In brief: Police arrest boyfriend of shooting victim

Spokane police arrested Cameron Keith as a person of interest in last week’s shooting death of Christen DeMars.

Police said detectives received a tip around midnight Thursday that Keith was traveling to a motel on North Division Street and arrested him without incident.

DeMars, 22,  died March 24 after being shot in the abdomen at a Hillyard apartment.

Police have been searching for Keith since the shooting and a reward for information leading to Keith’s capture was offered Wednesday.

According to court documents, DeMars’ mother told police Keith was her daughter’s boyfriend. The medical examiner has not ruled DeMars’ death a homicide, pending police investigation. Police spokeswoman Monique Cotton has said detectives needed to question Keith before a ruling could be made.

Police said Keith is being held on a separate arrest warrant, but additional charges related to DeMars’ death are anticipated.

Rachel Alexander

Donations pouring in for buried-alive dog

Just days after her story gained nationwide attention, Theia, a Moses Lake dog that survived being run over, beaten and buried alive, has received more than $16,000 in donations toward her care.

Sara Mellado, the woman who’s been looking after the recovering pooch, posted an update on her online fundraising page Thursday morning thanking donors for their support.

“This is all so generous and just absolutely amazing and I will admit that tears of joy and appreciation have flowed a few times in the last couple days,” she said.

More than 460 people have contributed to the online fundraiser to pay for surgery so Theia can breathe more easily. Theia will have her surgery at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman.

Rachel Alexander

Inmate given more time for confession at hearing

A Post Falls man who has been in jail since 2006 was sentenced to more time in prison last week after confessing to additional crimes at a parole board hearing.

Gregory W. Powell, 42, was sentenced to a seven-year fixed sentence in 2006 for one count of lewd conduct with a minor with an additional nine years indeterminate sentencing. Powell confessed to sexually molesting two additional victims when he was asking the parole board for release from prison, according to a Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office press release.

Last week Powell was sentenced to a two-year fixed sentence on the new charges plus 18 years indeterminate time.

Scott Maben