Finding meaning in Fourth festivities

From parades big and small in North Idaho, to fireworks in Cheney, to vanquishing old King George III at Finch Arboretum in Spokane, Inland Northwest residents found many different ways to celebrate the nation's independence Friday.

Activists march in Spokane without incident

The activists who made headlines last year in a clash with police at the Fourth of July celebration in Spokane’s Riverfront Park marched peacefully through the streets and into the park Friday evening. They clutched signs and chanted, “Who’s streets? Our streets” and “No judgment, no peace, no violent police.” Police said there were no violations during the demonstration.

Spokane heart study on ice

OLYMPIA – For more than a decade, hundreds of Spokane-area residents took part in the “Spokane Heart Study,” an effort to track risk factors for heart disease. But the study, which drew federal and international attention, was quietly suspended two years ago. An investigation just made public helps explain why.

Spokane Valley city councilman's home burns

An early-morning fire caused extensive damage to the home of Spokane Valley City Councilman Dick Denenny. Witnesses said firefighters arrived quickly, but that flames quickly towered above the garage.

Grocery bags getting lighter?

The next time you buy a three-quart jug of orange juice, check the label. You might be a few ounces shy. Not only are grocery prices rising, some ice creams, soaps, margarine and other products have been slimmed down, as food manufacturers look for alternatives to raising prices.

Are you smarter than an American history major?

So you think you're a good patriot. You wear a flag pin on your pajamas, know that the last two words to "The Star Spangled Banner" are not "Play ball," and bleed red, white and blue. On July Fourth, we all feel that way. So try your hand at this interactive American history quiz. Click "How did I do?" to check your answers.
Things to do this weekend:
July 4: Browse events
See: Spokane's patriotic sculpture walk
Hear: Underoath, Cyrus Fell Down, others
Other goings-on: Search the 7 calendar

A sunny weekend will follow fireworks

A cloudy Independence Day will give way to sun for the rest of the weekend, the National Weather Service says. The forecast calls for mostly sunny weather in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene on Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the low 80s.
Related: AAA: Average gas price $4.35 in Wash., $4.13 in Idaho
Check Spokane area: traffic cameras
Highway information: Idaho | Washington | Montana | Oregon
Weather: Washington | Idaho

Colville Tribes building third casino

The business arm of the Colville Confederated Tribes will break ground Monday on a 58,000-square-foot casino on reservation land near Omak, Wash. The $24 million project, expected to be completed by next summer, will be the largest of the tribes’ three casinos
Map: Casino site (JPG)

Former Sen. Jesse Helms dies

Former Sen. Jesse Helms, who built a career along the fault lines of racial politics and battled liberals, Communists and the occasional fellow Republican during 30 conservative years in Congress, died on the Fourth of July. He was 86.

Court ruling makes way for Idaho Panhandle thinning

A thinning project to improve the vigor of old-growth trees on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest can continue after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed an earlier court decision halting the work.
Court documents: Opinion | Summary

The evolution of KSPS

Look at the budget for Spokane Public Schools and you’ll see a line item for Spokane Public Television. Because the same school district that’s trying to get kids past the WASL also brings Big Bird and "The Antiques Roadshow" to Spokane homes.
Chart: KSPS donations (JPG)

In the end, he finally got his shoplifter

Since his arrest last month for third-degree assault on an officer, Scott E. Hughes had been on a mission to find the shoplifting suspect he mistook for an assault victim. Now, in a twist Spokane Valley police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan called "somewhat ironic," they have him to credit for her capture.
Previous story: When good intentions go bad

Verner plans ordinance to prevent repeat of RPS

Mayor Mary Verner said a proposed ordinance aimed at preventing financial ordeals similar to the River Park Square deal should put an end to official city discussion of the controversial real estate project.
Document:
Letter from James Craven to Bob Apple and Steve Corker (PDF; 1 MB)
Documents: Packet sent to mayor by Spokane's former RPS attorney (PDF; 8 MB)
Previous coverage: RPS development

Judge asked to order city to participate in settlement

A federal judge is being asked to order the City of Spokane to participate in a court-supervised settlement of a civil rights lawsuit brought by a teenage girl who claims she was raped and photographed by an on-duty firefighter in a North Side firehouse.
Related stories:
Depositions to begin in firehouse sex case (10/01/07)
Teen files lawsuit in firehouse sex case (12/16/06)
Previous coverage

 Sanders Beach docks denied

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Huckleberries' Best of the INorthwest: July 3
Inland NW news and commentary, updated each weekday.

Graduation stories

The Voices writers canvassed the region from the West Plains to Spirit Lake as high school seniors prepared to receive their diplomas last week. Read the stories of accomplishment and perseverance here.

Kazooists' 'chase' re-enacts history

Tom Westbrook handed out about 30 pieces of cardboard, each containing a few lines from the Declaration of Independence. The crowd was ready for the main event – a communal reading of the 232-year-old statement – at the 45th annual Freedom at the Arboretum at Finch Arboretum in Spokane on Friday.

» Money issues dogged heart study

» Region's extra power strains grid

» Battle of the gluttons

» Fire damages Valley councilman's home

» Demonstrators stage peaceful march to park

Taiwan flights start with a splash

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Hundreds of mainland Chinese tourists – some in matching white or pink shirts – arrived in Taiwan on Friday on the first regular commercial flights in nearly six decades between the old foes.

» Montana deal paves way for developer

» Pro-family group targets McDonald's

Record-timer, old-timer

OMAHA, Neb. – Hours before Michael Phelps leapt into the pool Friday to put a hammerlock on his fourth individual Olympic berth, Mark Spitz stopped by to dissect the two-time Olympian's chances of breaking the hallowed record he set in Munich 36 years ago.

» Fleet Felix coasts

» Federer sears Safin

Weigh your options

NEW YORK – After a bloody first six months of the year, some investors who had been holding out for a resurgent second half are now wondering what to hope for.

» Pulling a part

» Slump looking like another 'secular' bear

Here's your do-si-do dictionary

The year 2012 will be here before we know it.That's when the big National Square Dance Association convention comes to Spokane.

» ENGAGING NEW TRADITIONS

» Churches not feeling the wedded bliss

NO HEADLINE

PORTLAND — Success breeds separation.That's the thing no one tells you, the thing sometimes you don't realize, the thing that might make a child turn from his own potential. Success is like a pyramid, broad at the bottom, but narrow at the summit; the higher you go, the fewer people go with you.

» NO HEADLINE

» NO HEADLINE

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