In brief: Southwest to begin direct flights to Chicago

Southwest Airlines will launch a nonstop flight between Spokane and Chicago’s Midway Airport starting June 2.

The flights will continue daily through Sept. 7. The service is considered seasonal, Southwest spokesman Brad Hawkins said.

The Spokane-to-Midway flight will leave at 12:45 p.m., arriving at 6:05 p.m. The return flight leaves Midway at 10:25 a.m., arriving in Spokane at 12:10 p.m.

This is the first time Southwest has offered direct flights between the two airports, Hawkins said.

The Boeing 737-700 from Spokane will refuel in Chicago and continue to Jacksonville, Fla., offering a one-stop, no-change option for that trip, Hawkins said.

Felon charged with attempted murder

A man just released from federal prison in Arizona has been arrested and charged in a drug-related attempted homicide that unfolded early Monday morning in Spokane.

Damian T. Johnson, 35, is accused of firing several shots at Denis Kozubenko following an oxycodone deal near the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Hamilton Street.

Kozubenko ran to his truck and sped away after the drug deal went bad, according to court records. Johnson fired several shots at him, and officers found bullet strikes on the truck, police said. Kozubenko was not injured.

Thief steals $10,000 worth of trading cards

A thief has stolen $10,000 worth of old baseball and football cards from Spokane Valley Sportscards on East Sprague Avenue.

Another $6,000 in celebrity cards were reported stolen.

Many of the cards stolen dated to the 1950s and 1960s.

A cash reward is offered to tipsters who help catch the thief. Call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Boy, 4, using lighter started house fire

Fire investigators said a 4-year-old boy playing with a lighter caused a house fire at 2914 E. 17th Ave. on Saturday morning that sent a man to the hospital.

Two dozen firefighters put out the fire within 25 minutes. Most of the damage was contained to the second floor.

The child has been enrolled in the Fire Department’s Juvenile Firesetter Program, according to a news release.

Three in running to be Kootenai County judge

Gov. Butch Otter is considering three candidates to replace retiring 1st District Judge John P. Luster in Kootenai County.

They are 1st District Magistrate Judge Scott Wayman, Kootenai County Deputy Prosecutor John Cafferty and St. Maries lawyer Richard Christensen.