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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man falls in lake, presumed dead

The Spokesman-Review

Divers searched Fish Lake in southwest Spokane on Friday evening for a 55-year-old Spokane man who was missing and presumed drowned.

About 4:50 p.m., the victim fell overboard when a gust of wind caused the sailboat’s boom to swing out, tipping the 14-foot vessel, said Spokane County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. A male co-worker in the boat threw the man a flotation cushion, but wind blew the cushion and the boat away from him.

The man disappeared before his friend was able to return.

Volunteer divers from the Spokane Water Rescue Team searched until dark, and they were scheduled to resume this morning. The man’s name is not being released until family members can be contacted.

– Parker Howell

Cheney

Ex-EWU wrestler excelling at poker

A former wrestler and economics student at Eastern Washington University is making a name for himself in another arena: professional poker.

Lee Watkinson, who graduated from EWU in 1989, won $655,746 on Tuesday in one of the tournaments at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. Watkinson took first place in the Omaha Hold’Em pot-limit event, one of several events that culminate in the No Limit Texas Hold’Em tournament.

Attempts to reach Watkinson were unsuccessful this week. EWU officials noted that he wrestled for the school team in 1987, 1988 and 1989, compiling a record of 42-46-1.

As a professional poker player, his earnings have topped $2.6 million.

– Shawn Vestal

Stevens County

Growth plan makes county compliant

Thirteen years after Stevens County agreed to participate in the state Growth Management Act, commissioners adopted a new comprehensive plan this week that tentatively brings the county into compliance.

Critics have two months to appeal to the Eastern Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, but county officials are optimistic that the new plan – which took effect Thursday – is bulletproof.

Clay White, director of the county Land Services Department, said every landowner in unincorporated portions of the county was invited to participate in numerous meetings and workshops.

Growth management has been a touchy subject with many government-wary residents, but White said the plan protects property rights.

John Craig