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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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In brief: Residents, dog safe after house fire

Sifting through debris after a fire struck his rented home, Ken McComb finds an old tutu he used to wear when he worked for the now-defunct singing telegram company Western Onion. An electrical fire was to blame Saturday for the damage to his home at 1314 W. Cleveland Ave. in Spokane. (Dan Pelle)

An electrical problem is likely to blame for a fire that damaged a northwest Spokane home Saturday morning.

The Spokane Fire Department was called to the home at 1314 W. Cleveland Ave. about 10:30 a.m. by the report of a structure fire.

Two tenants were home at the time of the fire but escaped without injury along with their dog, fire officials said.

Firefighters attacked the blaze quickly, but the fire damage was severe, burning inside the walls of the two-story home from the first floor up into the attic, fire officials said.

Damage was estimated at about $30,000, leaving the home uninhabitable. The residents were assisted by the American Red Cross.

Sara Leaming

Homebuyers may be eligible for assistance

First-time homebuyers may be eligible for up to $20,000 in down-payment assistance in conjunction with a mortgage loan from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association, an organization that supports affordable housing.

The funds, provided through the federal HOME program, are available until Jan. 1.

The dollar amount buyers may receive ranges from $1,000 to $20,000 and is based on need. To qualify for the no-interest, due-on-sale loan, borrowers must be at or below 80 percent of area median income and be first-time homebuyers.

To view a complete listing of other requirements and income limits, which vary in different parts of the state, visit the housing finance association Web site at www.ihfa.org/ idamortgage/home_ program.asp.

For more details, visit www.idamortgage.com and click on the down payment assistance link, or call toll-free (877) 447-2687.

Staff reports

Finalists chosen for Lilac Festival Court

The Spokane Lilac Festival has selected 14 high school seniors who will compete for scholarships and positions on the Royal Court for the 2010 Armed Forces Torchlight Parade.

The 14, picked from among 30 entrants, are: Madison Hilpert, Central Valley; Caitlin Miller, Cheney; Mariah Clark, East Valley; Jade Heidinger, Ferris; Meg Cressy, Gonzaga Prep; Ellen Taylor, Lewis and Clark; Jen Choi, Mead; Myryda Johnson, Medical Lake; Larae Stotts, Mt. Spokane; Ciara Mielke, North Central; Hayley Hill, Northwest Christian; Katrina Knizek, Shadle Park; Samantha Hokenson, University; and Savanna Atabelo, West Valley.

Competition for inclusion on the Royal Court will be held Jan. 31 at the Spokane Masonic Center. The parade will be held May 15.

Bert Caldwell

Student rekicks lucrative field goal

MISSOULA – A University of Montana student who kicked a field goal to win $10,000 during a Griz game – only to learn he was ineligible for the promotion – has done it again.

Thanks to a new sponsor, sophomore Matthew Brenner booted another 45-yard field goal when he was given a do-over during Saturday’s home game against Northern Colorado.

Brenner kicked the first field goal during UM’s Kick for Cash contest Oct. 31. But sponsors later found out he didn’t qualify to be a contestant because he hadn’t been away from organized football for five years.

Brenner kicked a 27-yard field goal to lift his high school team, the Sidney Eagles, to a homecoming victory in 2007.

Associated Press