Flags at half-staff for Pearl Harbor day

Flags at Washington state facilities will fly at half-staff today for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The flags should remain lowered until after sundown today or Monday morning, according to a directive issued by Gov. Chris Gregoire. Others are encouraged to join in the recognition.

The Remembrance Day was created by Congress in 1944 to honor Americans killed or hurt at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked the U.S. Navy base in Hawaii. American military casualties were more than 2,300 dead and 1,100 wounded.

Staff and wire reports

Spokane

Family displaced after chimney fire

A chimney fire in a northwest Spokane home has displaced a family of seven, but the two adults and five children escaped without injury.

The blaze erupted about 3:30 p.m. Saturday at 5231W. Navaho Ave., fire officials said. The fire quickly spread into a wall and then to the attic.

The family emptied three fire extinguishers before calling for help, said Spokane Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer. Crews were able to douse the fire in about 45 minutes and limit the fire damage, but smoke damage was spread throughout.

The children, ages 6 to 16, and the adults, will stay with family temporarily, officials said.

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Safeway to sponsor figure skating event

Organizers have landed Safeway as a major sponsor for the 2010 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane.

As the “local presenting sponsor,” the Pleasanton, Calif.-based grocery store chain will “take on the most significant local sponsorship role,” said Star USA, the Spokane-based organizer of both the 2010 event and the figure skating championships held in Spokane in 2007.

Safeway also will provide food and beverages to participating athletes and officials.

Star USA also recently announced two “supporting sponsors”: Spokane law firm Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport and Toole; and Chelan, Wash.-based fruit marketer Chelan Fresh Marketing.

Staff reports