The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
35°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

In brief: Air passenger tried leaving

From Wire Reports

CHICAGO – A Continental Airlines flight from Houston to Chicago diverted in St. Louis after officials say a passenger tried to open a plane door during the flight.

Continental spokeswoman Julie King said Flight No. 546 landed Sunday around 1:30 p.m. at Lambert St. Louis-International Airport and was grounded about an hour before leaving for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford confirmed an “unruly” passenger tried to open the door.

FBI and airport police in St. Louis are questioning the passenger. Lambert spokesman Jeff Lea said the 34-year-old Illinois man got up 20 minutes after takeoff and said he had to get off the plane. No charges have been filed. Aviation experts say it’s impossible to open a door during flight because of pressurized air in the cabin.

Mayor, 94, to retire

SHADY SHORES, Texas – Olive Stephens is the only mayor that most residents of the North Texas lakefront town of Shady Shores have ever known. She won her first election to the town council in 1962, two years after the town was formed, and was elected mayor in 1972.

Now 94, she plans to retire later this month. Dozens of residents of the Denton County town of 2,700 residents on Lake Lewisville turned out this weekend to pay tribute to the woman who built both of the town halls that served Sandy Shores.

Explosives found in car

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska state troopers say residents were evacuated from about 50 homes in a small town after authorities found 550 pounds of explosives in an abandoned station wagon.

Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said they were alerted Friday to the ammonium nitrate and nitroglycerine explosives by a property owner who apparently wanted to get rid of the material. The explosives were up to 20 years old and unstable.

A team from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Saturday detonated the explosives. No one was injured.

Residents were then allowed to return to their homes near Trapper Creek, which is about 80 miles north of Anchorage.