In brief: Woman in wreck impaired, says WSP

Authorities say a woman was impaired when she hit another vehicle Thursday on the Argonne Road exit off Interstate 90.

The accident occurred about 5 p.m., according to the Washington State Patrol.

Peggy Louann McClelland, 57, of Bonney Lake, Wash., was westbound in a Pontiac Bonneville on the Argonne exit when she struck John David Gilbert, 61, of Ferndale, Wash., who was in the westbound lane at a stoplight.

The passenger in his Ford Focus, Bonnie M. Gilbert, 59, also of Ferndale, was taken to Spokane Valley Hospital and Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Her condition was unknown Thursday night.

According to WSP, troopers suspect McClelland was impaired at the time of the accident. Charges are pending completion of the investigation.

Native education bill signed

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law on Thursday a bill formalizing the Office of Native Education, to advocate for American Indian students and promote the teaching of Native history, culture and language in public schools.

House Bill 1829, which passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support, was sponsored by Rep. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, which has the highest number of Native American students of all school districts in Washington.

Police dog nabs robbery suspect

A police dog caught an armed robbery suspect in north Spokane on Wednesday.

Suspect Steven A. Shoffner, 22, of Medical Lake, told police that K-9 Stryder did a great job and said officers would not have found him were it not for the dog, according to a news release.

Stryder was called to the scene with his handler, Officer Shawn Kendall, after a clerk at G & B Grocery, 2104 E. Francis Ave., said two men fled with cash and cigarettes after stating they had a gun.

Officer Ben Yinger spotted two suspects at North Napa Street and East Decatur Avenue and arrested one, Jenson T. Richards, 23, before Stryder caught up with Shoffner in a garage in the 1700 block of East Decatur. He was hiding under a mattress; police recovered the stolen cash and cigarettes but did not find a gun.

Both suspects were booked into jail on a first-degree robbery charge.

Shoffner also faces a charge of second-degree burglary for allegedly entering the garage.

Donations sought for moms’ lunch

Because not every mother has someone to take them out to dinner on Sunday, the Volunteers of America is accepting donations for the 13th annual “I Remember Mama” luncheon.

For as little as $25, donors can give a special Mother’s Day to a Spokane-area elderly or disabled low-income woman who is separated from or has outlived her family.

This Sunday, as many as 150 mothers will dine together at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park.

To make a donation, visit www.voaspokane.org/ MothersDay2011 or call (509) 624-2378.

Low-income kids offered activities

The Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center, 845 S. Sherman St., is offering two programs for low-income youth this summer.

The Teen Leadership Program provides youths ages 13 through 18 the opportunity to act as mentors and classroom aides, participate in seminars and complete community service projects. There is no cost to qualifying teens.

The Summer Youth Academy, focusing on literacy, culture and character, will be offered to children ages 3½ to 12 for as low as $20 a day.

The center is accepting donations from local residents and businesses to provide scholarships to children who cannot afford to attend.

To apply for either program, which run from June 27 to Aug. 31, or to contribute to the scholarship fund, call (509) 455-8722.

New Washington ferry a week late

SEATTLE – The Washington state ferry service was supposed to take delivery Thursday of its newest 64-car vessel, the Salish, but it still needs final Coast Guard approval of alarms and monitoring systems.

The ferry service expects to receive certification next week and take delivery May 12 from Todd Pacific Shipyards.

No unusual problems have turned up on the Salish in sea trials, such as the vibrations that delayed the earlier ferry Chetzemoka.

The Salish is scheduled to join the Chetzemoka in July on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route, restoring two boat service between Whidbey Island and the Olympic Peninsula.

Todd plans to deliver the third 64-car ferry, the Kennewick, by the end of the year.