In brief: Fire captain back after day in jail
A fire captain arrested for helping his son escape a bar fight is back on the Spokane Fire Department payroll after serving a day in jail for three misdemeanors.
Ronald D. Clinger, 54, struck a plea deal that dismissed a felony charge of eluding police, moving him to paid leave instead of unpaid layoff status, assistant chief Brian Schaeffer said.
An internal investigation will determine if Clinger, a 27-year veteran, will remain with the department, Schaeffer said. Clinger makes about $102,000 a year. He will be on probation for two years after pleading guilty to reckless driving, first-degree negligent driving and second-degree criminal assistance. He was sentenced to three days in jail with credit for time served.
He was released Saturday after less than 24 hours, records show.
Clinger was arrested Nov. 4, accused of speeding away from police with his son, who was involved in a knife fight at a bar in Chattaroy. Daniel W. Clinger, 33, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in February and was sentenced to four months in jail.
Residents help nab robbery suspect
Police arrested a Spokane man Sunday after residents saw a man running from the scene of a Walgreens robbery.
Lance S. Shaw, 26, was taken into custody by officers at Howard Street and Providence Avenue shortly after the 3 p.m. holdup, Spokane police Officer Tim Moses said. He was charged with first-degree robbery.
The Walgreens at Division Street and Empire Avenue reported the theft of OxyContin right after officers responded to a false report of a man holding a baby at gunpoint and demanding crack cocaine in the 2500 block of East Mission Avenue.
Surveillance video from the store showed a man making a pay phone call right before the robbery, Moses said.
Reward offered in hunt for fugitives
Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of two fugitives.
Kenny R. Stallworth, 37, is wanted on suspicion of escape. He is black, 6 feet tall and 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His last known address is 628 S. Maple St.
Frankie Daniel Gutierrez, 31, is wanted on suspicion of second-degree malicious mischief, escape, and four counts of second-degree driving with a suspended license. He is white, 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 185 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. His last known address is 324 N. Martin St.
Anyone with information is asked to call (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or go to www.crime stoppersinlandnorthwest.org. Tipsters do not have to give their name but should provide a code name or number.
Public meeting set on bus center sites
The public will have a chance to comment on three possible locations for a proposed Coeur d’Alene transit center at an open house Thursday. The open house, from 4 to 7 p.m., will be at the office of the Land Group, 611 E. Sherman Ave., which has been working with the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization on the project.
A study began in February to find a site for a center to serve Citylink, Greyhound, Kootenai Area Transportation Services and North Idaho Community Express. Property at the Riverstone development has been used as a park and ride and transfer location for Citylink. Last year, Citylink was notified that the Riverstone property would no longer be available for transit use.