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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Kip Hill

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News >  Spokane

Spokane City Council to consider public records policy changes as part of Frank Straub settlement

Mayor David Condon proposed an addition to the city’s ethics code making intentionally withholding public records a penalty punishable at the city level. The change was a requirement in the settlement of a lawsuit brought against City Hall by Brian Breen, a retired Spokane police detective who requested records related to harassment claims against former police Chief Frank Straub that went unfulfilled for months.
News >  Spokane

McMorris Rodgers, Murray both earn return trips to Congress

Cathy McMorris Rodgers will serve a sixth term in the House of Representatives, once again defeating Joe Pakootas to return to the Congressional seat she’s held since 2005. Patty Murray will head back to the Senate to serve a fifth term, defeating Republican Chris Vance.
News >  Spokane

Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams to retire in January after 28 years at helm

The longest-serving fire chief in Spokane’s history will retire in January. Fire Chief Bobby Williams, who was named head of the Spokane Fire Department during Mayor Vicki McNeill’s administration, will step down after the new year. Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer will serve as interim chief during a national search for Williams’ replacement.
News >  Spokane

Knezovich vows legal challenge to proposed oil, coal train ban in Spokane

An independent legal review of a proposal to fine the shippers of coal and oil through downtown Spokane determined it violates federal law, but City Councilman Breean Beggs said he’ll continue to push for signatures. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich signaled he’d block the measure if passed, calling it unconstitutional.
News >  Spokane

Sale of Otis Hotel, work on Montvale and Odd Fellows buildings raise hopes for western downtown Spokane

In the mid-2000s, developers along the western edge of downtown Spokane’s entertainment district were promising big things, including condos, street-level stores and refurbished rentals. But those promises mostly went by the wayside. Now, developer Jerry Dicker is unveiling new uses for the historic block, and the Otis Hotel is on track for a new owner.
News >  Spokane

Police: Masked person used missing Post Falls man’s ATM card, pickup

Police in Post Falls released a surveillance video Monday night of a person driving a truck belonging to William “Bo” Kirk, a 41-year-old medical professional who’s been missing since Saturday night. Authorities found his pickup truck engulfed in flames about an hour after the video was captured.
News >  Business

Cowles Co. receives tax break for Chronicle Building apartments

The Spokane City Council voted unanimously this week to provide the Cowles Co. an eight-year subsidy for apartments being built in the Spokane Chronicle Building. The multifamily property tax exemption program is used to spur residential development in urban areas, and is authorized by state law.
News >  Spokane

Spokane City Hall wants to use school-zone camera windfall to hire more police

Both Spokane Mayor David Condon and the Spokane City Council want four new neighborhood resource officers in next year’s budget to battle property crime. They say the only way to fund those positions is to take a portion of the money paid by speeders near two of the city’s elementary schools to make up the budget shortfall of about half a million dollars.
News >  Spokane

Cathy McMorris Rodgers tepidly allies with Trump, touts policies in Congressional race against Joe Pakootas

Joe Pakootas, the Democratic challenger looking to unseat Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers in her seventh run for Congress, is trying to tie her to Donald Trump in an attempt to sway voters away from the high-ranking Republican. But she may need those voters, and her tenuous alliance with Trump, to retain her seat in a strategy indicative of her longtime defense of the Republican Party.
News >  Spokane

Craig Meidl gets City Council’s confirmation, will lead Spokane Police Department

After his initial appointment by Mayor David Condon caused a rift with the City Council, a majority voted Monday to confirm Craig Meidl as Spokane’s permanent police chief following the ouster of Frank Straub more than a year ago. City Councilwoman Karen Stratton voted against the nomination, saying concerns about Meidl’s past were too great to vote yes.
News >  Spokane

Columbus Day confusion at City Hall ends with rescinded proclamation

City Council members said they were confused by a proclamation from Mayor David Condon that would have recognized Christopher Columbus in Spokane on Monday. The council voted to rename the holiday “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in August at the request of local tribal members. The administration chalked the proclamation up to confusion about requests to honor the day.