Newt Gingrich To Speak In Spokane Washington

The Davenport Hotel in Spokane Washington will be paid a visit by former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Newt Gingrich this coming Monday.

'Newt Gingrich is well-known as the architect of the “Contract with America” that led the Republican Party to victory in 1994 by capturing the majority in the U.S. House for the first time in forty years. After he was elected Speaker, he disrupted the status quo by moving power out of Washington and back to the American people. Under his leadership, Congress passed welfare reform, passed the first balanced budget in a generation, and passed the first tax cut in sixteen years. In addition, the Congress restored funding to strengthen our defense and intelligence capabilities, an action later lauded by the bipartisan 9/11 Commission.'

'Newt Gingrich, a national leader of new approaches to health care delivery and founder of the Center for Health Transformation, will present Intelligent Healthcare, an informational forum followed by a reception. A 30-minute private reception with Mr. Gingrich will precede the event.

Tickets cost $75 for the forum/reception; $1,000 for the private reception, which includes a signed copy of Gingrich's new book and a photo with the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives. All proceeds will benefit the Inland Northwest Health Services Foundation. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (509) 473-6370, or you may click here to purchase tickets online with your credit card.'

Newt Gingrich To Speak In Spokane Washington

Gonzaga Fall To Dons, 8-1

'Gonzaga dropped the second game of a three-game series with San Francisco as the Dons jumped on Bulldog pitchers for eight unanswered runs to win, 8-1.

Junior right-hander Clayton Mortensen (6-6) took the loss for the Zags. The Rexburg, Ida., native had been nothing short of masterful through five innings, at one point retiring 13 consecutive batters and facing only two batters over the minimum. But it all unraveled in the sixth inning when the Dons plated four runs on five hits and never looked back.

The Bulldogs manufactured their only run in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead. With one out, Bobby Carlson and Ryan Wiegand both reached on back-to-back hit by pitches. San Francisco pitcher Aaron Poreda (4-4) then walked shortstop Aaron McGuinness to load the bases for senior Zach Woodward. The rightfielder from Woodinville, Wash., drove in the only run for the Zags as he reached on a fielder's choice, knocking in Carlson from third. Poreda was able to get out of the jam and cruised through to the seventh before being relieved by Cole Stipovich.

Sophomore third baseman Darin Holcomb went 0-4, snapping his 17 game hitting streak. Second baseman Scott Campbell, who is leading the WCC in both hits and batting average, is now 0-8 in the past two games.

Poreda gave up only one run on six hits, including five strikeouts in his seven innings of work.

Gonzaga now sits at 6-5 in the WCC baseball standings behind San Diego, San Francisco and St. Mary's in the hunt for the a birth in the WCC tournament.

The Bulldogs will conclude their series with San Francisco on Sunday with a 1pm game against the Dons. Gonzaga will host Washington State at Avista Stadium in Spokane on Tuesday evening at 6:30, in the first home night game of the season.'

Gonzaga Fall To Dons, 8-1

Spokane Washington Man Dies After Collision On I-90

'A Spokane man died from injuries suffered in a one car collision in the Westbound lanes of I-90 near the Lincoln Street exit Friday night. The accident happened at 11:30pm.

Authorities say the car struck a barrier between the off ramp and freeway and rolled. The driver identified as 35-year-old Alan Earlscourt was dead when crews arrived on scene.

The passenger 46-year-old Rebecca Johnson was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center with serious injuries.

Washington State Patrol Officers say neither the driver or passenger were wearing their seatbelts and believe that alcohol may have been a factor.'

Spokane Washington Man Dies After Collision On I-90

Priest resigns as head of Spokane Washington boys ranch amid abuse claims

'A priest has resigned as director of a Roman Catholic-run home for troubled boys that is being sued by former residents who claim he abused them during the 1970s and '80s.

The resignation of The Rev. Joseph Weitensteiner, 73, director of the Morning Star Boys' Ranch for all but 10 years of its 50-year history but, was announced in a statement issued Thursday.

A Morning Star spokesman said Weitensteiner, widely known as Father Joe, was not available to talk to reporters Thursday.

Dan Kuhlmann, who became acting director when Weitensteiner left on medical leave last July, will continue in that position pending selection of a regular replacement, the ranch said. Morning Star did not say when it will name Weitensteiner's replacement.

In a letter to supporters, Weitensteiner wrote that his life had been "inexorably intertwined" with Morning Star, which has had 1,300 boys in residence over the years.

"As the ranch prepares to celebrate its golden jubilee, the boys we serve today are as much or more in need of your help and understanding as our boys were 50 years ago," Weitensteiner wrote.

In the announcement, Bishop William S. Skylstad said he was "profoundly grateful" to Weitensteiner.

"Rather than walking away from difficult and challenging circumstances in people's lives, Father Joe has addressed this need with compassion, dedication, and love of those who come, and a deep sense of hope in the goodness of every person," Skylstad said.

Eight former residents sued Morning Star last year, claiming they were subjected to sexual and other abuse. Two men claimed that Weitensteiner molested them in separate incidents in the 1970s and 1980s during boat trips on Lake Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho, a charge the priest has vehemently denied.

The ranch said Weitensteiner passed a lie detector test.

"This intensive test clearly supports the fact Father Joe told the truth and is telling the truth," said Robert Durgan, the president of the home's board of directors. "What troubles me is that he felt he had to do this at all. His integrity is rock solid."

Timothy D. Kosnoff of Seattle, a lawyer for the eight plaintiffs, wrote in an e-mail to The Spokesman-Review that the diocese is "in denial" about Weitensteiner and other priests cited in the case.

"We look forward to the civil trials of these cases so that these abusers and the organizations that enabled them are finally held accountable under the law," Kosnoff wrote.

Last year, citing records from the Department of Social and Health Services, court documents and interviews with former counselors and residents, the newspaper reported that Morning Star officials repeatedly had allowed physical and sexual abuse dating back to 1978.

Last summer, Weitensteiner acknowledged striking a boy in the face with an open hand and hitting boys with a paddle hard enough to leave bruises but denied more serious accusations from former counselors and residents.

He apologized to former residents who said his corporal punishment left them bruised and injured but maintained that Morning Star never allowed or condoned abuse.'

Priest resigns as head of Spokane Washington boys ranch amid abuse claims