New street medicine team sets out to screen Spokane’s homeless for COVID-19
We have all been told to stay home and stay healthy under a state order, but what do you do when you don't have a place to call home?
Author: Taylor Graham
Rogers High School teacher hand-paints football fields to honor class of 2020
"It was tough," said Tom Pettoello, a teacher at Rogers High School. "I think, we like working with kids, obviously, if you're a teacher -- and then when they're all of a sudden taken away, then you start thinking, 'well, what can I do?'"
Spokane Co. Health Officer: No COVID-19 deaths in past week, but we aren’t in the clear yet
SPOKANE, Wash. -- There have been no reported COVID-19 deaths in Spokane County over the past week. As of Monday, there were 313 cases and 59…
Despite stay-home orders, protesters gather at Spokane County Courthouse
Protesters gathered outside the Spokane County Courthouse on Sunday, eager to lift Gov. Inslee’s stay-home order.
‘It’s terrifying’: Local business owners in limbo as emergency loan money runs out
In less than two weeks, the Small Business Administration handed out 14 years worth of loans, effectively tapping out its $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program and leaving thousands of small business owners scrambling to figure out what to do next.
YWCA Spokane awarded federal loan at crucial time
Spokane County has the highest rates of domestic violence in the state and advocates worry things will only get worse the longer we are asked to stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19. That's why they say a federal loan from the Paycheck Protection Program could not have come at a more important time.
‘We’re eking by’: Small businesses surviving one month into battle against COVID-19 in Spokane Co.
It's been exactly one month since COVID-19 hit Spokane County, delivering the first blow to local businesses. They've been getting by, week after week, but they are starting to worry their luck might run out soon.
Mayor, health officer detail what will it take to reopen the local economy
Spokane mayor Nadine Woodward says the reopening of the city's economy will depend on Dr. Lutz's recommendation, which will hinge on three factors.
‘The odds are not great’: Families anxious as COVID-19 cases grow at Spokane Veterans Home
"I think that's the hardest part is that we don't know the end and when we can see him. There might be a chance that we don't get a chance to see him," says Darrin Truitt, whose 94-year-old father Leroy, a WWII vet, lives at the Spokane Veterans Home.
Republic police chief: Mandated closures are ‘unconstitutional’
Despite health officials insisting social distancing measures are working, Republic police chief Loren Culp is calling on Governor Jay Inslee to reverse his order to shut down the state's stay home order, an order he claims is "unconstitutional."
How you can help service industry workers suffering without tips
"This has been a huge upheaval for everyone, but I can't imagine the folks who were hit harder than the folks that work in restaurant and hotels," says Big Table executive director Kevin Finch. "For folks in this industry, because you're living so close to the edge anyway, the day that you don't get to work means you're instantly in crisis."
‘Anyone can get this thing’: 32-year-old Spokane soccer coach recovering from COVID-19
"I'm a pretty healthy person, I'm pretty active, I'm out doing a lot of stuff in the community as much as I can," Morgan Hartanov says. "I think the reality is, anyone can get this thing."
‘Fingers crossed’: Small business owners anxiously waiting for federal loan money
Thanks to two federal loan programs, there are now billions of dollars up for grabs for small business owners across the country, but over the weekend, some had trouble even applying for their shot at the money and those who were able to get through are now crossing their fingers.
‘I really wasn’t prepared for it at all’: Gonzaga students adjust to life off campus
"I don't think I've played this much Rock Band since I was in like seventh grade. I've been watching a ton of Netflix, even though I think I'm the only person in North America who hasn't seen Tiger King yet."
Local veterinary clinics adjust appointments to slow the spread of COVID-19
Local clinics like SouthCare Animal Medical Center and Hunter Veterinary Clinic have both shifted to curbside appointments to care for clients and their pets at a safe distance.
Mayor Nadine Woodward breaks down what’s ahead for Spokane in the fight against COVID-19
Just months after moving into the mayor's office, Nadine Woodward is now facing a crisis no one could have predicted.
Spokane Police prepare for spike in crime as social distancing becomes the norm
With fewer people outside, one might guess crime in Spokane has plummeted. Police say that hasn't been the case.
‘We are seeing our numbers increase’: Health officer says COVID-19 not ending in Spokane anytime soon
Health Officer Bob Lutz said he does not see COVID-19 ending anytime soon in Spokane County.
‘We’re sitting ducks’: Local developers worry stay home order will lead to increase in crime
When two people jumped the fence in front of his complex March 27, realtor Chris Bornhoft says that was the third time he dealt with trespassers that week. It would not be the last.
Finding the Helpers: Spokane high schooler uses 3D printer to create face shields for healthcare workers
North Central High School sophomore Connor Duncan decided to combine his love for math, science, and 3D printing to create protective face shields for healthcare workers like his mom Christina.
‘I’m worried’: Stay home orders spark concern for abuse victim advocates
Americans are being asked to stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of COVID-19 -- but what do you do when staying home means running the risk of getting abused?
Spokane Police used genealogy, exhumed suspected killer’s grave to solve 1985 cold case murder
SPOKANE, Wash - Through DNA evidence, Spokane Police solved the murder of a 12-year-old Spokane girl, killed in 1985.
Washington’s stay home order: Your questions, answered
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a stay home order Monday night, immediately banning any gatherings and forcing non-essential businesses to close up shop by March 25.
‘It’s really hard’: Spokane teachers adjust to life outside the classroom
Local teachers are hoping to avoid what they call a 'summer slide,' so they are focusing on what students have already learned this year through online learning.
Spokane church hosts drive-in worship service to combat spread of COVID-19
"Steve, just hear me out. What if, instead of going through Taco Bell and getting your Crunch Wrap Supreme, what if it was drive-through Jesus?"
Dry Fly Distilling using downtime to make free ‘Spokanitizer’
This week, Dry Fly Distilling got federal approval to create 'Spokanitizer' using its own alcohol.
‘It’s a perfect incubator for COVID-19’: Activists want some inmates released from Spokane Co. Jail
For the last few weeks, doctors and health officials have been stressing the importance of social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But what do you do if that's not really an option?
‘Others are more important than us’: Kroc Center suspends programs to focus on emergency response
The Salvation Army center is suspending its programs for its 14,500 members for at least the next three weeks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus throughout the area. Members there make up about a fifth of the community and rely on the center for childcare, exercise and education.
Here’s how regional medical providers will be moving forward in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak
Doctors are encouraging people across the Inland Northwest to stay home as much as possible, even if they think they are coming down with something—but that's not to say they won't be able to help you.
‘It’s hard to swallow’: Regal Elementary teachers prepare for six weeks out of the classroom
It will be at least a month and a half before students and teachers can get back to class and the adjustment has proven difficult both emotionally and logistically for staff at Regal Elementary.
Inslee: Coronavirus cases could grow to 64,000 by May if action isn’t taken
Governor Jay Inslee said up to 64,000 people could be infected with COVID-19 in Washington state in the next few weeks if actions are not taken to prevent its spread.
‘This state law has done a lot of damage’: Sheriff slams new guidelines for officer-involved shooting investigations
A shooting Sunday in Spokane Valley put a man in the hospital and four sheriff's deputies on leave, but investigators still have not explained what exactly happened in the moments before. Spokane County sheriff Ozzie Knezovich blames that on a voter-approved initiative which has changed the way these investigations are handled.
‘The adventure’s just starting’: Spokane couple isolated aboard cruise ship will dock Monday
Cruise ship passengers aboard the Grand Princess have been under isolation for four days, including one couple from Spokane—but come Monday, they will finally see the outside of their rooms when the ship docks in California.
‘People care’: Laclede woman creates cake auction to raise money for families affected by suicide
As someone who's come close to losing a loved one to suicide, Devin Fleck knows there's so little others can do or say to ease that pain, but for the last six years, she's set out to comfort those families with a cake auction to raise money for funeral and counseling costs.
Washington’s blood supply is low as a result of the coronavirus outbreak
The Washington State Department of Health is urging people to donate blood if they are healthy.
Kootenai Health sets up triage tent for coronavirus testing outside hospital
Doctors at Kootenai Health say their triage tent would allow them to test people for COVID-19 without the risk of them infecting other patients and doctors inside the hospital.
‘I’m glad I did what I did’: Car salesman helps stop suspected killer on carjacking spree
When a local car salesman helped chase down a carjacker in North Spokane Thursday, he had no idea he was stopping a suspected killer who would be eventually be charged for decapitating a woman inside a room at the Rodeway Inn.
Local health districts ‘planning for the worst’ but confident in coronavirus outbreak plans
Program managers at the Panhandle and Spokane Regional Health Districts told 4 News Now they already have infectious disease plans in place to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Washington Secretary of State boycotting presidential primary because of privacy concerns
This year in Washington, your vote in the presidential primary will matter more than ever before -- but there's a catch.
‘There’s probably no better area’: Downtown business owners react to relocation of police precinct
City leaders announced the Spokane Police Department will be moving its downtown precinct from the Intermodal Center to an old bank across from the STA Plaza, and local business owners say they couldn't have picked a better spot.
Spokane chefs hoping for Restaurant Week boost as they battle rising wages
Inlander Restaurant Week is best known for giving local restaurants a boost over a ten-day stretch every winter, but local restaurant owners say it has the power to impact business well past the end of February. They're hoping that's the case again this year as they try to combat their biggest minimum wage increase yet.
Eastern Washington nurses anxious as legislature considers funding for sexual assault exam training
As it stands now in Washington, the full sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training course is only offered at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. If nurses from Eastern Washington want that state-level training, they have to pay their own way there while taking time off of work.
Woman charged with raping child on camera says ex-boyfriend blackmailed her
A Chattaroy woman who admitted to raping a 2-year-old boy on camera told detectives her ex-boyfriend blackmailed her into recording the assault.
Doctors encourage vaccinations as flu season surges
The novel coronavirus has dominated headlines over the last month, but doctors say it doesn't even come close to the threat of the flu, which is seeing a surge in cases right now.
Spokane couple sees Singapore cruise canceled due to coronavirus concerns
Like countless others across the world, Beverly and Lee Smick were tracking the headlines about hundreds of Americans quarantined aboard a Diamond Princess cruise ship plagued by the coronavirus – only the Smicks were in Singapore, ready to head out on a cruise of their own.
‘I could’ve dug deeper’: Friends regret not reporting missing Spokane mom sooner
By the time police first learned of Courtney Holden's disappearance in October, she had already been missing for a year and a half. Now, police are fearing the worst for Holden and her friends are asking themselves why they didn't step in sooner.
Councilwoman drafts law to quiet protests at facilities like Planned Parenthood
A local city councilwoman has drafted a law that looks to drown out the noise that comes with protests outside facilities like Planned Parenthood.
Missing woman’s family arrested in Texas in connection to her disappearance
It has been over a year and a half since Courtney Holden's friends have seen her, but Spokane Police just learned of her disappearance a few months ago -- now, they're fearing the worst for the young mom after they arrested her adoptive mother and brother, who recently ran away to Texas.
Ronald McDonald House in need of donations ahead of opening new location
Families with children in the hospital will soon have a brand new place to call home.
Crews work to reverse windstorm damage at Lucky Pines Estates
Starting around 6:30 a.m., you couldn't go a few minutes without hearing the roar of chainsaws followed by the sound of branches falling to the ground at the Lucky Pine Estates.
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