Jim Lynch

The state's crackdown on nursing homes continues as the Cheney Care Center was recently cited for more than 30 violations. For the first time in at least 10 years, the only nursing home in Cheney is forbidden from admitting new residents until its problems are resolved.

Quarter slot machines are a big lure at the Two Rivers Casino on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

Bergeson

The battle for the state insurance commissioner's job pits a warrior against a peacekeeper. Incumbent Deborah Senn infuriates insurance executives, legislators and subordinates with her combative style. She vows to continue fighting for consumers.

State Sen. John Moyer's latest attack ads suggest his opponent, Lisa Brown, coddles sex offenders and votes to unleash them near elementary schools. Brown said she is astonished and insulted by the ominous ads that feature mug shots of convicted sex criminals and warn viewers that Brown refuses to protect Spokane's children.

The 3rd District legislative races feature two of Spokane's best-known politicians, a radio personality and three youngsters. The battle for the Senate seat pits incumbent Republican John Moyer against Democratic challenger Rep. Lisa Brown.

The state insurance commissioner campaign has turned into one of the hottest races in Washington this year. The once-obscure post is now a lightning rod as incumbent Deborah Senn continues to infuriate the insurance industry. Republican challenger Anthony Lowe is trying to capitalize on Senn's clashes, including an ongoing feud with some of her employees.

An enthusiastic crowd cheers Vice Preisdent Gore at his Spokane stop on Monday. Photo by Liz Kishimoto/The Spokesman-Review

Third District legislative campaigns are turning malicious as one candidate is increasingly cast as a pot-head and another tarred as a communist. Renegade yard signs portray Democrat Alex Wood as the statehouse candidate for marijuana smokers and everyone else who wants to legalize drugs.

All four of the 3rd District House candidates are political rookies. Three are under age 30. The district's two House seats opened this year when two Democrats - Dennis Dellwo and Lisa Brown - went looking for new jobs.

Spokane County's sheriff and prosecutor spoke out Wednesday against a state initiative to legalize slot machines at Indian casinos. "What's really at stake is the quality of life in our community," said Prosecutor Jim Sweetser. Sweetser said if Initiative 671 passes, the next inevitable step would be to allow slot machines throughout the state, not just on Indian lands.

No matter who wins, Spokane will soon lose one of its most respected state legislators. Sen. John Moyer is a popular, senior-statesman Republican. The longtime physician is deferred to on health-care issues and is seen by some lawmakers as a model of thoughtfulness.

Eastern State Hospital emerged from a surprise inspection Friday with a perfect score, and no longer at risk of losing its federal funding.

State Sen. John Moyer, known for his gentle, grandfatherly style, is turning combative to protect his job. His state Republican allies are running an attack advertisement that casts his opponent, Rep. Lisa Brown, as a big-spending liberal who's soft on crime and hard on the elderly.

Food Bank reports helping 11 percent more people The county's poor are increasingly relying on the Spokane Food Bank. Almost 13,000 people are fed by the food bank every month, an 11 percent increase from last year, according to the organization's annual report released Wednesday.

(From For the Record, October 17, 1996:) A KREM-TV engineer says in a court document that he suspects Washington Water Power Co. concealed evidence about the origin of the 1991 Ponderosa fire, not the entire 1991 firestorm, as a headline in Wednesday's Spokesman-Review implied. 1. Ray Fox, an engineer for KREM, standing at ground zero of Firestorm '91, says he saw the tree that fell on power lines, beginning one of the region's worst disasters. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review 2. A Ponderosa area homeowner tries to save his house from the flames. File/The Spokesman-Review 3. Fire victims receive support from friends and neighbors. File/The Spokesman-Review

Washington state voters will reject another Indian gambling initiative next month, a new poll suggests. Less than 40 percent of surveyed voters support the proposal to allow slot machines at reservation casinos.

State Insurance Commissioner Deborah Senn looked invincible a month ago, but a new poll suggests her re-election bid could be in trouble. The Democrat is in a dead heat with Republican Anthony Lowe, according to a scientific survey conducted for The Spokesmani-Review and KHQ-TV. Senn blew through the Sept. 17 primary with 55 percent of the vote while Lowe squeaked past a thick field of Republicans with just 15 percent.

1. Ceremony dedicates Anna Ogden Hall. Jill Robertson listens to a choir from Whitworth College during the dedication of an expansion at Anna Ogden Hall on Friday morning. "I hope to be the newest intern here," says Robertson, who lives with her daughter at Ogden Hall. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 2. Visitos, supporters and staff leave their ceremony seats to crowd into the newly expanded Anna Ogden Hall on Friday morning.<

Senn

'Gray area' of gambling. Jim White of Spokane tries his luck at the quarter slots at the Two Rivers Casino. "I don't have any expensive hobbies," White says, "so I come here and dump my money." Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review <

Intercepting reservation-bound slot machines is difficult, but it's even harder to bust someone. The rising demand for slot machines is creating what authorities call a "gray market" for used gambling equipment.

Glenda Cornelius

State Sen. John Moyer started his second straight election comeback effort Friday at a debate in downtown Spokane. Challenger Lisa Brown easily outdistanced the Spokane Republican in the primary earlier this month as she grabbed almost 60 percent of the vote.