Jim Lynch

Helen Blackwell has seen a lot of changes on West First since she moved there in the 1950s. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

1. Kevin Moro watches a plane land from the air traffic control tower at Spokane International Airport. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 2. Controller Pat Dalsanders instructs an incoming flight.

Anthony Brown, 3, and Amanda Elvert, 4, nestle in the arms of Alicia Biggs at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center where tots mark King's upcoming birthday. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

Critics of a recent competition to care for the state's troubled children claim the state favored fledgling companies with slick sales pitches over veteran firms with solid reputations. That complaint, coupled with state plans to yank money away from some established Spokane treatment homes, is triggering an uproar headed for the state Capitol. The head of the House human services committee says she wants to hold a hearing on the controversy by early February.

The state auditor's office is investigating the Airway Heights volunteer fire department for possible misuse of public money. City Manager Mike Patterson said Friday the fire department has blocked repeated requests for its financial records. Patterson said he expects the state to cite the city for an accounting violation next week.