Tickets aplenty in crosswalk sting

Spokane police spent more than 1 1/2 hours Tuesday working a well-marked crosswalk at Hamilton Street and Desmet Avenue after neighbors near Gonzaga University expressed concern about pedestrians in the area, said Spokane Police Officer Teresa Fuller.

A plainclothes officer was used as a decoy student trying to cross the street.

Thirty-five citations were given for failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian, Fuller said.

“Drivers are reminded that not all crosswalks are marked. In fact, most crosswalks in the city are not,” Fuller said. “Other citations included no insurance and drivers whose licenses were suspended. Officers also wrote up two pedestrians for failing to obey a no crossing sign.”

According to state law, a driver must stay stopped after a pedestrian or bicyclist has stepped midway into a lane of traffic at a marked or unmarked intersection. Pedestrians do not have the right of way when they try to cross the street midblock.

To report areas with repeated violations call the Traffic Hotline at (509) 625-4150.

Police say man assaulted two kids

Police say a man broke into his ex-girlfriend’s Spokane home on two occasions this week and assaulted two children, and they’re asking for the public’s help finding him.

Larry G. Gatewood, 34, is wanted on a state Department of Corrections escape warrant for second-degree assault.

The incidents occurred Sunday – Gatewood’s birthday – and Monday.

Anyone with information on Gatewood’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Olympia

West Nile virus found in birds

The state Health Department said positive tests for West Nile virus in one dead bird in King County and one in Thurston County are the first time this year the disease has been found in animals in Western Washington.

The birds were collected earlier this month.

The department said the virus is a threat until the first frost kills mosquitoes.

The virus was previously confirmed in Eastern Washington – one human case, two probable human cases, and more than two dozen horses, nine birds and 40 mosquito pools.

West Nile is mainly a bird disease spread by mosquitoes. In humans it can cause an inflammation of the spinal cord or brain.

Boise

Schools get grants for fruit, veggies

Thirty elementary schools across the state have been awarded grants to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to students.

State Schools Superintendent Tom Luna said the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides students with healthier snack options throughout the school day and helps teach students about the importance of healthy eating habits.

Among the schools awarded the grants were Coeur d’Alene’s Bryan Elementary, which was granted more than $18,000, Juliaetta Elementary in north-central Idaho, which received more than $15,000, and Marsing Elementary, which received more than $20,000.

Walla Walla

Guard suspected of drug possession

Walla Walla police say a state penitentiary guard was caught bringing a substantial amount of drugs into the prison.

Police say 20-year-old Camren James Jones, of Kennewick, was arrested Monday and jailed on suspicion of delivering cocaine, heroine, methadone and marijuana.

The penitentiary said the officer resigned shortly after the arrest.

Auburn, Wash.

Picketers protest Oak Harbor Freight

Picketers are carrying Teamsters strike signs outside Oak Harbor Freight operations in the Pacific Northwest.

Workers walked out Monday night after the union and company failed to reach an agreement on medical benefits. Union spokesman Al Hobart said the company sought to make union members and retirees begin paying for part of their medical coverage. That benefit has been funded entirely by the trucking company.

The freight hauler said it will continue to operate. A company spokesman, Mike Hobby, said Oak Harbor has 1,300 employees in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and about 550 of them are Teamsters.

Seattle

Grant to aid homeless veterans

Sen. Patty Murray said that a new $2 million grant from the Department of Veteran Affairs will provide money for a shelter that will serve homeless veterans in King County.

The money will go to the Compass Center in Renton. The Compass Center already serves the area’s homeless. Plans call for the center to build space for an additional 58 beds for veterans.

The Washington state Democrat said Tuesday the money will extend a lifeline to more homeless veterans living in King County.

Ketchum, Idaho

Police investigate suspicious fire

Fire officials in Ketchum say the blaze that destroyed two historic buildings was suspicious in nature.

Fire Chief Mike Elle said investigators haven’t yet determined a cause, and it could have been arson or an accident.

The fire on Sept. 15 began in front of the former Dirty Little Roddy’s building downtown and then destroyed the Whiskey Jacques bar.