October 22-23, 2013

Most of Wash.'s newly insured sign up for Medicaid
KHQ Right Now
s newly insured sign up for Medicaid -

About 35,000 Washington residents have signed up for insurance through the state's new health care exchange since it opened on Oct. 1.

Heavy Police Presence In North Central Spokane
KHQ Right Now
Spokane Police have the area around Stevens and Montgomery just north of North Central High School blocked off while they search for the suspect of a ... 

Bob Shannon

Colville Police Officer Rex Newport plead not guilty to sexual misconduct, wrongful imprisonment, and a slew of other charges in Stevens County Superior Court Monday afternoon. Newport has been charged with seven criminal counts, including four felonies, stemming from a string of alleged on-duty sexual encounters with women dating back to 2011.
Judge Pat Monasmith is presiding over the case with Colville attorney Liam Golden serving as Newport’s defense and Melanie Tratnik of the Washington State Attorney General’s office leading prosecution.
http://www.statesmanexaminer.com/content/newport-pleads-not-guilty

Ron Rattray

Americans have been hearing a lot about legalizing marijuana in the past year, from decriminalization of possession, new medical marijuana systems starting here and in Canada and, of course, the creation of a legal markets here, Colorado and Uruguay … and now – for the first time in history – a strong majority of Americans are all for it.

Gallup Poll just released it latest study: “… for the first time, a clear majority of Americans (58%) say the drug should be legalized. This is in sharp contrast to the time Gallup first asked the question in 1969, when only 12% favored legalization.”

It’s the first time that Americans have have approved of legalization in a clear majority, including a 10 percent jump since last November when the country was more or less split on the topic.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2013/10/22/gallup-poll-strong-majority-of-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana/

Above by Rick Price

This is the time of year photographers love. They trek and hike and bike and even ride in their electric wheelchair...like me. I had hoped this time would come when my sister in law was here with a car however bad timing mostly on my part to accommodate the women folk in order for them to get together and chat. I must honestly say....if I had my pic of Oregon and Spokane, I would chose Spokane as a home base because one is more familiar with it. Then for nice well deserved vacations, go to the places of your choice and you'll find you enjoy them a lot more...there are psych words to describe this. I just used to say, "Never move to the place you vacation at". I learned that lesson well going back and forth from Mendocino to Lake Tahoe. I discovered a place half way in Woodland so Tahoe was just under two hours away. We ended up hardly going because it didn't feel the same...so never move to the place you vacation...just an old hippie giving you some good advise..God Bless and enjoy the rest of your week because changes are coming..white changes. That's when you really need your SADDS lights so ya don't get cabin fever but I digress...

Picture by my Main Man in NE Washington, Foster Fanning...they don't come better..

Below freezing overnight temperatures with warm days keep the surface of Curlew Lake in a state of flux with warm moist air rising as morning fog until the autumn sun clears it for another sunny day. Blue silhouettes of the Kettle River Range in the background...-Foster

And below we have our regular correspondent and neighbor Kathy Meader. Kathy is back from New Zealand but I think she left a big chunk of her heart there. She just may have to go back and find it. I would never be surprised to see her on another 12 hour flight perhaps next year. By the way, if you're around Kathy much...this is her real business pose. For those who ask, she uses Canon camera. Note plural. And she is worth every penny. Since I don't pay her, I suspect she and I will have to open a gallery. Its next on the list.

And on the way to another locale she checks her pictures and her settings...she is the consummate pro. She claims I taught her! HA! She is just naturally talented in so many ways...Great job in NZ Kathy.

by James Parker

As to James, he travels the world from top to bottom. Interesting that we all know each other so well. We all met years ago and have not lost contact. This way when one knows another is coming they can help in their locale and maybe go out and shoot some pics together. We have an elite 100 photographers and no place else will you see us together yourself. We are like goth educators perhaps or magicians with camera or as in my case....I am the sack clothe...I tell the truth of God wherever one will listen...it is our passion isn't it crew?????