Bloglander

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A public memorial service honoring deceased firefighter John Knighten will be held at the Spokane Convention Center at 1 pm today. Knighten was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and died on June 30. (KHQ)  

Spokane International Airport taxiways will be rebuilt over the next two years. (S-R)

Sheriff's deputies pulled an unconscious woman out of the Spokane River yesterday afternoon. (KXLY)

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An Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 crashed at San Francisco's airport on Saturday, killing two Chinese passengers and injuring more than 180 others. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash. (Guardian)

Egyptian security forces fired on hundreds of supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi early this morning. At least 51 civilians were killed. (NYT)

Regarding future partisan gridlock in the Washington state Legislature, “Olympia is beginning to look a lot like Washington, D.C." (Seattle Times)

WHOLE FOODS IS COR-POR-ATE

In Portland, "cycle-delivery start-ups" are a thing. (NYT) 

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Fireworks are to blame for a one-acre brush fire yesterday near the intersection of Monroe Street and Cora Avenue. Several homes were threatened and witnesses say they saw someone shoot off the firework from a passing truck. (S-R)

Despite fireworks being illegal in Spokane and most of Spokane County, infractions for breaking that law are not frequent. (KREM)

If you're looking for a pet that disappeared during yesterday's fireworks, check Craigslist. The number of lost and found pet ads has surged since Thursday afternoon. (KREM) 

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A 21-year-old man driving a stolen truck loaded with guns, Molotov cocktails and body armor was arrested on Wednesday night near the University of Washington campus. (Seattle Times) 

Illegal fireworks were the cause of a fire last night on North Lake Union in Seattle that destroyed 14 boats and damaged others. (Seattle Times)

Not to put a damper on everyone's lingering holiday mood, but here's a round-up of Fourth of July tragedies this year. (CNN) 

Supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsy were met with violence as they stormed the building in Cairo where Morsy is reportedly being held. (CNN)

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The federal sequester is expected to result in drastic layoffs later this year for federal defenders — who represent the poorest defendants — in Eastern Washington. (S-R)

The Washington state Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday approved an undergrad tuition freeze for public colleges and universities for the 2013-14 school year. (S-R)

Goats are good for a lot of things — milk, cheese and just being cute pets — but they're also helping control weeds for Avista Utilities. (KHQ) 

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A Seattle man caught a 40-lb. shortraker rockfish off the coast of Alaska that's estimated to be at least 200 years old. (Yahoo) 

The Vatican is close to declaring the late Pope John Paul II (pope from 1978-2005) a saint. (CNN) 

Not really news, if you ask us, but apparently hipsters are taking over Portland. (KREM) 

Independence Day. That time of year when we celebrate our country’s independence from British rule by blasting copious amounts of chemically modified gunpowder into the air. 

It's also the time of year when the Inlander HQ gets bombarded by press releases from government agencies concerned about public safety. Cough, cough, Office of the State Fire Marshal.  

As fun and patriotic as shooting roman candles out of your barehand in your driveway can be, fireworks are dangerous. (And illegal in most of Spokane County.) Here are resources if something goes wrong or if you just can’t handle your neighbors’ flashing smoke bomb dance party at 3 am.

For buying fireworks: Purchase fireworks from licensed fireworks stands only. If the packages aren’t clearly labeled with a warning, a caution or a statement of hazard, they’re probably not legit. Fireworks with no name, manufacturer or country of origin probably aren’t either. Another telltale sign of sketchy fireworks is lack of color in packaging – brown paper bag wrapping and electrical tape is often a sign of illegal or homemade fireworks. Buying fireworks on the Internet is also a bad idea. The Fed-Ex guy might not like that.

For using fireworks: Find a safe place to shoot off your fireworks. Right now, the potential for fires caused by unsafe fireworks use is high because of the heat in the area, so be aware that flammable things might be extra flammable this year. Wear nonflammable clothing, read instructions, use proper lighting utensils, keep a bucket of water handy – here’s a list of safety guidelines from the Fireworks Alliance.

For being considerate: Fireworks are fun, but they’re not everyone’s favorite. That doesn’t just mean the balding neighbor across the cul-de-sac ­— fireworks scare and stress out many household pets. Keep your furry friends safe and calm by keeping them inside, distracting them with radio or TV noise, even staying with them or calming them with medication (talk to your vet first). If you decide to take them out, make sure they’re collared, tagged and leashed. Do not leave them in the car – heat exhaustion can be accelerated by stress and cracked windows just won’t cut it.

For reporting fireworks: Remember that calling 911 is for emergencies only. Emergencies are instances when immediate action poses a threat or danger to yourself or others. In the case of fireworks-related injury or fire or illegal or homemade fireworks, don’t hesitate to call 911. For fireworks violations, such as ignoring bans or time of use limitations, call your local police department’s non-emergency phone number.

For your information: Keep in mind that fireworks are banned in Spokane County (exceptions are Airway Heights, Deer Park and Medical Lake) and restricted in other areas. The Washington State Fire Marshal reports that 2012 saw 354 fireworks-related fires and injuries, including 128 fires and 226 injuries, most of which happened on Independence Day itself. With fireworks, it’s best to follow the fire marshal’s three Bs of safety: be prepared, be safe, be responsible.

For your non-fireworks-related information: Garbage pickup and curbside recycling will be a day late after the Fourth of July with Thursday’s pickup on Friday, July 5, and Friday’s on Saturday, July 6. Here’s a list of places that will be closed in observance of Independence Day: City Hall, Municipal Court, the Waste-to-Energy facility, garbage transfer stations and public library branches. City Council took the week off and will resume Monday, July 8. And finally, parking is free. 

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More details have been released concerning drug overdoses at the Paradiso Festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre this past weekend. (S-R) 

After a nine-hour stand-off yesterday the Coeur d'Alene Police arrested a man suspected of sexually assaulting his niece. (KXLY)

Marijuana users, the Washington State Liquor Control Board wants to know your usage habits as part of the process to create rules and regulations for new marijuana consumption and production laws. (S-R) Access the survey here.  

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Protestors in Egypt continue demanding the removal of democratically elected President Mohammad Morsi one year after his election (Guardian) 

The 19 firefighters killed while fighting the Yarnell Hill fire in west central Arizona did not have a planned escape route in the event the blaze overtook them. (LA Times) 

Apple is registering the trademark name iWatch in several countries, giving proof to the speculation that a wristwatch-like gadget is on the horizon. (NYT) 

click to enlarge

Several weeks ago, Inlander staffers and other observers noticed some interesting construction beginning at a building sandwiched between the Blue Spark and the vacant Ridpath windows on First Avenue. The facade was painted a dark gray, new windows were installed on the upper level and a bold message — “proof design is sexy” — was painted at ground level.

Huh? What is this place?

It had to be some sort of design company, and indeed it is. The Hissong+Hurtado Design Group, better known as HDG, is moving later this summer from its current headquarters across the street at 107 S. Howard. The firm is known for its architectural design work for spaces like Spokane’s Fire Artisan Pizza and Revel 77.

When we called to confirm today, we heard that the text on the building will change every few months or so, as will the accent color around the windows.

Here’s what the storefront looked like in August 2011, according to Google Street View, when the upstairs was home to technology co-op Squeaky Feat Collaborative:

click to enlarge

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Two men have been arrested and charged with the murder of a man whose body was found in the Spokane River under the Trent Avenue Bridge last week. (KXLY) 

A young man died after overdosing on the potent drug "Molly" at the Paradiso electronic music festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre over the weekend. More than 100 others were treated at a local hospital after taking the same drug. (KOMO) 

An investigation continues into the explosion of an apparent improvised device that went off under a parked car on North Monroe Street on Saturday morning. (KXLY)

Prepare yourselves: drink lots of water, limit time spent in the sun and watch out for pets, kids and seniors. It's 'bout to get real hot around here. (KREM)

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Federal student loan interest rates doubled today, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent after Congress failed to pass legislation preventing the automatic rate hike. (KREM/King 5)

A more than 8,000-acre wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz. killed 19 firefighters yesterday and continues to burn out of control. (Arizona Republic)

The Texas Legislature's battle over abortion limits started up again today, with demonstrators swarming the Capitol in Austin. (WaPost) 

ELSEWHERE

Doesn't look like U.S. intelligence leaker Edward Snowden is getting out of Russia anytime soon. (WaPost)

This is really flippin' cool: Archaeologists discovered the lost ruins of the ancient Egyptian city of Thonis-Heracleion on the bottom of the ocean in Alexandria Bay. (Slate/Atlas Obscura) 

Writer Deanna Pan was on KHQ today to talk about this week’s cover story on a convicted rapist who recently moved to Spokane after he was released from McNeil Island. The cover package also includes a story from writer Scott Leadingham about watching as his former camp counselor was accused and convicted of sexual contact with minors.

Here’s the full segment from KHQ:

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Detectives investigating body pulled from Spokane River near Gonzaga. (KXLY)

Dirty Shame Saloon goes up in flames in Nine Mile Falls. (KHQ)

Darn kids. Pullman-area minors now ordering fake IDs online from China, as explained by DJ Goldfinger. (Daily Evergreen)

The MarQuee Lounge in downtown plans to close its doors. (Inlander)%uFFFD

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This week in brinkmanship: Washington lawmakers finally agree on budget, appear to avoid government shutdown. (Seattle Times)

Idaho introducing new stricter gun permits in hopes other states will honor the concealed carry license. (Idaho Statesman)

ELSEWHERE

This week's DOMA decision opens new pathway to citizenship for gay immigrants. (NY Times)

Newly discovered tomb provides insight into civilization before the Incas. (WaPost)

And enjoy these adorable red pandas (the most communist of pandas), straight from the Birmingham Zoo:

Have a good weekend. %uFFFD

Three days before the end of a second special session, Washington lawmakers have agreed on a $33.6 billion operating budget for the next biennium. For real this time. 

Flanked by Republican and Democratic Senate and House leaders, Gov. Jay Inslee announced at a press conference late this morning that business as usual will go on next week. Dozens of state agencies won't close and thousands of public workers won't lose their jobs.

"Washington will be at work Monday," Inslee told reporters.

Inslee spokesman David Postman said negotiators hope to have a finalized budget for the governor to sign by 5 pm tomorrow.

“You'll see the big fat thing soon," Postman said.

Details on the new budget are sparse. According to a statement from Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, the spending plan sets aside $1 billion for public schools and freezes college tuition. Negotiators also agreed to end an $85 million tax break on landline phone services. 

Lawmakers probably won't go home even after the budget passes, Postman said. The Legislature may still vote on a transportation package and new DUI laws before the special session ends.