Restored B-17 to visit for viewing, flights
One of the last flying B-17s from World War II will land in Coeur d’Alene Monday and be available for three days for public viewing and rides.
The bomber, named “Sentimental Journey,” is billed as the most fully restored Flying Fortress currently in flight, according to information from the Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum. The nonprofit group uses volunteers to crew the flight and take passengers on paid rides.
The B-17 is scheduled to arrive at the Coeur d’Alene Airport at noon Monday and be on display until it departs Friday morning. A $5 donation is requested to tour the aircraft. Forty-five minute flights cost $425 and can be arranged by calling (602) 448-9415.
Coeur d’Alene
Forum on nuisance species
A public meeting on Idaho’s aquatic nuisance species plan will be held Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game office in Coeur d’Alene.
The state is developing a plan to manage exotic invaders, including Eurasian water milfoil, zebra mussels and silver carp. The forum will provide a chance for the public to offer ideas.
The meeting will be held at 2885 W. Kathleen Ave.
Spokane
Parking rates to go up
The City Council voted unanimously Monday to raise parking rates.
Meters will need to be plugged between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. – an hour earlier and later than now. Rates for 90-minute meters will increase 20 percent, while all others will increase 25 percent.
The changes will take effect in coming weeks, as the meters are reprogrammed.
Officials said the city needs the changes partly to make bond payments stemming from the city’s settlement with the Cowles Co. over the River Park Square parking garage. That settlement severed the public-private ownership of the garage.
The Cowles Co. also owns The Spokesman-Review.
For the last few years the city has collected about $1.8 million annually from parking meters. Next year bond payments for the garage will increase from $1.8 million to $2.2 million.
The council also voted to hire a seventh employee to write parking tickets.
Administration officials expect the changes to raise an additional $500,000 to $700,000.
Omak
Deputy shoots, kills man
An Okanogan County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a man Monday during a foot chase that started at the scene of a rollover crash in Omak, the county sheriff said.
About 5:15 a.m., authorities responded to the one-vehicle crash on Robinson Canyon Road, where four passengers were injured. But deputies could not locate the driver. He soon was spotted several blocks away on Ironwood Street and fled from police, Sheriff Frank Rogers said.
Police confronted the man in a residential yard and he pointed a gun at an officer. A deputy was forced to fire, killing 18-year-old Bradley L. Behrens, of Okanogan, Rogers said.
Behrens had reportedly stolen the vehicle that rolled. Rogers said his office is investigating whether a carjacking early Monday near Okanogan is connected.
Rogers called in the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the shooting, standard procedure when a deputy is involved, he said.
Spokane Valley
Emu a handful for deputy
A Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy spent early Monday capturing a loose emu.
The ostrichlike bird was sighted about 6 a.m. at Chapman and Twilight roads, just off of Saltese.
“Anyone know the number of a good emu wrangler?” the deputy radioed into dispatch after chasing the bird for more than half an hour. About 7:20 a.m., it was in custody.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife handles wildlife and the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service takes care of pets.
“We get everything else by default,” said Spokane County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan. That includes loose llamas, prowling peacocks and errant emus, but more typically cattle, horses, sheep and other livestock.
Vandals damage golf green
Vandals hit a Spokane Valley golf course early Sunday, carving 6-foot-tall profanities and racial epithets into the first green and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
The vandals etched the words into the grass at Painted Hills Golf Course using a flag stick sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., according to a Spokane Valley Police news release.
The course at 4403 S. Dishman-Mica Road was damaged last year by several teenagers who were prosecuted for driving through a gate and onto the fairways.
“It happens every year,” said owner Tim McElhinny. “It will take a while to heal up.”
McElhinny estimated that it could cost as much as $100 per square foot to repair the damage. Some areas will have to be replanted.
The foul language and slurs cover more than 500 square feet.
Anyone with information is asked to call (509) 242-TIPS.
From staff reports