<p><p>A 56-year-old Colville woman died in a head-on collision Friday afternoon on U.S. Highway 395 10 miles north of Spokane.</p></p><p><p>Paula J. Leclaire died at the scene, while her passenger, 26-year-old Colville man Alexander G. Leclaire, was injured and taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center , according to the Washington State Patrol. </p></p><p><p>A 17-year-old from Spokane…… Continue Reading
Live music will return to the Christmas Bureau for one day only
<p><p>The live holiday music that used to fill the Christmas Bureau every year ended when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This year, it’s coming back.</p></p><p><p>The bureau played recorded music at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center last year in an effort to limit the number of people inside. There will be recorded music this year,…… Continue Reading
Spokane Public Schools trying to expand inclusion for special education students
<p><p>Spokane Public Schools is making progress toward greater inclusion of students with disabilities into general classrooms, but more work lies ahead, board members were told this week.</p></p><p><p>Among the district’s priorities in its 2022-28 strategic plan is to increase access and inclusion for students who receive Special Education and English Language Development services, with a goal…… Continue Reading
Ballot rejection rate this election on par with previous seasons, but disparities remain
<p><p>OLYMPIA – During every election, a number of ballots are rejected. Sometimes, it’s due to missing or nonmatching signatures. Other times, it’s because the ballot was not cast until after the 8 p.m. election day deadline.</p></p><p><p>About 1.2% of ballots were challenged in this year’s election in Washington, though not all of those may have ultimately…… Continue Reading
Department of Interior announces new education center on Coeur d’Alene Reservation
<p><p>U.S. Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland on Wednesday announced the creation of a new Office of Strategic Partnerships that will team up to launch new outdoor education centers in Tribal communities, including the Coeur d’Alene Reservation.</p></p><p><p>According to a press release issued by the department, the new Office of Strategic Partnerships will work with the Bureau…… Continue Reading
Portland man convicted of raping nine women gets 58 years in prison: ‘He simply did not care who he hurt’
<p><p>A Portland man who preyed on his friends and used his connections as a club promoter to rape at least nine women was sentenced to more than 58 years in prison Friday.</p></p><p><p>Rafael Alcon-Ayala showed no remorse inside the Multnomah County Central Courthouse as five of those women described in person or in statements how they…… Continue Reading
One dead in U.S. 395 crash north of Spokane
<p><p>One person died and another was seriously injured in a two-vehicle rollover crash shortly before 4 p.m. Friday on U.S. Highway 395 north of Spokane.</p></p><p><p>Washington State Patrol Trooper Ryan Senger said the crash, near Dragoon Road in the Denison area, blocked the highway for several hours. Minor injuries were reported to at least one other…… Continue Reading
Another $5 million coming to fund solutions to homelessness in Spokane
<p><p>Another $5 million is coming to Spokane to help house the homeless, the state Department of Commerce announced Friday morning.</p></p><p><p>Friday’s announcement marks the <a href=”https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jun/26/as-spokane-makes-progress-on-new-shelter-state-fun” target=”_blank”>final round of funds for Spokane through the state’s Rights of Way Safety Initiative</a>, unless the legislature dedicates more money in the upcoming legislative session.</p></p><p><p>The $143 million initiative, passed last…… Continue Reading
'No good answer.' Trial of Tacoma officers charged in Ellis case delayed past 3-year mark
<p><p>The trial of the three Tacoma police officers charged in the March 2020 killing of Manuel Ellis has been delayed several months pending a Washington Supreme Court ruling.</p></p><p><p>The question before the state’s high court is whether a compelled internal affairs statement from an officer who hasn’t been charged should be disclosed to prosecutors.</p></p><p><p>The new trial…… Continue Reading
'Gifts to this world': Family, friends and surviving roommates remember UI students at Post Falls celebration of life
<p><p>Family, friends and the North Idaho community gathered Friday to remember the four University of Idaho students who were brutally killed last month.</p></p><p><p>“The world is a darker place without them, but the light of their love and memories will always guide us all,” said Scott Laramie, who spoke with his wife, Karen Laramie, about their…… Continue Reading