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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Cause unknown of fire in mobile home

The Spokesman-Review

Officials say a suspicious fire that destroyed an abandoned mobile home Thursday in Mead had no clear source.

Without working electricity or natural gas, “there weren’t any regular sources of ignition that (the fire) could be tracked to,” said Deputy Chief Jack Cates, of Spokane County Fire District 9.

He said juveniles were known to hang out in the home and probably caused the fire.

Just after 2 p.m., 14 firefighters arrived at 11609 N. Sheridan St., near the Mead Royale mobile home park, to find the double-wide engulfed in flames. Two trees in the front yard caught fire, as did some surrounding brush, but it took crews just 10 minutes to knock down the blaze, Cates said.

In late June, firefighters battled a 1-acre brush fire just south of the abandoned trailer. That fire, too, was suspicious, Cates said.

– Nick Eaton

Garwood, Idaho

Two seriously injured in head-on crash

Two men were injured Thursday morning in a head-on collision on Highway 95, just north of Garwood

According to an Idaho State Police release on the crash, a Liberty Lake man was driving north on the highway about 7:40 a.m. when he veered into the southbound lanes to pass slowing traffic. Donald R. Reed, 29, hit a southbound vehicle with his Ford Expedition.

Reed was not wearing a seatbelt, police said. He was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition.

The other driver, 50-year-old Samuel C. Scheu, was wearing a seat belt. The Athol resident was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was in serious condition.

– Amy Cannata

Spokane

Reward offered for tip on suspect

Law enforcement officials are looking for a 25-year-old alleged gang member wanted on suspicion of assaulting a man and a woman and threatening to kill them. Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to the capture of David Allen Johnson.

Johnson’s last known address is 23 S. Haven St. He is white, 5-foot-9 and weighs 180 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. Johnson’s convictions include riot, assault, drug charges, DUI and unlawful possession of a firearm. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call (509) 327-5111.

– Staff reports