In brief: Linen supply business damaged by blaze

A linen supply business escaped serious structural damage from a fire Friday night.

A passing Washington State Patrol trooper spotted smoke coming from Blue Ribbon Linen Supply at 1107 N. Freya St. shortly before midnight Friday and called in the fire department.

Spokane Fire Department crews were on the scene in minutes and brought the fire under control in less than half an hour, battalion chief Craig Cornelius said in a news release.

There was heavy smoke damage throughout the building, Cornelius said, but minimal structural damage. The fire was mostly confined to linens and clothing stored in large carts, according to the release. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, fire officials said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Staff reports

Pools open Monday; swim passes available

Spokane’s six aquatic centers will be open for business beginning Monday.

Through grants from businesses and organizations, the city of Spokane’s Parks and Recreation Department will offer youth “sponsored swim” passes for low-income families who may not be able to afford the pool admission fees.

About 600 15-admission swim packs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Income verification will be required.

Applications will be available at City Hall starting Monday, at the first-floor information desk, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., or at any of the six aquatic centers: A.M. Cannon, Comstock, Hillyard, Liberty, Shadle and Witter.

Applications may also be downloaded at www.spokane parks.org/aquatics. Call (509) 625-6960 for information.

Sara Leaming

Hells Angel can go free if bond posted

A federal judge has rejected a prosecutor’s request to hold a Canadian Hells Angel without bail on drug and money laundering charges.

Brian L. Hall, 43, will be allowed to leave the Spokane County Jail and return to British Columbia if he posts a $400,000 cash bond, Judge Frem Nielsen ruled Tuesday.

Nielsen’s ruling upholds an earlier decision by Magistrate Cynthia Imbrogno to grant bail to Hall, a member of the notorious biker gang who fought extradition for nearly two years, under the condition he stay in contact with court officials and not contact biker gangs.

Nielsen changed Hall’s release conditions to require $400,000 cash bond instead of $300,000 and to nix Imbrogno’s requirement that Hall’s grandparents post $100,000.

Hall’s charges are connected to $184,750 in U.S. currency seized by the Border Patrol in February 2003, as well as 1,200 pounds of marijuana seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency in April 2004.

Meghann M. Cuniff