Kaitlin Gillespie

Marjory Halvorson, a longtime fixture in Spokane’s musical world, died Christmas Day after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 73 years old.

Sheriff’s dog Deacon lays close to the ground, ready to pounce. His eyes train on the “bad guy,” who stands several yards away. It only takes a few words from Deacon’s handler, Deputy Tyler Kullman, before the German shepherd is on Officer Paul Buchmann. His teeth sink into a tube of armor Buchmann wears on his arm to protect himself.

Hoping his dog’s death will mean new life for other shelter dogs, a Spokane man whose family dog was mortally wounded by two pit bulls last week has established a memorial fund for SpokAnimal. Spokesman-Review photographer Dan Pelle and his family are working with SpokAnimal to establish the Koko Lifesaver Fund. Money raised through the fund will benefit injured or sick dogs that are brought to the shelter that may otherwise not receive the medical care they need.

The fading black letters spelling “LOBO” on the top of Ben Stark’s knuckles are from a different time in the ex-convict’s life. The letters mean “lone wolf,” said 40-year-old Stark. He points to two women’s faces on the back of his neck, and a sleeve of tattoos up his arm, all of them etched into his skin during his time in prison.

’Twas still long before Christmas, but all through Spokane, Many Santas were stirring, both woman and man.

The Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service is investigating a deadly attack by two pit bulls on another dog near Chase Middle School. Spokesman-Review photographer Dan Pelle was walking Koko, his 11-year-old Australian Kelpie-spaniel mix, in an open field near his South Hill home on Thursday. The field is near 32nd Avenue and Havana Street, just a couple of blocks northwest of Chase Middle School.