In brief: Fire damages Corbin Mansion
Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze at the Corbin Mansion, but the historic building did not escape damage Tuesday.
Crews had to knock out fourth-floor ceilings and cut through the roof to get into the attic, where a fire started about 6 p.m. The attic and fourth floor were damaged by water and smoke as firefighters battled the blaze, said Battalion Chief Bob Green of the Spokane Fire Department.
As firefighters swung axes at the roof, smoke escaped from the converted South Hill mansion, located near the Corbin Art Center, that now houses professional offices.
“We’re pretty aware of the importance to this community; it’s 100 years old,” Green said of the building near Seventh Avenue and Lincoln Street. “It was uppermost in our minds.”
Crews put down salvage tarps to protect valuables inside the mansion, Battalion Chief Steve Sabo said. About 30 firefighters knocked down the fire within 15 minutes.
A malfunctioning heating and air-conditioning unit was blamed for the fire, which firefighters contained to the attic, Green said.
The fire caused $30,000 in damage, but it was unclear whether it was significant enough to close the mansion. Office workers watched from outside but refused to comment.
To see video of the fire, go to spokesmanreview.com.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.
Pesky bear caught, sent to WSU
A grizzly bear with a history of causing problems at Lake Village and Fishing Bridge has been captured and is being sent to a university research center in Washington state.
The 3-year-old grizzly weighed just 140 pounds, park officials said Tuesday.
The bear had been chased away from the developments at the north end of Yellowstone Lake more than 40 times. Rangers used beanbag rounds, firecrackers and other techniques to scare the bear away, but she always came back.
The bear caused property damage eight times, usually chewing hoses used for sewage hookups on employee trailer houses.
The bear even returned to the Lake Village area after being taken by boat to the opposite side of Yellowstone Lake and by helicopter to the Gallatin Mountains in Yellowstone.
Rangers caught the bear Sunday. Park officials said the bear was taken by truck to the Washington State University Bear Research, Education and Conservation Program at Pullman.
Airway Heights
Polo classic to raise charity funds
The third annual Cobra Roofing Polo Classic will take place on Sept. 16 at the Spokane Polo Club in Airway Heights. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Spokane Ronald McDonald House.
Included on the agenda for the event are skydiving, silent auctions, a raffle, a ladies hat competition and the works of more than 20 local artists. Organizers say the Polo Classic has become the largest event of its kind west of the Mississippi River, with more than 1,000 spectators expected this year.
Sponsors for the polo teams are Washington Trust Bank and Dix-Windermere Real Estate. Other sponsors for the event include Merrill Lynch, Moss Adams, Northern Quest Casino, Budweiser Select and McDonald’s.
Tickets are $150, and will be on sale through Sept. 10. To purchase a ticket call the Ronald McDonald House at (509) 624-0500. The gates will open at 11 a.m. on the day of the benefit, with match festivities beginning around 1 p.m.
Kootenai County
North Idaho Fair starts today
The North Idaho Fair & Rodeo begins its five-day run today at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
The fair will begin at 10 a.m. daily and close at 10 p.m. through Saturday and at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $7 for ages 13 and older; $5.50 Wednesday and Saturday for ages 60 and older; $3 for ages 6-12; free for 5 and younger. Parking costs $3.
Today, active duty members of the armed forces, reservists and National Guard members with military identification are admitted free. Other daily promotions are offered as well.
Performances of PRCA Rodeo are Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on the fair, go to www.northidahofair.com.
Divas to duel, fundraise for theater
Tickets are still available for Dueling Divas, a contest-fundraiser Saturday night for the Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d’Alene.
The 7:30 p.m. show will feature four women competing for the title of reigning diva of the year. The one who collects the most tips from audience members wins, with proceeds going to support the nonprofit community theater.
In addition to the competition, four junior divas, each under age 18, will perform two songs each for the audience.
Tickets are $10 a person. Call (208) 667-1323 to reserve in advance.
The theater is at 1320 E. Garden Ave.
From staff and wire reports