In brief: Nonprofit awarded $7.3 million grant

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a $7.3 million grant to Community Frameworks Inc., a nonprofit housing development agency with offices in Bremerton and Spokane.

The Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program grant will be used to produce at least 393 units of self-help housing in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Community Frameworks will make the funds available to buy land and build single-family and multifamily dwellings for low-income homebuyers who have contributed “sweat equity” toward building their own homes.

Eastern Washington affiliates of Community Frameworks include the Republic-Ferry County Housing Authority, the Home Starts Program in Spokane and the Community Action Center in Pullman.

Staff reports

State park event will re-enact early 1800s

Flint and steel firemaking, open-fire cooking, flintlock shooting and even a cannon salute will generate smoke and cheers at Riverside State Park this weekend.

The annual Fur Trade Encampment will return the Spokane House interpretive site to the 1810-1825 period when traders, voyageurs, trappers and Indians gathered to do business and celebrate.

The free event runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and features participants in period clothing demonstrating period skills.

The Spokane House site is north of Nine Mile Dam off Highway 291.

Rich Landers

Citizens’ pursuit leads to arrest

Citizens cornered a vehicle prowling suspect after chasing him for blocks in downtown Spokane on Wednesday.

Glen Wayne O’Brien, 34, broke into a car near West Main Avenue and North Bernard Street about 9:45 a.m. and fled as several witnesses chased him, the Spokane Police Department said.

He was cornered behind a building at West Second Avenue and South Stevens Street, where he allegedly assaulted a witness before officers arrived, police said.

O’Brien was arrested on suspicion of vehicle prowling, possession of a controlled substance, city assault and an escape warrant from the Department of Corrections.

Meghann M. Cuniff