Briefly: Regional news
Police stage sting
The Spokane Police Department staged a prostitution sting Friday afternoon.
Four women allegedly solicited undercover Spokane police and reserve officers. All the arrests were made near East Sprague Avenue, between approximately Hamilton and Altamont streets, according to a police press release.
In addition, 42-year-old Vincent G. Henderson, who allegedly told an officer he worked as one of the women’s “managers,” was arrested on a warrant for making a false statement to officers. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail.
Cited on misdemeanor charges were Tammy L. Martin, 37; Mary T. James, 41; Jill M. Wray, 44; and Mari E. Swanson, 40. They were released because there was no room for them at the Spokane County Jail, police said.
Reward offered for suspect
Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of a 24-year-old man wanted on a warrant for attempted murder.
Nathaniel Jay Dishneau is a suspect in a gang-related shooting at the Thai Way Restaurant in Spokane Valley on Friday, July 23.
Dishneau allegedly shot a man in the head and back. The shooting victim was treated and later released from the hospital, according to police.
Dishneau should be considered armed, police say. He has three adult convictions, two for assault.
He is a black male, 6-foot-2, approximately 235 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on Dishneau’s whereabouts is asked to call Secret Witness at 327-5111. Callers may use a code name or number and do not have to give their own name to be eligible for the reward.
Fire destroys house
Spokane County Fire District 11 officials are investigating a fire that ravaged a 1,500-square-foot home Saturday.
Chief Stan Seehorn said the cause of the fire, which broke out at 1:40 p.m. at 22515 E Harvard Branch Road, is unknown. Fire dispatchers said over the scanner that it is being investigated as a possible arson case. Seehorn said he’s not ready to name the cause of the fire and is awaiting lab work.
No one was home at the time of the blaze, although the homeowners have since returned. Firefighters contained the blaze at about 2:40 p.m. Four tenders and three engines responded.
70 hurt in balcony collapse
Polson, Mont. A balcony with dozens of people on it collapsed at a casino and bar here, injuring at least 70, authorities said Saturday. There were no immediate reports of any deaths.
An official at Polson’s St. Joseph Hospital said 54 people were treated there for injuries sustained in the collapse late Friday, but she declined to release any details.
Polson Fire Chief Tom Maloney said seven of the injuries were serious or critical, but the others did not appear to be life-threatening. He said most consisted of broken legs and ankles.
“Most of the victims appear to be young folks enjoying a night out,” he said.
Montanans die in air crash
Anchorage, Alaska Four people heading to an Alaska fishing spot died when their plane crashed near their destination, authorities said Saturday.
A Montana family was on board the Cessna 170, which crashed shortly after 6 p.m. Friday about 70 miles southwest of Anchorage. The single-engine plane apparently stalled as it approached a landing strip on the west side of Cook Inlet, Alaska State Troopers said.
Troopers identified the dead as Broadview, Mont., residents Joleen Dyess, 38, her husband William Christopher Dyess, 29, and her daughter Taryn Pitsch, 17.