State superintendent releases list of lowest achieving schools

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Monday, December 19th, 2011, 4:07pm

Some of the toughest challenges we face come through education. Legislation has chipped away at funds for public schools in past years. In Washington, 57 schools made the list of lowest achieving schools in a document required by state law.

State superintendent, Randy Dorn, says the list is unfair because they’re unable to give the schools additional resources. Last year the identified schools were given a change to apply for grants. This year, additional moneys from grants are not available to newly identified schools.

Dorn pointed out in a news release that only four schools on the list have fewer than 50 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches.

“These schools are dealing with very challenging populations,” he said. “I know we’re in the middle of an economic crisis, but the past three years the Legislature has chiseled away at basic education resources. Those schools – in fact, all schools – need additional resources.”

What schools are on the list? The tiers are based on the amount of achievement or the graduation rate.

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Photo Gallery: Bullets and Ink: A Man's Spin On Life

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Monday, December 19th, 2011, 2:02pm

Photo Credit: Nicole Hensley, KXLY4 Web Journalist

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Bullets and Ink: A Man's Spin On Life

Submitted by Colleen O'Brien, Weekend Anchor / Reporter

Monday, December 19th, 2011, 2:02pm

Doyle Wheeler approaches life just like he does pens; everything is possible. Throw anything his way and he will make it work for him.

The first lathe Wheeler ever received was from his father. He tinkered with it off and on, not really committing to the craft but enjoying the rhythm of turning a pen. The first ones he ever made became Christmas gifts for family and friends but he insists they weren't any good.

It's what every budding artist – excuse me, craftsman – would say of their early work.

Craftsmanship is in Wheeler's blood. His grandparents built their home in Spokane from the ground up.

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49 Degrees North Ski Patrol Honors Its Fallen Member

Submitted by Kris Crocker, kxly4 Chief Meteorologist

Thursday, December 15th, 2011, 11:49pm

49 Degrees North Ski Patrol Honors Its Fallen Member

The National Ski Patrollers at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort have new black patch on their unmistakable red parkas.

It's stitched with the number "24", and if you ask them about it, they will tell you about a remarkable patroller, soldier and friend who was taken from them too soon.

"24" was the ski patrol radio number of St. Sgt.

Staff Sgt. Wyatt Goldsmith with his 49 Degrees North Mug in Afghanistan in 2010

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Law enforcement gearing up for multi-state DUI emphasis

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Thursday, December 15th, 2011, 5:25pm

Law enforcement gearing up for multi-state DUI emphasis

A multi-state and agency effort aims to reduce drunk drivers on roads this holiday season.

Law enforcement organizations in Washington and Idaho are teaming up to increase their patrols starting December 17th to January 3rd.

In the above staged photo, multiple law enforcement agencies came together to pose for the camera. It was taken Wednesday evening for their 2011 DUI photo shoot overlooking the LC Valley - just above those rolling hills.

Front and center is an Asotin Police patrol vehicle. The photo features a mixture of state, county and city agencies. Can you spot your community’s law enforcement patrol vehicle?

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Seattle students support local dare-to-dream adventure

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011, 5:59pm

Seattle students support local dare-to-dream adventure

The conversations of a Seattle coffee shop sounded a bit like this a few weeks ago, “Did you hear about a guy hiking in wedding dresses?”

That’s how Dano Beal, a second grade teacher at Lafayette Elementary in Seattle, heard about Ron Ulrich, the man behind Hiking 26, an adventure driven by dreams. Ulrich plans on hiking the Pacific Crest Trail next year - a 2,600-mile trail in 26 weeks - while wearing 26 wedding dresses through out the trip.

Related Content: 2,600 Miles, 26 Weeks, 26 Dresses, KXLY

“In my class, we’ve been talking about following your dreams no matter how silly they are. People may not have the same dreams as you. His dream resonated with me,” Beal said.

Beal teaches gifted and talented students. He decided to bring Ulrich’s dream to his classroom and see what his students thought.

“We talked about goals that you have to prepare for in advance. I told them about this guy and they were very intrigued,” Beal said. He continued, “We watched his videos online and they wanted to let him know that his idea was fun and different.”

Shortly after, Ulrich received a bundle of letters from Beal’s students in support of his plan to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.

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WDFW wants to reduce northern pike spread in Washington

Submitted by Nicole Hensley, Web Producer

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011, 3:43pm

WDFW wants to reduce northern pike spread in Washington

Wildlife officials are proposing policies that would hopefully reduce the spreading pike population in Washington. The Washington Department Fish and Wildlife is preparing for a spring PR campaign to make sure the Northern Pike does not advance further down the Columbia River.

Fisherman have already spotted the fish in the Pend Oreille River, downstream from waters in from Montana and Idaho.

WDFW says they were stocked illegally in Montana and earlier this year, they were being caught by Canadian anglers north of the border in British Columbia.

John Whalen is WDFW’s program manager for fish in Spokane. He says the threat of northern pike is a big concern.

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