Mike Prager

The first widespread frost of the fall season settled over much of the Inland Northwest this morning, ending what had been a longer-than-normal growing season.

A majority of drivers in Washington and Oregon believe they can get away with speeding as long as they don’t get too heavy with the lead foot. A new poll by PEMCO Insurance shows that 54 percent of Washington drivers believe law-enforcement officers will tolerate speeding up to a point. But they believe that “freeway buffer zone” is fairly small, PEMCO reports: Fifty-nine percent believe drivers can go just 4 mph or less over the limit and not get pulled over.

A driver fleeing a traffic stop in Whitman County was forced off U.S. Highway 195 Friday morning in the vicinity of Hatch Road. Trooper Troy Briggs of the Washington State Patrol said that a Whitman County deputy sheriff tried to pull over the driver for speeding south of Spokane, but the driver refused to stop. The chase started near Thornton with the deputy in pursuit.

A driver fleeing from a traffic stop in Whitman County was forced off U.S. Highway 195 this morning in the vicinity of Hatch Road.

Mild autumn weather today through Sunday will bring a mix of sun breaks, clouds and a chance of showers to the Inland Northwest.

Winter in the Inland Northwest could be cold and snowy again if government scientists are right in an official winter outlook issued on Thursday. The U.S. Climate Prediction Center is calling for a higher-than-normal chance of having the snow pile up in coming months.

Winter in the Inland Northwest could be cold and snowy again if government scientists are right in an official winter outlook issued on Thursday. The U.S. Climate Prediction Center is calling for a higher-than-normal chance of having the snow pile up in coming months.

The arrival of clouds over the Inland Northwest today is bringing a 20 percent chance of showers to the region.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of stealing baggage at Spokane International Airport this week after airport police set up surveillance a day after a rash of stolen bags was reported. Police moved quickly after receiving a complaint Monday by airline workers that bags were being taken before passengers could claim them, airport officials said.

Sunshine reaching ground through a layer of high-elevation clouds is warming the Spokane area into the 60s this afternoon.

Eyewitnesses to a suicide Monday evening in Spokane said a bystander charged at the man who was threatening to jump and pulled him off the outer retaining wall of the Monroe Street Bridge just before the man broke free of the grasp and jumped to his death. Two witnesses said traffic had stopped at 6:15 p.m. and two police officers were trying to talk the man out of jumping.

The owner of a shooting and hunting preserve in western Whitman County was in serious condition at a Spokane hospital today after being injured in an all-terrain-vehicle accident.

A Washington law that requires larger employers to reduce commuter trips is 20 years old, and those involved in the program say it continues to enjoy strong public support. In Spokane County, at least 5,000 workers are active participants in the Commute Trip Reduction program. They may be telecommuting, taking the bus, carpooling or riding bikes. Anything that cuts commute trips counts.