Lost hikers found after night in wild
A Kettle Falls-area woman, two girls and a boy spent Wednesday night in the wilderness after they failed to report back from a day trip at the Kettle Crest Trail, according to the Ferry County Sheriff’s Office.
The hikers failed to return from their hiking trip at 6 p.m., prompting the county search and rescue team, a U.S. Border Patrol Mounted Unit and a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter to go out Thursday morning in a search, according to the release.
After 8 a.m., a man working for the Pacific Northwest Trail Association building and clearing trails found the lost hikers in the Copper Butte area of the trail. The hikers were in good condition and still had water and trail mix.
Spokane
Candle blamed for basement fire
Spokane fire officials blamed an unattended candle for a basement fire Thursday evening that killed a pet cat.
Twenty-one firefighters worked about 15 minutes to extinguish the fire at 1111 E. Longfellow Ave. The homeowner reported the fire about 5:30 p.m. when she arrived home and found the house full of smoke.
No people were injured, and two other cats survived.
Police say youths stole vans, alcohol
Two boys were arrested Thursday in a caper that police say involved the theft or attempted theft of at least six Dodge Caravans.
The alleged minivan fans were among three boys who escaped Tuesday evening from the Excelsior Youth Center, 3754 W. Indian Trail Rd., according to Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.
She said the suspects each were charged with two counts of car theft, but more charges may be filed later. She said the suspects crashed the stolen minivans into other vehicles.
“When they stopped stealing Caravans, the suspects stole alcohol from a local business,” DeRuwe said.
After drinking the alcohol, two of the suspects returned to Excelsior to sleep, according to DeRuwe.
Spokane Valley
Abduction attempt of boy reported
Spokane Valley police are investigating a 10-year-old boy’s report that a man tried to abduct him Thursday afternoon.
The boy told officers he was cleaning up lawns at the Eaglepoint Apartments, 2718 N. Bowdish Road, at about 4:50 p.m. when a man grabbed him from behind in a bear hug. The boy said he bit the man’s arm to break free.
The boy described his assailant as white, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with short hair and wearing a green T-shirt and brown shorts. The suspect reportedly fled.
Officers weren’t able to find any witnesses.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Spokane Valley Police Department at (509) 242-TIPS.
Wenatchee
Fire threatens cabins near lake
Authorities delivered evacuation notices Thursday to occupants of eight cabins on the east shore of Lake Chelan as a wildfire grew in size.
The Flick Creek fire broke out Wednesday, and winds had spread it over about 2,000 acres, or more than three square miles, by midday Thursday. The fire was burning in steep terrain about three miles south of Stehekin in north-central Washington.
Evacuations were ordered for four cabins near Flick Creek and four cabins farther down the lake shoreline, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum said.
The fire was believed to have been caused by human activity.