Spokane: Possible casino site part of city - Airway Heights’ annexation of 145 acres owned by the Spokane Tribe of Indians intended for a possible casino and resort was formally approved this week when Spokane County’s assessor’s office recorded the transaction. The land is held in trust for the tribe and is intended for a casino and tribal resort, if the Spokanes’ request to the federal government is approved. In April the Airway Heights City Council unanimously approved the annexation. Airway Heights officials have vocally backed the tribe’s efforts, seeing it as economic development for the tribe and the region.

Spokane: Spokane City Council passes ordinance favoring Fairchild over casino - The Spokane City Council voted on an ordinance Monday night that calls for a limit on how the Spokane Tribe can build a proposed casino on the West Plains. The council says Monday’s vote is a step toward protecting the future of the Air Force base and will primarily restrict any future construction in the surrounding area. See also: Spokane on mission to save Fairchild Air Force Base

Spokane: Tribal casinos a drain - The big sucking sound you are hearing are the millions of dollars leaving Spokane headed to Northern Quest Casino. Now our hotels and restaurants are fighting to keep their doors open also. I don’t care that they have a casino but when they intruded on our hotel, restaurant/bar and entertainment business, that is where the line in the sand should have been drawn.

Spokane-Kalispel: Decision on Spokane’s Proposed Casino/Economic Development Project Coming Soon - The Spokane Tribe is proposing a major economic development on their ancestral homelands, off the current reservation but land acquired in trust in 2003. The biggest controversy pits two tribes against each other, the Spokane Tribe and the Kalispel Tribe. They call themselves “sister tribes” and many members of each tribe have relatives married to members of the other tribe. Each says it wishes the other tribe well and wishes for peace and prosperity for the other.

Spokane: Casino critics off the mark - While driving today, I was assaulted by a vitriolic opinion piece from the opponents of the Spokane Tribe Economic Project. If your personal beliefs are anti-gaming, don’t participate! The Spokane Tribe is a good corporate citizen, and should be recognized as such. Members gladly give to charities and work to help their people be self-sufficient. The other casinos they own are an hour away. That isn’t relevant to this discussion. STEP creates an influx of 5,000 jobs, construction and full time, from private investment!

Spokane: Development near base isn’t worth closure risk - Some development plans on the West Plains are making regional officials nervous about whether Fairchild Air Force Base can maintain the breathing room necessary to draw a new generation of refueling tankers and ward off the next round of base closures. Given the huge impact the base has on the area’s economy, this ought to concern everyone.

Spokane: Put casino elsewhere - The Spokane Tribe should buy the Ridpath Hotel or Playfair land and open the casino. Since the Kalispels opened the door for a non-reservation land casino, isn’t downtown more economically viable than out in Airway Heights? Our area is all ancestral hunting land. Why not make this a win-win and place the casino in another location and not have it in the flight path of FAFB traffic?

Spokane: Building casino, hotel at the proposed site will make the base vulnerable to closure - I would like to offer my personal insights on the proposed STEP – the Spokane Tribe’s initiative to build a full casino and a 14-story, 300-room hotel near Fairchild Air Force Base. There has been a lot of discussion recently about encroachment on the base’s flying activities and a potential Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission in 2013 or 2015. Air Force leadership and the BRAC members are likely to find other Air Force bases with less aggressive encroachment, and decide to consider Fairchild not for the new KC-46A, but for closure.

Spokane: Tribe Works To Restore Basic Water Needs - The Spokane Tribe of Indians recently received a $1.5 million HUDSustainable Housing and Communities grant to help improve housing, transportation and economic activity in the reservation. But it turned out to be quite a fixer-upper.

Spokane: Massive turnout for both sides of STEP - Hundreds of people in support and opposition for the proposed Spokane Tribe Economic Project gathered at Sunset Elementary in Airway Heights Monday, March 26 to voice their opinion to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Colville-Spokane: Tribe puts Lake Roosevelt walleye on table - for dinner, debate - Biologists for the Spokane and Colville tribes, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Eastern Washington University and even many – not all – anglers say there’s an overabundance of small, underweight non-native walleye and a dearth of forage fish in the reservoir. Ironically, while the Spokane Tribe stirred the pot by proposing a bounty on Spokane Arm walleyes, the Colville Tribe is meeting less resistance to a pilot project experimenting with gillnets to reduce walleye numbers in the Sanpoil Arm, which extends into their reservation.

Spokane: Hundreds attend hearing for Tribe casino - Hundreds of people attended a Monday night hearing on plans for a proposed Spokane Tribe casino at Airway Heights. The tribe said it would create 2,000 jobs. But some of the opponents are Kalispel tribal members who say it would hurt their Northern Quest Casino, just three miles away.

Spokane: Tribe facing resistance over casino plan - The Spokane Tribe continues to face resistance to their proposed plan to build a new casino off Craig Road and Highway 2 three miles from the Kalispel Tribe's Northern Quest Casino. The Spokane Tribe says they have met with Pentagon leaders who say Fairchild will be fine.

Spokane: Condon condemns casino - Spokane Mayor David Condon has added his name to the list of local leaders opposed to the Spokane Tribe of Indians’ proposal for a casino on the West Plains.

Spokane: Council opposes casino - Spokane tribal leaders warned the Spokane City Council on Monday that taking a stance against their proposed West Plains casino could poison their relationship with the city that sits on part of the tribe’s ancestral home. Even so, the council voted 4-3 to condemn the tribe’s casino plan.

Spokane: Are you for or against the proposed Spokane Tribe casino in Airway Heights? - The Spokane Tribe wants to build a $400 million dollar casino and retail complex in Airway Heights, but the project is not without opposition. But, earlier this month, The Bureau of Indian Affairs released a draft environmental impact study that says the casino will have little impact the base.

Spokane: Area leaders say ‘no’ to STEP - Spokane area business and political leaders gathered last week to express their opposition to the Spokane Tribe Economic Project on a 145-acre plot just west of Craig Road near Airway Heights.

Spokane: Many sites honor Spokane Garry - There are a number of landmarks around town honoring the legacy of Spokane Garry, the storied leader in the Spokane Tribe of Indians who is also considered the region’s first educator.

Spokane: Council will wait a week to consider casino - The Spokane City Council will wait until next week to consider opposing a Spokane Tribe of Indians casino project proposed for the West Plains. Councilman Mike Fagan is sponsoring a resolution opposing the casino. He requested last week that the council suspend normal public notice requirements to allow a vote on Monday instead of giving the public more than a week’s notice before a vote.

Spokane: Walleye bounty proposed - Rumors have been flying about the Spokane Tribe’s plan to offer tribal members cash for killing walleyes in the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt. It’s true the tribe had planned to pay tribal members $2-$4 for walleyes caught by hook and line in April and May – the spawning period during which public fishing is closed in the Spokane Arm.

Spokane: City Council resolution opposes new Spokane Tribe casino - A new Spokane City Council resolution expresses strong opposition to the building of a casino near Airway Heights by the Spokane Tribe. The resolution was drafted by Council Member Mike Fagan. In it he says the casino project would be a direct threat to the region’s largest employer and economic driver, Fairchild Air Force Base.

Spokane: EIS pushes casino forward - A big casino that the Spokane Tribe of Indians is proposing has cleared a major regulatory hurdle, but the project is drawing bitter opposition from a rival tribe and from some area business and political leaders.

Spokane: Why not a casino - The West Plains is pretty much lost anyways to pavement and light and noise pollution. Within a few square miles, we have recently added the Northern Quest Casino, also a race track, the Waste to Energy plant, another dump just up the road from the Spokane Tribe’s 145-acre parcel, a prison, and a mini-mall that features Walmart. Why not more traffic and pollution? Why not a second casino?

Spokane: Casinos a drain on region - When this second giant casino is built in the Spokane area, these casinos will be hurting local business even more than now. The governor should think about the damage done to local people and business.

Spokane: Protect air base, leaders plead - Spokane business leaders on Thursday asked for help in stopping a proposed Spokane Tribe casino and hotel resort near Fairchild Air Force Base. They said the site on the north side of U.S. Highway 2 just west of Airway Heights is the “worst possible” place for a resort because it intensifies civilian encroachment of the base.

Spokane: Public notice on casino at issue - The Spokane City Council on Monday will consider rushing its normal voting procedure to oppose the proposed Spokane Tribe of Indians casino on the West Plains. Councilman Mike Fagan is sponsoring the resolution to put the city on record as opposing the project and has asked the council to suspend its rules so it can vote on the matter Monday instead of giving the public more than a week’s notice before a vote.

Spokane: Tribe to receive EPA smart growth assistance - The Spokane Tribe of Indians in eastern Washington will benefit from EPA technical assistance through the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program. The Tribe will work with technical experts to address future water infrastructure needs in the community of Wellpinit, Washington.

Spokane: Don’t gamble with Fairchild - The Spokane Tribe has a reservation with 155,000 acres, with two operating casinos and alternate support industries, such as mining and lumber. The Spokane Tribe does not qualify for an off-reservation casino because of their existing assets. A Spokane Tribe casino jeopardizes Spokane and our state overall by setting a precedent allowing any tribe to build a casino off reservation.

Spokane: Editorial: Fairchild’s future must be No. 1 for area officials - The Spokane Tribe wants to build a $400 million casino, hotel and retail complex on 145 acres facing U.S. Highway 2 and adjacent to Airway Heights. Slightly more than 2,800 jobs would be created when the project is fully built out. Two alternatives, one with no casino, would provide fewer jobs.

Spokane: Casino, base may be compatible - The development of a second tribal casino complex on the West Plains wouldn’t necessarily encroach on nearby Fairchild Air Force Base, a draft environmental impact statement concludes. The draft EIS prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs was made public Friday.

Spokane: Study Says Tribal Casino Would Have Little Impact - The Spokane Tribe called it a good day after the Bureau of Indian Affairs released a draft environmental impact study Friday that says a new proposed casino in Airway Heights will have little impact on Fairchild Air Force Base.

Spokane: Disabled man killed in Wellpinit house fire - Investigators say a disabled man is dead after a house fire in the community of Wellpinit, in eastern Washington. Claude Cox, director of the Spokane Tribe's fire department, says the victim was a 49-year-old man with disabilities who couldn't get out of the burning home.

Spokane: Survey shows taxpayer opinions on police, new casino - A new survey released Tuesday gives insight about various issues in the Spokane area. This survey shows the Spokane area is split on whether a second casino should open in the West Plains. The Spokane Tribe of Indians has discussed opening their own casino in Airways Heights. The Tribe says it will create 3,800 jobs, but there are many people who oppose the idea. Officials say the public’s opinion on the matter is split right down the middle. The survey suggests most people lack a strong opinion on the project and either fall under mildly in favor or opposed.

Spokane: STEP in right direction - I applaud and fully support the Spokane Tribe Economic Project (STEP). A great deal of misinformation is spreading around the community about encroachment and the future well-being of Fairchild Air Force Base. On numerous occasions, the mayor of Airway Heights and the Spokane Tribal Council have met with officials from FAFB, and there is no evidence that STEP will negatively affect FAFB. Before taking a position, people should do their research, especially when it involves the development of a $400 million project that has the potential of providing 3,800 jobs, 1,200 of which would be in construction.

Spokane: Casino critic cashing in - I am excited about the additional dollars that another development will provide to the many nonprofits that have lost local, state and federal funding. As a senior, I am pleased to be a member of the Friends of the Spokane Tribe and encourage our community to get the real facts about this project. Don’t be mislead by the fear-mongering taking place by a very small special-interest group.

Spokane: Stuckart takes oath for City Council post - Incoming Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart promised Wednesday during his swearing in ceremony to help City Hall become a happier place for the people who are being served by it. Spokane tribal elder Jim SiJohn, during an invocation, recalled the deeper history of the city where Native Americans had gathered and lived over time.

Spokane: Don’t be afraid to ring in 2012 with 30,000 close friends - At 11:50, there will be a countdown to the “raising of the dinosaur egg” in Riverfront Park. The giant aluminum egg symbolizes the new year. This new midnight tradition won’t take away from the Midnight Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by the Spokane Tribe. They’ll be a blast, too.

Spokane: Casino foes inconsistent - Let the consumer decide if "two casinos in such close proximity may, in fact, saturate the market."

Spokane: Proposed casino a win-win - I support the Spokane Tribe’s proposed casino on its large acreage just west of Airway Heights. I see a win-win for Spokane and the West Plains, and few downsides to the proposal.

Spokane: Tribe’s project only a plus - The location of the new Spokane Tribe development is a benefit to those serving at Fairchild. It will include retailing, offices and other commercial uses, a hotel and a tribal cultural center. It is more than just a casino.

Spokane: Ex-tribal jail deputy acquitted of rape - A former jail deputy on the Spokane Indian Reservation has been acquitted of accusations that he raped an inmate. A jury found Clifford Arlen Matherly not guilty of two rape charges Thursday in U.S. District Court in Spokane.

Spokane: Don't go to casino - The Spokane Tribe has the right, and will build anywhere they choose since it’s on their own land. You cannot stop progress.

Spokane: Stop gambling expansion

Spokane: Don’t risk loss of Fairchild

Spokane: Open house expands talks on Spokane Tribe’s project

Spokane: Get facts on proposed casino

Spokane: Tribe Proposes New Casino and Resort

Spokane: Casinos drain economy

Spokane: Don’t buy casino spin

Spokane: Tribe responds to STEP criticism

Spokane: Don’t gamble with base

Spokane: Uranium mining's 'dirty little secrets'

Spokane: Tribe lambastes critics of proposed casino

Spokane: Tribe face opposition with plans for resort hotel

Spokane-Coeur d'Alene: Moscow Inaugurates "HooPalousa" Basketball Tournament

Spokane: More gambling a bad bet

Spokane: Lawsuit may halt sewage plant

Spokane: Let tribe compete

Spokane: Progress made toward cleaning up uranium mine

Spokane: Spokane Tribe brings Arby’s to West Plains, plans Heritage Celebration

Contract requires county silence on proposed Spokane Tribe casino

Battle over proposed Spokane casino continues

Off-color book stirs debate at Old Rochester junior high

Tribe seeks new Grand Coulee deal