A sitting speaker of the House was defeated. A bomber fell out of the sky.