Human remains halt road work

Wed., Aug. 27, 2008

Construction of a road on the Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center grounds was stopped earlier this week when crews found human remains.

Because of the age of the remains, including a partial skull and other bone fragments, Spokane police and the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office have determined that the work area is not a crime scene, a VA spokeswoman said.

The medical center is following VA procedure for “inadvertent discoveries on federal lands” and notifying appropriate agencies, said Sandy Smock, the medical center’s public affairs officer. Among the agencies are the Spokane Tribe and the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

School supply donations wanted

The Salvation Army is asking the Spokane community for help sending children back to school with adequate supplies.

The nonprofit agency estimates it will need three times as many school supplies as it currently has on hand for its annual school supply distribution from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Salvation Army Family Resource Center, 204 E. Indiana Ave.

The Salvation Army is teaming with Fred Meyer stores in Spokane, where donations may be dropped off. Donations can also be taken to the Salvation Army Community Center, 222 E. Indiana Ave., between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. through Friday.

All supplies are welcome, but the agency particularly needs backpacks and colored markers.

Those seeking help should bring identification and proof of each child in the home, such as a Social Security card, medical coupon or school ID. Call (509) 325-6810 for details.

Kootenai County

Man sought in OxyContin theft

A man accused of robbing the Hayden Rite Aid of more than 600 OxyContin pills Monday evening is being sought by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

The man entered the Rite Aid at 43 W. Prairie Ave. and handed an employee a note stating he was armed and demanding various dosages of the prescription painkiller, Sgt. Joseph Jovick said.

The suspect was described as about 5-foot-11 and thin, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with an Under Armour design on the front and a black stocking cap. He was last seen running toward Hayden Creek Plaza.

Investigators are working with other agencies to determine if the robbery is connected to other recent pharmacy hold-ups for prescription painkillers in the Spokane area, Lt. Kim Edmondson said.

Anyone with information can contact the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department at (208) 446-1300 or Secret Witness at (208) 667-2111.

Spokane Valley

Two men sought in copper caper

Police are seeking two men seen stealing scrap copper from a Spokane Valley business Sunday evening.

The men are accused of entering the Dickson Iron and Metal storage yard, 907 N. Dyer Road, and driving off with a pile of copper, said Spokane Valley police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan. The truck is a gold GMC Sonoma model with a Washington license plate.

One man was described as white, 6-foot-3 with a heavy build. The other man is also white, about 5-foot-8 and thin with black hair, Reagan said.

Anyone with information should call Spokane Valley police at (509) 242-TIPS.

From staff reports

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