Nightclub fire called suspicious

A fire broke out Sunday morning at Show Girls at State Line, but a sprinkler system helped contain the damage to less than $10,000, a Kootenai County Fire and Rescue report said.

Nobody other than manager James Lanchbury was at the club when the 5:30 a.m. fire started in the ceiling. Lanchbury noticed smoke coming into the office through the light fixtures and called 911.

Twenty-six firefighters arrived, including crews from Hauser Lake and Northern Lakes.

The fire spread between two levels of flooring, but the sprinkler system in the crawl space helped reduce the damage, which was contained to a section housing electrical equipment and a restroom, the report said.

The fire remains under investigation but a Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department report indicated that the fire may be suspicious. An arson dog “hit” on several ignition locations, and department officials obtained information that was deemed suspicious.

Lanchbury noticed that a steel door to a utility room on the north side of the building was slightly open. Normally the door is locked at all times. He told a sheriff’s deputy that he didn’t know when the door was last checked.

The cashier at the neighboring Seltice Stop and Go said she noticed a light blue or silver 80s-looking passenger car parked between the club and the convenience store. She couldn’t tell if anyone was in the car and didn’t give it much thought until she saw the fire trucks at Show Girls. That’s when she noticed the vehicle was gone, she told deputies.

Moscow man, 22, charged in stabbing

A 22-year-old Moscow man has been charged with stabbing a man Monday morning in Pullman.

Travis Allen Van Caster faces a charge of aggravated battery, police said.

The 22-year-old victim, who has not been identified, underwent surgery and received treatment for knife wounds to his neck, chest and face, Moscow Police Lt. David Lehmitz said in a press release.

The 911 call came at 2:01 a.m. and officers responded to the 1200 block of West A Street, Lehmitz said.

Officers found the victim, and he was transported to Gritman Medical Center.

The victim and witnesses told police that an argument escalated into a fight between the victim and Van Caster.

Detectives continue to investigate the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tyson Berrett at (208) 882-2677.

Lewis-Clark president to forgive parking tickets

Lewiston, Idaho Lewis-Clark State College President Dene Thomas is offering a one-time amnesty for people who got parking tickets on part of the school’s campus.

The tickets were issued to people who parked in a fire lane that was once an open street leading to the now demolished gym annex.

The amnesty does not extend to handicapped spaces, as those are clearly marked, Thomas said.

Some planning and zoning commissioners complained last week about being ticketed, saying they did not intentionally park in restricted zones.

They say when they arrive for monthly meetings, held at the library, they cannot find a place to park without walking a block or two.

Susan Wing, a planning and zoning commissioner, was ticketed twice for parking in a handicapped spot while on business at the college and asked the city to pay her fines.

She wrote a letter to City Manager Janice Vassar last month, asking her to “do whatever is necessary to remedy this mess.”

The $25 tickets, written on Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, were enclosed.

Wing wrote that since she was on city business, the city should pay for them.