In brief: Showers, warming after record low

Spokane’s early morning temperature on Thursday dropped to 39 degrees at 3:20 a.m., breaking a record that dates back to 1999.

The low, recorded at Spokane International Airport, breaks the previous record of 40.

A chance of showers or thunderstorms returns today after 11 a.m., but overnight temperatures should be warming into the upper 40s and lower 50s through Tuesday.

Shower chances persist through Saturday with highs in Spokane mainly in the lower 70s. Highs are forecast in the upper 60s and lower 70s in Coeur d’Alene.

Mike Prager

Shelter to stay open thanks to donations

The House of Charity homeless shelter in Spokane will remain open through the summer after an outpouring of donations.

Catholic Charities of Spokane planned to suspend overnight accommodations for 108 homeless men July into September because of a cut in public funding for the program.

Following a story in The Spokesman-Review on June 1, the social services agency received more than $53,000 from businesses and individuals, enough to keep the shelter’s sleeping program running all summer.

Donations include $20,000 from Providence Health Services Community Benefits program, $10,000 from Paul and Barbara Redmond of Spokane, and $10,000 from Safeco, among others. On Thursday morning, Catholic Charities was still receiving checks from private donors ranging from $50 to $1,000.

“We are incredibly grateful for this unexpected and unsolicited community support in a time of need,” said Rob McCann, executive director of Catholic Charities.

Kevin Graman