In brief: Police control crowd with pepper spray
Police used pepper spray early Monday to disperse a crowd of more than 100 people gathered outside the Knitting Factory in downtown Spokane.
About 20 officers responded around 2:30 a.m. when a crowd began to turn unruly outside the music venue at 919 W. Sprague Ave. Knitting Factory security guards told police they were unable to disperse the crowd that ended up on First Avenue.
Officers “were forced to utilize a small amount of pepper spray to control the situation,” a police news release said.
No arrests were made, police spokeswoman Jennifer DeRuwe said.
Police arrest pair on drug, minor charges
KENNEWICK – Two Kennewick residents were arrested Sunday for allegedly providing drugs to teens and harboring runaways.
Kennewick police Officer Jason Kiel got information Saturday about residents at 611 E. Ninth Place reportedly supplying drugs to juveniles and got a warrant to search the home, said Officer Ron Salter.
Early Sunday, officers searched the Kennewick home and seized methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Beth Rieger and Lance Robertson, both 32, were arrested and booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of possessing meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and involving people under 18 in unlawful controlled substance transactions.
Robertson also was jailed on outstanding warrants.
Snowshoer found alive on Mount Rainier
SEATTLE – A 66-year-old snowshoer who had been missing on Mount Rainier since Saturday was found alive Monday afternoon by a team of three rescuers, a national park spokeswoman said.
Yong Chun Kim, of Tacoma, was alert and conscious, and was cold but otherwise stable, park spokeswoman Lee Taylor said. Weather conditions prevented a helicopter from landing in the area, and rescuers were bringing in a Sno-Cat snow vehicle to carry him out, she said.
Kim, who had 10 years’ experience snowshoeing, was well equipped for a day excursion but didn’t have overnight gear.
Kim became separated from his party after sliding down a slope. A search was launched Saturday afternoon.
Hay prices soar; pests worry potato growers
IDAHO FALLS – Last year’s high hay prices have many in Idaho’s agricultural community optimistic about 2012, while potato growers are wary about new infestations.
Idaho Hay and Forage Association Executive Director Rick Waitley said prices are at an all-time high, with the market averaging about $240 to $260 a ton.
“I don’t remember any time we’ve seen hay sell at prices this high,” he said.
Potato prices dropped last year, down from record highs in 2010. Growers expect similar prices this year, but they and state and federal agricultural officials are worried about new infestations of the potato cyst nematode.
Three infestations were discovered last year near Shelley. So far, the state has quarantined about 11,000 acres.