Jonathan Brunt

Marmots emerge as the surprise issue in the Baumgartner-Marr battle

Ad check: Union-funded flyers misstate Baumgartner's positions

It’s with little doubt the nastiest battle this year for a local office. In a second in a series, we examine some of the claims made on behalf of incumbent Democratic state Sen. Chris Marr and his Republican opponent, Michael Baumgartner, in the race to represent the 6th Legislative District.

A Spokane firefighter who was caught skipping work in 2007 to teach high school will get a second “last chance” and has served a 60-day suspension after violating sick leave policy earlier this year. The Spokane Civil Service Commission this week voted unanimously to uphold the latest disciplinary action against firefighter James Frederick. He had appealed the new punishment, arguing that mental impairment led him to violate sick leave policy earlier this year.

A Spokane firefighter who was caught skipping work in 2007 to teach high school will get another “second chance” and 60-day suspension after violating sick leave policy earlier this year.

Less than two years after instituting a swimming fee for kids, the Spokane Park Board may double the rate to $2. Park officials say the fee hike won’t come close to covering the cost of operating the pools, but they could help prevent cuts to other park programs.

GOP vice chairman voted for Democrat Malone for prosecutor

Two GOP funders criticize anti-Marr ad

Several area state legislators accepted campaign contributions from a BP employees’ political action committee after this year’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – including two Democrats in tough re-election battles. BP political action committees have given to almost 50 campaigns in Washington since the spill.

The woman whose sexual harassment lawsuit was highlighted in a recent campaign commercial against state Sen. Chris Marr demanded Saturday that the ad be pulled from TV. In a hand-written letter released by the Marr campaign, Dawn Fowler said she was outraged when she saw the ad.

Woman who claimed harassment calls for anti-Marr ad to be pulled from air

The first debate between U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and her Republican opponent Dino Rossi came down to who's to blame for the current sluggish economy.

Group funding anti-Marr TV ad -- Spokane Families for Change -- not funded by Spokane families

Ahern skips televised debates

State Rep. John Driscoll and former state Rep. John Ahern are overshadowed in their election rematch by the intense battle for state Senate in the same district. Debates between Chris Marr and Michael Baumgartner, who are running for Senate in the 6th District, have been heated.

Firefighters found a body Tuesday morning while fighting a fire in a home near Hangman Valley Golf Course south of Spokane. Crews were called to the scene by a neighbor who saw smoke coming from the home at 12036 S. Player Drive, said Spokane County Fire District No. 8 Deputy Fire Chief Lonnie Rash.