Motorcyclist dies in crash on Monroe
A motorcyclist died Thursday in a crash that blocked North Monroe Street for more than three hours.
Spokane police believe the man, whose name was not being released pending notification of family, may have been distracted by four garage fires sparked by downed power lines in the 6100 block of North Monroe and North Lincoln streets when he slammed into the back of a car while southbound on Monroe, said spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.
The man sustained serious head injuries and died at a local hospital, according to police.
The north and south lanes of Monroe between Francis and Dalke avenues were closed as police investigated the crash, which occurred about 5 p.m.
– Meghann M. Cuniff
Suspect arrested after pursuit
A man sought on suspicion of first-degree assault was arrested Thursday morning after a short pursuit, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Jeremiah Currier Bradbury was placed on the Crime Stoppers Fugitive list May 1 but eluded capture until a tip came in Thursday morning.
Authorities went to Mission Avenue and Crestline Street and spotted Bradbury driving away in a white Honda, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release.
Bradbury attempted to flee when deputies tried to stop him, then crashed his car into a power pole. Bradbury left his injured passengers and fled on foot down an alleyway, Reagan said.
He was restrained with the use of a Taser.
Bradbury suffered minor injuries. Officers searched the Honda and found a handgun.
– Carley Dryden
Paper firm appeals dam certification
Inland Empire Paper Co. has become the third entity to appeal the Washington Department of Ecology’s 401 certification of dams on the Spokane River.
The newsprint plant filed its appeal Thursday, saying Ecology should require Avista Corp. to do more to address low levels of dissolved oxygen in the reservoir behind Long Lake Dam.
Inland Empire Paper Co. is owned by Cowles Co., which publishes The Spokesman-Review.
Inland Empire Paper is being required by the state to reduce its plant’s phosphorus emissions, which feed algae growth in the reservoir.
As the algae decays, it reduces oxygen in the water.
Long Lake Dam “creates artificial conditions” that exacerbate the problem, said Doug Krapas, Inland Empire Paper’s environmental manager.
“We are asking that dam’s contribution to low levels of dissolved oxygen be recognized.”
Avista and the Sierra Club also are appealing parts of the 401 certification, which is part of the process of obtaining a new federal license for the dams.
Washington’s Pollution Control Hearings Board is expected to hear the appeals next year.
– Becky Kramer
Open house planned at fire complex
Spokane County Fire District 9 will celebrate its 60th anniversary by holding a public open house Sunday at the Farwell complex, 3801 E. Farwell Road.
Residents are invited to tour the station and training facilities, meet firefighters and see the fire safety house from 2 to 5 p.m.
The district serves a population of about 45,000 across 122 square miles in north Spokane County.
– From staff reports