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

In brief: Suspected 911 caller faces threat charges

From Staff And Wire Reports

A man suspected by authorities of being a prolific crank 911 caller is facing bomb threat charges.

Andrew W. Wattles, 22, who reportedly told witnesses he’d made several fake calls to 911 because he was bored, was in court Friday after being arrested Christmas Eve on a charge stemming from a July 25 bomb threat. He was freed without bond Friday pending further proceedings.

A former neighbor told police that Wattles claimed he had a smartphone app that enabled him to make anonymous calls to 911, according to court records. In one instance Wattles allegedly told the dispatcher that a man was on the roof of the Collins Apartments at 204 S. Wall and threatening to jump. In the July 25 call, Wattles reportedly told a dispatcher that he had a bomb and was going to blow up the Collins Apartments building, according to court documents.

Woman dies after Highway 95 crash

A Priest River, Idaho, woman died Friday afternoon when she drove onto U.S. Highway 95 in front of an oncoming car, according to the Idaho State Police.

Patricia McCoy, 64, was turning onto the highway from Dufort Road near Sagle in her 1991 Nissan Sentra at 2:30 p.m. when it collided with an SUV. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the 2002 Chevy Silverado, William R. Pattin, 70, of Bayview, and his passengers, 59-year-old Jacqueline Pattin, of Athol, and 36-year-old Jennifer Kirby, of Spokane, were taken to Bonner General Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Both vehicles went off the road after the crash, the Idaho State Patrol said.

Dog rescued after stranded on cliff

PORTLAND – A yellow Labrador that got spooked on a Christmas Day hike in the Columbia Gorge, snapping her leash and plunging 150 feet down a cliff, was rescued in the dark by a climber who rappelled to a narrow ledge where the dog was trapped.

David Schelske, of West Linn, Oregon, told the Oregon Humane Society that when 3-year-old Sandy bounded around a bend and disappeared he figured her for a goner.

He hiked to the bottom of the cliff and saw her stranded on a narrow ledge 70 feet above.

About 7 p.m., an eight-person crew helped Humane Society volunteer John Thoeni descend.

He fitted a rescue harness on the frightened dog, and the two were hoisted to safety.

Riders soon allowed to reserve ferry spot

SEATTLE – Starting Jan. 5, riders will be able to reserve a spot on the San Juan ferry sailing from Anacortes, Friday Harbor and Orcas Island.

The Seattle Times reported that ferry officials hope the new reservation system will reduce waits and long lines at the ferry terminals and encourage people to take off-peak runs.

The system has already begun taking reservations for ferry service that begins on Jan. 5. Most of the spots on every ferry run have been set aside for people who make a reservation.