In Brief: College commencement season begins

The college commencement season kicked off Thursday with Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy students being the first to march across the stage and into their future.

Over the next month, several college and university graduation ceremonies are planned.

WSU Spokane: 2 p.m. today, Spokane Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.

WSU Pullman: 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Beasley Coliseum, Pullman.

Gonzaga University School of Law, 9:15 a.m. Saturday, McCarthey Athletic Center

Gonzaga University: 9:35 a.m. Sunday (undergraduate), Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave.; 4:40 p.m. Saturday (graduate), McCarthey Athletic Center.

Whitworth University: 3 p.m. on May 18, Spokane Arena, 720 W. Mallon Ave.

Eastern Washington University: 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 14, Roos Field, Washington Street, Cheney.

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Medical problem affected driver

A driver who died in a one-car accident in the 10300 block of Government Way in Hayden on Thursday morning suffered a medical problem while behind the wheel, according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

The accident was reported at 11:15 a.m.

The driver of the white 2008 Chevrolet van has been identified as 55-year-old Michael R. Poorboy, of Hayden.

The van crashed through a wooden fence and struck a tree near Miles Avenue.

Paramedics from Northern Lakes Fire attempted to revive Poorboy.

Nina Culver

Man suspected of assaulting officer

A man is in jail suspected of assaulting a police officer while in handcuffs.

John M. Mease, 44, allegedly became combative with officers during a call to the 800 block of South Adams Street on Wednesday. Police say he slapped one on the shoulder twice, pushing him forward, and poked another in the chest. After he was put in handcuffs he chest bumped one of the officers and both fell to the floor, according to court documents.

While on the ground Mease allegedly kicked the downed officer in the face. When another officer arrived to take him to jail, Mease told him he could defeat the officer in a fight, court documents say.

Nina Culver