Ok, let me just start out by saying how disappointed I am that Bobby actually died. I was so hoping he'd somehow pull through.
That being said, he did go out the right way, with a fitting farewell. Too bad the follow up to that farewell had to be so weak.
Nice premise, with the kid and her dad getting out of hunting and I actually liked the creatures...some classic Supernatural gore there.
Unfortunately, the good elements stop before we get to the Winchesters. I just do not understand what Sera Gamble and her crew are doing this season. It's like they've forgotten how to write either brother and really can't figure out how to write them together. Their scenes together are so weak and so lame, it's frustrating the crap out of me.
I figured both brothers would lose it if Bobby died but really? That's all they could manage...have Dean growl and Sam look moonie eyed? I'm sorry, but my 10 year old niece could write better than that!
And what the hell was that whole final conversation? Those used to be the powerhouse moments that kicked you in the gut in the last five minutes. This REALLY felt flat! So they're going to continue working...ok, I guess that's what Bobby would tell them to do, but it seemed kind of anti-climactic. And what was with the final shot of Dean with the weird look on his face?
I'm REALLY, REALLY getting sick of this! It's not bad enough they had to kill off Bobby, they have to continue deconstructing the guys too? I WANT MY BOYS BACK, DAMMIIT!
Oh and as for Frank...I thought it was supposed to be Sam and Dean, Butch and Sundance, with no-one else to count on. So now he's going to be the go to guy? Man, I hope not. He's funny but he's not that good.
I don't know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. Wasn't a totally bad episode, but it really disappointed me in some key ways...sigh.
Bobby is dead... I refused to believe it but apparently he is. Puzzlement number one. A character that has been on the show for SIX seasons and that is how you say goodbye to him? Dean and Sam sitting in a cabin while we see 'Week One'... "Week Two".....
Puzzlement number two... Sera was all about the brothers this season. So far the brothers have been anything but. They are apart more than they are together and when they are together they sure as hell don't act like brothers.
Puzzlement number three... WTF is up with Dean's voice and these 'terminator' looks? I mean seriously, is that supposed to look and sound cool? And before all you Dean girls start screaming I will say the same about Sam. Well not the voice but the stupid, wimpy, whoa is me looks. And don't even get me started on the Elvis wanna be side burns.
Puzzlement number four... So are we to now accept Frank as the Bobby Singer replacement? I hope to hell not because he is NOT Bobby Singer.
Puzzlement number five... I still haven't decided if I liked it or not. It had some good scenes.. but at the same time it had some really annoying scenes. And to be totally honest, I am confused as hell at that ending. I have NO clue what Sera was trying to do or what the message was.
All in all I'd give it a 7 out of 10. I enjoyed it but if this was Jim Beaver's goodbye to Supernatural, they did not do it justice.
Oh and joy of joys, we get to see them APART next week, yet again. Memo to Sera, they are BROTHERS. The success of the show is that they are BROTHERS, working together, CARING about each other! Sigh.....
Agree with most of what you guys have said - especially on the way Dean and Sam have been written; Two fantastic characters are being absolutely destroyed, and I'd go so far as to say that I get the vibe from the actors that they're not overly happy about it all, either - purely my own gut feeling, and please don't hate me! But for me, some of the performances have been a little "off" this season - the guys know who Dean and Sam are, but the writers sure don't seem to at times.
I'm 100% convinced now of where this will end, but I feel it could've been done so much better - I don't like this season at all so far and I don't even know what can be done now to make me feel better about it - I actually feel quite sad about the mess that's being made of it all
Sera and the writers need to go back and watch Season 1 - 3 again. They have completely forgotten who Sam and Dean are. Watching it now they could easily be two strangers who got have to work together.
That's true...and very frustrating. It was the bond between the brothers, that whole concept of family being stronger than anything else, that MADE this show and it's totally being lost! I really hope there is going to be another season because it would be a terrible shame for this to be the way the show goes out...it deserves better. As much as I love the guys, I almost wish it had ended after Season 5 rather than see it be relegated to this.
And Ruth, I totally agree on Jensen and Jared, they seem to be fighting with the material, like they know what they should be doing as Dean and Sam but have to work with the material they're being given and they're frustrated. It's a real shame.
I'm a total idiot and refuse to believe Bobby is dead on the grounds of there was no salt and burn, it's not official until there is a salt and burn.
I'm going to be on my own island here and say I really enjoyed it. I loved that little girl, I swear I was looking at Dean's long lost daughter, she was a lot like him and the actress and Jensen played well off each other. I started laughing when those girls got Sam I was like hunny you have no luck with woman just stay away from them. I felt the last scene was amazing, Dean was basically doing what Frank told him, smile through the pain and I felt the brother love, Dean's face when Krissy told him Sam had not come back was classic Dean Winchester my brother is missing and in danger face and how Dean was like I'm not leaving my brother alone, the love was there.
Anyway I have two ideas, a friend of mine came up with one, she thinks Bobby drank the beer and he's around as a ghost and I think Ellen drank the beer because Ellen all ready gave Dean a butt kicking from the beyond and she seems more to me to be bugged by his drinking them Bobby would and would seem more likely to interven.
Don't mind me I tend to like everything however I do have a beef with last night, I miss the Impala, I hope she comes back soon and when she comes back she gets an epic re entrance.
Bec, I agree with your puzzlements! Like, Sam and Dean don't seem to know how to be hunters any more. I really didn't understand Dean putting down the weapon, when it's not likely that they're gonna let you live. Then he just seemed to stand there frozen.
Gaussian, thank you! I was chatting with CL on MSN and I asked the same thing. Dean acted like he just froze and didn't know what to to. Did he really think they were going to let the girl go? And Sam, no way Sam of season 2, 3, etc, would have even let himself get caught. Of course back then he had a brother he could rely on(damn you Sera!).
I think of all of season 7, this was up to now the most "lame" episode. Sorry to say so. Bobby is dead, which didn't really surprise me. Everybody dies no Supernatural. Let's wait and see if he comes back. When Dean wanted to drink his beer, it was suddenly empty and you could hear some sound before that. I think there might be some spirit around. Maybe it is Daddy Winchester, or Bobby, or even Castiel. But maybe somebody or something I can't think of at the moment. I think that was one of the most important scenes in that episode. I hope they are going to make a whole new storyarc out of that mystery, with loads of clues coming up without anybody finding out who or what it really is for quite a while. That would add some suspense.
The "smiling-exercise" Dean did in the end made me sad. After all, he was following the advice of somebody who is really nuts. This is not what is going to help him, imo. It will rather drive him insane.
I had the same thought about the invisible "beer thief" being Ellen rather than Bobby. She did say she'd come back and kick his butt if he didn't get his act together. At this point, he could use that kind of smack upside the head. Bobby did the best he could while he was still around (if he's really gone - I'm with you guys, I want proof first!) but apparently that wasn't enough either because Dean is still not acting like himself.
I've had a chance to think back on a few of the details of the episode and I think I can change my opinion on one thing...I do see where they were coming from with that last shot of Dean practicing the smile. I think the impact kind of got lost because of the non conversation with Sam but I suppose at its heart it was a touching moment and as always Jensen rocked it.
As for the hunting aspect of things...I suppose they were trying to show that both guys were off their game because they were mourning Bobby. It's the only explanation I can think of for Sam getting so easily suckered in by the two vetalas and for Dean hesitating. Well, I think part of that was because it was a child...you know Dean and kids, he always hesitates when it comes to the kids (remember Amy's son?).
At any rate, I'm still really frustrated because I feel like we haven't seen the "real" Sam and Dean since the end of Season 5 and it's **** me off...sigh!
I have to say I mostly enjoyed the episode. However, while I am sad that Bobby is really dead, I did most of my grieving for his character over the helliatus. I would have liked to have seen Bobby's funeral pyre though.
Am I to believe that it was the ghost of Bobby who drank Dean's beer? I would hope they gave him a proper hunter's burial and we won't see him coming back as a ghost.
I enjoyed Franks' speech to Dean. I've also been a fake until you make it type of person. However, I felt Dean's smile at the end was kind of creepy, what with the way the lights from the passing car were hitting his face.
We got to hear about Dean's grief through his interactions with Sam, Frank, and the girl. It was nice to hear Sam say he wasn't doing well, but I would have liked to have felt/seen more of his grief in regards to Bobby. However, in the past whenever Sam was grieving he tended to want to work: Jess, John, Dean in Mystery Spot, Dean after he went to Hell, Madison, so forth.
I thought Dean's behavior was off in the end of the episode. He just stood there with a weird look on his face while the girl and Sam killed the baddies. Would have liked to have seen Dean save Sam.
I was glad they finally were able to really save someone and possibly even improve there lives in the long run. I feel like it's been forever since we actually saw them save some people worth saving.
I want to rewatch it. I find sometimes when it's an episode I'm not real fond of I tend to like it better the second time around.
Ok on second review... I watched it again tonight with CL (via msn messenger). It was much better the second time around. Still not great but much better. I still don't like the ending though. Dean trying to smile while crying just didn't work for me. And Sam, they are talking and he just curls up and goes to sleep?
I will admit I liked Frank a lot more the second time around. My dislike of him was more grieving for Bobby than anything.
I also think the Dean 'arch' is coming to an end. Between Frank and the little girl I think he may see revenge isn't the way to go. But hell, didn't his Dad and Sam show him that in Season one??? Anyhoo... a second viewing made it much more enjoyable.
Have to agree, I was much happier after a second viewing. I still felt it was weak in some areas but I also saw room for growth and improvement so I have hope.
I still don't like the beginning with the "Week One", "Week Two" stuff. I understand what they were doing, I just think it was a cop out on the writers part to handle it that way.
I did like Frank better too. He definitely has his funny moments, I had just hoped they weren't going to have another "go to" guy and would FINALLY have to rely on each other again. I'm still hoping that. But Frank is good for occasional comic relief.
And unlike some, I didn't have an issue with Krissy saying goodbye to Dean and not Sam at the end. She did spend a lot more time with Dean and they had the heart to heart in the car, so it's only natural. And like bec, I'm hoping that between her and Frank, Dean will have FINALLY realized that getting so caught up in revenge is not the way to go. Like I said, the guys need to start relying on each other...that's what it's SUPPOSED to be all about.
As for the ending...I still felt that was a bit weak too. No, I wasn't expecting a knock down, drag out chick flick moment but it would've been nice to see the guys have an actual, substantial conversation for once instead of the patented "I'm fine", "It's ok" b.s.
I did appreciate the final shot of Dean practicing his smile more this time and kudos to Jensen for pulling that off so well, but it still felt like the ending as a whole was kind of weak. But I did come away from the episode feeling much better about things in general.
Aug. 17-19. Featuring over 1,500 candy-colored and chromed hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and trucks through 1987. Also featuring live music, food booths, exhibits, swap meet and cars for sale. Hours are Friday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. To purchase tickets, register a show car, please visit www.good-guys.com.
Over the past year & a half Tonya & I have tried a number of things to promote family biking in this city. One of those things is to go to big events like Car Free Day. Last year Oli & I just showed up, parked our Yuba & gave out flyers for our Mount Pleasant Family Biking Festival. This year, we were official participants in the Commercial Drive Family Zone of Car Free Day. They generously gave us a huge triple space (thanks Amelia & Laura!!) so we were able to set up a little runner bike area, a colouring table, a mini cargo bike show & shine (aka rock star parking for our rides to the event) plus our info table & chairs with a big sun shelter.
We biked all our gear there on three cargo bikes, of course: two folding tables, a 10'x10' sun shelter, five chairs, crayons, markers, colouring sheets, banners, toy stop signs, mini traffic cones, eight plastic bollards, bunting, two runner bikes, lunch, several bottles of water & two kids. Since we arrived by bike, we were able to set up at the last minute & didn't need to worry about the restrictions on driving vehicles into the closed streets.
We had a great day & talked to a lot of people about family biking, our workshops, the Vancouver Family Biking rides & Facebook group, plus the prize we were giving away: a $25 gift certificate to the Sidesaddle Bikes saddle library. Thanks Sidesaddle for donating the prize!
The kids had fun during the day. Since we were in the family zone right by the park, Linny & B got to spend a good amount of time on the playground, plus a good romp in the empty Tumblebus at the end of the day. Bronte disappeared (briefly) multiple times. She went to the photo booth next door to us a few times (there was a monkey mascot outside, so of course), begged free lemonade from the kids selling it down the street two or three times, & went to visit with various dogs that she saw. Slightly nerve wracking, but she & Linnaeus were both wearing their Mabel's Labels name tags with my phone number on them, so that gave me a little peace of mind.
The food was yummy too--I had some jerk chicken roti, pizza, & a pork sandwich. I didn't actually see much of the festival--only what we rode past on our way in & out. It was kind of nice just hanging out in one spot, though.
During the seven hours we were there, 55 bike colouring pages were coloured, around 100 Spokesmama business cards disappeared, people took about the same number of Vancouver Family Biking cards, & I saw a few people photographing the URL on our banners too. I think it was definitely worth going to & would love to participate in Car Free Day again next year. Plus, a bike ride carrying lots of stuff, then seven hours of chatting family biking with different people, then another bike ride? What's not to love?!?
Playing with some lake foam, which our resident biology teacher told us is due to naturally ocurring phosphates
Hello! How was your summer? Clearly, from the dearth of posting around hereabouts, mine was a bit busy. Hoping to get back into the swing of things once both kids settle into their school routines (OMG, I might actually have a few hours a week where both children are at school & I'm not working & I have time to do stuff. Like write. OMG)
The last week of August we decided to squeeze the last of the good out of summer & tried out something new with Modo: a camping trip with two families in one vehicle. Yep, that's four adults & four kids who all require carseats/boosters.
We'd reserved a couple of nights at North Beach campground in Golden Ears Provincial Park--it wasn't too busy Sunday/Monday night. We booked a Modo eight passenger minivan & crossed our fingers that we'd fit ourselves & all our camping gear inside.
Okay, crossing our fingers was a bit of an exaggeration... Last summer we bike camped with the same friends--Four Kids, For Adults, Four Bikes, Four Days--so we all had experience packing fairly light for eight people. We use relatively compact & light gear--thin foam mats, thermarests, fairly light tents & sleeping bags, small backpacking stoves--so I wasn't seriously worried about fitting in the essentials, but we also threw in a few extras, like two hammocks & folding camping chairs, a cooler full of beer & a lot of tarps.
Sunday the weather was a bit iffy & it actually did rain quite a bit shortly after we arrived, but we'd just set up a large tarp over the picnic table. Setup had been pretty quick--two MEC Camper 4 tents, unrolling the sleeping mats & bags inside, unfolding a few chairs & stringing up a tarp between the many trees. Et, voila! Base camp for two nights.
Golden Ears Provincial Park, if you didn't know, has three different campgrounds--pretty standard provincial park setups, though ours only had one water source, which was a hand pump that spewed out urine coloured water. Since nobody mentioned the water being a problem to drink, we didn't worry. However, when we discovered a tap with cleaner looking H2O on our hike the next day, we refilled the water jug there.
Day two we went on a great hike--only about 7 km round trip, but that took us about five hours including lunch at the viewpoint as well as many many stops for each of the small children to pee, etc.
Potty breaks were basically the theme of the hike, with children calling for them at least a dozen times altogether. I wish I was kidding or exaggerating on this. But hey, considering they're 6, 4.5, almost 3, & 2, they did very well.
I brought my Nordic poles & my hip held out quite well on the hike--I ended up with more pain in my foot, unfortunately. It was great to get out into the woods with the kids--Linnaeus hiked the whole thing without complaint & Bronte did about half of it, the rest of the time riding in the Beco carrier on Oliver.
On the last day, after we packed up, we headed to a different beach on Alouette Lake, accidentally ending up too far south & going to the one near the dam. The weather was breezy & not too warm, plus it was a Tuesday, so the beach was not busy at all. We ate our lunch at one of the many picnic tables there & I went for a short swim in the lake. I can't even remember the last time I actually swam in a lake.
Though it's a bit squishy to fit four adults & four children (all requiring car seats or boosters) in a minivan, the drive was only an hour each way. I'd definitely do it again--it's fun to all be together in one vehicle & it saves some money--two separate Modo bookings would cost more than the premium vehicle cost.
The final highlight of the trip was taking the van through the Shine automatic car wash on our way home. I shot a little video of the experience--a first for all the kids & a long time since the adults had been through one. Maybe car washes aren't a big deal to you, but for car free kids they're apparently AMAZING. (PS--Modo members: did you know if you get the Modo vehicle washed, you can get reimbursed plus earn a free hour of driving time?)
Display your Gonzaga fandom loud and proud with our Zags jersey generator, just in time for the Bulldogs' run in the NCAA tourney. Choose an image, choose a number and grab a shareable image for all your social media feeds.
Huckleberries has confirmed that long-time KXLY fixture Rick Lukens and his wife, Teresa, are moving from the Spokane office to KVNI Thursday morning to replace Norm McBride and Chris Wagar. In a cost-cutting move, KXLY unexpectedly laid off McBride and Wagar Tuesday. McBride and Wagar...
"Pursuant to Rule 56, I.R.Civ.P., Defendant Incumbent Candidate Mike Kennedy moves for summary judgment of dismissal with prejudice of the entire Amended Complaint of Plaintiff Jim Brannon. This motion is supported by two affidavits from Kootenai County Election Manager Deedie Beard, an Affidavit of County...
The University of Idaho spent six months investigating the controversial coordinator of its Caldwell veterinary center, and managed to duck the big question. Here's the question the UI missed: Marie Bulgin told a federal court and a legislative committee that there was no evidence wild...
Item: Judge allows oath ceremony: Restraining order was sought to prevent installation of incumbents/Tom Hasslinger, Coeur d'Alene PressHuckleberries Online play-by-play report of court hearingMore Info: Simpson said that because there would not be direct irrevocable harm to Brannon should the official oath still take place,...
A truck darts southbound through a just-turned-red light on Browne at Sprague Avenue, Spokane, Tuesday. It's one of three intersections monitored by red light cameras in Spokane. The camera system monitors the intersection for red light runners and automatically issues tickets to the owners of...
Huckleberries hears (from a KVNI-listening Berry Picker) ... that the local station is announcing regularly this morning that Rick and Teresa Lukens from the downtown office are heading out to Coeur d'Alene to do the morning show. Dunno what that means for Chris Wagar and...
At OpenCDA.com, Mary Souza couldn't believe that mock scenario that Joker conjured Tuesday about the then-pending courtroom showdown over Jim Brannon's ill-fated request for a temporary restraining order. After saying she avoids HBO "with a vengeance," Mary wonders about Joker: "What normal, functional adult person...
OrangeTV: Madame Souza never lets me down, I love her so. Her knack for outrage is impeccable and her negativity is relentlessly entertaining. She will always remind me of Mink Stole as Connie Marble in John Waters' classic 1972 cult classic film “Pink Flamingos”, flying...
Obviously, I'm back from my panel presentation for Leadership River City media day, with colleague Alison Boggs, Brian Walker of the Press, and reps from KREM2 and KXLY. I hope a good time was had by all. I shot the breeze for a coupla minutes...
Challenger Jim Brannon appears in Judge Benjamin Simpson's courtroom prior to hearing on his temporary restraining order request.Update (@ 5:19 p.m.): Judge Benjamin Simpson has rejected challenger Jim Brannon's requet for a temporary restraining order to prevent Mayor Sandi Bloem and council members from being...
A student youth leader from a popular North Idaho church was arrested last week and charged with several counts of sexual abuse of young girls. Post Falls Police say Jordan Vernon, 20, was a student leader at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls. In 2008...
Claire Taylor, 2, shows her mom, Sharon Taylor a paper bird she made recently at Avista Kids Night Out in the Spokane Convention Center. (Colin Mulvaney/SR)Man in coma after choking incident/Coeur d'Alene PressLegislators ready to address illegal immigration this year/Coeur d'Alene PressJudges: Washington felony inmates...
5:40 p.m. Flames are showing from the roof of a home @ April Elaine Lane & 17th/CdA.5:17 p.m. Seltice Way resident reports neighbor kids are flashing laser lights at his home.4:58 p.m. Resident on Lundy/Post Falls is concerned re: someone shooting at night across the...
Clearly, the folks at the Idaho Supreme Court have gotten the message — and they have an unpopular idea that lawmakers should consider seriously. They want to collect an additional $15 fee from lawbreakers, to help a cash-strapped court system offset budget cuts. If you...
Here's what could happen in court today.Starr Kelso: This is America. Jim Brannon is the winner of this election.Unfortunately, he's a victim of Chicago-style politics.Judge Simpson: It appears your client lost the election. If I am not mistaken by five votes.Mike Gridley: That is correct...
"Vicki Isakson displayed postcard perfect style on the slopes of Schweitzer Mountain on the last day of 2009," posts Councilwoman KerriT/More Main Street. "On New Years weekend she took a tumble into the deep powder at Lookout Pass. Not much snow in town but the...
Sisyphus: Hahahahahahahaha. Nothing like pissing off a judge right out of the gate. The TRO has to be bonded to cover the costs in the event the reasons underlying the TRO are later found to be groundless. There is zero reason this couldn't have been...
“These results show that these teams’ planning, execution and just plain guts warrant the attention and adulation that they are receiving. All Idahoans have their hats off today because of these achievements, and all Americans should understand that Idahoans have the commitment to become champions—an...
Huckleberries hears ... that challenger Jim Brannon has filed a temporary restraining order to prevent Councilman Mike Kennedy and three other incumbents from being sworn in tonight. And that the city attorney's office is preparing a response to the request. Stay tuned.Starr Kelso, Brannon's attorney,...
A member of the Spokane City-County Explosive Disposal Unit checks on the robot used to remove bomb materials from an apartment near the corner of Alki and McDonald in Spokane Valley Monday. The robot placed the material into the disposal unit. Meghann Cuniff's SR story...
In this image released by Vanity Fair, golfer Tiger Woods is shown on the cover of the February 2010 issue of "Vanity Fair" magazine which goes on sale nationwide on Jan 12. (AP Photo/courtesy of Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair)Question: Are you still interested in...
12:59 p.m. A 35YO female hit her head and her hip in a fall @ Harmony House/Hayden.12:52 p.m. Mother @ 22nd & Cecil/Post Falls reports that an adult male is contacted her juvenile daughter via MySpace.12:51 p.m. F&G called to put down a deer injured...
New York Mets' Jason Bay stands for a photo after being introduced as the newest Mets baseball player during a news conference on today at Citi Field in New York. More here. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)Question: Did you ever see Jason Bay play in Coeur d'Alene...
Bears: Showing lot of heart with two straight OT wins. Must win to have shot at division or wild card, but they’ll take care of their end.
Fantasy outlook: Bears tight end Greg Olsen becoming more of a force with 2 TD catches in past 3 weeks, team-high 4 for season. Titans’ Andre Johnson second in NFL with 105 catches, has 6 TD receptions.
Injuries: Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer (ankle) and safety Mike Brown (knee) and Texans safety Nick Ferguson (knee) are questionable.
Rams: Major rebuilding looms after nine straight losses; longtime team president Jay Zygmunt departs. Hard to see them challenging.
Falcons: Does one-season turnaround story have another chapter? With win and Carolina loss, Falcons would be No. 2 seed. No worse than top wild card.
Fantasy outlook: Rams’ Steven Jackson, coming off 108-yard game, has 4 rushing TDs; Falcons’ Michael Turner second in NFL with 16 rushing TDs, 10 in past 7 games.
Injuries: Falcons defensive tackle Jamaal Anderson (ankle) and Rams guard Jacob Bell (hamstring) are questionable.
Patriots: All they can do is win and hope Jets can beat Dolphins to give them AFC East title or a Ravens loss to Jaguars will give them wild card. Patriots are a good road team (5-2).
Bills: Long fade continues as coach Dick Jauron’s future remains in question. What do they have to play for? Ending 10-game losing streak vs. Pats.
Fantasy outlook: Matt Cassel continues to flourish with 8 TDs, 1 INT in past 3 games. Bills rookie Steve Johnson has caught TD passes in past 2 games.
Injuries: Pats defensive end Richard Seymour (back), Bills T Jason Peters (knee) and RB Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) all questionable.
Chiefs: Chiefs finishing worst season in their 49-year history. Will Herm Edwards get chance to complete rebuilding job that featured 18 rookies?
Bengals: Have won 2 in row, but it may be too late for coach Marvin Lewis. Not easy playing most of season without QB Carson Palmer.
Fantasy outlook: Chiefs’ Larry Johnson healthy and finishing strong, coming off 108-yard game. Cedric Benson continuing his comeback, ran for 171 last week.
Lions: Rod Marinelli doesn’t deserve this – he didn’t make years of bad draft choices – but hard to see Lions avoiding becoming first 0-16 team. They haven’t won at Green Bay since 1991.
Packers: Have something to play for – not being team that loses to Lions. After stunning array of close losses, Packers can control this one.
Fantasy outlook: Kevin Smith, averaging 4.2 per carry, has 7 rushing TDs. Aaron Rodgers closing out solid first year as starter with 25 TD passes vs. 13 INTs.
Titans: Chance to rest up for AFC playoffs, where they’re the No. 1 seed. No reason to take risks or show much, as they could play Colts again in 2 weeks.
Colts: Peyton Manning may make only a cameo appearance as Colts go for ninth straight win. They’ll be expected to handle AFC West winner in first round, even though it’ll be on road.
Fantasy outlook: Titans TE Bo Scaife having career year with 57 catches, 2 for TDs. Reggie Wayne leads Colts with 81 catches, 6 for TDs.
Injuries: Titans defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (knee) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) are out; Colts receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) doubtful.
Giants: With top seed in NFC wrapped up, Giants’ goal is to stay sharp and healthy. Big win over Carolina last week supplies momentum for playoffs.
Vikings: Must win to be assured of NFC North title because Bears have winnable game vs. Houston. Tarvaris Jackson remains starting QB.
Fantasy outlook: Eli Manning (21 TD passes) may have to go to air against NFL’s No. 1 rush defense; ex-Giant Visanthe Shiancoe has 40 catches, 7 TDs for Vikes.
Panthers: Could have been top seed with win over Giants, now must make sure they wrap up No. 2 and bye with win or Falcons loss. They’ll just run the ball.
Saints: Drew Brees has thrown 19 TD passes vs. 4 INTs at home, where Saints are 6-1. But they’re out of playoff race.
Fantasy outlook: DeAngelo Williams has 18 rushing TDs, with 6 straight games of at least 1. Saints’ Pierre Thomas has all 9 of his rushing TDs in past 6 games.
Injuries: Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey (ankle) and offensive tackle Jammal Brown (ankle) are questionable.
Browns: Lack of offense has become offensive story in Cleveland. Injuries, ineptitude may lead to Romeo Crennel’s departure.
Steelers: Have won 11 straight, 15 of past 16 vs. Browns. They should have no trouble. They’ll do just enough to get ready for playoffs.
Fantasy outlook: Bruce Gradkowski starts at QB for desperate Browns; had zero TD passes in preseason with Rams. Willie Parker has 4 straight 100-yard games vs. Browns.
Injuries: Browns QB Ken Dorsey (ribs) is questionable; Steelers linebacker James Harrison (hip) is questionable.
Raiders: Another lost season, but at least they’re showing some life at end, scoring 53 points in past 2 games (1-1). All they can do is be spoiler.
Bucs: Need win plus Dallas loss to make playoffs, and Cowboys play later game. More motivation than Raiders.
Fantasy outlook: JaMarcus Russell showing signs of progress with 4 TD passes vs. 1 INT in past two games. Bucs’ Antonio Bryant finishing strong with 23 catches, 4 TDs in past 3 games.
Injuries: Bucs QB Jeff Garcia dealing with head injury; Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (neck) is questionable.
Dolphins: Amazing turnaround continues as ex-Jets QB Chad Pennington returns to New York with chance to win AFC East. They’ve won 4 straight on road and 8 of past 9.
Jets: Brett Favre, whose signing made Pennington expendable, needs big game after late-season slump (1 TD vs. 6 INTs in last 4). Jets have won past 5 meetings.
Fantasy outlook: Dolphins’ Ronnie Brown has run for 10 TDs, averaging 4.2 yards per carry; Thomas Jones has run for 13 TDs, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Injuries: Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder (knee) is questionable; Dolphins cornerback Will Allen uncertain with leg injury.
Eagles: Will have emotional edge if early games leave them in playoff picture; Bucs and either Bears or Vikings must lose. Still need big game from Donovan McNabb.
Fantasy outlook: Cowboys’ Tony Romo had 3 TD passes in September win over Eagles (26 for season). Eagles’ Brian Westbrook has 516 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs in last 4.
Injuries: Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (ankle) is questionable; Cowboys linebacker Bobby Carpenter (knee) is doubtful.
Jaguars: Closing out disappointing season doomed by early injuries on offensive line. David Garrard finishing strong with 3 TDs, 1 INT in past 2.
Ravens: In playoffs with win or New England loss, but they have won 8 of past 10 and can take care of business themselves. NFL’s No. 2 defense should control Jaguars.
Fantasy outlook: Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew one of few dependable weapons with 14 TDs, but he has sore knee. In past 10, Ravens rookie QB Joe Flacco has 13 TDs, 5 INTs.
Redskins: Fell out of playoff race by losing 5 of past 7. Off-season to-do list topped by offense that averaged 10 points in past 4 (1-3).
49ers: Winning 4 of past 6 means Mike Singletary-Shaun Hill partnership should be back in ’09. Fantasy outlook: Redskins TE Chris Cooley has 77 catches but only 1 TD; 49ers’ Isaac Bruce has 59 catches, 7 TDs.
Spokane is partnering with a professor from Washington State University to design a survey that’s expected to do a better job of putting dangerous criminals in jail and pairing lower-risk offenders with the resources they need.
Spokane County commissioners signed a $70,000 contract with Zach Hamilton earlier this month to design a new risk assessment tool for Spokane’s criminal justice system. The county and city will each pay $35,000 toward laying the groundwork for the new survey.
“What they’re using right now is OK,” said Hamilton, an assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at WSU’s Spokane campus. “It’s not as customized or tailored to the particular needs of the community.”
For the past three years, Hamilton has been developing a similar tool for the Washington Department of Corrections. The new assessment will incorporate information about an alleged offender’s mental health care history, criminal past, employment history and other psychological factors to decide if the person should be held in jail prior to trial, or if they should be referred to other programs.
“This will be based on the actual population that goes through the county jail, not just an instrument from off the shelf,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton’s colleague, Jackie van Wormer, recommended him for the job. Van Wormer heads the Spokane County Law and Justice Council and called Hamilton’s work some of the best worldwide on risk assessment.
The use of a standardized tool across all levels of the criminal justice system, one that follows an offender through their interactions with law enforcement, courts and the jail, is a recommendation contained in the “Blueprint for Reform,” a document authored more than two years ago outlining priorities for change in Spokane’s legal system.
“Research has clearly demonstrated that adoption of evidence-based practices, and the standardized use of risk/needs assessment tools reduces recidivism at greater rates than historical practices,” the document said in 2013. The authors noted that adoption of a more advanced risk assessment tool in juvenile courts led to a 40 percent reduction in detention, with crime levels remaining relatively steady.
Cheryl Tofsrud, manager of Spokane County’s Pre-Trial Services program, said her office would likely see changes once the new tool is implemented, as much of the workload will shift to initial contact with offenders.
“It’s moving away from the imposition of financial conditions to get out of jail,” Tofsrud said of the new system. “It will be based on risk, rather than the ability to post a bond that isn’t going to do anything to protect the community.”
All parties will work off the document to make recommendations on confinement, bail and what services an offender should receive, but prosecutors and defense attorneys still will provide their analysis to a judge, who will make the final decision about where a person will wind up prior to trial, Tofsrud said.
“It’s not going to make decisions for people,” she said. “It will be a guiding tool. There will be professional judgment in there as well.”
Spokane City Manager Roger Crum never got around to telling his bosses about a proposed salary hike for himself and 15 other top city managers. The increase almost slipped past …
Spokane County commissioners officially hired a retired Air Force officer Tuesday to lead the county’s human resources department for $60,000 a year. But Commissioner Steve Hasson expressed reservations over the …
Spokane County commissioners Tuesday put off a decision on how to solve a $600,000 budget crisis in the sheriff’s department. But they agreed not to touch the county’s $550,000 savings …
Threats to their children’s safety weighed on the minds of parents who commented Monday on the possibility of double-shifting students at Post Falls Junior High School. The school board, which …
A development company that plans a project near Liberty Lake won partial approval for its proposal this week. Liberty Lake Village Limited received permission to divide almost 16 acres near …
The city’s money blues made for deep cuts in Spokane’s 1996 proposed spending plan. City Manager Roger Crum delivered a proposal to the City Council on Monday that took a …
Teachers in Spokane’s schools have a strong new tool for teaching students how to write. Writing tests given the past two years to students in the fifth, seventh and 10th …
Many bus riders would rather wait outside than inside the $20.6 million Plaza. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review
Sadie Heilman talks to adults about family issues at a teen forum at Lewis and Clark Wednesday night. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review
A controversial recreational vehicle park will be built on Blackwell Island - a move many fear will trigger massive expansion of the city south of the Spokane River. The City …
Coeur d’Alene teachers got an average 3.2 percent salary increase in a contract approved unanimously by their union membership Friday. The school board approved the agreement Thursday.
South Spokane County developers got full sway Tuesday night as county commissioners approved controversial radio towers and an indoor riding stable. Citadel Broadcasting Co., which owns KGA-AM and KJRB-AM, now …
Schools Pass Emergency Levies Higher Enrollments Enable Decisions, Explained As Buffer Against State Cuts
Coeur d’Alene and Bonner County school officials passed emergency levies Monday designed, in part, to offset a predicted shortfall in state funding. Lakeland School District, too, may use part of …
Post Falls is leading the way in disaster preparedness by forming a mutual aid agreement between its public agencies. The Post Falls school board approved the emergency aid agreement with …
City taxpayers will get a 1 percent reduction in their property taxes after the City Council trimmed $58,450 from next year’s budget Tuesday evening. The cuts will have to be …
Spokane County commissioners Tuesday threw in their cards over the massive Marks family lawsuit, folding for perhaps a penny on the dollar. Commissioners gambled that it was worth giving $390,000 …
Cda Council Urged To Stop Its Spending Some Residents Lobby For Frugality During Hearing On Proposed $33.5 Million Budget
When Ray Bradley and his wife built their dream home on the Spokane River seven years ago, the tax man said it was worth $112,000 and the annual property tax …
Six candidates for the District 1 seat on the Spokane County Commission will meet early Friday for a forum sponsored by the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce. The event will …
Spokane County commissioners Tuesday funneled money from a county-owned prison to Superior Court to create an innovative day confinement center for young criminals. The county’s precarious financial position appeared to …
A recent spate of gang violence that killed two girls and wounded four other youths has Spokane County commissioners talking curfew. They’ll seek the state attorney general’s opinion on the …
What’s wrong with this picture? Coeur d’Alene Councilman Mike McDowell doesn’t mind “Thong Man” “hanging out” at City Beach. But he doesn’t want skateboarders to show their faces at nearby …
The Wine Cellar will install a wheelchair lift, but won’t have to take other steps to upgrade handicapped access, the Coeur d’Alene City Council ruled Tuesday. That decision is in …
The Post Falls City Council approved the first addition of Expo, listened to complaints about the draft city budget and voted to ignore their own fireworks law Tuesday night. Expo, …
This house at 1111 W. Augusta has been approved by the City Council for cemolition. Photo by Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review
Fed up with odor complaints and “Band-Aids” they say don’t work, Spokane City Council members voted Monday to shut down the $2 million regional composting plant. “The fact is: It’s …
Ignoring public outcry, the Spokane County Air Pollution Control Authority on Thursday put off grass-burning reform for another three months. Led by Spokane County Commissioners Steve Hasson and Phil Harris, …
County commissioners wavered Thursday in their bid to take over the Spokane County Health District. At a minimum, commissioners said, they will vote Tuesday to delay the seizure by one …
Two Spokane County commissioners on the county’s air pollution board want action against the odor-plagued Colbert compost plant. At their encouragement on Thursday, the board agreed to order local air …
Spokane County commissioners agreed Tuesday to accept the state’s offer to help rescue the beleaguered county assessor’s office. The state Department of Revenue will review Assessor Charlene Cooney’s operation for …
Google will try to help newspapers and other publishers boost subscriptions by ending a decade-old policy that required them to provide a limited amount of free content before people were …
It’s come to this: Texas, the second largest state in the union – and the home of so many historically colorful political voices – lacks a single staff editorial cartoonist. …
Readers found renewed appreciation for newspapers as we trudge through the Valley of the Shadow of Trump. They see them as the last line of defense between 2017 and “1984.”
There is, in fact, a news platform that specializes in gathering and disseminating non-fake news. So committed are its people to this mission that some have been known to risk, …
NEW YORK – Gannett on Tuesday walked away from its attempted takeover of Tronc, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other major dailies. Gannett’s target was …
The movie “Spotlight” packed an emotional wallop with ink-stained journalists because of its expert depiction of how we think, work and even dress (too quickly). To most moviegoers, it was …
Five days after boosting its unsolicited takeover bid for Tribune Publishing Co. by 22 percent, USA Today owner Gannett is urging Tribune shareholders to reject the company’s slate of nominees …
USA Today owner Gannett has boosted its takeover bid for Tribune Publishing Co. by about 22 percent one week after the owner of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and …
“Who are you to tell me how to vote?” That’s not a new complaint, but it has gained momentum in this hyperpartisan era where the distinction between reliable information sources …
Tribune Publishing Co. on Wednesday rejected Gannett’s more than $388 million buyout offer, saying it’s too little for the company that owns the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other …
Tribune Publishing said Tuesday in a letter that USA Today owner Gannett was “erratic” and “unreliable” as the two newspaper companies tried to discuss a possible tie-up.
Newspaper publisher Gannett said Monday that it wants to buy rival Tribune Publishing for more than $388 million, in a deal that would give the owner of USA Today control …
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says that if he’s elected president, American newspapers should watch out.
A Minnesota-based company said on Friday that it is considering moving production of some motorcycles out of the country because of European tariffs, just days after Harley-Davidson announced a similar …
Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, two Holocaust survivors and dozens of others took part in a symbolic ride from Auschwitz-Birkenau to a Jewish cultural center in Poland to …
Four years after Radamel Falcao was supposed to lead Colombia at the World Cup, he’s doing just that. Falcao missed the tournament in Brazil with a knee injury and had …
Lech Walesa, Poland’s former president and pro-democracy leader, said Saturday he is joining forces with the opposition to prevent Poland’s right-wing ruling party from winning a string of upcoming elections.
Officials in Poland say that they have recovered the bodies of two miners killed when an earthquake hit a coal mine in southern Poland last week, bringing the death toll …
Poland says it will sign a deal Wednesday to purchase U.S. air defense Patriot missile systems as it seeks to bolster its defenses against a resurgent Russia.
Opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili was deported from Ukraine to Poland on Monday after being detained by armed, masked men at a restaurant in Kiev and rushed to the airport, Ukrainian …
Poland’s president on Tuesday signed legislation that outlaws blaming Poland as a nation for Holocaust crimes committed by Nazi Germany, defying both criticism from Israel and a warning from the …
As President Donald Trump declared that “America First does not mean America alone” at a global economic forum in Switzerland, his top diplomat was on a European trip of his …
The United States and Poland on Saturday took a strong stand against a planned gas pipeline linking Russia to Germany, saying it is part of a Kremlin scheme to politicize …
Wreckage from a Polish fighter jet that disappeared from radar Monday was found near a domestic air base, but the pilot of the Russian-made plane survived the crash, a defense …
Junior guard Kevin Pangos said something had to change. Senior forward Sam Dower Jr. called it a reality check. Junior guard Gary Bell Jr. noted that the team had to …
Gonzaga senior forward Sam Dower Jr. and junior guard Kevin Pangos were named to the All-West Coast Conference men’s basketball team Monday, but the conference champions were shut out on …
Forward Sam Dower Jr. put up 25 points and 15 rebounds on Senior Night and was upstaged by fellow senior Brian Bhaskar, much to Dower’s delight. Bhaskar, a popular walk-on …
Saturday: “Offense thrills the fans, but defense wins championships.” I don’t know who said it first – Augustus Caesar, perhaps? – but it’s been in the lexicon as long as …
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Sam Dower Jr. wasn’t the first option. The senior forward didn’t seem to be the second option as Kyle Dranginis was dribbling well beyond the 3-point …
Sam Dower flashed near the top of key, took a pass and hit the biggest shot of his Gonzaga career to carry the Bulldogs past upset-minded Santa Clara 54-52 on …
Aches, pains and strains are fairly common two-thirds through a college basketball season. Gonzaga’s injury list is shrinking but it still hasn’t shaken the grip of the flu. Freshman center …
Aches, pains and strains are fairly common two-thirds through a college basketball season. Gonzaga’s injury list is shrinking but it still hasn’t shaken the grip of the flu.
Just enough offense, more defense. It’s been roughly six weeks since the Gonzaga Bulldogs had a game decided in the final minute, but they haven’t forgotten how to win a …
LOS ANGELES – They won’t get extra credit for making it harder than it needed to be, but the Gonzaga Bulldogs, after a few false starts, finally got what they …
Sam Dower Jr. and Gerard Coleman scored 19 points each as No. 11 Gonzaga cruised to an easy 113-81 win over Division II Chaminade on Tuesday in the Maui Invitational.
Sam Dower Jr. has waited three years behind three eventual NBA players to get extended playing time. With one dazzling performance Saturday, the talented 6-foot-9 forward set a high standard …
Some college football programs spice up their spring games by putting something on the line, such as winners eat steak, losers chow on hot dogs. The Gonzaga men’s basketball team …
The Gonzaga men’s basketball team found plenty to play for Saturday during “Kraziness in the Kennel” in front of roughly 5,000 fans at the McCarthey Athletic Center.