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

In brief: Man accused of leaving baby outside casino

Spokane Valley police said they arrested a father for leaving his 1-year-old daughter alone inside a car parked at Ringo’s casino.

Richard P. Watson, 44, was jailed on gross misdemeanor charges of leaving a child unattended.

Casino employees called police at 11:45 a.m. The girl was not injured, though deputies believe she was left alone an hour or longer.

The girl was released into the care of her mother.

Cantwell helps open McKinstry center

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell toured the new McKinstry Innovation Center in Spokane as part of Monday’s grand opening.

“Innovation means jobs in Spokane and across Washington state,” Cantwell said in prepared remarks. “The new McKinstry Center and the Riverpoint Campus’ cutting-edge research will be a hub for Eastern Washington’s innovation economy.”

Cantwell, a Democrat from Puget Sound, is facing a re-election challenge from state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, a Spokane Republican. She is expected to be present today for the dedication of a new section of the North Spokane Corridor.

Trail reopens after goats schooled

HOODSPORT, Wash. – The Forest Service has reopened a popular trail in the Olympic National Forest after a wildlife biologist spent much of the summer teaching aggressive mountain goats that people are to be avoided.

The trail up Mount Ellinor was closed in early July after several groups of hikers reported encountering very assertive goats. Forest Service officials said hikers who fed goats in the past or let them lick hands or backpacks for salt helped cause the behavior.

As many as 20 goats have been observed on the trail.

KING-TV said that during the summer, Forest Service employee Kurt Aluzas shot paintballs, sprayed repellent and used his voice to clear the trails of goats. He suggests that hikers yell and stand their ground if they come across a mountain goat.

The trail reopened Monday.

A 63-year-old Port Angeles man was fatally gored in October 2010 by a 370-pound mountain goat on a trail in Olympic National Park.