In brief: Man cleared in robbery
A Spokane man arrested for a May home-invasion robbery has been cleared of wrongdoing in that case.
Joshua Clint Epperson, a level 3 sex offender, was arrested for a May 22 home invasion robbery in the Indian Trail area.
Robbery and kidnapping charges against him were dismissed in Spokane County Superior Court on Thursday.
Police still believe Epperson stole guns, electronics and jewelry May 6 from a home in the Country Homes area to help pay a $1,000 debt to his heroin dealer.
Suspects Erik J. Zacher, 26, and Nathan W. Day, 21, are being charged for the home-invasion robbery. Nathan T. McDaniels, alias Gardner, 28, was sentenced last month to 10 years in prison.
Epperson, 33, still faces seven felony gun, drug, burglary and theft charges in a May 1 burglary.
Sparkler bomb closes freeway
A sparkler bomb found on a pedestrian overpass briefly closed eastbound Interstate 90 Friday.
The Spokane Police Department bomb squad disposed of the device, made from hand-held fireworks, which was located at the base of the footbridge near Third Avenue and Regal Street, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Third Avenue also was closed at Altamont Street.
The freeway closure was announced at 1:26 p.m. The freeway reopened by 1:53 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Motorcyclist stable after crash
A motorcyclist was airlifted to a Spokane hospital after crashing in Pend Oreille County on Friday morning.
Olga M. Prevost, 55, of Nelson, B.C., was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson FLHX Streetglide on Highway 20, about 19 miles north of Cusick, when she lost control, skidded into a barrier, rolled off the roadway and slid down a hillside, according to the Washington State Patrol.
Police believe speed and defective equipment were factors in the crash.
Prevost was wearing a helmet and was in stable condition at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center on Friday evening. Her bike sustained $1,000 in damage and was driven from the scene.
Five injured in Highway 2 crash
Five people were injured in a two-car crash in Pend Oreille County on Friday that authorities believe was caused by a driver falling asleep.
Susan L. Stewart, 70, of Newport, Wash., was driving a 2007 Toyota Camry near milepost 333 on Highway 2 in Newport when it crossed the centerline and struck a 1999 Mazda Protege driven by Ann C. LeBar, 53, of Spokane, according to the Washington State Patrol.
LeBar was injured, as were her passengers, Katerina Hedding, 30, Chase Lindholdt, 12, and Maya LeBar, 12, all of Spokane.
Everyone was wearing a seat belt, according to WSP.
This report has been changed to correct an error. Initial reports said Stewart was not wearing a seat belt. Information released later showed she was wearing her seat belt.Inslee files ethics complaint
OLYMPIA – The campaign of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee has filed an ethics complaint against his Republican opponent.
Inslee’s aides said in documents released Friday that Attorney General Rob McKenna failed to promptly pay some campaign expenses. They also said he used his attorney general campaign account to pay for gubernatorial campaign dues.
McKenna campaign manager Randy Pepple dismissed the accusations and said McKenna’s side is planning to file a complaint against Inslee about the handling of transfers from his congressional campaign account.