In brief: Baby’s broken leg prompts dad’s arrest

A Spokane man is accused of abusing his 2-month-old daughter.

Daniel S. O’Brien, 23, appeared in Spokane County Superior Court on Monday on one count of first-degree assault of a child after doctors said the girl’s injuries, which include a broken leg, were consistent with abuse, according to the Spokane Police Department.

O’Brien was arrested Friday and is in custody on $50,000 bond.

“The injuries didn’t match up with any plausible explanation,” said Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. “It’s not often you find a 2-month-old with fractured bones.”

Meghann M. Cuniff

Robber steals cash from Safeway bank

A man robbed a bank inside an Spokane grocery store Monday.

About 5:26 p.m., the robber entered a Banner Bank branch inside the Safeway store at 933 E. Mission Ave., police say. He handed the teller a note demanding cash; it said he had a gun although no weapon was displayed, said Spokane police Officer Brian Eckersley.

He’s described as 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-8 and wore a dark, puffy Carhartt jacket, light-colored stocking cap and wire-rimmed glasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Pedestrian seriously injured in hit-and-run

A hit-and-run driver seriously injured a Spokane pedestrian Monday on the lower South Hill.

Police are looking for information on the incident, which occurred at 12:22 p.m. at South Oak Street and West 10th Avenue.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to the Spokane Police Department.

The suspect vehicle is described as a light brown or blue sedan with a loud muffler.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 or Cpl. Dave Adams at (509) 835-4567.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Kids’ fund backers will need signatures

Backers of a property tax aimed at lowering Spokane’s dropout rate will have to collect signatures if they want their proposal considered this summer.

The Spokane City Council voted unanimously Monday not to place the tax on the ballot on its own. That means the political action committee supporting the creation of the Children’s Investment Fund will have to collect about 8,400 signatures by April 16 in order to qualify for the August ballot.

Under the proposal, taxes would be used to support early childhood learning, abuse and neglect prevention and treatment programs, mentoring programs, and before- and after-school activities.

The group has proposed a six-year levy that would raise $5 million annually and cost property owners about 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Jonathan Brunt