Bloglander

HERE

Another homicide in North Spokane last night. (KXLY)

Meet Spokane Valley's new fire chief. (S-R) 

The owner of a neglected dog seized by SCRAPS over the weekend has come forward. Meanwhile, the dog remains in the care of SCRAPS and is recovering from its injuries. (Krem) 

THERE

President Obama will reveal his immigration reform plans today in Las Vegas. (W-Post)

At least fifty bodies were discovered in Aleppo, Syria today, but its still unknown who is responsible for the killings. Opposition activists believe the killers could be members of the Assad-controlled Syrian military or other pro-government groups. (W-Post) 

The fate of Twinkies is still up in the air, but Hostess has given its recipes for its Drake's cakes brand to Little Debbie. (AP)

If you're feeling a little slow on this gray, dreary Monday, watch this video of Kid President and get inspired. Or just laugh. Or just use it as an excuse to take a break. Or whatever -- it's a free country.

HERE

A Spokane man tries to rob a business after being caught trying to rob the same business nine years ago. 

With no official animal control program in Stevens County, residents often take such matters into their own hands.

More news on developer Ron Wells' plans to revive the Ridpath. 

THERE

Three people have been arrested as part of an investigation into a fire at a Brazil nightclub that killed 231 people on Sunday morning.

The number of home sales in the U.S. declined in December due to a tighter inventory, but December 2012 still saw more homes sold than during the year earlier month. 

The U.S. plans to base surveillance drones in northwest Africa to increase watch over members of Al Qaeda and other extremist groups there.

GRAB BAG

Recommended read for the day by yours truly, the Inlander's senior cat editor: The Cat Man of West Oakland. Fellow cat ladies/gents, you're welcome. 

One of the youngest politicians in Washington, Derrick Skaug fills roles as a Pullman city councilman, vice president of the Associated Students of Washington State University, and as an active member of the WSU Young Democrats.

But early Sunday morning, Skaug announced, he was pulled over for making a wide turn and suspected of a DUI. He blew a 0.09, slightly over the legal limit. In a statement on his Friends of Derrick Skaug Facebook page he apologizes, thanks law enforcement, asks for privacy, and promises to “continue to earn the trust the public has placed in [him].”

The Daily Evergreen reports that Skaug’s vehicle was impounded and that the Office of Student Standards and Accountability might remove him from his student body vice president position.

WSU and the neighboring University of Idaho have been the subject of considerable scrutiny, after a string of falls and two student deaths had been associated with alcohol use. The Washington legislature is considering giving state colleges the ability to set up special DUI courts on campus.

“We kind of have a problem in this nation, in that the drinking age is 21, and that probably will never change, but it’s created a unique problem,” Skaug told the Spokesman-Review in November. “In terms of educating, the kids go off to college and no one has talked to them about it.”

In December, we asked Skaug about the recent troubles with alcohol, and he expressed concern about the shift toward hard liquor in his classmates.

“There has been an average increase in the blood-alcohol content for the people that are going to the hospital that are being treated,” Skaug said. “It’s very clear that this is because of hard alcohol. Physically, it’s really not possible to get to this blood-alcohol content off of beer and wine… The students' culture has just shifted away from beer to hard alcohol.”

At 0.09, Skaug’s blood-alcohol content was comparatively low, but still over the legal limit.

We reached out over Twitter for further comment from Skaug. For now, he does not plan to comment.

For now, here’s his full statement, posted on his Friends of Derrick Skaug Facebook page:

I was stopped for making a wide turn last night by a Whitman County Sheriff, was arrested for investigation of DUI, cooperated with the police, and gave a breath test that showed results of .09. This is a very serious situation -- one in which I have not been before -- and I want to express my remorse and apologies to my family, my school, and my community. I appreciate both the hard work law enforcement does, as well as the professionalism the legal authorities have shown me in this process.

Safety and justice are two paramount values for me. I will ensure that I continue to hold these ideals close as I work through the judicial process in this matter. I have a great deal of faith in the justice system and I would hope the community can respect my privacy. I have been advised by counsel to refrain from any further comment because this is an ongoing case, but I will do everything in my power to continue to earn the trust the public has placed in me.

Jeers to the idiot that decided it was a funny joke to pretend communicate
with the deaf man at the plaza. This would have occurred Friday, January
18th. After you jokingly made spastic signs like a shit head toward the
man. He frowned and walked away. Me knowing sign language was saddened to
find that he only wanted 50 cents for the bus. Go to hell "bra"

Hey jerk! I wanna write "I miss you" on a rock and throw it at your stupid
face, so you know how much it hurts to miss you. I hope you got the point
here.

Jeers to you for being the selfish narcasistc person that you are. You
can't even step up to take care of the one beautiful thing that you have
left in life. You can blame others especially me, but we know at the end of
the day the fault is your own. I would say congratulations for trying to be
turn your life around and be a better person, but you've made little to no
improvement. You are the same mean, hateful person that you've always been.
Maybe you'll be able to get it right with this child but I doubt it. Good
luck and good riddance.

There is a nicely dressed guy going to parking lots all over Spokane saying
he works at Sacred Heart and that he has ran out of gas and needs $10 to
get to work. He also offers to give you a $10 tip if you give him your name
and number. I know this is a scam because he gets kicked out of the parking
lot I work in multiple times a week for harrassing customers (for $10 to
get to work at Sacred Heart) and have seen him at the Ross parking lot,
Winco parking lot, Target up north and the Freya Fred Meyers with the same
story. Do not give this scammer your money!

JJP, I miss you, each day that passes without you. I long for you. I wish I
could go back in time to change everything, you are my one and only, my
moon, my sun, my air. You are the most amazing person. I love you. I hope
one day you will forgive me and we can be friends, always and forever
munsmawa.