Brian Coddington

A mile-long stretch of the Centennial Trail closed this week so workers can repair damage caused by flooding last winter. The stretch between Flora and Barker roads is expected to reopen in late November. Repair costs are expected to total about $73,000.

With the duplex fire under control, District 1 firefighters take a break. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

1. Bus driver Earl Gurney faces the frustration of the Argonne railroad crossing every day. 2. Some 60 trains a day stopped north-south traffic in the Valley. See story on page 7 for details of the underpass opening. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review 3. Below, the first weeks of May were hectic for drivers and flaggers. Right, a worker puts finishing touches on a pedestrian walkway under the tracks as a train crosses the bridge overhead. 4. Drivers are accustomed to long delays while trains pass. 5. Left, a railroad crew observes the contruction site as they ride on the tracks above. Photos by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

A power surge late Friday blew out lights, sent sparks flying and caused several thousand dollars worth of damage inside six south Spokane Valley homes. Damage at the houses in the 10900 block of east 18th and 19th ranged from exploded light bulbs to broken furnaces. A street light also exploded during the 11:45 p.m. surge. No one was injured.

A man believed to have eluded sheriff's deputies three times was arrested early Sunday at his home. Travis Roy Thordarson, 20, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for felony eluding and six outstanding warrants.

Spokane County will use the railroad crossing at University Road to test state legislation allowing it to ban train whistles at gated crossings. Trains are scheduled to begin rumbling silently through the crossing on a temporary basis early next spring. The move is part of a year-long study that could possibly lead to a permanent whistle-free zone, said Bob Brueggeman, county traffic engineer.

FBI agents tipped off managers at a Portland bank branch early Tuesday about a potential robbery by the men who are now charged with Spokane Valley's bombings and robberies. They called officials at the southeast Portland branch of U.S. Bank about 8:15 a.m. and told them to lock their doors, said Dick Beyl, assistant manager for the bank corporation.

Tuesday's break in the Spokane Valley bank robbery-bombing cases could help Planned Parenthood decide whether to open its rebuilt clinic as early as next week. The clinic at 20 S. Pines was damaged by an explosion that served as a diversion while the bombers robbed a U.S. Bank branch several blocks away. The clinic has been closed since the July 12 blast.

After $30,000 in improvements, a county-owned waterfront home at Liberty Lake Park is ready to be rented. Remodeling work on the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house was completed this week. County Parks Director Wyn Birkenthal said he plans to inspect the house early next week and then put it on the rental market.

Two Spokane Valley traffic concerns are scheduled for public hearing Tuesday before the county commissioners. Commissioners will consider banning commercial truck traffic for three blocks along Vista Road, between Broadway and Mission. A similar ban also is proposed along a three-block section of Mission from Vista to Marguerite Road.

The Valley Fire District is hosting an open house today as part of National Fire Prevention week. Firefighters will put on fire and rescue demonstrations and pass out informational fliers at the district's practice tower, located at the corner of Marietta and Sullivan.

Two sheriff's deputies who plucked a woman and her elderly mother from a gunman's sights will receive national awards in a ceremony today in Washington, D.C. Randy Strzelecki and James Dresback will be given Top Cop Honorable Mention awards for their courage during a Spokane Valley shooting and fire last year, said sheriff's Lt. David Wiyrick.

A 30-year-old man was stabbed several times late Saturday during a robbery in the Spokane Valley. The victim, Nicholas Morical, was taken to Deaconess Medical Center. He had stab wounds to his back, chest and face, said sheriff's Lt. David Wiyrick.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ellen Craswell walked into a rally at Shadle Park High School Saturday night through the front door just like everybody else. There was no entourage or fanfare, just Craswell holding hands with her husband, Bruce.

1. 'One hot kiss'. Craig and Jill Looper sign their marriage license on the hood of a fire truck Saturday afternoon. At left is Deane Hendricks, the interim pastor, who officiated at the wedding. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 2. Firefighters check the roof of First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar. The church, built in 1908, suffered minor damage. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

1. Signs blocking northbound traffic on Argonne at Montgomery have cut into business for merchants in Argonne Village during construction of the railroad underpass. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Bob Hitchcock moved his Crafters Showcase store from Argonne Village to East Sprague because of detour impacts. 3. Construction crews lay pavement for the Argonne underpass project, which is schedules to be completed within a few weeks. Photo by Christopher Anderson/The Spokesman-Review

For the first time in more than two decades, the Spokane Valley Fire District's maintenance and operations levy has failed. The 1998 levy received 59.2 percent approval, but fell 113 votes short of the 60 percent required for passage.

Dance Theatre Northwest will hold auditions for its December production next Saturday at The Academy of Dance, 14214 E. Sprague. There are up to 26 roles available for children in "The Toy Shelf."

1. Many residents of this quiet neighborhood are alarmed about an apartment building that has sprung up. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review 2. Students from University High School pass by the apartment house owned by Greg Phillips. The area is zoned for single-family dwellings. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Sheriff's deputies are searching for a man who stole a trailer from a rental company early Sunday and then crashed it during a high-speed chase through a residential area. The driver was described as a white man, with light brown or blonde curly hair, said Lt. David Wiyrick. Deputies said he was driving a brown and white Chevrolet Blazer when they saw him last.

Warren J. Parker

A brown, gooey substance oozing from a 55-gallon barrel closed a busy Spokane Valley intersection for nearly two hours Tuesday afternoon while authorities examined the spill from a safe distance. A label on the side of the barrel declared the contents to be propionic acid, a flammable, hazardous liquid, said Karl Bold, Valley Fire assistant chief.

Ben Kraut surrounded by his "tool birds" at his Pasadena Park home. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Dance Theatre Northwest will hold auditions today at The Academy of Dance, 14214 E. Sprague. Auditions, which run from 1:30 to 3 p.m., are open to advanced dancers who take a minimum of three ballet technique classes per week.