Suspect arrested in carjacking
The man believed to have carjacked a family’s SUV while they bought milk at a convenience store in Liberty Lake on Thursday is behind bars, police said Tuesday.
Justin J. Mager, 22, was arrested on a probation violation Tuesday afternoon and admitted to the carjacking, said Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus.
Mager has an extensive criminal history, and an anonymous tipster told police that the man had stolen the white Chevrolet Blazer, Asmus said.
The vehicle was stolen Thursday evening from a family as they were bringing their mother home from a long hospital stay, police said. Mager approached the Blazer and pointed a gun at the mother and her daughter, telling them to get out, Asmus said. The Blazer was found last weekend in the 8000 block of East Mansfield in Spokane Valley.Police also found the gun they believe was used in the crime, Asmus said.
The city will seek several charges against Mager, including felony assault, vehicle theft and robbery.
– Christopher Rodkey
Spokane County
Primary ballot mailing begins today
Spokane County will begin mailing ballots today to some 234,000 registered voters for the Sept. 19 partisan primary. About half will be mailed today, with the remainder going out Thursday.
The county elections office is asking voters who don’t receive ballots by Sept. 8 to call (509) 477-2320 to arrange for a replacement.
Voters will receive three different ballots – a Republican, a Democratic and a nonpartisan ballot – and should pick only one to mark and mail back. Ballots must be postmarked by Sept. 19 or dropped at a voter service center that day.
– Jim Camden
Grant program seeks to curb homelessness
The city and county of Spokane are seeking proposals for up to $700,000 in local grant money for housing projects aimed at combating homelessness.
Grants will be awarded to proposals that meet targets outlined in new 10-year plans to reduce homelessness. Government, nonprofit and for-profit entities are eligible to apply. Faith-based organizations and churches may not restrict client participation based on religious affiliation or activities.
Applications and copies of the 10-year plan are now available and can be picked up at the Human Services Department located on the sixth floor of City Hall. The deadline for applications is Sept. 15.
– Mike Prager
Spokane Valley
West Valley High fire no accident
Spokane Valley fire investigators have ruled out an accident as the cause of a recent fire at West Valley High School.
Investigators are still looking into the Thursday blaze, which caused about $100,000 of damage to the press box and a storage area below it in the recently renovated grandstand area, said Spokane Valley Fire Department spokesman Bill Clifford.
Clifford said investigators have received some phone calls about the incident. Anyone with information should call police at (509) 242-TIPS.
– Parker Howell