Kevin Blocker

Obney

Authorities are looking for a suspected bank robber with a criminal record who was mistakenly released from the Spokane County Jail. The "Get Out of Jail Free" card handed John B. Obney, 54, was blamed Tuesday on a paperwork snafu.

A Superior Court judge threw out a lawsuit filed by opponents of the River Park Square project on Friday, paving the way for the start of construction. Judge Kathleen O'Connor affirmed the city's use of an emergency ordinance to approve the project and said the City Council has acted in the best interest of the city.

Resemblance? Tim Belty was painting this picture when a friend told him of the image in the tree at Ninth and Ash. He believes it resembles his painting. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

Loving words. Angelo Reed, 4, can only nod his head as his mother, Angel Reed, tells him " We love you" during a visit at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review <

As hundreds of residents watched, a spectacular fire destroyed a two-story South Hill home Tuesday night. Twenty-two firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours, preventing it from spreading to neighboring homes. There were no injuries. The fire at the home at 1312 E. Newark was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m., Fire Chief Bobby Williams said.

Comet Hale-Bopp and stars streak over Spokane in this time exposure from Sunday night. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Federal investigators have been asked to help find the cause of a fire that gutted Allied Cedar Products at 3818 E. Rowan. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review

A north Spokane woman is asking the community for its help in locating the driver of a car she believes totalled her automobile in a hit-and-run collision in front of her house last month. Donna Tissue's 1983 Nissan Sentra was totalled sometime after 9 p.m. on Feb. 24 in front of her home at 224 W. Carlisle.

Police Chief Terry Mangan gave Spokane community policing. Prosecuting Attorney Jim Sweetser wants to give the town community prosecution. Sweetser, two members of his office and other community representatives gathered at the East Central Community Center last Thursday for a workshop titled "A Community Response to Violent Crimes Against Women."

FOR THE RECORD (March 27, 1997): Misidentified: A Wednesday edition photo of student musicians' Spring Spectacular showed conductor Kent Meredith leading the sixth-grade band. The conductor's name and the students' grade were incorrect in the information beneath the photo. It's the pure joy of music. Music director Bryan Bogue, center, leads the fifth-grade band Tuesday evening as 2,300 young musicians from Spokane elementary schools participated in Spring Spectacular. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review

FOR THE RECORD (March 25, 1997): Name wrong: Gonzaga Prep student Amanda Spethman participated in last Friday's "Assume a Disability for a Day" program. Her last name was incorrect in a story in Saturday's paper about the event. Gonzaga Prep junior Amanda Speth tries to negotiate a sidewalk Friday during "Assume a Disability for a Day." Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

Purcell

Thursday night in the slaying of a veteran Spokane taxi driver. The suspects were questioned extensively by detectives before being arrested about 8 p.m. on warrants charging them with first-degree murder. The 21-year-old was identified as Alon Slater. The names of the other suspects - a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old - were not released. Cabdriver Duane "Dusty" Hutsell was shot twice in the head just before midnight on March 6.

A security guard said he saw them leave with more than $270 worth of groceries they had not purchased. A North Side woman and her 12-year-old son were arrested last Thursday afternoon after a security guard said he saw them leave a Valley grocery store with more than $270 worth of groceries they had not purchased.

A Spokane cabdriver who was robbed and killed last week has been identified as 47-year-old Duane A. Hutsell. He died of a single gunshot wound, according to an autopsy conducted Monday.

Keeping their eye on the ball. Toby Hunt and Albert Stewart of Spokane root from the bench for their Jantsch team during Friday's opening round at the state basketball tournament for alternative high schools. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

The 93-year-old founder of the Spokane Police Department Volunteers program was honored Thursday night as 1996 "Volunteer of the Year." Leonard LeMay, a retired building contractor, helped start the program nine years ago.

And the band played on...Tooting their own horns but for another high school's basketball team, Liberty's band plays enthusiastically as the Northport girls take the court at the Arena on Wednesday. Photo by Dan McComb/The Spokesman-Review <

They're here from Northport, Waterville, Pateros and scores of other tiny Washington towns. Up to 5,000 people will be converging on Spokane this week for the State B high school basketball tournament, which starts today and runs through Saturday at The Arena.

A Spokane Valley nursing home is barred from admitting new residents after state inspectors found a number of health and safety violations. The deficiencies at Sullivan Park Care Center, 14820 E. Fourth, were discovered during a recent annual inspection, said Edith Coleman of the state Department of Social and Health Services. The center was ordered to close its doors to new residents three weeks ago, Coleman said.

1. Gregory Rogers says he suffered "internal injuries" as a result of blows inflicted by Spokane police officers. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review 2. Police are seen wrestling Greg Rogers to the ground on Swackhammer's video.

A black man expresses frustration at being rejected for jobs he was qualified for. Next, a white man complains about being passed over for a promotion because a less qualified, minority worker got the job.

A member of the City Council in Ritzville, Wash., is facing a probable assault charge after allegedly pulling a gun on a man at a local tavern last weekend. Layne Iltz is expected to be charged this week with second-degree assault, Police Chief Dave McCormack said.