Neighbors gather
More than 100 parties are scheduled in neighborhoods across Spokane County for National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday.
The yearly event encourages neighbors to organize events that allow them to meet with law enforcement officials in a casual setting and foster community involvement to deter crime.
The Spokane Valley City Council will not hold its regular meeting Tuesday night in recognition of the event. Liberty Lake will hold its council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Pavillion Park, the site of a National Night Out party that will feature free ice cream.
SCOPE East on Harvard Road will host an open house from 6 to 9 p.m.
Look for parties hosted by individuals in neighborhoods across the Valley.
Learn more at www.nationalnightout.org/nno.
Public safety
Angry ex arrested
A man apparently angry at his ex-wife’s new boyfriend was arrested after police say he used his truck to slam the boyfriend’s Blazer into an apartment earlier this week.
A man in an apartment at 111 N. Walnut Road called police about 4 a.m. Tuesday when he woke up to find his bedroom wall being pushed in from the outside, said Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Outside, the uninjured apartment dweller saw the Chevrolet Blazer pushed into the building, and a red pickup backing away from it. The pickup truck sped south on Walnut to Sprague Avenue, Reagan said.
The Blazer’s owner and his girlfriend appeared at the scene and spoke with officers. The woman said the driver of the red pickup was her ex-husband, and he had been following the new couple around recently and had been threatening.
Officers went to the ex-husband’s home and found the red pickup parked in front.
Officers went in the home and arrested 30-year-old Erik W. Stephenson and booked him into jail on an outstanding warrant, as well as malicious mischief charges.
Outdoor concert
Opera in the Park
A free “Hot August Night” performance by the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene Opera is planned for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mirabeau Meadows Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway.
The outdoor concert will feature selections from “La Boheme,” “The Mikado” and “South Pacific.”
Dancers from Ballet Spokane also will perform.