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

In brief: Acid in garbage truck likely not linked to fire

From Staff And Wire Reports

Investigators now say there was likely no link between suspicious acid found in a Spokane garbage truck last week and a fire that broke out at the solid waste plant later that day.

Spokane firefighters initially suspected the acid, which was neutralized by crews in north Spokane on Wednesday, may not have been entirely mopped up and sparked a fire at the Waste-to-Energy Plant near Spokane International Airport on Wednesday night. But review of surveillance video showed that the load containing the acid was fed directly into the furnace and could not have sparked the blaze, Spokane Fire Department spokesman Brian Schaeffer said.

The acid call shut down city streets near Wellesley Street and Crestline Avenue for a few hours Wednesday morning. The fire caused no damage or injuries at the facility, where flames break out sporadically, Schaeffer said.

Cement mixer will douse people for ALS challenge

Anyone who’s been called out for an Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness and money for the ALS Association, but who hasn’t completed the chilly task, Central Pre-Mix/Inland Asphalt will be at Riverfront Park today to help.

The company will have a cement mixer filled with ice water and will invite people to stand under the chute to be doused from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The truck will be parked near the Rotary Fountain, according to a news release.

Company executives and other employees will be among the first to stand under the chute, General Manager John Madden said. Representatives will be accepting donations on behalf of nonprofits that benefit ALS research and care.

Ramp closures continue near Spokane airport

Repaving work on U.S. Highway 2 at Airport Drive and Sunset Highway will result in ramp closures nightly through Friday morning and again on the night of Sept. 2.

Tonight’s closures will start at 9 p.m. and last until 5 a.m. on Wednesday. They involve the eastbound Airport Drive off-ramp to Sunset Highway; the eastbound U.S. 2 off-ramp to Airport Drive and Sunset Highway; and the westbound Sunset Highway on-ramp to Airport Drive.

Tonight’s work is the second day of grinding and repaving of the interchange that serves Spokane International Airport. The closures are changing each day. Ramps with multiple lanes may have lane restrictions. Detours are being posted.

For the latest information on the construction schedule, go to wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US2/EspanolaRdInterstate90/schedule.

Five hospitalized after Spokane Valley crash

A car accident along East Trent Avenue in Spokane Valley sent five people to the hospital Monday afternoon.

A 15-year-old girl is suspected of failing to stop where Woodlawn Road intersects with Trent, according to the Washington State Patrol. Her car was struck by another car driven by a 23-year-old woman.

Two other teens and a 7-year-old girl were passengers in the 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara driven by the 15-year-old. All were taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center.

The driver of the other car, a 2008 Mazda, also was taken to the hospital.

Everyone involved was wearing seat belts. Both cars were totaled.

Scalia praises Idaho work on water rights claims

BOISE – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia praised Idaho’s completion of a nearly 30-year process negotiating water rights as a successful exercise in state rights and local control.

Scalia was the keynote speaker at Monday’s event in Boise marking the end of the largest adjudication review that covers nearly 85 percent of the Gem State.

Since 1987, water law attorneys have completed more than 150,000 water rights claims. This has allowed thousands of farmers, dairies and fish processors to have a comprehensive record of state, federal and tribal water rights.

Man found dead in lot at Washington State Fair

PUYALLUP, Wash. – A man has been found dead in a parking lot at the Washington State Fair.

Puyallup police said citizens called 911 just before 5:30 p.m. Sunday to say there was a body in the blue parking lot.

The News Tribune reported the death of the 27-year-old from Puyallup is being investigated as suspicious. A knife was found under the man’s body.

Police Chief Bryan Jeter said police interacted with the man several times on Sunday after reports that he had been intoxicated and disorderly at local businesses.