Thunderstorms prompt warning
Thunderstorms swept through the plains of Eastern Washington on Friday night, and the weather service issued a small-stream flood warning for Cheney and Spangle.
Severe storms near Davenport in Lincoln County were reported about 8 p.m., and one spotter reported “clouds were rotating, but he did not mention a funnel cloud,” said Ellie Kelch, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Wet weather and more thunderstorms will continue Sunday, likely before 11 p.m. Today, the last official day of spring, will be mostly sunny with a high in the low 70s, the weather service said. More rain and thunderstorms are expected Monday.
I-90 crash closes eastbound lanes
Two men escaped major injuries in a head-on crash on Interstate 90 that blocked the eastbound lanes of traffic for several hours Friday evening.
Jim D. Williams, 51, was westbound on I-90 just before 5 p.m. when his 2002 Ford pickup entered the median about a mile and half east of Stateline and veered into the eastbound lanes of traffic, the Idaho State Police reported.
Williams’ truck collided with an eastbound 2007 Chevy pickup, driven by Douglas R. Traeger, 62, of Kalispell, Mont.
Traeger was not injured, the ISP said. Williams was transported to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, where he was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Attack suspect to get evaluation
A man accused of attacking a teenager with a machete will undergo a mental health evaluation before he appears in court.
A court appearance for Douglas W. Harmon, 49, was canceled Friday so he could be transported to Eastern State Hospital, a psychiatric facility. Judge Ellen Kalama Clark said she wanted Harmon to undergo the evaluation “given my understanding of his current mental state.”
“I’d prefer not to have him dragged into court,” Clark said.
Harmon is charged with two counts of first-degree assault for the attack outside his apartment in the 200 block of West Sixth Avenue on Wednesday.
Spokane getting housing money
More than $62 million from the state Housing Trust Fund has been awarded to build affordable housing across Washington in the coming year, including about $7 million to four projects in the Spokane area.
The Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development approved awards and loans for more than 1,100 rental units and 350 beds in facilities statewide, according to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s office.
NIC Foundation raffle sales down
The difficult economy has slowed ticket sales for the North Idaho College Foundation’s largest fundraiser.
Some 900 tickets remain – out of 5,000 – for the chance to win this year’s $300,000 grand prize home through NIC’s 16th annual Really BIG Raffle. Other prizes include a car, a boat, a travel package and a shopping spree. Tickets cost $100 apiece.
The raffle has sold out every year, but Rayelle Anderson, the foundation’s executive director, said that in recent years it has sold out weeks in advance. Sales this year are more similar to the years prior to that boom, she said.
The drawing will be July 8 and proceeds are used to fund scholarships, update classroom technology and support NIC programs.
For more information, call (208) 769-3271 or visit www.nic.edu/foundation.