Bloglander

It's Primary Day in Idaho, and Vaughn Ward wants desperately to be the Republican to unseat Democratic Rep. Walt Minnick. The guy, however, has some troubles. Like charges of plagiarism and delinquency in paying his taxes.

The latest in Ward's bad news is being called "the most incompetent candidate in America" by Salon.com. Ouch.

Not really the press you want on the day the ballots come in. But check it out here! 

UPDATE: The day keeps on giving. Ward made the front page of Talking Points Memo as well. It's headline: "Vaughn Ward: Worst Candidate Ever?"  And the Guardian, in Great Britain, chimed in, calling Ward the "dumb and paste Republican candidate."

Here's a taste of Ward's incompetence — if you're gonna copy any speech, why would you pick the one that launched the career of Barack Obama?

"Agenda 21 is evil!!" This declaration comes from the new Website put forth by the Spokane Patriots, proving once again the Patriots are way more active than the Tea Party of Spokane. Their ongoing target: sustainability programs at City Hall.

Articulating further on their theory that the United Nations is planning on undermining U.S. sovereignty one city at a time (through the sustainable development program Agenda 21), the group's Website puts forth this helpful primer on "Agenda 21 buzzwords":

• When you hear 'sustainability' think 'government control.'
• When you hear 'equity' think 'socialism.'
• When you hear 'democracy' think 'majority-approved theft.'
• When you hear 'public education' think 'government indoctrination centers.'
• When you hear 'consensus' think 'different opinions are not to be tolerated.'
• When you hear 'growth management' or 'smart growth' think 'stack 'em and pack 'em housing.'
• When you hear 'comprehensive planning' think 'deprivation of property rights.'

Thanks. Super helpful.

Two days until Volume! And our fourth video is up. Meet Ze Krau: some of the baddest punk rockers around. Read our story on the band here and watch the video below.

Flag on the play The U.S. Flag Code doesn't take kindly to the national flag being flown alongside the Arbor Day flag, and neither have the veterans in Kellogg. That, along with moving the memorial that flew both flags, has several Kellogg veterans incensed. (KREM)

Cop out, for now The battle over the powers of the police ombudsman has been extended — stemming from a confidential memo from city attorneys that supposedly details the possible cost of giving the ombudsman more power. (SR)

And then there were two (semesters) University High School is becoming like the rest of the school districts. It's changing from the trimester system to the usual semester system. One big reason: staffing cuts. (KXLY)

The budget axe continues its swath of destruction Meanwhile, in the Coeur d'Alene School District all salaries have been cut by 3.2 percent. Teachers will also be required to take six unpaid furlough days. It's all part of the challenge to cut $4.8 million from the budget. (CdA Press)

The DOW downfall continues This time, its not just Greek debt that's to blame. Spanish debt has joined the slew of European economic problems. (NYT)

The friendly folks at CheckItOutMusic.com interviewed me today about our Local Music Issue and Thursday's once-a-year local music extravaganza, Volume. Give it a listen here. 

Earlier today, we posted a blog about all the hardware we brought home at the recent Northwest Excellence in Journalism Competition, presented by the Society of Professional Journalists. 

Here are links to the winners:

FIRST PLACE

Wasteland
Spokane native Todd Carmichael and the Pig race against time frostbite and insanity. Jacob H. Fries

Child's Gambit
At the Elementary Chess Championships guileless children became ruthless competitors. Luke Baumgarten

Practical Jokes
On the eve of his biggest performance ever, Dan Cummins has learned nothing so much as this: It's complicated being funny. Luke Baumgarten

An Art History of Violence
Meditations on art's oldest obsession. Luke Baumgarten

Saving Salish
Salish isn't just a language. It's a bridge between generations. And for the Kalispel, it's dangerously close to being lost forever. Kevin Taylor

A Delicate Proposition
Envision Spokane's Prop 4 could either revolutionize Spokane or destroy it. Depends who you ask. Kevin Taylor

SECOND PLACE

Put Your Finger On It
For 20 years Bruce Bodden has been playing the flute part in Dvorak's Eighth Symphony. He's still searching for perfection. Michael Bowen

Misdiagnosed
Why Spokane's infamously high MS rates may be nothing more than a self-fulfilling myth. Nicholas Deshais

THIRD PLACE

Great White
The giant Palouse earthworm can't be found — yet it's dividing the Palouse. Leah Sottile

State of Debate
Former debaters and current coaches lament the state of high school debate in the Spokane area. Feel free to argue. Daniel Walters

* Our art director, Chris Bovey, also took home three awards for graphics and page design.

Three days until Volume! And performing right smack in the middle of the event will be Jaeda, the reigning queen of Spokane hip-hop. Check out our video on her, the third in a series of five videos on this year's Bands to Watch, below. And read our profile on her here

You were the amazingly captivating man I met at a little country store I thought was just a country store, but turned out to be much more. You made it more, but now I can't go there anymore because I don't know if I'm welcome. I felt an amazing connection with you and even though we're both involved I feel like I need to know you. The stars are aligned. I can feel it.

You: Selling your sweet tube amp, yellow (?) shirt, dark brown shaggy hair.. sooo hot! You had the most adorable little girl following you around. Me: Bored blonde, sitting on a stool watching you. *sigh* What are you doing Saturday? Meet me at Twisp in Liberty Lake, 5?

I saw you, if but for a brief moment. You were going to be a part of our little loving family, but it was not meant to be. You left us while in mommy's tummy when I was 6.5 months along. You touched so many hearts with the pureness of your's. Your family misses you & what will never be. You were perfect, & while I don't understand the Lords plan, I trust you're in good hands. My dear sweet Angel baby, I think about you often & will love you forever. Love, Mommy