Spokane County News

Members of local law enforcement agencies said they heard an increased number of creative excuses for impaired driving after recreational marijuana was legalized in early July.

Members of local law enforcement said they heard an increased number of creative excuses for impaired driving after recreational marijuana was legalized in early July.

Receive FREE access by logging in to or creating your Spokesman.com account. Debate over the need for a new Spokane County Jail has become a key issue in this year's campaigns for sheriff and county commissioner after a candidate in the sheriff's race produced a radio ad pegging the potential cost at $300 million.

You might think the rain that fell across the Inland Northwest Tuesday morning would make quick work of fires raging throughout the state, however while the moisture is a relief, there's still plenty of work to do.

Receive FREE access by logging in to or creating your Spokesman.com account. Spokane's slow but steady economic pulse picked up in June as the county's jobless rate fell to 5.6 percent, the first time it dipped below 6 percent since 2008, the state Employment Security Department said.

Spokane County's unemployment rated dropped by 1 percent in June, nearing the state average as it fell to 5.6 percent.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Watermelon Hill Fire, burning in Lincoln and Spokane County, Washington.

Receive FREE access by logging in to or creating your Spokesman.com account. The Watermelon Hill fire about 7 miles southwest of Cheney has grown to about 13,000 acres, fire officials said this morning.

How are your tomato plants growing? If you're having troubles with them, or have in the past, you're not alone.

Authorities said the fire jumped the lake and started burning in Spokane County.

Jeremy B. Jeske, 43, a Spokane County Sheriff's deputy, has been charged with two counts of insurance fraud in connection with a case that was investigated by Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler's Special Investigations Unit.

Receive FREE access by logging in to or creating your Spokesman.com account. A Spokane County sheriff's deputy saved a newborn's life Friday by clearing her airway and performing CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene.

Air quality has worsened dramatically this afternoon after the National Weather Service issued an air quality alert for much of the Inland Northwest as winds drive Central Washington wildfire smoke eastward.

A guest at the Apple Tree Inn, 9508 N. Division St., told a manager he was beaten and robbed in his room about 4 a.m., police spokeswoman Teresa Fuller said.

State Rep. Leonard Christian is an incumbent in the unusual position of facing two primary opponents who have as much or more name recognition as he has.

Spokane County Detention Services has identified the corrections officer involved in a shooting at Deaconess Hospital on Monday as Sandy Rief.

A man running for office against Spokane County Republican Matt Shea says he's concerned about Shea's association with the Oath Keepers, a group that describes itself as dedicated to "defend[ing] the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God."

Greater Spokane County/Valley Meals on Wheels - Volunteers are needed to deliver hot meals to elderly and disabled people.

When the Liberty Lake City Council approved a moratorium on the growth, processing and sale of marijuana back in January, much remained uncertain regarding the statewide implementation of an initiative that had passed in November 2012.

The Inland Northwest Blood Center used a new mobile bus in July to collect blood from donors.