Snow, then cold blowing this way

Snow by Friday and arctic cold by Sunday are forecast by the National Weather Service in Spokane.

Highs in the region on Sunday might only reach the mid- to upper teens, with lows around 5 degrees.

Forecasters said the cold air will be ushered into the region by a storm system that is likely to bring significant snowfall Friday night and Saturday, especially to the mountains, where ski resorts are waiting for enough snow to open.

Blowing and drifting snow could be a problem when arctic air moves southward over the weekend. The wind-chill effect will likely make the temperature feel as if it were below zero.

Kootenai County

One person dies when SUV hits tree

One person died when a sport utility vehicle struck a tree in the Rockford Bay area south of Coeur d’Alene on Monday.

The victim, whose name was not released pending family notification, was found dead when emergency crews responded to the call about 5:40 p.m., according to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

The accident occurred near West Rockford Bay Road and West Spyglass Lane.

Investigators remained on the scene several hours after the crash.

Spokane

Police say suspect told friend about stabbing

According to police, Terry Conner told a friend he stabbed a 50-year-old Spokane man 15 times and kept angrily repeating, “All this for just $7.25.”

An autopsy determined Timothy Eby died from his stab wounds, officials said.

Conner, 52, and Aaron Lyon, 28, were being held in Spokane County Jail on $1 million bond on charges of first-degree murder and robbery, according to arrest papers.

The suspects believed Eby, whom the men referred to as a drug dealer, would be carrying about $2,000 – not the $7.25 the pair is accused of stealing, said Spokane police Sgt. Joe Peterson.

About 2 a.m. Sunday, police received a report of a stabbing at 2614 E. Third Ave. Police found Eby dead inside his apartment. Three hours later, detectives arrested Conner and Lyon at the Bel Air Motel, 1303 E. Sprague Ave.

Grant County

Spokane man killed in crash near Ephrata

A 28-year-old Spokane man died when his 1993 Jeep Cherokee rolled on Highway 282 near Ephrata, Wash., on Saturday.

Lucas S. Vanwinkle, 28, was pronounced dead at a hospital after being ejected from the Jeep as it left the north side of the highway as he drove westbound, according to the Ephrata Police Department.

The crash occurred between Dodson Road and Nat Washington Way at 10:36 p.m., according to police.