Wind advisory issued today for region
The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Spokane and Coeur d’Alene from 4 to 10 a.m. today.
Gusts as high as 50 mph, with sustained winds up to 30 mph, could hit Spokane and Kootenai counties, as well as the Palouse.
Exposed areas such as the Rathdrum Prairie in Idaho and the West Plains are especially susceptible.
– Mike Prager
Man, 3 teens arrested in robbery, assault
Three teens and a 21-year-old man were arrested Monday for allegedly robbing and stabbing two men Sunday night in northwest Spokane.
The victims were walking home from the Zip Trip at 1023 W. Wellesley Ave. when they were approached by four robbers, police said.
The group demanded the victims’ wallets and the 18-pack of beer they were carrying. They knocked the two men to the ground, kicked them and stabbed them, Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said in a news release.
The victims were treated at a hospital and released, DeRuwe said.
Within hours, detectives arrested two boys and a girl, ages 14 to 16, DeRuwe said. They were booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree assault.
Officers arrested the older suspect, Chad Bolstad, Monday afternoon in the 2400 block of North Atlantic. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the same charges, plus an outstanding warrant.
– Sara Leaming
City Council approves cutting carbon dioxide
The Spokane City Council on Monday unanimously approved a “near nature quality of life initiative” that calls on the city to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 7 percent by the year 2012, among other things.
The resolution recognized efforts already being made by the city to protect air and water and to control urban sprawl.
Councilwoman Mary Verner, who sponsored the resolution, said other cities have pledged to cut carbon dioxide. She said the idea originated with Mayor Dennis Hession, who has signed a mayor’s climate protection agreement.
– Mike Prager
Deputy suspended 3 days for crash
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich has suspended a deputy for three days without pay for a Jan. 15 crash.
Deputy Gavin Pratt was westbound on Sunset Boulevard when he changed lanes to pass one motorist and slammed into the rear of a minivan that had stopped for a pedestrian.
Pratt, who was looking up a suspicious vehicle on his dashboard computer when he crashed, suffered a broken hand, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said Monday.
Knezovich found Pratt violated policies that require the use of seat belts and the safe and skillful operation of agency vehicles.
Pratt was hired in 2004. In October 2006, he was cited in a crash for failing to stop or yield at the intersection of Spotted Road and West Airport Drive when he pulled away from a stop sign and into the path of another vehicle, , Reagan said.
– Thomas ClouseSpokane Valley
McMorris Rodgersholds forum today
Want to ask your member of Congress why she voted for or against something, or how she stands on the issues of the day? Here’s your chance.
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers will hold a town hall meeting this afternoon in Spokane Valley.
McMorris Rodgers, who is in her second term representing Eastern Washington’s 5th District, will be at the forum starting at 1:30 p.m. at the CenterPlace Auditorium, 2426 N. Discovery Place.
– Jim Camden