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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Three arrested after breaking into home

Three people were arrested on burglary charges Tuesday after police reportedly found them ransacking a home in the Five Mile neighborhood.

Police responded to an audible alarm in the 2300 block of West Rainier Court at 1:45 a.m. and saw the three suspects inside the home, according to a police news release. The trio was caught when they tried to leave the home and several bags of stolen property were recovered, police said. The homeowners were on vacation.

Twenty-year-old Solomon Monkiewicz, 24-year-old Joseph Whipple and a juvenile male are now facing residential burglary charges.

Camper tells police he was assaulted

A man who was reportedly beaten Wednesday morning flagged down a motorist near Government Way for help. The man told police he was camping near the Fish Lake Trail head when he was assaulted, according to KHQ-TV.

The man was reportedly taken to the hospital with serious injuries just before 8 a.m. The area near the trail head is not an official camping spot but police said people do camp there sometimes.

Otter says he’ll seek federal aid after fire

POCATELLO – Gov. Butch Otter’s office is seeking federal assistance for victims of a southeastern Idaho range fire that destroyed 66 homes and 29 outbuildings.

Otter on Tuesday toured ground charred by the now-notorious Charlotte Fire, which left a moonscape of concrete foundations and torched houses when it roared into life near Pocatello on June 28.

Otter said state, county and city officials are busy exploring options for financial help from Washington, D.C.

Hate crimes, assaults on police increasing

BOISE – Idaho’s crime rate has remained largely stable over the past two years, according to a report from the Idaho State Police, but the number of reported hate crimes and assaults on law enforcement officers climbed in 2011.

Idaho State Police collects the numbers from agencies across the state and compiles it in the annual report. The ISP found that in 2011, violent crimes dropped about 5 percent compared to 2010.

But some types of crime increased: There were 242 reported assaults on law officers – an increase of more than 6 percent.

Hate crimes saw the biggest jump. There were 39 reported hate crimes statewide last year – a nearly 26 percent increase.

Hang glider injured after fall in Chelan

CHELAN, Wash. – A hang glider was injured Wednesday when he crashed just after takeoff from the west side of Chelan Butte, a popular hang gliding launch area.

The unidentified man, in his late 30s or early 40s, was injured when his hang glider crashed about 75 feet downhill from the butte’s established launching area, said Sgt. Mike Harris of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office. The accident occurred about 1:10 p.m.

Early reports from the accident scene said the hang glider received injuries to his neck that resulted in little or no feeling in his legs, Harris said.

Sheriff’s deputies and emergency fire crews answered the call for help and contacted Northwest MedStar for helicopter evacuation of the injured man to Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Harris said.

The full extent of the man’s injuries hadn’t been determined, Harris said, but a neurosurgeon was requested to meet the MedStar flight at the hospital.

Man files cannabis candy appeal

MEDFORD, Ore. – A Medford man has come up with an unusual idea for a business.

Richard Nuckols would like to make cannabis-infused candy and other treats for medical marijuana patients. But Medford city officials aren’t going along with the idea.

Nuckols is owner of nonprofit Canafoods Inc., doing business as MaryJane’s Treats.

Police Chief Tim George said the business is both a violation of federal and state medical marijuana laws. Police recommended that the business be denied a license; city finance director Allison Chan agreed and denied Nuckols a business license.

Nuckols said since he’s not providing marijuana to patients, he is not in violation of medical marijuana laws in Oregon. He is appealing to the City Council.