Another pharmacy held up

A man holding a sign demanding OxyContin robbed a Rite Aid pharmacy in Spokane Valley on Monday morning, the latest in a string of drugstore heists.

No weapon was displayed, and no one was hurt during the 8:50 a.m. holdup.

Officers were nearby and arrived quickly at the store, at 12115 E. Sprague Ave., but the robber still got away on foot, even though officers used a police canine to try tracking him.

He is described as a thin, white male in his 20s, about 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds. He had a mustache and either acne or other scarring on his right cheek.

Witnesses said he was wearing blue jeans, a blue-hooded sweatshirt and large, dark sunglasses. He had dark complexion and short, dark hair.

Anyone with information about today’s or other pharmacy robberies is asked to call the Spokane Valley Police at (509) 242-TIPS. To see security footage of the robber, go to spokesmanreview.com.

Spokane

School board seeks new member

Time is short for those who want a spot on the Spokane school board.

Spokane Public Schools will say goodbye to longtime board member Christie Querna at a reception Wednesday. The district will stop taking applications from aspiring replacements the following day.

Applicants should provide a letter describing their personal background along with a résumé and statement saying why they want to serve. The packet should be addressed to school board president Garret Daggett, and delivered by 5 p.m. Thursday to the district office at 200 N. Bernard St.

Applicants must live in the school district and be registered to vote. For more information, go to www.spokaneschools.org/Board/SchoolBoard.stm.

The board hopes to pick a replacement on Oct. 8. The seat is up for re-election in November 2009.

Querna, who first was elected to the board in 1995, announced in August that she was stepping down. A public reception is planned to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the district office, an hour before her final school board meeting.

Heyburn State Park, Idaho

Trail changes ownership

Union Pacific transferred title of Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to the state of Idaho and Coeur d’Alene Tribe Monday afternoon during a ceremony at Heyburn State Park.

Each year, about 100,000 people travel the 72-mile asphalt trail on foot, bike and inline skates.

The state and the tribe will team up to operate and maintain the trail. Union Pacific has agreed to repair major damages caused by natural disasters, such as flooding.

From staff reports