In brief: County clears roads, imposes restrictions

Spokane County said Tuesday it had cleared snow-clogged roads serving every resident who had been stranded in southern and western reaches of the county over the weekend. Crews now are widening primary and arterial roads to two lanes.

But warmer temperatures and melting snow have prompted county officials to put temporary weight restrictions on the weakened roads.

“Roads are vulnerable to severe damage during this period,” Howard Hamby, county pavement management administrator, said in a press release.

Restrictions will be posted with signs indicating maximum allowable weights. The restrictions usually don’t apply to cars or pickups, but construction vehicles may have to reduce their loads to comply.

The Spokane County Division of Engineering and Roads normally puts the restrictions, which typically last about six weeks, into effect in late February or early March. The county engineer has the discretion to reduce speed limits.

Violators face a $411 civil infraction that would remain on their driving records.

For more information on road weight limits and restrictions, contact the county Division of Engineering and Roads at (509) 477-3600 or visit the county Web site at www.spokanecounty.org/engineer.

– Thomas Clouse

Spokane

Hession appointed interim CEO of MAC

Dennis Hession, former mayor of Spokane, has been appointed interim chief executive officer of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

“We are fortunate to have such a high-caliber leader take us through this time of transition,” said Sue Bradley, president of the MAC’s board of trustees, in a written statement. “Dennis brings an extensive knowledge of strategic planning, financial management and government relations to the MAC.”

Hession, a business attorney, was appointed mayor by the City Council after Mayor Jim West was voted out of office in 2006. Prior to that, Hession served on the council for four years, including two years as president.

The MAC’s former CEO, Bruce Eldredge, left to take a position as CEO of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyo. The board of trustees is searching for his permanent replacement.

– Pia K. Hansen

Masked man robs South Hill bank

A man who robbed a South Hill bank Tuesday remains at large.

About 11:45 a.m., a man wearing a flesh-colored mask went into the Washington Mutual Bank at 29th Avenue and Grand and demanded money from a teller, Spokane police Officer Glenn Bartlett said. The robber might have been armed.

The robber was about 5 feet 5 inches tall with average build, police said. He is thought to be in his 20s.

The vehicle he drove off in was found two blocks from the bank in a church parking lot, Bartlett said. The car, a black sedan, possibly a Nissan, had been reported stolen Monday.

– Jody Lawrence-Turner