In brief: K-9 tracks burglary suspects in fresh snow

Two suspected burglars were arrested early Wednesday after they were tracked from the scene by a Spokane police dog. 

Travis P. Milhous, 26, and Clifford N. Mayo, 31, are accused of breaking into RVs Northwest at 18919 E. Broadway Ave.

Police spotted two sets of “clearly defined” shoe prints in fresh snow and matched Milhous’ shoe to them after Officer Paul Gorman’s K-9, Maximus, found him at Laberry Drive and Bloom Circle.

Mayo was located at 19500 E. Sprague Ave., and police matched his shoe to another print.

Both men have previous felony convictions and face second-degree burglary charges. Mayo was treated at a hospital for dog bites before being booked into jail.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Agency lifts ban on indoor burning

A stage-2 burn ban in effect since Monday afternoon was lifted Wednesday morning as air quality improved.

The Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency said Wednesday’s snowfall helped scour the layer of polluted air that developed after an arctic front brought cold and stable air to the region late last week.

Pollutants started to build on Monday and were approaching the unhealthful range for people with breathing problems. As a result, the agency banned all indoor burning within the county’s smoke control zone, which coincides with the urban and suburban areas. Also, outdoor burning was banned.

It was the first stage-2 ban since 1998.

Mike Prager

Labrador weighing caucus invitations

Less than 24 hours in office, U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador is already flexing the independent streak he became known for while serving in the Idaho Legislature.

A tea party favorite, Labrador further aligned himself with the movement on the campaign trail when he called the Minnesota lawmaker who founded the tea party caucus in Congress a “visionary leader.”

But as he took the oath of office Wednesday, Labrador’s office said he doesn’t have plans to join the tea party caucus. Labrador, a Puerto Rican native and two-term state lawmaker from southwestern Idaho, also quashed any assumptions that he would automatically accept an invitation to join the Hispanic caucus.

Labrador’s office says he will consider each caucus on an individual basis.

Associated Press