In brief: South Hill McDonald’s robbers sought

Four masked robbers took over a McDonald’s on the South Hill at gunpoint Friday night, and police are asking for help identifying them. 

Police today released three surveillance photos of the robbers, who accosted six people inside the restaurant at 4647 S. Regal St. just after 10 p.m.

The victims complied with demands and nobody was injured. The robbers, who wore black clothing, fled on foot before police arrived. 

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips that lead to arrests. Anyone with information is asked to call (800) 222-TIPS or submit tips online.

View the photos online at spokesman.com/blogs/sirens.

Meghann M. Cuniff

Board rejects later liquor sales for Seattle

Washington’s State Liquor Control Board on Wednesday rejected requests by the city of Seattle to change rules to allow nightclubs to serve liquor later than the state’s current 2 a.m. cutoff.

Board members Sharon Foster and Ruthann Kurose said they were concerned about public safety in voting against the proposal.

A large majority of Spokane citizens voiced strong opposition to the idea during an April public meeting at City Hall.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Spokane Police Department, also opposed the idea.

The two commissioners said they were concerned granting the request would come about the same time commercial outlets will be selling liquor under I-1183 and sales could be increasing fivefold.

Board member Chris Marr supported the proposal and said the defeat represented a lost opportunity for the board to define a new role for itself in an era of increased access to alcohol.

Marr, a former state senator from Spokane, said the rule change would have presented the opportunity to address safety concerns. After the rule was formulated, the board would have been able to review how well Seattle had addressed neighborhood concerns. 

Tom Sowa