In brief: Police release identity of body found in vacant Wall Street lot

The man whose body was found in a vacant lot in north Spokane on Tuesday was identified Friday as Alex M. Waters, 42.

Waters’ body was found just before 2 p.m. in a lot at 1317 N. Wall St., just behind Value Village. A cause and manner of death have not been determined.

Police at the scene Tuesday said there was nothing that appeared to be suspicious about the death, other than it was unattended and Waters was relatively young.

Woman still listed as critical after car, Vanpool van crash

A woman injured when a car smashed into an STA Vanpool van she was riding in Thursday night in downtown Spokane remained in critical condition Friday.

Witnesses told police that a Subaru ran multiple red lights before hitting the van and another car at Third Avenue and Browne Street. The man driving the Subaru was seriously injured.

Spokane police spokeswoman Teresa Fuller said the man will be arrested on a vehicular assault charge and for an unrelated felony warrant when he is released from the hospital. Fuller said there are indications the man was under the influence at the time of the crash. His identity will not be released until he has been arrested.

Boat launch, beach reopen after cleanup of oil spill

The Aqua Park boat launch and beach on the St. Joe River reopened Thursday after a four-day cleanup of an oil spill.

However, the St. Maries Fire Protection District does not recommend swimming at the park near St. Maries. Crews will continue to monitor conditions until any pockets of oil have cleared.

The source of the oil has not been identified, but it was likely motor oil or grease, officials said. Anyone who saw suspicious activity near Aqua Park on Aug. 30 is asked to call the St. Maries Police Department at (208) 245-5102.