Motorcyclist in critical condition

A motorcyclist was in critical condition Sunday night after crashing in east Spokane.

According to Spokane police, the man was traveling at high speed about 8:45 p.m. when he rounded a corner in the 4300 block of East Upriver Drive and drifted into oncoming traffic. When he swerved to avoid a crash, the rider lost control and fell off the bike, said Spokane police Officer Teresa Fuller.

The motorcycle continued to travel for another block, but did not hit anyone.

Only the rider, whose identity was unavailable Sunday, was injured.

– Amy Cannata

Spokane County

Stabbing incident under investigation

An argument turned bloody Sunday in Mead.

Robert Pegal, 32, suffered stab wounds during the confrontation at a friend’s house in the 11600 block of North Sheridan, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Pegal apparently fled the scene and contacted authorities from an Albertsons grocery store at Wandermere.

He was rushed to a Spokane-area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Pegal reportedly had gone to the friend’s house to get a truck. Two other men were at the house, deputies said, and an argument erupted, which escalated into a physical fight. One of the men told deputies he was trying to help defend the other man and stabbed Pegal two to three times.

The men were interviewed Sunday by deputies, but no arrests were made, and detectives are expected to resume the investigation today. Deputies said it was unknown what the men were arguing about.

– David Wasson

Helena

Search continues for escaped inmates

Offers of help came from the New York Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as officials continued searching for two missing Montana State Prison inmates, one convicted of bilking television personality David Letterman.

Sunday marked the third day of the Deer Lodge Valley search launched after staff determined Kelly A. Frank, 45, and William J. Willcutt, 22, were missing from the prison ranch. New information indicated the pair “may be armed and have other provisions to sustain themselves,” according to a prison news release. Warden Mike Mahoney, contacted Sunday at the prison in Deer Lodge, declined to provide specifics.

Officials said Frank and Willcutt fled in a truck Friday while working at the prison ranch. Frank was arrested in 2005 on allegations he crafted a plan to kidnap the son of Letterman, who has a ranch near Choteau. A charge of solicitation to kidnap was dropped in return for pleas of guilty to other charges, including felony theft and misdemeanor obstruction. Frank worked as a painter at Letterman’s ranch and received a 10-year prison sentence for overcharging him. Willcutt has been convicted of burglary.

– Associated Press

Longview, Wash.

Restaurant patrons contract norovirus

An apparent norovirus outbreak sickened scores of people who ate at a steak house in this southwest Washington town.

At least 123 Parker’s Steak House customers and two workers had become ill with the highly contagious virus by Friday, the Cowlitz County Health Department said.

Authorities did not believe the virus came from any produce or food at the restaurant. Someone who was ill likely infected others by touching surfaces such as door handles or tables, they said. The restaurant owners cooperated with recommendations for cleaning, said Dr. Mimi Fields, the county’s health officer.

Officials suspect the contamination likely occurred in late May. hands after using the restroom.

– Associated Press