You Can Help Us Help Our Community

Sat., April 29, 2000

Handle Extra is a weekly feature of The Idaho Spokesman-Review. Our goal is to deliver a publication that strengthens the relationships between Kootenai County residents, your community and the newspaper.

We hope to do this by inspiring greater citizen participation in solving community problems, and by encouraging reader involvement in nearly every aspect of Handle Extra.

The section emphasizes issues that involve public life and community building in the growing areas of Kootenai County. For example, one monthly feature, “Common Ground,” explores where people with differing points of view can try to identify areas of agreement. Another regular column,`Making a Difference,” profiles community-builders - people who work behind the scenes to make this a better place to live.

We’ve recruited well-known community leaders such as Kerri Thoreson, Jeanne Givens and Larry Belmont to be regular columnists. Seven high school students are contributing news from inside the schools.

This publication is an experiment in “civic journalism,” and as community dialogue evolves, this section will evolve as well. To make it work, we need to hear from you. Handle Extra Editor Ken Sands can be reached by e-mail at kens@spokesman.com or at 765-7121.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.