Regional news
A 39-year-old transient is fighting for his life after suffering a head injury that apparently came as the result of an assault.
Spokane officers and firefighters responded about 8 a.m. Thursday to a report of a man down on the sidewalk at Second Avenue and Madison Street, Spokane Police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a press release.
Paramedics transported Richard Gregory Morgan to a hospital where he remains in critical condition.
The intersection where Morgan was found is busy at that time in the morning, and investigators want to talk with anyone who witnessed the assault.
“Someone must have seen what happened,” Sgt. Joe Peterson said.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911, Cottam said.
Teen accused of starting fire at private school
A 15-year-old was arrested Thursday and accused of starting a fire that caused $1 million damage to an east Spokane private school, fire investigator Lt. Chris Phillips said.
Firefighters responded to The Oaks Classical Christian Academy, 4224 E. Fourth Ave., around 2 a.m. June 2. Multiple fires had been set in the west end of the school, and gasoline was used to accelerate the flames, Phillips said.
Fire gutted a hallway and several offices and there was smoke damage throughout the school, which had an enrollment of about 175 students.
Phillips said the boy was arrested after investigators received a tip through Secret Witness, an organization that takes anonymous tips used by law enforcement.
The tip led to the teenager who is a former student at Oaks. His fingerprints matched those found at the scene.
Oaks will reopen to students on Sept. 26, Phillips said.
The case was investigated by the Spokane Fire Department and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Police get $3 million for network upgrade
The Spokane Police Department has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to upgrade its communications network.
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, announced Thursday that Spokane Police was among 26 law enforcement agencies chosen to participate in a project to develop a communications network that allows first responders to talk during crises.
The grant by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will offset the cost of purchasing voice and data equipment, upgrading the department’s infrastructure and project management, McMorris said in a press release.
Police Chief Roger Bragdon thanked McMorris for her help in securing the grant.
“The resources to make this happen are the most important thing we can receive from the federal government,” he said.
School construction can be seen on Web
Anyone with Internet access can watch live video feeds from four Spokane school construction sites. Cameras are mounted on telephone poles and buildings and can pan the grounds and zoom in on command.
Anyone who goes to the Spokane Public Schools’ Web site can get at least one minute to control a camera – longer if no one else is waiting. The camera zooms in close enough to watch a worker’s face as he smokes a cigarette while laying brick. Even on a high-speed Internet connection, the image is jerky like a 1920s film.
Associate Superintendent Mark Anderson said the idea for the cameras originated when a student pre-apprentice program started in the district. Watching the workers could be educational, he said.
Each camera costs about $1,500, said Ken Brown, director of technology and information services.
The construction sites can be accessed at www.spokaneschools.org. Click on construction update links for Lidgerwood, Lincoln Heights, Ridgeview and Ferris.
Today at the Interstate Fair
Here are some highlights of activities at the Spokane County Interstate Fair today. For a full fair schedule, visit www.spokesmanreview.com.
8:30 a.m. : Gates open.
10 a.m. to noon: Make-and-take kids’ crafts, home arts area.
Noon: Carnival opens.
2 p.m.: Senior activities, bay 1 lobby.
2:30 p.m.: Antique hay baling demonstration, steam and gas area.
4:05 p.m.: Haran Irish Dancers, Community Stage.
6 p.m.: Animal costume class, covered show area.
Fuhrman signing off his radio talk show
Mark Fuhrman told listeners on KGA-AM (1510) Friday that he will be quitting his talk show.
He said he could not come to terms with the station on a new contract. Furhman’s show is one of the only non-sports radio talk shows in Spokane.
David J. Tester, vice-president and general manager of Citadel’s radio stations in Spokane, said it appears that Fuhrman and producer Rebecca Mack will leave KGA-AM when their contract expires at the end of September.
“Our listeners can’t be more disappointed than we are about Mark Fuhrman and Rebecca Mack’s departure from radio,” said Tester. “Our plan was to continue the long-term relationship with them. Unfortunately for the KGA listeners and Citadel radio, we couldn’t come to terms with Mr. Fuhrman.”
Fuhrman is well-known as the former L.A. police detective who gained notoriety during the O.J. Simpson case. He began his talk radio career on KXLY-AM in 1998 and switched to KGA in 2004.
Work to begin on new Nez Perce casino
Lewiston The Nez Perce Tribe will break ground Tuesday on a casino and hotel next to its Clearwater River Casino.
The old casino building, four miles east of Lewiston on U.S. 95, is to be used for concerts and boxing matches once the new building opens next spring, said Ken Arthur, the casino’s director of marketing.
“It’s going to be built so that it will expand as business demands it,” Arthur said. “It’s designed to be a very fluid process.”
At least 500 electronic gaming devices will be installed in the casino, he said. “It’s the beginning of what is going to be a major destination resort with very nice, very modern equipment.”