Region in brief: Restaurant worker robbed at gunpoint

Lindaman’s Gourmet-to-Go, 1235 S. Grand Blvd., was robbed Wednesday night as an employee was leaving to walk home about 10 p.m., Spokane police said.

The robber stepped out of a dark location, pointed a silver-colored handgun at the employee and ordered him to hand over restaurant money, according to police. There were no injuries or shots fired.

The suspect was described as black, 6 feet tall and thin. He was wearing dark, gray-hooded clothing and had his face covered. He was last seen running north toward 11th Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to call (509) 242-TIPS.

Witnesses to crash on U.S. 95 sought

The Idaho State Police are trying to find witnesses to a two-vehicle crash late Wednesday at U.S. Highway 95 and Dalton Avenue.

Both drivers claimed that they had the green light.

The Idaho State Police said Jean A. Kachner, 58, of Coeur d’Alene, was headed south on U.S. 95 in a 1996 Saturn when her vehicle collided about 11 p.m. with a 2005 Ford Econoline van driven by Rahana S. Zellers, 28, of Coeur d’Alene. Both were treated at the hospital and released.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call Corp. Ron Sutton at (208) 772-8585.

‘Red tide’ toxin found in Sound

OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Health has closed much of northern Puget Sound to recreational shellfish gathering after finding dangerous levels of the toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

The department said Thursday that tests found so-called “red tide” toxin levels up to 100 times the closure level. Eating shellfish contaminated with the toxin can make people sick, and at high enough levels, can kill.

The closure affects all of Whatcom and San Juan counties; Deception Pass, Fidalgo Bay, Samish Bay, Sinclair, and Cypress Islands in Skagit County; the northern part of Whidbey Island from Keystone Harbor to Strawberry Point; and Discovery Bay in Clallam and Jefferson counties.