In brief: Police to increase MLK day patrols downtown

Spokane police will bolster their presence during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and rally.

More uniformed officers, a police helicopter, the department’s bomb disposal squad and explosives detection dogs will be on duty for the 10 a.m. activities planned at the Spokane Convention Center.

The increased police presence is part of the department’s efforts to ensure public safety in the aftermath of a foiled MLK day bomb plot in 2011 that led to the conviction and imprisonment of Kevin William Harpham.

Woman killed in Post Falls fire

A woman was found dead in a house fire in Post Falls on Saturday evening.

Police and Kootenai Fire and Rescue responded to a reported fire at a home on the 2700 block of Beth Loop in Post Falls around 7:10 p.m., according to a Post Falls Police Department news release.

Police attempted to enter because one person was possibly still in the home, but they couldn’t advance to the second floor because of the fire, the release said. Rescue workers were able to enter, but found a woman dead inside.

The fire is under investigation. The woman’s name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Six displaced, two injured in fire

Two people were injured in an early Sunday morning north Spokane fire.

One victim had to be flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment of his burns and smoke inhalation.

The other victim was taken to Deaconess Medical Center where she was treated for a knee injury.

The burning building was a fourplex at 609 E. Euclid Ave.

Six people were displaced.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Nine fire trucks and 30 firefighters responded to the call.

Closures for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is today. Here is what’s open and closed for the holiday:

Government: City, county, federal and state offices and libraries are closed.

Schools: Schools are closed.

Trash: Most garbage service will maintain normal schedules, but check your specific service provider. Waste Management, the city of Spokane, and all Kootenai County city and rural garbage pickup are not affected by the holiday.

Mail: The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail.

Banks: Most banks are closed.

Parking meters: Spokane parking meters don’t have to be plugged.

Liquor stores: Idaho state liquor stores are open.

Legislature: Both the Washington and Idaho legislatures are in session.

Air quality warning for Washington

SEATTLE – The National Weather Service is warning residents of Washington and Oregon about stagnant air throughout the region.

Forecasters said light winds and a ridge of high pressure will leave pollution trapped near the ground and degrade air quality. Officials said the problems could linger until Friday for areas both west and east of the Cascades.