Fire burns house in West Central area
A fire burned a vacant house in the West Central neighborhood early Saturday, according to the Spokane Fire Department.
The blaze at 1927 W. Boone Ave. started shortly before 4 a.m. When crews arrived, heavy smoke had already engulfed the upper level of the wood-frame dwelling, according to a press release from the Fire Department.
It took about 20 minutes to contain the fire and another three hours for the 22 firefighters to completely put it out.
Damage has been estimated at $20,000. The cause remains under investigation.
Reward set for tips on kidnap, assault suspects
Secret Witness is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of two men suspected of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.
Spokane police have obtained warrants for Charles H. Garland, 19, and 18-year-old Bobby S. Galloway.
On May 31, the two allegedly abducted and assaulted a teenage girl. On May 18, they also allegedly robbed a student from Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute who was waiting for a bus in the Shadle Park neighborhood.
Anyone with information about Garland’s or Galloway’s whereabouts is asked to call Secret Witness at (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to leave their names to collect the reward, but should leave a code name or number.
Latah County
Deputies seize animals after neglect alleged
Latah County sheriff’s deputies confiscated 29 livestock animals Saturday from a Harvard, Idaho, man accused of neglecting them.
The deputies, along with the Latah County Search and Rescue Mounted Horse Posse, rounded up 23 horses, four cows and two llamas belonging to Delmer R. West, 3016 Deary St. All were described as emaciated and lacking food and water by a former Washington State University veterinary professor.
West was warned on June 6 to better care for the animals but he failed to do so, according to the professor, who observed the animals Monday.
The search and seizure warrant was issued Wednesday by Magistrate Judge William C. Hamlet.
All 29 animals were taken to the Lewiston Stockyard, where they are being treated by a veterinarian.
West has agreed to sell the horses, cows and llamas and turn the proceeds over to pay for the animals’ veterinary care and the Sheriff’s Department’s costs to seize them.
Bonners Ferry
Flood warning extended for Kootenai River
A flood warning for the Kootenai River at Bonners Ferry has been extended until Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
By 11 a.m. Saturday, the Kootenai River was more than a foot above the flood stage of 64 feet, and just before 10 p.m. Boundary County Incident Commander Bob Graham reported that the situation was worsening.
Graham said a dike built three weeks ago two miles east of Bonners Ferry was beginning to fail. Several roads were flooded.
Large releases from Libby Dam in Montana are expected to continue through today.