In brief: Public help sought identifying body

Spokane County Medical Examiner Sally Aiken appealed Tuesday for help in identifying a man whose body was found in the Spokane River last June.

The body was decomposed beyond recognition, and fingerprints couldn’t be obtained. But Aiken released an artist’s sketch of what the man may have looked like, based on his facial structure.

Aiken said the body was found entangled in shoreline brush near the Sans Souci West Mobile Home Park at the west end of Broadway Avenue on June 18. He was clad only in white Hanes brand socks and white briefs.

Several letters, one of which appeared to be “X,” were written on the underwear waistband with a marking pen, Aiken said.

Injuries suggested the body may have traveled “some distance,” and the action of current and rocks could have accounted for the lack of clothing, according to Aiken. She estimated the body was in the river at least one to two weeks and possibly “considerably longer.”

Aiken said the man probably was 20 to 40 years old, and most likely was in his late 20s or early 30s. He weighed about 200 pounds and was about 6 feet 1 inch tall.

Tests showed marijuana and caffeine in the man’s system, Aiken said.

She speculated that he might have recently left a group home, mental ward, jail or other institution – or he may have been suicidal.

Aiken asked anyone with information to call (509) 477-2296.

Apply now for Roadshow tickets

The Antiques Roadshow may not be rolling into Spokane until Aug. 4, but it’s not too early to get in line for tickets.

As of Tuesday, applications for tickets to the 2007 Antiques Roadshow tour can be made online or by postcard.

Tickets to the event are free but are selected by drawing. Rules limit each household to one application, and if chosen, two tickets. Postcard applications must be postmarked by April 21, and arrive no later than May 5.

Event organizers expect to distribute 6,800 tickets for each event city.

For more information, go to www.antiquesroadshow.com, or apply by postcard to Spokane Roadshow, Box 249, Canton, MA 02021.

Online applicants will be notified by e-mail. Those who applied for tickets by postcard will not receive a notification before tickets are mailed approximately three weeks prior to the Roadshow, but can check the Web site on May 22 to see whether they were selected.

Victim of crash in November dies

An 81-year-old man involved in a crash in late November has died.

Don Klingbell was pronounced dead on Tuesday at Holy Family Hospital, according to a Washington State Patrol report. The Valley resident was a passenger in a car that crashed Nov. 28.

The driver, Clarinda Klingbell, was turning from Highway 231 onto northbound Highway 395 near Chewelah when her car collided with a southbound semi-truck, WSP said. Klingbell was given a ticket for failing to yield right-of-way.

Homeless census to begin soon

For the second year in a row, local officials and social service providers are teaming up on Thursday for a state-mandated count of homeless people in Spokane County.

Count stations are being set up at various nonprofit organizations, and people will be asked to provide basic information to establish their status as being homeless and to prevent double counting.

The homeless census is in its second year and is part of the state’s Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act that provides $12 million in assistance annually statewide and sets a goal of cutting homelessness in half over 10 years.

Last Jan. 26, the homeless count identified 1,592 homeless people living in local shelters, transitional housing or on the streets across the county. Another 682 persons were identified as living with friends or family, said Amy Jones of Spokane’s human services department.

In addition, the city counted 6,024 persons who were homeless at any given time during 2005. Jones said results of the 2006 yearlong count will be announced in coming weeks. Thursday’s count is a single-day census.

Scores sign up for air ambulance

Nearly 100 people signed up in the first week of a new membership program aimed at cutting costs of emergency air ambulance trips provided by Northwest MedStar in Spokane, officials said.

Dozens of residents in Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Oregon agreed to pay $59 a year or $150 for three years to cover costs that can average more than $12,000 for a single flight.

Officials started the program this month, after passage of a new state law that exempts air ambulances from insurance regulations that classified them as health contractors. The company has reciprocal agreements with other air ambulances in the West.

Under the plan, people who join pay the subscription fee. In return, MedStar bills public or private insurance for the cost of emergency air transport, and then pays the bulk of the bill that’s left. In many cases, that might be up to several thousand dollars. Many insurance companies strictly limit the amount allowed for ambulance service of any kind.

For information about the program, call (866) 478-0566 or visit the Web site www.nwmedstar.org.

Reward offered for tips in search

Secret Witness is offering a reward for information that leads to the capture of a fugitive wanted on drug charges.

Jeffrey Francis Matlock, 32, is wanted for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. Matlock has prior convictions for drugs, eluding police and possession of stolen property.

The fugitive is described as 6 feet tall and 185 pounds with blue eyes and sandy-colored hair, Reagan said.

Anyone with information regarding Matlock’s whereabouts should call (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect the cash reward but should leave a code name or number.

Spokane Valley

Memorial today for teen brothers

A memorial for two former Ferris High School students killed in a crash last week will take place today in Spokane Valley.

Cody Davis, 17, and Robert Hanson, 18, died Thursday night after Hanson lost control of the vehicle he was driving and collided with a tow truck on Highway 395 near Deer Park, Washington State Patrol officials said. Davis and Hanson, brothers, were headed home after a concert at the Big Easy.

The family had recently moved to Deer Park from Spokane.

The memorial will be 2 p.m. at Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines. The public is welcome to attend.

If anyone would like to make a donation, an account has been set up under the two teenagers’ names at Washington Trust Bank.