Chelsea Bannach

A Medical Lake soldier was killed Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie, 37, died of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense said in a news release.

A Medical Lake soldier was killed Sunday in Baghdad, Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Clifford E. Beattie, 37, died of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense said in a news release. Beattie, who graduated from Medical Lake High School in 1992, was in the Army for 17 years and was serving his third tour in Iraq.

The Spokane River has been plagued with pollution issues for years, from phosphorus-induced toxic algae blooms to the high levels of PCBs found in rainbow trout and other fish. But many community members want to change that.

Eric Greitens has been busier than usual since the death of Osama bin Laden. Greitens, a Navy SEAL now serving in the Reserves, has recently appeared on several national news programs as a commentator on the training SEALs endure. He’ll share some of these stories and those from his new book at Auntie’s Bookstore today.

The continuing chaos and bloodshed in war-torn Libya is threatening to dismantle the plans of Libyan students across the United States. Nearly 40 Libyan students at Washington State University – along with about 2,000 across the U.S. – learned Wednesday the funding they receive from the Libyan government for education and living expenses will cease May 31. “It’s very unsettling for a number of the students,” said Darren Watkins, a WSU spokesman. “They each had individual goals and aspirations by attending WSU and now those plans appear to be on hold or maybe canceled permanently.”

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an alleged incident in which students on the Kellogg High School softball team may have stripped the clothing off a teammate earlier this month. Investigators have released few details in the case and no one has been charged, but sheriff’s Lt. Stuwart Miller said Wednesday they are investigating the case as potential battery.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an alleged incident in which students on the Kellogg High School softball team may have stripped the clothing off a teammate earlier this month.

The rain fell Saturday, which kept vendors and customers away. Still, organizers of the Rathdrum Farmers’ Market remained hopeful business will pick up as the weather clears. “Last year, we were busy every day we were open,” said Pam Jensen, market manager and owner of Pam’s Jams.

Three women were hospitalized after a head-on collision this afternoon in Boundary County. Police say Logan B. Moore, 20, of Thompson Falls, Mont., was driving under the influence when he hit a Honda Accord driven by Jayme Hahn, 20, of Osburn, Idaho. Moore was in a GMC pickup speeding southbound on Eileen Road when he lost control of the truck, crossed the center line and struck the Accord head on, according to the Idaho State Police.

After nearly two decades, Spokane sheriff’s detectives solved a case that had long gone cold: the shooting death of a Spokane Valley business owner that shocked the community. Detectives Lyle Johnston and Mike Drapeau arrested 58-year-old Patrick Kevin Gibson on a first-degree murder charge about 6:50 a.m. Wednesday in Stanwood, Wash., in connection with the slaying of Brian Cole, 48, who owned Cole’s Traditions in Oak, a furniture store on East Sprague Avenue.

The Colville Police Department is investigating two bodies found on Bradbury Beach south of Kettle Falls Thursday.

A high-speed attempt to elude police landed a Spokane man in a hospital early Saturday. Michael Lawler, 28, who later admitted to drinking, led police on a chase about 3 a.m. that reached speeds of more than 100 mph, police said.