In brief: Man charged with bank robbery

A man walked into a Bank of America branch Wednesday, threw his backpack on the counter and said he was staying until it was filled with money, Spokane County sheriff’s deputies said.

Lawrence E. Grzogorek, 57, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery and booked into Spokane County Jail, said Sgt. Dave Reagan. None of the bank employees was injured, but Grzogorek was jolted with a Taser during his arrest because he refused to comply with police commands to surrender, authorities said.

According to deputies, Grzogorek’s behavior earlier this week may have been a sign he was building up to the incident.

Grzogorek, a former customer of the Spokane Valley bank, was in the business Monday and Tuesday making demands and threats to sue the bank, Reagan said.

Reagan said the man made his demands Wednesday to a teller who was working her first shift at the branch. Police were called to the bank at 8505 E. Sprague Ave. about 11:25 a.m.

Spokane County

Gregoire signs detergent law

Spokane County will be alone in enforcing the strictest dishwasher detergent regulations in the state.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill last week that makes Spokane the only county that will, starting July 1, outlaw the sale of dishwasher detergents with phosphorus contents higher than one-half of 1 percent.

The new law eliminated Clark County from the July 1 deadline and weakened regulations that will start in Whatcom County.

All of the state will have to meet the strict phosphorus limit in 2010.

“It helps smooth the transition to lower-phosphorus detergents in parts of the state,” said Gregoire’s press secretary, Aaron Toso.

Spokane County commissioners worry that the new law will reduce the incentive for major detergent manufacturers to meet the July 1 deadline, because there will be less market share at risk.

Industry leaders have said most major soap companies won’t have low-phosphorus detergents on the market by July, even though several smaller brands already sell phosphorus-free products.

COEUR D’ALENE

EPA eyeing stormwater runoff

The Environmental Protection Agency is scrutinizing stormwater runoff as a source of pollutants in North Idaho’s lakes and streams.

For the first time, several local cities and highway districts will need permits to discharge runoff into Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River.

Rain and snowmelt pick up oil, pesticides, fertilizers and other pollutants as the water crosses streets, parking lots and other hard surfaces.

“Urban runoff is a major contributor” to water pollution, said Misha Vokac, the EPA’s stormwater permit coordinator.

The city of Coeur d’Alene has 11 outfall pipes that carry runoff into Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River. Post Falls has five.

Two highway districts and the Idaho Transportation Department are also required to comply with the new permitting measures.

The entities will be required to inventory their outfall pipes, take periodic water samples and do public outreach to help keep contaminants out of lakes and streams.

Five Mile Prairie

Scaffolding collapses; two hospitalized

A collapsed scaffolding in a partially constructed home sent two people to Sacred Heart Medical Center’s trauma center Wednesday evening.

Emergency crews responded to the Five Mile Prairie home at 8506 N. Panorama Drive at 5:23 p.m.

The victims fell 10 to 20 feet beneath the tangled scaffolding while working on the home, according to Brian Schaeffer, assistant chief of the Spokane Fire Department. Crews stabilized the two and transported them to the hospital.

Their names and conditions were not available.