In brief: Man injured in motorcycle crash
A retired Spokane police detective was injured Sunday in a motorcycle crash on Trent Avenue.
Donald M. Giese, 58, was westbound on Trent, aka State Route 290, when he crossed the centerline and left the roadway between Barker and Harvard roads at 2:31 p.m., according to the Washington State Patrol.
Giese was ejected from his 2004 Harley-Davidson, which was totaled and impounded to a tow yard.
Giese was wearing a helmet, WSP said. It was unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor, WSP said.
He was transported to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he was in satisfactory condition Sunday evening.
The eastbound lane of the highway was partially blocked while emergency crews worked to clear the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
Holiday shutters some services
Government offices and other services will be affected by the Independence Day holiday today.
Banks: Most will be closed.
Buses: Spokane Transit Authority will operate on the holiday schedule today, with extended service after the fireworks in Riverfront Park.
Garbage pickup: Collection will be delayed one day in Spokane, Kootenai County and areas served by Waste Management. Garbage facilities and transfer stations will be closed.
Government: Federal, state, county and city offices in Washington and Idaho will be closed. Spokane city swimming pools and golf courses will be open today.
Libraries: Closed today in Spokane, Spokane County and Coeur d’Alene. In Spokane, the East Side, Hillyard and Indian Trail branches also will be closed Tuesday.
Liquor stores: State stores in Washington and Idaho will be open.
Mail: No service today.
Parking meters: Free today.
Body ID’d as Donnelly’s wife
McCall, Idaho – Authorities have identified the body of a woman pulled from the Payette River as that of 49-year-old Mary Jo Roberts, the wife of Republican House Majority Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts of Donnelly.
McCall Interim Fire Chief Garrett de Jong said Mary Jo Roberts’ body was found in a logjam about 11:30 a.m. Saturday about six miles downstream from McCall.
De Jong said searchers from various agencies began looking about 2 p.m. Friday after a neighbor reported a vehicle near a bridge in McCall.
De Jong said police are investigating the death.
Event set at veterans cemetery
The public is invited to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery at 11 a.m. today.
The ceremony will include the unveiling of two Boy Scout projects by Chris and Zach Taylor, a “scattering garden” and an honor guard walkway, according to Rich Cesler, cemetery director.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the cemetery at 21702 W. Espanola Road in Medical Lake.
Attendees are encouraged to bring plants for the garden.
Resident treated after stove fire
A Spokane resident was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after a kitchen fire filled the first floor of a home with smoke early Sunday.
Six groups of firefighters responded to the blaze about 2:24 a.m. at 4236 E. Hartson Ave.
Firefighters were met with heavy smoke upon entering the home.
A fire on the kitchen stove was extinguished. The fire did not extend beyond the stove but caused smoke damage to the first floor of the home.
Besides the resident treated for smoke inhalation, no injuries were reported.