Stories by Rebecca White for the Spokesman-Review

News > Crime/Public Safety

Survivors of Rathdrum helicopter crash in critical condition; 1 was owner of controversial Valley helipad

UPDATED: Wed., June 24, 2020

The two survivors of a helicopter crash in Rathdrum Monday afternoon sustained critical injuries.

News

Sheriff’s Office requests $300,000 in COVID-19 funding for helicopter thermal imaging system

UPDATED: Tue., June 23, 2020

The Spokane County Sheriff Office has asked for $300,000 in federal COVID-19 aid funding for a helicopter thermal scanner, which it says could help with social distancing, responding to protests and reducing manpower needed when policing the county.

News

Spokane County businesses can now reserve free personal protective equipment for reopening

Sat., June 20, 2020

Small businesses will soon have access to free hand sanitizer, disinfectant and PPE at a supply drive through at the Spokane County Fairgrounds later this month.

News > Local government

Spokane County extends grace on late sewer late fee until end of August

UPDATED: Fri., June 19, 2020

Those who receive sewer and solid waste services from Spokane County will not be charged late fees, interest or other penalties until September after commissioners approved a three-month suspension.

News > Spokane

Newman Lake shore to close next week for herbicide treatment

UPDATED: Fri., June 19, 2020

Spokane County is asking boaters and swimmers to stay out of Newman Lake next week as the lake is treated with herbicides to control invasive aquatic weeds.

News > Spokane

Spokane County health officer rejects commissioners’ push to next reopening phase

UPDATED: Thu., June 18, 2020

Spokane County Health Officer Bob Lutz declined a request from the Spokane County Commissioners to start the process of moving Spokane County into Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.

News

County funds food banks, but nonprofits say volunteers, food donations still needed

UPDATED: Tue., June 16, 2020

Spokane County awarded Second Harvest $2.1 million in Federal COVID-19 aid to purchase food and pay for increased transportation costs, but nonprofits say they still need more support from the community.

News > Crime/Public Safety

Inmate exposed to COVID-19 isolated in Spokane County Jail

UPDATED: Tue., June 16, 2020

Spokane County Jail staff are isolating an inmate accused of dragging a deputy with his minivan on Friday after said he had been around a person who had COVID-19.

News > Spokane

Spokane County unveils new, state-of-the-art medical examiner’s building

UPDATED: Tue., June 16, 2020

Spokane County Medical Examiner's staff will soon move from a facility built for two and staffed by 14, to a state of the art building that has room for dozens of workers, student observers and the needs of a growing region.

News > Spokane

Spokane County fair canceled; organizers explore virtual, alternative options

UPDATED: Wed., June 10, 2020

Spokane County has canceled the Spokane County Interstate Fair this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but local leaders are looking into alternative formats to possibly hold a virtual, or alternative event this fall.

News > Spokane

County extends property tax exemption for landlords affected by eviction moratorium

UPDATED: Thu., June 11, 2020

Landlord's facing finacial hardship due to the governor's moratorium on evictions will now have until the order is lifted on August 1 to pay them.

News

Spokane Valley homeowners clash with developer over plans for land

UPDATED: Fri., June 12, 2020

A group of Spokane Valley homeowners have continued their years long clash with developer Dennis Crapo, arguing before a hearing examiner on Wednesday that the 29,000 cubic yards of construction debris he plans to haul to their area could put their neighborhood at risk.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley to stay in county’s grant program

UPDATED: Wed., June 10, 2020

While Spokane Valley briefly considered administering some of its own social service grants in an effort to have more leverage and local control over its programs, City Council voted Tuesday to continue collaborating with Spokane County.

News > Spokane

‘A tsunami of people in need’: Rental crisis could hit Spokane when eviction moratorium ends

UPDATED: Wed., June 10, 2020

If aid isn't available soon, local leaders in housing, tenant rights and non-profits fear that a wave of evictions could be coming, and the number of rental units available could shrink permanently.

News

County Commissioners approve $1 million to provide free PPE for small businesses

UPDATED: Tue., June 9, 2020

Spokane County Commissioners approved about $1 million to start a free PPE program for local businesses and nonprofits that have under 49 employees.

News > Spokane

Spokane Valley to decide whether to stay with county’s federal grant program

Tue., June 9, 2020

The Spokane Valley City Council will decide on Tuesday whether to continue to allow Spokane County to manage its low-income projects grant program, or separate from the county and create a program of its own.

News > Spokane

Spokane County Commission agrees to use $6 million in federal aid to cover health district deficit

UPDATED: Tue., June 2, 2020

Spokane County Commissioners voted to award $6 million in federal aid funding to the Spokane Regional Health District, covering a projected $4.9 million deficit caused by the rising costs of responding to COVID-19.

News > Spokane

Free meals for children available in Spokane Valley starting June 15

UPDATED: Tue., June 2, 2020

Families will soon be able to pick up free sack lunches at Spokane Valley parks as the city and East Valley School District launches a free summer meal program for children.

News > Spokane

Local leaders ask for protesters’ message not to be lost as community addresses looting and violence

UPDATED: Mon., June 1, 2020

Leaders in local government and the Black community in Spokane thanked protestors who demonstrated peacefully Sunday afternoon, and condemned violence and looting.

News > Spokane

Spokane County considers using federal coronavirus relief money to increase jail capacity with temporary structures

Sun., May 31, 2020

As Spokane County Jail staff prepares for a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the jail, county staff has asked commissioners to consider spending federal COVID-19 aid money on buying temporary jail structures to house more inmates.

News > Spokane

A visit to the salon now includes masks, social distancing, patience, local stylists say

UPDATED: Fri., May 29, 2020

While many salons have already re-opened with a limited capacity, or plan to resume business Monday, stylists say customers should expect changes and they may wait months for a haircut, and even longer to have their hair colored.

News > Nation

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Gonzaga law graduate, withdraws from consideration as Biden’s vice president

UPDATED: Sat., May 30, 2020

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Gonzaga University graduate and the first Latina to be elected to the Senate, has withdrawn her name from consideration to serve as Joe Biden’s running mate.

News > Spokane

Spokane health district faces deficits due to COVID-19; county commissioners want other entities to help cover cost

UPDATED: Thu., May 28, 2020

The Board of Health was poised to pass a resolution to ask Spokane County commissioners for funding until the commissioners themselves squashed the idea.

News > Spokane

Spokane County CEO rescinds resignation, will continue to oversee county virus response

UPDATED: Thu., May 28, 2020

Spokane County CEO Gerry Gemmill, who planned to retire this summer, has rescinded his resignation and will continue to oversee the county as it responds to COVID-19.

News > Spokane

As fairs around the state are canceled, Spokane’s defers decision until June

UPDATED: Wed., May 27, 2020

As fairs around the state are canceled or move online, staff at the Spokane Interstate Fair will wait until June to decide whether to continue with the event as planned or hold a virtual fair.

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