Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Here’s what happened last night at city council.
• Paid sick leave remains the law of the land after Spokane City Council voted 5-1 to override a mayoral veto of the controversial ordinance.
• A former city council candidate lost his seat on the Plan Commission as a result of sharply worded Facebook post.
Council overcomes veto
Citing a lack of communication and an electoral mandate, Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart pushed through a reversal of Mayor David Condon’s veto of an ordinance requiring most employers in Spokane to offer paid time off to their employees to take care of illness or domestic violence situations.
Before voting, Council President Ben Stuckart said that he didn’t hear about the press conference announcing the mayor’s veto on Friday until five minutes beforehand and that he had TV cameras waiting for him when he returned to his office.
“And that’s because there is a lack of communication and involvement with the administration when they know council is doing things,” he said.
Stuckart, visibly irked, said that the mayor criticized the sick leave ordinance for exempting the building trades and for lacking an enforcement mechanism. Had the administration been more engaged, he said, those issues would have been addressed.
“The administration was offered to come to the stakeholders group [that helped craft the ordinance] and participate,” he said.
“Communication is broken but because communication is broken doesn’t mean our process was broken,” he said. “It means that for the last year some people have chosen not to participate.”
“I’ve also heard the argument that this is best done at the state level,” said Stuckart. “I agree this would be better if the state passed it; it would be best if the federal government passed it. But our workers here matter and their work matters, and we have the mandate to lead and that means that we pass this again tonight.”
Stuckart noted that sick leave was an issue during last November’s election and that candidates who supported the ordinance won a majority on council. Councilman Mike Fagan was the only “no” vote.
Verduin off Plan Commission
Spokane City Council voted 4-2 to not reappoint Evan Verduin, the owner of an architectural design company who unsuccessfully ran against Councilwoman Karen Stratton last year, to the Plan Commission. At issue was a paid Facebook post from Verduin that sharply criticized the council for passing the sick leave ordinance.
Shortly after the vote, the mayor issued a statement expressing his disappointment.
Tags: Candace Mumm , Ben Stuckart , Evan Verduin , Plan Commission , David Condon , Spokane Home Builders Association , News , Image
![[UPDATED] Missing VA surgeon's body found in Spokane River](https://media1.inlander.com/inlander/imager/u/original/2670032/dobrow.riverbody.monroe.webp)
[UPDATE]: The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed today that the body found in the Spokane River near the Monroe Street Bridge Tuesday is that of John Marshall.
Our original story is below
A body found on the north bank of the Spokane River Tuesday morning is that of the missing chief of surgery at the veterans hospital, KXLY is reporting.
Spokane police Public Information Officer Teresa Fuller says clothing on the body matches the description police were given for Dr. John Marshall, but an official identification will have to come from the medical examiner.
Fuller says the police are treating the death as suspicious and that Marshall's wife has been notified. His injuries are not consistent with a jump.
Marshall, 49, was reported missing Monday when he didn't show up for his shift at the hospital. His wife, Dr. Suzan Marshall, told the Spokesman-Review that her husband typically works out at the YMCA before work. Security footage shows him leaving the Y after 5:30 am, supposedly for a jog. He did not return.
Police started searching Monday evening around 4:30 after Suzan Marshall, her sister, VA police and Marshall's colleagues had been at it for hours.
Marshall served five years in the Marines before becoming an Army surgeon. Suzan Marshall said he is in good health and is "extremely well-trained" and had no health issues. He recently trained for the Bloomsday Run with his 13-year-old son. He also has a 10-year-old daughter, the Spokesman reports.
Tags: John Marshall , Spokane Police Department , Monroe Street Bridge , Spokane River , News , Image
ON INLANDER.COM
City Council overrules Condon's sick leave veto
The Spokane City Council, as expected, overrode Mayor David Condon's veto of a paid-sick leave ordinance. (Spokesman-Review)
Police ask for help locating man
John Marshall, the chief of surgery at the veterans hospital in Spokane, was last seen leaving the YMCA just after 5 a.m. Monday. (KHQ)
Spokane police arrest two in Palomino shooting
Two men have been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting at The Palomino in north Spokane last week. One of those men was an Eastern Washington University football player, and he's been kicked off the team. (KXLY)
Accidental shooter feared shootings
A man suspected of accidentally shooting a stranger in a movie theater in Renton says he carried a gun because he feared mass shootings, according to police. (Seattle Times)
Obama bans juvenile solitary confinement
President Obama has announced a ban on solitary confinement for juvenile offenders in the federal prison system. (Washington Post)
Planned Parenthood cleared
A grand jury in Houston has cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing after videos surfaced that purported to show officials trying to illegally profit from the sale of fetal tissue. The two anti-abortion activists who made the video face felony charges instead. (New York Times)
Monday, January 25, 2016
Last week, we wrote about community members turning up the volume on the call for a culture audit of the Spokane Police Department after news of an officer's sexual relationship with a domestic violence victim.
Penny Harrington, a former police chief in Portland, Oregon and founding director of the National Center for Women and Policing, told the Inlander that a culture audit could help reveal underlying attitudes, but the effort shouldn't stop there. Another essential strategy to combating sexism within any law enforcement agency, she says, is gender diversity.
To that end, we asked four regional agencies how many female officers they have. Here are their responses.
Spokane Police Department
• Thirty-three of the 307 uniformed officers are female (about 11 percent).
• One female holds a rank of sergeant or above.
• There are eight female detectives and two female corporals.
• Ninety-five out of SPD's 387 total employees are female (about 25 percent).
Public Information Officer Teresa Fuller adds that those numbers do not necessarily indicate that women are passed over for leadership roles within the department. She points to Officer Jen DeRuwe, who is leading the department's youth activism initiatives as an example. Females have also been field training officers and instructors at the academy, both very important positions, says Fuller, who will lead the new public information team later this year.
Spokane County Sheriff's Office
Tags: Spokane Police Department , Spokane County Sheriff's Office , Coeur d'Alene Police Department , Kootenai County Sheriff's Office , Officer Teresa Fuller , Penny Harrington , Deputy Mark Gregory , News , Image
After months of celebration and consternation among NFL fans, we finally have our matchup for Super Bowl Sunday, so start planning your menus for the Denver Broncos vs. the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Feb. 7. (Allow me to suggest some pulled pork barbecue to represent Carolina, and, um, Rocky Mountain Oysters for Denver?
Denver and its geriatric QB Peyton Manning managed to outlast defending Super Bowl champs New England thanks to a stellar defense, a missed extra point and a last-ditch two-point conversion that went awry. It was a pretty ugly game overall, ending up 20-18. At least the ending was exciting as the Patriots repeatedly got into scoring range, only to be repelled by the Denver D.
Facing the Broncos will be the Carolina Panthers, the team that took out the Seahawks and made the Arizona Cardinals look absolutely ridiculous on Sunday, routing the NFC West champs 49-15. Much like last week, the Panthers ran out to a big lead, but the Cards had no second-half surge in them and this one was a laugher. No doubt that Seahawks fan who hates Panthers QB Cam Newton — aka the about-to-be-named MVP — is not too happy this morning.
Now we get two weeks of hype about how old Manning is, how brash Newton is, and how good both defenses are. And a whole lotta Papa John's commercials starring one of the teams' QBs.
The Super Bowl is Feb. 7 at 3:30 pm Pacific time on CBS.
HOOP IT UP! ALL THE HOOPS YOU CAN HANDLE!
One great thing about living in Spokane is the access to so many college hoops teams in the area. From nationally ranked programs like (usually) Gonzaga and Whitworth, to up-and-coming teams like Idaho and Eastern, there's always someone to cheer for. Here's how they all did this weekend:
Zags Rebound
After a borderline-inexplicable loss to St. Mary's on Thursday, in which Gonzaga frittered away a large second-half lead and lost what could have been a huge win in the West Coast Conference, the team came back strong to beat the surprisingly frisky Pacific Tigers. It was close for much of the game before Kyle Wiltjer and Co. pulled away for a 10-point win. The Zags now sit alone in second place, one game behind St. Mary's, who will have to visit the Kennel later this season.
Next on the docket: Two homes games this week, with Santa Clara visiting on Thursday and San Francisco coming through Spokane on Saturday.
Tags: cougars , zags , eagles , vandals , Sports , monday morning place kicker , Image
FROM INLANDER.COM
• THIS WEEK: Book of Mormon returns, wildfire talk, SpIFF and River City Brewing's birthday party
• COLLEGE BBALL: The first preview trailer of Gonzaga's HBO series is here
• YOUTH: 6,000 students to get "Fit for Bloomsday...Fit for Life"
The Super Bowl will feature the Panthers vs. Broncos
The game is scheduled for Feb. 7, 3:30 pm, on CBS. Advertisers face their own type of pressure.
• The alleged mastermind of the murder-for-hire case is headed to trial today
James Henrickson faces life in prison for the 2013 murder of South Hill business man Doug Carlile. The trial has been moved to the Tri Cities. (KHQ)
• A body was found Saturday along the road in Cataldo
Not much is known yet, but neighbors shared with KXLY the rumors they'd heard.
• New revelations about the Catholic sex scandal
Out of 77 Catholic priests and clergy members the Seattle Archdiocese listed as likely sex abusers of children, only five have ever been convicted. (Seattle Times)
Tags: morning briefing , when is the super bowl , News , Image
Sunday, January 24, 2016
We're sticking a fork in January this week! Hard to believe. Let's send it out it style by hitting some of the killer events happing around the Inland Northwest, which you can of course find in our event listings and Staff Picks. Here are some highlights of the week ahead:
Monday, Jan. 25
FOOD & DRINK | Clover and the Rocket Market are teaming up for a wine dinner, with the vino all coming from Spain and selected by Rocket's Matt Dolan and Tristan Ohms of Vinea Imports. It's $69 a person, but between the top-notch grub and killer wine, you're making out like a bandit.
Tuesday, Jan. 26
THEATER | The Book of Mormon makes its triumphant return to Spokane with several shows in the week ahead, starting Tuesday. If you missed the chance to catch the riotously funny Broadway show poking fun at all things relating to the LDS Church and unsolicited religious missionaries, don’t miss it this time.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
COMMUNITY | The nightmare of last summer's wildfire season doesn't seem that long ago, but it's never too early to prep for the next one. Join the discussion at Washington Wildfires: Community Conversations, going down at the Otis Orchards Library, where representatives from local fire districts, Fish & Wildlife, the Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and faculty from local colleges and universities will all be on hand.
COMEDY | After a short break, Drink 'n' Debate is back and happening at the Big Dipper. Teams of comedians hit the stage to debate, and laugh about, subjects suggested by the audience.
Thursday, Jan. 28
FILM | The Bing hosts the Backcountry Film Festival, full of shorts about the beautiful outdoors and the insane things some athletes do out there.
Friday, Jan. 29
THEATER | The Spokane Civic Theatre presents Sordid Lives, an R-rated play that starts with this brilliant idea: "When Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover's wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, Texas." Sold!
FILM | The Spokane International Film Festival kicks off with a benefit screening of Vision Quest, the Spokane-shot film from 1985 that put a spotlight on the city, and high school wrestling. Star Matthew Modine and director Harold Becker will be on hand, along with Jess Walter, to introduce the flick. All proceeds go to INK Artspace. Here's a reminder of what the film has to offer:
Saturday, Jan. 31
FOOD & DRINK | You gotta love a birthday party, especially when it involves tasty brews. River City Brewing is holding a third anniversary party from 3-10 pm, with FolkInception playing at 5 pm.
Tags: What's Up? , Image , Video
Saturday, January 23, 2016
As we told you a few weeks ago, the Gonzaga men's basketball team is to be the subject of a five-part HBO series beginning Feb. 16 on HBO. A lot of Zag fans I've ran into since the series was announced are excited to see such a high-profile look at the team, especially when it comes to the off-court stuff we don't get to see. But, they all seem to add, "Why did it have to be this season?" Then again, the Zags unexpected losses could add some interesting drama to the series.
But from this first look at Gonzaga: March to Madness, it looks like things are going to be pretty booster-y. Regardless of how the season is playing out, you can't help but get a few goosebumps from this trailer, released this morning. The Zags take on Pacific today at 1 pm in the hopes of getting back on track their devastating loss to St. Mary's on Thursday night.
Tags: Gonzaga , HBO , zags , college basketball , Sports , Image , Video
Friday, January 22, 2016
Over 6,000 students in the region have amp-ed up their P.E. game — to get Fit For Bloomsday. Elementary schools from across the Inland Northwest are scheduled to participate in Bloomsday's annual kids fitness and health program, with late sign-ups still welcomed.
The Fit for Bloomsday...Fit For Life program (Fit for Bloomsday, for short) is in it's 31st year of operation, educating kids on everything from healthy eating to proper exercise training. This year, over 60 elementary schools and around 6,500 students have signed up to participate in the 8-10 week program.
“We’re really pleased with the support this program receives from principals, teachers, PE instructors and parent volunteers,” Bloomsday Race Director Don Kardong said in a press release. “They’re really making a difference in the fitness of kids in the community.”
Over the past 31 years, the program has been exponentially supported, and more than doubled in size over the course of its existence. In its inaugural year, Fit For Bloomsday had about 35 schools and 2,500 kids participating in the yearly program. Although 31 years seems like a long time, and it is, the Kardong and the Bloomsday officials believe their mission that started in 1986 still holds true. With support from PE instructors, teachers, and other figures in the communities, the goal of integrating the mission of Bloomsday into local schools became a reality.
"I think it's evolved over the years, but the basic idea is still the same," Kardong said. "We certainly get more schools signing up for it than we did when it first started."
Every year, schools from this region sign up as they have for years, and the program has been consistent in terms of numbers. But as for expansion to reach further for more schools, Kardong says that, for now, those 60 to 70 schools are enough for their capacity to encourage and teach kids about fitness and health — with a lasting impact.
"We hope as [the students] get older, they understand running and fitness and eventually they'll come, if they haven't already, [to] the big Bloomsday."
As the 6,000-plus students begin their program this year, the mission and drive behind the work that the Fit for Bloomsday...Fit for Life program provides the community is steadfast, even after 31 years. It's about getting kids off the couch and moving.
"It's fine to say kids should have an hour of exercise, but do they [actually] do that?" Kardong said. "This [program] isn't the total solution, but it's part of it."
Mayor David Condon has vetoed the recently passed paid-sick leave ordinance in hopes of buying more time to address concerns about how it’ll be implemented.
The ordinance, long a priority of Council President Ben Stuckart and his allies on council, was passed on Jan. 11. The ordinance will require most businesses in Spokane to allow their employees to accrue paid time off to deal with illness or domestic violence. Start-ups are exempt from the ordinance for their first year, and it doesn't apply to the building trades industry. Employers with 10 or more employees must provide five days of time off. Businesses under must provide three days.
Speaking at a press conference, Condon said his decision to veto the ordinance was a deliberative and difficult decision on his part. He also acknowledged that council, which passed it on a 6-1 vote, could easily overturn his veto. But Condon was hoping that his veto would, in effect, hit the pause button and allow more time for a discussion between the administration, the council and the business community on how to implement it.
“I’m more of a carrot than a stick kind of person,” he said.
Condon said he was unsure how the city would enforce the ordinance and what agency would audit businesses to be sure they were in compliance. He also noted that he didn’t think enough outreach had been done, saying that some businesses weren’t even aware it had been passed. Additionally, Condon said that despite economic gains in Spokane, he was concerned the ordinance, which doesn’t go into effect until next year, would hurt businesses.
Stuckart wasn’t immediately available for comment. But in a letter he sent to the mayor on Jan. 14, he suggested forming an implementation task force comprised of two representatives from council and two from the administration. Noting that council had set aside $50,000 for education regarding the ordinance, Stuckart also suggested creating an implementation plan developed by city staff and representatives from the Washington Restaurant Association, Greater Spokane Inc. and the Downtown Spokane Partnership.
“I believe with this funding and with a strong implementation plan developed by the community and staff, the City can and will roll this ordinance out very smoothly,” reads the letter.
Tags: David Condon , sick-leave , Ben Stuckart. , News , Image
