Area’s deep freeze to last all week

Brutally cold weather will linger through the week, with the region expected to remain below freezing. And more snow could arrive this weekend.

Temperatures Monday night dipped to near zero in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene and below zero in outlying areas.

Today’s high is expected to be about 20, and the low tonight will be below 10 degrees.

The mercury will rise gradually through the week and may peak Friday about 30, according to the National Weather Service.

Spokane officials opened warming shelters for homeless people Sunday and Monday nights and may again tonight.

The city opens the shelters when temperatures drop to 15 or lower and homeless shelters are full.

Streets and highways remain treacherous due to ice, especially in shady spots, police said.

– From staff reports

Olympia

Impeachment resolution advances

A state Senate resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney was approved by a committee Monday, taking the measure a step further than last year.

The resolution by Sen. Eric Oemig, D-Kirkland, had little support from lawmakers last year, never getting to the Senate floor for a vote.

But Monday it was approved by the five majority Democrats on the Senate’s Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Passing committee is a key hurdle but does not guarantee the measure will get a vote on the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has said she doubts the measure will get any time on the floor this year.

More than 80 people attended a testy hearing last week about the resolution, which included a heated exchange between a Republican senator and members of the audience.

A small number of towns and cities across the country have passed similar resolutions, but no state legislature in the country has passed a measure calling for Bush’s impeachment.

– Associated Press

Lewiston

Driver dies in crash north of Moscow

A 73-year-old Lewiston man was killed Sunday when he lost control of his car on U.S. Highway 95 north of Moscow.

Idaho State Police said Monday that Raleigh Ben Austin was driving south on the highway about noon when he lost control and crossed into the northbound lane, striking a guardrail. His Chevy Impala then was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Benjamin Charles Weller, 39, of Pullman. The accident occurred near the State Highway 66 intersection.

Weller and his two passengers, ages 8 and 11, were not injured.

Police said Austin was not wearing his seat belt.

– From staff reports