Region in brief: 2 OxyContin heists believed linked
Spokane police think one man is responsible for two unsolved OxyContin robberies at South Hill pharmacies recently.
The robberies occurred Aug. 24 at the Shopko at 4515 S. Regal St., and Sept. 5 at the Rite Aid across the street, 4514 S. Regal St.
In each case, a white man who appeared to be wearing a wig handed an employee a note demanding OxyContin, then fled with the drug.
Shopko surveillance photos show the robber wore sunglasses, a black T-shirt, blue jeans, white sneakers and a dark baseball hat with a white logo. Witnesses said he was about 6-foot-3.
Witnesses to the Rite Aid robbery described the man as 6-foot-2 with fake facial hair, white shirt, blue jeans and a white beanie-style hat over a dark wig.
The company that makes OxyContin, Purdue Pharma, is offering up to $1,000 for information that solves the Shopko robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS, or submit tips online at www.crimestoppers inlandnorthwest.org.
Tipsters do not have to leave a name but should provide a code name or number.
Candidate forum tonight
Candidates for a Municipal Court judgeship and the City Council seat representing south Spokane will face off tonight in a forum sponsored by the Comstock Neighborhood Council.
The event, which is part of the council’s regularly monthly meeting, starts at 7 p.m. at the Comstock Pool in Comstock Park, said Erika Steinhardt, chairwoman of the council. She said Councilman Mike Allen and Out There Monthly publisher Jon Snyder, who is challenging Allen, are scheduled to attend along with incumbent Judge Tracy Staab and her challenger, Bryan Whitaker, a local attorney.
Steinhardt said root beer floats will be provided to attendees.
Yellowstone Park fire stabilized
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – A lightning-caused fire in Yellowstone National Park has stabilized at about 200 acres, with favorable weather forecast in coming days.
The Butte fire – the largest blaze to date in an otherwise light fire season – has been burning for more than a week near the summit of Druid Peak. Fire information officer Marianne Baumberger said the fire is creeping slowly through rocky terrain.
Smoke and flames may be visible from the Northeast Entrance Road to the park, about 16 miles southwest of Cooke City, Mont.
No roads, trails or campgrounds are closed because of the fire and it is not considered a threat to park visitors.
Bridge reopens to pedestrians only
WENATCHEE – Pedestrians walking single file in groups of no more than a dozen can walk across the damaged Beebe bridge on Highway 97 on the Columbia River near Chelan.
While pedestrians and bicycles could start crossing the bridge Tuesday, the Transportation Department said it will be several more weeks before crews can repair the sagging bridge deck to support cars and trucks.
Structural damage was caused by an Aug. 31 semitruck crash that killed two drivers when the tractor part of the rig fell into the river.
The trailer spilled boxes of apples on the bridge.
The department said the bridge is normally used by about 5,000 vehicles a day.
Traffic is detoured on Highway 97A through Chelan.