In brief: Man on motorcycle dies after being hit

A man driving a small motorcycle died Tuesday night after he was struck by a minivan at the intersection of Madison Street and Maxwell Avenue, police said.

The man, whose name was not released, was hit about 10 p.m. while he was on a motorcycle that was smaller than a normal street bike, said Spokane police spokesman Cpl. Michael Carr.

The motorcycle rider was pronounced dead upon arrival at an area hospital, Carr said.

The driver of the minivan fled the scene, but police later caught up with him and he was still being interviewed late Tuesday night.

Carr said he was unsure if the man would be arrested or what charges he would face. It was unclear Tuesday night if the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, Carr said.

– Christopher Rodkey

Spokane Valley

Public meeting to be held on wolf delisting

A hearing Thursday in Spokane Valley will be one of the few sites across the West where public comments will be taken on a proposal to remove Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves from the Endangered Species list.

The sessions will be held at the Oxford Suites, 15015 E. Indiana Ave. A public meeting to allow for questions and provide information from federal and state wolf experts will run 3 to 5 p.m. Ed Bangs, the federal government’s recovery coordinator for gray wolves, will give a brief presentation.

A public hearing to gather comments on the proposal will be 6 to 8 p.m. Those unable to attend the meeting may also send comments to the agency through May 9. Comments can be e-mailed to NRMGrayWolf@fws.gov or sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wolf Delisting, 585 Shephard Way, Helena, MT 59601.

– James Hagengruber

Spokane

Police seeking 2 men who hit woman

Police are looking for two men who hit a 49-year-old Spokane woman in the head during a home invasion early Tuesday morning.

The woman answered her door in the 5000 block of North Adams Street after the two knocked about 1 a.m., said Spokane police Cpl. Tom Lee.

Officers said the men hit the woman with what might have been a metal bar. One was described as white, about 22 years old and 5-foot-8 with a medium build and blond hair. The second suspect was described as white and about 19 years old, Lee said.

The woman was treated for two head wounds at a emergency room and released.

– Staff reports

Superintendent hosts Web chat today

Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Brian Benzel will host his monthly online chat from noon to 1 p.m. today.

The public is invited to submit questions anytime by visiting the district’s Web site at www.spokaneschools.org and clicking on “Chat with the Superintendent.”

Transcripts from previous chats – held the first Wednesday of the month – are available on the Web site.

– Sara Leaming