Vacation nest egg hits the road
The money was meant for Las Vegas, but Spokane motorists are the ones who may have hit the jackpot.
An estimated $7,000 in small bills fluttered off of a camper and onto Spokane-area roads Sunday, including a small stretch of Interstate 90, before the driver pulled to the shoulder, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The money had been left atop the camper to dry after becoming damp, and the owner reportedly forgot it was there.
Trooper Jeff Sevigney said Monday that the money apparently had been part of a $14,500 stash that a Spokane man had buried in his yard.
After unearthing the stash in preparation for a Las Vegas vacation, the owner placed the cash atop the camper in his garage to dry.
The owner, whose identity is being withheld by authorities, apparently forgot the money was there when he told a friend to get the camper Sunday and start driving to Nevada, Sevigney said. Troopers were called about 2 p.m. to help prevent people from running into freeway traffic to grab the wayward cash and managed to round up about $100 in loose bills.
The driver pulled over near the Altamont exit.
Sevigney said that once all the bills were counted, about $7,000 was unaccounted for. If anyone has found any unexplained money and wants to turn it in, Sevigney asks they contact WSP at (509) 456-4101.
– Jody Lawrence-Turner
Human rights panel has nine vacancies
The Spokane Human Rights Commission is more than half empty.
Spokane City Council President Joe Shogan said Monday that there are nine vacancies on the 15-member board.
The group, which was founded by former Spokane Mayor Sheri Barnard in 1991, advises the City Council and works to eliminate discrimination.
Spokane City Councilwoman Mary Verner said some recent vacancies on the commission were related to health problems. Those interested in applying for an opening can call the mayor’s office at (509) 625-6250.
– Jonathan Brunt
post falls
Bear hunters found after night in woods
Two bear hunters were found safe Monday afternoon after spending a night in the woods.
Post Falls residents Craig Wies, 49, and Russell Lowe, 65, were reported missing Sunday night after they didn’t return from bear hunting in northeast Kootenai County. Searchers found the men in their vehicle about a mile off Bunco Road. Their truck got stuck in snow on a Forest Service road, Sheriff’s Capt. Ben Wolfinger said.
– Taryn Brodwater