English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Spokane, WA

Spokane, Washington – A Spokane man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sex and drug trafficking crimes.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, James Anthony Stinson, 55, received the sentence on March 18 following convictions on 11 felony counts, including sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of firearms. He will also serve 10 years of supervised release and must pay $28,000 in restitution to victims.

Federal prosecutors said the investigation began in 2021 after controlled drug purchases linked Stinson to cocaine distribution. Authorities later executed a search warrant at a Spokane hotel room, where they found methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, and multiple illegally possessed firearms.

Investigators said the hotel rooms were also used for sex trafficking. Evidence presented at trial included surveillance footage and phone data showing threats, violence, and coercion used to force victims into commercial sex acts. Authorities said Stinson kept the proceeds.

Officials noted Stinson had prior convictions, including drug and firearm offenses, and was on federal supervised release at the time of his 2021 arrest.

The case was investigated by the FBI Spokane Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies.

The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts to address trafficking and drug distribution in Eastern Washington, particularly cases involving repeat offenders and vulnerable victims.

This case may be relevant to young workers and students due to ongoing public safety concerns tied to trafficking networks.

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When spring arrives in the U.S., some blooms seem to get all the attention—we're looking at you, Washington, D.C., cherry blossoms. But there are plenty of other places around the country where you can see spectacular seasonal flora. Earning the nickname "Lilac City," Spokane, Washington, is a prime example.

The common lilac traveled by boat from Europe to America sometime in the mid-1700s. It was likely planted first in New Hampshire before debuting in gardens around the U.S. over the next century. It finally landed in Washington state in 1906. That's when one of Spokane's early builders, J. J. Browne, planted two lilac bushes at W. 2226 Second Avenue, according to the City of Spokane.

Six years later, horticulturist John Duncan purchased 128 lilac cultivars (i.e., named lilac varieties) from Rochester, New York, and began planting what would be the Lilac Garden in Manito Park. That garden now contains well over 100 named cultivars from 23 species, which the city says makes it "one of the most important lilac gardens in the West." In the 1930s, the city even began promoting itself as the Lilac City and launched an annual festival that's been going strong since 1938.

The Spokane Lilac Festival usually takes place in the third week of May, when the lilacs are in full bloom. The weeklong lineup (May 9–16 in 2026) turns the entire town into a gorgeous shade of purple. Events include parades, a lilac luncheon, a brewfest at Riverfront Park Pavilion, a President's Gala, a car show, and an outdoor Lilac Marketplace on Howard Street at Spokane Falls Boulevard. The festival culminates with downtown Spokane's Armed Forces Torchlight Parade—one of the largest armed forces parades in the U.S.

Consult the website for updates and information, including specific event times and ticket prices. And if you don't make it to Spokane during the festival, you can still admire the flowers at the Lilac Garden in Manito Park, Coeur d'Alene Park in the Browne's Addition neighborhood, or the downtown River Front Park area. The best time to see them is typically from early to mid-May.

Spokane, WA (March 14, 2026) – On Saturday, March 14, a crash involving a Spokane Transit Authority bus was reported at the intersection of North Alberta Street and West Wellesley Avenue in Spokane.

Emergency units were dispatched to the area after receiving reports of a collision at the busy intersection. Early information indicates that a Spokane Transit Authority (STA) bus was among the vehicles involved in the accident.

The crash occurred near the junction where Alberta Street meets Wellesley Avenue, a roadway that regularly sees both public transit buses and passenger traffic. Responders arrived at the scene to assess the situation and manage traffic around the area.

Details about how the collision occurred have not yet been released. Information regarding the number of vehicles involved and the extent of the injuries suffered has not been confirmed.

The incident caused a temporary disruption as crews worked at the location and evaluated the vehicles involved. Additional updates may become available as more information is gathered.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.

A Look at Wellesley Avenue in Spokane

Wellesley Avenue is one of the primary east–west roads in Spokane. It runs across several neighborhoods on the north side of the city and serves as a key connector for daily traffic moving between residential areas, business districts, and nearby communities.

City planning documents describe Wellesley Avenue as a major arterial roadway that helps link different parts of Spokane and supports commuter and freight travel across the region.

The avenue intersects with several of Spokane’s most traveled north–south streets. These include routes such as Division Street, Monroe Street, Maple Street, Market Street, and Freya Street, all of which carry traffic between northern neighborhoods and the downtown area.

Because of these connections, Wellesley Avenue often functions as a cross-town route for drivers traveling between Spokane’s west and east sides.

Wellesley Avenue also connects with larger regional transportation corridors. One of the most notable is the interchange with the North Spokane Corridor, a major highway project designed to link Interstate 90 in east Spokane with U.S. Route 395 to the north.

This connection allows drivers to move between local city streets and a developing freeway route intended to improve travel times for commuters and freight traffic.

At the eastern edge of the area, Wellesley Avenue also connects with Sullivan Road and routes that lead toward Spokane Valley and the Washington–Idaho state line.

Together, these links make the avenue a central part of Spokane’s street network, linking neighborhood streets with regional highways and major traffic corridors.